Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-01-27


The patriot, beholding the influences that have
brought about the decay of nations, learns WIN
skilllul vigilance 10 guard the interests OF ms
country. and sees afar off the dangers which
threaten his prosperity The Philanthropist is
encouraged TO labor for the welfare Of humanity,
| by the knowledge that history gives him, that
/ his labors will not be in vain. Though he may
not he checrcd by seeing the beneficial results OF
his works though he may be overwhelmed win
obloquy and persecution, yet is he assured, that
one day he shall be appreciated, and that the
world will be benefited by his efforts. But aside
from the lessons which history teaches, its inilu-
ence upon the mind is also in the highest degree
beneficial The study Of history enlargcs the
mind in all its faculties. 1t fills 1t with new
ideas, interests it in moral speculations, and al.
most freeing il from the condition Of time and
space, il sends II abroad to wander among thu m.
tons of the EARTH and throughout all the ages OF
the past Thus it increases its grasp, affords II OBJ
/ iects for comparison, frees IL from prejudice and
endows il with that true philosophy which teaches
its possessor 10 form nm opinion only after full
/ Investigation, and when subject has been viewed
in all its bearings. 1t creates an interest in the
affairs of the whole world, enabling the reader u
| look beyond the hamlet or neighborhood which
gave him birth, and to feel that all mankind com
pose but one family, of which he is only an nsig-
nifcant member BY extending the range of our
! thoughts, in making us acquainted with the man
ners, CUSTOMS and laws of other nations, it quick
ems the perceptions Of the mind and infinitely in
creascs the number OF ideas which have been APP
/ preciated by the mind. 10 may be stated as a
/ general truth, that the man who has read the
most history, and made the best use Of his learn
| ing, has passed the longest life. II in any way
we can contriye to think as much in one day as
we ordinarily do in three one such day is as val
liable 10 us as the other three. In this way we
can be said to prot1ct our lives beyond that OF
other men.
There is another incidental advantage gained by
the reading Of history, which is Of too much i'm
portance to be passed without notice. We all
know how interesting is the society Of an ntelli-
gent traveller, who has visited many nations and
studied the character OF many people. The study
of history is the travel of the intellect and ena-
bes US, without leaving our own hresides. to be-
come acquainted with the character, the habits
and fortunes Of all people in every age of the
world. We have the ability 10 fill our minds with
ideas as interesting rs those which gave character
10 the conversation of the traveller. Nor should it
be regarded rs an unimp0rtaut cOnsidera ton 10
be able, by the intelligence exhibited in our con-
yersatiOn, 10 interest those with whom we are as
sociated. 1t should be regarded as a very desira-
bile accomplishment IL may be said that we can
not obtain that vivid impression from the mere
reading Of history, which the traveller has obtain
ed by viewing the objects, which he describes
with the physical eye. To this, it may be an
swered. that the strength and permanency of our
impressions, will in all cases, depend upon the
manner in which We read, and especially upon
the exersise of the Imagination. This faculty has
been called the eye of the mind, and il properly
exercised it will enable US to appreciate de
scription in almost as great perfection as when
the object is viewed with the physical eve. This
faculty is nearly rs important to us in reading
history as in poetry for without it. we cannot
with any possibility obtain clear perception Of
what we read.
The most minute historian, merely draws
the outline Of history. In every description,
there must be a thousand circumstances admitted
and the imagination of the reader must be con
stanty supplying and filing up the picture. which
the historian has merely sketched. His skill in
all cases depends upon his ability, out Of the
great variety of materials that are placed before
him, to seize upon the most prominent and i'm
portant facts, and so arrange them as to present
picture to the Imagination. II he does not So
manage his subject, as TO give TO each circum-
stance precisely the prominence due to it; if he
does not 50 arrange his cOlOrs as properly 10 dis
tribute his lights and shades, then the picture
will be distorted and false. Besides the influence
of the imagination in enabling us 10 get proper
understanding Of what we read, it greatly increa
ses the interest we take in historical narrative
Who would not desire a mirror in which he
could, at pleasure, behold the renowned men of
and those heroes, whose fame comes
down to us, through the night Of time. like the
light OF the stars, though distant yet not dim ?
Who would not desire to see them in their daily
walks, in their studies or on the battlefield? 4
Demosthenes before the assembly at Athens n
cicero in the Roman forum an Alexander unon
the throne, or an Alaric leading on his barbaric
hosts, are objects which we can never view with
The physical eye, but it IS possible for us to view
N imagination. by this faculty we can bring
before us the sages Of Greece, or we can walk hy
la If tlttca b.. 4, ~.
walls OF his little city Wecan accompany and wit
the fortunes OF those heroes and statesmen who
n after ages visited that city. On coming down
% more modern ages, we can, by the aid of the
imagination, behold the glitter and pomp which
distinguished the proud honors Of the DAYS of
chiyalry We can view the prancing steed, the
assembly All the pride and ny
Munc war. We can accompany the naughty
danes and yalorous knights home to their frown-
ing castles, and listen 10 the sounds of reyelry or
the recital of glorious deeds as sung by the wan
dering IroubadOrs. Or if we will, we can leave
these glittering scenes, where wealth and un-
bounded license allow impunty 10 every crime
and search out the hut of the oppressed and mis-
cradle peasant The history of this era, it is true.
has not degned very fully to describe the condi-
ton Of the common people. Enough is known 10
make out sad picture. Sit down at their hum
BILE board, or accompany them in their daily tolls
and observe their manner Of life. We shall still
lind within them n human heart and human sym
pathles And so in all ages of the world II we
draw near the hearts of men, we shall find there
the same emotions, the same passions, the same
good and bad qualities which characterize them
now
1t is obvious, that if history be read in this
manner, by the aid Of the Imagination, its inter
est will be augmented a thousand fold. 1t will
take hold OF our sympathies. The scenes will no
longer be inanimate and still, but they will
breathe with life and motion. We shall often be
led by the imagination to place ourselves in the
situation OF those of whom we read, to svmpa
thize with their feelings, be animated by the same
hopes, depressed by the same fears, and urged for
ward by the same aspirations. The solemn and
vast procession, which since the birth of time has
been marching forward from the cradle TO the
grave, will be TO us n reality and if we draw
nearer TO 1t, we shall hear the noise of conflict
the shouts OF victory and the groans of wretched
millions, the deep beating of human hearts and
the still small voice of human syinpathies. Com
tempating that vast procession, and the fantastic
tricks which vain man plays before high Heaven.
who can refrain from deprecating the evils of self
lshness and ambition. History is not what IL
should have been The world was made for man.
and happiness was made his duty as well ms his
privilege But history, instead of being the record
81 generous deeds and quiet prosperity, is little
more than recital of mans inhumanity. It's
pages are everywhere dyed with bloed and matted
with gore, 1t is dark catalogue of crime, only
here and there relieved by the bright rays Of
mercy and kindness. Ii is full of instruction and
IS capable of teaching lessons Of the highest i'm
oornnce, Especially to those who are entering
upon the scenes of an untried world
ANXIOUS
Waebinntou It..,