With Europeans some attention to this subject always makes part of a thorough education, but among a new people, differing so essentially from the nations of the Old World in social habits, the leisure and inclination that induce such a system of early discipline are both still wanting—speaking generally. It is not the lack of wealth—of that we have enough—but of a cultivated, discriminating taste, the growth of time and favoring circumstances, which is not yet diffused among us. But, though our young men, even of the more favored class, do not enjoy the carefully-elaborated system of early training, common abroad, personal effort will produce a result similar in effect, if well-directed and steadfastly pursued, and the best of all knowledge—that most beneficial in its influence upon character—is acquired by unaided individual exertion. Young Americans, above the men of all other countries, should lack no incentive to add, as occasion may permit, tasteful polish to the more essential solidity of mental acquirements.
I know of nothing better calculated to foster refinement and purity of life than the cultivation of a Taste for the Fine Arts. I do not refer to a dillettante affectation of familiarity with the technicalities of artistic language, or to fashionable pretension and an assumption of connoisseurship, but to honest, manly, æsthetical perceptions, quickened and elevated by familiarity with the true principles of Art, and by the study of the highest productions of genius.
Some knowledge of the practice, as well as of the principles of drawing, is a very agreeable and useful accomplishment, and one that may be acquired with little or no instruction, save that to be obtained from books.
Among the advantages collaterally arising from familiarity with this art, is the increased quickness and enjoyment it lends to a discernment of the beautiful in nature, both in its minute manifestations and its grand developments. A fondness for
sketching leads, also, to a partiality for rural excursions, and for the physical sciences; and all those tastes where the main purposes of life permit their indulgence, serve to elevate, refine, and expand the higher faculties, to give them habitual dominion over the propensities and to restrain sensuous enjoyments within their legitimate limits.
A Taste for Music must, of course, be ranked among the elegances of social life, but it should not be forgotten that a practical knowledge of any one branch of this Art has no direct effect to enlarge the mind, like that of Painting, for instance. It is only a sensuous pleasure, though a refined one, and is, as I have had frequent occasion to remark, too frequently permitted to engross both time and faculties that should properly be, in part, at least, more diffusively employed. Musical skill, though a pleasant acquirement, is not a sufficient substitute for an acquaintance with general Literature and Art; nor will its most exquisite exhibitions always furnish an equivalent for intellectual pleasures, whether of a personal or social nature.
Dancing should be early learned, not only because, like musical knowledge, it is a source of social and domestic enjoyment, but as materially assisting in the acquirement of an easy and graceful carriage and manner. It is a good antidote, too, to mauvaise honte, and almost essential among the minor accomplishments of a man of the world.
Riding and Driving should never be neglected by those who possess the means of becoming familiar with them. Convenience, health and pleasure combine to recommend both. No indulgence of the pride of skill, however, should be permitted to exalt these accessories of a polite education into the main business of life, as I believe I have before reminded you.
The broadsword exercise, pistol-shooting, athletic sports and games, sporting, gymnastic exercises, etc., etc., may be ranked among the minor manly accomplishments with which it is desirable to be familiar.
Of no small importance, and of no insignificant rank as an accomplishment, is a ready and graceful elocution. Possessed by professional men, its value can scarcely be overrated, and no young man, whatever his aims in life, should esteem it unworthy of attention, since private as well as public life afford constant occasion for its exercise. To read intelligibly, audibly, and agreeably, to speak with taste and elegance, to address an audience—whether a mass assemblage of the sovereign people, or the servants of the people, in Congress assembled, or an intelligent audience gathered for intellectual instruction and enjoyment, each require careful and persevering practice, critical discrimination and disciplined taste. And what young American—with that control of circumstances which especially distinguishes us from all other peoples, with the high aspirations and purposes to which all are equally entitled—shall say that he will not have the most urgent occasion for, and derive high advantage from the acquisition of the Art of Elocution? But, apart from considerations of utility, correct speaking and writing are indispensable requisites to the privileges of good society, and elegant polish in this respect is the desirable result and certain indication of natural refinement.