The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-01-27

our time was much admired, though his
coat looked Ike his grandfathef's. The
epgravngs probably were OF that da'e--
Enormous, however, is the improvement
upon the morals of these little books; and
there we give them up, and with unmltga-
ted delight. The good little boy, the hero
of the infant Literature in those days, sood,
it mus! be acknowledged, the chance Of
being very selfish man. His virtue con-
sisted in being different from some other
little boy, perhaps his brother; and his re-
ward was having fine coach to ride IN,
and being a King Pepin. Nowadays.
since the world has had great moral earth
quake that set it thinking. the little boy
promises TO be much more OF man; thinks
of others, as we'll as works for himself;
and looks for his reward to character for
good sense and benefcence. In no respect
is the progress of the age more visible. or
more importantly so, than in this apparent
ly trifling matter. The most bigoted oP-
ponents of rational education are obliged
10 adopt portion Of its spirit. in order to
| retain a hold which their own teaching
must accordingly undo; and if the times
were not full Of hopes in other respects, we
should point to this evidence Of their adj
vancement, and he content with it.
| Zone OF the most pernicious mistakes oil
the old chldren's books, was the inculca
ton of a spirit Of revenge and cruelty, in
the tragic examples which were intended
TO deter their readers from idleness and dis
obedience. One, if he did not behave him.
self, was to be shipwrecked, and eaten by
lions; another to become criminal, who
was not to be taught better, but rendered a
mere wicked contrast TO the lu:kier virtue;
and, above all. none were to be poor bu'
the vicious and none to ride in their coaches
but little Sir Charles Grandisons, and all.
perfect sheriffs. We need not say how con
) trary this was to the real spirit Of Christi
T anity, which, at the same time, they Sc
much insisted on. The perplexity in ate
| life, when reading of poor philosophers AM
= rich vicious men, was in proportion; o
+ rather, virtue and mere worldly success be
!. came COMPOUNDED. In the present day, ih,
O proftableness Of good conduct is still incul
g Icated, but in a sounder spirit. Chart,
a makes the proper allowance for all; en-,
II none are excluded from the hope Of bein
d wiser and happier. Men, in short, are no
a taught to love and labor for themselve
a alone, or for their little dark corners G
o Iegotism; but to take the world along wit
n them into brighter sky of improvement
J. and to discern the want OF success in SUI
cess itself, if not accompanied by libers
d knowledge.
The Screen Champions of Christendon
,e Valentine and Orson, and other books {
E. the fictitious class, which have survive
,e their more rational brethren (as the latte
of thought themselyes), are Of a much bette
g. order, and, indeed, survive by natural il
stinct in society to that effect. With man
absurdities, they have general tone
s. manly and social virtue, which may
u safely left TO ITSELF The absurdities WEI
NC out, and the good remains. Nobody
Us these times will think of meeting giants al
dragons; Of giving blows that confound {
;" army, or tearing the hearts out of two liol
re- on each side Of him, as easily as If he we
= dipping his hands into lottery. But the
We are sill giants and wild beasts to encou
u ter, Of another sort, the conquest Of whi'
requires the old enthusiasm and disinis
Id estedness; arms and war are checked
nd their career, and have been so, by that ne
a might of opinion to which everybody m
contribute much in his single voice; al
he wild men, or those who would become 5
OF are tanned by education and brotherly kin
Oh ness, into ornaments of civil life. "-Leil
70 Hunt.