12 



proper degree of opposition against their unjust neglect, and have become as 

 unjust in their denunciations of the languages. 



If words, then, are things, a knowledge of them should not be disregarded 

 in a government like ours. It is very true that to the professional classes 

 languages may be more important, because words are an important part of 

 their occupations, as well as in their relations to social influences and their 

 duties as citizens. It is also true that the fanner is more isolated than others, 

 but for that reason he should be more skilled with the pen. Either through 

 the agency of the press or by letters he should communicate with his fellow- 

 farmers on matters of their occupation. All of them should take counsel to- 

 gether on public affairs. But all other of the industrial classes are in constant 

 association. Without the knowledge of words and their ready use, the in- 

 dustrial classes can never wield an influence for the defence of their occupa- 

 tions, or their social status, or for the right administration of public affairs. As a 

 mere accomplishment they have a right to it, for social power rests much on 

 accomplishments ; and whatever adorns, as well as whatever strengthens and 

 elevates, belongs as much to the industrial classes as to the professional. He 

 is false to them who demands less. The study of a language such as the 

 Latin is the readiest w^ay to a correct understanding of the English language, 

 for it has given to it a third of its words in common use, and names to much 

 of the nomenclature of the sciences. It lays, too, the foundation for a more 

 speedy acquisition of most of the modern languages. Of the latter, it is a 

 prevailing opinion that French and German should be taught in the industrial 

 colleges, not as a necessary part of the regular course of instruction, but to 

 those who may desire to better prepare themselves for commercial transactions 

 among the foreign population at home, or with foreigners abroad, as well as to 

 all others wishing such instruction from any motive. 



Of those studies which may be classed among the accomplishments, I will 

 refer to but two history and biography. The history of nations must be 

 studied by the industrial classes, but not that history whose only purpose is to 

 narrate what kings and parties have done, or what battle has been fought by 

 this or that general. They have a history of their own, and therefore history 

 should narrate what has been accomplished by the industrial classes. It 

 should show, as Mr. Herbert Spencer remarks, " to what extent the division of 

 labor was carried ; what influences regulated production ; what was the con- 

 nexion between capital and labor, between employers and employed ; what 

 were the agencies for distributing commodities ; what were the means of com- 

 munication; what was the circulating medium. Accompanying all of which 

 should come an account of the industrial arts technically considered, stating 

 the processes in use and the quality of the products. Further, the intellectual 

 condition of the nation in its various grades should be depicted, not only with 

 respect to the kind and amount of education, but with respect to the progress 

 made in science, and the prevailing manner of thinking. The degree of 

 aesthetic culture, as displayed in architecture, sculpture, painting, dress, music, 

 poetry, and fiction, should be described ; nor should there be omitted a sketch 

 of the daily lives of the people, their food, their homes, and their amusements ; 

 and lastly, to connect the whole, should be exhibited the morals, theoretical 

 and practical, of all classes, as indicated in their laws, habits, proverbs, and 

 deeds. All these facts, given with as much brevity as consists with clearness 

 and accuracy, should be so grouped and arranged that they may be compre- 

 hended in their assembled connexion, and thus may be contemplated as mu- 

 tually dependent parts of one great whole;" or, in other words, that the history 

 of the industrial classes should be written and studied, and not the acts of 

 kings and potentates. 



Biography should be read ; not that of party rulers, but of those who were 

 leaders in invention ; of those whose ships whitened every ocean, who reared 



