The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1860-02-09
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us compare the education of the present
with the past, even in the colleges. We
shall see marked decline. The students
used to talk in latin. Now they do NOS
know enough latin to read their degrees.
Eighty years ago, such was the abilities
of an instructor, such his erudition ana
command of language, such at that time
vas the power and strength of our Ian
guage, that in four lectures he could make
his pupils-so great were their capacities
and requirements, even the freshmen
complete masters Of the science of astron-
omy. Now the style of literature In SO
changed-so loose bombastic-fceble--
that It requires year 5 study of the text
book, and four times as many lectures,
by the ablest men of the country, for the
senIors-so Inferior iu abilities are tho stu
dents of to-day-to get an acquaintance
even with the elements of the same sci
cnce. This is the wonderful improvement
in education. de: us give thanks that we
are Infinitely superior to our fathers"
But what shall We say upon college
morality? The decline is too evident 20
need stating yet We will give one exam
pie. Not long ago one of the most can
did and venerable instructors in one of
the most venerable institutions. of this
land, was giving lectures to noble class,
on the eve OF graduation. To these lec-
lures q nanber of young ladies were ad-
mitted After delivering several lectures
the professor examined the students upon
what he had already told them. At the
next lecture after the examination, he said
:" lie forgot to ask the ladies to the ex.
animation; but he supposed they would
ike to know how the gentlemen passed
the ordeal how many had their hearts
fail them. Not one" said he, "thcy all
Iasged first rate, excellently." A few days
after this he asked the class to remain un-
til after the rest of the audience had gone,
and then said, Young Gentlemen see
you are not paying good attention to the
lectures. / fear the coming examination
will prove you ignorant of this great sub
ject. | told the ladies and strangers the
other day that you all passed the last ex-
animation first rate. But In truth you
did not. Several of you showed you knew
nothing of the subject. Many of you did
yourselves no credit" You, my class
mates are witnesses to the truth of this
1t needs 10 comment When the best of
instructors, who ought to be free from the
ambition of youth, who should seek for
something better than to make display,
is &c far led from the truth by the desire
Of creating favorable impression. what
shall we expect from others? What must
we look for in the students II it were
necessary and time permitted, I should
ike 10 review the change in our customs
and objects of pursuits. But am already
t-cspassing upon your patience. did
intend to show you how everything has
reversed, beginning with the family circle,
the foundation of society. To show you
how these had gradually contracted. while
the ladies' circles had been continually cx-
panding To show that children, former
ly esteemed blessing, are now regarded
as a curse; and not entirely without rea-
son Formerly they were obedicnt, du.
tiful, afi,ectionate, aud reverenced their
superiors. Now they are exactly the op-
posite Of Of all this. Young America at
10 talks about the obstinacy and stupid
ity of the Old Man, and threatens to dress
him out if he don't mind. Formerly they
were of real service in gaming a liveli-
hood. Now they are useless, especially
the girls, who are good for nothing ex-
cept parlor ornaments, and costly ones at
that, as 8 Bowen" says of money. Thoy
can drum little on the piano, simper .
little and say yes" if any one speaks to
them. No particular question is intend
ed But that is all they can do.
wished to show you that formerly when
one met a young lady, he could talk with
her freely, and if mutually inclined upon
acquaintance he could marry fearlssSly.
Now when he chances to meet one, the
FIRST thought is, it will cost so much, or
so much to dress her No one could pru.
dently marry her without an income Of
$4,000 or $4,000. A friend told me
the other day that it would cost at least
$500 to dress lady he met the evening
before / wished to show that all the
time Of one sex is spent in acquiring for
the other to spend. To show that former
ly every one was open-hearted, generous
and hospitahle; not SO now that former.
" the water, woods and air were free;
now all are taxed. l will give one more
eyamnle aud than oloSa 7 ano s,,ro
have already fulfilled my pledge and es-
tabiished my point. Wild fruit and bar-
ries used to be free everywhere. Last
Summer / was ore morning picking few
by the roadside, when out rushed man
Il mean the form of man-and said,
am saving them for myself. Don't
get them" Good gracious had heard