Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-05-23
For tho Waterman and Journal.


An idea, or notion that prevails in the minds OF
society at large, is but the heightened shadow OF
one individual" An expression very similar to the
above is found in the writings of one Of Our own
authors, and expresses no doubt, truth in regard
TO the workings of those mysterious something's,
which we call the unwritten laws OF society. II
the remark may be considered of universal opplica-
ton, and as true in all its length and breadth, 1t
would be sight worth beholding to see the man
whose shadow is represented by the prevalent no.
tons in regard to Education. He must have been
perfect prodigy, an anomy in the circle OF things
created mshapon, ridiculous, for no one at oil like
what man should be, could cast such an i'll shaped,
i'll defined shadow. Possibly he might have been
sort of Folsaf in the world of Literature, albeit
one of the chief glories of that doughty warrior IS
not possessed by the shadow, since IL directs all
children to be addicted to "thin potatons"-of
learning.
But seriously, are there not great errors prova-
lent IN regard to shat constitutes good education.
Colerdgc has said that the history of word Is oit-
ell more valuable than that of a campaign, aud
surely true and practical appreciation of the idea
which ought to be conveyed by the word IN ques-
ton, would be worth not only more than the history
Of a single campaign, but infinitely more than tie
results Of any protractcd contest, since Nimrod
the mighty hunter before the Lord" left the ch1s-
ing OF beasts for the hunting Of men. The mind is
regarded one would think, as a capacity, a some
thing to be filled, rather than as an energy whose
powers are to be developed and strengthened by
severe exercise sort Of omnivcrous stomach,
rather than living, firsccing, far.rolching power
capable OF indefinite expansion, both in cloarncsS
OF insight, AMI vgor AMI strength ofcompruhonson.
E1ucation then, instead Of being regarded, as the
means and process Of developing, and drawing into
active and systematic exercise all the powers of
the mind is generally, or to too great an extent
supposed to consist in mere acquisition Of knowl
edge-knowledgc of facts without regard to
the principles upon which they arc based, and as
opponents Of which they are chiefly valuable
That kind of intellectual discipline, therefore,
which Develops the irhole nlind which tends to
make the subject Of it desire to go TO the founda-
tons of things, TO ask, why, and wherefore, facts
are so, and not otherwise, is consequently too
much neglected. Its tendency il, not 10 make men
strong, but greet, great in the sense that the blown
bladder is such. But is this sort of Educa-
ton fitted to draw out and bring into active exer-
Csc those faculties which constitute the true go-
ry Of humanity? The retentive faculty, the memo
ry, Is by no means the most important part of the
mind, and that sort of training which is directed
ma My to the exercise Of this faculty, is degra-
datlon of the intellect 1t may make its subject a
walking Encyclopedia, pcrpatotic oHapoarida,
of facts and things, but deep thinker, true man,
never. One Of the old English writer's says that
" no one who does not reflect much, and deeply,
on the 'SHmAl,nl Jonunl,' Eternity and God can be
good statesman" and the remark might be extend
ed so as TO say that no whose mind is not habit
ualy conversant with subjects analogous to these,
can be said to live in the true sense of the word
Ills living is n sort Of negation his thinking scarce
y above the instincts of the animal creaion--
Thought thought with principles orstarting points,
and principles for objects Of search is what everv
attempt at intellectual culture should tend to bring
into exercise, and such thought can be induced on,
y by attention TO such Subjects require for their
clu;daton and comprehension the severe exercise
of The reason and Judgment as differing from and
being superior to, the mere memory. By such a
course Of discipline alone, either in the school room
or elsewhere, one be fitted to think deeply and
wisely on those relations which he sustans TO things
above the mere ordinary details of business lie
his relations to society, eternity, God. LIN.