Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1845-05-15
DEFERRED ARTICLEs.
From Tic Boston Courier.
COleman'S Agricultural Report.

the publisher, the third portion OF Mr.
Coleman's Report on European Agricul-
,ure. A large portion Of j consists OF
discussion upon Agricultural Education,
and description Of the agricultural
schools in Eng land and Ireland. The
following extract embraces the general
views of' The author, deduced from the
details of the principles and practice
taught at the various seminaries, which
he had visited -
These details must all be useful 10 my
own counirymen, among whom The sub
ject of agricultural schools has been
much discussed ard where n distinct
proposition is already before the public
for The establishment Of an institution OF
this nature. Under these circumstances,
| shall be excused if extend my remarks
on this subject shall do this with un-
leigned dit'idcnce, and especially from
my ignorance of the various establish.
men,s for agricultural education upon the
Continent These are often referred to
as examples of success, and some of them
| hope to have an opportunity Of inspect
ing.
II is quite certain that the course of
education pursued pt most colleges and
universities is quite unsui,ed to qualify
men for the common business and pur-
suits Of life. Indeed, it wonld seem, in
many cases, to operate as positive dis
qualf cation ana men who may have
disiing uished themselves al our unversi
ties Tor their classical and scholastic at
tanmcnts, are often thrown upon society
hs helpless and as incompetent TO provide
for themselves, or TO serve the commu
nifty, as children. We have small en-
couragen.ent at present, confess, to
look for any thing better The system
Of education al our colleges and univer
sites has undergone little substantial
alteration for n century and what is
called classical learning, and The subtle.
ties and pucrilities of scholastic divinity,
occupy as much attention rs formerly
and hold n place IN these ancient seats ol
Learning so high in The estimation of those
W bON' 'uC VI tuNsV PidNCs
is intrIsted, that there is little hope ol
dislodgiDg them. am no enemy to
| classical requirements, as matter ol
elegant ornament and taste, as source
of delightful recreation, and as an essen
hal element in complete educatipn.-
! But TO give them a preference in any
way TO learning moro useful, substantial
and practical, is not 10 estimate things
according 10 their real importance. The
time and expense devoted to them miah
be given 10 studies infinitely more vaIua
BILE. As TO the time occupied in study.
ing what is called divinity, | am not ia,
from the opinion that the world would be
no loser If every commentary upon the
Scriptures, and every treatise upon the
controversial subjects Of religion, since
| the days Of the apos,les, were exiting uish
lied forever, and men were sent to tn,
New Testament, and TO the simple teach.
ings Of the Divine Master, only, To learn
their duty, aud the only elements of true
happiness and moral Improvement. A
college, therefore, Of the practical arts
and of those sciences which directly bea,
upon practice, Tust be greatly desired
by that portion Of the community whose
educ alton must be to them n means OF
subsistence, and who have little time tt
cultivate the arts but with a view TO ap.
Iply them OF once to tue purposes Of prac-
tTaf ite
1t must be admitted, Likewise, that
many Of these arts and sciences arc.
properly speaking, the creations of mod
ern times, and could not be expected 70
find their place in schemes of educ ion
formed in remote period. Chemistry
mineralogy, geology, and electricity, are
all OF modern date. There are thos,
living, who may be said To have assisted
at their birth, and have rocked the cradle
Of their infancy. All these are intimate
| ly connected with the practical arts, and
especially with the advancement OF the
m'na, at "r "Rr,o ul,ure ; and we may
confidently look for The most important
benefits TO agriculture from The study and
application of these sciences. Botany
| likewise, and the nature, habits, and
uses o' plants; comparative anatomy aud
physiology, the study Of which may prove
so useful III the improvement of the breed-
| Of dDIncsiic animals, and in the treat.
nl"nt oi the diseases and injuries TO which
they ore liable /; the AIT of measuring
snperfcics aud solids M AT so constant
ly in demand in practical agriculture
mechanics, and the construction Of farm.
ing implements and buildings hy ydraulics
science so important in draining, irriga.
ton, and The general management Of
water, aud The uses of steam, that won.
drIIul agent, which seems destined &,
exert more powerful influence over the
affairs and common business of the world
than any or than all other agents besides
the principles Of engineering, in the con.
struciion Of roads and embank menls -
all these are matters TO be learned and
studied, rs furnishing direct uses and aid
IN the practice OF agriculture, and hear.
ing Immediately upon is advancement
These considerations demonstrate the
importance of an institution, where such
branches may be taught under the adj.
vaniages Of competent TEACHERS, and
means and apparatus adapted TO their IT,
lusiratiou
"A competent knowledge of these