The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1850-01-30
Fol the HiIIsborough Recorder.


Mn. HEARTT:-A teacher Of some
fame in the latter part Of the 18Th and
FIRST quarter Of the 10Th century, educated
in Europe, bui following his laborious
profession in one Of The 'original thirteen
said 10 his son when Specializing ON the
choice Of profession for life, |" Whatever
you be. my son. don't be teacher: il is
laborious and thankless Office; second
indeed in utility and intrinsic dignity TO
The pulpit alone; but in this country not
duly appreciated" Though The profess
sion now occupies higher comparative
ground, as well in point Of responsibility
as Of profit, il is still most lameniably irne
thai il is no. duly appreciated and why.
lei me ask, is il undervaluedl An ac-
complished education il deemed Of high
importance; and a professor in college
is not regarded whit behind lawyer or
a physician. Why should teachers in
humber spheres, The principals Of schools
and academies, be thought Of lower caste?
No intrinsic reason can be found in the
office itself. II must be sought therefore
either in . wrong public opinion. or in the
character Of the teachers themselves, or
| in both.
Suppose four young men OF equal Ia
tents, moral worth. and personal acquire
menis-the first minister OF the gospel,
the second lawyer, the third physician,
the fourth ieacher-all beginning life in
the same town or neighborhood, and de-
voting themselves with equal enthusiasm
10 their respective pursuits. The firsi
may count on food and raiment in return
for his arduous and holy toll. The Sc
cond and third may well look forward to
competence and comfort, and even 10 af-
ifuence, TO say nothing Of prospective 70.
lilicaI promotion. They are before the
public eye, and il s,udious and success.
ful in pracilre. may count on fees regular.
" increasing with The growth Of their re.
pulation. The las, immerces himself in
his-nol always quiet scl,oolroom By day,
and converses BY his midnigh, lamp with
the master spirits OF by gone times,
Sure he is, like The first, Of present sup
port, and unlike him, Of salary increas
ing with the increase Of patronage: bu
his fees do moi increase with his growing
reputation, as in the case Of the lawyer
and doctor. mean The tuition fee re
mains fixed. and the salary grows in pro
portion to the number Of pupils, no com
pensalion being made for his hard.earne,
skill and widening celebrity; while hi
J labors and responsibilities grow in create
ratio than his patronage, and his swelin!
numbers only multiply his cares, the ad
! di,ional proceeds Of The school going int
the pockets Of assistants and not into III
, own. II is a sore evil thai in all othe
professions, and even in the mechanic arls
! skill commands proportional wages, Will
: the teacher is doomed TO work on TO N
|. end Of his days for the same price
9 Preachers and teachers--the first and 81
4 cond in real dignity and u,ility--are III
} worst paid OF all professional men. Henc
a few men Of talent. except those who, vii
1 holy disregard of worldly pelf, care onl
4 10 serve God and their generation, COZ
& tent 10 lay up treasure in heaven, 60 mi
5 The sacred Office; and few adopt the bircl
e except from necessity. and as stepping
stone 10 more lucrative employment
h l'ro the credit of the good old Nor
III State however. il must be admitted In
The latter profession is looking up, ar
j. Young men Of taste and talent are begi
Il ming without shame 10 look to teaching
d Iife.work. A quarter Of century NOR
and hope To see The schoolmaster hoi
d ing an acknowledged equality Of rank wi
Al The lawyer and the physician. Let b.
e magnify his Office. The greatest and Y