The prairie news. [volume] (Okolona, Miss.) 1851-1875, 1859-04-14
EDUCATION,


Improvement of the human mind by edu-
'ation. 1t has frequently been chosen as
he hackneyed theme Unpopular Declama-
ion, while to the eye of the Philosopher
1 discloses matter for deep and arduous
research. One author seems to enter the
domestic circle and instruct the Parent
to select the precepts of wisdom, and
enforce them by a steady undertaking
example; whilst another seats himself
in the Hall of Science, and investigates
the constitution, order and management
of Colleges. One developes the subject
with an immediate view to the SUISSE
quent business of life, while others dem
onstrate its influence on government and
the general tone of public sentiment and
manners. Some regard ii as prescribing
merely judicious course of moral dis
cipline others treat it with an exclusive
reference to the culture of the intellec-
tual faculties and habits. In every view
the subject is interesting and important ;
but / shall cOnfne my observations chief
ly to the last. Wherever the dignity OF
mans immortal nature has been felt, or
the extent of his capacities observed,
there the education of youth has become
a matter of the liviest interest. But it
has ever been the leading concern of pa
rents and preceptors to instruct them
merely in the elements of science and lit
erature This, however, important in
ITSELF is but part, and in my opinion
the smallest part of education. Common
schools ought to assist nature in her oper-
atoms and direct them in proper course /;
but not to surplant her with art. And |
am pretty confident that in the present
state of things they do little more than
turn out in the world, if any men made
scholars Jytoree. The fault is, however,
not so much in the seminaries of learning.
These are the bulwarks of civilization
and refinement against downright barbar-
ism it originates in the family and the
That scheme of education
which stamps real value upon the hu-
man mind, consists not so much in the
communication of knowledge, as the i'm
of those faculties which ele-
vate man above the irrational creation,
and render him susceptible of endless
advancements towards perfection. Why
is it that the Statesmen, the Orators,
Philosophers, and Poets of antiquenty,
rose in the infancy of science, to such a
pitch of glory, and have continued shin
ing with unrivalled splendor during a
long march of ages and centuries 1t
is to be accounted for only on this princi-
pie; they were compelled by the very
circumstances of their times, to examine
the capacities and powers of their own
minds, and cultivate by exercise and
habits, their understandings, their men,
cries, and their reasoning faculties.
In all most every instance, in which
Genius has commanded the admiration of
the world, we are enabled to discover
that the distinction originated in some of
those fortunate principles and habits,
which led to the exercise and consequent
of their native possessions.
Such instances we find in Homer and
Demosthenes of Greece; in Virgil and
Cicero of Rome, and such an instance is
unquestionably found in natures distin-
guished Bard of England, the illustrious
Shakespeare; SO is Clay, Jackson, and a
host of great names in our own free coun-
try. But / would not be understood to
insinuate that knowledge of the arts
and sciences ought to be neglected. 1t
is merely my intention to show what alone
can insure success in these pursuits, or
real eminence in the republic of letters.
TO the honor of our country, be it &C
knowledged, that men of general infor-
nation are numerous. In the drudgery
of schools hundreds consume the day
spring of life, and at length, in spite Of
intellectual endorsements, grown in
veterate by habit, they gain standing
of responsibility and usefulness. But
now and then we see the mind of man
rising by its own energies, superior to the
difficulties that hamper the multitude,
and challenging rank with the highest
orders of created intelligence. He be-
comes conversant indeed with the pages
of classic lore, and scores the stupendu-
Gus superstructure of mathematical SCI
ence. but he seems To rise in the majesty