BIRDS, INSECTS, &c. 



fixed stars, before he knows how to plant his own beans, or harness his own horse, or can 

 tell whether the functions of his own body are performed by a heart, stomach and lungs, 

 or with a gizard and gills. 



But for the man of work thus to bolt away at once from himself and all his pursuits in 

 after life, contravenes the plainest principles of nature and common sense. No wonder 

 such educators have ever deemed the liberal culture of the industrial classes an impossibi- 

 lity, for they have never tried, nor even conceived of an}^ other way of educating them, 

 except that by which they are rendered totally unfit for their several callings in after life. 

 How absurd would it seem to set a clergyman to plowing and studying the depredations 

 of blights, insects, the growing of crops, &c., &c., in order to give him habits of thought 

 and mental discipline for the pulpit; yet, this is not half as ridiculous, in reality, as the 

 reverse absurdity of attempting to educate the man of work in unknown tongues, abstract 

 problems and theories, and metaphysical figments and quibbles. 



Some, doubtless, will regard the themes of such a course of education as too sensuous and 

 gross to be at the basis of a pure and elevated mental culture. But the themes themselves 

 cover all possible knowledge of all modes and phases of science, abstract, mixed, and prac- 

 tical. In short, the field embraces all that God has made, and all that human art has 

 done, and if the created Universe of God, and the highest art of man, are too gross for 

 our refined uses, it is a pity the " morning stars and the sons of God," did not find it out 

 as soon as the blunder was made. But, in my opinion, these topics are of quite as much 

 consequence to the well-being of man, and the healthful development of mind, as the con- 

 coction of the final nostrum in medicine, or the ultimate figment in theology and law, or 

 conjectures about the galaxy or the Greek accent; unless, indeed, the pedantic profession- 

 al trifles of one man in a thousand, are of more consequence than the daily vital interests 

 of all the rest of mankind. 



But can such an institution be created and endowed? Doubtless it can be done, and 

 done at once, if the industrial classes so decide. The fund given to this state by the ge- 

 neral government, expressly for this purpose, is amply sufficient, without a dollar from 

 any other source; and it is a mean, if not an illegal perversion of this fund, to use it for 

 any other purpose. It was given to the people, tlie whole people of this state — not for a 

 class, a party, or sect, or conglomeration of sects; not for common schools, or family 

 schools, or classical schools; but for " An University," or seminary of a high order, in 

 which should, of course, be taught all those things which every class of citizens most de- 

 sire to learn — their own duty and business for life. This, and this alone, is an University 

 in the true, original sense of the term. And if an institution which teaches all that is 

 needful only for the three professions of law, divinity, and medicine, is, therefore, an Uni- 

 versity, surely one which teaches all that is needful for all the varied professions of human 

 life, is far more deserving of the name and the endowments of an University. 



BIKDS, INSECTS, AND OTHER MATTERS. 



BY J. C. H., SYRACUSE. 



No method has proved effectual, [against the Curculio,] but placing the trees in the 

 midst of the pig and poultry yiird — and, notwithstanding the numerous remedies thathave 

 been proposed in our pages since the coiumencement of this work, this proves the only one 

 iis not failed oftcnei' than it has succeeded." 

 or our own part, we fully believe that it is the gradual decrease of small bi 



