Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-02-19
Written for tho American.
Our Educational Interests.


litical interests there are others, that al
usual demand our constant attention.
While we arr mindful Of our lofty behests
grave responsibilities and high position ii
n people, let us not forget the lever which
has thus elevated us, and means by which
we have been raised to our important po
sition.
To discuss tho merits of education wouli
be superiluous. We can only appreciate
them fully by comparing our condition
with that of uncivilizcd nations. The old
adage knowledge is power" was never
more clearly demonstrated that at present
If We would preserve that prestige which
we now possess, let us continue to give q
hearty support to our educational interests.
Thorough, practical discipline must be en-
courngcd, and care exercised that while we
arc accomplishing one grand leading ma
tional object, vital subordinate interests be
not neglected. The source of our success
being thus kept in view, We shall maintain
our position ~ an enlightened comlunaity.
Education consists in drawir- out the
latent energies and facr,.ties; in bringing
forth the undcyclSpcd capacities. Hence
the world is one great school, and all are
pupils. We all are educating each other
out there is vast difference in tn, manner
in which this discipline is received. The
kitchen is the nursery; the school room
the garden of development. The school
room is the foundation of our social sys-
TEN. 1t is here that immortal impressions
are received and strength med. 1t is of
Puritanic origin. As soon as our Pilgrim
Fathers left the ice bound shores of Ply
mouth Rock and constructed their humble
abodes-the church and the school house
were erected They have been the dis
tinctive features of New England ever
since the uututored savage yielded possess
ion of the soil, and to them we owe our
prosperity and position as people. Hence
the Importance of school discipline cannot
be ovcr-estimatcd.
In this department such branches only
should be pursued as will best promote the
great objects of life; for there is scarcely
time for the most useful. 1t is a fact that
popular education is becoming too super
fetal. More thorough practical discipline
is impcratively demanded. In this con
sists the superiority of English literary in
institutions. The true idea of education
comprehends something far different from
an acquaintance with the latest novels.
most popular poets, a smatterins of French
and Italian and the ike. Utility should
be the aim.
Among the mostu.cful branches, Reading
is decidedly pre- eminent. II is highly i'm
portant not only h, reason of its intrinsic
utility. but also for the fac, that every 9TH
or study. however advanced. is dependent
upon it. As connected with education it
occupies most conspicuous rank i'll the
celebrated institutions of Europe. Ii is
really more of an accomplishment TO be
a correct reader and speaker. than to be
skillful pianist. Elo,ution is too little
studied. Words should fall from the organs
of speech accurately ar,iculated. and per-
fectly finished, ike new coins struck from
the mint.
Next to reading in Importance aud Use
fulness are flirting and Spelling. A
plain, nen. hand writing is very dcsira-
bic accomplishment. And not second in
Importance is correct spelling. In compo-
sition persons are judged more by their
spelling than by any other one thing. 1t
is no uncommon occurrence to see defcien-
cies in thi. respect in letters written to pa
rents and others by pupils attending board
ing schools.
Mathematics occupies an exceedingly
important position as most useful branch
of science. Upon it depends nearly all
the business affairs of life. 1t should be
studied with reference TO general fixed
principles. In this, as in other branches,
practical kao,ciedse should be the aim,
either directly or indirectly.
Next in Importance to these fundamen-
tai elements, History holds most con-
spicuous iank. In no way can our knowl-
edge of human nature be extended so
rea lily IS by the study OF it. History
amusts the faney,s;rcngthens the intellect.
improves the understanding. aids in dis
between virtue and vice. and
affords a vast fund Of Interesting and use
full knowledge for constant application. 1t
has ever been warmly commended 10 the
attention of the Young in particular. 1t
should be studied with constant reference
To geography and chronology. An ac-
quaiutanec with concise history of the
world is enineutly important; but i, is an
almost objectionable ignorance not to be
familiar with the history of our own coun-
trr, together with t.s,st Of Greece and
Rome.
Geaiogs, Ni.ero'csy and ri ys,e.,i Gtas-
rapsy are branches tina, have a particular
claim upon the consideration of the Young.
No ones school, LAYS should be ended till
8 knowledge Of the formations of the earth,
and it's different strata, rocks, fossils. &c.
is obtained. together with that of the diff
ferent phenomena, their causes, &c, upon