The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1888-07-07
MENIAl CULTIVATION.


Education.
Every year scores Of young people
graduate or leave school. The major
ity Of them. II j. tO be- feared, imagine
that further mental cultivation j. un-
necessary. if indeed they consider that
any thing remains for them 10 learn.
suppose - farmer should say: IL have
titled my land ten years; now ] will let
il alone and see il il will yield me crops
w.thOut cultivation" silly ~ such
resolution might seem. il would be- no
more foolish thnn il il for people 10
cca-o cultiyatin@ their minds when they
leave school. or ~ any tim" 81 life.
So opportunity FOR mental improve
mcut should bc lost. Lack Of time
need rarely be- given n an excuse for
not studying or reading 30 much may
be- done in spare momGnts. II a single
fact "a day il added 10 ones stock Of
knowledge, in three hundred and sixty
five days will not the gain be- consider
ublc2
There are few who can not devote
twenty minutes day 20 reading.
Those who read thOughtfully and care
fully, n but for "A short time daily, and
who reflect upon what they have read
while engaged In mechanical occupa-
ton-, thereby fixing IL in their MEM
oric-, can not fail Of becoming well in
formed.
Not moment should be- wasted up
on trashy literature. solid reading
should indeed bc altcrnated with fc-
tiOn, but with only the best.
II one il at all doubtful as 90 the
pronunciation or meaning OF n word
lct the dictionary be consulted. This
requires but little time and mental
effort, yet il i, II valuable means OF
education, and one within the reach of
all. Likewise the atlas should be con-
suited whenever one meets with n geo
graphical name which he can nO To-
cate.
Another invaluable aid 20 people
whose time does not equal their desire
for mental improvement il the cyclo-
pcdia.
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 be- in condition for
heavier works.
Every sentence written or uttered
should bc regarded n 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 10 discriminate between
correct and faulty constructions, be-
tween elegant and inclegnnt modes OF
expression" \ most excellent mental
exercise, which can easily be practicod
while one il engaged in some other
occupation. il 10 construct a sentence
In aS many ways as possible, and try
60 determine by the ear which T. best.
One who makes good Use of NIL the
caSily-attainnblc means Of intellectual
culture can not fail 10 become an enter
tanning and desirable member Of good
society, and such means should not he
neglected. whatever accomplishments
one may possess. Society can not find
perpetual enjoyment in witnessing the
display of accomplishments
Moreover i not the art of convcrs-
ing well i'm itself an accomplishments
and one. alas. all too rare, II the ma
jority Of young people would cultivate
Il instead OF pounding pianos, from
which they have no ability for extract
Ing music, or painting pictures that are
n WEAKNESS 10 the eye, the benefit TO
society would bc almost beyond csti-
mate christian at Work.