Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1850-09-06
UNIVERSAL MENTAL CULTIVATION.

That mind is the moving and guiding Prln-
ciple Of all human action, we presume none arc
disposed to question. Mind teaches the nature
of the delicate and momentOus relations which
unite society, preserves their beauty and uni
formity, and develops their power and useful
ness. This mind dweIls with the mass of man
kind. We would then, that society may be ell
evated, have the rays of knowledge penetrate
and expand this mind. We would have the
genius of learning courted and wooed from her
mountain home, that literature and science
might come down and walk radiant with truth
and loneliness through every grade Of the com
munity-tllat the bright light struck out from
the mind of the mass, might reach the uttermost
boundaries of the land. An elegant writer has
said, that mental cultivation is not the expan-
sion Of any single power or susceptibility
There should be no brilliant intellect unmel-
lowed by the radiancy of moral feeling-no
strength of passion or sentiment uninfiuenced
by other of the minds faculties. There must
be a mental balance, which is the great secret
Of all education. From the want Of such bal
ance, Ignorance, with her offspring, Supersti-
ton and Prejudice, has ever weighed down the
intellectual scale and destroyed the noble5t re-
suits of mental effort. That system should be
discarded which develops only the powers of
intellect. Variety, the high thought, the virtu-
Gus sentiment, the beautiful and sublime emo
ton, the chaste passion, all, in happy union,
raise communities to power andshappiness,
The opinion has too long prevailed, ~tlatsu-
peior mental cultivation belongs exclusively to
the learned professions. 1t is to combat this
fatal d~elusion, that we now call the attention Of
the mass to this destructive error. The Me-
chanic, possessing the same mental gifts, enjoy
ing the same rights, holding the same momen.
tous relations to societyas the professional man,
should likewise have his heart and intellect full
" developed. 1t is not sufficient that he be a
mere mechanic. 1t is not sufficient that he a
master workman, though he be as skilful and
precise in the use of his instrument, as was the
Moorish King of Saladin, in Scots story of the
Talisman. The principles of science are close.
ly interviewer in every piece of mechanism
He should master well these principles, the eff
feet of their application, consider them as the
solid basis of the comforts and convcniences O
life, and not the least a,uong the means Of hui
man power and enjoyment. He should love
his trade because of the science engrafted in it
because of its usefulness, because of its afford
ing HIM an enduring place in the proud tensplt
Of Fame. The productions of Newton and
Franklin, of the past, and Ewbank, and othe,
great lights, of the present, should be the ali.
ment of his mind ; their thoughts. which when
sought, come clear and inspiriting from the Ii.
wing page, should be familiar to him as house.
hold words and how they studied and thought
he should learn to study and think. And like
them, he should not be ignorant Of whatever i.
excellent in religion, useful in philosophy, Oh
thrilling in eloquence. He will thus exhibit 4
mind not controlled by any one desire, but q
mind, like Millions tree of paradise, weighed
down with rich and delicious fruits-a mind el
evated, useful and polished. lie will thus ex
alt his trade, and add to it new and brighter ex
cellencies.
But the elevation of professions and mechan
ical trades, is not sufficient to produce the gen
erai elevation of society. They compose bu
half the great mass of mind. There Is the Aier
chant, who should also be raised to a kke emf
nence. His occupation should not be REGARDED
as a mere disposer of silks and c~aIicoes, broad
cloths and domestics-for viewed in this avar;
cious light. he sinks iaio the insignifcance of +;
mere pedlar of wares. But viewed is connec
ton with Commerce, as influencing the Brsines.
and interests OF men, as entering into every a
cial relation, as drawing on the resources O
t earth, air and waters as connected with foreign
chimes, and uniting nations by golden links o
sympathy and interest, it is by far the mos
? comprehensive and important Of all Hfe's voca
tons. The Merchant should possess a mind sure
deep and searching. The duties and obIiga
tons arising from the many relations which hi
calling creates, should likewise be fully know
to him. He should be a historian, a scholar an,
a Christian.
And shall the mind of the Farmer renal
uncultivated ? Is he an isolated being, uncon
= nected with any of the relations of society p
b Is there no knowledge of science in AgricuI
ture ? Agriculture is closely allied to Con
merce, and has a bearing, greater or less, on e,
cry pursuit in life. 1t may be called an unfli
ing source Of national wealth and prosperit,
e supplying the wants of man, and imparting ne
life, and stirring, c~easeless activity to trade {
every kind. Besides, its followers-uniniuer
o ced by the vices and v~anities of the world. 5
! effeminating, so debasing to the mind-are til
repositories of the integrity and patriotism
society. Indeed, we may say that the Farme
is the guardian of government, rights and Law:
the sleepless Waterman on the outnostss of d,
Is lconnn w. LII L. -