Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1855-11-09

The great end Of mental culture, is i'm
provement. This can only be effected, by
discipline. The mind, with all its noble
powers, is, without cultivation, rude and
disproportionatc as the newly extracted
stone from the quarry; but by rigid dis
cipline may become, in its proportions, as
symmetrical and elegant as some noble
structure, whose lofty dome and tasteful
columns call forth the profoundest admi-
ration. But, what system of education
will best produce this change? Will load
ing the memory with words, and filling it
with the thoughts Of others, thcugh they
be pure as the crystal stream, effect it
Will course Of study. made up Of cold,
abstruse reasoning, ofitself,do it !? Neither
of these extremes, We think, can bring
about the desired end But liberal course
of training in the classiss, in connection
with scientific studies, both of q natural
and mathematical character, unquestion.
ably will
There appears to be, at the present time,
growing disposition to regard an acquain-
tance with the natural sciences, as better
preparation for the practical pursuits Of
life, than knowledge Of classical litera-
ture. 1t is true, perhaps, that the former
would he more jesi rable than the latter,
if one course was pursued to the entire
exclusion Of the other The more abstruse
sciences taught in the schools, are admir-
ably calculated to discipline the mind; but
the study Of the classics, not only trains the
mind, but also augments its resources. They
who advocate an abridged course Of study,
as recently adopted in most of our colleges,
contend that the study Of the dead
languages, SO importan. three or four GEN.
turies ago, is useless now that, "valuable
in its day it has outlived its use, and is
now cumberer of the ground" But shall
the present and coming generations have
nothing but the faint twilight which will
be reflected by the past, if such state of
things becomes universal, when they might
enjoy its fair sunshine? Shall the records
of the past be for ever closed, and no longer
interest and charm with their sublime in
spirations No rather let the master
spirits of other days still live amongst US
by their immortal productions, which are
clothed with light and beauty, and embel-
lished with all the elegance which genius
and taste have so copiously given them.
The natural sciences call forth vigorous
mental exertion, and demand the closest
reflection. They lead the mind into the
great field Of nature, and introduce it to
vast multitude of things congenial to its
greatness and immortality. The student
of nature draws from everything which
claims his attention, though seemingly in
significant as the opening rose,o decaying
leaf, or feeting vapor, something Of the
action of those mighty laws which uphold
the universe. In the great field of his re-
search, he may light upon many precious
gem, unobserved by others, which will
compensate him for all his toll.
Classical literature, on the other hand,
leads the student into the great field of
mind, and makes him acquainted with the
masters spirits of other times and, Gas iron
sharpeneth iron, SO man sharpeneth the
couatenance of his friend" The study
of the classis removes the thick covering
that time has thrown over large portion
of the history of our race, and furnishes
knowledge of their governments, laws,
languages, and destiny. They show us
human nature, unpublished by romance and
undisguised by art They lay open to our
view the "secret springs of human action
and teach us, by probing it to its very core,
what is in the heart of man, and what he
is untaught by revelation and unblessed
by its influences. In short, the classics
exhibit MANTLE cro~ning work o creation,
aud develop his steady and onward progress
even in the midst Of surrounding degene-
racy demonstrating clearly that his in
tellect, ,dignifed by divine impress, excels
in the symmetry of its proportions, and
the utility of its application, the fairest
specimens of earthly grandeur.
Classical and scientific pursuits should,
we think, be interviewer. The literature
of other languages, beautiful in itself, and
venerable for its historical connection with
nations buried in the past, aud men whose
names can not be buried, must be interest
ing and profitable. Interesting, because
of the relaxation it affords the weary mind,
and profitable, because of the literary taste
it imparts At the same time, let the
sciences be pursued vigorously, that the
mind may expand, and by patient research
discover new truths which shall reflect
their light throughout the earth.
Lewisburg, Nov. 1855. TVS.
-o----~~------------->--~~-----
INSCRIPTION FOR A SUN DIAL.-Dr.
Henry 1. Bowditch, of Boston, being about
to set an antique sun dial, sent to John G..