Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-08-04
CONTEMPLATION.
For the Spectator.


! MIR. Edi,or---I concluded my last with the in.
uma'on that tho Siaunton Academy was ;
county Institution in its origin and continued de-
pendence upon a county fund (relorring 10 III,
glebe fund.- might have properly added. tina
the Legislature in confiding 10 the School Con,
Tnissoners o! the county the distribution of IN,
surplus revenue OF the Literary Fund, porto,
OF which the Academy receives, in the exercs,
OF their discretion has thought proper TO keer
up The Idea oil county establishment. 1t is This
en- aracier that the institution must rely upon.-a
luli recognition of which it needs, and the nlu.
ence OF which will advance its prosperity aud
usefulness.
County influence may be felt i'm various WAYS
II proper access for its application be afforded. II
mas struck me as something uncongenial with the
sympathy which ought to exist between The .cour,.
ty and this institution, that the name of bu, one
gentlemen out cf the town is enrolled amonr its
trustees. i heir is convcn,cncy 10 be sure i'm the
location OF Directory near the place OF their Of
hclal action; and to accommodate this view, a
majority perhaps, should be in the town. S,ill,
official Influence is an Important consideration
and contrary TO mechanical laws, it acts better bv
diffusion. Besides, there seems a propriety re-
curing no argument, that tho organization of the
board should be less exclusive in this respect than
1t is at present.
The people of the county have always evinccd
becoming pride and interest in the condition and
convenenccs of the public buildings at their seat
oil justice, an evidence of which may be found in
the new Courthouse and Offices Herewith con-
nected, all OF which arc truly creditahe TO them
selves, and ornamental TO the town. The people
ieit they could act here-they had The right 20 do
SO, and they have acted efficiently.
open the door for them, and their influence 10
say the least, will be felt in other things. 1t is
ai'osether proper that u due regard TO dignity
shonld be observed both in the enactments and
administration OF the law; and that the halls Of
Legislation and courts of justice should strike the
eye and affect the mind in their architecture ac-
commentators and general arrangement, and cor
respond In all respects with the grave and inter-
estlng purposes 10 which they are Appropriated
And Is 1t true that literature and science have pur-
poses so low that no congruity is perceivable be-
tween the matters and subjects within their iuris-
diction, and decent place for initiation into their
mysteries! SO thought not the ancient philoso-
piers, who built up places of instruction for their
sons aud called them temples ofscience, thus pa-
cling The subject upon the parallel with reli-
glon itself. And where, it may be per,,nentIy
asked, have our legislators, and lawyers and cler.
Sy, ana physicians, acquired their taste for learn
ing, their habits of thinking, and powers of rea-
sohlng, which have fitted them for usefulness and
gained for them Jenown? In the school ROOM
W here those early friendships formed which
grow with the growth, and strengthen with the
strength OF maturing nature (which bind man
TO his feliow-man throughout the pathway of life.
Which every school boy has felt, and every mar
who has been school boy is fond to CHERISH
II is In the school room. This indeed. is a hal
lowed spot--the place for "reminiscences in after
me- ana IL Were to go farther, and call il the
mandatory Tor the bands Of this great coniede-
racy, should not give too much Importance to
the moral force OF the considerations referred TO-
~ should be remembered too, that elementary
studies especially, are irlisome to the mind. and
every alienation should be sought in pleasant as
sociatons and agreeable scenes. The neat and
tasty edlhce, the classic grove the pleasant walks
the tables and seats themselves NAV all he made
10 influence the taste and tone Of the mind The
eject Indeed, Is altogether analogous 10 that of
natural scenery; and if there be any foundation
Tor the remarks heretofore made on this poipt,
they may be tnrned TO good account i'm REQ ard to
the one now under consideration. The only diff.
erence In the two cases is, that nature pret.edes
art and ouiworks the great imitator man. In
Ceed, IL Is questionable, whether the chiseI and
The pencil would have essayed, much less succee-
ded In their high attainmcnts, unless nature had
iirst touched the soul through her own stupen.
douS and magnificent works.
In connection with this subject. I invite pnbIic
attention TO the style and order of the State Insti
tutions located near our town, and ask if State
pride is supposed TO be the leading motive i'm the
costly structures erected for the insane, and in
progress fer the deaf and dumb, and the blind g.
ny no means. In the application of moral means
III INT cure Ut Ieiel even oil the lunatlc, 1t has
been found by experience, that due regard to the
decencies and eegancies of their accommoda-
lions, has no mean influence iu soothing and re-
lining their disordered intelects and feeinrs.-
And now would beg the people of the county
In passing to and from their county seat TO look
a, the condition of the Academy, standing on,
from It's position in bold relief, and still holder
contrast to every thing around it--and say wheth-
er ~ some cooperation with the town, this pub
lie bu,1'ng may not assume a garb more suited
TO its pun, ,"es, and more i'll accordance with the
taste and char. Ger, and intelligence of our PEG
pie. l have bec., aid by a gentlemen of the
town that when aske,I b. stranger, .'Where is
your Academy l'' he felt a.bamed to point out the
building; and many would - more willing to
encounter the reproach of mo &courmy,' than tic
introduce the passing traveller to the existing ia
brio. appeal to The experience of Observing
men, whether the mischievous disposition OF > ON
OF onryouth may not find an exciting in sucl,
miserable barn-ke edifces; and whether, besides
other considerations, true economy would not be
promoted by such school buildings as would Sc
cure the respect and forbearance of though;less
youth, instead of exciting their disgust and pro-
pensity to mischief. Yours,
AN OBSERVER.
no liz