The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1891-07-29

The Importance Of bringing the ru,
rounrn Into clnae Ralntlnn


Powers Into Close Relation.
1t is popularity and 81 mewi,at loosel,
supposed tlias every one who is pro
vided with tie requisite organs OF sigh
can see; that to do this requires no in
struction aud no mental effort. an,
that consequently il may be fairly lef
to the natural desire Of simply open
ing the eyes and fixing them ON sur
rounding objects Now this would b
quite true il BY seeing we meant mereI,
"A picture unconsciously formed ON q.
retina of the eye, conveying no specia
impression. and leaving no trace be
hind. Perhaps tliio Is all it is to the IN
FAINT who first opens his eyes upon tll
strange new world he has entered. Blu
gradually. as his mental power begin
10 assert itself. he sees in a very dill
ferent way. He thinks. he wonders, h
tries to comprehend, he makes exper
ments. lie learns something of DISTANCE
OF form. of color. of various properlis
and uses of objects around him, and
how to adapt himself TO them.
Tie first difference we notice letw(
a mentally bright child and dull ons
the degree to which this is done.
the eye, suggesting a thousand idei
which are constantly being tested
questions and experiments, while in 1
other the vacant gaze excites no ST
prise. develops few conceptions, a
leaves only feeble impressions Thus|
is the mind, after all. that enables us
see to any purpose. Tie eye furnish
the opportunity. but only so far rs Il
mind avails itself of the occasion is &,
result either pleasurable or usefrl
There is a very common error made
limiting mental work to the study
books, and to that solitary tIinkin
which can go on with shut eyes. I'll
truth is that mind and its labor emit
into all conscious impressions of q
senses to dignity and exalt them, mi
only through its action can their re-
. value be developed. And the culture
the mind can be as fully and thorough
carried ON in these directions rs In ari
region of scholastic instruction. Meth,
in childhood nor maturity is it col
sidered very essential to teach the art
observation, yet ie is an art in whid
every one needs to lie proficient
Some valuable efforts have been I'd
forth in this direction through the mi
dunn OF the kindergarten system, d
which the little ones. are led, amoll
other things. to notice Carefully, 10 n
member. and to recount tile details
what they see, and so to combine mel
tai exrrtion with the act of lookiI|
that il becomes general quickness
their intelligence instead OF "A mere i'll
pastime. Such discipline, if skillful'
administered and kept up in after year
will add much both to the l,le. IRE al
the value of life When we reflect
the pains that are taken with the blii'
and the deaf. to compensate for tn
loss, by cultivating and stimulate
their other senses. we see what it is ps
sible to do in these directions If on
half as much eff..rt were expended
develop the art of seeing, or rather
bring the mind into active cooperatid
with the eye, what favorable result
might We not hops 10 seei 1t is imp,
siLle to compute how much more W
should know with such training. FL
rs we now gaze at nature. or art. c
people with an idle or preOccupied min,
much valuable information escapes u
Let any one test this in his own cas-
by withdrawing his gaze and recountin
to himself what he has seen, and he wi
often be astonished at the paucity of til
results. When he looks again, Wit
this in view, he will see 100 things {
which he had before been iI,ssnsibl,
And the corcentri ii0n of thought wlI:c
is N, cessaTy for this is une of the bts
means of strengthening and DISCIPLINE
the mind. Still M re wouId this help u
in our emIloyments- Many of u.eu
consist chiefly in skillTuI imitation, an
all of them are benefited by view in
closely superior models. But when tlI
faculty of sight is unframed there j
much that remains unnoticcd, and tina
is either learned slowly by hard expert
ence or Is never gained Mt all. This i
specially true in all manual and artist
occupations. Both the artisan and til
artist depend largely for their success
upon the degree to which the attentiv,
eye and the intelligent mind are CO
workers.
Through the trained and oil s, RYAN
eye we also learn much of our fellow
men that would otherwise be n scale,
book to us. Character may be read il
the features, though but few as We
know the language. The changing
feelings. the ebb and flow of emotion
the firm resolve, the vacillating will
hope and fear, love and hate, the con
test between impulse and principle. tn
triumph of good or of evil, ali leav
their imprint on the face, for those t
read who have the power He who la
attained some ability in this direction
can test the effect of his speech and hi
influence; he can tell when it is wise t,
speak. and when to be silent, when +
offer help, or sympathy, or comfort
and when to refrain.
Much of the knowledge of humal
nature. which is felt by all to lie pow
erful factor in our dealings with one an
other. comes from this very habit @
keen and careful observation. Much o
the pain, given without intention
through careless conduct, rough man
ner. blunt words, and thoughtless neg
lect. is due to our ignorance of eac
other. and of the effects we thus pre-
duce. A keener perception, n NOR
delicate apprehension. deeper insigll
would often draw together, in bonds O
friendship and good will. those who, TO
the lack of these. grow further and fur
ther apart-[Philadelphia Ledger.
.oa-.,, g..