Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-01-20
Educational.

Human nature is an object upon which our
curiosity may well center-the well of knowledge
from which we may draw forever, without ex-
hausting the fountain that supplies it, Single
out an individual, through how many reyolu-
IONS Oh sentiment and action does he pass from
infancy to manhood? How active and vigilant
he is How do his passions develop themselves !
How many facts does he store up in his memory
And how different do the maxms that actuate
him, appear in their ultimate composition, from
what they were in their simple elements2 If il
were possible to record with fidelity all the phan-
tastes that have passed through the brain, and
all the feelings that have agitated the heart,
sparkled IN the eye, OF any toerably civilized per-
son. from infancy to age, what an extensive field
would 1t present for meditation and use
Let us scan mankind as Joined in social order
or civil conlederacy. Mark their political maneu-
vers, their subtle contriyances to depress circum-
vent, or subjugate each other, and what busy
picture is displayed 10 our view We shall often
see them through the means Of error and preiu-
dice, attempting to accomplish the most import
ant ends of humanity, and through the horrors Of
war, tOiing 10 arrive nt the enjoyment of secure
and cordial peace. We shall find the pursuit of
philanthropy, blended with the most insdous arts
OF destruction stratagem hid under the veil of
public spirit, and the interest of communities and
even nations, frequently sacrificed to crafty the
sordid passions of individuals.
To lay open these springs of human actions
and trace out their sources, is the province of
history. History indeed is the storehoure of ex-
perience the mirror of duties the source of
morality and the foundation of conduct and yir-
tue. 1t carries us back to primeyal ages tri-
umphs over time, and presents to our eyes all the
various revolutions that have happened to men
and States. 1t opens to us the experience of an
tiquity, and introduces US to the illustrous dead
by exhibiting their actions, their virtues and
their faults. Confined, without it, TO the limits
OF our own observation, and shut up within the
narrow circle of our own prejudioes, we must
ever continue in state of infancy and Ignorance
What IS the shortest period that makes the long
est lie but an nperceptible point, in comparison
with the vast series of ages which have elapsel
since the creation? The prudent reflections
which this master science either affords us
or gives us an opportunity of making, teach us
TO be wise before our time, and in n manner far
more electual than all of the moral lessons of the
greatest masters Hence 10 obtain an acouaint-
ance with it, is commonly the first pride Of intel
iect1al energy, and to treasure up its maxims and
be able to apply them to all occasions and exiOen
cies, is the utmost effort Of human wisdom.
1t is the duty of the historian to make us nc
quainted with the principles of human conduct.
IL is his Office to point out and explain the great
channels OF thought and the secret springs OF hu-
man actions. Ii he is fitted for his Office. he will
show what are the masks and devices, of which
hypocrisy and deceit avail themselves, TO secure
attention to their Interior motives lie will dis
play the insidious approaches OF ambition to Oh
tain influence and power, and it's banelul results
upon the prosperity and happiness Of nations.
lie Will make known the various influences Of
different institutions upon States and Empires
and he will lay open the habits of thought, the
customs and manners of people of the different
nges OF the world. lie win trace out the causes
OF the gradual rise, and the sudden overthrow. of
az 10 uHat1 L.. 4
which have resulted in their destruction lie
Will not be content to describe the intrigue of
courts the march OF armies, OF the more outward
show OF governments bnt he will exhibit To MS
human life, it exists in the retired hamlet the
cottage and green fields.
An event is important according TO the inHu-
nnce 1t has upon the world. We cannot appre-
'iate the Importance OF passing events, because
lime Is necessary to determine their influence
The historian sees events in relation to their ulti
nate consequences, and is able to Judge of their
relative Importance lie is not 10 be deceived by
! display oil external circumstances by the Gilt
or OF wealth or the pomp Of power. lie brings
men TO their tue level based upon the amount
IT influence exerted by them. lie is often called
o look IN upon the scholar or the author in soli-
ude and obscurity, labonng for his fellow men
nd to regard him as the true hero OF his are
Is the former Of the manners and director Of the
minds OF his countrymen. The historian Of Spain
would not pass UNDECIDED by the prison which
onhned Ceryhntes nor would the historian of
England neglect the Jail which confined the body,
nut not the mind, Of Bunyan nor the garrett In |
which the Rambler was written nor the cottage
n which Milton. in darkness comprised round
omposed the Paradise Lost. Thus it is the pre-
ogatiye OF the historian to depress those who are
reat in their day and generation, and to elevate
hose who are humble and unknown Out of the |
reat treasure house of wisdom which his labor. |
as afforded us, we are permitted to study, and as
nth the mental eye We trace the history of man
ind from century 10 century, throughout the
lght of time, we review, on the one hand, the
'nsequences Of ambition and crime, and on the /
her, the blessings which have pursued the steps
virtue, we are enabled more clearly to see the
lily, as well as the wickedness, Of seldshness, and
% intimate relation that exists between vice and
isery. ANGUS.