THE PHLOMATHESIAN. Vol. I. Middlebury College, July. "THE HEAD AND HEART THUS FLOWING FROM THE QUILL, INTRODUCUION. No. 1. WHEN a new periodical is presented before the public, the questions very naturally arise-what are the objects it designs to accomplish? How does it propose to effect those objects? And what are its claims upon public patronage? It would be more pleasing to us if every one would solve those interrogations for himself, by perusing the work for a sufficient length of time to be enabled to judge of its character; and that its ultimate success or failure might depend upon the course it shall pursue and the respectability with which it shall be sustained. But it may not be improper, at our first appearance, to make some preliminary remarks by way of anticipation. There is no feature of the present age more prominent and perhaps none more pleasing than the prevailing taste for liberal and extended reading. Too often has the narrow and illiberal notion been entertained, that every thing should be excluded from a course of education or reading, unless it be productive of what is termed immediate and practical utility, or in other words, worldly prosperity and personal gain. But this sordid opinion is now compelled to yield to the force of principles more praiseworthy and ennobling.Men perceive that books may be not only increased in number but also varied in their nature, and scorn to be confined to the limited path prescribed by the covetous utilitarian, It is now conceded, that much which has been commonly looked upon as useless, or at least, nothing better than ornamental literature, does, by embellishing the mind and the heart, prove eminently useful-does con tribute to the refinement of social intercourse and produce a decided and favorable effect upon society. The liberal and increasing encouragement bestowed upon the literary periodicals of the day, furnishes conclusive evidence of the estimation set upon that class of works which are not devoted to any particular science or philosophy, but miscellaneous in their character and included under the general term of popular literature. Encouraged by the success of others, and believing that an enlightened community will appreciate our well-meant endeavours and remunerate us with their patronage, if they shall discover aught of merit to commend, we are emboldened to add one more to the list of literary publications. The work will consist of essays, occasional reviews and comments upon new publications, tales, poetic contributions, and such dissertations upon scientific subjects as shall be deemed expedient. Exertions will be made, by introducing variety, to entertain and amuse the fancy, to instruct the understanding and furnish aliment for the thinking mind. It may seem to argue against the probability of our success, that several similar attempts made in the vicinity have already failed. But we hazard the assertion, that examination will show their failure to have been the result of other causes, rather than any want of a disposition on the part of the public to sustain an appropriate and well conducted periodical. Indeed the undertaking can hardly be viewed in the light of an experiment, when it is remembered that, notwithstanding the copious supply of political papers with which we are furnished, a work like this finds itself alone and without a single competitor in this and one or two of the neighboring states. It were idle to expect that the variegated bouquet which we present to the public may not contain some unique specimens, perhaps many sprigs that shall savour of an incorrect, puerile or incompetent taste. But accept the apology of ther originality. Let it be their defence that they are the production of our own mountain state. It is the characteristic genius of our people, (of American Syrtem celebrity,) to foster and encourage native productions; and if the inferiority of our offering be not too great, will not the same spirit plead in behalf of its claims over those of exotics?— Will not the smiles of an indulgent and generous community cheer it onward in its attempts to struggle itself into existence, and to take a stand some where at least in the vicinity of its older and more pretending contemporaries? It will be our aim to furnish something which shall not prove ungrateful to the reader, nor a dis grace upon those with whom it originated. If the result shall evince that we have failed in the attempt; if our patrons shall, after a fair and candid trial, decides that our efforts are inadequate to contribute either to their entertainment or edification; we will confidently acquiesce in their decision. One boon alone we request-that those who are more competent will take upon themselves the responsibility to consumate what has proved too arduous an undertaking for us to accomplish. Meantime, we trust that wherever our visitor shall make its way, whether into the parlor of the learned, the hands of the fair, the abode of the mechanic or the dwelling of the farmer, it may find those who can with propriety lay claim to the truly honorable title of Philomathesians. EDITORS. INTELLECTUAL ENERGY. MAN was intended for enterprize and action. The structure of his frame, and the singular facility he possesses in the application of its energies, not only evince the superiority he is destined to hold over the rest of animate matter, but plainly show his intended sphere to be one of noble action and lofty emprise. The union of firmness and agility, strength and dexterity, which so preeminently obtains in the physical man, gives him an ascendency rarely contested by superior but overawed force. With this advantage and guided by reason, man is peculiarly qualified to encounter the perils and hardships consequent upon jarring interests and the elements chafing around him. The sway maintained by virtue of physical prowess is, it is true, far inferior to the empire of mind; and he whose only claim to regard consists in the preponderance of the brute over the intellectual man, does well, while he affects humanity, to back up that claim with credentials of his pedigree. Yet, while animal might constitutes but a small part of man's true excellence, though the brute may in this respect claim an equality if not superiority to his lord; it is often proved a possession of much real value. There are times, rare, it may be, but unavoidable, when reason must call in cing power. the aid of more tangibie argument; when nerve becomes the most efficient logic, and gestures again assert their primitive and convinIt is as a corps of reserve alone that physical energy should ever attend the exercise of the nobler faculties of the soul. There can be nothing really worthy or beautiful in action, but as it involves the agency of mind. There is much that is noble in the structure of man. Even in the lifeless corpse there are traces of what it once was-the home of a restless and goading spirit-the favored instrument of some dominant and undying principle. Yet with all their beauty and noble expression, figure and frame are but a slight approximation to the real man. The soul is that mysterious and matchless peculiarity which at once lights its fair tenement with the glow of intellect, and stamps upon it the seal of supremacy. But exalted and immortal as may be even the uncultured soul, and far as it may surpass the highest grade of instinctive perception, the full developement of its energies can be ensured only by self-prompted and self-directed action. In this, as in every thing that has life and sense, excellence is the result of exercise. The dormant spirit, like the buried brand, may smoulder, it cannot blaze. Fettered in indolence and self distrust, the mind with all its angel powers may doze itself down to a level with the veriest instinct, and barter its birthright of original grandeur for the sluggishness of an unthinking and scarce dreaming sleep. Indeed, as we can safely predicate nothing of the extent or even the existence of a latent cause but from the extent or existence of some visible effect; so the operative force or presence of this intellectual agent, though often inferred from the orthodox mould of its encasing dust, can never be proved but from its operations and effect. We know nothing of mental being but from mental activity. The mind must act; and as its exercises shall be more or less worthy of itself, it will gain might and expansion or become powerless and practically extinct. It may live on the meagre aliment of activity necessary for the preservation and maintainance of its animal appendage; but it will thrive only on enterprise which shall tax its utmost energy, and inspire it with the warmest devotion. However powerful may be the intellect in its native wildness, discipline must unlock for it treasures of might unknown even to itself; and toil and trial must give it vigor and firmness, before it is fitted to go forth self-balanced and independent to the encounters of life. The first then and by far the most arduous enterprise |