New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1844-05-18

NsS1AL AND Moral CULTURE. and rorrLAR EDUCATION
Schools of the State O: New.Yo'k. C. 5. Francis &
Co. New-YoIk.
This is most valuable book-ful of true and
beautiful thoughts, profound experiences, wise
suggestions 1t is tho higher and ahstruscr doc
trnes of the Spirit Of the Agc-which under'thc
pens of our great Teachers sometimes speaks IN
words vague and misty to the common mind
its sublime but deep hidden truths--the problem
OF universal Progress and Pc.fec;ibility, of Hope
and Happiness, upon which all modern
effort of Philanthropy is iounded-made practical
and It's mighty Ideas reduced TO PLAIN and every
day language. II is what the Pgism was to the
mystery of The Rainbow-what the Compass and
Ike Quadrant were to the Poetical Dream Of the
=, aTir or OF oldcn times, who sailed the ocean
led only by thin thread of silver starlight II
is the plain and perspcuous expression of the
ASPIRATIONS and prophesies that lie swelling at
the bottom of The heart Of the Nineteenth Cen
fury. This book, without pretension Of style,
without inyoluton Of construction or that absent.
mindedness Of genius which so often leads our
master.spirts to forget that their readers see not
through their eyes and understand not with their
own god.likc apprehension, develops clearly and
simply the truest and best doctrines of the age
upon the all-important, all-absorbing theme OF
Education Would that no Teacher, Father,
Child, should be without deep and thorough
knowledge OF the truths contained in this little
book! They would thus be all wiser and better
fitted to play well their parts in the great drama
of Life and Civilization, which now in the pre-
sent times approaches its elimination and catas-
trophe... We had begun marking sentences
for extract, as we read but sentences soon be-
came pages and pages grew to chapters. We
must therefore forego most Of that we had pro,
posed. and make up some random and unsatlslac-
have the effect of inducing others to read the
work itself.
.sThe truth is" says Mr. Randall in his Intro
ductiop, The truth is, the great principles which
lie al the foundation Of the mental improvement oil
cur species have not been brought home TO the
masses of the community, with a force at all pro-
portional TO their Importance, or IN manner
adapted to their clear comprehension The most
ignorant are in general, the most selfish: and even
in those rare cases where no higher motives can b.
appealed to than those of Individual and personal
interest, serious inquiry, followed by energetic ac-
ton in the direction leading 10 the portals OF knowl'
edge and wisdom, will be almost sure TO ensue from
skfu application OF the selfish principle 10 tue
objects, means and ends OF existence Convince the
man who aspres TO nothing higher than mere worldly
wealth, and who apparently lives for no other or
greater object than the qualification OF his animal
nature, that the enjoyment OF uninterrupted health
deDends upon the observance OF certain condnons,
the greater part of which subject to his own con-
troll and he becomes at student OF physiology,
and will in due time, in all human probability ascend
ia the scale of intellect and civilization, until he be-
comes an enlightened and useful member oil society.
Convince him, also, that the uniform practice ol
v;rtue and morality in all the varied relations OF
life. is not only compatible with the acquisition ana
endowment of wealth, aud the rational grathcatioh
of the physical appetltes and wants, but absolutely
indispensable 10 their continued anu secure eiJoS
ment and he becomes at once moral and DeneVo-
lent man. In like manner, convince the most care
less and indifferent individual that the present anu
future happiness of his children is placed IN great
measure al his own disposa that at every stage OF
their progress toward the maturity OF mannooo, Is
in his power 10 give such direction TO ther ouEu'e
minds ns will in all probability, insure their weliaie
in all coming time, while it promotes their present
endowment and that for any neglect IN the Juoicious
exercise vi the immense power thus con'efteo' 'pe
penalty will be visited upon HIM IN the shape o.
bodily and mental sufferings endured by his oil,
sprng as the direct and inevitable consequence Of
such neglect let him be we'll and thoroughly CON
yipced of all this, and he becomes a most eitcien
and intelligent promoter OF every institution 1oT
popular education"
Entering upon his subject, we have tho follow
nag tribute to the Age and the Spirit which con-
trolls and guides It's action and progress
sThe present NAV be regarded as emphaucally
the age Of improvenent-ot progress-oi advance
,nent in physical, intellectual, and especially III
moral acience. The human mind, diverted Tor
season from the destructive and degrading physical
contests waged by ambition, PRIDE aud passion 'or
supremacy aud power, has passed lay a rapid tran
sou through the wide circle OF the Arts aud
sciences TO d systematic and enlightened c1amina-
ton OF its Intrinsic nature. capacities, wants
~ estimation From lis comprehensive survey OF
ts external universe, anal sis oil the properties
OF matter its combinations OF the rnnumeiable sub
stances OF the material world, and It's subsection OF
the physical powers OF latare 10 the varloHs pnr.
poses OF advancing ciyiiizatlon-it has ascended
10 the great source OF all know ledge and all power
and traced its own derivation from the spnt oil tie
uuiverse-its innate capabilites-ts progressive ex-
pansion--s boundless aspirations, and ITS immor-
tality From survey Of its own history, IN all the
diversified forms of its development from the dawn
Of ancient civilization through the thick mlsts OF
ignorance, superstition and error 10 the present au-
vanced condition of society," ii is beginning to deduce
those great elementary truths which he at The oun'
daton of wise and enlightened philosophy
originally implanted by the Creator on lis uncor
rupted tablets; truths asserted and reasserted III
every age of its experience by the few who were
bic Of Discerning, through the surrounding
dn. ness, the impershable landmarks Of humanity;
truths yet destined TO regenerae the race, and rem
der ii worthy OF It's divine origin and nature.
The communication Of knowledge OF these
truths in their simplicity and purity TO the rising
generation, in such manner as 10 enable them IN
elligenty TO appreciate and rightly to apply them
TO all the practical purposes Of lie and the pro-
motion of the true end OF their being, is the great
object OF education. Rightly comp.ehcnding The
primal source OF all the Indebtedness and desolu-
lion which have wiihered ee energies and b:lghted
anihropst and the statesman now propose to
.fy the stream at its fountain; 10 rescue the
be, liifu innocence Of childhood from con,ami-
nation carly TO instruct the intellect and strengthen
he principles OF those, who in their turn are 10 carry
forward the destinics OF humanity carefully TO re-
IL. e.