Washington telegraph., 1855-08-22
Education.

tions
This has not unfrequently been styled
an age of progress-an age of light and
knowledge-of abstruse philanthropic in
qniry-of great mental excitement. and
physical activity. This age has rerudia-
ted the doctrine of the ais inertie. both
of mind and body. The long night of
ignorance, which. for thousand years.
nantled the earth with darkness. envel-
oping mankind in the somnolency of a
leaden lethargy, with its mists, fogs, and
murky clouds, has passed away. 1t would
be deeply interesting, and not altogether
devoid Of use, to pencil the dawning Of
this day of mental illumination-to dis
sect the first faint rays of light which pen
etrated the thick gloom. and the succeed
ing beams which finally dispelled the shades
of that sombre epoch. and to follow the
path of the ascending lumnary, now OBJ
scured by clouds Of error, now cleared by
the light of reason, until, in the middle
Of the nineteenth century, it burst in full
orbed splendor upon the world 1t would
be equally interesting, in philanthropic
point of view, to describe the fearful con-
ficts which convulsed the Old World-de
luged its plains in blood-extinguished the
remnant Of partial enlightenment,-to
trace the producing causes. and discover
the operative principles by which man
was enabled to break the iron fetters of
ignorance and superstition. and attain to
his present exalted degree of civilization.
But we must content ourselves with brief
statement of the elements which were the
most energetic co-efficients in the produc-
ton of civilization.
NJ GUIzoT, in his General History
of Civilization in Europe" says, two cir
cumstances are necessary to its existence
it lives upon two conditions-it reveals
itself by two symptoms: the progress of
individuals-the progress of society; the
expansion of the mind and faculties of
man, ard the amelioration of the social
system" Neither of these elements can
exist and be active without sooner or later
producing the other These elements de-
velop the idea of the usefieL. of the Just,
Of the beautiful-the idea of COP, and
the idea of the true. producing respect
lively the practical sciences (as mathemat-
les. physies) civil society-the fine arts
religion and wo-sbip,-and philosophy.
This statement of the progress of civil
ization shows that it has its origin in
the mind, which develops the great ideas,
that are chiefly operative in the formation
of the civil and social compact. Hence
the vast importance Of educating the pri-
vate and public mind Hence the impor-
tance of unfettering the intellect, that it
may GO forth in quest of those natural el
ements which COP has ordained for the
continued progression Of man. These el-
ements are, slowly it may be, but certain
" developing all the perfectibility of the
human species-producirg increased intel
lectaal and physical wealth. and thereby
multiplying the facilities Of human useful
ness and happiness. by providing means
and devisine plans for the physical, intel
lectual, and moral education of the masses.
Under their conjoint operation active be-
nevolence is created, and. aided by an en-
ligbtened philosophy. daily puts forth con-
structive efforts to ameliorate the condition
Of suffering humanity. and mitigate the
poignancy of anguish.
Avowedly for these objects, various be-
nevolent Orders have been established, and
| numerous associations of men formed. but
permanent immunity against the ills of
life, is to be sought only in perfect sys-
TEN of instruction. The active operative
elements of civilization will develop this
system. Philosophy. in the mean time,
vexed with the question, is seen with he-
eye fixed upon the future, as if looking
for some distinguished parsonage. promised
i to the human family. and capactated to
/ devise and perfect the magnificent scheme
of education, which is to combine every ex-
cellency, and ultimately restore man to his
primeval state Of purity and happiness
Until then, benevolence. acting through or
! ganized bodies, will be seen with sympa
thetic eye and open hand, ministering to
! the wants of man. She teaches and i'm
presses the great fact of universal broth
erhood in the family of man. She seeks
the felicity of all by providing for the ed
ucation Of all, as far as in her powerful
] " convinced, that it is mind that enjoys,
and consequently. that the limit Of the
mental capacity is the limit of enjoyment.
! Truth Is the food of the intellect, and with