The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1841-11-23
PEOPLES PRESS.
LYCEUMS.

LULU MO-
We have all heard of the establishment Of
Lyceums in our populous places, and general
ly understand that their design is the dissent
nation of useful knowledge TO all without dis
tnction of occupation, age or sex. The plan
Of operation is the delveryof public lectures,
debates, the establishment of Libraries and read
ing rooms accessible to the members of these
Institutions. Still our curiosity may very
naturally be awakened 10 know why these
beneficial institutions are called Lyceums
rather than by any other cognomen which
might have been selected to designate
them. The following explanation was recent
ly given by the Hon. Samuel J.. Southland in
lecture delivered at the opening of the New
York Lyceum for the present season.
What is a Lyceuml and what are its OBJ
iects! The word is OF Grccian origin. The
Lyceum of old WAS grove on the banks OF
Ilssus near Athens. where it was the custom
to train youth for soldiers. About three hun
bred years before Christ, it fell into the hands
of Aristotle, the most distinguished disciple of
Plato, who here instructed his disciples in Phi
losophy-giv;ng his lessons walking, whence
his school obtained the name OF PeriPdteticS.
Aristotle taught oil branches of intellectual
Science, and produced four hundred works,
many of which have persisted in the revolu-
tions of ages. but some have come down to
our day, and for centuries were almost the on
Iy valuable textbooks in Philosophy. The
teachings of Aristotle continued through -
wears: his scholars were the most learned and
the most celebrated in that age CT light; and
his works may even now be read with profit.
But Aristotle with all his greatness, was in
one great point defectiye-he had not the
light of Revelation, and his lessons OF duty are
often imperfect We live in happier era,and
are guided by a light which cannot lead as
tray.
The name Lyceum acquired a sacred and
lofty character from the School of Aristotle,
and was transferred TO other institutes of SIM
liar character. There are MANY differences
but the great object Of ancient and modern
I,vceums is the same-to teach useful and
practical knowledge TO men of every class and
occupation-to teach them how 10 best dis.
charge their duties in all relations Of life. Per-
lection in this aim is impossible; but shall we
therefore dtttiIpl iiOtIili2! l1CNoN9N w Nhu-
not all be scholars, poets, philosophers, shall
we be nothingl So has no: thought,thc New
York Lyceum; such IS not the spirit OF Its
members. Improvement is their great aim.
The first Lyceum was established in 1926
at Millbury, Mass. by thirty or forty farmers;
since then some thousands have been formed
all over the country. Their benefits have
been incalculable; dissipation has been discOur-
aged; leisure hours turned from cost TO profit
better accounts of the geology of particular
sections have been obtained than by scientific
surveys; most efficient teachers have been
formed under their auspices. Proper teachers
are vet scarce; they cannot be bought; but
thew may be created, and Lyceums may aid
powerfully in their creation.
The scope of these Institutes is boundless.
The geology, geography, &c. of our country,
are vet in their infancy; its history has not
vet been written as it should be written. Go
forward, then, into the vast field acknowledges;
but 90 not as citizens Of New York only, but
of the Union-as members of the great BROTH
erhood OF men. Fix your eyes on that coun-
try, that constitution, that destiny, which are
before YOU. What were Greece and Rome
compared with this vast empire of Liberty and
Lawl The Athenian could trace from the
Acropolis the limits of his Attica; but ascend
our Alleghanies, and what eye can discern the
boundaries of our glorious country What
may not the citizens of such a country ac-
complish! But shall we seek to make tn
umphs of courage, of bloodshed, of dcsPotlc
powerl Neverl Will the members of this
Lyceum be faithful to the institutions Of their
Iandl Let them remember th-t their only
sure basis is the religion and morality of the
Bible Resting on these, our country will be-
come what she ought, the land of the Great,
as of the Free, the light OF the world and the
heritage of true glory.