The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-12-20
ORIGIN OF SCHOOLS.

claims to the highest antiquity, having ex- isted from the very infancy of time but the most authentic account we have is found in Egyptian history, about the year 1900 BIC. Shortly after this we find record of a school being established on the banks of the Nile by the priests for the purpose of teaching the children to read and sing, that they might take part in the services of the Temple, but the art of literary com position was not introduced until the Eleventh Dynasty.
 From Egypt we pass over to Greece, which took the initiative in founding schools for general tuition, making phys ical science the most prominent subject, and for centuries Athens wore the crown, during which time her schools produced men of giant intellects, to whom it is pleasurable and profitable to refer. Solon's name will live in the annals of all time as the author of a code of in- struction which gave to Athens great superiority and entitled her to be called the mother of liberal education, the state insisting upon education being a part of her political organization. But Cadmus has the credit for introducing letters about the year 1900 B. C. After this, schools were soon general in Greece, and in 8I7 B C., Lycurgus delivered his code of laws to the Spartans; also principles for the better education of the youth. "What shall we teach the young ?" said the philosophers to their king. Teach them what they will have to do when they ale men," Wise advce. Would that it were so in our land. There would be less distress, less crime, than we have around us.
 Arithmetic was introduced into Greece from Egypt about Goo years B. C., music cultivated, and the useful and ornamental arts were studied, prizes for music were given, and oratory had become an indis- pensable subject. So much was the art of speaking appreciated that Demos themes secluded himself for three years in cave that he might practice oratorical speaking and cure himself of slight inn pediment in his speech which he had from his birth. But Pericles was the most popular orator Greece ever had.
 Pythagoras was the first Greek who founded schools such as we have. One which he established in Italy continued for several centuries. His princi- pal subject was "The Harmony of the Upiverse," which was well calculated to strengthen the reason ing power of the mind, at the same time, exhibiting divine order and wisdom. established a world in peace. He bore in every part an oriental character, hav- ing imbibed oriental doctrines respect ing the soul, the music of the spheres, and thet disposition of the world accord ing to measure and members. His in- fuence was immense, and wherever he went he worked moral and political re- form. Luxury was abandoned, simpli- city took the place of seductive attire, and three hundred young people (Cro- tonians) bound themselves by VOW to adhere to the discipline and ritual op their teacher. This great man Aourished about rhe year 54o B. C.
 Following Pythagoras came that great genius, Plato, who in the year 388 B. C founded the Academic School, in which he taught for many years his conceptions of truth and generalizing talents, by which tuition was more than ever valued and developed. The world gathered knowledge from his mouth as he cleared the tossed and darkened waves, writing pages of truth and simplicity, advancing theories, points, which now we all con- cede. This profound philosopher died at the age of 82 in the year 347 B. C. Taste for literature was created by this illustrious genus more than by any of his predecessors. His innate energy shook the vampire burthen from the mind of the nation, and exposed to view treasures which had been hidden for ages, creating a reformation in all de- partments of society.
 But divine Providence had in store richer treasures for the world than had yet been made manifest Socrates, the noble, the good, appeared upon the stage, charming the intelligent, surprising the ignorant, with his theories and doc tines, especially that of progression in the future state. He was simple aud un- ostentatious, pure among the most im- pure, virtuous among the most venal, ciear-sighted to see through the soph- isms which overlaid and swamped all thought devoting all the energies of his hardy nature, all the tendencies of long life to the practice and inculcation of virtue. What is useful? What is good What is beautiful? What is just or un- just2 What are temperance, courage, and cowardice2 What is a citizen? What is piety9 Such were the questions with which he was ever occupied, lead ing his pupils and fellow citizens to the comprehension If the ..great truths in- volved in them, whilst in his own person he affords bright and consistent ex- ample of all the virtues he taught. Stern rebuker of vice. uncomPromising enemy to injustice even in high places, living reproach to impurity, terrible enemy to the darkening counsel by words without knowledge, he was found too far morally and intellectually in advance of his countrymen to be tolerated by them, and they put him to death B. C. 3oo years Aristotle must not be passed by, as his hxiIliant abilities and requirements created an interest in the mind of Philip, hing of Massadan. He made him tutor