198 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



as citizens. The skilful artisan, the comprehensive farmer, the far seeing 

 merchant, the enterprising manufacturer, should he competent, when 

 occasion demands, to be an officer in the army, or a statesman at home, 

 or a minister abroad. 



Our Agricultural Colleges have heretofore failed because they aimed to 

 educate for the pursuit of agriculture only. The sons of our farmers 

 are not less ambitious of distinction than others, and an education that 

 regards them as farmers only cannot meet their approbation. The pur- 

 pose of an education is to teach men to observe and to think — these are 

 alike essential to all pursuits, and in these operations of the mind all the 

 faculties are called in requisition. A skilful and correct use of their 

 power is the boon of instruction. Their general development is first to 

 be accomplished, and subsequently this developed power is to be applied 

 to particular pursuits. A course of instruction regarded merely as infor- 

 mation is not less necessary to one pursuit than another, for a mere farm- 

 ed, or mechanic, is not less to be discountenanced than a mere lawyer. 

 General science and knowledge is as essential and is as becoming to the 

 one as the other. All pursuits, then, may have a common course of in-- 

 struction. 



From these general remarks, rendered necessary by prevailing errone- 

 ous opinions respecting the instruction suitable to the industrial classes, 

 we return to the question asked, that it may now be answered specifi- 

 cally — What course of instruction should be adopted in our industrial Colleges ? 



First — Languages. — Besides the considerations just advanced, a knowl- 

 edge of the English language, to express his thoughts, either in writing 

 or speaking clearly, forcibly, and elegantly, is as important to one en- 

 gaged in an industrial pursuit as in a professional. In early years, as 

 twelve to sixteen, a youth cannot make more progress in learning it than 

 by the study of the Latin language. It is a language that has added 

 much to. our own. Its study familiarizes the pupil with English words 

 and their meanings, and their use to express ideas both correctly and 

 elegantly. The study of the Latin grammar instructs him in the Eng- 

 lish grammar. And the knowledge of Latin is absolutely essential, if 

 he would better understand and more readily remember the numerous 

 words derived from this language used in works on the natural sciences. 



The German language is used so extensively in the business transac- 

 tions of many parts of the United States, that opportunity to acquire it 

 should be given in these Colleges. It need not, however, be made an 

 essential part of the regular course of study. 



Second — The Mathematics. — The study of mechanical laws is directly 

 connected with the mechanical and manufacturing arts. So far as math- 

 ematics is essential to their understanding, to disciplining the mind, and 

 a thoi'ough knowledge of natural sciences, they should be made a part of 

 the course of stud} 7 . 



Third — Of the other branches of study, we cannot do better than to 

 adopt the following, transmitted to the Department by Eichard Owen, a 

 brother of Robert Dale Owen, and of the late David Dale Owen, a name 

 familiar to every intelligent citizen on account of his eminent attain- 

 ments in science, and his practical application of them in geological and 

 mineralogical surveys. Mr. Eichard Owen is now a Professor in the 

 State University of Indiana, at Bloomington, and is not less thorough in 

 his scientific acquirements. He has received a military education, also, 

 and until recently commanded a division of the Indiana troops. 



A course of study, although briefly laid down, by one who is as prac- 

 tical as learned, cannot but receive the careful consideration of all. 



