Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1858-11-09

would be discovered under similar teach
ing - the same cramming process = but
the walHing-up process entirely forgotten.
No provision in such course for manly.
Independent thought, no scheme is ever
planned for digesting the facts thus ob
tanned and making the principles subser-
Went to the aims Of practical life, no in
clination aroused or taste acquired to 90
on and perfect themselves in any of the
paths the preliminary steps of which have
been taken, and the general tendency is
to support themselves on the dignity con-
ferred by diploma and fine clothes and
converse Iearnedly about the superior ad-
vantages derived from a liberal educa-
ton
What is it that distinguishes the pres
! ent age from those which have preceded
il, if II be not It's achievements in pract-
cal science aDd art. 1t is true, we may
not have sung with the elegance Of the
. classic Greek" surrounded with his
muse haunted groves and drinking in the
inspiration Of Bacchus, nor declaimed with
the rhetorical eloquence of a Roman ora
tor in the forum, nor foamed with true
Achillian wrath = we may thave chs
seed the marble with the skill of a PuID-
las, or touched the canvass with The ten
derness of an APPELLEs" - but we have
exer,ed our powers IN a manner which
renders society a thousand times more
comfortable. Our marble and granite are
moulded so as to accommodate the com
mercial and domestic wants Of our peo-
pie, and our brushes to preserve and dec
crate their edfces. We DO not now
make wooden horses in which to trans
port warriors through an enemy's coun-
try to surprise cities, but iron ones which
car excel them in speed strength and
certainty. We can transmit messages
with a velocity and by a means never
dreamrt Of in their philosophy, and fore
tell events, especially in the celestial
world, which surPasses the far-famed re-
sponses Of the Delphian oracles.
Who are the contributors to this age ?
who are the distinguished men that have
invented 50 many varieties Of labor-savIng
machines which tend to ameliorate the
condition Of society? Are they those who
have spent years closeted up with learn
ed faculty, disciplining the mind and stud
wing the laws Of mental and physical sci
ence, or are they the poor apprentices
who more han one-half of the time are
employed in performing labor that does
moi benefit them, but increases the wealth
of the proprietor Too poor, perhaps, IN
the commencement Of life 10 purchase
books, the Workshop and field are alike
their library and laboratory. Here prac-
tical lessons are taught, and we behold
the result. The success of the illiterate
is SO great in the physical sciences and
mechanical pursuits, compared with those
who CLAIM 10 be learned, that | think we
NAV discover a defect in our educational
system. We may learn at least that
students may SEEM TO understand what
others have SAID and done without having
any independent conclusions concerning
the matter. We have some learned IN
venlors oe more modern date, but ma
iorilv OF these have served a goodiy time
experimenting IN a laboratory or in the
practical pursuits of lie, after the collegi-
ate course was completed. Here two
theories or plans Of education arise. The
one may be called the discipline theory
in which the main Object seems to be to
discipline the mind, draw il out, educate
it. The judgement is strengthened, the
taste improved. and the student IS a wiser
aud happier man for having pursued i.
To this there are some objections, VIZ:
that a great portion Of tune is exhausted
in Obtaining information which is soon
forgotten, because Of but little use in after
life. and although force Of mind Is ac-
quired. commensurate skill IS not OBJ
tanned for directing ii, and, therefore, the
graduate is found, many times, wander
ing from the path Of usefulness and hon
or. Ills forces are not well marshaled,
ana be must 60 through one campaign,
suffer a few surprises and defeats, before
he fully understands the nature Of the foe
with whom he contends. /, IS not claimed
that Il man becomes learned in this course,
but only prepared TO become 50.
The other theory Is based upon the
maxim of the old Grecian philosopher
who said $ teach boys in youth what they
need to practice when they become men.
The object seems to he to give thorough
knowledge Of the physical sciences and a
a.A.;oc- .aea nE .ha nrac.ical annlicallaa Of