The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-10-06
MIR. Gladstone on Mental Culture
In England.


Mr.. Gladstone recently delivered an
address before the Literary Institute of
IIawarden, England, on "Mental Gull
ture," in the course Of which he said;
snow, rs far as the body is concerned,
the body has pretty we'll done its duty
when it has done that labor by means Of
which it obtains wages, but mental indo-
lence ia a sad thing, There is no reason
why mind Of that kind should be in
active, and time spent in lOlling, loiter-
ing, whistling playing marbles, and other
tritling occupations which are unworthy
to be called substitutes for occupation. 1t
is quite evident although the body il hard
pressed by the labor Of a population 30
energetic and Industrious as this, yet We
do not always feel entirely exhausted,
They have some strength remaining, and
| am very glad that they have games Of
u character that require great bOdilyexer-
else. But what lentreat and desire is that
they should do the same justice to their
minds that they do to their bodies. The
fact OF having bodily power may be rea-
son why they cannot give their minds to
the most reduced description Of reading
and conversation or investigation, and
therefore admit that they may be fright.
ered, innOCently frightened, by the bug.
bear Of a scientific inquiry which appears
to be written over the door of our insti-
tuition. But employment Of the mind
relief to the mind by useful employment
and reCreation-does not in the slightest
degree add to the fatigue which the body
undcrgoes and which promotes that equi-
table and general development Of the
faculties ~ between body and mind which
is most conducive to the health rs well a.
to the happiness Of mankind. In this re-
spCCt il must he admitted that we Us n
peOple-and ! am speaking not OF the Ia
boring classes but Of all Classes-we do
not come up to the proper standard. We
do not do enough for the cultivation Of
our minds; We are, unless under the
pressure OF absolute necessity, n rather
tndoleHt people rs regards mental Cui-
tivatiOn, not in the lowest class, but
in all classes. After long GXpcrienCe OF
life can say it is in all Clas'es, from the
HlbiCHt " NV luNVHN' W. HHuHlN All
protest against it in our separate spheres,
endeavor to show we are not examples of
it, and not allow ourselves to slide into
that reprchensible practice. What shall
say Of other nations? There are other
nations much before us in this respect.
You will find in Germany, France, and
in many parts Of Italy that there is Il
greater disposition among the people OF
the country to avail themselves Of OppOr-
lunilics Of knowledge aud mental culture
than in England. In Scotland there il u
great disposition. but why? Because Of
the improved education which the Scotch
have now enjoyed for u good many gener-
alons. For u good many generations
they have had u really efficient popular
education. The mass Of the English peo-
pie are only Just coming into possession
Of this blessing. II is quite true they
are called upon to pay for it, Education,
il the article is good Of its kind, is worth
paying for, and It's tendency is to redeem
man and save him from base and grovel
linz pursuits"