Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-05-12
Fem ~ NrwsYStk Observer.
HINTS UPON THE MENTAL EDUCA
TON OF THE YOUNG.
FROM the GERMAN OF zoLLikorsR,

Learn them 10 be always observing. Obser-
va,ion is the mother all the fundamental sci
cnces. Habituate them, in its exercise not TO
pass too hastily from one thing to another, but
TO contemplate an object from several, and if
possible, from all sides: and to look not only
upon the whole, but also upon lis individual
parts II were not desirable, however, that
you should weary their attentivepess of obser-
walton in the first years OF their education, by
compelling them to fix their minds too long
upon one and the same thing but that you
should gradually convince them of the great
benefit Of closer observation in general
Tins may be done on the most trivial occurrcn-
ces l(ihey admire and delight in the beauti-
fiil ,ints and the pleasing odor ola flower then
teach them what evidences of skill and wis
dom the experienced eye of the connoisseur
discovers in the structure of that flower, in the
form OF lis leaves, and in the peculiariiies Of
its staminal. Show them often how much
more they night have observed from this or
that thing, had they considered it less hastily,
or devoted more time to its contemplation
This manner Of exercising and strengthening
their observation, will be far more effectual
with them, than the most earnest admontions
TO duty, and the seveTest reproots for its neg
lect.
Another rule which should be observed, is
this: BE careful not to give them false or
too indefinite idea of anything however small
it may be. 1t were far better that they should
remain entirely ignorant of hundred different
things, than they should entertain erroneous
perceptions ofthem; far better, that you should
wholly decline answering their questions, than
that you should answer them anonymously or
unin,elligihly. In the first case, they know
that they are still ignorant upon the subject of
enquiry, but That their want Of information
may be remedie5 bv time In the other case,
to the contary, they think themselves sufii.
ciently instructed upon the subject, while they
still remain in ignorance with regard to it,
Hence it comes that the first impressions which
we receive, of natural or moral things, are, as
it were, the groundwork of all subsequent
ones. If the first are indefinite or false, their
baneful influence will extend 10 the latter,
Some persons think that any answer is good
enough for the enquiry of the child or youth
Some make no scruple at all in employing
misrepresentation SO that they can only bring
their children to silence; thinking that, with
time, they will become better acquainted with
, things. But this hope is exceedingly delu-
sive. First impressions endure the longest,
AID they may either guide US 10 truth or lead
us into error. II a man impresses his child
with the idea, that the thunder and the light
ming are the effects and tokens of divine indig-
nation against man, and are only designed to
frighien and punish the Inhabitants of the
earth, what deep root will such a sentiment
take in his soul! How difficult will it be for
him IN ripper years, TO contemplate thing as
the effect OF divine wisdom and goodness,
which he has so long considered as papable
evidence of the Almighty's anger, And ifthe
youth or man. confounds these errors and
truths, how often will the impressions which
remain on his mind from his first mode ofcon-
ception, saduce his will and understanding to
false conclusions, or fill him with fear and APP
prehension. Are not these very defects ofed-
ucation the reason why certain species Of su-
persti ion are so difficult to be eradicated, and
why they often follow men themselves through
their whole liel T.. B.