The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-04-10
A Handicrah.

people the Importance Of acquiring some
useful trade, as part Of their education.
II has long been matter Of much wonder
among thoughtful persons that, while so
many departments Of manual industry are
offering permanent and rcmnncratiye en-
ployment 20 diligence and skill, there is
yet so much reluctance among the youth
Of both sexes to prepare for and enter
them. The absurd notion that, in some
vague and unexplained way, the work Of
the hands is degrading, or at least inglor-
ious, has gained so firm hold upon the
minds Of certain portion Of the commu-
nifty, that il will take time, experience and
all the influences that can be brought to
bear to dislodge it. Yet there is hardly a
work Of reform that is deserving Of more
strenuous effort than this. We talk flu
emily Of the dignity Of labor and make
loud professions of the honor we entertain
for industry in all its forms; yet, when we
come to apply the principle to particular
cases and think of teaching our sons and
daughters 70 employ their hands to some
useful end, we too often shrink back in
eowardly terror, lest the shallow and su-
perfcial may point at them scornful
finger.
Nothing contributes more to this most
injurious fallacy than the profound ignor-
ance which so generally exists concerning
the educating influences which manual
exercise exerts over the individual. There
are two main objects of pursuit in all edu-
cation-use and discipline. What is ac-
quired is valuable, either for its immediate
and practical result, or else for its power
in giving strength, vigor and development
to the faculties of the student There is
always some discussion as to which of
these objects should prepondcrate in edu-
cation, some claiming that the chief pur-
pose should be to prepare the youth by
direct means for his practical duties in
life, and Others insisting that his personal
culture and developments should occupy
the more prominent place. Hitherto,
manual work of almost every kind has
been placed exclusively in the former cat
egory. Those who have urged its impor-
tance have done so mainly on the ground
Of its immediate use and profit. II is
necessary to the comfort and prosperity
Of humanity; il is usually largely in de-
mand, and secures good remuneration.
Such are the arguments adduced in its
favor, and sound and logical they are; but
they are by no means ALL Few persons
believe that manual work has any direct
and benefcient action on the individual,
or any tendency to develop or augment
his faculties or to elevate his nature. 1t
is good to teach boy to work, they argue,
because work must be done, but to teach
him to work ns direct means Of improy-
ing him seldom enters into their consid-
Grafton.
Probably, this is one cause Of the habit
so common among all Of us Of looking
dozen upon manual labor as disagreeable
necessity, instead Of looking up to Il as
potent instrument in our own culture. A
close investigation will, however, dispel
this error, and reveal to us the benefits
which we may ourselves reap from the
patient and skillful use of our hands.
Any one who has observed little children
in their play must have noticed how in
structive and pleasurable to them is man
ual exercise. From the time when they
become conscious of their power their
hands are scarcely idle single waking
moment. Engaged continually in con-
structing, dissecting and altering, their
unceasing activity is source of infinite
delight and Improvement. They at least
do not despise handwork, nor have they
yet learned to see in it shadow Of any.
thing that is degrading. Some of the
most successful teachers Of children have
testified to the powerful effects which the
use of the hands produce on all the facul-
ties. Describe, for instance, a cube to
child in words ever so well chosen, and If
any impression is made it is too slight to
dwell in the memory for a single day.
Show him diagram, and one step has
been gained, but give him blocks, aud in
duce him to construct cube for himself,
and the lesson is learned His powers of
observation, of comparison and of memory
are thus all brought into exercise, and the
impressions he receives through his own
handiwork are indelible.
Such culture does not cease with child
hood. What we see or hear affects us to |
a certain degree, but what we do we ap.
preciate aud comprehend to much
fuller extent. We may be surrounded |
on every hand by beauty, and yet remain
to it, but the beauty that we
create, enters into, and becomes a part Of |
ourselves. A cultivated lady, who lately |
visited Rome, describing her sensations on |
the magnificent architecture
and wonderful carvings of the Cathedral, |
and contrasting them with the stolii, heavy |
and dull inhabitants who lived in the midst |
Of such grandeur, said that it seemed to
her it was the walls that were living, and |
the people that were dead. II was past
who designed and constructed
this exquisite beauty, aud who were truly |
byit while those who had merely |
witnessed it all then lives had never par |
taken Of its loveliuess nor been inspired by |
It's sublimity. II, then, the hands play 50 |
important a part in our development, let |
as regard their Office with reverenca r.thar