Mr. Butlers Discourse. 193 



but not enough to make a very decided impression on the 

 public mind. Nor can they, in the nature of things, be so 

 well adapted to our system and state of society, as if published 

 in this state and conducted with special reference to our local 



We have also several publications intended for the use of 

 children and youth ; but as none of them are in general use in 

 the common schools, the introduction of newspapers has been 

 frequently recommended ; and there can be no doubt that 

 these repositories of intelligence and instruction, if properly 

 conducted, might be read with great advantage by the senior 

 pupils in our primary institutions. In addition to articles of 

 intelligence, their miscellaneous character renders them pecu- 

 liary interesting and attractive. Of the 211 newspapers pub- 

 lished in this state, there are many which not only fulfill the 

 duty of disseminating early and correct information in regard 

 to passing events ; but which surpass in entertainment, even the 

 best conducted magazines, and rival the most labored and valu- 

 able periodicals, in the aid they render to the cause of science. 

 But as no one of them is particularly intended for the use of 

 schools, it is no disparagement of their conductors, to say, (what 

 I am sure no one will deny) that there is no newspaper now 

 published in this state, well adapted to that use. Most of them 

 are connected with the political distinctions which from time 

 to time exist among our people ; neutrality in this respect be- 

 ing rarelv professed, and still more rarely observed. A few 

 are strictly of a religious character ; but these again are gen- 

 erally devoted to the inculcation or defence of particular modes 

 of faith. It is obvious that no newspar - 1 - 

 terest of any particular sect in politics 



brought into general use in the common schools; sua more 

 so, that no attempt of that sort should be countenanced for a 

 moment. Besides, most of the newspapers are more or less 

 filled with advertisements ; and they frequently contain arti- 

 cles, even of intelligence, which are unfit for the perusal of 

 youth. The same objections apply, though not to so great an 

 extent, to any attempt to make use of ordinary newspapers 

 with a view to the general improvement of education. 



The several objects designated, can therefore only be at- 

 25 



, could be 



