for a Lyceum in the winter is better spent than any other equal sum
raised in the town。 If we live in the Nineteenth Century; why
should we not enjoy the advantages which the Nineteenth Century
offers? Why should our life be in any respect provincial? If we
will read newspapers; why not skip the gossip of Boston and take the
best newspaper in the world at once? not be sucking the pap of
〃neutral family〃 papers; or browsing 〃Olive Branches〃 here in New
England。 Let the reports of all the learned societies come to us;
and we will see if they know anything。 Why should we leave it to
Harper & Brothers and Redding & Co。 to select our reading? As the
nobleman of cultivated taste surrounds himself with whatever
conduces to his culture genius learning wit books
paintings statuary music philosophical instruments; and the
like; so let the village do not stop short at a pedagogue; a
parson; a sexton; a parish library; and three selectmen; because our
Pilgrim forefathers got through a cold winter once on a bleak rock
with these。 To act collectively is according to the spirit of our
institutions; and I am confident that; as our circumstances are more
flourishing; our means are greater than the nobleman's。 New England
can hire all the wise men in the world to come and teach her; and
board them round the while; and not be provincial at all。 That is
the uncommon school we want。 Instead of noblemen; let us have noble
villages of men。 If it is necessary; omit one bridge over the
river; go round a little there; and throw one arch at least over the
darker gulf of ignorance which surrounds us。
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