McGrawville Express, Thursday, January 4, 1849.
COMMUNICATED.
For the Express.
Is the name adopted for the Literary and Scientific Institution, located in our place, being incorporated under that title, according to the law passed by the Legislature of New York on the 12th day of April 1848; and the name by which it will hereafter be known.
It has an able and efficient Board of Trustees, numbering 24, who are pledged to take all immediate measures to liquidate all claims already contracted, and progress with the work as fast as prudence and economy will dictate until the whole plan is consummated. Thus established upon a permanent basis, it cannot fail to give the public entire confidence in the ultimate and triumphant success of this noble plan for establishing and conducting a great public school.
Recent examinations into the finances of the Institution at a regular monthly meeting of the board of trustees show that we have reliable subscriptions to the amount of several thousand dollars above all expenditures in the farm and buildings thus far.
The By-laws state, that it shall be "an Institution to promote virtue, teach science and practical industry, and open to both sexes and all classes"—the only requisite for admission being suitable age and a good moral character. The teachers and scholars are all, without distinction, required to labor two hours before and after school, in the morning and afternoon of each consecutive day, having the entire avails of such labor. This is intended:
First: As the only rational method of promoting health and preventing a literary institution becoming, in the expressive language of President Cossit of Cumberland College, Kentucky, "no better than a manufactory of invalids, or the slaughter house of cultivated talent."
Second: It is the only mode to make them practical men and women, and fit them for a life of usefulness and toil in any department of society.
Third: As eminent Dr. Rush says, "labor promotes virtue," they having all their valuable hours usefully employed, will find no time to form bad habits.
Fourth: All being brought under common requirements, it will perfectly subdue the withering spirit of caste, the greatest bane of our republican government, and the most we have to fear.
Fifth: The mind and body will thus be developed together, forming constitutions of Herculean strength, and minds of Grecian power. Plato, the great ancient philosopher and teacher said, "a sound mind is incompatible with an unsound constitution." 'Tis painful to see apologies of effeminate men and women descending so soon from our robust and heroic revolutionary sires, all in consequence of our erroneous and destructive system of education.
Sixth: This system will enable many to entirely support themselves while it will greatly mitigate the expenses of all and fully qualify them to take care of themselves, and like the enterprising New Englanders of modern education, astonish the world with their powers of invention and tact for enterprise.
These principles are eminently praiseworthy and cannot fail to commend themselves to the benevolence, patriotism, philanthropy and hearty co-operation of every lover of his country and well wisher of mankind.
This Institution is pledged to furnish as extensive means, for practical industry, as for scholastic privileges, and is being built by voluntary subscription which, I am happy to say, has been nobly responded to wherever. I have brought it before the people—the rich and the poor, the benevolent of all classes, feel called upon to subscribe in aid of its construction. The entire expense to complete the whole plan is estimated at about $50,000.
The plan comprises a large farm, to be parceled out to the students, a small portion to each; a horticultural garden, a flower garden, a long row of mechanic shops.
When completed, it will afford one of the most delightful homes for the toiling students while wending their weary way up the rugged hill of science. This College embraces both a primary and collegiate department, and all the means to obtain a thorough and complete education of both body and mind. We confidently hope that all who wish the honor of becoming pioneers in a good cause, here and elsewhere will, as soon as they have an opportunity, subscribe as much as they are able in aid of its construction.
S. H. POTTER, General Agent.
McGrawville, Dec. 22, 1848.
◘ It affords us pleasure to be authorized to say, that the Institution located in this village has been incorporated, under the title of—New York Central College. The trustees will hold their next monthly meeting on the 3d Wednesday of Jan., 1849, at 10 o'clock, A. M.
◘ Our sheet goes to press this week on Monday, but will hereafter be issued on Thursday of each week, as heretofore.
For the Express.
Friend Benedict:
A Merry Christmas to you. Indeed I do owe you an apology for my long silence, but you will excuse me for not attempting to offer one, for apologies are not very agreeable to either or any party concerned. Besides, you know a friend never neglects a friend. If he is silent in his friendship, it is because he has a good reason for being so, not that his regards are any the less ardent. Amicitia vere sempiterna est.
Well, the world wags right along, and doesn't wait for any of us; and I think sometimes it does a little more than wag. I should not wonder if it had taken the advantage of modern inventions, and had leaped on board of Morse's telegraph, in its circuits. It goes a great deal faster than formerly. Here it is—Christmas—the very verge of another year; nor does the year look old as some folks try to make him out. He looks as young as if he were born but a few days ago—in fact, he is only a year old and that, you know, is very young. Besides, the folks don't act as though they thought him about to die, and intended to put on mourning for him. No, nothing like. They are as full of glee as their skins can hold; and the transient sleighing they have, only enhances their merriment. A merry christmas to them!
I left the city of Gotham a week since. There was but little that was new there of any interest. There was nothing thought of, or talked of, but California Gold, Gold Dust, and cholera. The latter is more talked about than gold, and gold digging. This is perfectly natural. Men consider all men mortal but themselves, and the ills which they now endure are ever regarded as heavier than all the past, or ever the future will develop; and poverty is esteemed among the great evils, and if any remedy is offered like the riches of California who would not covet so great a good! But I am of the belief that "we better endure the ills we have, than fly to those we know not of."
I have been spending the past week among the Syracuseans. I must say I am pleased with them on a short acquaintance. They appear like the good old people of by-gone days—the real democracy. Why, the ladies—bless their souls, are so very industrious they almost take their knitting work to church. In attending one of Dr. Baird's lectures, (the Dr. is delivering his course here on Europe). I noticed twenty or more ladies among the audience, actively plying their needles, knitting stockings. Some of them were married ladies, some unmarried. Now, does that not betoken industry? Who would not rather witness that, than see them drumming away at a Piano, "grating harsh discords" on one's ears, no music perhaps in their own souls, and driving what little there may be in others out of them? It is far better that it should thus be. I hope this example will be followed. It is worthy of imitation.
Syracuse has increased in population and importance within the past few years, to an unparalleled degree in the history of any other town of its size in the State during the same period; and from what I see, I am confident that its increase for several years to come will by no means be diminished. I find that a casual trip thro' the place on the cars, (as multitudes do pass), gives but an imperfect idea of its business, enterprise and resources. It is only wanting in water privileges to render it a second Rochester; and I cannot but say that even with this deficiency, it may yet rival it. Success attend it.
In traveling abroad, I find that I have lost sight of the rapid increase in growth of the towns of my own native State—yes, my own native town. Why, there is your own McGrawville which perfectly astonished my eyes on visiting you the past Autumn. But be not puffed up from what I say, for I am not skilled in the science of puffing of any kind. I only speak what I think; truly, your village has assumed a consequence I never expected it to attain to. You have your college, your Union School, (prosperity attend both), your Churches, Stores, Mills, &c., and last but not least, your mercury-winged EXPRESS. Of this I will not say more lest I flatter you. Excuse me for the present.
A Scientific Operator.
PROFESSOR BECK, the accomplished Daguerrean Artist, now in Cortland, will favor our citizens with his services the latter part of this week. We are ready to bid him WELCOME.
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