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

Mr.. EDITOR: Some time since a friend placed in
our hands copy of PROF. LABoRDE's recent work
on Physiology, with The request that we would ex.
anime it, and if We thought it suitable text book
fora school. We promised to do SO; but being quite
closely engaged with other matters at the time, We
failed until quite recently, TO give it that attention
which We intended. Upon rising from recent peru
sal of it, however, so strongly impressed with
its merits, that although we have not the pleasure
of personal acquaintance with the accomplished
author, we-pall take the eiberty Of publicly stating
our opinion Of the judciods manner in which his self
imposed tnsk has been performed.
Having been for many Tears accustomed TO the al
most daily use Of some one Of the different Elementary
text bookpon Physiology compiled to meet the wants
ofs,udents in our higher semnares it has occurred TO
US that one cannot appreciate moro readily the eI-
ceencies of1Prof LABoRpr', treatise than by nosc.
ing wherein it seems to differ from those which have
been for some few years before eihe public. And first
we think the general style in which the Professor haa
expressed himself is greatly preferable TO that of many
authors upon the sams subject, whose works are now
in very general Most text books are intended to
be very concise, and a. thefesu, Of such good intention
on the part of the author they become models of that
exceeding stiffness and dness, which so repugnans
to the tastes of learners Ruschenbergers elementary
treatise, though on tho whole eIcsllent is example
of such faul,ine,s. Cutter. Physiology The other
hand borders in ,s style upon the opposite extreme,
and for want Of conciseness fails in making an i'm.
preston upon the mind of tho learner sufficiently def
mite, 10 fix firmly in his memory the facts and prin.
cipes which tho work is designed to teach Avoiding
both these extremes Prof LABOR DE has succeeded in
reaching very happy medium, and while preserving
great cearness has thrown charm around the inter.
esliug subjects of which his work treats, which charm
is owing not more to the intrinsic interest Of the truths
which he is elucdating, than to the exceeding clear
and beautiful manner in which these truths are er.
pressed.
The Professor hos also been peculiar happy in the
general selection Of tho subject of which his work
treats In this he has shown as much good judgment,
a. in his style Of writing hs has shown good taste 1t
is a great point in an elementary treatise upon any
depar,ment of science, to know what TO retain and
what 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
excitation of peasurabe emotions these are arous-
ed by tho pleasing vi tho ao'"S ""'' ~
sen,ed to him. If knowledge is made attractive, if
tho student becomes interested in his studies, and
learns to love any science from the qualification which
the reception Of s truths mpart, he has derived from
hi. author ,wo-fod benefit. Not only has he gained
knowledge, but he has felt tho charm attending its
ACQUISITION, and learned TO love the truth itself, from
the very pleasure which its study has afforded him.
No w,here is no department Of scientific investigation
which, by judicious arrangement of its text books
can be made more fascinating TO learners than this
which investigates the phenomena of ife and there is
none which, by an injudicious arrangement, can be
made to become moro wearisome.. Most authors OF
the elementary treases upon Physiology seem TO have
rgo,ten at times, that they were writing Tor those
who were less interested in professional details than
their medical brethren And most teachers have
witnessed the WEAKNESS and lassitude, at times
amounting, on the par. of tho puri almost to disgust
which has resulted from sech forsetfulness. Prof.
LABopDE has IN the arrangement OF his work, as
tex, book, shown the tact and judgment Of expert.
enced instructor, in carefully avoiding whatever is
no. adapted at once to instruct and interest," In this
he has evidently comprehended the wants Of those for
whom he has written. And Iny one who will read
his work. can readily imagine how even children can
I've made 10 feel IN interest in whatever nn''"'