AN EDUCATIONAL NECESSITY.
By Chas. C. Ramsey
BY PROF. CHAS. C. RAMSEY. It is necessary to lay a broad and firm foundation, that the structure to be reared may be sustained. A thorough study of the principal branches of knowledge, and the resulting discipline received, will construct such a foundation, and upon it can be erected a substantial superstructure of thought and accumulated facts. Every hour deducted from this liberal preparation in the schools is detrimental to the work of the individual in after-years. Why, then, make haste to leave the training school for the stern duties of active life? It would have been as wise for the gladiator of ancient Rome to rush into the arena of combat, with high expectations of success over his antagonist, when his course of muscular discipline was half finished, as for the immature youth to leave school or college halls forever, when its curriculum is half completed. It is true that youth of genius might succeed without further prolongation of school-life, but it must be recollected that few possess what some are pleased to call genius. Besides, would even such remain longer at their tasks, their success might be still more assured. Every one concedes that the skill and strength acquired at school, through calisthenic exercises, will prove beneficial to him who afterward engages in manual labor, or enters the army to fight in the defense of his country. So, if the intellect be aroused and disciplined by liberal culture, the power thus engendered will be useful if the individual should afterward become a man of business, or, indeed, a follower of any pursuit. Napoleon, an acknowledged genius, received thorough mental discipline through a severe and extended course of study in the military schools of France, and in every way sought to increase his powers and to accumulate stores of knowledge. He was noted for thoroughness and hatred of sham. After an extended preparation he entered the military school at Brienne, where he studied mathematics, classics, and history, remaining five years. It was to him a delight to grapple with the most difficult problems in engineering, nor did he let those of politics remain untouched. In short, he endeavored to attain the effective use of all his faculties, holding that he would reap all the vigor of intellect and learning that he could possibly acquire during the short space of five or six years,391 While it is hoped that none will ever again surrender themselves so completely to ambition as did Napoleon, yet it is greatly to be desired that more young men regard thorough culture as highly necessary to success in life. Many more instances might be cited to show that the pursuit of an extended course of study has been productive of the greatest results in professional, political, and social life.