Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-01-16
For the Advertiser.
pRnF. LARnRnEns PHYSIOLOGY.

Mr. EDlToR Some time since friend placed in
our hands copy Of PROF LABoRDE's recent work
on Physiology, with the request that we would ex.
anime it, and see if We thought it suitable text book
for "a school, We promised TO do so but heng quite
closely engaged with other matters at the time, we
failed until quite recently, to give it that attention
which we intended Upon rsing from recent peril
sol of it, however, we strongly impressed with
its merits, that although we have not the pleasure
of personal acquaintance with the accomplished
author ws.ata take the ,lberty OF publicly stating
our opinion of the judicoa, manner in which his self
imposed tnsk has been performed.
Havng been for many years accustomed to the al
most daily Of some Of The different Elementary
text bookupon Physiology, compiled 10 meet the wants
ofstuents in higher semnaries, has occurred to
us that one appreciate more readily the ex.
cellencies o1Prof LABoRDE, treatise, than by notc.
ing wherein it seem, to differ from ttoae which have
b.en for some few years before the public. And first
We think the general style in which the Professor aa
expressed himself is greatly preferable to that of many
authors upon the subject, whose works are now
in very general Most text books are intended to
be very concise and the result of such good intention
on the part Of the author they become models Of that
exceeding stiffness and dryness which so repugnant
the of learners. Ruschenbergers elementary
Treatise though the whole excellent, is an example
of such faultinsI Cutters Physiology on The other
hand borders in its style upon the opposite extreme,
and for want Of concissness, fails in making an i'm
preston upon the mind of tho learner sufficiently def
mite, to fix firmly in his memory the facts and Prin.
cples which the work is designed to teach. Avoiding
both these extremes, Prof Labor DE has succeeded in
reaching very happy medium, and Willis preserving
great clearness has thrown charm around the inter-
esiing subjects Of which his work treats, which charm
is owing not the intrinsic interested the truths
which he is eucidaing, than to the exceeding clear
and beautiful manner in which these truths are eI'
pressed.
The Professor has also been peculiar happy in the
general selection of tho subject of which his work
treats In this he has shown much good judgment,
as in ha style of writing he has shown good taste 1t
ia great point in an elementary treatise upon any
deparimsn, of science, to know what to retain and
wha, to reject. In work strictly elementary, some
reference must be had to the immediate effect which
will be produced upon the mind of the learner, by the
excaion of plessurnbe emotions, as these ure arous-
ed by the pleasing nature Of the truths which are pre-
sented to him. If knowledge is made attractive, ii
the student becomes interested in his studies, and
learn. to love any science from the qualification which
the reception of ia truths Impars, he has derived from
bis author ,nofold benefit Not only has he gained
knowledge, but he has felt the charm attending its
ACQUISITION and learned TO love the truth itself, from
the very pleasure which it's study has afforded him.
No w,here is no department Of scientific investigation
which, by iudciuus arrangement of its text books,
can be made more fascinating 10 learners than this
which investigates the phenomena Of life and ther" is
none which, by an injudcious arrangement, can be
made to become more wearisome. Most authors OF
the elementary treatises upon Physiology seem 10 have
forgotten, at times that they were writing for those
who were less interested in professional details than
their medical brethren. And most teachers have
witnessed the WEAKNESS and lassude, ut times
amounting on the par, Of tho pupil, almost TO disgust
which has resulted from snch forgetfulness. Prof.
LABoRpE has IN the arrangement Of his work, rs
text book, shown the tact and judgment Of an expert
encsd instructor, in carefully avoiding whatever is
no, adapted at once to instruct and interest in this
lie has evidently comprehended the wants of those Tor
| whom he has written. And eny one who will read
his work, can readily imagine how even children can
| I've made TO feel IN interest in whatever nH''"-