1825 Bridgeport, Ct. Biography, Sermons. 1759-1810 Cambridge, Ms. Mathematics. 1794 Boston, Ms. 1766-1817 New York City, 1640-1707 Boston, Ms. 1738-1804 Cambridge, Ms. Sermons. Poems. Sermons, Histories. Poems, Sermons, Letters. Philosoph. Papers, Sermons. 1599-1683 Providence, R. I. Controversies, Histories. 1761-1817 Rutland, Vt. 1735-1819 1799 Cambridge, Ms. Woodbridge, Timothy 1732 Hartford, Ct. 1770-1809 Philadelphia, Pa. History of Vermont. Theology. Medical and Philosop. Papers. Works in 3 volumes. Natural Philosophy. Sermons. 1726-1806 Williamsburg, Va. Law Papers. 1721 Ohio, MANUAL LABOR SCHOOLS. WE should judge from various circumstances, that the popularity of manual labor schools, particularly in New England, is on the wane. Some partial attempts have entirely failed. Those plans, which were commenced on the largest scale, are, in some degree, embarrassed. There exists, also, an apprehension, where the experiment has not been made, that there are insuperable difficulties in the system. In the bosoms of men, who are in general friendly to the object, there is a lurking scepticism respecting the practicability of the thing. Now, we think, if there has been, or is to be, a reaction on this subject, its effects will be disastrous. A strong interest has been excited in respect to the physical education of young men preparing for the learned professions. It has been supposed, that a great amount of moral power might be saved, by a due attention to diet and exercise. Physicians, many of whom are habitually close students, are, perhaps, the most healthy class of men in the community. Why may not clergymen, it has been asked, possess the same bodily energy? The failure, or rather the want of any considerable success in some of these schools, is owing, we doubt not, to the following causes : 1. Too great pecuniary advantage has been expected from them. We think it to be essential to their success, that a small profit should be obtained. A slight reduction in the cost of education, is regarded as highly important by many individuals, who are entirely dependent on their own resources. While the advantage to the health would not be a sufficient motive to induce them to make the requisite effort, a small pecuniary compensation would furnish the necessary stimulus. Still the income from this source, must be small. The share of time which can be allotted to labor, is limited. The study of mathematics and languages, requires time as well as earnest attention. Besides, many subjects must be investigated. Books are to be referred to, newspapers examined, libraries visited, letters written, conversation held, all which, in the nature of the case, require an expenditure of hours and days. Were only one specific thing required in a half day, as, for instance, a lesson in Euclid, the closest attention might be given for a short time, and a number of hours would remain for manual labor. But the facts, especially in the case of advanced students, are notoriously the reverse. In addition, there are lectures, recitations, religious meetings, necessary calls, and the whole machinery of literary societies, all requiring a heavy draught upon the time. Doubtless, some of these things might be dispensed with, or abridged, so as to allow more time for physical discipline. But the force of the argument, cannot, we think, be materially diminished. We have heard it asserted repeatedly by distinguished men, that all charitable assistance might ere long be unnecessary, as young men would work their own way; Credat Judaeus Apella. We do not. An individual may occasionally be found, who, by some mechanical skill, or extraordinary favor of Providence, can earn a comfortable subsistence, and at the same time successfully prosecute his literary labors. But with the great body of students, the case is not so. Many have no mechanical genius whatever. Others are so phlegmatic in constitution, or so dull in apprehension, as to require nearly all their time for the study of their assigned lessons. It is no sufficient answer to this, to say that the increased vigor of mind which bodily exercise confers, will enable a student to study his lessons in a much shorter period. We allow this, but we still maintain that a successful prosecution of study and the earning of a competent pecuniary support simultaneously, are not compatible. 2. The arrangements of a manual labor school should be such as not to engross the chief attention of any portion of the students. We have seen some of the principal directors in a shop, more ingenious with the chisel than with the Hebrew root, more concerned that the company should realize a pecuniary profit than that they should be able, intellectual scholars. Moral and literary discipline must occupy the principal attention, and physical education must be subordinate in some measure. two important objects, one must preponderate in the views and feelings of all concerned. Shall it be literary or physical education? It is in vain, to say that the two things can be identified, so that the student may feel that while he is acquiring physical strength, he is increasing his intellec Of tual powers. The question is in regard to two systems, which cannot be amalgamated. Identify them as you will, in respect to the ultimate object, the details and the present arrangements of the two things, will be different. 3. Manual labor schools should be controlled by the guardians or trustees of a seminary, or by some public, permanent body. Associations of students may have greater vigor for a time, but a board of public men will inspire more confidence, will have more wisdom, and will, in all ordinary cases, accomplish the greatest good. They are on the ground from year to year. They will have that experience which is necessary in making advantageous bargains. They will be much more disposed to exhibit a personal example of manual labor, equally necessary for their own health, and for an incitement to others. 4. In cases where a boarding establishment is connected, care should be taken not to abridge the style of living at first to such a degree, as to occasion a reaction. A gradual reformation is, in this case, the most effective. In the ardor of commencing a new undertaking, young men are inclined to go in retrenchment beyond what a maturer consideration will justify. They may adhere to the system from pride of character, and all the while cherish a secret dissatisfaction, and wish that they had never entered into the engagement. 5. Both agricultural and mechanical labor, should, if possible, be secured. Each kind has its advantages and disadvantages. Some individuals have no skill in grinding a plane, or driving nails, who would make excellent husbandmen. The preference is clearly to be given to mechanical pursuits. 6. Every student should feel religiously bound to provide for himself, if no public arrangements are made, daily and effectual exercise. It can no more be neglected without sin, than the cultivation of the mind or heart. A solitary student, if he has the disposition, can make bodily exercise as indispensable for himself as his daily food. The difficulties in the way alter not the obligation. We believe the day is coming, when it will be considered a reproach, in all ordinary circumstances, to be obliged to submit to inquiries respecting one's health or physical condition. LITERARY INSTITUTIONS. WE insert on the following pages some tabular views in respect to the colleges and professional institutions, which our space would not allow us to insert in the last number. We embrace this opportunity to make a few corrections and additions. On page 282, we inadvertently omitted the name of Rev. Benjamin Hale, professor of mineralogy, &c. in Dartmouth college. Mr. Alpheus Crosby has taken the place of Mr. Stowe, as professor of languages. On page 293, insert the name of Simon Greenleaf, as professor of law in Harvard University. Professor Potter, of Washington college, page 299, has resigned his office. Mr. Douglass, of the New York University, has accepted an appointment in Kenyon College, Ohio. Dr. De Lancey, of the University of Pennsylvania, page 318, has resigned his office. The name of the president of Hampden Sidney college, page 323, is Jonathan Cushing, not James Cushing, as there stated. The Union Seminary is under the care of the synods of Virginia and North Carolina, not of the presbytery of West Hanover. Dr. McDowell, page 325, has declined his appointment in the Southern Theological Seminary. A graduate of the college at Athens, Ga. informs us that that college, as he believes, never had a president of the name of Smith, as stated on page 327, but that Rev. John Brown, D. D. a professor in the South Carolina college, succeeds Mr. Meigs in the presidency of the University of Georgia. On page 160, we mentioned the death of the Rev. Jesse S. Armistead, of Virginia; we are happy to say that it was a mistake. Mr. A. is living. TIMES OF COMMENCEMENT AND VACATIONS AT THE COLLEGES, 1833. From last Mon. in Dec. six and a half weeks. From Th. before last Wed. in May, 2 wks. From first Wednesday in January, 7 weeks. From third Wednesday in May, two weeks. From last Wednesday in April, four weeks. From 3d Wednesday in April, four weeks. From seventh of April, to May first. |