Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1885-01-15

without acquiring principle that may
save labor or direct it to greater results.
In institutions without appliances for pra-
tical experiment in the use of principles
inculcated mere theorists are far more apt
to abound. How many young ladies sus-
tain highly creditable examinations in
chemistry at school without ever through
life thinking Of applying its principles to
the ventilation of room, the preparation
of their food, the use of cosmetics, the
abatemen, of nuisances about their prem
ises, or the care of their house plants!
How many young men show themselves
proficient in the theories Of mechanical
philosophy without being able to put leg
in stool. In physiology, zoology and in
natural history they appear as learned As
Agassiz,-and still shey rear ON their farms
the old case-knlie breed of hogs that can
be kept from going through the fence cracks
only by tying knots in their tails, rearing
steers which you will take by the horns as
you take IAN augur by the handle and bore
post-holes with them.
The intellect indeed may b. taught with
out arousing the genius. This may he the
mistake of unskliIful teachers in any stage
of q students advancement. But there is
less reason why il should he So with him
who is surrounded with the extensive
means which e.,dowments make possible
and colleges are snre Ia collect.
Every apt aDd able teacher will, in de-
gree, make his "A normal school, a seminary
for teachers. skilled instruction soon
awakens the spirit OF teaching Under
the capable guidance and iervent en-
thusiasm of successful teachers large num-
l.<.~. nil ta,, fol,
spread themselves over the country only
to arouse others, and thus a whole aug
mented generation of intelligent teachers
will follow them and enter into their
labors. In this way the educational spirit
and life, the practical modes and principles,
created and adopted in the highest seats
of learning, refacted, reproduced, success
sively transmitted, diffused. will in a few
years reach, awake, instruct the governing
majority at least of our whcle population.
"A consummation devoutly to be wished"
There can be but one sentiment on the
part of the thinking as to the importance
and superiority of right and skillful in
struction over the defective and imbecile
kind The one is drowsy-formal hearing
of a parrot learned lesson-a periodical,
heartless delivery of some stereotyped wis.,
dom-the other is as ingenious, vivacious,
inspiriting application of the principles of
intellectual and moral philosophy. to the
development and growth of an intellectual
and moral being. The former is treat
ment of the pupil as if he were a reservoir,
passively to receive whatever might he
poured into him. As if he were mere
recepticle FOR knowledge. rather than
AL e<.h he. a
method, under which he goes, stops, per-
forms, As a mechanism at the touch or
signal Of the operator. The latter is totally
of apother description. 1t keeps the intel
lectual plant out in the sun and rains and
winds of heaven. 1t accustoms the learner
to toll and difficulty and endurance. 1t so
ministers nutrition as to leave him a self
growing, self-ev0lving being 50 shines in
upon his spirit that il shall sparkle with its
own light 50 assists him that he shall be
encouraged to push ever onwards, and still
leaves him so far unassisted that he shall
he able to push his own way, to excite him,
that his powers shall be symmetrically de-
veloped, and yet so detains him and tasks
him with principles and demonstrations
that he shall be thoroughly invigorated
to discipline. Who can either estimate or
appreciate the benefits that result from
these intelligent modes of development
and training derived originally from col
ieges, to bear upon our millions of young
intellects? Who would see these masses
of vigorous minds committed to dullness,
to ignorance, to false, perverse, imbecile,
culture?
If they were all structures of matter to
be wrought into forms of beauty and use
fulness. we should deprecate the employ
ment Of any but the most thorough trained
and ingenious artisans. Who then shall
we set to fashion and rear these iatelligen-
ciess Surely tc the colleges and common
schools must the nation lcok. If it be
true. as already alleged, that while few !
minds can find their own soil and support,
and tower mp. unassisted, in strength and
greatness, nearly al. will fail without ap-
propriate lessons and help. Western insti-
tuticns for higher education will ever have
an invaluable service to perform for the
great mass of young minds around them.
The important influence which we claim
for these institutions il confirmed by his
torical facts Colleges have ever originated
common schools, because they are ever the
natural patrons and instructors Of those
nuseries from which they derive their own
life, a the mother stork is the natural
nourisher Of the young brood, who are
afterwards to bear her abroad upon their
wings
have seen in the lap OF q prairie, or be-
side stream, few struggling dwellings in
such convenient proximity - to be called
o village. But in the whole place there
was scarcely brush Of paint, green door
yard, shade tree, an apparent comfort,
any stirring Of enterprise, any appliances of
productive labor. A grand mandatory is
planted in that thriftless scene, suddenly
awake the activities and the hum of indus
try. The village shoots up like crystali-
zation. Cottages, neatness, copteptment,
happiness, almost simultane-
ously are there, and . habitable, attractive |
dwelling place results Like this ID the |
iatellectual regeneratiou On planting in . |
. sound and elevated literary !
Institution. Iumediately will spring mp |
around il elementary NURSERIES Of educs-
lion Of varieus gEndes - subsidiary ceuten |
snulatioa ard struggle aftss knowledge.
In magnifying The impogtaDoe Of ccl-
|egss and common schoolD let IL Be remem-
beeed that al the innuences claimed for
he latter are, - already intimated, freely
md fully admitted. The college and the
Do0moa school are to be regarded - thoss
1ouble SUM which sztruoomem tell - 70 |
volve about eacA other With mutual illuni-
nations, aasds - co-partners, constitute
pomnsss csslter of light ard heat iar their
pommoe resiuue of woelda The higher |
nd lower institutions excAanee freely
With each ether advantags and innnsnees
~ which both are improved, aDd thea