Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-01-08
Letter From, a BrattIeboro College stu.
dcnt Turned PedagOguc.

BACK-TowS, Dec 1874.
Almost all of Brattlchoro's promising
sons and daughters would much prefer to
engage In tho lowliesl aud most unprolita-
bic OF occupations, rather than to thus live
In the country, as they would term it, even
in the honorcd role of school-master. In
fact, can remember many n brilliant Jest
| delivered at the expense Of the manly
form and homely garments of some poor
| boy who may have passed through their
streets in wonderment at the accomplished
turn of cigar and the genteel and noncha-
lent way Of inserting hands into breeches-
| pockets, which Is Characteristic OF the full
hedged village boy. Nor will deny my
participation in these s,lles upon such ru-
raj victims, who may, as was probably the
case, have oxcelled us all in intelligence
and true maniness. Bat financial con.
siderations have overcome, not for the first
time, the remnant Of such preiudices and
here 1 am.
Now while the mere teaching insurcs
many advantages, among which are the
responsibility which 1t compels US 10 bear.
the self-reliance II teaches us, tho discl-
pllne 1t affords our minds, unforlding our
reasoning faculties, maturing the judp-
ment and enabling US 10 acquire the habit
of nice as well as comprehensive examin-
alton into different subjects, hold that
there is much else to be learned by one
who Is dispose 10 be observing. PINE
among these advantages is the knowledge
we gain of men. In our land sus!enance
is gained from direct contact with the peo-
pie. Whether we adopt business or one of
the professions, we must have some knuwl-
edge OF human nature; and particularly
is it necessary for the minister, lawyer, or
journalist, who must climb the ladder of
success by means of a power over the
minds of men. For this we must under
stand the courses of their thought, meas
ure their prejudces, and touch the chord
oftheir sympalhies; and the country school
master, most of all, can learn 10 do this
Besides 1t makes broader our sympa-
thies; it rids us Of many false notions of
caste; it shows us that there is human
soul beneath the homespun suit as well rs
the finest broadcloth, and that salvation is
not restricted to the ranks of aristocracy:
ii learns US that honor and piety and char
ity as frequently grace the heart Of the
plain farmer or mechanic rs Of the sons Of
culture or refinement. In this, particular
ly, is II beneficial to the class of young
men to which l belong. The tendency Of
our college life and associations is to create
a feeling of exclusiveness, TO form among
the students and alumni of each iuslilu-
ton sort Of mutual admiration society.
We are TOO apt to believe that greatness
and excellence are unattainable save by
means of a college curriculum. Such no.
lions contact with the people d.ssipa;es,
and the characters we everywhere see
brought cut into bold relief compare very
favorably with those TO which we have been
used. There are many of these characters
which it has interested me to study, and
which only need 10 be correctly delineated
to please my friends too, of which, togeth-
or with different manners of life, worship
and conversation, I may tell you at some
future date. AMHERST.