Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-08-21

tain TO each other. For any man to be L
acquainted with his own species, and es-
pecially with himself, implies great
amount and a vast extent Of knowledge.
To know the eve we must understand op-
tics. An acquaintance with our lungs re-
quires knowledge of the atmosphere
and Of many Of the principles Of chelnic-
al science. A knowledge OF the laws of
health implies an Intimate acquaintance
with our own anatomy and physiology,
as it does with the numerous substances
used for food and for medicine. An ac-
Squaintance with our social and moral con-
drions and relations, as connected with |
the great human family, and especially
with our Creator, implies knowledge still (
more deep and extensive.
! And how Is an Intimate and extensive !
knowledge of men and things to be ac-
quired by direct and daily intercourse
with them, by shutting ones self up in
closet and imagining what they are or bv
procuring from books the imaginations of
others on the subject!
Until within few years past. almos,
the only mode in which the science of
Geology, or knowledge of the structure
OF the earth, was acquired, was for vari-
Gus classes of philosophers to enter into
i speculations and imagine what it was.-
The practice now adopted is to examine
lit, and end what it is. The result is
such as might be expected, viz. vast
amount of knowledge, equally curious
and wonderful, and no less useful for the
! farmer and mechanic, than entertaining
: to the speculative philosopher.
Il If an intimate and an extensive ac-
quaintance with men and things cons:i-
!, tutes useful knowledge, and that acquaint-
! ance is to be formed by actual examina-
( ton and observation, who has better
: school than the farmer? Who is more
i constantly or more intimately engaged in
] the various departments of animate and
$ inanimate creation? Who has better
: opportunity or stronger inducements to
It study himself2 To examine calmly and
S dlspassionately his own moral character
c and relations, and the duties arising from
Y that character and those relations to his
l. fellow man and his Creator! Who is
y more favorably situated for gathering dai
lie ly rich treasures from the inexhaustible
Is mine of knowledge contained in the BIZ
j. Bile?
n The facilities which all farmers posses:
'e for acquiring knowledge, may be greatly
I'd increased by some very convenient ar
lie engagements for improving each other
re The first Lyceum that was formed in The
Ill American system of Lvceums, consisted
c. Of a few farmers and mechanics. Thei
C. efforts, nnpretending and humble as the,
Id were, have already been felt over th
We whole globe. Lyceums, consisting @
Id farmers and others in the pursuits of Blu
ne siness, have uniformly been better am
ar longer sustained, than those composed Q
in the literary classes. They do more 70
a themselves aud more for others. Expe
e rience fully proves that they can do NOR
n in aid of the literary classes than the lite
be rary classes can in aid of them.
n And what prevents any farmer, or an
ly farmers child being member of socia
e; or more general Lyceum2 They, an
G, in fact all other classes, have their Lvce
mt ums of some kind. 1t may be tattline
a a petty scandal or tipping Lyceum.
its may be gambling. swearing, hcrse-rac
to ing or shooting match Lyceum. An
I'd, why not one for botany, geology, chemi
RS, try, or some other department of science
all Why not neighbors meet for aiding eac
zee other in the best mode of raising or pre-
lat serving fruit, roots or other vegetables
he or for raising beef pork, poultry, silk
mt worms and other animals? Why nc
. hold their social meetings for unitin
of their efforts in diffusine the light of sci
ks ence and of the gospel TO some dark corn
n er of the earth where it has not yet pene
trated? What plan could be adopted t
We acquire more extensive or more intim
n ate knowledge of the earth and lis inhab
e. itants, than a direct intercourse with vari
NJ Gus parts of it. in a system of kind recir
en- rocatons in the common bounties of on
It. Creator? Can any amusement be foun,
H. which will afford richer or higher delgh
d. to the younger members of farmers fam
he ilies2 As thousands have already triet
n it, and always with the same results, VIII,
n should any farmer, prevent his children
is why should he not aid them, in directin,
ne their efforts, in the pursuits of science, fo
d. the double purpose of improving them
1r selves, and aiding in the diffusion o
H. knowledge over the globe? can adj
ne nothing more, or propose nothing better
lr for those who have doubts. or for then
who have none, than'to TRY. remair
al x,o1rc