Litchfield enquirer., 1838-10-04

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1t is at once melancholy and fearful to
reflect, how much intellect Is daily perishing
from inaction or worse than perishing
from the false direction given itin tie morn
ing Of life. I fear we do not yet fully re-
alize VIVA. % meant when we speak Of the
Improvement Of the mind. fear tits not
yet enough considered by legislators or pa
rents, tina. there dwells in every rational
being, an intellect endowed with portion
Of The faculties, which form the glory and
happiness Of our nature. and which, devel-
oped and exerted, are the source Of all that
makes mao to differ essentially from tho
clod ofthe valley. Neglected and unculti-
waited, deprived Of It's appropriate nourish-
lnent, denied the discipline which 10 neces-
sary to its healthy growth. this divine prin-
ciple all but expires, and the man whom il
was sent to eulighten sinks down before bis
natural dsath, 70 his kindred dust. Train
ed and instructed, strengthened by wise
discipline, and guided by pure principle. il
ripens into an Intelligence but little lower
than the angels. This is the work ofedu-
cation. The early years Of life are the pc
RODS whea is must commonly b obtained;
and. if this opportunity 10 lost. il 10 too Of
ten loss which nothing can repair. IL is
usual to compare the culture Of the mind
TO the culture Of the earth. 1.-THE husband
man relax his labours, and his 6eld bs left
untitled this year or the nexe, although .
crop or two may be lost. the evil may be
remedied. The land with, is productive
qualities remains. II not ploughed and
planted this year, it may be the year after.
But if the mind be wholly neglected during
tho period most proper for iss cultivation,
if it DO suffered to remain dark and 0nin.
formed, it's vital power perishes for oil the
purposes Of an intellectual nature IL 10 lost.
II is as if an earthquake had swallowed up
the uncuItivated fallows it 10 as II . swollen
river had washed away, not merely the
standing crop, but the bank on which il was
growing. When the time for education
has gone by, the man must, in ordinary Ca
SEES, be launched upon the world o benight-
ed being, scarcely elevated above the
beasts that perish aud all that he could
have been and done for society. for himself,
10 wholly lost. la
Although this utter sacrifice Of the intel
lectual nature 10 rarely made in this part Of
the country, I fear there exists even here,
q woful vast of mental power through neg
lect Of education. Taking our population
as whole, fear, that there Is NOT near
time enough passed At school; that many
of.hose employed in the business Of instruc-
ton, are incompetent TO the work and that
our best teachers are not sufficiently fur
nished with literary apparatus. particularly
with school libraries. IL these defects
could be supplied, believe few years
would witness wonderful effect upon the
community: that on impulse NOT easily
conceived beforehand, would DO given 10
individual and social character.
I am strongly convinced, that II behovss
our ancient commonwealth, to look snx-
iously 10 this subject, ifsbe wishes to main.
tnin her honorable standing 10 this Union
Of states. am not grisyed, whom ] be-
hold on the map the enormous Dimensions
Of some Of the new states in the wests as
contrasted with the narrow little strip which
comprises the good old bay state. They
are bone Of our bone and Hesh Of orr flesh
their welfare is closely interviewer With
ours; 10 every thing that can promote their
solid prosperity, bid them God speed wiih
all nay heart. | hear without discomfort
the astonishing accounts Of their fertility |;
that their vast prairies are covered with
more feet Of rich vegetable mould, than ous
soil on an average can boast Of inches /;
and can bear 10 hear il said. without envy.
that their Missouri and Mississippi, the
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