The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-08-29

gebra. each study in Its turn may prove dis,
tasteful to the young pupil, as endeayored
to be taught in our academies and schools,
and yet, by adopting a very simple course,
by encouraging the primitive desire to learn
these studies, in an easy, natural, playful
like way; first, the basis may be laid, upon
which perfection itself may crown the fabric.
To explain our view more plainly, a child
might take great pleasure, rs most children
do, in the perusal of Robinson Crusoe's his
tory. IL Is true, he has not learnt much of
the history Of the earth, but at once you see
the desire is awakend to know what an is
land is, how islands can be reached, what is
an ocean, and what its magnitude. The
mere perusal Of light fanciful book ofthis
kind, gives the young mind a thirst for more
knowledge. By adopting IN easy. pleasant,
conversational mode of instruction, the mind
instead of being burthened is expanded
Learning obtained this way, is retained, and
more than all, it does not give the young
mind distastc for study, rs is universally
ofaucient history, converse of Grecian wars
and Roman customs, by 4 narration of in-
teresting facts Of Grecian and Roman his
tory, and when the mind thus excited seeks
more knowledge, by adopting system not
rigid as is proyerbially the case in our schools
but ensy, and encouraging, the young pupil
very straitly becomes classical scholar
Experience tells us that any work can be
more easily accomplished when the operator
goes to work with q hearty good will and
desire TO do it. Fulton would never have
constructed n steamboat, If he had have been
actuated by compulsory measures What
ideas he had would have been driven from
his head. There is no doubt but teachers
and parents can do much by encouraging
their children in the pursuit Of knowledge.
by knowledge, we do not mean book learns
ing. The child Of seven or eight, might en-
quire of his parent an answer TO most simrle
question, rs, for instance, what is tho use of
books? "hat is the use of learning to write!
and any amoant Of such simple questions.
BY giving plain, simple, comprehensive an
swers 10 those interogatories, the child be-
comes satisfied, and has learnt great deal
besides. A boy will ask his father why he
cannot go here, or there, or why is he not
allowed TO do this, or that. The common
reply, "bocausc you can't" does not satisfy
the boy, but BY taking little patience and
explaining The why and wherefore. he be-
comes moro satisfied, and will not trouble
you again. We speak adviscdly, for we
have tried the plan with our own children.
Schooling, academical schooling We mean,
does not make make q man scholar. As
great fools graduate ct our colleges, MS at
our old-field schools. The simple announce
ment that he is "a graduate of the South Car
olina College we admit, with the ignorant.
carries weight, but many Of US know of Col.
lege graduates who would do no credit to
our field schools.
Man was mado for IN especial object, he
has m innate knowledge within him which
urges and propels him onward. First, stim-
ulate the child with this knowledge, NJ quaint
him with the knowledge Of his intellectual
superiority, and then bring his mind into
closer proximity with the wonderful wor-
kings Of Natures own God. Instead of dri-
wing aud forcing him TO attain knowledge,
give him desire, and the end will be ac-
compished.
We give in another column eommuni-
cation on the subject Of education. The
writer is fthe opinion that an organization
ofteachers, may possibly, by each submitting
his peculiar mode Of disciplince and plan of
instruction, be the means of establishing
universal mode. The advantage OF this
would be two fold. In the first place pu-
pill from one school could enter another, and
still resume those studies he was accustomed
to, ana also the best mode and manner of
teaching would then be adopted. The mat
ter deserves consideration. In connection
with this subject, we have. as above submit
ted some Of our views. The subject Is an
important one. and we may hereafter have
something more to say.
"No man in his senses" says our West
minister Review "ean ever believe that he
was placed in the world merely 10 devour
and nssimilate certain quantity of carbon,
hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. and then
to give II forth again in death TO the air snd
the earth: less nicely balanced faculties, and
less godlike intellect might have sufficed
for that; and the child should be taught to
see that such Is not bis destination. He
should be shown that he IN the heir of a no.
bic nature, capable Of diffasing happiness q.
round him, which will come back tenfold in
to his own bosom If he use It Alright; but
that IL Is equally capable of being abused,
to his own misery and that Of those about
him; that the blessing and the curse is set
before him and that II no misses the oppor-
tonities and mis-spends the tune given han
for better purposes, the curse will dog his
steps for the rest Of his life: In abort, that
every human being born In the world has
destiny To fulfil, and ought not TO rest till
he has pat himself In position which will
enable him to accomplish IL. What that
destiny is, no one is informed beforehand;
he can therefore only prepare himself by
diligent selfculture for the occasion when
N a n