The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1867-09-26
Practice what You Learn.


Theory and practice should go hand in
hand. 1t is greatly to be deplored, that in
most institutions of learning, SO little atten-
ton, comparatively, is given to the practi-
cal, while the mind is stuffed with theories
alone,-leaving the student oft-times, to
work out by long and bitter experience
the application of the principles be has
learned, to the business affairs Of every day
life This, to some, is far more easy than
to others, while many are too young to re-
alize the necessity of the connection be-
tween the two, and few apparently forget
that theory has anything whatever to do
with practice. This is practical age, and
practical men are needed to meet its require
ments
1t is not our purpose TO detract in the
least from the Importance of aesthetic cul
ture, faith lie firm in its utllity,-nei-
ther to say ought against the advantages
of that discipline which to many, may APP
pear useless, our belief in that respect is
established, but to urge the necessity of a
more intimate connection, by the student
and by the teacher, between the principles
as learned from books and their application
in the different departm ents of science
That which the student acquires, should be
come more assimilated to himself, so as to
hpaOrna of l., H.. l.,
laid away upon the shelves of the brain, to
monlder and decay. Are Geometry and
Trigonometry studied, let him go forth in
to the fields and calculate distances by
its principles. If Astronomy--let him be
able to compute the period of the next
eclipse, and as proof of his result await
its occurrence. Does he become versed in
the principles of physiology, then should
his own health be the gamer, from his &C
quaintance with it's laws If history, the
lessons it teaches should enable him to
judge somewhat of the future prospects of
his own country, from the past, and the re-,
suits OF influences now in operation And
whatever may be the branch pursued, if it
has any bearing whatever upon the pract
cal duties of life, or the living questions OF
the day, let the student so fully comprehend
1t In all its relations, that it shall be of rea
utility to him, aside from the intellectual
discipline acquired, and render him more of
man, and qualify him in some degree at
least, for dealing with the world
AS the student becomes absorbed in his
studies, the tendency is strong toward shut.
ting himself within the theoretical world,
and too frequently he comes forth from a
course Of education, having attained scarce
~ the rudiments of that knowledge which
will render of practical avail to himself and
others, the mass of erudition he has accu
mulated; for an educated man is in one
sense, public property, the peon!e have a
kind of claim upon hip, that his accom-
plishments shall i;;e employed in some man
ner 10 elevate humanity, or to enlighten the
masses. The strength of mind acquired by
discipJine-the power of application to any
subject, is to often lost too his view Since
we must deal with the world while we live,
1t becomes US to give due attention to prac
tical knowledge as well as theoretical, to
blend them together, to study the laws of
mind, and become familiar with human ma.
ture in its various phases
1t is gratifying 10 notice that more atten-
ton has been given of late in the schools of
the country, to the practical application of
principles taught. When this shall become
general, when the knowledge of how to APP
ply,shall be regarded in its true light, then
we may hope that those who enter upon the
active duties of life from school rooms and
college halls, will be more fully prepared to
do so. than many seem at present, and to
come forth from the world of books, quail
fed for the realities of the natural world.
QUAERo.