Philosopher, his life being a practical illustration of that faith, whose champion he had declared himself. During the whole of his life he was a most indefatigable student, and it was his practice either to read or write, from dinner time until late at night; and what is not less remarkable is, that even while engaged in writing he could play at chess, giving his attention alternately to each occupation, without apparent effort. His acquaintance with modern languages was very extensive, for he could read with facility French, Italian, English, Dutch, Spanish, and Swedish; and he carried on a correspondence with the principal literary and scientific characters throughout Europe. Neither was the sphere of his reading less extensive and manifold; for, besides embracing almost the whole cycle of human knowledge, he was also conversant with the Belles Lettres, and well read in the department both of Romance and the Drama. Many Poles were received at Berne and other towns in Switzerland with open arms by the inhabitants, who found an asylum, and funds were raised for their relief, amounting to about 38,000 francs. An elegant monument has been erected to the memory of the Polish general, Rozyekreim, who died here. FELLENBERG'S Pædagogic establishment at Hofwyl had made so much noise both in England and on the Continent, as one of the most singular institutions of its kind, that we could not forego the opportunity of paying it a visit while almost in its immediate neighbourhood, it being only seven miles from Berne. This little colony --for such it may be termed-comprises about two hundred and fifty acres of land, in a retired situation, well adapted for the purpose, and is exceedingly well stocked with agricultural apparatus of every kind: neither is there any deficiency in whatever can contribute to the recreation and health of the pupils; under which head may be reckoned the Riding-school, a part of which is fitted up with poles for various gymnastic exercises, the physical education of youth forming one material porstion of the Fellenberg system. While other seminaries confine themselves almost exclusively to mere book-learning unless what are termed accomplishments can be considered an exception -the object of this is to initiate the pupils into the practical details of agriculture, and other pursuits of active life; to which even the course of their literary studies is directed, because, in addition to the usual routine of classical learning, the plan of instruction embraces modern geography, the physical sciences, chemistry, and many other branches of knowledge, for which no provision whatever is made by our antiquated monkish Grammar-schools, which, however well adapted they may have been to the wants of a former age, are very inadequate to the education now required to prepare a youth for his entrance into society. Even supposing him to be a proficient in longs and shorts, and all the other mechanism of the ancient languages, unless he also possess some more practical information, a youth is not likely to cut any figure beyond the walls of his school or college. And it is not at all improbable that it is the consciousness of this which leads so many of those at our public seminaries to qualify themselves for what they call "life" by applying to extra-scholastic studies of not the most laudable kind; which would hardly happen so frequently were they engaged in laying in a stock of more varied information, of which they could both feel the present interest, and foresee the ultimate utility. Instead of this, even classical learning is rendered as distasteful to them as possible, owing to the mode of teaching adopted; which, passing over all that is of real literary interest, and calculated to form the taste, extends to little more than the mere structure of language to words alone, instead of ideas, or the subject matter of the respective authors. At Hofwyl, both music and drawing form part of the course of education; and the latter ought invariably to do so at all schools; not, indeed, with the view of making artists or even skilful draughtsmen, but for the purpose of teaching an acquirement not much more difficult than that of mere writing, were it taught as a matter of course, and which, even when possessed only in a low degree, might yet prove of service in after-life. The time has been when even to be able to write was considered a most extraordinary accomplishment, although not to be able to write would now be considered a most singular deficiency; so, too, the time may perhaps arrive when it will be considered equally disgraceful for any one, who has the use of his fingers, not to be able to delineate an object upon paper. * Besides the Riding-school, there is also an 'École de Natation, where the pupils are regularly trained in the art of swimming; the advantages of which are too obvious to require to be specified. The pupils are also * Should this ever take place, adieu at once to those nuisances, ycleped sketch-books and scrap-books, for they would no more be produced upon drawing-room tables than are the pot-hook-filled copy-books of the present generation; although such things may possibly at one time have been handed about with exultation as prodigies. accustomed to military sports and exercises, beside employment in gardening and field labour; so that, while every portion of their time is fully occupied, and all idleness completely banished, both their mental and their bodily faculties are alternately brought into exercise, and the exertion of the one affords relaxation to the other. I know not whether there be a medical attendant attached to this little colony; yet should such be the case, I am of opinion that his office must be a sinecure, or very nearly such, since, so trained up, very few of the pupils are likely ever to have occasion for his services. - This little Utopia- for such it may not unaptly be styled offers a perfect model for public schools, affording increased advantages, with as few of the defects alleged against that mode of education as can reasonably be expected. Some of the pupils, it should be observed, pay for their board and education, while others, whose parents cannot afford the expense, are both maintained and taught gratuitously; and these two classes are lodged in different parts of the establishment, the former having superior accommodation; but whether the distinction thus made is attended with objectionable consequences, is more than I can say. On returning to Berne after this little excursion, we again took our leave of it, for the purpose of making another, as far as Interlacken and Grindelwald, and set out on our journey in the direction of them, travelling |