Litchfield enquirer., 1838-06-28
ron THE LrrcH11rLD EEQUrHEu.
THE CEU M.

Tho formation of COnnsceics SSass Lgcssm at the recent meeting of the national society at Hartford will be hailed, think, by the friends of feducatiOn and general intelligence as the haTbnger Ofa new era in the history of popular improvement TOO long have the people of this State slumbered over . subject which has far mora connection with their dearest in tCrests than any other which could possibly claim their attention H would indeed seem surprising to one who was unacquainted with the nature of the case, that tho neghbcring States should make such rapid improvements in their systems of common edu catOns while we who profess greater advantages than any of them, should be left in the rear, travelling in the sa bd wort-out path which our fathers before us trod, without attempting to make repairs upon it by adopting the improvements of the present age.
 The new society which is organized it is to be hoped, will take up the subject ofpopular education in vigorous and decisive manner. They should he dilgent in making observations upon present sys tenn of common schools, and inquire what imrpove- ments will be necessary to render them efficient and practical Nor is it to be forgotten that unusually large amount popular prejudice is to be sumounted and removed before it proceed unobsructed in it's plans of Improvement; for there are many in every community who have 90 bigoted an attachment to an cien landmarks as to regard all attempts at improve ment as innovations upon their rights, which should upon no account be tolerated <.7s E's+
 Let me not be misunderstood to cas-. stigma upon the character and institutions of our ancestors. I know their moral worth heir intellectual greatness their arduous love of iberty; their zeal in the holy cause of religion; forthese and many similar qualities respect their memory and erinstitutions: Butwe should not let this respec: carry 50 far give the impress of divinity to all their works, and it to be of serious detriment to the living We should not forget that, like ourselves they were ering mortal men, subject to like passions and inrmities, and that it would be morally impossible for them to perfect all their plans so not to leave them susceptible of im provement. s
 But my object in this communication is not to dis cuss the utility of any improvements which may be suggested, but to call the attention of the public to resolution of the Connecticut Lycsum, which recon. mends e formation e Lyceums he respectiUe coun- tes. It is subject in which have long felt deep interest," and have often wondered that it had not ex- cited more attention from the literary public But now that the proposal has received the sanction and rscom mendaton of so eminent and respectable body as the one above named. trust it will no longer be deemed unmportant or uncalled fot
 Does any one inquire what beneftmay be expected from an institution of this character? reply, the more general diffusion of useful knosvedge by confer ring upon all classes better and more extensive and practical education And this is Joe effected thro' the medium of common schools and societies for mu- tual instruction It is true that the former, and to some extent the latter, now exist But how do they exist? Are they those efficient instruments which they should be for enghening and improving the pub- lie mind? And is their sphere of usefulness daily in- creased? regret that it is otherwise. Our common schools may have larger field to occupy than former ly, in consequence of the increased number sciences taught in them. But further than this can perceive but very little improvement exceptas some few teach. ers more enterprsing than the others have effected slight reform so far as their immediate influence ex- tends. There is general system of instructon.-- Each teacher follows the caprice of his own mind, (which s often not the most substantially or otherwise he takes the same course which his own instructor taught him without any innovations. The conse- quence is there nearly many systems insruc- ton as there are teachers; and to suppose that each has the best system which he could pursue, would be Q strange and unheard-of inconsistency.
 And what is the condition of our village Lyceums Why, they usually commence under iattering au- spices make great hustle for few weeks, and are then gathered to their fahers who like them were the victims of premature old age. The secretary. per haps, writes the epaph upon the fourth page of his journal, and thus the institution sdisposed of There is parent head to stimulate it to exertion, and courage its members to continued action Such has been. and such, predict, will be the history of soce. ties for mental improvement until some other system is adopted.
 That County Lyceum, conducted in wise and )udcious manner, would tend to remedy many ofthese defects, think few will be disposed to deny; and those few, after candid examination of the facts, think will acknowledge their error. Such an instu- tion would form, from the various modes ofnsiruction now pursued, more regular system; and thus give the youthful mind an opportunity to acquire the ele ments of useful knowledge in the best manner. And it would, also, aid its auxiliary Lyceums to sustain themselves to extend their influence to be of greater use in improving the public mind and morals, and to create more general taste for literature and science
 CADMUs. IMPORTANT FROM THE FRONTIER.
 The Albany Evening Journal states on the authority of J. w. TURNER, Deputy Mar shal at Oswego, who arrived at Albany on Monday, express from Lewistown, that the Patriots of Upper Canada haue again made e rally on tkeir own soil-having formed camp in Long Swamp" Gan extensive marsh ly- ing between Grand Island and Chippewa Creek) where they are now fortifying them- selves. The nucleus of this force was for med by refugees who crossed over from the United States in parties of twenty or thirty at time, so as to evade British vigilance, but volunteers are said to be fiocking in to them from all quarters. The number en- trenched when they were discovered is SUD- posed to be from 200 to 400. The alarm was instantly given, and an express sent off to Toronto for regular force to extirpate them. This news, says the Journal. is very vague