The native American. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1840, 1839-08-10
M Is G. + L l. 4 y Y.
EDUCATION OF FARMERS.-No. 3.
FROM The GENESEE Farm
FAMILY CABINETS.

FROM The GENEsEE FARMR
FAMILY CABINETS.
Mr.. TUCKER: If | were asked what is the
first step to be taken to give to American educa-
ton the character it ought 10 possess, | should
answer, without hesitation, let the parents of each
ofthetw millions of American families procure for
their children " CABINET OF NATURE ANDARr;''
rather lefpare,ts encourage and laid fie;rchlirea
in procuring FAMILY CABINETS" forMcmsclueS.
This step can be taken by any family, espe-
cally any farmers family, on any day or hour,
when the parents come to the conclusion that
such step is desirable. 1t requires no school
house or hall Of science to be erected, no teacher
or learned professor TO be employed, no library,
not single volume to be procured, not one cent
TO be expended; or the least sacrifice Of money,
time, or pleasure to be made, by any family, to
take this first step for the elevation of American
character. Let any parents, on any day or hour,
say to their children, you may now see how
many minerals, or different kinds Of stones, m
plants or Shells or any thing else that is curious
you can ind before night, and the great work
VIII not TAIL to be commenced. If it should be
done by each Of the two millions of families in
our .a.ennblic on the 4h Of July next more would
be done for American schools, American educa-
ton, and Anne. ,can character, than if 100000
should be Subscribed by the citizens of each of the
eleven hundred counties in the Union for the
erection of college in each for the benefit of their
children.
Some parents will say that is a very curious
notion. don't want my children bring ring stones
and weeds and clam shells into the house. They
are always troubling with these things, and
l have had great deal Of trouble in getting them
off from such foolish notions. | have even had
to punish them before they would give them up.
Undoubtedly, and many of these same children
are now undoubtedly in penitentiaries as con-
sequence. When driven from these rational
amusements provided for them by their Creator,
which every child seeks as his richest source oil
delight, they resort to some Of the artificial, I'M
natural and demoraizing sports provided by the
cupidty or evil designs Of unprincpled men.
When compelled to abandon their walks for ex-
aiming, collecting, ana preserving specimens of
minerals, plants, Shells insects, and other pro-
auctions of Nature, and punished by their teach
ers or their parents for dra,cing pictures Of the
various objects Of Nature, appearing to them so
beautiful, they resort, in self defence, to, such
company as they can Iind, whether good or bad
Ito tipping shops, TO some sports Of petty gam
bling, such as pitching coppcrs quo,s, rolling
nine pins, playing cards, horse racing or some
other exercises, which to many Of our most promis
ing youths open road directly TO the peniten,ary
or to habits Of deness, dissipation, and quick
destruction.
But some parents will almost Indignantly in
quire, perhaEs, Do you mean TO charge with
compelling our children to tipping shops, gam
bling houses, and penitenlares To such in
quiries say, yes but for no other reason but
because the charge is true; and for leading them,
by candid examination of the case, to satisfy
themselves that it is true or false.
Without attempting, the present occasion.
TO bring to view the numerous advantages of
| thr
four reasons why they should, in all cases, con-
stitute part, and an essential part, of household
furniture, especially for farmers.
First they will interest and instruct children
long before they can comprehend any thing con-
tanned in books 1t would probably be difficult to
ind more improper instrument of instruction
TO put into the hands Of child under five wears
OF age than a common spelling book If any
should doubt the correctness of this assertion
they need only cast their eve over almos, anv
spelling book used in schools and compare is
contents with the mind of little child, and their
doubts will probably all be removed But with |
the objects of Nature, with the names, properties
and uses of minerals, plants, shells, and animals
also with the works Of art, and with the opera-
tons Of Nature and the arts, children begin TO
form an acquaintance almost at the moment they
open their eyes upon the light Of heaven. This
acquaintance they extend more widely aud more
mihutely, until they are driven from their IN
quirles by their teachers parents, to the bIa |
bio, blu system; or, in the language of little
girl OF i've years, in answer TO an inquiry what
she DID at school, TO "Say e and b ind set on
the bench"
second the knowledge CT things acquired by
children under the aid Of family cabinets, puts
them IN way literally to learn themselves the art
OF reading writing, spelling, and speaking correct
ly, without any trouble and almost without time
or EXPENSE but with great pleasure as books.
IN such course, become the sources of enter
knnwlodnn In L.