Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1849-07-05

mong our private store of books as novel, and
we shall not advance far in life without having
formed for ourselves sort of mental chart. in
which will be laid down, ready for immediate use,
the general aspect of the face of the earth, with
an accompanying commentary, showing the cli-
mate, productions, advantages and peculiarities of
all important points; first and clearest and best,
those OF our own extensive country and its depend
eEcles. When we read history, it will be with a
map at hand and we shall not content ourselves
with the vague tumble which seemed to torment a
lady OF my acquaintance. who could never remem-
ber whether the Lexington at which the first revo-
lutionary battle was fought was that in Massachu-
setts, or its namesake in Kentucky. and ALWAYS
wondered how it was that the troops could get to
Boston so speedily! We laugh at the ludicrous
mistakes made by foreigners-even the English
with regard to the different portions -four coun
try but mere vastness does not enttle us to at.
tentlon II is in truth as objectionable in an A
mercan young woman who has finished her ed.
ucatios," not TO know the exact position of York
and Birmingham, Kenilworth and Canterbury, as
for an English girl to suppose that we are famed
IN summer by the breezes of the Corderas. or
that New York is within half day of New Or
leans. She who learns geography intelligently.
and for its uses and its pleasures, will turn it to
account In all these matters. Far from regarding
it as mere school-study, she will count it among
the means Of acquiring general intelligence, and
Of guarding against that sad barrenness of mind
which is always at loss for interesting topics of
conversation unless in company with those equal
ly unfinished. As preparation for travel, or
for enjoying the travels of others, such know
ledge of geography as have attempted to indi-
cate, is invaluable. For this, the amount that we
acquire at school, is TO be considered merely the
stepping stone. The pleasure and advantage of
continuing the study can be appreciated only by
those who have been induced to believe that, on
leaving the finishing" school, this branch Of
knowledge deserved place among those which
may have uses in after life
History is another study sometimes g finished"
at school. once knew young man who, desr-
Gus of improving himself: read assduously for an
entire winter, the history of the Punic wars. He
appeared in the spring to be much grati6ed on re-
viewing the amount of his labors, but said that
somehow or other he never could tell exactly
which side Hannibal was on. A young lady of
no little intelligence in some directions, asked
once in nv hearing in what century our revolu-
tionary War took place, observing that she never
could remember whether it was in this one, or
the last or the one before that. The first instance
that of the young mans plainly referable to
that mechanical and soulless way of reading which
looks but at the words without any corresponding
pictures being formed in the mind. People ofthis
class read, as we sometimes do, when the thoughts
are pre-occupied, or sleep imminent, so that we
find ourselves going over the same page or para
graph again and again, in order to discover the
sense which strangely seems to elude US. The
young lady's inconsequence, not being the result
of natural capacity, Of course be traced to
the indulgence Of utter thoughtlessness, want Of all
rational interest in the object or such habit of
learning by rote as takes the life out of any study
however important or attractive in itself. The
youth of darkened mind to whom have alluded,
was too completely ignorant and uncutivated to
reap any important good from single ill-direct-
ed effort al improvement; the lively, intelligent
girl, far less pardonable in her ignorance, is pro-
tably destined to life either of empty frivolity,
ending without dignity or self respect, or one of
dull routine, which will find her year by year the
still Submissive victim of ennui and indifference.
The study of history is far from deserving to be
rated among things to be learned according to law
and forgotten as speedily as possible. tits some
what the custom of young people TO disparage, Sc.
cretly or openly, any study which does not seem
to promise immediate use or immediate pleasure.
Indeed, too large a part of what they learn at
school, is learned solely under the immediate stim-
ulus of praise or blame, reward or punishment,
without reference to the remote future at ALL
The effort of all udicious instructors is to lead the
pupils mind forward, beyond the task of the mo- !
ment, to the general usefulness Of knowledge, the
exhaustless pleasure and advantage of cultivation.
History is among the studies which are thought
lessly supposed to have no particular applicability
to the needs OF female life. What kings and
queens and governments have done, seems not
important TO the furnishing OF young
voman's mind. But why is any knowledge i'm
portansl Why have books been written Why
nay not each age, and each family, and each per-
,on 90 through life as if nobody else had ever
sted, Because, by this plan no accumulation of