Report on a Course of Liberal Education. 321 



diately connected with their intended professional pursuits, 

 is of no practical utility. They of course remain ignorant of 

 that which they think not worth the learning. We are con- 

 cerned to find, that not only students, but their parents also, 

 seem frequently more sohcitous for the name of an educa- 

 tion, than the substance. 



The difficulties with which we are now struggling, we fear 

 would be increased, rather than diminished, by attempting 

 to unite different plans of education. It is far from being 

 our intention to dictate to other colleges a system to be 

 adopted by them. There may be good and sufficient rea- 

 sons why some of them should introduce a partial course of 

 instruction. We are not sure, that the demand for thorough 

 education is, at present, sufficient to fill all the colleges in 

 the United States, with students who will be satisfied with 

 nothing short of high and solid attainments. But it is to be 

 hoped that, at no very distant period, they will be able to 

 come up to this elevated ground, and leave the business of 

 second-rate education to the inferior seminaries. 



The competition of colleges may advance the interests of 

 literature : if it is a competition for excellence, rather than 

 for numbers; if each aims to surpass the others, not in an 

 imposing display, but in the substantial value of its educa- 

 tion. When the rivalry becomes a mere scramble for num- 

 bers, a dexterous arrangement of measures in beating up for 

 recruits, the standard of attainment will sink lower and low- 

 er, till the colleges are brought to a level with common acad- 

 emies. Does it become the patrons and guardians of sound 

 learning, to yield to this depressing and deteriorating influ- 

 ence ? Our country has ample resources for furnishing to 

 great numbers the means of a thorough education. At the 

 same time, pecuhar temptations are here presented to our 

 youth, to induce them to rest satisfied with a partial and su- 

 perficial course of study. In Europe, the competition among 

 literary men is so pressing, that those of moderate attain- 

 ments can have little hope of success. But in this country, 

 the field of enterprise is so wide, the demand for even ordi- 

 nary learning is so urgent, and the occupations which yield 

 a competent living are so numerous and accessible ; that a 

 young man of a very limited stock of knowledge, if he have 

 a good share of self-confidence, and a driving, bustling spirit, 

 can push himself forward into notice and employment. He 

 may even mount the steps which lead to office and popular 



Vol. XV.— No. 2. 16 



