Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1842-12-30
INTELLECTUAL ADVANTAGES OF THE
AGE

INTELLECTUAL ADVANTAGES OF THE
AGE.
Much is said upon the opportunities which are
now enjoyed for intellectual culture II is indeed
true that people of the present age possess great ia
cilics for mental improvement, far greater than
were ever enjoyed by any people before. And it is
also true, that first and foremost stands own
country, in afioTding these inestimable facilities.
We have books upon every subject, and so cheap
to be within the reach of all the Art OF Printing
has been carried TO such extent, that the most
valuable works of ancient or modern times, are
brought to our very door, that all have to do
is to open our eyes and read. The periodical press
too calls at almost every hamlet in the land, and
discourses the various transactions of the world,
citing the examples of the great and good as worthy
of imitation, and teaching by thousand practical
illustrations the inevitable consequences Of pursu-
ing a course of Incidence, OF crime. Many scien.
tifc truths plainly illustrated, and given to the
public in this cheap form, which formerly were
found if found at all, in expensive folios Again,
those who have spent years in investigating the
hidden mysteries of Nature, and have often trim
med the midnight lamp in the progress of their re-
searches give the result of their abors to the pub
lie, in lectures, so that the Z" way firing man,
though too ndolent to read can scarcely help hear
ing. The Lyceum is important auxiliary in
cultivoting the mental powers-especially for the
young. Our common schools, and higher semina
res of learning, invite the young to enter and lay
hold of the treasures of knowledge.
When we survey the advantages, which we have
briefly glanced at, that we possess-high and low
rich and poor,-we can but conclude that the peo
pie of this age, in our country, at least ought 10
i rank lub in mint of utpl lirpucp We admit they
do but do we make the best improvement Of the
cducgonal facilities within reach The an-
swer is obvious. The same is true upon this sub
icct, upon every other, that where any thing is
easily obtained, there is negligence in obtaining
it. The farmer, for instance, who is located in
fertile valley, and in possession of lands easily cu
tivaed and made TO produce abundantly, naturally
becomes INDECENT, and spends much time in boast
ing of the productlvencss of his lands, while III,
mountain farmer ir0rkS upon the rugged soil of his
possession, and actually realizes greater profit
Now if we spend our time in talking of the advan
tages we possess, without going to work in earnest
TO improve them, they certainly will not benefit us
The treasure is in sight-t may be reached, but un
less reach forth our hand and take it, wherein
| are we benefited man may starve if he ne.
elects to eat, though his table be loaded with the
choicest viands. There many individuals in
our country--some of them can be found in almost
every place--who in mind are mere skeletons-a:
intellectually lean as ever Edison was physically
The fault is all their own they never think, never
reason upon any principle and fix its truths in the
mind and if perchunce they read book, IT is one
calculated to afford excitement, rather than sub
stantal food for the mind.
We would by no means have our literary advan
tages less; the contrary, would still go OF
from degree of improvement TO another unit
every thing that be DONE shall be done, for the
intellectual improvement of the people. But one
great truth should be impressed upon the mind
10. al. Far rtYa
knowledge must be sought il is gained, II gained
at all, by patient, perscverng application 1t can
not descend from father to son like an estate, NJ
deed of conveyance can be framed that will max
the treasures of knowledge amassed by former gen
eratons, our own, without an effort on our part
But by labor can acquire it--add it to our pos
sessions and gain such title that nothing dis
possess us of 1t.
Compare the advantages of men of former time
< who have been distinguished by learning and intel
(; ligence with the advantages enjoyed by us at tn
present time in this country, and we shall find tina
while they CROPPED their way in comparative dark
ness, we live under the meridian splendor of know
4 edge. They were untirng in their application
their very want OF light, was spur to their minds
Every thing was digested-in other words the
were thinking men. Who are the most thoroug
scholars of our times' Not those, generally, 9
the most leisure, and best opportunities, but thos
of limited means, and daily engaged in proies
sion, or business, necessary for obtaining livel
hood. Witness the example of Burrut, the earne
, Blacksmith. He toiled daily at the anvil yet toun
time TO master more than fifty different languages
Who among our gentlemen Of leisure have don
n this' We might cite other examples, but we thin
it must be sufficiently obvious, that great advanta
ges, without application, will not make men learn
ed But possessing the literary facilities which W
do there is excuse for remaining in ignorance
of refusing to drink the fount of knowledge, whc
} its waters are so abundant