52 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
American Society for the Diffusion of Useful 
Knowledge. 
We conclude, to-day, the answer of the Executive 
Committee of the American Society for the Diffusion 
of Useful Knowledge, to the charges brought against it 
by our New-Hampshire correspondent. We do not wish 
to be considered either a party or an umpire, in the 
controversy, and shall therefore leave our readers to 
draw their own conclusions. We objected to the libra¬ 
ry which the society had got up for common schools, 
not so much on account of its demerits, as from its defi¬ 
ciency in works of intrinsic value to an agricultural 
population. And we furthermore doubted the compe¬ 
tency of exclusively literary, professional and mercan¬ 
tile men, however good their intentions, to make a pro¬ 
per selection of books, suited to the wants, the tastes 
and the improvement of an agricultural population; for 
however intrinsically good books may be, they will do 
no good except they are read; and they will seldom be 
read when they are adapted neither to the tastes nor in¬ 
terests of those into whose hands they are placed. Few 
professional or mercantile men take an interest in read¬ 
ing works upon agriculture and rural economy. They, 
of course, are not competent judges of such works, and 
the society has, perhaps, acted wisely in omitting them 
altogether in their selection. The laboring community 
feel a like indifference to works of mere literature and 
taste. They would remark as an excellent farmer once 
did to us, when walking through our flower garden— 
“ What are all these things good for ? You can neither 
eat nor drink them, nor sell them for money.” Men 
must acquire a taste for the flowers of literature, as 
well as for the flowers of nature, before they will ad¬ 
mire or cultivate them. We must propitiate the hus¬ 
bandman, by teaching him how to increase the profits 
of his farm, before we can persuade him to devote his 
time to the embellishment of his garden. There is a 
natural gradation in these matters, and unless we be¬ 
gin right, with what is most likely to become useful as 
w r ell as agreeable, we shall fail in our object. And as 
to the apology which is made for acknowledged defi 
ciencies, while it may exonorate the managers from 
blame in the selection, it abates nothing of its faults. 
There was no obligation on the part of the society to 
get up a library, any more than there was in any other 
society, or individual. It was altogether a voluntary 
matter; and our regret, and we fear the public misfor¬ 
tune is, that it did volunteer, with the slender means, and 
precipitate hurry, which are urged in its excuse. 
After attentively examining the defence, we are dispos¬ 
ed to accord to the gentlemen managers of the society, an 
honest intention of doing a public service; yet we must 
question whether they have been successful to the ex¬ 
tent which the name and character of the society led 
the public to expect. 
One circumstance will not fail to excite surprise, and 
that is, that although we are furnished with the names 
of ninety-six officers, who have either positively or ta¬ 
citly consented to bear the honors conferred upon them, 
to say nothing of the ordinary members of the society 
—we say, that notwithstanding the ninety-six officers— 
the wonder is, that only twenty-five individuals seem to 
have contributed any thing to the funds of the society! 
and that but fourteen of these have apparently contri¬ 
buted any thing more than the initiating fee 11 We do 
not notice this to disparage the services of the few gen¬ 
tlemen who have devoted their means and their time to 
the professed philanthropic objects of the institution; 
but to mark the indifference which the American public 
manifest towards an institution which might, under pro¬ 
per encouragement and support, be of invaluable ser¬ 
vice to our country. It is a problem which remains to 
be solved, whether under existing circumstances, it will 
be easier to mend the old, or to make a new society. 
We have been inadvertently drawn into the discussion 
of this matter, from a desire to fulfil a duty to our agri¬ 
cultural patrons. It has taken a turn which we did not 
anticipate, foreign to the objects of our paper. We 
have published the charges and the defence, and must 
decline any further notice of the controversy. 
Mr. Weld’s Manual Labor Report. 
This report, drawn up by Thos. D. Weld, agent for 
the Society for promoting Manual Labor in Literary In¬ 
stitutions, contains a number of interesting facts and 
testimonies on the subject of manual labor, when applied 
to literary institutions; not as affording instruction in 
the business which the pupil is to foliow_for a liveli¬ 
hood—for life—but as a means of promoting physical 
health, moral health—and as having'a salutary influ¬ 
ence in developing the powers of the mind. ..In this case, 
it will be seen, the physical and mental powers do not 
act reciprocally. The mind is benefitted by the manual 
labor of the body ; but it does not give back, to produc¬ 
tive labor, aught that can simplify its operations, in¬ 
crease its profits, elevate its character, or multiply its 
enjoyments—because the object of the pupil is, not to 
learn to live by labor, in the common sense of the term, 
but to live without labor—to gain health and vigor of in¬ 
tellect, without gaining a knowledge of the art§ of la- 
frof, with the view of making them the pursuit of life. 
We beg Ike reader to bear these facts in mind, while 
he reads the extracts which follow; and to consider, 
with how much greater force they would apply in a 
school of theoretical and practical agriculture—-where 
the study and labor would not only be directed.' to a 
common point—to the intended business of the pupil for 
life—but where study would instruct and lighten labor, 
and labor illustrate and enrich study. Theory and prac¬ 
tice, in the learned professions—in the manufacturing 
and mechanic arts, are reciprocal aids, and agreeable 
companions. They call into action, when thus blended, 
our highest powers; they awaken the deepest interest; 
they excite the purest pleasures ; they produce the most 
beneficial results. Who will say, that all these happy 
influences would not be realized in a school of agricul¬ 
ture, where the field of observation and improvement is 
illimitable, and where -the object of study and of labor, 
is emphatically, to augment the happiness of the great 
human family? They would be realized. The experi¬ 
ment has been made, and has succeeded; and other 
countries, which, from political and contracted con¬ 
siderations, we are accustomed to consider below us in 
the scale of civilization, are reaping the benefits of these 
institutions ; while we, who claim to he the most free 
and enlightened people upon the globe, are reposing in 
ignoble apathy—and striving, not who can, or will, do 
the most to promote the common weal—but who can do 
the most to promote his own interest, regardless of the 
common weal. 
By the introduction of manual labor into literary 
schools, Mr. Weld contends : 
“1. The student would be kept busy. In the present, system, 
there are three or four hours in all our institutions, during 
which the student is set free from all requisitions. He has 
nothing to do. Then, if universal experience proves any 
thing, he stands upon slippery places. It was when the un¬ 
clean spirit had found the house empty , that he introduced se¬ 
ven other spirits fouler than himself. Let any man visit our 
literary institutions, and take an inventory of tacts upon this 
subject, and he will be convinced that hours of idleness are a 
gift to the student, originating in very questionable benevo¬ 
lence. In fine, modern education, by throwing into the hands 
of youth a number of vacant hours each day, holds out a pre¬ 
mium to insubordination, and practically legalizes those innu¬ 
merable devices of mischief, indecency, and outrage, which 
abound in our literary institutions. Instead ofsurrounding the 
forming character with bulwarks of defence, it opens a thou¬ 
sand avenues of access, and surrenders the individual to in¬ 
discriminate assault. Yea, more; it furnishes temptation with 
a passport to its victim, smooths the way for it, beckons it 
onward, and by refusing to make those requisitions which 
would keep it at bay, becomes its endorser, appears as its apo¬ 
logist and its advocate, and pleads for justification of the ruin 
it produces. Whereas, if this defect in the existing order of 
things should give place to a regulation which would fill up 
with suitable exercise those hours of idleness so perilous to 
the student, lie would be kept ‘ out of harm’s way.' 
2. Sufficient exercise would be a preventive of moral evils 
by supplying that demand for vivid sensation so characteristic 
of youth, whose clamors for indulgence drive multitudes to 
licentious indulgence, or to ardent spirits, tobacco, and other 
unnatural stimulants. It would preserve the equilibrium of 
the system, moderate the inordinate demands of animal excit¬ 
ability, and quell the insurrection of appetite. 
3. Sufficient exercise would operate as a preventive of mo¬ 
ral evils, by removing those causes of irritability, jealousy, fic¬ 
kleness, and depression of spirits, which are found in an un¬ 
healthful state of the system. In corroboration of these views, 
permit me to introduce the following testimony. 
‘ The most effectual security against external and internal 
causes of corruption, is constant occupation ; and without this, 
no system of discipline can be efficient. * * * And it is es¬ 
pecially important, while the character is yet unformed, and 
the appetites and passions yet unaccustomed to submission 
and seif-denial.'— Annals of Education. 
‘ Industry is the great moralizer of man. The great art of 
education, therefore, consists in knowing how to occupy every 
moment in well directed and useful activity of the youthful 
powers.’ — Fellenberg. 
‘ The declaration is as trite as it is true, that exercise pro¬ 
motes virtue, and subdues the storms of passion. 1 —Dr. Harris 
of Philadelphia, on Physical Culture. 
‘ Labor of all kinds favors and facilitates the practice of vir¬ 
tue.’— Dr. Rush . 
1 Make men work, and you will make them honest. 1 '— John 
Howard. 
I. The manual labor system furnishes exercise natural to 
man. 
That agricultural and mechanical employments are natural 
to man, is an obvious inference from the arrangements of Pro¬ 
vidence God designs that the human race generally should 
engage in these employments. He has placed men in cir¬ 
cumstances which require it; and are those kinds of exercise 
for which infinite wisdom designed the human system, ill 
adapted to that system ? Can human ingenuity devise an ar¬ 
tificial system, better adapted to the necessities of man than 
that which God has prescribed ? 
‘Manual labor, has in my opinion, decided advantages 
over gymnastic exercises. In addition to the superior moral 
influence which it is calculated to exert, the kind of exercise 
is better adapted to promote the healthy and vigorous action 
of the system.’— Dr. Drown, late Physician to the N. Y. Hos¬ 
pital. 
‘ It appears, I think, from principle, as well as experience, 
that horticulture and agriculture are better fitted for the pro¬ 
motion of health and sound morals, than any other human oc¬ 
cupation.’— Dr. Caldwell, Professor Med. Depart., Transyl¬ 
vania University , Ky. 
II. It furnishes exercise adapted to interest the mind. 
Agricultural exercise, and various mechanical employments 
interest the mind of the student, 
1. By presenting o variety of objects to allure his atten¬ 
tion. 
2. By the successive changes effected in these objects by 
his own efforts, and the different forms which they continual¬ 
ly assume under his hand, as the work goes on. 
3. By the exercise of ingenuity, tact, and skill which they 
demand. 
4. By the associating idea of their usefulness, not merely to 
himself, but to his country, and the whole family of man, in 
multiplying the comforts and conveniences of life; in promot¬ 
ing practical habits, and giving countenance to industry. 
< No mode of exercise can in ordinary cases be compared, 
either as to profit or pleasure, with some kind of efficient la- 
lorf — Rev. Dr. Woods, Andover Theol. Sem. 
‘if two or three hours ought to be spent in healthful exer¬ 
cise why not employ those hours in the pleasant occupation 
of horticultuie-, agriculture, or mechanics.’— Rev. Dr. Alexan¬ 
der } Princeton 'IheoU Sem. 
‘Iam equally convinced, that manual labor of some kind, 
is peculiarly adapted to this end,’—[for the purposes of exer¬ 
cise.]— Professor Goodrich, Yale College. 
III. Its moral effect would be peculiarly happy. 
IV. It would furnish the student with important practical ac¬ 
quisitions. 
A practical acquaintance with agriculture and gardening, 
with some knowledge of mectianical employments, and skill 
in the use of tools, are accomplishments more than conveni¬ 
ent to every man, whatever his station in life; accomplish¬ 
ments befitting the nature of our government, and the charac¬ 
ter of a republican people. 
1 Who w ould not wish for the capacity to help himself, on 
a thousand little occasions, at home and abroad, when a fami¬ 
liar acquaintance with the use of common mechanical imple¬ 
ments, would enable him to avoid those many vexations 
which are wont to arise from the absence of mechanics, and 
their want of punctuality ; which are so precisely suited to 
annoy the very persons, who take the least care to provide 
against them.’— President Humphreys, St. John's College, 
Annapolis, Md. 
V. It would promote habits of industry. 
Habit is formed by the repetition of single act*. To he 
constantly employed is to be forming a habit of industry.— 
Constant occupation is the peculiarity of the manual labor sys¬ 
tem. 
VI. It would promote independence of character. 
Exercise is the universal law of improvement for the facul¬ 
ties of the mind, as well as the powers of the body. If the 
memory is to be improved, it must, be exercised. If scope is 
to be given to the imagination, stability to the judgment, and 
enetgy to the reasoning powers, the object can be accom¬ 
plished only by the exercise of the several powers. Giving, 
enlarges benevolence; daring, increases courage; enduring, 
augments fortitude; and self reliance promotes independence. 
Independence is an intelligent reliance upon one’s own re¬ 
sources, If we would develop this principle, we must call 
it into action; and how shall it be called into action, except 
by creating a necessity for its action by throwing the indivi¬ 
dual upon his own resources; thus not only developing, but 
multiplying them ? That system, then, by which the student 
can support himself w ith the least amount of aid from others, 
is manifestly better calculated than any other to promote in¬ 
dependence of character. This, the manual labor system ac¬ 
complishes. 
When will a child learn to walk if it is never set upon its 
feet 1 He who bears all his weight upon others is in a fair 
way to become a cripple; and he must either lose his legs, or 
throw away his crutches.* 
VII. It would promote originality. 
The student who has been accustomed for years to tax his 
own resources for the supply of his wants, has formed a ha¬ 
bit of inestimable value to his mind. Habituaied to resort to 
himself for the means of his own support, he would be far 
more likely to construct his intellectual fabrics from the mate¬ 
rials of his own producing. Instead of being a petty retai er 
of other men’s wares, he would have a wholesale manufacto¬ 
ry of his own. Let a demand be made upon such a man for 
thought, and instead of applying to his library for aid, and 
fumbling over every thing, from a commentary to a catechism, 
he will dig in the depths of his own mine, coin the metal in 
his own mint, and stamp it with his own image and super¬ 
scription. 
VIII. It is adapted to render permanent all the manlier fea¬ 
tures of character. 
A system of seclusion, inactivity, idleness, and depend¬ 
ence, has a tendency to weaken the strong points of the cha¬ 
racter, and render it sickly and effeminate. 
On the other hand, a system requiring activity, industry, 
exposure, energetic action, and seif reliance, incorporates in¬ 
to the still forming character, the elements of firmness, deci¬ 
sion, perseverance, courage, constancy, and generous self- 
sacrifice. It produces a commodity which the exigencies of 
our own age call for with deafening clamor, but which is a 
scarcity in the modern market— manhood, full groivn man¬ 
hood .f 
IX. It would afford facilities to the student in acquiring a 
knowledge of human nature. 
Whoever would understand human nature, must lay bare 
the springs of human action; the pulsations of the naked 
heart must be seen. The natural successions of thought and 
feeling must be marked as they come and go, and these les¬ 
sons must be conned often and long, if he would be more than 
a mere smatterer in the science of human character. But 
how is the student to witness these exhibitions ? Students 
generally are introduced into the higher classes of society, as 
they are called ; and they will hardly get a glimpse at them 
there; where etiquette is law, actions are measured by rule, 
and the heart studiously covered up. The middling and low¬ 
er classes of society, which are not wrapped up in the innu¬ 
merable folds of ceremony, nor entangled in the endless 
meshes of fashionable forms, furnish the best text book in the 
science of the heart. But how shall the student narrow down 
the distance between the learned and the laboring classes, and 
thus get sufficiently near the latter to see them as they are ? 
He may mingle with them a lifetime, but if he cannot make 
them feel at home with him, he can never see that unobstruct¬ 
ed flow of thought and feeling which constitutes nature. He 
must first remove that instinctive aversion and prejudice 
which keep them from him ; and these cannot be done away 
effectually, except, by removing the causes which produce 
and perpetuate them; and the main cause is total dissimilari¬ 
ty in habits and mode of life. Similarity of habits strikes a 
common level, produces familiarity of intercourse, establishes 
a bond of union, and excites a feeling of mutual interest. 
Let our students put on a working dress, and spend three 
hours a day in agricultural or mechanical employment, and 
they would disarm the laboring man of his prejudices, and 
beckon him toward them. That discontent, jealousy, envy, 
disgust, and those heart-burnings, w hich keep in a ferment 
the laboring classes in the vicinity of our higher seminaries, 
■ “ I cannot here omit particularly noticing, a qualify of the man¬ 
ly character which our etieminate education is continually render¬ 
ing more scarce. This is a certain wise confidence in our own 
powers, which prevents us from crying out for help, or falling into 
despair on every trifling occasion—a quality which must be at the 
bottom of every great or little enterprise, and which is indispensa¬ 
bly necessary to enable us as men and citizens, to preserve a cer¬ 
tain independence.”— Salzman. 
t “ In a word, industrious habits of daily labor will metamorphose 
a book-worm into a man; a man prompt and ready for all emergen¬ 
cies.— a man of the nineteenth century.”—Professor Stoughton , 
Med. Col. Ohio. 
