Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-02-18

lions; ofien many obtained by importantly artice oil
hatiery, and some, from men who, though distinguish
ed IN the pulpit, the bar the Senate, know much
OF the book as they do of the urt of teaching.
Passing from those, then, who occupy the position
which enables them 10 control public sentiment, we
advert to that large class Of citizens and their children
VINO are, iom the circumstances of their position,
obIged 10 be and dn in this matter what the OF
ehers prescribe. To sEch of two alternatives is
open They must either, al great expense to them,
and from the short period in which they be inter
es'ed IN school, very useless expense, undertake to
Keep pace with Others, they must content themselves
with The old, taered and antquaed school books sup
pied ny orsnaen garrett, picked up at book stalls III
the cities, and with such teachers have been de-
scrlbed. have dwct fully some bearings Of this
subject, not generally noticed The connection Of the
evils, with our literary subsection to the North is hum
bling 10 Cur pride But would rather cultivate n ma
tIonai, than State feeling. The latter needs little
couragement. If The North supplies good books, let
US buy them But the rage of innovation aud the po-
pnar'ty OF empy.cism i'll every department of inter
Get, have been prolific Of evil in this any other
Nor would The evil be great, had the power oil
contr"i safely lodged in proper hands, but Interested
teachers from the North and authors themselves
become the patrons of the books, while much of the
refuse OF New England and New York, both in teach
crs and books is swept among us.
The aspect Of this subject usually presented-the
want OF uniformity and the need of books adapted &c
The age OF the pupils meanwhile by means less
al aidh ever One easily sees now, lnueeO, one
part OF this has been aggravated by the in exist
ence The other, might suppose, would be lessen
ed 10 some it may be truly iessened But since the
new fashioned school books have driven from pub
Inc marts the standards Of former days, schools in
The remote counties sadly deficient than
ever Once we had Murrays reading books, not very
suitable, 1t IS true; but now, these are hardly obaina
be- and resort must be had TO whatever chance ha:
thrown in the way
The operation of the evils now briefly noticed, or
The general state of Educatiop is easily perceived :
One very obvious effect, the production of superficial
scholars in the of many instructed under the new
systems of school books. By asking questions, ane
especially THE questons they exhibit great pcrtnes
and knowledge bat leave the book and they are ir
deep water. As cripple with his cruchcs, they hob
Bile on very well, while supported; but they canno
walk alone. Others return from school, with no lite
rary spirit engendered and if they read the books
perused are such ephemera rs the U. S. mail now dis
tributes through the country in overlooking abundance
Another class having barely learned soon forget ever
the art of reading; while had done Gs well never
TO have learned what never arails them, either fol
amusement or instruction.
But the great evil, is that inflicted the general in
eress of Education BY deprecat!ng what is good anc
by preventing the increase of useful schools. The
high, sounding professions Of these inductye gram
mars, and biographies and nrIthmetcs these chems
ries PHILOSOPHERS, &c, have led off the people from
the substantial rudmens of Education and in the yair
hope, that few years will make accomplished scholars
by the royal roads for learning, money, time and abo
are thrown away. In the grasp after too much no
thing useful is acquired. And while this general in
uence is hostile TO the interests Of the middle classes
it has left the poorer without schools, without books
and without education. You may continue to spent
the proceeds Of the School Fund.- but it will be in vain
under the present state Of things We must have books
suited to the wants Of those whose education is strctl,
elementary we'll teachers capable Of instfuctins
them. With great respect,
Yours, truly, LANCASTER.