Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-10-23

sentiment in some places, that many young
people object TO the pursuit Of sound,
wholesome education; and even their pa
rents and friends, insist that Grammar, A.
ri,hmetic, History, &c., are such common
be neglected for those fashionable and
high sounding branches that give inuica.
tons Of genius and literary advancement.
As before remarked, we must be guided
by wisdom in our pursuit OF knowledge.
Now can there be wisdom in spending two
or three years to obtain mere smatterng
Of the higher branches of science, while all
the elementary principles OF a good educa-
ton are shameiuly neglected. Although
these studies are attended to, IN our com.
mon schools, yet every judicious teacher
Of an Academy or Seminary. will find many
among those, who attend his instructions,
who need a more thorough drilling in the
minor sciences before they are prepared to
advance higher. He knows that with
out knowledge of these, all other scien.
tifc pursuits are vain and foolish. For
they are to an education, what the founda-
ton is TO the building, which is durable and
secure in proportion to the materials and
structure Of its base. A knowledge Of
English Grammar is justly considered the
most important requisite in good Educa'
ton. II thoroughly understood, ii gives
relish to every other study. 1t qualities the
mind to treasure up the ample stores OF
knowledge contained in the many excellent
books, with which our country abounds.
1t enhances the beauty of our finest au.
thors, and gives taste for literary pur-
suits. 1t gives vigour and force to our
language, and imparts an irresistible charm
to native eloquehce. No one can relish
and properly appreciate many Of the beau
ties and exceencIes of our finest poets, or.
ators, and ssaysts, who does not well IN
derstand the Grammar of our flowing and
copious language. There are many Of the
fines, passages and turns Of thought TO be
met with in our best English poets, which
a novice in Grammar, might, IN VAN, at
tempt to understand, much less TO relish
and rightly appreciate. Whoever, there
fore, desires 10 be more fond of reading
than al present, whoever would be an ora
tor, writer, or OF fluent and persuasive
cnlIoquial powers, must devote much time
to the study OF English Grammar. I'M
pressed as am witt! the Importance of this
part of good education. feel bound to
| insist upon all persons, who have the oppor.
tunity, to study and fully to understand 1t,
before they proceed to higher branches.
Arithmetic should be studied atten tive.
", both because it Is OF important use in
the business Of life, key to all mathemati
cal knowledge, and calculated to strength
en- and nvigorate the mind, dIsposing it to
close application and profound thought.
Geography should be studied, not oul be-
cause it is pleasant to know the situation of
counties and places on the globe, or to un
derstand the civil and physical divisions OF
the world; but from it, we become acqualnt.
| ed with The manners, the customs, the NOR
al and political condition of all nations OF
people; thereby breaking down our narrow
prejudices, expanding our minds, and dis
posing our hearts TO sympathy and charity
for all mankind. Its study improves our
memory. strengthens the mental faculties,
and enables us 10 read with ten fold delight,
the mighty transactions that daily trans
pire, in some quarter Or other OF the earth.
| have been thus particular in recon-
mendng these minor sciences, and entor-
cling the utility of bestowing proper atten.
ton on them, because of late, since the
adoption OF the high pressure system Of in
struction, they have been overlooked and
almost entirely neglected, as many Of you
know; while other studies, less important,
have taken their place. 1t is no uncommon
spectacle, to see young beginners, engaged
in the study Of Geology, Botany or
CHEMISTRY, who can spell but indifferen,ly,
and who are unable to correct sentence
in false Syntax. But though candor com
pels me to condemn much Of the modern
system Of mental improvement, yet | am
delighted to find, that the course of study
adopted by your excellent teachers IS in
accordance with sound reason and the phi
osopny OF the human mind. lhave learned
with pleasure, and have witnessed the fact
during this examination, that one Of the
first things, impressed on the minds of the
pupils in this institution, is the necessity
and importance Of close application and pro
! found thought. And am delighted to add
young ladies', that you have, in your promp
answers to all questions, proposed for YOU
solution, given abundant proof that yol
: have appreciated this instruction. Though
may properly be called the grand lever b,
which the treasures of learning and the
sciences are to be opened to our view
There are no advantages, that can suppl!
its want. Thousands have attended Cole
ges and Universties-they have locke,
over the classics and gone through an AGA
! demic course, and have obtained the idol o
. their iondest hopes, diploma. But care
: less y coming over their lessons, surrlnI
= over the difficult MESSAGES. dependinp upol