[No. XXX.]
'p j-j E TABLE T.- NO* XXX.
« Sagacity and good humour arc among the ejfen
tjal qualities'of *" accomplished inftruilor of youth.
SOME author in treating upon education,
introduces the following Itory.
« Plato in one of his dialogues tells us, that So
crates, who was the son of a mid-wife, nfed to fay,
fat as his mother, though Jhe was very /killed in her
trofc/Jion, could not deliver a woman, unless fhs was
fir I with child, so neither could he himfelf raise know
hideout (if a mind, where nature had not planted it.
» Accordingly the method this philosopher took, oj
jiiflriifting his fchclars, by several interrogatories or
auejlions was only helping the birth, and bringing their
In thoughts to light." , . .
The principle contained in this quotation
jhould not be carried too far. Indolent teachers
are too ap: to persuade tliemfelves, that every
scholar who actually does not make progress in
learning, is naturally incapable of it. 1 his be
lief induces them to neglect those youth who do
not manifeit tokens of genius, as unpromiHing
i'prouts. They huddle a number of them toge
ther and aflign them talks to delve upon ; and re
prove their dulnefs, rather than flrive to blow the
latent sparks of genius into allame. The talents
of some people lie so deep, and are of such a
contexture that it is difficult to bring them into
view. Many a lad palles through a collegiate e
duc3tion without any pleasure or reputation, who
after he is left to himfelf, and can exerci'e his
own judgment, in the application of his own a
bilities makes a refpedable figure in society, and
becomes more ufeful and eminent, than many
sprightly genuifes who despised and discouraged
him, when promifcuouily employed in the fame
course of study.
When the iuftructors at any University or
fcboolhave not a thorough knowledge of human
nature, the youth committed to tlieir care will
become averse to learning from the manner in
which inflrucftion is communicated. Such pro
feflors or tutors as do not gain the love and re
spect of their pupils cannot expeit their tuition
will be advantageous. It is of importance there
fore tliat the initructors should not only poilefs
learning and genius, but that they should bedif
tiaguiihed by an amiable, discreet deportment.
If under the direction of such men the academi
cians are discontented, idle or vicious, it fur
niJhes a prelumption that they are not employed
in that kind of literature which is suitable for
thein. We inuft either draw this conclulion, or
we have no other alternative than to fuppofe,that
they have such dulnefs of understanding, or such
perverfenefs of difpolition as can never be re
claimed. To diftinguilh which of these causes o
perates in producing such indolence and averlion
in any youth, we mull attend to his conduct and
temper in other respects. If a refractory and vi
cious inclination marks his general character, we
mult Dot ascribe his depravity to an improper
treatment in his fcliolaftic exercises. But if in
tlieufual tenor of his life, he manifefts a trada
ble and ingenious spirit, and can be restrained
from diflblute manners, we mult suppose his ha
tred of le arr.ing and his not making proficiency
m it, refult3 from an injudicious alignment of
his thirties. It can generally be known whe
therthe fault lies in the talk itfelf,orin the man
ner of imposing it, or in the natural lterility of
the fubjecft on which it is imposed.
fhebad habits and vices contracted at public se
minaries may seize such hold of the mind,that they
cm never be eradicated through life. In whatever
Itation aniana<ts, he will discover traits of his
education. It is to be regretted that a better
foundation is not laid to render the tranlitions
f:om youth to manhood, and Itudy to business
wore easy and natural. There seems to be a
chasm which it is difficult and often impraitica
le to fill up. Some blight scholars never become
ufeful men ; and many promising youth dwindle
asthcj grow old, into infignificance and contempt,
s this the inevitable decree of nature ? or is it
'he effect of erroneous education. My next pa
per shall touch upon the question.
A ROM THE MASSACHUSETTS CENTINEL.
[Thefollowing ORATION was delivered at the South Grammar
luo! > Bolton, onthc last Visitation Day. by Mailer Charles
W >tI.IAMS Windship.
0N THE pr OGRESS and ADVANTAGES of a GOOD EDUCATION.
ofDIXG on the candourof those refpe&able guardians
hn™' lUre ' anc * P atrons °f youthful genius, before whom I have
tints un° r I with diffidence beg leave to offer a few
The ih 1 -' 1 C P ro^re^s anf * advantages of an early education.
pared . t! j leis co piousand variegated, and may perhaps be com
t!vates P e » w here a beautiful profufion of objects cap
limnci " n i e ' * • ver^^ es thefcene ; while I like an untaught
than the . ]^ mn ' n g t p wield the pencil, rather feel the ambition
youth a ' 01 the profpeft. How amiable does a
ar parental guides have qualified him with the
SATURDAY, July 25, 1739.
graces ofobediencc, and filial refpeft, and allured him to the love
of virtue by exemplifying her charms—who have early formed
him to habits ot virtue, and taught him to be delighted with in
itruftion.—After parental care and tenderness have thus advanced
him from the dawn ot life, to the period for literary pursuits, he
is placed under the tuition of a careful inftruftor, who nurtures
the pliant bud ot genius, and teaches the young idea how to Jhoot. His
inclinations are dire£ted to rule and order, and his reason led to
acquiesce in the necessity of subordination. His hope is quickened
into expectation ot reward fuitableto his merit; and his ambition
ftimulatcd to surpass in every laudable pursuit : He is patient and
diligent in his ftudics, and endeavours to leiToirthe talk of his in
llruttors by the docility of his disposition, and the placidncls of
his temper : Competitors excite his emulation : He becomes sus
ceptible of honor, and is a&uated by gcnerofity and the finer fen
tnnents of a cultivated mind. Though he finds the firft stages in
the road to science rugged and dillicult, and meets with more
thorns than roses, yet as he advances, the way bccomes pleasant,
and new profpetl* rife, decked with all the luxuriance of thought,
and thf ple<ifiug images of imagination. Being conscious that he
is travelling the load to fame, as well as intelle&oal pleasure, he
becomes invincible in his resolution for diflindtion, and alliduous
in his progress. He now confidcis his accidence and grammar,
and the rudiments of language, as avenues to the temple of Know
ledge—for being no longer embarrafTed by mere words, he ascends
to the ideas they represent. His understanding gradually unfolds
ana brightens, and he becomes enamoured with knowledge by
its increase. Now the harmonious didtion and chafle sentiments
of Virgil win his approbation ; now the address and politeness
of H'or ace begin to charm, and now the sublime majesty ot Ho
mer, and the tranfeendent eloquence of immortal Tu lly fire his
bosom with fcientific rapture. At this period he looks back with
lurprife upon the dark Itate of his ignorance, and is charmed with
the light of erudition. And the sensation it produces in him,inay
perhaps not unaptly be compared to those which travellers exper
ience, who after wandering in some dreary desert, fatigued with
the asperity of the way, are luddeniy tranlported into a cultivated
country adorned with blossoms productive of delicious fruits, vocal
with melodious birds, Janned with salubrious gales, resplendent
with sunbeams, and replete with obje&sof the purcft delight.
Thus the young pupil goes on in his happy progress, until the
approbation of his inltruttors pronounces him fit to be transfered
to a higher feat of li erature, the University—in expe£lation of
which, lome of us are soon to bid adieu to this institution, from
which we have derived so great advantage, and tootferan aftettion
ate farewell to our much refpe&cd inftruftors. I feel that I never
had more to fay, nor was it ever less in my power to express my
felf upon any occasion—Will youthen, ye guardians of literature,
deign to accept the tribute of conscious gratitude.
Venerable fathers ot the town, under whose auspices we com
memorate this annivcrfary, permit us to return you our filial
thanks for your presence this day : May our schools and colleges
never want patrons to support them, nor friends to protest the
caule ot virtue and religion. And now to you my companions,
and to myfelf, I wu'h that happiness that mult reiult from com
pleting an early education, and the advantage and pleasure that
will spring from the pursuit of that science and virtue, for the at
tainment of which we have received so many paternal indigen
cies—Then shall we gladden the guides ot our youth—then will
the robe of honor clothe—the friend approve —and the parent
bless us.
ORIGINAL SPECIMENS of ELOQUENCE.
I.
7"HE Editor 9 solicitous to minglennovelt y variety
and utility in his original M'fcellany , hopes the follow
ing example s r f Eloquence 9 exhibited in the negociation
of Treaties with the Indians fine: the ratification of the
independence of the United States, will be acceptable
to his readers.
At a Meeting of the Connniflioners of the United
States, in Nov. 1785, with the Head-Men and
Warriors of all the Tribes 01* T owns of the Che
rokees, the former addreiled the latter in the
following words:
" Head-Mf.k a\d Warriors of all the
c< Cherokf.es !
"WE are the men whom you were informed
came from Congress to meet you the Head-Men
and Warriors of all the Cherokees, to give you
peace and to receive you into the protection and
favor of the United States; and to remove, as iar
as may be, all causes of future contention and
quarrels—that you, your people, your wives and
your children may be happy ; and feel and know
the bleifings of the new change of Sovereignty
over this land, which you and we inherit.
" We sincerely wifti you to live as happily as
we do ourselves, and to promote that happiness
as far as is in our power ; regardless of any dif
tin (ft ion of colour, or ot any difference in our
manners, or particular situation.
*< This humane and generous A (ft of the Uni
ted States will 110 doubt be received by you with
gladness, and held in grateful remembrance : and
the more so, as many of your young men, and the
greateil number of your warriors (d uring the late
war) were our enemies, and alliiied the King of
Great-Britain in his endeavours to conquer our
country.
" You yourselves know that you refufed to lift en
to the good talks Congress sent you ; that the cause you
efpoujed was a bad one ; that all the adherents to the
King of Great-Britain are compelled to leave this
country, never more to return.
" Congress // now the Sovereign of all our
country, which we now point out to you on the
map. They want none of your lands, or
any thing e/fe which belongs to you ; and as an earnest
of their regard for you, we propofeto enter into
articles of a treaty PERFEC ILY EQUAL, and
conformable to what we now tell yon.
" If you have any grievances to complain of,
[ Publijbid on Wednsfday and Saturday. j
we will hear them—and take f'ucli measures in.
consequence thereof as may be proper. We ex
pect you will l'peak your minds freely, and look
upon us as the Representatives of your FATHER
and FRIEND the CONGRESS, who will fee jus
tice done you.—You may now retire and reflect
on what we have told you ; and let us hear from
you to-morrow, or as loon as pofiible."
The next day the Tassel of Chota arose and ad
drejfed the CommiJJioners thus :
" I amgoingtolettheCominiffioners hear what
I have to lay to them. I told you yesterday, I
would do this to day. I was very much pleased
with the talk you gave us yesterday—it is very
different from what I expeifted, when 1 left home.
Ihe Head-Men and Warriors are also equally
pleased with it.
" Now I shall give you my own Talk. I am
made of this earth, on which the GREAT MAN
ABOVE placed me to poflefs it: and what I am
about to tell you, I have had in my mind for many
years
" This Land, we are now on, is the Land we
were fighting for duringthe late contest, and the
GREAT MAN made it for us to subsist upon. You
must know, the Red People are the aborigines of
this land, and that it is but a few years since the
White People found it out. lam of the firlt flock,
as the Commissioners know, and a native of this
land. And the White People are now living on ic
as our friends. From the beginning of our firlt
friendship between the White and the Red Peo
ple be ads were given as an Emblem thereof: and
these are the beads I give to the commissioners
of the United States, as a confirmation of our
friendfhip ; and as a proof of my opinion of what
you yesterday told us.
(a string of white beads.)
" The Commiflioners have heard how the
White People have encroached on our lands, oil
every fide of us that they could approach.
" I remember the Talks I delivered at the
Long Island of Holfton : and I remember giving
our lands to Col. Chriftieand others, who treated
with us, and in a manner compelled me thereto,
in i 777. I remember the Talks to Col. Chriltie,
when I gave the lands at the mouth of Cloud's
Creek eighteen springs pall. At that treaty we
agreed upon the line near Lime-Stone. The V ir
ginia /ine and part from the mouth of Cloud's Creek
to Cumberland Mountain, near the Cap, were paid
for by Virginia. From Cloud's Creek a uiretft line
to the Chimney-top Mountain,thcnce to the mouth
of Big Lime-Stone 011 Nolichv. ky, thence to the
firjl Mountain about fix miles from the river 011 a
tine across the fun, was never paid for by the Ca
rolina, which joins the Virginia line.
" I wifli the Commissioners to know everything
that concerns us, as I tell nothing but the truth.
They, the People of North Carolina, have taken
our lands for no consideration ; and are now
making their fortunes out .if them. I have in
formed.the Commissioners of the lint I gave up.
The People of North Carolina and Virginia have
gone over it ; and encroached on our lands ex
preilly against our inclination. They have gone
over the line near Little River, and they have gone
over Nine-Mile Creek, which is but nine miles from
our TOWNS. I am glad of this opportunity of
getting redress from the Commissioners. If Con
grels had not interposed, I and my people must
have moved. They have even marked the lands
on the bank of the river the Town where I
live ; and from thence down in the fork of the
and Holjlon.
" 1 have given in to you a detail of the abuse
and encroachments of these two States. We shall
be fatisfied if we are paid for the lands we have
given up: but will not, »or cannot ps
any more—l mean the line I gave to Col. Christie.
" I have no more to fay—but one of our belo
ved women has, who has borne and raised up War
riors."
The War-Woman of Chota then addrejfed the Com
miJJioners :
" I am fond of hearing that there is a Peace ;
and I hope you have now taken us by the hand in
real friendfhip. I have a Pipe and a little Tobac
co to give the Commissioners to smoke in friend
fhip. I look on you and the Red People as my
C HILDREN. Your having determined on Peace
is moll pleasing to me ; for I have seen much
trouble duringthe war. lam old, but 1 hope yet
to bear children—who will grow up and people
our nation ; since we are now to be under the
protection of Congress, and shall have no more
disturbance.
" The talk I have given is from the Young
Warriors I have raised in my Town, as well as
myfelf. They rejoice that we have Peace ; and
we hope the chain of friendfhip will never more be
broken."