St. Landry democrat., 1879-05-24
COUNTRY VS.. CITY.
Their &c imperative Advantages for Ac
quirHng Kn0WIedge.

Ihe1E &C 1np&FabFo AAsaAtssEcs HVE AA>-
quirlng II KnowIedge.
Rev. A. W. Mapgun in Rural New Yorker.
Some farmers sons may desire to 60
to the city because they will there have
specially favorable opportunities to
gather information-to become very in>
telligent. I do not deny that facilities
for acquiring knowledge of certain kinds
abound much more in towns than IN
rural districts. But you should under
stand that the country furnishes really
better opportunities, in some respects, to
the student than the city does. When
once regularly engaged as clerk in a
mercantile house, or as subordinate in
any city business, your time for self
Improvement, if not entirely wanting, is,
at most, limited. Your work is apt to
need, and your employer to demand,
most, if not all, of your time.
It is better to attend school in the
country than in town. The fewer and
simpler the attractions around the school,
the more likely you will be to study
faithfully and learn fast. I do not hesi'
tate to say that the farm is good place
for gathering information and cultivating
the mind. There any literary work is
more like recreation. know what it is
to plow all day and sit down and read
by torch light at night. The night-all
the year round-in the farmers home
furnishes excellent opportunities for
mental Improvement. There are also
many rainy days or other times OF leisure
which can be occupied in reading and
study. AS you have less company-less
to divert your mind-in the country,
YOU will there feel more interest in your
books. They can charm you more be-
cause they have fewer and less potent
rivals tb an in town. And you ought to
learn much and have well-trained mind
before you wander from the circle OF
indul lgent friends to risk your fortune
among strangers.
As to the essential literary advantages,
you can find them or procure them in
your rural home or community. Good
publications OF every kind are numerous
and cheap. You cannot spend your
money more wisely than in the purchase
of valuable publications, both periodi'
Gals and books. You should be careful to
spend your precious time on such books
as will make you the wiser for the read
ing.
But you may have attended higE
: schools and colleges. IT so, you will bt
liable to conclude that you ought a
once to seek q place of greater promi
1 nence than the quiet farmhouse. Don
; be in too great hurry. Read! Study
+ Work Waltz If you expect to en-
ter literary profession-one that will
! thrust you before the public-and lee
t the need of location where there is NOR
3 business than around your home, eve
: then you will, likely, be the more respec
ed and the more successful if you tax
time to furnish your mind thorough
a and to grow strong before you enter int
|, hazardous competition with the able an
q experienced. Young men, like youn
q plants, do not often thrive vixen the
g are under too thick shade.
Q There is also decided advantage j
Il recognizing the relations between plail
r practical work and the duties of one I
l.. the so.called "learned pro 'essions
g 1t will be profitable to you if you WI
II take recreation from your profession
studies by devoting yourself, now al
ss then, to some practical pursuits on tt
ss farm. It will harden and strengthe
q. your muscles and make you capable
ts more and better work with your min
= Tt will nurture that invaluable ment
" common sense-without which ev
N the master of books is the slave of fol-
er It will enable you to carry with y
L. into your profession rational symF
Id thy with the interests and peculiarit
rs, of the great laboring masses. 1t will
to velop that wisdom which will guide y
%, in your efforts to utilize your poW'
We and attainments for the welfare OF tho
unto whom you hope to be benefact
Il will aid materially in the formati
and maintenance of that spirit of tr'
and kindness which ought to prevail
gh tween those who pursue, respective
70, the practical and professional duties
lis society. It will fasten in you true
ne gard for that great, all sustaining deps
it. ment of human labor-.the cultivat5
on of the felds-and save you from
disastrous folly of divorcing, in ye
ose Judgment and feelings or by your c
duct, the two independent departme
re. of human enterprise-the plain toll
- nroduction and more intellectual W
of the learned profession.
lap
lot For one word man is often deem
to be wise, and for one word he is OF
~E&% 4~