When viewed in the light of physiology, or of political economy even, the State should educate her young in such a manner and to such an extent as will tend to give the largest measure of health, both of body and mind, to the individual, and make the most self-reliant and self-supporting citizen, rather than give a smattering of algebra or music or astronomy, the remembrance of which will be almost certain to fade into darkness in less than five years after the individual enters upon the active duties of any kind of work in life which does not require their practical use. How far short of such a procedure she comes by her present methods of education, may be inferred in some measure: First, from the large numbers who, in all our cities and large towns, fail in the conduct of any general business which may require much skill and experience in its conduct. Second, from the large numbers of foreign-born and foreign-educated persons who are at present employed in most of the oldest and best known manufactories throughout New England and indeed through the whole country, the number being greatly larger, I understand, than of American-born citizens. Third, from the fact which has long been recognized, and in some degree commented upon, especially by those who have longest had large opportunities for observation, that during the last twenty or thirty years there has been a rapid diminution in the number of those, especially of the American-born, who apply at the manufacturing establishments to be received as apprentices. While formerly more used to apply for such an education than were required, now very few make such application, while those who do, rarely desire to remain long enough to fully apprehend and apply to practice the details of the industry. Fourth, from the large numbers who have been educated in our common schools, who are drifting around from place to place, and frequently changing from one kind of business or occupation to another, not unfrequently imagining that they are eminently qualified for some office of a political nature, and dissatisfied if it is refused them, and unable to succeed in any of the callings they may seek to follow. Fifth, from the large numbers of that class which has no regular employment nor any training for one, and which, at the present time, furnishes so many admissions to our asylums.