Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1856-01-31
Reported for the Times.
Prot. Huntington's Lecture.

has for its province all that belongs to the 9TH
er senses. 1t is the anaglyph, or keynote.
that spells out the meaning Of the other senses.
1t is law of God, that all real knowledge
Is the property Of all !; no coterie has a right
TO it. Its true practical Office is to speak for
minimizing labor. Scientific feudalisms, like
political feudalisms, are passing away. Com
mon sense sweeps away the distinctions Of
caste, and recognizes the bond Of universal
brotherhood. 1t estimates labor by the heart
and brain that bend over it.
Common sense is that power that seeks
grace and beauty, in completest harmony
| The lecturer alluded 10th mistaken idea that
men must be educated 10 appreciate the beau
tiful in art. The common heart is ever loyal
TO the finest productions Of genius. Artists
who complain that they are not. appreciated,
have reason to distrust their own talents
Common sense asks the best and the very best
The rustic who on reviewing painting of
farmyard, one feature of which was group of
five pigs feeding from trough, exclaimed -
.Who ever saw five pigs feeding from
trough, but one Of them had his foot in il -
possessed the elements Of genuine criticism.
Our artists spend their lives in studying the
antique, and reproducing models of heather
gods and goddesses, in whom nobody believes.
If they would take their subjects from nature
around them, they would reach the heart more
effectualy. (And here, Mr. Editor, allow me
to remark, that our painters and sculpiors seem
TO err, not in their mode of acquiring knowl-
edge, but in applying it. Doubtless it is best
that the artist-soul ofevery nation should make
its pilgrimage to Italy and spend years in
earnest study of those rare creations of the un-
dying genus of the old masters. But when
| that knowledge is embodied, let it take form
that shall speak to the national heart. Place
statue of Jupiter by the side of our own
Washington, before an American critic, and
though he may admire the majesty of the
Thunderer, or the artistic skill Of the sculptor,
still it is an intellectual pleasure merely. But
when he turns 10 Washington. the mute statue
is eloquent with lofty patriotism, unAinching
integrity, pure philanthropy embodiment
of principles dear to every freeman; and the
spiritual presence of that form penetrates his
soul, and the deepest founts of feeling are
stirred. A painting representing a group of
children enchains- the attention of the most
uncultivated taste, for it strikes chord that
thrills responsive in every human breast. In
the productions Of the poet, painter, orator or
culptor, mind must be welded TO heart, ere
the keys OF the human soul can be swept with
resistless power.)
True eloquence suits sage and rustic alike.
The noisy decliamer may win praise in the
absence of real merit but when true genius
speaks, the lowliest heart recognizes its heav-
en- inspired tones. These are the brave
| tongues that fire the shot heard around the
world.
Common sense assimiates all knowledge,
and casts it into the souls circulation. The
mind may be overloaded, and become dyspep-
tic, but common sense seizes the kind and
qeality of food needed, and rejects the rest
Common sense marks the distinction between
knowledge and wisdom. Wisdom lies in the
choice OF RICH, end, and right means to at
tain that end. knowledge is drilled into the
mind, wisdom falls like night dews on the ex-
banding spirit. Wisdom is the running cur
rent in the veins Of the body of learning.
Common sense makes judicious selection
of books. Read those books that seem hard
at first and in time the hard books become
easy. The lecturer spoke with deserved Sc
verify of the floating literature of the day.
He said that large portion of the books found
in the hands of young persons were mere de-
vices TO exhaust the brain, suction pumps TO
vacate skulls, and ought to be labelled, ldiocy
made easy. Common sense shows the rela-
tions between knowledge and the relations of
life. Some have acquired a large share of
knowledge, but are profoundly ignorant of ev
cry day affairs. The story of the mathemati-
clan, who expressed his admiration of the wis
dom of Providence, in ordaining that the
ocean, however irregular its shores, should
always flow up against the wharves of large
cities, was given as an illustration. The lee
turer advised Professorship of Gumption, to
teach people how TO apply their knowledge
after they obtained it. He thought there were
many defects in our system Of education. We
ought TO teach children whatever they need
in the ordinary business Of life, pay more at
tention to their manners and physical develop
ment. He then spoke of certain class of
scholars who shine upon examination, reach
their zenith on the commencement platform,
and diplomatize into decline. The speaker
alluded to the belief that great occasions make
4 great men. Great actions are only for those
who make all actions great by having great
hearts in their breasts God honors common
things. Despisers of common things are in
tellectual inidels.
In conclusion, common sense teaches COM
mon sympathy, common kindness, common
love, while recognizing the fraternal bond, in
stituted by Him, who made Of one blood all
the nations of the earth.
Prof. Huntington's lecture was character
lied by depth, strength and originality of
thought, enlivened by salHes of humor, illumi-
mated by corruscations of genius, and replete
with the practical doctrines of common sense.