Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-08-02
VOL. XVIII.."No. ..
PRACTICAL EDUCATION IN GEN.
ERAI.

ERAL.
The first point here is to give the young
correct and salutary views Of human life,
which occupy middle ground between rude
ness and eileminacy, and, being at the same
time liberal, will coun,eract the prejudices
of contracted minds. 1t is, no doubt, diff
cult matter to correct corrupt public senti-
ment land when this is so, the children
will be so also. 1t is the business of a wise
system Of education to remedy this evil.
The young should be taught to entertain
a heathful sclirespect, which lies halfway
letween false humility and foolish pride.
No less should generous desire and digni-
fed pursuit of distinction be inculcaled,
which again keeps the middle course be-
tween stupid indifference 10 the opinions
Of others, and a vain-glorious passion for
shining. In these respects the habit Of the
popular mind will present no small obstacles
to education.
The virtues Of active or business life, by
means Of which property is acquired. are
industry and economy, midway between
drudgery and passion for dissipation, and
avarce and prodigalily.
The young should be laugh, to value la
Dor and properly as means for The supply Of
wants, and never to regard them as the end
or the object Of life. The importance of
these considerations TO our thrifty and mon.
ey-making community is frequently recog.
nized by writers ana public speakers who
have the good of the public at heart; but
sllll the mighty ,hrong rusles on in the pur.
suit of wealth, and the voice of the preacher
is scarcely heard amid the buzz of the eager
multitude. 1t belooves, then, the educators
of youth to assail this evil al its root.
IN connection with industry aud economy,
the young should be l,ahitua;ed to love of
: order, which comprehends regularity and
punctuality, aud occupies middle ground
between rude INSTRUMENTATION and lislless
pliableness. indicating total absence of an
: independent will.
n In these highly important concerns fhu-
: man culture, the example of the educator
: should furnish the most suitable and efficient
= process Of education. Without this neither
instruction nor admonition will be Of any
avail. The earlier you begin with habi,ua-
ting the young to these virtues, the more
easily and completely will you succeed.
d Bad habits in these respects, are not easily
h shaken off in later life.
e To the propreties of life which compre-
). bend personal cleanliness, posture IN sitting
n or standing, and 10 politeness, the Young
o should be accustomed in early childhood !;
@ but nature should never be sacrificed to the
= conventional rules of poli,eness, or, in other
O words, artificial forms or affected manners
a should never u,urp the place of that grace.
n fulness of department, that s,udiousness 10
It crafty and anticipate the wishes of others,
e to promote by even the most irlling alien
a tons to their comfort and enjoyment, which
@ are dictated by an amable disposition, or
d more correctly, by IA thoroughly and well
!, educated heart. In this particular also, tx
n ample and habit will be eflccual. But,
j. from what has Just been said, it is evil
II dent examples should be chosen with care
e The notion that by intercourse with society
d the young should be educated for society, is
e an absurd prejudice. 1t is a business OF
good education TO raise the young above the
e folles and caprices Of fashionable life, and
n to give them strength and independence OF
Il character, to adopt such manners as are die
= ta.ed by sound judgment and an e!eean,
~ taste, however those who are slaves to con
"a ventonal rules may sneer.
, The design of this general culture for life
{, is insensibly to habituate the Young to those
=, virtues which constitute the basis not only OF
~ the culture necessary to any particular pro.
At fession, but of every higher deyelopemcnt OIL
;, character.
NJ As The subject here discussed is, in gencr.
=. al, well understood, we have considered
ourselves justified in treating i, quite briefly
--the more so, as it is one on winch mucl
:" valuable matter may be found in the writings
- Of DR.. Franklin, Blair, and others who hav.
g. abored for the general improvement of men