Polynesian., 1854-09-23
Brilliant Scholars

" Mr.. Hugh Miller, the geologist. in leading
article IN the Edinburgh Witness newspaper, OF
which he is editor has written an able and ingen-
ious reply to Mr. MacauIays assertion, IN his late
Indian speech, Of the superiority of distinguished
university men for the practical affairs of life The
instances adduced by Mr. Miller, if they do NOT
refate Mr.. Macanlays statements, at least show
how much r1ay be said ON the other side Of the
question. Two boys were once of a class in the
Edinburgh Grammar SchoOl-JOhn, ever TRIM pre-
cise, and dux; Walter, ever sloyenly, confused,
and DOT. tn due time, John became Bailie John
of Hunter Square, Edinburgh and Walter became
Sir Walter Scott Of the Universe solver Crom-
well got but indiferentIy through college John
Churchill spelt but badly even after he had beaten
all the most accomplished soldiers of France and
Arthur ellesiey was but an uniformed and va
cant young lad for some time after acquiring his
first commission In literature, besides Scott,
the instances of Goldsmith, Cowper, Dryden Swift,
Chalmers, Johnson, and others, are cited TO show
that excellence is often attained after the absence
of precOcity. The converse, indeed, is too oftch
true, and the proverb Of soon ripe soon rotten
too often verified. The competition scheme ac-
cording to Mr.. Miller, would have, on the whole,
the effect of not only excluding the truly able but
also of admitting the inefficient. The class is large
OF those who seem to attain to their full develop
ment in the contests of the academy and the col
lege and, eminent ttcrt heard of after
uards Mr.. Miller's own case is one In point where
the highest scientific and literary emnence has been
gained without juvenile scholastic distinctions.
MIR. Macaulay's rhetorical paradoxes must, there
fore, be received with great mistrust''
At first glance, the superficial thinker may draw
from this an inference unfavCrable to the higher
branches Of education. But, only the superficial
thinker would thus be led into error Education
with purpose Is one thing, and education with
out purpose is another and very different thing.
Now, among the crowds in college, Las one in ten
object in life to be gained through education as
means No; not one in twenty. How few ever
look beyond the day of graduation, When the
brilliant student leaves his Alma Mater too often
all his learning becomes either dead lumber OF
mere matter of ornament and display. He finds
for the lore he so studiously acquired.
On the other hand, take young man with
strongly developed purpose yet deficient education,
and he lives, and works, and strives to rise above
his position, he, at the time applies himself
to the sources of knowledge, and quickly draws
therefrom the needed intelligence And yet defect
will cling to him in consequence of early ed
ucatiOnal disabilities, because, for the large por
tiOn of his time, he must be worker, not learn
er. Early advantages would have given him a
double power. If we expect cur sons TO become
efficient and successful men, we must induct them,
early into the practical affairs of ife as well as
provide for their liberal education. We must let
them come in contact with the effective and pro-
ductive, as well as the scholastic world. Take
boy from school at fifteen or sixteen and give him
two years of close application to some business or
professionalism return him to school again. and
be will acquire a more thorough education by the
time he is nineteen twenty, than if he had been
kept at his books the whole period. Moreover,
such boy will be in little danger Of being spoiled
by learning. In this period Of useful labor, the
mental powers are tested, and aims in life deyel-
Oped, 50 that the Subsequent education may have
specific reference to the future business or profess
sion. 1t is very difficult thing for boy or his
parents, to determine, while the former is yet at
school, the business for which he has particular
adaptation; but let the boy engage for year or
two in some productive employment, and the diff
Guilty in nine cases out Of ten will cease to exist
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