The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1837-12-26
VILLAGE LYCEUMS.

nor
I'LL, io,ont mon Il livelihood and, indeed, it
I'D coon, on n cursory view, that nothing more
,I5 roosonobIv claim their attention that the
,io,;as and rolls Of common, necessary pursuits,
-, o,cIrde every effort TO mental or moral I'M
,,,,,,or,ert. that the mind must anguish and die
,o amidst the oppressive rubbish Of liie-and thus
mar, bacon,e mere animal intent only upon AMI
,,oI qualifications and capable only OF those views
and aims which terminate with physical wants ana
,emnoral existence But all this is mlstake'-
MentnJ improyement is not necessarily confined 10
literary and scientific men. Physical and mental
labor are by no means incompatible with each other
ON the contrary we find in the history Of Literature,
instances where they have been happily combined
The literary Roman could follow the plough, or
tend the flock ii was once iu-the statute OF Eng
land that every priest should engage ia some handI-
craft and we find, in our own community, those
whose lives are tissues Of physical ehori-whose
shops and farms bear witness TO their asslduty, ana
who are nevertheless models Of mental strength ana
investigation.
There are means by which u village can, in little
time secure a character for intelligence and thought
such as the existence of Press, Reading Room,
or Circulating Library but the primary and most
eiectual, is tho establishment Of village LYcEUMs;
their advantages are numerous, few OF winch 1t
may not be amss 10 lay before the public
And frst-They give opportunity for the prohta-
BILE employment Of much time which would other
wise be wasted, No man, however engaged IN the
duties of his profession, can boast Of every hour
spent to the best advantage. There will be inter
walls in the course OF every pursuit, devoted TO no
profitable purpose. Let these be reckoned up by
any man of business, and he will be astonshed at
the amount of time that has already dropped from
his existence leaving benefit to himself or ms
race. Let this calculation be made through an or
binary village, and how many years Of time will be
counted lost Extend it through our country, and
where are the centuries that have passed away
from the sum of human life, which the slug
gish wave of Oblivion has rolled, leaving not YES
ligo behind it; Let Lyceums be established, and
the young men and old men Of our villages be in
duccd to attend them and engage in their eXer-
cises. and how soon would this waste of time be
prevented
They create investigation. Subjects are present
ed for discussion which require research and thought
Authorities and textbooks are sought and perused,
and thus reading becomes matter Of necessity
The mind is also brought % reflection. Itieels
kind Of apprehension, in regard 10 the approaching
debate, which nothing short Of Il thorough knuwI- .
edge of the subject in question satisfy Il gets
learns the necessity of critical distinction. clear
views, and lucid explanation Mind comes in con-
tact with mind aud thus thought is elected almos,
..awares. Debating forms kind Of STEPPING stone
for the mind-It catches upon thought after
other as if by instinct, until subject is fairly
pretended which once presented only impenetrabe
darkness. Such exercises combine practice with
theory, bringing out the secret and unutered
tlpt uit nd flrpN q A.
tractIve light Another important advantage ofyil-
lage Lyceums, is a for extemporuneous speak
ing. The mind becomes habituated correct, and
at the time rapid thought, ready for emergen-
cy, prepared to sustain interest, sudden and
expected solicitations Restraint is thrown off, and
by degrees the mind learns to command lis own
power, and habits Of speaking naturally, Undue
ed. In debates we exhibit the most natural elo-
quonce. We utter our own sentiments and those
dictated by feeling. We speak, 10 perform a
cold and formal duty, but with object Of interest
with conviction Of truth, and u desire impress
that truth. Memory strengthened by debate
The interest felt in the sub eci matter, the time
mpresses every circumstance in its connection, and
faslens the argument deep IN our remembrance.
The difference i'll intelligence between those vii.
lagos where Lyceums exist, and those where they
do not, is apparent, and striking In the former
stranger sees at once readiness and promptltude
in conversation, correctness of thought, and ease
Of communication. In the latter want of gener-
al intelligence, a hesIency Of communication, u
destituton Of taste and dizziness of manners. Let
Lyceums, well regulated, systematic, be established
in every village of New England and in the course
Of ten years what change would take place in the
general intelligence Of our citizens. How would
the mind awake, and show its strength. How gen
eral happiness, the satisfaction intelligence mparts,
be augmented! There would be among
US. 1t would be introduction to nober views, |
and higher aims We should see the triumphs of
mind over matter, and thought bruitism, Of in
tellgence over ignorance, of industry idloness
and dissipation.
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GEN I. S. Brown has been arrested at Middle
bury charge of Indebtedness to the Bank of Mon
treal. The circumstances said to be follows: