Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1888-08-31
MENTAL CULTIVATION.


Education.
Every year scores of young people
| graduate or leave school. The major
ity of them, it is to be feared, imagine
that further mental cultivation is un-
necessary, II indeed they consider that
any thing remains for them TO learn.
Suppose farmer should say: II havo
titled my land ten years; now will let
it alone and see if it will yield me crops
without cultivation" Silly as such u
resolution might seem, it would be no
more foolish than it is for people to
cease cultivating their minds when they
leave school, or at any time of life.
No opportunity for mental improve
ment should be lost. Lack of time
need rarely be given as an excuse for
not studying or reading. So much may
be done in spare moments. II single
fact a day is added to ones stock of
knowledge, in three hundred and sixty
five days will not the gain be consider
able?
There are few who can not devote
twenty minutes day to reading.
Those who read thoughtfully and care
fully, if but for "A short time daily, and
who reflect upon what they have read
while engaged in mechanical occupa-
tions, thereby fixing it in their menu
ories, can not fail OF becoming well in
formed. Q
Not Il moment should be wasted up
on trashy literature. Solid reading
should indeed be alternated with fic-
ton, but with only the best
II one is at all doubtful as to the
pronunciation or meaning of word
let the dictionary be consulted. This
requires but little time and mental
effort, yet it is a valuable means of
education, and one within the reach of
all. Likewise the atlas should be con-
suited whenever one meets with geo.
graphical name which he cam unot To-
cate.
Another invaluable aid to people
whose time does not equal their desire
for mental improvement is the cyclo-
pedia.
The histories for young folk are both
instructive and entertaining reading
for older ones who have to gain only a
general knowledge OF history, and who
often may not DO in condition for
heavier works.
Every sentence written or uttered
should be regarded as an exercise in
composition. The writer once heard a
distinguished author say: "Cultivate
n habit of listening critically to your
own conversation and that of others.
Train the ear to discriminate between |
correct and faulty constructions, be-
tween elegant and inelegant modes of |
A most excellent mental |
exercise, which can easily be practiced |
while one is engaged in some other |
occupation, is to construct a sentence
in rs many ways as possible, and try
To determine by the ear which is best. |
One who makes good use of all the |
easily-attainable means of intellectual |
culture can not fail TO become an enter
tanning and desirable member of good
society, and such means should not bo
whatever accomplishments
one may possess. Society can not find
perpetual enjoyment in witnessing the
display of accomplishments.
Moreover, is not the art of convers-
ing well in itself an accomplishment?
md one, alas, all too rare! II the ma
ority of young people would cultivate
t instead of pounding pianos, from
which they have no ability for extract
ng music, or painting pictures that are
| weariness to the eye, the benefit to
'ociety would be almost beyond esti-
nate. - Christian at Work.