Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-02-03
Educational.

II is remarked BY Coloridgo that verse is The op
posc to prose, that poetry is.the opposite to sci
cnce According to this principle it asserts that
d thousand books which are composed in rhyme,
ought not to be dgniied by the name Of poetry
This is the view also adopted by the Germans,
who would not consider GOLDSMITH poet, because
he was the author of the Traveller or the Deserted
Village, but because he wrote the Vicar II Wake
field.
II has often, perhaps, excited surprise, that
even among those who are accustomed 10 read eX-
tensycly, 20 few delight in reading poetry for its
own sake. Many persons would read a poem for
the story it contains, who could not be induced to
read it for its poetry This difference in tastes
il easily accounted for Poetry is the natural
language of Imagination, and, TO be appreciated,
it requires "a certain development OF that faculty
in the reader. Otherwise, the creations Of the
poet will produce no impression upon the mind ,
his language will not be understood. Poetry ap-
peals to the scnsihilites but persons having
but little Imagination seldom possess much sem
sihility and for this reason they will find it DIFF
fcult tusk 10 read poetry There are persons who
think it wrong 10 spend thcif time in reading
what they call the idle phnntases Of the poets
brain They regurd it ns not only vain and
worthless amusement, but an absolute injury. In
their opinion, It units man fur the active duties
Of life because It opens for his contemplation an
ideal world, although more perfect thnn the one
in which he is compelled to act. The habit of
dwelling in the midst OF ideal pleasures has ten
dency 70 disgust them with the daily duties Of
common life. They will refer to the lives of Do
cts which have been by no means as exemplary
us they should have been. Observing the inilu-
cnce Of particular studies upon them they will
exh0rt others 30 shun the Muse md those who
sacrifice at her shrine. In reply to these objcc-
tions, It may at once be admitted, that the lives
Of poets have too often been rendered miserable hv
their extrauqnt i0llies and it is doubtless true
that nm exclusive devotion to poetry and works Of
the imagination has n tendency % distort the
mind and produce the effects which have been de-
ecrihcd but it hy mo- means follows, that for this
reason, poetry should he entirely discarded. The
same effects follow from un exclusive devotion tn
auy class of studies The man who devote. all
his time 10 mathematics becomes NC length, UNI
able 10 reason well ON other subjects Laplnce
the most celebrated mathematician of modern
times, was appointed by lonapartc 20 an impur
tant ministerial Office he retained 1t only one
month, when he was dismissed for Incompetence.
Napoleon snid of him, that though hi. mind was
capable OF The sublimCst efforts when engaged iu
scientific lablrs, set when NE came upon tie the
atre Of politics be- was occupied Ia contemplating
the infinitely small. Doct Butler. renowned
professor oi mathematics &C Duhliu, Is said t1|
have been 50 devoted 90 his peculiar studies, that
though residing near the sen coast, hc never saw
the ocean but once in his life, md when he caught
sight ut it, he declared in q burst of enthusiasm
TINT 1t reminded him ul nothing So much as Eu-
cllds definition OF suriucc, having length and
breadth without thickness.
Notwithstanding suci effects follow ana exclusive
attention 10 the mathematical studies no one
doubts their efficacy a mental discipline aud an
important part in education. In the same way
the works of poetry and The inagimtoumay have
AN injurious elect yet proper and limited cul-
uNntlOn Oi thcm nuy he attended with the hapui- /
est consequences. Experience teaches this mct. I
\ proper education is that which, as far as plS,i-
bic, gives exercise to all the faculties of the mind
80 ms 90 deyelppe them in equal and harmonious
proportion. II is in this way only that a healthy
and elunbe action OF the mental powers can bel
induced For this result we should consider mo- /
labor too onerous and no sacrifice Of time too /
great IL follows mat the reading OF poetry isl
not a vain and worthless amusement it, inau- /
ehce upon the inind Is necessary 20 secure It's per-