1829.)

SERGEANT'S DISCOURSE.

,105

be that yt poor Province be pot prejudiced any way by

SERGEANT'S DISCOURSE. my absence, all yt is possible in you; and endeavor to sweaten all things, and with the meekness of Moses, the A Discourse delivered before the Trustees, Faculty, and Patience of Job to be good example to yt people. I

Students, of Rutgers College, at New Brunswick, have considered your hard task and the Rubs ihe world.

(N. J.) on Tuesday, the 14th of July, 1829, the day ly Spirit putts in your way, yt despises dignitys, and for

preceding the Annual Commencement. By John your ease have apointed yt is not a Friend, but a grave

Sergeant, LL. D. Honorary Member of the Pbilo. sober wise man to be Gover'r in my absence, he marri.

clean Society. ed old G'll Lamberts Daughter, was treasur’r to ye com; Gentlemen of the Philoclean monwealths army in England, Scotland and Ireland, I suppose independent in Judgement; lett him see wt

and Peithessophian Societies! he can doe a while I have ordered him to conferin pri- The occasion which has brought us together is calcuvate with you, and square himself by your advice, but lated to awaken earnest and anxious reflection Youth bear down with a visible authority vice and faction, yt is the season of preparation for manhood. In a short it may not look a partiality in frds or other then should time, those who are in a course of training for the dube to act as they have done; and if he do not please you, ties of life, will, in the order of Providence; succeed to he shall be layd aside; for I do it not yt I am displeased the charge which is now borne by their seniors; and with your care, or service, quite the contrary, If in a distributed among the varied employments of social and ny thing you have differed from my servise, It is civilized existence, be called by their own strength, I believe, because you thought it best for ye Gen'll each in bis allotted sphere, to sustain, preserve, and Service. I desire you to receive this person with improve the advantages which are derived to them from Kindnessand lett him se it, & use his not being a Friend their predecessors. To fit them for the task which is to Friends advantage. But you must know I have a thus to desolve upon them, is the design of all educa. rough people to deal wth about my quit rents yt yet tion. cant pay a ten pound Bill, but draw, draw, draw still Io what manner, and by what means this great design upon me and it being his Talent to regulate and sett may be most effectually accomplished—what are the things in method easy and just, I have pitched upon liiin meihods most likely to aid in forming a wise and virtuto advise therein. he has a mighty respect of all sorts of ous man, an honest and useful citizen, is a question of honcst people where he bas inhabited, which with my great interest, which cannot be too deeply pondered. own knowledge has made me venture upon him: I had | An eminent man of antiquity has remarked, with equal yr leti’r by E. Blackfann. I have in myn to Tho. Loyd beauty and force, that " a state without youth, would communicated my minde about Joseph Growdens busi- be like a year without the Spring.” But what avails ness and other matters, but I will add, yt the Assembly, the Spring, if its blossoms perish without producing as they call themselves, is not so, without Gov'r and P. fruit or seed? If sporting for a while in the gaiety of councel, and yt no Speaker clarke or book belong to the season, and charming the senses with their bloom ym that ye people have their representatives in ye Pro. and fragrance; they disappoint the hope which forms, Counceli to prepare, and ye Assembly as it is called, has their greatest' value, and dwindle, fade and die, as if only the power of I or no, yea or nay. If they turn de. they had never been? bators, or Judges, or complainers, you overihrow the The insect obeys the law of it sephemeral existence; Charter quite in the very root of ye constitution of it, it spreads its wings in the sunshine, rejoices in a mofor yt is to usurp ye P. councels part in ye Charter and ment of life, and then Autters and disappears. The to forfit ye Charter itself: here would be two assemblys brute animal is governed by its appetites, and guided and two representatives, wheras they are but one, to by its instinct. It is neither acquainted with its facultwo works, one prepares and proposes, the other as- ties; nor capable of improving them. The individual sents or denys“the negative voyce is by yt in them,and and the species, for successive generations, move on in yt is not a debateing, mending, altering, but an accept their appointed course, without undergoing any sensible ing pow'r. minde' this I intreat you, yt all fall not to change, as little subject to degeneracy from any neglect pieces.

or folly of their own, as they are able, by their own efFor Jos. Gowden's pleading equity ye land, ye char- forts, to exalt or improve their nature. They live, and ter equity is not concernd ther, for ye notion of estates they die-they sink into inanimate matter, and are lose in law and equity shows he is mistakenç has he an equi- in the uninformed mass. ty to more than is due? then where is my right yt he But man is endowed by his Maker with moral and has an equity to wt is myn. I am m'r of my own, and intellectual powers, which not only distinguish him from yt he must know. Next, for wt I ho. Fairman says about all the visible creation, but absolutely separate him from measuring his land and leaving a piece by my order I any affinity with it. His bodily frame is dust, fearfully renounce it, I never gave him such an order, i love no and wonderfully made; but still a portion of inanimate unfair thing, and for large quantitys of lands I am con- matter, which cleaves to thre ground! His bodily pow. tented they should keep ym yt have ym if they will sellers, his sensual passions and appetites have their dwell. at a moderate rate to new comers, else it closes up the ing upon the earth, in conimon with the animal creation. country from Planters, which hearts the whole.

His intellect—his power of “large discourse, looking For news, I will send all by Ed. Blackfan. ye writts before and after,” -aspires to communion with intelliissue out to-day. a Parl. setts in 9mo. the King promes- gence, and seeks its kindred beyond the limits of this ses to exclude ye R. Catholicks from Parl. rather tiran life. His animal nature may truly say to the worm, ye liberty of conscience by a law: fears of war with “Thou art my brother! and to corruption, Thou art my Holland. the Lord order all for his glory, who is wor. sister and my mother!” His intellectual and moral facul. thy forever

ties have no fellowship upon earth. your reall and affect. Friend

These faculties are the talent which his Maker has WM. PENN

given to man. By means of them, he is enabled to exerThe Gover'r is called Captain Blackwell he comman- cise dominion over the earth, and to subdue it to his ded in ye beginning of ye wars ye famous maiden-troop. I own enjoyment and happiness. By their means too, it farewell my d'r love to your familys. Frds - as if na- is intended that he shall exercise dominion over the med and the People.

earthly parts of himself—that he shall regulate the exOf The Direction of the above is wanting.

ercise of his corporeal powers, subdue bis passions and

appetites, and live upon the earth, as if he were not of We invite the attention of our readers to the following the earth, enjoying the bounties of Providence with excellent remarks of our respected citizen on Education. cheerful gratitude; doing good to his fellow men, and

exalting, by rational discipline, his own character, and VOL, IV. 14

I am

the character of his race.-This is his greatest glorythis is his highest happiness-this is his obvious duty. The faculties which thus constitute the high and distinguishing privilege of man, exalting him above all that surrounds him, and placing him but "a little lower than the angels," are progressive and improveable. It is true, also, that the bodily powers are capable of some improvement. But the measure of their growth is limited; and, comparatively, it is soon attained.-Their highest perfection seems to continue but for a moment. The intellectual and moral capacity, on the contrary, flourishes more and more with culture-becomes continually enlarged and invigorated, and yields a daily and increasing harvest, even when the bodily powers are visibly declining.

When the bloom has forsaken the cheek--when the beautiful smoothness of youth has yielded to the furrows of age, and the step has begun to lose something of its elasticity and briskness-the cultivated and disciplined mind, nourished by wholesome food, and enlivened by exercise, is still advancing in its career, extending the sphere of its beneficent influence, and, as it were, supplying, by its own graces, the ravages which time has made in the external form. The light within, if duly trimmed and fed, continues to spread its lustre with unabated, and even increasing splendour, when the frame that incloses it has lost its freshness, and begun to grow dim from age.

But we must also remember, that these faculties are liable to debasement and degeneracy. They will rust from sloth and indolence-they will decay from want of exercise and nourishment-and they will be smothered and destroyed, if subjected to the dominion of our passions and appetites. That is an empire they cannot endure. They were intended to be masters-and they will not submit to exist as slaves. The sluggard suffers the light of his intellect to go out. The drunkard drowns and extinguishes it. The one sinks into a state of calm brutality-the other, with frenzy in his brain, resembles more a savage and maddened animal rushing upon his own destruction, but dangerous to all who are in his way. Both are guilty in the same kind, though not in the same degree. They destroy the chief talent committed to man, and they degrade and dishonour his

nature.

it be wearisome; and he rejoices in the repose which he earns by it. He, and he alone, can duly estimate the force of the truth, that the sabbath is made for man! He is thankful for the refreshment and rest it affords him; while the habitual idler finds that it only increases his weariness. Has the drunkard or the debauchee any enjoyment? He has scarcely taken one step in the delirious path, before he begins to totter, and finds that by associating with vice, he has made a companion also of disease. They fasten upon him together; and however he may for a while be deluded, he soon becomes their conscious and degraded slave, the contempt of mankind gradually settling upon him, and his own reason approving the justness of their sentence. The base chains he wears are of his own forging. His own are the pain and the disgrace they inflict.

Self-denial and discipline are the foundation of all good character-the source of all true enjoyment-the means of all just distinction. This is the invariable law of our nature. Excellence of every sort is a prize, and a reward for virtuous, patient, and well directed exertion, and abstinence from whatever may encumber, enfeeble or delay us in our course. The approach to its lofty abode is rightly represented as steep and rugged. He who would reach it must task his powers-But it is a noble task, for,besides the eminence it leads to, it nourishes a just ambition, subdues and casts off vicious propensities, and strengthens the powers employed in its service, so as to render them continually capable of higher and higher attainments.

What mean the cheers which greet the ingenuous youth, when he arrives at the high honours of a semina. ry of learning? Why do the hearts of his parents swell with unusual gladness, and tears burst forth to relieve their almost suffocating joy? Why is this epoch in life marked, as it every where is, with such intense and unabating interest? The race is not ended-it is only begun. One stage is reached, but another not less critical succeeds-and even when that is passed in safety, the whole way of life is beset with temptations and dangers, which require all our exertion, with the constant aid of a gracious Providence, to resist and avoid. Why, then I repeat, this heartfelt rejoicing? It is not merely that he has acquired the portion of learning which is taught in a College; though that is of inestimable value. It is It has already been remarked, that the higher and that the youth, whose powers have thus been put forth nobler faculties of man will not exist in subjection to and tried, has given a new earnest of character, and a his sensual nature. They decline, decay and perish, new assurance of hope. His habits are measurably forunless they are allowed to exercise the authority allot-med-his nobler faculties expanded—and his future elted to them by a wise Providence. The moment their just empire is successfully invaded, they begin to languish-resistance becomes gradually more feeble, until at length they are overpowered and destroyed. And what then is the condition of the individual? Wisdom and virtue are synonymous, and happiness is their attendant reward. Folly and vice, on the contrary, not only lead to misery, but are sure to be accompanied by it at every step. In their first efforts to shake off the wholesome restraints of reason and conscience, they have to maintain a painful conflict with the accusers within, which constantly mars and disappoints their expected enjoyment. The poison is manifest in the cup, and they feel that it is there. They may throw off the rein of reason and conscience, but they will still suffer from the lash! When they have gained the victory, (as it must be admitted they may,) they have subverted the natural empire which Providence had intended should be established; and in the wild misrule which follows, the conquerors are sure to be the victims of the disorder and confusion they have created.

Vicious indulgence destroys the body as well as the soul. It brings to an untimely end the very capacity for enjoyment. Its food is deadly poison. Does the sluggard enjoy his sloth? It is impossible. There is no rest without labour. Unbroken idleness is more irksome than severe exertion; and it has no relief. The diligent man has delight in his honest occupation, even though

evation, in some degree indicated, by the strength of pinion displayed in his first flight.

As the mother's eye marks with inexpressible delight the first steps of her child, and her ear catches, with thrilling rapture, the music of his earliest efforts to utter articulate sound, imparting her joy to the whole household, and making as it were a family jubilee-so is the attainment of the honours of a College naturally and justly regarded with deep emotion. It fixes an important period in what may be termed the infancy of manhood, demonstrating the existence of a capacity for usefulness, and for further and higher honors. Happy are the youth who enjoy the opportunity of a liberal education-happier still are they who diligently and successfully improve it!

It is not the design of this discourse to speak of edu cation in general-but only to make a few remarks upon what is denominated a liberal education-that system of instruction which is adopted in the higher seats of learning, and leads to learned honours. Institutions of this description are rapidly increasing in every quarter of our country. If the establishment of numerous seminaries of learning is to be regarded as an evidence of a corresponding increase of demand for liberal education, founded upon a proper knowledge of its nature, a just appreciation of its advantages, and a fixed determination to uphold and even to elevate its standard, this circumstance must afford the highest satisfaction to the

scholar, the patriot, and the philanthropist. It will promote the cause of sound learning-it will advance the honour of our country, and it will increase the happiness of mankind. That such may be its effect, every one must ardently desire.

ΙΟΥ

tent and interest, upon which it is not intended now to touch.

When, therefore, we speak of a "superior education," or a "liberal education," or, which ought to be equivalent, a "collegiate education," we speak of that which has one common purpose or object, and which of course is necessarily itself but one. That it is applicable to all the youth of a country, whatever may be their condition or preparation, or whatever may be their future views in life; is what, as already intimated, it is not intended to affirin. The greater number cannot enjoy its advanta. ges At the age when the course of instruction in a College usually begins, some are obliged to labour for their subsistence; some are condemned to lasting igno

But it must be obvious at the same time, that these advantages are only to be gained by maintaining unimpaired, and in all its integrity, the true character of the higher seminaries of learning. It is not their object to teach the simpler elements of knowledge. These must be first acquired elsewhere, as an indispensable preliminary to admission. Nor do they profess, as a part of the Collegiate course, to qualify individuals for particular employments in life. This is a matter of subsequent acquisition, frequently not decided upon till after the Col-rance by the neglect of parents or friends, or by the im lege studies are ended.

The design of a College, as it has been well said, is "to lay the foundation of a superior education;" not to teach fully any particular art or science, but to discipline the intellectual powers, and to store the mind with such knowledge as may lead to further attainments, and be useful in any of the occupations or pursuits which are likely to be the lot of those who have the advantage of a Collegiate education. In a word, to place distinctly before the student the high objects to be aimed at-to teach him how they are to be attained-to stimulate him by worthy motives-and, after unfolding to him his own powers, and the mode of employing them, to send him forth with a generous and well directed ambition, and an instructed and disciplined mind, to follow out the

course in which he had thus been trained.

Such a system, it must be evident, admits of no concession to individual views or inclinations. It works by general means, and for a general end. It proposes the same instruction for all; the same discipline; the same rewards; proceeding upon the assumed basis, that the plan thus adopted is in itself the best calculated to produce the desired general result.

perious force of circumstances; and some are already
fixed to the occupations which are to employ their ma-
mark to suggest, that superiority consists in the advan-
turer years. We would not be understood by this re-
tages we possess-it is only in the use we make of them,
for which we are responsible, exactly in the proportion
of their extent.
All honest industry is honourable, as
vice; and the disgrace they bring with them is greater
well as useful. Nothing is disgraceful but idleness and
vourable. In the judgment of mankind, as well as in
or less, as our opportunities have been more or less fa-
the awful judgment of Him from whom we have recei-
is according to the talent committed to our care. Much
ved all that we possess, the improvement required of us
is therefore expected of him who has the means of at-
taining the highest intellectual and moral advancement.
He is not to look down with a feeling of pride, upon oth-
er employments or conditions of life, as if they were in-
ferior; but comparing himself with the most diligent in
each-to examine whether he has equally with them
improved the talents and opportunities vouchsafed to
him-whether, in the race of honest exertion-the on-
ly generous competition that all can engage in-he has
equalled, or excelled them-whether he has better
or worse fulfilled the duty he owes to his day and gen
eration.

There are some, who suppose that the business of instruction might be better adapted to the inclinations and views of individuals-that each student in a College might be taught only that which he desires to learn, and be at liberty to dispense with such branches of learning as appeared to him unnecessary of inapplicable, and yet receive Collegiate honours! This is an opinion which is perhaps gaining ground, and which, it cannot be denied, has been adopted by several distinguished men, and supported by plausible arguments.

In Sparta, the education of youth was a public concern. At an early age, children were taken from their parents, and placed under the care of masters appoint- The humblest laborer, who strenuously performs his ed by the state, to prepare them, according to their no- daily task, and honestly provides an independent subsis tions to become good citizens. The ancient Persians tence for himself and his family, is inconceivably supeand Cretans adopted a similar plan. With them too, ed-rior to the sluggard and idler, though the latter may ucation was a matter of public regulation. Among the have had the opportunity of education in a seminary of Athenians and Romans, youth were not thus detached learning. by law from the authority and care of their parents. But their education was justly deemed to be a matter of the highest importance, and conducted, no doubt, upon a general system, adapted to their manners and circumstances. Whatever opinion we may entertain of the methods they adopted, and the end they proposedhowever different may have been the character intended to be formed, by the institutions of the Spartans and the Persians, from that which modern education proposes to cultivate-yet there is one point which has the sanction of their authority as well as the authority of Education, in all its parts, is a concern of so much succeeding times-that the education of youth having re- consequence, so deeply and vitally interesting, that it ference to a determined end, ought to be conducted up- ought not to be exposed, without great caution, to haon a general plan, and that plan the best that is attaina- zardous experiments and innovations. Is it, then, susble for the end proposed, and carried to the highest perceptible of improvement? Is the human mind, progresfection of which it is susceptible. It is not meant to be contended, that in modern times, and in large communities, when there is so great an inequality in the condition of men, the highest education is, or ever can be within the reach of all, or even of a very considerable number. In our own country, favoured as it is by the bounty of Providence, with advantages such as no nation has ever before enjoyed, how many are there to whom the benefits even of the humblest education are not extended! Enlightened benevolence is happily exerting itself with unwearied diligence, to remedy this reproachful evil; and it is to be hoped that the time will soon come, when not a child will be left destitute of the means of acquiring at least the simpler elements of knowledge. This, however, is a subject of vast ex

raising doubts about their value, without offering a dis- less eagerness of youth, always anxious to escape from tinct and approved substitute, great danger is to be ap. the trammels of discipline, and confide in the strength prehended from its circulation.

of their untried powers. There is no doubt that improvement may be made in Pride, too, a false and injurious pride, is apt to lend the seminaries of our country-there is no doubt that it its assistance. Instead of measuring ihe child's progress ought to be made—and it is quite certain that it requires by his advancement in learning and in years, the parent nothing but the support of enlightened public sentiment is too much inclined to dwell only upon the advance he to bring it into operation. The improvement adverted has made in his classes, and to note, with peculiar gratito is improvement in degree-a beiter preparation for fication, the fact, that he is the youngest of the gradu. admission into College-a somewhat later age, and of ates. Often, when it is evident to the teacher, that the course more mature powers-and, as a consequence, pupil's lasting interest would be promoted by reviewing higher and more thorough teaching. The result cannot a part of his course, the very suggestion of being put be secured, unless the means are employed; and their back, is received as an affront, and indignantly rejected, emplbyment does not depend upon those who are im. though offered from the kindest and best considered mediately entrusted with the care of the instruction of motives. It is a mistake, a great mistake. To hurry a youth. Professors and teachers would unfeignedly re- youth into College, and hurry him out of it, that he joice in raising the standard of education—in advancing may have the barren triumph of extraordinary forwardtheir pupils further and further in the path of learning ness, is to forget the very end and object of education, -if parents, duly estimating its importance, could be | which is to give him the full benefit of all that he can prevailed upon to afford them the opportunity-for they, acquire in the period. which precedes his choice of a (unless totally unfit for their trust,) must be justly and pursuit for life. What is gained by it? If, as frequently conscientiously convinced of the value of such improve happens, he be too young to enter upon the study of a ment. But their voice is scarcely listened to. By a pre profession, there is an awkward interval when he is left judice, absurd and unreasonable as it is unjust, they are to himself; he is almost sure to misapply and waste bis supposed to be seeking only to advance their own inte. precious time, and is in great danger of contracting perrest; and their testimony is, on that accouut, disregard- manent babits of idleness and dissipation. But even ed; when, upon every principle by which human evi- should this not be the case, of what consequence is it to dence ought to be tried, it is entitled to the highest him, that he should enter upon a profession a year soonrespect. Their means of knowledge are greater than er or later, compared with the loss of the opportunity those of other men. They learn from daily experience of deepening, and widening, and strengthening, the

- they learn from constant and anxious meditation—they foundations of character, which are then to be laid in a learn from habitual occupation. It is theirs to watch Seminary of learning. This opinion is not without dewith parental attention, and with more than parental cided support. Many intelligent parents have been obintelligence, the expanding powers of the pupils com served to adopt it in practice, voluntarily lengthening mitted to their charge. It is theirs to observe the influ- out the education of their children beyond the ordinary ence of discipline and instruction in numerous instances, limits. Such an improvement as has now been alluded as it operates upon our nature and it is theirs, too, with to, ought unquestionably to be aimed at. The progress parental feeling, to note the issues of their labours, in of liberal education ought to bear some proportion to the lives of those who have been under their charge—the rapid advances our country is making in other reto rejoice with becoming pride, when following an spects, and to the character and standing which her alumnus of the College with the eye of affectionate ten- wealth, her strength, and her resources require her to derness, they see him steadily pursuing a straight for maintain. It is especially due to the nature of our Re. ward and elevated path, and becoming a good and an publican institutions, in order to win for them still higheminent man--and to mouro), with unaffected surrow er esteem with mankind, that their capacity should be over those who have fallen by the way, disappointing demonstrated, to encourage and produce whatever is the hopes of their parents and friends, turning to naught calculated to adorn and to improve our nature, and to the counsels and cares that have been bestowed upon contribute our full proportion to the great society of them, and inflicting pain and misery upon all who felt learning and letters in the world. It would be much to an interest in their welfare. Experto crede, is the maxim he regretted, if the multiplication of colleges were to of the law; and it is no less the maxim of common sense. have the contrary effect, of lowering the standard of Why is it not to be applied to the case under considera- education, or of preventing its progressive elevation. tion, as it is to all others which are to be determined Let the competition among them be, not who shall by evidence? The sneering and vulgar insinuation some. have the most pupils within their walls, but who shall times hazarded by those who find it easier to sneer and make the best scholars! insinuate, than to reason, that teachers, as a body, have But may there not be improvement in kind, as well a peculiar interest of their own, sufficient, upon ques. in degree? May not the course of studies itself be benetions which concern their vocation, to bring into doubt ficially altered, excluding some, which are now in use, the integrity of their judgment, and thus to make them and adopting others which have not hitherto been in incompetent to be witnesses, if rightly considered, is trocluced-changing the relative importance of different not so much an insult to this useful and honourable, objects of study-making those secondary, which at and I may add, in general, faithful class of men, as it is present are principal, and those principal, which are to the parents who entrust them with their children. now, in some degree, secondary—or, adopting a flexiWhat judgment shall we form of their intelligence- ble and yielding system, may not the studies be accomwhat shall we say of their regard for their offspring, if, modated to the views and wishes of individuals, permit, at the most critical period of life, they place the forming ting each pupil to pursue those, and those only, which intellect in the hands of men of more than questionable in- he or his parents or friends may think proper io select tegrity, to be fashioned by tbem into fantastic shapes to as best adapted to his expected plan of life? It would suit their own purposes, or gratify their own whims? be rash and presumptuous to answer that such improve. The truth is, that it is an appeal to ignorance, which ment is impossible; and it would be unwise, if it were can succeed only with those who are unable or unwil. practicable, to check or discourage the investigation of ling to think, and is employed chiefly for want of solid matters so important to the welfare of man. The subject argument.

is one which at all times deserves the most careful con: The circumstances of our country, it must be admit- sideration; and the highest intellect cannot be better ted, have encouraged and have favoured an early en- employed than in examining it in all its bearings. But trance into life, and so far have been averse to extended its unspeakable importance inculcates also the necessity education. This cause bas naturally, and to a certain of great caution. It is dangerous to unsettle founda. extent justifiably, induced parents to yield to the rest. I tions. Doubts and objections to existing systems, with

1829.)

SERGEANTS DISCOURSE.

109

а

out a plain and adequate substitute, are calculated only ever it may be styled a Collegiate education-a superito do mischief. By bringing into question the value of or educatio!~a liberal education—it is still only a por. present methods of instruction, they tend to weaken tion of preliminary education. It is not designed, as has public confidence, to paralyze the efforts of the teach- already been stated, to qualify the student in a special er, and to destroy or enfeeble the exertions of the stu- manner for any particular profession or pursuit—to make dent. A strong conviction of the excellence of the end, him a Divine, or a Lawyer, or a Physician--but to aid is the indispensable incitement to the toil of attaining it in the developement of all his faculties in their just proWithout this stimulus, in all its vigour, nothing rational portions; and by discipline and instruction, to furnish will be achieved. The love of ease, which is natural to him with those general qualifications, which are useful us all, will lend a ready ear to the suggestion, that la- and ornamental in every profession, which are essential bour would be wasted, and the misguided youth, doubt, to the successful pursuit of letters in any of their varia ing the usefulness of the task that is before him, and ous forms, and, if possible, even more indispensable to expecting something (he knows not what) more wortly the security and honour of a life of leisure. Nor does of his zeal and energy, will be like the foolish man, it set up the extravagant pretention of supplying him who stood upon the bank of a river, waiting for the with a stoek of knowledge sufficient for all purposes, water to run out, and leave the channel dry for him to and sufficient for its own preservation, without further pass over.

exertion. It gives him the keys of knowledge, and in Experimentum in corpore vili, is the cautious maxim structs him to use them for drawing from the mass, and of physics. A generation of youth is of too great value adding to his stores. It teaches bim the first and greatto be experimented upon; and education is of too much est of lessons--it teaches him how to learn, and inspires consequence to hazard its loss, by waiting for the possi. him at the same time, if it succeed at all, with that love ble discovery of better methods. It is a great public of learning, which wiil invigorate his resolution in the concern, and should be dealt with accordingly, until a continual improvement of this lesson. The momentum, specific change shall be proposed, which, upon a deli- if rightly communicated, and rightly received, will conberate and careful examination, shall meet the accept- tinue to be felt throughout his life. But it is unnecesance of the greater part of those who are best able to sary to dwell longer on this part of the subject, as it has julge, so that they can conscientiously, and with full lately received, will continue to be felt throughout his conviction, recommend it to general adoption, as entire life. But it is unnecessary to dwell longer on this part ly worthy of public confidence, let us cling to that which of the subject, as it has lately received an ample and - has been proved to be good. Quackery is odious in all able exposition, in a report made by the Faculty of a things, but in none more than this. Stare super vias neighboring institution,* which, (if I may be permitted antiquas, is a safe precept for all, at least until a way be to venture a judgment upon the work of so learned a pointed out that is clearly and demonstrably better. body,) does them the highest honor.

Speculation, however ingenious, is not knowledge; The suggestion under consideration would perhaps nor are doubts and objections to be entertained, where be entitled to more respect, if in fact the destination of decision is of such vital importance. Time is rushing youth for life always, or even generally, preceded their on-youth is passing away. The moments, that are entrance into College. But that, it is believed, is not gliding by us, will never return. The seed time ne. the case. The fond partiality of a parent may sometimes glected, there will be no good harvest. Poisonous and discern, or fancy it discerns in a child, the promise of hateful weeds may occupy the soil, which, under good eminence in some peculiar walk. But it would be on. culture, would have yielded excellent fruit. The cray- wise to decide finally, before a decision is necessary, iog appetite of youth must be satisfied. If not supplied and before the subject is ripe for decision. It is in the with sound and wholesome food, it will languish for college that the youth has the last trial with his equals, want of sustenance, or perhaps drink in poison and de. There his growing powers are more fully exhibited, and struction. The brute animal, without reason, is guided placed in a clearer light. And there, too, it often hapby an unerring direction, to the provision made for its pens, that an inclination is disclosed, which not being support, each individual obeying his own instinct, with unreasonable in itself, a prudent and affectionate parent out aid or counsel or restraint from the others. But man, may think fit to indulge. The time of leaving College excepting the direction he receives to the beautiful would, therefore, seem to be a much more suitable ocfountain of nourishment, provided for the short period casion for decision than the time of entering it. But of helpless and unconscious infancy, has no such deter- even such a decision is not always unchangeable. How mining instinct. He has a large range, and a free choice, many instances have occurred, of youth, who, after re" The world is all before him, where to choose;" and ceiving the benefits of a liberal education, have engareason is given, to select for him that which is for his ged in one pursuit, and subsequently, with the approadvantage. Nor is the rational individual left dependent bation of their parents and friends, have betaken them. upon his own unassisted intelligence for his guidance. selves to another, with distinguished success! Several Until his faculties, which are progressive, have arrived present themselves to my recollection, and some of them at a certain maturity, it is in the order of Providence, of men who bave attained, and are now enjoying the that he should have the benefit of the enlighted reason bighest eminence. of his species imparted to bim, for his own sake, by flow often does it happen, much later in life, that parents, by teachers, by friends, and by the counsels of men are compelled by circumstances, or constrained by ibe wise and the virtuous, which he cannot enjoy but a sense of duty, to change their occupations? It is pre. upon the terms of being subjected to their authority. It cisely in such instances that the advantages of a liberal is theirs to lead him on his way—it is his to follow the education are most sensibly felt-of that early training, path they point to. But if the guide stand doubting and and general preparation, which, not being exclusively perplexed, what will become of the follower?

intended for any one pursuit, are adapted to many, if That a Collegiate education can be so modified as

not to all, and confer upon the individual a sort of uni. that each student may be permitted to choose his own versality of application and power. In a moment like studies generally, or even to a limited extent, and yet this, the means which education has supplied come to receive the honours of a College, is a proposition, which, our aid, like the neglected and almost forgotten gift of to say the least of it, must be deemed to be very ques- an old friend, hallowed and endeared by the associationable.

tions they bring with them. And in such a moment, the Without intending to occupy your time with any thing individual who, has not had the same opportunity, most like a discussion of this question, it may, nevertheless, keenly feels the loss. be allowable to remark, that the suggestion, however Nor must we forget that in this our country, every in, plausible in itself, seems to be founded in an erroneous conception of the nature of such an education, How. *Yale College.