Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-03-14
FIREsIDE EDUCATION.

II was the remark of profound observer
that child learns more Of itself, in the frs
six years Of its existence, than it is Learned
ever after. In the spirit of this seniment,w'
would impress upon every parent and guar
dian the Importance of making every year ant
month in the lives of those whom Providence
has committed to their charge contribute to
their Improvement in knowledge, wisdom and
girtue. No child or youth passes a single
year without undergoing sensible change,
for good or evil. lie is ever learning-daly
receiving the seeds of virtue or vice, and flu
ture happiness or misery. How great, then,
is the responsibility of those who may direct
him in the requirement Of knowledge!
Our schools and other institutes of Educa-
ton are most necessary, and accomplish much
good. But they do not form the character
and beart-or rather, they do not ensure the
right formation Of either. So far from this
ia the fact, that it may be doubted whether
the morals OF most children are not injured
rather than benefited by the promiscuous
association Of the play ground and the school
room. The influence Of schools in this re-
spect is less to be relied on than guarded
against. The child who enters them without
moral impressions and without virtuous mo-
nitions is far more likely to be corrupted thar
morally exalted by them.
In an expanded sense, the world is the
great school of knowledge, but Home is the
school of Virtue. 1t is there, if any where
that the plastic mind must be trained TO the
understanding and the love of mortality and
duty. II there the sanctions of religion and
law are not inculcaied, with the habitual ex-
ercise Of justice, truth, honesty and benevo-
lence, it is relying on miracle to hope that
thew will be implanted elsewhere,
But this il not all: an education in the
narrow, technical sense to which the term is
commonly restricted, is vastly impeded or
accelerated in its requirement by the iDfiu-
enco and policy Of the family fireside. Ev-
cry one knows this and yet many parents
wonder that their children feel no interest in
their studies, ond seem to lose ground be-
tween the close Of one school term and the
commencement Of another This can hardly
ever be the case where the parental duty is
properly and faithfully discharged, and the
value and purpose of education are judcions-
ly instiled into the youthful mind. A child
would as soon reject its food as its lessons, if
il is but aware Of their object and tendency.
But the Importance aud desirableness Of
education must be enforced by the parental
influence more potently than by precept
alone. The evidence ofther conviction must
appear in their conduct. II the father is seen
flying from his iresidc, its duties and enjoy.
ments, to the bar-room or the haunt Of the
dissipated, how shall the child bo made to be-
lieve and feel that his evenings are most
wisely spent IN study than amusoment!-
Will he not argue from the practice rather
than the precept that whot is deemed best by
his seniors must be best for him also? lfthe
parent rarely opens a book, and, when he
does, rather a. a task than pleasure, will
not the child imbibc the same spirit? IL the
parent does not deem books more attractive
than company, can the child be expected to
prefer them? Here is a very prevalent err
TOR ~ domestic arrangements with regard TO
education. Tho child is early practically
taught at home las W, y as too often at school,
TO regard learning Ms n task--a hardship
something which must be got along with ms
easily ms possible but ~ itself neither attract.
i've nor palniablc. Let every father but show
On example that he regards the acquisition of
knowledge und the cultivation Of his iLtcl.
lectual powers as among his most cherished
pursuits and choicest graiifca,ions--,o be-
iBtcrmitted at the call of business or duty bur
mover neglected or lost sight Of he will
have done more for the education Of his chill.
drcn than by a heavy outlay Of money for
shcir improvement.
Every family should be within itself o