The History of Vermont

Introduction, addressed to the youth of Vermont.-The natural conduct of children, often deviated from in youth and middle age. The natural order to be pursued by them in the pursuit of knowledge.—The examination of things around them, and the scenery of their own State, claim their first attention.-The peculiar circumstances of their state in its establishment.-Its early history. Its early fathers and magistrates subjects of study to them and veneration.-Its remembrance of the founders of their state, and gratitude for the blessings and privileges left them to be cultivated.-Past records of their state place before them the strongest incentives to mental cultivation.The diffusion of knowledge, to the fear and love of God.To preserve and enhance their heritage; cherish the love of liberty.—Imbibe manly sentiments, and exhibit a manly deportment, cultivate physical energy and mental independence.— They place before them motives of the strongest kind to pre-serve hardihood of character.-To keep possession of and not desert the hills cleared by their fathers.-To render their state reputable and honorable in the view of other communities.To cherish and encourage literature and literary men, and those of their own countries, rather than those of foreign countries.

CHILDREN seek an acquaintance first with the things immediately around them. They look at the candle

which gives them light,-the fire which warms them, and the vessel from which they receive their food and drink. Domestic animals early attract their attention; the dog, the cat, the barn-yard fowls; the crowing of the cock, the lowing of the kine, and the bleating of the flocks. Their parents, and all the members of the family interest them; and they imperceptibly become familiar with their looks and gestures, and the tones of their voices. As they increase in years and stature, they extend their views to objects more distant; to the green hills and vallies around them; to the woodland and forests. The singing of the birds, and whistling of the wind catch their ears, and fill their minds. They look attentively at the lofty house; and at the spires and turrets, which adorn churches. They begin to eye with emotion the distant horizon; the blue hills which limit. their sight; the setting sun; the rising moon and twinkling stars.

This is natural; and by such gradations their views are imperceptibly extended, and their minds enlarged. The contrary would be unnatural. That is, it would be a transgression of order, for them to close their eyes and stop their ears on the objects, and to the sounds near and around them; and strive to look first at things far distant: to view the mountain prospect, and scan the wonders of the sky; to measure the other bodies of the solar system before taking a view of the one on which they were born; and listen to the murmurs and thunders of heaven, before heeding the songs of their mothers; and understanding the accents and motions of their fathers and kindred.

Equally natural and becoming would it be for the youth of a community to become acquainted first with the history of their native State; the time and circumstances of its settlement; by whom, and the difficulties encountered and overcome in doing it. They should take pleasure in making themselves acquainted with the progress in subduing the forests, and rendering the soil feasible and productive, with the increase of its population ; and the improvements in the arts and sciences. The melioration of society in manners and morals; in accommodations and refinements, in morality and religion, should not be overlooked by them. With important early events, either of a physical or moral nature; either of a civil or military character, they should be familiar. With the features of its primitive government; the changes and modifications through which it may have passed, with the principal legal requisitions and prohibitions, and of the character of its chief magistrates they should not be ignorant. The leading traits of character in its inhabitants, their predecessors; their virtues and chief excellencies and ruling passions, not omitting their foibles and defects, as incentives to amendment, should be looked out and well scanned by them.

Having done this, they may extend their researches and inquiries to other states, and to the nation. A general knowledge of the history of the states composing this great Republic, and of the republic itself as a whole is an object very desirable; and the youth of Vermont should feel emulous to acquire it. Indeed they need not stop here, but circumstances permitting, can continue

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The History of Vermont: With Descriptions, Physical and Topographical