Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1850-03-01


to some occasion yesterday when he did think
or Tomorrow when we shall. If all the shor,
spaces oil time in which we have strongly exer-
ted our faculties could be ascertained, and reck-
oned together into one place, what small part
OF life it would fill The space, however, NAV
be deemed the measure of the total OF re u life u
knowledge refnes the taste, thus enabling us
TO perceive and enjoy the beauties and sublim-
tiles of nature. A state of ignorance cannot
BE- favorable to the emotions of taste Neither
do we look for its exercise in The mere getter or
hoarder Of money, the man Of loose morals, or
dissolute habits. Cefned taste is intimately al.
lied to morals, for it naturally cevates the n;nd
and cnnobles the character OF its possessor and
thus it is that knowledge, by refining the taste,
indirectly favors virtue. Who, if not the ftrn,-
er, should possess and enjoy refined taste -
The great Author of all has adorned his works
with beauties and sublmties, that may excite
the highest and purest emotions Of which the
human mind is susceptible. They solicit the
senses OF the farmer at every turn. The end
less variety and beauty of flower, plant and
shrub; the various stages Of vegetation, from
the termination to the full maturity of his crops;
the majestic forest the landscape Of mountain
and valley, of lake and river; the circling sea-
sons; the wondrous workings of nature beneath
his feet, as well as the sublime handy work
above him ;-,hese all invite the husbandman to
observation, and gently persuade, or more pow
ertuly urge him 10 contemplate, through them,
the great Author and Ruler of ALL.
Knowleged both in acquisition and possess
sion, contributes to happiness. The farmer
has many leisure hours, during the stormy days
of season when he cannot work. and the
long evenings in winter.-Ihese, if he has
taste for reading, he may beguile in an inno-
cent, useful and happy way at home: while
others, dependant upon foreign resources, re-
pair to places of public amusement or diss pa
ton, seeking an object that constantly eludes
their grasp, or, if lnomentarly detained, usually
turns TO emptiness or pain. There is no pas
time that in variety compares with the pursuit
of knowledge. While the objects of inquiry
are endless in number, each attainment is al
tended with new satisfaction and delight. A
taste for literature or scientific inquiry once ac-
CURED, usually becomes confirmed into habit
lor lie, and forms an unfailing source of plea
sure in old age. The growing infrnities Incl.
dent to that period Of life, bring many days Of
confinement and WEAKNESS, which may be
greatly relieved by reading, or, If that be i'm.
practicable, by hearing others read. This arises
naturally and necessarily from the very struc'
ture OF the intellectual element.
"A degree OF surprise and astonishmeLt
which cannot consist with the perfect compre.
hension OF whatever falls under our cogn zance, !,
appears to be one Ingredient, in the highest de-
gree OF felicity OF which rational being is sus.
ccptible. There is a principle in the constiu-
ton of our nature, which renders US dissatisfied
with what we thoroughly understand in all its
parls,-WheD there is nothing more to be dis.
covered, from that moment 1t begins TO call
upon us, and we must pass TO something which
will give scope to the activities Of the huinand
mnd.'t
There is no amusement so cheap as tha.
arising from the pursuit Of knowledge. A trit
fling sum set apart annually, will purchase the
advantages afforded by our numerous district,
village, and other librurcs, and our able aCri
cultural, scientific and literary periodicals.
There are no crcumstan so adverse as to
preclude our attaining knowledge, if we reso.
utely strive for it. One is torcibly struck with
the truth Of this remark, in thinking over the
long list of worthless who, under every dsad-
vantage, and in addition to carrying forward
some practical calling have raised themselves
to emnence in the empire OF knowledge. In
them, we find realize that most desirable, but
quite too rare union, of studous habits with a
practical business. Their example is most va
luible too, as illustrating the fact that taste
for knowledge viii, OF itself do great deal -
wards its acquisition and that where this taste
exists it usually surmounts all difficulties, and
burst all barriers. Be it further remembered
| for our encouragement, that the kind of knowl-
odge which gives strength does not so much
depend upon the reading of many books, as
upon the iudicious selection and careful study
of few, accompanied by the strenuous exer-
ton of our own powers of reflection. in this
way, all our powers become stimulated, and
products begin to grow from within,
k pI 20 : AL a IN nor ia n n m
religious being. 1t is true that Christianity
invites us all to partake Of It's blessings, upon
compliance with its terms, whether we be learn
cd or ignorant But il addres-e' the undersan-
ding as well as the heart, its evidences chal-
lcnge investigation; It's hopes are addressed to
the immortal element; its sublime faith calls
forth the whole intelleclua power and the doc
trne of Immortality invests the mind Of man
with a dignity and grandeur, allied to a purer
and nobier state of intelligence, In whatever
other respects, then, we might conclude to dis
pense with the advantages OF education and
knowledge, when we consi Ter man as a relig
ious and immortal being, we wish 10 see hi.
mind expanded his faculties exalted, and his
taste refined, that he may the better understand
his duties and his destiny,
knowledge, with virtue, is the foundation on
which our whole system Of government rests.
The practical operation of this system creates
demand for every species of Intellectual ef.
fort. As citizens under it, we called upon
to discharge the duties of the elective franchise
to take part in the administration of justice, and
to fill the various official trusts of State. The
laws contemplate our fitness to discharge these
various duties and trusts, under the guidance OF
opinions inteigently and independently formed
along with that sense of individual accouHta-
blity which seeks not to hide itselfin the crowd
or to be led by other dlctation than its own,-
The correctness and eminent proprieiy OF our
theory in this regard, cannot be doubted. The
nearer we approach it in practice the safer is
our condition, When we reflect, that as our
country increases in population and in extent OF
settled territory, various new and conflicting in-
terests aud questions will arise to increase and
intlame parlzan zeal-that high state of fac
ton tends to orruption-that there are preci-
pces on either side of US whose outer borders
would seem to forbid exploration further along
and that the huge swells of faction may rock
US back and forth until we sway over into the
chaos below I'VE become more and more i'm
pressed with the importance Of educating our
rural population in knowledge and virtue, OF
combining in our farmers strong heads with