1854] WRITINGS OF JOSEPH HENRY. 333 



ation of the enlightened statesman and the liberal-minded 

 and judicious friend of education, must be evident to every 

 one who seriously and without prejudice observes the habits 

 of the times. 



The proper appreciation of profound learning and abstract 

 science is not as a general rule what it ought to be. The 

 most authoritative teacher is the editor of a newspaper. 

 Whatever may have been his previous training, or however 

 circumscribed his field of thought, he is the umpire to decide 

 upon all questions even of the most abstract science or the 

 most refined casuistry. 



The question may be asked with solicitude — Are the ten- 

 dencies we have mentioned inevitable ? Are there no means 

 of counteracting them? And is our civilization to share the 

 fate of that of Egypt, Greece, and Rome? Is humanity des- 

 tined to a perpetual series of periodical oscillations of which 

 the decline is in proportion to the elevation? We answer. 

 No ! Though there have been oscillations, and will be again, 

 they are like those which constitute the rising flood-tide of 

 the ocean, although separated by depressions, each is higher 

 than the one which preceded it. Something may have been 

 lost at intervals; but on the whole more has been and will 

 be gained. But how is this to be effected? The man of 

 science and literature, the educator, and the Christian teacher, 

 together with the enlightened editor, must combine their 

 efforts in a common cause, and through the influence of the 

 press, the school, the college, and the pulpit, — send forth a 

 potential voice which shall be heard above the general 

 clamor. 



Common school or elementary education is the basis on 

 which the superstructure of the plan of true progress should 

 be established; but it must be viewed in its connection with 

 a general system, and not occupy exclusively the attention 

 and patronage of governments, societies, and individuals; 

 liberal means must also be provided for imparting the most 

 profound instruction in science, literature, and art. 



In organizing new States and Territories the amplest pro- 

 vision ought to be made for all grades of education ; and it 



