Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1881-07-16
COMMUNICATED.
EDUCATION.

Mr.. EditoT-A great many people say
that our little institution known M Shep-
herd College has sent graduates ont u
there unable TO define education, hut be-
ing student Of that institution will on.
deavor to define that thing We call educa-
ton. Education rs Ii Is generally under.
stood ut the present time, signifies pro-
iiciency In the arts and sciences. ] am
far from thiaking that this is correct. I
define education that improvement which
gives an elevation 10 the soul, from the
propriety Of habits established IN the mind
habits which have taught las ~ tubdue
the passions and 10 avoid everything that
is gross in conduct, no less for our own
happiness, than for the happiness Of those
around us. do not mean 10 exclude pro-
hciency in the arts and sciences, IL il ne
cessary 10 complete education; since
without IL the mind cannot have received
the requisite improvement, so ms 10 be- edl-
fying in polished society. An acqnaint-
ance with the sciences has \ tendency 10
refine the taste, 10 strengthen the judg-
ment and TO elevate the soul. A mind
wholly unlettercd cannot DE supposed 10
have received such agreeable impressions
from the beauties Of nature as one that 10
enriched with knowledge. Accomplish
Observation-Disclosures for business, Tor
society or for the professions Is the great
object Of education nj the present time; 10
become good seems matter Of less impoT-
lance. IL was thus that the education
which Lord Chesterfield gave bis son,
through the medium Of his letters, WAS de-
fective. he continually mentions tho
graces, the graces; sacrifice TO them daily
he says, but he does not say once through
out the three volumes, Virtue. virtue,
cultivate that, make II paramount 10 oil
your studies" This IL what he should
have said. Whenever he recommended
anything which had virtue IN II ,he did IN,
that his son might make an imposing hg-
IRE in tie eye Of the world or raise To-
some high station In the gift Of his King.
but that he might render himself better
man-better in the eyes Of HIN who can
sec into the heart-as 10 this We sec moth
ing. Dr. johnson said with reason. that
Chesterfield, In some Of bis letters 10 bis
son, taught rather the morality OF hsrlot
than that OF a yirtuous father. We msy
see some Of both sexes who are educaisd
and yet are not yersed In the sciences.
They are educated by the great share o!
good sense, which they possess from na-
tire, by the force or which alone and per.
baps by good examples set them Mt home,
their conduct Is so appropriate No 10 de-
light all. There Is however no donbt, that
these very persons would have received
additional advantages from the arts and
sciences IL they were conyersant With
them they would not only be more hsp-
by themselves, from their insight into
what Is beautiful and sublime, but would
be more interesting In their intercourse
with others; for good sense, though
treasure IN itself As IL Is possessed iron,
nature, yet when improved by science,
shines with double the lustrc. Among the
ancient Persians we are told that the sum
Of their education was to teach ibtI
youths TO ride, to shoot with the bow and
70 speak the truth. Here we ace tbst pro-
fciency In morals was necessary TO an Cd
ucstiop, yet In those times OF christianity
when one has made some proficiency In
the sciences, has mastered rhetoric, phil
osopby, mathematics, &C., he IL consider
ed educated, though the truth IL no. In
him. Pope has line In regard to LORD
Bacon, which much as It has been 3D.
mired, think altogether faulty. il isn
follows: "Tbe wisest, brightest, meansst
Of mankind" Ifhe was the meanest (snd
his character shows SOY how then could
he have been the wisest. :. That be cannot
have 5een so is proved by scripture, "Th'
fear Of the Lord Is the beginning OF wiz
DOM" and its opposite according 70 me
same authority Il the height Of folly. a.
Bacon with all his knowledge and gerius
stopped to dishonesty and corruption, DO
was not wise but It's opposite. The nehs
that was In him was turned into darkpesS,
and how great that darkness vas, we esn
gather from his character. But i mus
saw a great many Of the professional mes
at the present day don't or can't wn1s
what Lord Bacon called good english.
w. j. X. Jf.