The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1856-12-13

times has brought the learned and the unlearn cd
into more familiar intercourse than they had be-
fore. They find themselves obliged to converse
upon the same topics; hence the great necessity OF
all elias ses being educated
1t has been well observed, that as statues are
said to lie hid in blocks of MARBLE what sculpture
is 10 that block Of marble, education is to human
SOUL but that the human soul without education,
is like marble in the quarry. The illustration
may less fancifuIly be taken from the skill Of the
polisher The beauties of tho material are not
shown till he produces the color, makes the surface
to slime, and discovers every ornamen tai spot and
vein that runs through the whole body. Educa-
ton is that particular discipline by which the hui
man mind. possessed Of powers, but not furnished
by unassstcd nature with the means Of calling
them forth, is stored with knowledge, and enabled
to produce it in the great concerns of life. Know
ledge is power, and the individual possessed of it
will find himself abundanty repaid for the labor
of its attainment by the respect which he acquires,
and the comrlactncy he must enjoy.
Education polshes taste, regulates the temper,
cutivates reason subducs the passions directs the
feelings and creates reflection. The dark ages Of
ignorance have fed; it is to the rapidly ditfuscd
light of knowledge that philosophers and patriots
turn with confident anticipation The prospect of
further advancement may, it hoped, be extended
in some degree, by the individual excrtons and
cordial cooperation of those who are engaged in
| the service Of this Institution,
Knowing myself TO address students. malo and
female, shall not DC departing from tho proper
| limits of my duty if devote the remainder of the
present lecture to observations of general char
actcr. You will be called upon to perform duties
great duties. I wish for your sakes, and for the
sake of our common country that they may be per.
formed greatly. l give you that counsel which |
believe to BIO the wisest and the beg, Il tell you
| to aspire | believe that tn man who does not
look up will look down, and that the spirit that
does not dare to soar is destined perhaps to groYel.
10 add authority to my opinion, will quote, as
often do with that view, passage from d Israeli
AT least, there is always this advantage in aiming
| at the higher results--that the failure is never
| total, and that thossh the end accomplished may
fall far short of that proposed it cannot but reach
| far in advance Of the point from which We start.
There never was any great and permanent
| good accomplished but by hoping for and aiming
at something still greater and better"
| To the student the first habit to be recommended
is diligence. 10 him no mistake will be more de-
trimental than to underrate the virtue of industry
without which, perhaps in any profession, no MAJ,
ever attained to cminence If some individuals
by the help Of brilliant Imagination and certain
powers Of requirement, have gained celebrity in
spite of their notorious Incidence, such men have
! done little for their profession and have acquired
no permanent or valuable fame; but the greatest
men of all nations and times have been men of in
dustrious or even of laborious habits Whatever
may have been your past advantages or disudyan,
tages. whatever may be the present state Of your
information. let every day be well employed foi
though the time you have to spend in study no W
seems long it will pass away quickly. and cannot
return. Excuses are too often admitted BY the
student when he is conscious of his own Incidence
| and he promises himself that on another occasion
that fault will be avoided but days, and weeks,
and months follow one another, and ut last his op.
pcrtunties are gone. Attend daily therefore
your recitations; days neglect breaks tho chain
and makes many recitations uninsructive
As tho rules of this Institution leave Won tint
for the revision of your studies and for proper re-
axation. you will not be under the n cessty Of
employing any part of the Sabbath in that ma n
ner. On that day therefore, let all your academic
al occupations bc put aside. Attend tho services
Of religion. Examine how you are passing your
time Review and regulate your thoughts: and
clear our minds Of any animosities or discon
posures which may have arisen during the week
on will then not only not lose, day but will
actually gain time by tho refrcsbment of you,
minds; and by the acquisition of that serenity
the want Of which is most unfavorable to menta
exer'ion. Remember, in the words Of the Hon
Daniel Agncw. of this state, that perseverance il
the great quality which secures success in all ou
under akings."
Let me enircat you to keep in mind what sallus
has beautifully expressed in his irrelevant intro
ductory to the Jugurthine War; and what those o
you who are reading his valuabl trentise will re
cite to-day: MAGIsouE NAruRAE INDrsrRiAM uoM1
NUN, GUAM VIM AIT TEapus DEEssH,n land thu
industry of men to be wanting more to nature thar
| efficacy time
Finally, let mo say, SOW the good seod ard rel,
on it that your harvest, rheher retarded by
passing cloud. or quickened by a genial SUM-
your harvest whether late or early, will be plenti
! full, and your reward secure.