22 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



and its requirements are adapted to maturer minds and more 

 advanced intelligence. A thorough knowledge of the common 

 branches taught in our academies is required as a condition of 

 admittance to this college. 



The course of study is sufficiently comprehensive to meet the 

 requirements of a thorough, liberal education. No one can be 

 fully educated without a thorough training in the Natural Sciences, 

 the higher Mathematics, Physics, Mental and Moral Science, 

 English Literature and the Modern Languages. It may be con- 

 ceded that to be "a scholar, a ripe and good one, exceedingly 

 wise, fair-spoken and persuading," the classical studies are of 

 great advantage. The discipline acquired in the mastery of the 

 learned languages and in "the study of the intelligible forms of 

 ancient poets, the fair humanities of old religions," which deified 

 the forces of nature, and peopled fountains, groves, caves, moun- 

 tains and seas, with nymphs, muses, sirens and tritons, and which 

 threw such a sculpturesque humanity into their creed, may refine 

 the taste and elevate the culture of the student. Such study is 

 well enough for those whose great object is literary excellence. 

 But for those who are to be business men, mechanics or farmers, 

 it may well be questioned whether the utility of these studies 

 compensates for the labor and time bestowed. The years spent in 

 classical studies, which are usually entirely laid aside after gradu- 

 ation, appear to business men lost time. The information obtained 

 by the study of dead languages is so meagre, and equal or superior 

 mental discipline can be secured by more practical studies ; there- 

 fore many of our best educators prefer to teach the bright realities 

 of modern science rather than the wild mythology of old poets. 

 The conviction is everywhere prevalent that modern science, 

 which has produced such beneficent results in social life and in 

 elevating the condition of our race, should be sought, not alone 

 for its obvious advantages, but also as the best discipline to 

 educate the mental faculties. The knowledge which, in its practi- 

 cal application, has prolonged life, assuaged pain and provided a 

 remedy for the diseases of the bodj , may in its attainment, culti- 

 vate the perceptive powers.by requiring such careful inspection 

 of minute details. The science, which lias spanned continents 

 with means of conveyance unknown to the ancients, which has 

 Furnished new implements to the farmer, new machinery to the 

 mechanic, and new securities to the mariner, can also develop 

 mind. The study of its laws must elevate thought. The study 



