The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-01-21

We pride ourselves, and in the main very just
ly, upon the facilities afforded to the people Of
this country for acquiring the rudiments of an
education, and also upon the fact that these are
very generally awaited of. The common school
systems of many of our States are all that could
be desired, and even where inadequate provision
has been made by law for their maintenance,
pedagogues abound. Not only are they to be
found in every hamlet throughout the land, but
the modest Lighthouses which stand by the lonely
crossroads, bear witness that many schoolmasters
are abroad. Even in the less densely populated
States, it is almost impossible to journey for day
in any direction without meeting, from time to
time, groups of children, whose appearance de-
notes the proximity of some primitive academy
and the traveller he rides through the far
frontier wilderness, is sometimes startled from bis
reveries by whack and wall which remind
him that he is not beyond the limits of
civilization. But if much has been done
still more has been left undone The
opportunities of obtaining a little elementary
instruction, are perhaps, ample in most sections of
the country, but there is knowledge which is not
to be learned from arithnecs and grammars, and
which the people of every civilized community
ought 10 have some chance of acquiring The
kind of information we refer to, is that which can
be gained only in the museums and galleries where
in are collected the inventions of science the pro-
auctions of nature and the works of art OF course
tits only in the large and wealthy towns and
cities that any such institutions can be established
but they are nevertheless necessary adiuncts TO
our schools and colleges and without their aid
any system of popular education is lamentaby
deficient. In Europe, all intelligent men are
fully alive to the Importance of these things, and
in England, especially the most active
measures are being taken to atone for
former delinquences in this particular
Not only have the most earnest efforts been made
of late years to establish National institutions,
which shall rival any of similar character in
the world but in all the leading towns, public at
tention has been turned to the subject and steps
have been taken in the same direction. Zoologi-
cal and botanical gardens, picture galleries, free
lyceums and mu seuIns are being everywhere es-
tablished, and are encouraged by the authorities
and munfcently assisted by private individuals.
Those who do most to foster them are not prompt
ed thereto by local pride simply, but by the con-
vction that they are contributing to that which
will promote the advance Of intelligence, and even
morality among the people. In these respects we
are, however, unfortunately falling far behind all
other great nations In Baltimore, especially we are
wre'cbedly behind the spirit of the times We |
nave no works of art to which the public has
access, nor have we even museum of stuffed |
BIRDS and reptiles. We have provided none of
these means OF amusement and instruction, and
from present indications, it does not seem that we
ever contemplate doing so Surely it is time n
beginning was made, no matter how humble ,o
start some one such institution as we have alluded
to. May we not commend the project to some
public spirited citizen who has money to give or
will IN make