The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1837-11-18
EDUCATION.
From the Columbia County Register.
To the Pupils in the Cattawissa schoo


feeling. When | contemplate the institu-
tons of our country, the age in. which we
live, and the spirit of improvement manifest
ed around me, cannot be insensible Of the
importance of mental culture. The short
time that will intervene between this, and
the time in which you will be required to
assume your destined position in society,
adds interest to the occasions; and heightens
my solicitude for your improvement. Now,
in order to hasten your improvement, it is
essentially necessary that you, attend to
three things! First-The instructions of
your teacher:--Second. The advice of your
parents and friends-aud Thirdly, TO
please, and as far as possible accommodate
and assist each other.
In regard to the first, you all, no doubt,
see the necessity at once. But still, there
are several ways of attending to that duty.
You should devote your whole attention to
the subject, while under examinations; and
not rest satisfied, with learning your text
book by rote. 1t is not essential, in what
words your ideas are conveyed; provided,
the ideas intended by the author, are under
stood. When you studya lesson, do it
for the sake of the sense or use of it; and
not only for the words. The second point
is perhaps not so clear, in its advantages,
though more clear as duty. will, there
fore say few words on that point. 1t is
your duty religiously to attend to, and obey
your parents; because, our religion requires
it.
1t Is for your own advantage, to attend
their direction; because; they are versed in
practical operations, although perhaps less
learned than yourselves in theory. And
here let me remark, that owing to the time
III which our parents were educated; that
is in the midst of the revolution, which gave
birth to our happy governments; and owing
to the fact, that they settled in this country
when 1t was comparatively wilderness,
their opportunity of acquiring learning at
school was very limited; and hence many
OF them, have even less than yourselves,
now in your infancy. This furnishes a.
bundart reason for gratitude and thankful
ness on your part; but does not furnish any
reason, why you may not derive lasting
benefit from the familiar, practical instruc-
ton of your parents, or any of your older
though less learned friends.
In your leisure hours, you may gain
much useful information, by familiar con-
versation with older persons; and also, with
each other. lfyou are polite and attentive,
| you will find few artiZans or mechanics,
that will refuse to inform you, relative 10
any of their operatons-but in these cases,
you should be carefully not to meddle with
any of their tools, without permission. If
you seek the company of men, lat conven-
lent times,) they will commonly be willing,
if they perceive in you thirst for knowl-
edge, to instruct you in the art or business
which they may understand. For the ad-
yantages resulting from such course, |
need only refer you to the life of Doctor
Franklin written by himself. Such inter-
views, such visits, and such instruction, are
essentially "Lyceums."
Very simple operations, often produce
great results, and little knowledge, may
often save us from danger. For instance,
you may find piece of ordinary YELLOW
Stone, which when burned or heated and
cooled again, becomes a beautiful red paint.
| once knew some boys who pocured mus.
ket barrel, which having secured perfectly
tight at the breach, they filed partly full
They then placed the end, which contained
| the wafer, III sullll 3 HFe, anu neateQ Il
hot. The swelling or expansion of the
water, produced explosion; and drove the
plug with great force. This was very dan
gerous amusement for the boys, however
because they did not know, whether the
plug would be driven out, or the barre
bursted Here you see the good, tina
might flow from little inquiry on this sub
ject. In the first place, if the boys had no
been aware Of the explosion, they nigh
have been wounded; and if they had uset
some other substance for the plug, they
might have broken the barrel. tits scarce
ly possible to converse with any man 81
ignorant, but that knowledge may be gaineC
from him. And hence the advantage O
Lyceums or Society for mutual instruction
amongst men, as well as youth. From
these observations, hope you will see tn,
advantage resulting from correspondence
with others, and act accordingly.
In your actions on this subject, do no
however, look for great momentary i'm
provements; but expect little gradual in
crease of knowledge-and hence in a fey
years you will accumulate a good store
On the third subject, little need be sal
We all know, that when we are agitat ed
| 4 H.