The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1859-05-21
The Body and the Mind.

4 step has been taken in the right di-
rcction by the "Tcnchtrs' Association Of
Middlescx county, Massachusetts. It's
members have adopted resolutions, ex-
pressing the opinion that children in the
primary schools should not be confined
to study in their seats more than thre.
hours in a day; and if the convenience
Of their parents require that they should
be under the care Of their teachers
longer time each day, the additional
| hours should be devoted to exercises cal.
culated to promote tho morals, the social
and physical welfare Of the pupils. We
have not met with anything more scnsi-
ble or more comnendablc for a long time.
The modern plan of education is full of
errors aud danger. In the great majori-
ty of cases, the development Of the mind
| is alone taken into consideration, while
| the physical constitution is totally disre-
/ gardcd. There are, it is true, exceptions,
! and we are glad to learn that several of
the most popular and experienced teach,
ers of Philadelphia haveof late years uni
ted the two systems-physlcal dcvcloI.
! mcut with mental training. A similar
course should be pursued ia all our pub
! lie schools. The mind cannot strength
en- while the body is neglected or enfee-
bIel The one is mcosurably dependent
upon the other 1t is beyond al. qucs-
tiou that the seeds Gf disease are impIaut-
ed in many constitutions by long confne
ment in schools while it is equally cer-
tain that the minds of the young are
oyertaxed and overtasked, and often with
the most pIorabia consequences. We
fear moreover. that In some cases, the
emulation or competition system Is car
ried to hazardous extent. A boy or
girl may bc exceedingly ambitious, and
yet lack tie ability to compete with one
whose intellectual gifts are Of higher
character, or whose mea,ory is particu,
larl7 reteutive, and thus, IN the struggle
the mind may over strain itself, and sick
ness, iusau:tv, or even death ensue. Is
this view If sLe case duly nsidered hy
parents aud teachers? Or DO they not
sometimes, in their efforts to render their
children or their pupils objects of admi-
rati0n, forget the true welfare Of beings
who are cQnfdcd TO their care, and by
the ho. bed or forcing process break
them down before their faculties are suih-
ciently developed? ? How common it is
20 And + pert, smart, preoorious child
pushed forward with a sort If silly pride,
aud mad2 sn object Of exhibition. The
parent, the teacher, or the guardian,
vaiuiy surprising that beng who while
so ycung, can accomplish so much, is
destined to achieve still more ex!rpordin-
nty 'ntellectuaI prodlgjes ia the time to
come Aud jet now rarely does 1t occur
that those who arc so wonderFulin in child
hood, are characterized BY anything re-
markable, in a mental point Of view, wheu
they arrive ct years Of maturity. The
truth simply is that they are exhausted
when too young, aud after having pro-
gres.eI to a certain extent, their minds
refuse any further development. |;
should be remembered that the brain,
physically, ,s only hal grown At an early
period Of life, and anduo application in,
stead Of assisting aud strengt gthcuing, i'm.
pairs or dgarfs its power.
e. Il Is well observed that inflated an
bition Is often Il serious cause Of Undue
ing parents, as well as teachers, to over
task their children or their pupils. Fo,
many teachers make marks, medals, 500
examinations, the chief tests of tho value
, of schools Thus the unfortunate chill
! dren are crammed, and stuffed beyonC
the requirements of reason and common
{ sense, and In many eases to tae injury Q
: the health, Us well as the enervation G
the mind The subject is one Of groa
and grave importance, and it cannot at
I tract too much attention. The mind ant
J body are, we repeat, measurab|y depend
j ent upon each other and we cannot neg
lcct the latter withou. imparing tn
strength, the cnsgy, and thus retardin
I due development Of the former. o
5 what value, for example, would be th
c volition to strike blow without th
q muscular power to enforce tho thought
Inquirer.