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 A SYSTEM 
 
 ON THE 
 
 Principle of connecting science with usefitMabour. 
 
 The instruction and bringing up of youth is a subject of great 
 importance, both to the individual instructed, and to society ; for 
 every member becomes, in a greater or less degree, interested. It" 
 the youth become a useful member o! the community, he contributes 
 to the general good ; but if the reverse, he takes from that good in 
 proportion to his vices and bad habits. Some, it may be said, do 
 neither good or evil, being mere drr-nesin the hive; but, on reflec- 
 tion, it can scarcely be said that Jffiy one member of society is of 
 this class ; for, if they do not immediately act to the detriment of 
 others, still *heir example will havt its baneful influence. All be- 
 come partak n'S of the public good, and all should, in some way or 
 other, uontfibnte to this good. Wi h this view of the subject, edu- 
 cation beco;ues a national as well a an individual concern. 
 
 On the present plan, it is quite tti certain as to its successful re- 
 sult, [t is much to be lamented that, after many years and much 
 expense have been devoted to this object, the favorable termination 
 still remains so doubtful. In the present mode of education, it ap- 
 pears to the writer that sufficient attention is not given to the for- 
 mation of habits which would lead to active, useful industry, and 
 prevent the waste of time. Early habits become our friends or en- 
 emies through life, and will tend either to add to, or take from, the 
 public good. They should be formed with reference to future use- 
 fulness. Fortius purpose, science and labor should become united. 
 A system might be formed to connect them, by allotting, early in 
 life, a portion of time, daily to the acquisition of some useful mechan- 
 ical branch, practical agriculture, or horticulture, or by uniting them, 
 and would be no hindrance to the pupil's progress in science, but 
 serve as a profitable relaxation from his studies. A small portion of 
 time might still be given to recreation, where the age and disposition 
 required it. This plan would produce such habits as would prove 
 beneficial through life to the individual, to his connexions, and add 
 to the public good. It would be complying with that law of God, 
 which, in the origin of the world, declared that man should eat his 
 bread by the sweat of his face — or useful labour. 
 
s 
 
 The character of man is formed in early life, or at least, a foun- 
 dation is laid that will greatly influence him in future years. It, 
 therefore, becomes necessary to give both mind and body that bias 
 which may prove advantageous. To come into active life with 
 habits of industry, and a right estimate of the value of time, will 
 form the best protection against the vices incident to youth, and the 
 best security for success in whatever pursuit may be undertaken. 
 They would also possess a greater degree of confidence in them- 
 selves, and as this is evidently a changing world, should they fail in 
 their pursuits, they would still have a resource within themselves. 
 Should they be engaged in agriculture, skill in the use of tools 
 would .be ,of great service, enabling them to make or mend their 
 implements of husbandry, or to erect buildings for their use. The 
 earth, that great depository, provided by God with a rich abundance 
 of good things to nourish the body and to please the senses of man, 
 will not open its treasures, nor yield its supplies, without labour. 
 Man, in a savage state, may exist as the wild beasts of the forest ; 
 but, in civilized society, he cannot live without its application. God 
 has so ordained it that his law is essential to us, which commands 
 that man should provide his bread by labour ; and by its judicious 
 application, the earth readily yields an abundance whereby man is 
 remunerated for all his toil, and it is calculated to fill his heart with 
 gratitude and love to his great Creator, who, in the productions of 
 the earth, gives a rich display of his wisdom, power, and goodness. 
 
 By this plan of education, youth would acquire a more patient and 
 persevering industry, and be more temperate and moderate in their 
 views, which would lessen that too prevailing disposition for specu- 
 lation, with the hope of acquiring fortunes at once, in which so many 
 fail, and some are lost to society. By habits of industrious appli- 
 cation of mind and body, men would be more willing to continue 
 their pursuits to the end of life, with moderate acquisitions. All 
 men desire happiness : youth seek it with ardor, and too often from 
 indulgence in expensive and mistaken pleasures, which end in dis- 
 appointment, pain, and sorrow. It would have a tendency to mode- 
 rate their taste for false pleasure, and make useful employment a 
 source of happiness. This system would raise bodily labor from that 
 too degraded state, in which it is now viewed, (especially by youth,) 
 and place it on a more respectable footing, and would be complying 
 with the order of Providence in man's degenerate state. Was this 
 duty early impressed by precept, example, and practice, so that men 
 were habituated to act under its influence, it would greatly mitigate 
 the painfulness of labour, and make that more pleasant which is now 
 considered a hardship. It would tend to eradicate a mistaken pro- 
 pensity, too inherent in human nature, that indulgence and ease give 
 happiness. The effect of this plan would be to lessen the number 
 of drones in the human hive. Man would be so employed as to 
 secure to society the sweets of industry, and thereby contribute 
 most effectually to his own comfort and happiness. 
 
 . 
 
Much has been done by the forming of societies for the relief of 
 the indigent and distressed, and for the prevention of pauperism. 
 What so likely to prove effectual as an early education, calculated 
 to give habits of industry, and a right estimation of the value of 
 time ? This would be laying the axe at the root of the evil, and be 
 the means of preventing many of our youth from becoming habitual 
 idlers and public burdens. 
 
 Should this system of education become general, those early ha- 
 bits would be so stamped on the character as not to be easily defaced, 
 and would lessen those crimes which now fill our prisons. As it is 
 much easier to prevent disease, by temperate living, than to effect a 
 cure after it has taken place — so it is much easier to prevent habits 
 of indolence and dissipation, by early education, than afterwards to 
 remedy the evil. 
 
 The following will shew the sentiments of Johnson and Locke on 
 this subject, taken from the Rambler, No. 85. "It is necessary to 
 that perfection, of which our present state is capable, that the mind 
 and body should be both kept in action ; that neither the faculties of 
 the one nor the other be suffered to grow lax or torpid for want of 
 use: that neither health be purchased by voluntary submission to 
 ignorance, nor knowledge cultivated at the expense of health. It 
 was perhaps, from the observations of this mischievous omission in 
 those who are employed about the intellectual objects, that Locke 
 has in his system of education, urged the necessity of a trade to men 
 of all ranks and professions, that when the mind is weary with its 
 proper task, it may be relaxed by a slighter attention to some me- 
 chanical operation— and that, while the vital functions are resusci- 
 tated and awakened by a vigorous motion, the understanding may be 
 restrained from that vagrance and dissipation by which it relieves 
 itself after a long intenseness of thought, unless some allurements 
 be presented that may engage application without anxiety. Con- 
 sider, likewise, that perhaps, by the same attraction, the youth may 
 be withheld from debauchery, or recalled from malice, from mistaken 
 ambition or envy. Perhaps every man may date the predominance 
 of those desires that disturb his life, and contaminate his consci- 
 ence, from some unhappy hour, when too much leisure exposed him 
 to their incursions ; for he has lived with little observation, either 
 on himself or others, who does not know that to be idle is to be vi- 
 cious." With the sentiments of Johnson and Locke in favour of 
 this system, and with* the high authority of the Bible, commanding 
 that man, in his fallen state, should labour, the writer finds that 
 support and encouragement which stimulate him to proceed ; at the 
 same time hopes that some more adequate pen will advocate so 
 important a subject, with which man's happiness stands connected, 
 and which, if carried into practice, would tend to ameliorate his 
 condition. 
 
 [Extract from the Edinburg Review, JVo. 61, 1818.]] 
 " Mr. Fellenberg's establishment at Hofwyl, Canton of Berne, 
 Switzerland, of a school of industry, selected from Mr. Brougham's 
 
(member of Parliament of Great Britain) account of this institution, 
 delivered before the Education Committee. 
 
 ** At a time when men's minds are turned towards the great ques- 
 tion, connected with the character and support of the poor, with 
 universal education and the poor laws, there is nothing more natural 
 than that the first intimation of Mr. Fellenberg's plans should power- 
 fully interest the thinking part of the community. He is the head 
 of a most respectable Patrician family in the Canton of Berne, and 
 possesses, about four miles from the city, an hereditary estate, suf- 
 ficiently large for one of his station, in that frugal country, though 
 trifling indeed, if compared with the great things he has effected 
 by the judicious disposition of it. Fond of study, and particularly 
 attached to agricultural pursuits, he early in life devoted himself to 
 the praiseworthy objects of improving his estate by his own industry, 
 and of making this occupation subservient also to the improvement 
 of thecondition of the poor in his neighbourhood. His plans, now 
 in full action, astonish all who visit Hofwyl. The distinguish- 
 ing excellence of Mr. Fellenberg's operations consists in his econ- 
 omising his resources. His farm consists of about Q-20 acres, which 
 he has improved with great success, and continues to cultivate him- 
 self. It is here the poor children are employed to the number of about 
 forty, and this may be said to be the branch to which all the others 
 are more or less subordinate, and with which they have all some con- 
 nection. The other branches are, an academy for the sons of wealthier 
 persons ; an agricultural institute connected with a small experi- 
 mental farm, and a manufactory of farming machinery and imple- 
 ments. The academy consists of 50 or 60 pupils, chiefly of Patri- 
 cian families, several German princes and young nobles of that 
 nation among them. These boys are taught every branch of useful 
 learning. In teaching the sciences, considerable aid is derived from 
 the method of Pestalozzi, which consists in exercising the reasoning 
 faculties more than is done by the ordinary plan of instruction, and 
 in making the>process much less a matter of rote. Carpentry and 
 gardening are added, as means of filling up the hours of relaxation. 
 
 " The character, the temper, and the habits of the pupils, are the 
 paramount objects of the superintendence exercised over them, but 
 so as neyer to oppress or annoy. The methods of preserving this 
 watchful attention, and at the same time leaving the pupils free 
 from a sense of restraint, are among those processes which no des- 
 cription can sufficiently represent. The great principle seems to 
 be an appeal to the well known force of habit, and a judicious vari- 
 ation of their pursuits and studies, united with a never failing 
 gentleness and serenity of temper in the instructors and guardian. 
 The pupils eat at Mr. Fellenberg's table, which is plentiful yet sim- 
 ple ; they are all treated in precisely the same manner, whatever be 
 their rank. The Agricultural Institution consists of about twenty 
 young men more advanced in years, who have constant access to 
 the whole of the farm establishment, as well as to the cxperimen- 
 
tal part of about nine acres, attached to this part of the establish- 
 ment. They are instructed in the book learning also of the subject, 
 and of the arts and sciences immediately connected with it, and 
 assist in the improvement of machinery. The manufactory of ma- 
 chinery and implements consists of two branches — one of common 
 husbandry tools, as well as of those improved at Hofwyl ; the other 
 intended to carry on improvements in this essential article. The 
 former furnishes a profit which defrays the expenses of the latter; 
 for it not only supplies the farm, but leaves a surplus of machinery 
 and tools for sale. The pupils of the academy are instructed in the 
 handicraft arts. Those of the Agricultural Institution in those im- 
 mediately connected with that branch, and the other class in trades 
 of blacksmith and wheelwright, which may in after life afford them a 
 support. Those boys that are taken into this establishment from 
 the lower grades of life are bound to remain until they arrive at the 
 age of twenty-one years. 
 
 M Mr. Fellenberg was first known merely as an agriculturist, and 
 still keeps up his original establisment of husbandry. But agricul- 
 ture was with him a secondary object, and subservient to that sys- 
 tem of education to which his thoughts were very early directed. 
 He is a man of an unusual, ardent, as well as persevering turn of 
 mind, and conceals a character of deep and zealous resolution, un- 
 der a very calm exterior. It appeared to him that a sounder system 
 of education for the great body of the people could alone stop the 
 progress of error and corruption. He determined to set about the 
 slow work of elementary reformation, by a better mode of educa- 
 tion, and to persevere in it for the rest of his life ; to show to the 
 world, how the children of the poor might be best taught, and their 
 labour at the same time most profitably applied : in short, how the 
 first twenty years of a poor man's life might be so employed, as to 
 provide both for his support and his education. Many of his first 
 pupils were the sons of vagrants, and this is the case of one or two 
 of the most distinguished. This part of his establishment has in- 
 creased to about forty. Punishment has been inflicted only twice 
 since the beginning : (the establishment has been in operation twen- 
 ty years) and their treatment is nearly that of children under the 
 paternal roof. Mr. Fellenberg observes, that the boys being many 
 of them only just come to the age of productive labour, (for he be- 
 gun with a small number) it is presumed the establishment will not 
 only support itself in future, but repay pnst expenses, particularly 
 as certain outfits charged the first year will not recur again, 
 
 " Habits of industry, frugality, veracity, docility, and mutual kind- 
 ness, are carefully inculcated. A short time is employed in their 
 mental instruction each day, after breakfast and dinner, before their 
 going to work. The labours of the field, their various occupations, 
 their lessons, and the necessary rest, fill the whole of the twenty- 
 four hours; and judging from their open, cheerful, contented coun- 
 tenances, nothing seems wanting to their happines. But, it is a great 
 
point gained, to have brought young men to the age of eighteen or 
 twenty uncontaminated by the general licentiousness which prevails. 
 Long habits of self-restraint will enable them to look out, with 
 comparative patience, for a suitable estsblishment, before they bur- 
 den themselves with a family. Young men brought up at Hofwyl 
 must obtain a decided preference in all competition. Nor is this 
 preference a matter of supposition. Mr. Fellenberg has already 
 applications for twice the number of lads in his school, who might 
 be advantageously placed at any time, if their patron thought them 
 sufficiently qualified, and if it was right for them to leave the es- 
 tablishment before it was remunerated by their labour. Two only 
 have left the school before the end of their time. One has become 
 the manager of a large estate, which has since doubled its pro- 
 ceeds. This young man was originally a beggar boy, and not par- 
 ticularly distinguished at school. The other directs a school, and 
 acquits himself to the entire satisfaction of his employers. None 
 of them look inattentive or tired, although just returned from their 
 day's labour in the fields. Contrivance, and some degree of dif- 
 ficulty to overcome, is a necessary condition, it would seem, of our 
 enjoyments. The prince, whose game is driven towards him in 
 crowds, and who fires at it with guns put ready loaded into his 
 hands, is incomparably sooner tired of his sport, than he who beats 
 the bushes all day for a shot. 
 
 " Mr. Fellenberg is deeply imbued himself with the sense of reli- 
 gion : and it enters into ail his schemes for the improvement of 
 society* His first care, upon rescuing those poor children from 
 wretchedness, is to inspire them with the feelings of devotion, 
 which he himself warmly entertains — the conversation, as well as 
 the habits, partake largely of religious influence. The evidences of 
 design, observable in the operations of nature, and the benevolent 
 tendency of those operations, form constant topics of discourse in 
 their studies, and during the labour of the day. When the harvest 
 once required the labourers to work after night-fall, and the full 
 moon rose in great beauty over the magnificent mountains that sur- 
 round Hofwyl, suddenly, as if with one accord, the boys began to 
 chaunt a hymn, which they had learnt, among many others, but in 
 which the Supreme Being is adored as having lighted up the great 
 lamp of the night, and projected it in the firmament. 
 
 " The Bible is read aloud on stated days, and other suitable books, 
 in which the German language abounds. Their music is of the 
 simplest sort ; the notes, written on a black board, the pupils copy 
 in their books. They sing each part separately first, and then to- 
 gether — in general, very correctly, and in good taste. In order to 
 encourage the attachment to property acquired by their own indus- 
 try, the pupils are allowed certain emoluments such as the proceeds 
 of the seeds they collect, &c. which accumulates and forms a fund 
 for the time of their going away. These boys will leave the insti- 
 tution at the age of twentv-onc, understanding agriculture practi- 
 
cally, acquainted with a trade, and with a share of learning quite 
 unprecedented among the same class of people, and yet as hard work- 
 ing and abstemious as any of them, and with the best moral habits 
 and principles." 
 
 " Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political pros- 
 perity, religion and morality are indispensable supports, [n vain 
 would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labour 
 to subvert these great pillars of human happiness-, these firmest 
 props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician equal- 
 ly with the pious man ought to respect and to cherish them. A 
 volume could not trace all their connections with private and public 
 felicity. Let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality 
 can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded 
 to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure ; 
 reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national moral- 
 ity can prevail in exclusion of religious principle." — Washington 's 
 address to the citizens of the United States. 
 
 Some of the advantages that would result to society at large, and 
 to individuals, from a system of education connecting useful labour 
 with science, have been noticed. The praticability and usefulness 
 of the plan is fully proved, by the operation of Mr. Fellenberg's 
 benevolent asylum for the poor, and highly approved academy for 
 the rich. A few ideas on the subject have been suggested. Who- 
 ever takes time and reflects on the matter will find many others to 
 occur. All are ready to acknowledge its utility; some doubt of its 
 being practicable. But why may not that which has been done by 
 Mr. Fellenberg in Switzerland, be done in this country? Human 
 nature is the same in all countries; and if you take subjects early 
 in life, and adopt a proper system, you maj train them to what you 
 please — and where usefulness is the object, there would be less diffi- 
 culty ; for, in a short time, their own reflections upon the precepts 
 and practices given them, would point out is advantages and recon- 
 cile them to its labors. Man is a creature formed by habits. (For 
 the force of habit, see Johnson's vision of Theodore, to which sen- 
 timents, every man of reflection who has travelled fa*- on the jour- 
 ney of life will readily subscribe.) In every city, town, and village, 
 in our country, are a number of idle bt»ys, whose parents, in indi- 
 gent circumstances, or intemperate habits, are disqualified to give 
 that attention to their education which they require. They are 
 suffered to stroll about the streets, and learn from each other many 
 vicious practices. Too many of them become pests and burdens 
 instead of useful members of society. Upon the plan proposed, 
 many of them might be rescued from destruction, and be rendered 
 comfortable and happy in themselves, and contribute to the happi- 
 ness of those around them. Many simple plans might be proposed 
 for carrying the principle into effect — such as work shops annexed 
 to our schools, where a part of a youth's time, of suitable age, might 
 be employed to advantage in acquiring the use of tools and useful 
 
habits. Masters might appropriate a part of each day, or week, or 
 month, of an apprentice's time at School. Manufacturing establish- 
 ments might give to the children and youth a small portion of each 
 day, to acquiring useful science to great advantage — and the proba- 
 bility is, they would be no losers, but gainers by it. But no plan 
 would be so complete as that which Mr. Fellenbcrg has adopted ; and 
 the probability is, that such an asylum for the poor would, in a few 
 years, be made to support itself, and be perpetuated without any 
 expense to the public-— its labour fully meeting all its expenses: but 
 it would want aid in the outset, and for two or three years. The 
 cause of Religion, the only sure foundation for happiness, both in 
 this, our present state of existence, and in that spiritual state to 
 which all are hastening, might be greatly promoted by this system. 
 The practice might be combined with the precept, that God has 
 ordained that man should labor. The example which Jesus Christ, 
 the Christian's Lord and Master, has set, in working at the trade of 
 a carpenter, with his reputed father, Joseph, until he was of age, 
 might here be practised, accompanined with lessons on humility, 
 industry, and the economical use of time, to great advantage. There 
 can be no doubt of the Saviour of sinners being thus occupied, as 
 St. Mark styles him the carpenter. It would also be following the 
 example set us by the great Apostle of the Gentiles, who, (while 
 preaching the gospel of reconciliation,) labored with his own hands, 
 at times, for his subsistence. 
 
 Peter the Great, of Russia, occupied a part of early life at labor. 
 In th o anecdotes collected by Stachlin, it is related, he foiged, with 
 his own hands, a quantity of iron in bars, and put his own particu- 
 lar mark on each bar. Thus he amused himself, not only with seeing 
 and examining every thing, in the most minute manner, in different 
 workshops and manufactories, but also with putting his hands to the 
 work, and learning the business of a black -smith. 
 
 The writer must here resfcthe subject. Neither his time or circum- 
 stances at present admits of enlarging on this his favorite theme ; 
 but, he indulges the hope, ^hat something effectual will be done by 
 the citizens of the district, by way of a fair experiment of the sys- 
 tem. He would like to see fome more able hand advocate the plan, 
 for in this age of improvengmt, the important subject of Education, 
 particularly as it respects We poor, with a view to their future use- 
 fulness in society, claims the attention of every benevolent mind. 
 
 p. w. a. 
 
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