Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-08-11
II ews Of the Day.
COLLEGES"

OA4~
Jon which, though some of the views of the in I
Author are susceptible of critical disquisition, for
contains also some others eminently worthy her
consideration, if not calling for REFORM drc
We do not propose fitting a lance with our Ing
worthy Correspondent on the points IN his mt
article with which we are not agreed, but A
cannot certainly coincide with his somewhat bu
ultra opposition to the gala demonstrations sci
which our College andSeminary Commence
ment" exercises occasion. That much gilt CT
ter, and pomp, and humbug, if you please, th
prevail, is, doubtless, too true but then al
these are a perversion of the purposes for d
which these exercises were instituted and c.
if. therefore, they ought to be discontinued 81
abolished-then for a very like reason, an "
argument might be made that the assemblage
of congregations and multitudes, for the wor- t
ship of God, ought to be abrogated. For it V
is a well-known fact, that quite as many at
tend Church, protracted and camp meetings, |
'efor a frolic,n and "to exhibit a new dress, a &
new coat, a charming face, or a cherished
moustache,'' as go to these college Com
m6nccUQeTIS. OuI 0OIESSpOAOSl4t . as
ment proves too much-goes too far. The
evil complained of, it may be, is to be d%eplored,
but, if so, it should be corrected, and not be
allowed to bring into disrepute that which is
proper and commendable in itself.
No. no. We believe in these Educational
Anniversaries and we believe IN making
them as attractive and joyful as discreet Pro-
fessors and Teachers are apt to allow. Here
are pupils who for ten long and weary months
have applied themselves with assiduous toll
to their studies Commencement day is up
on them, which is to be succeeded by a few
weeks Of rest and relief from the restraints of
rigid discipline-when they are to visit home,
from which they have been so long estranged,
! and meet again the dearest loved of earth
r And would YOU make such a time as this one
of dread, severe scrutinizir g criticism an6
e ordeal, only, Invested of all joyous and hap
e nv associations, which the students owl
r longing anticipations engender? In the nam
of struggling genius, and the ten thousan
6 school boys and girls of our State, we prote:
IS against any such monasterical tyranny.
II MOI are w OppoSCu W q ihS hS0 COh
y mencement occasion so numerously attende'
i'd That they are to be SO, is a strong incentiV
ne to proficiency and excellency in the studen
Since the days Of classic Greece and Rom
of when beauty crowned the ~victor's brow Wi
ar wreath of laurel, down to the present tim
ne has the presence and smiles of the Fair
ste Parents and friends-tended to encourage
we the Students mind, that
ing !,
"Constant training for a glorious strife, "
ned SO essential to success and triumph.
ma But while we dissent from our Correspc
our dent in these respects, there is point 9
force in his remarks concerning the supe
s5 ciality in education, too generally found 9
,ar in the false and injurious ideas so often
ma
trial pursuits of life. It is too much the c
that a little smattering of French and a stru
ming of the Piano and Guitar-with a m
ons skimming over of the ordinary text book
al is all that is included in the popular tern
our "a finished education" for young ladies. I
81 is a gross wrong but teachers are gener;
K of less to \ blame than o~ver-anxious parents v
$50 want their daughters crowded through
one course of studies, without regard to profci
the cy.
that One of the gravest views presented by
OF Correspondent is embraced in the suggest
oral that a College education, in these days
to promotive of idleness-that a contempt
ask labor is one of its natural consequences.
'ple. fortunately, there is too much truth in t
ould Many a young man. taken from the pillow /
that dies and workshops, and placed in our H
lake Schools and Colleges, seems to consider t
pet it would be an absolute disgrace and de;
dation for him to run a furrow or driv
era jack-plane again. Alas alas! Truly IL
lake are evil omens and if a general educatio
you the masses is to promote this spirit, it v
anne. better that the royal road to learning v
once again established. But to correct this g
son error, belongs to our Schools and College.
lie on Let Teachers and Professors i~nculcate
ssent true principle into the minds of their pu,
face. that the Mechanics Bench, the Farmers P
I'd of and the Laborer's Hold are alike oonaI ho,
Oh of honor with the Lawyers books, the
can? slclan's Laboratory, the Parsons SurpIic,
,ause the Artists pencil, and the work will bC
complished. Honest labor, in whatever
? z partment Of life, is the noblest pursuit G
with educated man
We ---
Errnrc ~, Houono,;;on