College and University Education in America [pp. 53-59]

College and University Education.
of life -shall not be outraged. The result is, that;such meetings are matters of course, and naturally accommodate
themselves to the restraints, which unforbidden indulgences
soon learn to impose upon themselves. It is true that evil
results might ensue in some cases, but they would be less
numerous than under the present system. Every Collegian's experience will assure him that the temptation to gross
dissipation is more in the h7azard of the pleasure than in the
pleasure itself. Youths are at infinite painis to engage in
frolics which are forbidden-when, if left at liberty to
choose, or reject, their palates, if not their good sense,
would wholly protect them.
But there is a better method of ensuring the safety of the
scholar. Parents and hlead-masters have an idea that they
are advancing their several reputations, if they can obtain
a mere lad entrance into College. The children are cramrmed with Greek and Latin, and are thus thrown into the
unavoidable license of an association with young men of
twenty or twenty-one years of age. Bad habits are sooner
learned than roots or formulae, and the precocious child returns a profligate or a drunkard. No youth should enter
College before he is seventeen. If he wishes to enter professional life at an earlier period than such a course will admit of, a parent had better forego training the unripe morals
-of his son in the heated atmosphere of a University life.
We may have fewer youthful prodigies, but more:men
will grow to honour and reputation.
Another wholesome lesson might be inculcated. A College is not a place for punishment, but for voluntaryinstruction. The true rule for the government of College a-uthorities, is to dismiss all who cannot restrain themselves
within due bounds, when they are left free to choose between right and wrong. The discipline of a penitentiaryhouse will never fitly educate a studt-ent. It is sufficient to
give him the opportunity of learning. The authorities -of a
University do not resemble a private tutor, who stands, to
some extent, in the place of a parent. Their sole business
is to afford facilities for -instruction; and to prevent vice and
disor, -by the removal of such as are dangerous inmates,
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L.J,.y,