53 ON THE STUDY OF LATIN. 



learned professions, is well fitted to judge of the utility of the cla^ 

 sicF. See, also, Simpson on National Education, the '•' Bubbles 

 from the Brunnens of Nassau," and Bulwer's " England and the 

 English." 



NEVILLE WOOD. 

 Foston Hall, Derbyshire, 

 Sept. 14, 1835. 



. QThe following passages from the '' Popular Illustrations of Medi^ 

 dne" by Dr. Shirley Palmer, accord so closely with the valuable 

 observations of our correspondent, Mr. Wood, that we have been 

 induced to transcribe them : — 



" It may even be questioned whether the literary acquirements of 

 early age are worth the sacrifice and the risk incurred in their pur- 

 suit. Many a weakly stripling has spent the brightest and most 

 joyous years of a precarious existence in irksome drudgery upon the 

 works of Homer and of Virgil, long ere his mind could comprehend 

 the majesty of the Greek, or be smitten with the splendour and ele- 

 gance of the Roman Poet. And what, after all, has he acquired 

 that can compensate for the lost opportunity of more fully evolving 

 his physical powers, and fortifying his constitution against the in- 

 roads of future disease .'* A knowledge of which, in riper age, a 

 few months' application, under an enlightened system of instruction, 

 would have given him a far more perfect possession ; and in the at- 

 tainment of which a matured intelligence would then have afforded 

 the most exquisite gratification. 



Still the young mind should not be suffered to run wild without 

 culture or restriction. It must be employed ; or, like the stagnant 

 pond, it will generate weeds and impurity upon the surface. But 

 the occupation should be such as will combine amusement and active 

 exercise of the limbs with the acquisition of knowledge ; and expand 

 the germ of intellect without cramping, in their development, the 

 animal organs. Such are the principles upon which the education 

 of youth, and especially of the more highly intellectual and delicate, 

 should be conducted. For this purpose. Natural History offers a 

 field, as constantly accessible as boundless and delightful. Trained 



