The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1907-07-25
Trayei-Study.

proachcs ideal business Development
and social cultivation. To Depend on
either to the neglect Of the other,
will result in more or less narrow
ness and aWkwardness. Book-study
is daily held up to us as though it
were the sole and sufficient source of
education; while travel is commonly
thought Of only IS matter Of en-
tertainment.
This article would consider travel
as a means Of study-as an impor-
tant source of education. Such con-
sideration would bring to view a
long-neglected side of the education
al question. Behold in our colleges
and universities painfully large per
cent. Of young men and young
Women-we know they are young
only by the word of him who has
counted their birth days-men and
women whose cheeks should glow
with evidence Of the rich blood of
youth, who nevertheless are in such
striking contrast to that normal
and ideal condition that one may
say, without extravaganza, they are
as pale and bowed, and broken, and
Wrinkled, ard nervous as if the days
of their years were more than twice
the actual number. A tragedy in
deed. A spectacle Of men and wom-
en- who have mastered the books, but
to do so. they have murdered the
body What's the matter? One-sid-
ed education. What's the matter?
a departure from Gods plan.
God gave us "the hills that look
eternal" "the clear streams that
flow forever" and the stars that
glitter in their unapproachable glory,
that we might spend much time in
''Iiis great out-of-doors," there to
drink, only to increase our love till
it maketh US to drink again and
again of that soul-inspiring beauty
Of His handiwoTk-''a Il foTetaste Of
heaven," as we revel in Natures
fields Of freedom and breathe the
pure and purifying air of the forest
primeval, and drink from the gurg-
ling waters Of the mountain springs.
God has given us great, beauti-
full world. Let us enjoy it by some
times pausing to live with books and
feed upon the thoughts of other men
and legitimately copying what they
nave done, and sometimes going
forth into Natures great class room,
where one may happily be both stu
dent and teacher.
God has given us a world Of vari-
ETY.; therefore he that lives among
the hills should sometimes descend
into the valleys and traverse the
plains; and he that dwelleth in the
lcWiand should climb to the noun
tain top and view the landscape ore.
10 a degree, it is a happy philos
ophy for one to believe that he lives
at the best place in the world, and
his "clain may be allowed" never
theless he will be q "gTeen-horn'
and bigot if ne doesn't get out now
and then to see something Of what
the rest of tie world are doing. One
may spend a lifetime limited to the
best circles of New York or London,
and yet be an ignoramUs, and if he
misses "the Ounce block" it is only
because justice is not metod out to
him.
Nature hates narTowness and short
sightedness, and beats with many
stripes those who either wilfully or
carelessly close their eyes to the
world of broadness and beauty.
Schoolboys have not debated in vain
who found food for thought i'll the
question. (Which is the 'greener,
a city girl in the country; or coun-
try girl in the city," Well might the
judges say: Both are the greer
est and both are in fault III not hav-
ing sought more diligently to know
the best side Of the world as it is
| The ''Travel- Study" idea is funda
mental on this wise; one needs to
acquit himself crcditably in conYer-
sation whether his object be business
or pleasure. To walk well, there
must be data-one must have some
thing to say if he would get away
from the "small talk" that is DOOM
ed, sooner Or later, to grow ronot-
onous, and to render one silly, ang-
ling ard i'll at ease. To talk well is
essential to the best business ability;
and in the social realm without con-
versational accomplishments, one is
ike a dumb piano. To talk well,
there must be not only something in
teresting to say, but it must be sad
pleasingly, entertainingly, naturally,
spontaneously, springing from a
heart full Of enthusiasm, inspiration
,,5 Io,-o Cuch lifa and earrestnaSs.