Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-06-18

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direction. Even then it is not too late
to take up special instruction, as may
seem best. Many students have made
the great mistake of preparing them
selves at great expense Tor a profess
sion which, when finally taken up, has
proved to be wholly unsuited to them.
We would advise young men to test
themselves in some practical way be-
fore following a technical training.
lest it turn out to be well-nigh value
less to them in the end.
The high school graduate nowadays
has what fifty years ago would have
been accounted a liberal education.
He has a mastery of practical subjects
and more than the rudiments of the
languages and sciences. Ii supple
mented by such study and reading as
he may easily acquire in life as he goes
along, he may keep abreast OF his tel
lows without a feeling of intellectual
inferiority in any vital respect. The
college graduate himself finds that he
cannot crest on his oars after receiv-
ing his diploma, but that he must con
stantly add to his knowledge by these
same means. The college curriculum
is mostly but an elaboration OF the
modern high school course. The
studies lead into higher attitudes of
the same general subjects.
While these higher theoretical stud
les may, in some students, serve an
excellent purpose in sharpening and
broadening the intellect, the chances
are hat in LIES experiences ninety
nine out Of every hundred demands
will have TO be answered out of the
store Of information acquired in the
free public schools. Accordingly, the
scholar should never neglect his early
opportunities, thinking TO make them
up by p%rotracted education. He will
find that if he does this he has built
upon the sand, and that higher train
ing is to him but an added danger TO
his faulty mental un%derpinning.
We would not advise a college edu-
cation for a young person of inferior
mentality. whatever facilities there are
for atfording it. The chance that he
may take a Brace under such a stim-
illus and justify the time and money
so expended is too slender to warrant
it.In the great majority of cases such a
person would gain a better standing in
lite if he were directed into practical
lines at once after finishing his high
school course. Nor is his case hope
less, by any means. Numberless OPP
portunities are open to plain men and
women of the common sort to achieve
both fame and fortune, if they possess
requisites to all success, eharac-
ter and industry, without which even
the most learned must fail.
Nor would we advise a college
Tor all offs fair or average men
tal calibre. The question should re-
solve itself into a personal M in each
Ease. If promising opportunities open
Tor John or Mary at eighteen, it may
far better to seize them then than
70 throw them away merely because a
education may be within their
reach. 1t should always be remem-
Dered that education is not an end,
but a means to an end, and other ways
nay show themselves really more
promising. Nor do we believe it
necessary, in many cases, for parents
suffer themselves in order hat their
IONS and daughters may pursue a col
ege course. The case is not urgent
for that the benefits not sufi-
established. /
The young man who should 90 to (;
is he who, having already !
demonstrated the possession OF talents
ind qualities that give the brightest
promise of success, deserves the
most that books and instructors can
10 for him before taking his place !.
n the world. For such a person.
10 degree of learning is too extensive. !
provided he responds to it and /
promises interest on the investment. J
even this class scarcely needs the ! !
.dded stimulus. and would probably !
ucceed in the long run were it with t
-eld, but the possibilities are much
nlarged with the wider range that /.
dyanced training. properly con- .
gives. Now the trouble is Q
hat every fond parent is apt to I
.eceive himself as to the capabilities Z
( his offspring; to conclude that :
ecause it is our John or our Mary d
hey are destined to become great, t
nd that a college education is a sure I