STATE OF LEARNING. 287 



disadvantages of our present depressed state of learning. 

 That our schools, of all sorts, should not be equal to those in 

 the Eastern states, whose, age, wealth and experience sur- 

 pass ours, is not surprising. Ours is a new country, yet, and 

 we have not had the time, to mature our institutions, of all 

 sorts. It affords us some consolation, though, to see a gradual 

 improvement, slow, indeed, but steadily, moving forward, to its 

 ultimate usefulness. And we must not despise the "day of 

 small things," but hope rather, that the pace will be quicken- 

 ed, when the sun of science rises higher above the horizon. 

 A board of education and funds at its command, would be of 

 immense value to us ; and let us hope that the day is not far 

 distant, when such a board may be created and funds be set 

 apart for its benificent uses. 



It has often been pressed upon individual members of the 

 legislature, to introduce a bill, for the purpose of organizing a 

 board of education. It should form a part of the constitution 

 itself, because, without education, no real good government 

 can exist any where. Even monarchs have found it for their 

 interest to have their subjects well educated. The kings of 

 England, France and Prussia have done a great deal to pro- 

 mote learning among their people, and they are still doing 

 much, in that way. All the protestant princes of Europe are 

 doing not a little, to promote education. We have done some- 

 thing, in this state, but more needs doing, daily, by our rulers 

 and by our people, to instruct all our citizens, in all that is 

 useful for them to know. With our increased numbers, more 

 statesmen will be needed to govern us; more lawyers, physi- 

 cians and divines will be required, to maintain the rights of 

 individuals; to heal the sick, and afford moral and religious 

 instruction to our increased numbers of people. The present 

 statesmen and professional men, were educated mostly, in the 

 East, where they were born. These men, will not live always, 

 nor is it probable that there will long be, an influx of educated 

 young men from the East, into this state ; such will soon begiu 

 to travel farther west before they settle down. We shall be 

 compelled, very soon, to rely on our own resources, for profes- 



