The native American., 1838-04-21
From the Southern Literary Messenger.

Ertracts Of an address to The Phi Beta Aap-
pa Society of Rhode Island, deliuered Sept.
7, 1896, by HIM. G. Goddard, Professor OF
Bellies Lcttres in Brown University.
And let merchants of all sorts, mechanics, and
farmers, pay heedful attention to the tollowing:-
But il is to those who famiarly styled men Of
business that liberal studies should be more particularly
commended. Parents often withhold from such OF their
intended for active fe accomplished edu-
cation because they believe that in active life Is
rather hndered than promoted by the liberal cultivation
of the intellect In accordance with this belief IS o.
ten said that merchants manufacturers, and mechanics
acquire additional skill for the conduct OF their bus
ness by acquaintance with general literature And
what they do not! Were they born to be merchants
and manufacturers. and mechanics and nothing more.
Are they not endowed like other men, with the higher
faculties of their being and should not these faculties
be exercised upon their proper objects! They are not
is true, candidates for literary distinctions but in what
sphere they may chance to move, they are human
beings and why should they not be RATIONAL wenform
ed, refined human beings If their ordinary occupations
Itself cogent reason ,rhy taste for such pursuits
shoula be the carefully tostered To the imperfect
education of this large and valuable class in every
Eunity, may be ascrbed the otherwise inexplicabe mis-
takes of who stand strong in the consciousness of
rare practical sagacy What disastrous would
such men avoid if they gave repose to their pas
sions; and if by employing their minds upon larger
riey OF Objects they arpened their accuracy, and
larged their comprehension
The concluding paragraph is pregnant with
truth and power:-
well might be deemed unfathfnl advocate Of lib
eral studies if, in estimating their value, yielded no
tribute OF applause to the solid provision which they
make for independent individual happiness for that hap
pness which is enjoyed, not much amid the hum and
shock of men, amid the solitude of nature and OF
thought. LviAg in land where " men act in multi
tndes, think in multitudes and free in multtudes
we constantly tempted to forget the mysterious ind
viduay OF our being go out OF ourselves for materials
OF enjoymen to fritter away sensibes, and to de-
bitate our understandings amid the false and hollow
gaieties Of the crowd. contend for estrange
men' from the Joys of chaste and elegant convivaty
Tor exclusive intercourse with forms of inanimate
heany; for fearful communion with the mysteries OF
the inner spirit But deprecate habits and tastes which
are impatient Of seclusion; which destroy all true and
simple relish for nature; which all quiet pleasures
which abhor alike the composure and the scrutiny OF
ditaon. As of reforming tastes and habits thus
uncongenal to virtue and TO happiness, hardly ex-
aggerae the Importance Of liberal studies. ascribe to
them however, power to teach rooted the les
son Of submission; to virtue amid mighty tempa
tons to dspel the awful sadness of the inevitable hour
These the victories Of Christian faith; the grand and
peculiar and mperishabe evidences of its power. But
challenge for science and for letters the noble praise
of reclaiiDng from the dominion of the senses of
tightening the burden of care; OF stimulating within us
the undyng princ pies of the moral life