Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-07-06

BY b. @. NoRTnRor, SECRETARY or THE con-
NEcrIcUT BOARD or EDUCATION.

AAiUNi IT. AAl AshNNdAWAs
ny b. O. NoRrnRor, SECRETARY OF THE con-
NEcrIcUr BOARD or EDUCATION
1t is partial view Of education which as.
sumes that books and schools, indispensable
as they are, do the whole work. Everything
which the child sees or hears, and, still more,
what he docs, cducatcs This practical train
ing begins in the cradle, and runs on through
life The educating value Of labor has not
been duly appreciated Whatever compes
one to think and decide on practical business
questions, awakening conscious responsibility
and self-reliance, deveopes mental power.
Business pursuits frequently discover and
draw out great talents A degree Of foresight,
sagacity, practical wisdom, and executive
ability is often displayed in the management
Of commercial, manufacturing, or agricultural
interests, which would win the highest emf
ncnce if devoted 10 either Of the professions.
Every child's education is deficient who has
not learned to work in some useful form of
industry. Labor aids in disciplining the in
telleot and energizing the character. Espcoi-
ally does Framework task and test the mind
by leading boy to plan and contriye, to
adapt means to ends, in great variety of
ways and under yaring circumstances. The
necessities and struggles Of a farm demand
patience and perseverance, develop force Of
character and energy Of will, and teach the
needlu lesson Where there is will there
is way"
How many Of the leading men Of our coun-
try, like Washington, Webster, Clay, and
Lincoln, grew up on the farm, and gained their
invaluable discipline for the conflicts and
achievements of life
Labor deyolopes inventive talent. The ex.
gencies of the farmer, remote from villages
and shops, compel him to be something of
carpenter, joiner, blacksmith, and harness
maker--a man Of all work" handy at any
thing His business varies with the seasons,
and sometimes changes every day. A farm.
ers boy myself and familiar with all forms Of
iarm-work | have ever valued highly the
practical lessons learned among the rough
hills of grand old Litchfed County / coun.
sci even the sons of ailluence to spend at least
one season at hard work on the farm or in the
shop. The practical business drill there
gained, the knowledge Of nature and domestic
animals, will amply compensate for the conse-
| quent loss in book-carning, to say nothing Of
the health and physical training thus secured
| With all our improved gymnastics, none is
better than manual labor, when it is cheeriully
and intelligently performed, and especially
farm work The habits Of industry, once
formed, on the farm or in the shop, may shape
all the future, teaching one to value time, and
love labor, or at least to practice diligence
in business
The pupils who luxuriate in the wealthiest
homes of the city would profit by one year in
the country, with its peculiar work and play,
its freer sports and wider range for rambles
by the springs and brooks, the rivers and
waterfalls, by the ponds and lakes, over the
hills aud plains, through the groves and for
ests in observing nature, searching for wild
flowers and curious stones, learning to recog.
nize the different trees by any one of their
distinctive marks-namely the leaf, flower,
fruit, form, bark, and grain; watching the
ant-hils, collecting butterflies and various in
sects noticing the birds so as to distinguish
them by their bcaks or claws, their size form,
plumage, flight or song Studying nature in
any one or more of these varied forms, each
so fitted to charm children, would refresh
their minds, as well as recreate their bodies
and stimulate their curiosity, which is the pa
rent Of attention and Of memory.