The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1837-09-26
For THE CALEDoNIAN.
OUR COUNTRY.-NO. w.

|
OUR COUNTRY.-NO. ~.
A prevailing love of pleasure, is formidable OBJ
stacle to the diffusion of useful knowledge in our
country. Many of youth enslaved by this
spirit This is especially the fact in tho Southern
States Itmay be attributed in part to climate;
in high ATTITUDES, their redundancy of life and
pruriency of feeling which do not characterize the
inhabitants of other climates. Yet even in New
England, and this land of the Pilgrims is peculiarly
our country the influence ofthis split is to be
detrimental Men of wealth and enterprise too Of
ten abandon their sons to the guidance of youthful
folly; or submit them the of others in stua-
tions where is presented every temptation TO dssi
pated life and ruined character Taught to feel re-
sponsibility to none, they become their own teach
ers well guardians; and pursue the course
which pleasure dictates, TO the neglect of sober and
intellectual enjoyments. Any thing like sacrifice,
they cannot endure. Education secondary in
their view. Some Of pleasure haunts their
memory, or awalens their antcipations in the midst
of pretended study. The school room is their most
hateful PRISON. its tasks most oppressive burdens
upon hours they would have move smoothly
and swiftly away. And,
GAS Atlas groaned
The world beneath, they groan beneath an hour,
They cry for mercy to the next amusement"
The sons of the poor equally intent on the
same deceptive siren. Unemployed at home, and
too idle for service abroad, they are enthralled by
habits ofsloth. Loungng and sport constitute their
dull round of existence. They can adjust hook,
and aim a gun, and there is the limit of their ambi
| ton.
We have materials and mind that might use
them but it must be reused. 1t must be searched
out and brought to light. The rubbish must be
torn away, that ight may penetrate and the invig-
Grating influence of science and virtue be felt. The
brightest gems found in dust. In the humble
cottage of poverty may repose the energies of Ba-
con, ihe sublime Imagination of n Milton, the
deep and fathomless genius of Newton. Mind,
which if maured by the rays of science and kind
led by the vital spark of virtue would spread in
turn broad of lgh. over tho intellectual and
moral world.
Another characteristic of society, detrimental es-
pecally to female mind,-is an idle curiosity. This
point cannot well be left, as it seems Important
1t is general ausion and the fair reader will by
no means commend delicacy which would prompt
to silence There is kind of social feeling, which,
it were desirable might pervade society, does
gravitation the material universe There is no ra-
tional life wthoutit. 1t gives oneness of thought
and unity of action. By it merit is rewarded and
fault forgiven. Individual and peculiar views re-
ceive the Difference Of charity. Such spirit sweet
ems le gilds its passing days with consolation, and
crowns them with peace And that community
where this social feeling does exist where there
is no neighbor, though hundreds pass your door;
where each sits enthroned upon his own interest
saluting with growl, whoever approaches presents
by no means, a satisfying picture.
But that curiosity for trihes, and petty meddling
which, it must be acknowledged, are characteristics
in society, and more especially amongst the female
portion of it, offer very efficient barrier to the diff
fusion of useful knowledge. The first lesson tha
salutes the daughters ear is not the fact that she
a rational being; that she has heart which may be
the home of truth and virtue, or the accursed resi-
dence sin; not that she is immortal and as sucf
her relations are interesting, and destiny amazing
A not even the elements Of language and rudiments o
tbscience but SLY ,& halfunmeanng insnu alton abou
!, friend; or open and sweeping maediction agans
an enemy--a sheer at some trivial weakness or Sc
verify upon an unfortunate mistake. She goes a
broad, and the same lesson is unavoidably review
ed, and offers new interest She learns that il i
fashionable not to indulge in an improving inter
4 change of literary and moral views but to rant
bout neighbors:-nott to propose plans of necessar,
economy, but to rail at the spIendor or meanness
ohers:-not to discover a love for high and oenor
Gus sentiments, but condescension to degradip
:, and unworthy caprice. This is not an oyerdraw,
t picture. Who that has bestowed one tbongb, uno
e the state OF society does not know it to be so ,
: Nay-more What one, however scrupulous wit
y regard to conduct, and unconscious of impropr;o,,