Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-10-15
The Building Of a Brain.

In an article entitled The building OF a
brain, lately read before the National
Educational Convention at Detroit, by Dr.
T.. III. Clarke, is contained the following
livery Psychologist knows that one
sided Development is possible, and may
be artiiicially attained. The athlete may
deyelope his muscle, the glutton his stom-
ach, aud the Sensualst his power, at tie
expense Of the brain; and conversely the
brain may be developed ut tile expense Of
muscle, stomach and reproductive force.
And this inharmoniouS growth may be
carried - far, by dwarlins more or less Of
the organization, a 10 produce what Phys
iologv calls monstrous brains. stomach,
by "A beneiicent law OF nature cannot per
petuatc themselves. II is said also, mo
perfect brain can ever crown an imperfect
body. The brain must be built ia con
nection with the rest OF the body, remcm-
bering constantly that the imperfcctions
OF the latter reflect themselves upon the
former"
This last appears to me to afford a
standard by which the different pursuit.,
may be justly compared; and it according
ly follows that the highest calling is that
which leads to the greatest uniform de-
vclopncnt Of the various faculties both
physical and mental. Without gong be-
yond his proper sphere, the farmer may
possess the scientific knowledge of the
chemist the business capacity OF the mer-
chant, the practical hand of the mechanic.
and withal a fair endowment OF common
sense, whereby to turn to practical use
the results OF educational training.
Estimated then by the above criterion,
what pursuit can compare with a9ricul-
ture: and what nobler end can be attained
by any calling than the preservation and
advancement OF the human race For that
such j. the true significance of this uniform
development, a glance at our city fam lilies
will prove beyond a doubt Ii will show
that ease and luxury weaken the bodily
powers, and leave each generation fewer
in number, aud less vigorous than its pred
ecessor.
But whence the constant tide of life
that bears all before it, and admits no ap-
prehension lest it should recede, and leave
the city stranded? 1t comes from the
great families of our sturdy farming COM
munity.
In closing, would revert once more to
the poverty of New England farms situated
far from commercial centres. | have said
this state of things is no real drawback to
investment, and that it is rather matter
of surprise that such small amounts of
capital as they represent. can be made to
support SO many people as found among
our hills
The one way to change all this is to
raise up other industries in our midst, that
shall bring markets nearer. and thus afford
increased facilities, both forithe production
and disposal of crops.
But. my friends, the wealth and pomp
us circumstances that would thus become
ours, we should dearly purchase. 10 what
think you, is the noble character, New
England's sons have ever borne, chiefly
owing?- their strong principles, their
thrift, their industry, and the unflnching z
and places them in the first rank of every
Industrial or professional department. -
to what is all this chiefly owing but to the
early training which life upon those
hills alone can furnish.
What better preparation for the hard on
ward struggle of manhood, than the diff
culties which the youth is their taught to
surmOunt? Far from the luxuries which
enervate, removed from the influences
which coDtaminate, rugged from strength
ening toll, earnest from realities of life
yet softened by the shelter of home and
purified by its love, where can we hope
better to nourish the germ of manhood?
What wonder that New England farms
cannot furnish sufficient scope to SUCH
their sons! Let then the farmers boy 20
to the city. he will be welcome, as he is
needed. But whatever his prosperity, let
him preserve in a grateful recollection the
old homestead where were given the early
| lessons that formed the groundwork o
| his success.
But the farmers boy who stays at home
yields to no hard necessity. His gains
though small, are certain; and his life
though uneventful, is like the clear stream
which reflects upon its placid surface th'
simple beauty of its course.
! And not without deepest import is thu