OF EDUCATION 23 



the world, is practically ignored ; and the recipients 

 of our boasted education must grope their way in 

 darkness, stumbling at every step in a world of light 

 and order, because they are unable to read the lan- 

 guage of the Infinite, which he has written in living 

 characters upon every object and every phenomenon 

 around us. 



Language and mathematics are very useful 

 branches, but are to be studied as a means and not 

 an end. They are indispensable at every step in the 

 educational process, as a means of discovering and 

 expressing real knowledge and when put to their 

 legitimate uses, they will be learned most effectually, 

 by using them. The normal method confers by far 

 the best mental discipline, as well as the most avail- 

 able culture in language and mathematics. To these 

 it adds a thorough and practical knowledge of the 

 sciences of nature ; and all for half the cost of ordin- 

 ary education. The reason is obvious, — science 

 directs in one case, and the dictates of tradition and 

 empiricism in the other. Jackson's battle at New 

 Orleans had not been heard of in all the States, thirty 

 days after it was fought. To-day thirty minutes 

 would almost suffice to send the intelligence over the 

 civilized world. A single application of science has 

 wrought the marvellous change ! And can science 

 do nothing for education ? Are not the human mind 



