north america-1-第86章
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ur English schools； never got beyond the use of those bones which he described with such accurate scientific knowledge。 In one of the girls' schools they were reading Milton； and when we entered were discussing the nature of the pool in which the devil is described as wallowing。 The question had been raised by one of the girls。 A pool； so called； was supposed to contain but a small amount of water； and how could the devil； being so large； get into it？ Then came the origin of the word poolfrom 〃palus；〃 a marsh； as we were told； some dictionary attesting to the fact； and such a marsh might cover a large expanse。 The 〃Palus Maeotis〃 was then quoted。 And so we went on till Satan's theory of political liberty；
〃Better to reign in hell than serve in heaven；〃
was thoroughly discussed and understood。 These girls of sixteen and seventeen got up one after another and gave their opinions on the subjecthow far the devil was right； and how far he was manifestly wrong。 I was attended by one of the directors or guardians of the schools； and the teacher； I thought； was a little embarrassed by her position。 But the girls themselves were as easy in their demeanor as though they were stitching handkerchiefs at home。 It is impossible to refrain from telling all this； and from making a little innocent fun out of the superexcellencies of these schools； but the total result on my mind was very greatly in their favor。 And indeed the testimony came in both ways。 Not only was I called on to form an opinion of what the men and women would become from the education which was given to the boys and girls； but also to say what must have been the education of the boys and girls from what I saw of the men and women。 Of course it will be understood that I am not here speaking of those I met in society or of their children； but of the working peopleof that class who find that a gratuitous education for their children is needful； if any considerable amount of education is to be given。 The result is to be seen daily in the whole intercourse of life。 The coachman who drives you； the man who mends your window； the boy who brings home your purchases； the girl who stitches your wife's dress；they all carry with them sure signs of education； and show it in every word they utter。 It will of course be understood that this is； in the separate States； a matter of State law； indeed； I may go further； and say that it is； in most of the States； a matter of State constitution。 It is by no means a matter of Federal constitution。 The United States as a nation takes no heed of the education of its people。 All that is left to the judgment of the separate States。 In most of the thirteen original States provision is made in the written constitution for the general education of the people； but this is not done in all。 I find that it was more frequently done in the Northern or free…soil States than in those which admitted slavery； as might have been expected。 In the constitutions of South Carolina and Virginia I find no allusion to the public provision for education； but in those of North Carolina and Georgia it is enjoined。 The forty…first section of the constitution for North Carolina enjoins that 〃schools shall be established by the legislature for the convenient instruction of youth； with such salaries to the masters； paid by the public； as may enable them to instruct at LOW PRICES〃showing that the intention here was to assist education； and not provide it altogether gratuitously。 I think that provision for public education is enjoined in the constitutions of all the States admitted into the Union since the first Federal knot was tied except in that of Illinois。 Vermont was the first so admitted； in 1791； and Vermont declares that 〃a competent number of schools ought to be maintained in each town for the convenient instruction of youth。〃 Ohio was the second； in 1802； and Ohio enjoins that 〃the General Assembly shall make such provisions by taxation or otherwise as； with the income arising from the school trust fund； will secure a thorough and efficient system of common schools throughout the State； but no religions or other sect or sects shall ever have any exclusive right or control of any part of the school funds of this State。〃 In Indiana； admitted in 1816； it is required that 〃the General Assembly shall provide by law for a general and uniform system of common schools。〃 Illinois was admitted next； in 1818； but the constitution of Illinois is silent on the subject of education。 It enjoins； however； in lieu of this； that no person shall fight a duel or send a challenge！ If he do； he is not only to be punished； but to be deprived forever of the power of holding any office of honor or profit in the State。 I have no reason； however； for supposing that education is neglected in Illinois； or that dueling has been abolished。 In Maine it is demanded that the townsthe whole country is divided into what are called townsshall make suitable provision at their own expense for the support and maintenance of public schools。 Some of these constitutional enactments are most magniloquently worded； but not always with precise grammatical correctness。 That for the famous Bay State of Massachusetts runs as follows： 〃Wisdom and knowledge； as well as virtue； diffused generally among the body of the people； being necessary for the preservation of their rights and liberties； and as these depend on spreading the opportunities and advantages of education in the various parts of the country and among the different orders of the people； it shall be the duty of the legislatures and magistrates； in all future periods of this commonwealth； to cherish the interest of literature and the sciences； and of all seminaries of them； especially the University at Cambridge； public schools and grammar schools； in the towns； to encourage private societies and public institutions by rewards and immunities for the promotion of agriculture； arts； sciences； commerce； trades； manufactures； and a natural history of the country； to countenance and inculcate the principles of humanity and general benevolence； public and private charity； industry and frugality； honesty and punctuality in all their dealings； sincerity； good humor； and all social affections and generous sentiments among the people。〃 I must confess that； had the words of that little constitutional enactment been made known to me before I had seen its practical results； I should not have put much faith in it。 Of all the public schools I have ever seenby public schools I mean schools for the people at large maintained at public costthose of Massachusetts are； I think； the best。 But of all the educational enactments which I ever read； that of the same State is； I should say； the worst。 In Texas now； of which as a State the people of Massachusetts do not think much； they have done it better： 〃A general diffusion of knowledge being essential to the preservation of the rights and liberties of the people； it shall be the duty of the legislature of this State to make suitable provision for the support and maintenance of public schools。〃 So say the Texans； but then the Texans had the advantage of a later experience than any which fell in the way of the constitution… makers of Massachusetts。 There is something of the magniloquence of the French styleof the liberty； equality； and fraternity mode of eloquencein the preambles of most of these constitutions； which； but for their success； would have seemed to have prophesied loudly of failure。 Those of New York and Pennsylvania are the least so； and that of Massachusetts by far the most violently magniloquent。 They generally commence by thanking God for the present civil and religious liberty of the people； and by declaring that all men are born free and equal。 New York and Pennsylvania； however； refrain from any such very general remarks。 I am well aware that all these constitutional enactments are not likely to obtain much credit in England。 It is not only that grand phrases fail to convince us； but that they carry to our senses almost an assurance of their own inefficiency。 When we hear that a people have declared their intention of being henceforward better than their neighbors； and goin
