USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1891/1892-1894/1895 > Part 16
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113
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN.
purchased "Beacon lights of history" S vols. by John Lord, L. L. D., "Dictionary of hymnology" by J. S. Keltie, "Influence of Jesus" by Phillips Brooks. "Guides and guards in character building" by C. H. Payne, "Men and morals" by J. Stalker, "Let him first be a man" by W. H. Venable, "At the Beautiful Gate" by Lucy Larcom, "Song of the ancient people" by Edna Dean Proctor, "Heth and Moab, explorations in Syria" by C. R. Condor, "Representative women of Methodism" by C. W. Buoy, "History of Weslegan university" by D. Sherman, "Life of Catherine Booth mother of the Salvation Army" by F. de L. Booth-Tucker. Thirty eight volumes have been purchased to replace worn out volumes.
To the French section thirty volumes have been added by purchase and twenty two by gift from Miss S. B. Fay of Boston. Eleven volumes of these last are illustrated magazines, especially entertaining and instructive to young people.
GENERAL STATEMENT.
BOOKS, ETC.
March 1, 1893.
Added from March 1, 1893, to
March 1, 1894.
Withdrawn from Mar. 1, 1893,
to March 1, 1894.
Total Number in Library March 1, 1894.
Books in Library,
14,852
404 226
15,030
Pamphlets in Library,
614
96
00
710
Periodicals(odd numbers)in Library,
383
172
147
408
Total unbound material,
997
268
147
1119
114
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN.
ACCESSIONS.
Purchases.
201
Binding of Periodicals and Pamphlets.
92
Exchange of Mr. Ammidown's Histories.
Gifts,
106
404
Deduct withdrawals,
226
178
Add number in the Library March 1, 1893.
14,852
Present number in the Library,
15,030
CLASSIFICATION.
[ACCESSION AND CIRCULATION. ]
Rank of
No. Added.
No. in Library.
No. Circulated.
Per- centage.
Classes.
1
Fiction,
32
1,640
9,531
44.72
2
Juvenile works,
25
995
4,427
20.77
3
History,
23
1,219
669
3.14
4
Biography,
19
1,154
455
2.14
5
Travels and description,
20
800
727
3.41
6
Poetry and drama.
11
597
373
1.75
7
Scientific and educational, 27
761
464
2.18
8,
Literary and æsthetic,
15
998
453
2.14
9
Religious and philosophical, 3
504
120
.56
10
Complete works,
00
255
141
.66
11
Miscellaneous works.
8
427
208
1.45
12
Bound periodicals,
1.362
543
2.55
13
Agricultural works,
00
190
.28
14
Law documents [reserve]
4
190
00
00
15
Mass. public documents,
22
453
11
.12
16
U. S. public documents,
35
1,356
12
.12
17
French books,
52
278
2,522
11.18
115
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN.
18 Unbound magazines[cir- culated],
00
00
545
2.55
R.
Reference section,
23
710
56
.28
Duplicate volumes of bouud periodicals,
00
235
00
.00
A. L. Ammidown library,
5
907
00
.00
404
15,030
21.315
100 00
THE FOLLOWING TABLE WILL SHOW THE CIRCULATION BY MONTHS THE PAST TEN YEARS
1883-1|1881-5 1885 4
1886 7 1887 8 1888- 1889-90 6890-1 1891-2|1892-3 1893 1
March
1,019
1,619
1.811
1,726
1,623
1,682
1,719 2,002
1,099
1,561, 1,923
Aprii
1,801
1,360
انكرا
1,107
1,208
1,270
1,363
1,558
1,531|
1,350 1,588
May
1,101
1,367
1,805
1,312
١,٥٢٠
1,171
1,209
1,129
1,292
1,140
1,330
1,055
1,189
1,317
1,811
1,172
1,015
1,245
1,802
1,225|
1,126
1,211
July
-
966
1,297
1,259
1,867
1,06%|
1,106
1,430
1,828
1,237:
1,221
1,118
August
1,158
1,295
1,391
1,211
1,179|
1,137
1,412
1, 1:0
1.115
1,388
1,535
September
1,038
1,203
1,311
1,191
1,122
1,201
1,225
1,481
1,101
1,217
1,601
October
1,105
1,127
1.211
1,1:6
1,338
1,140
1,565
1,301
1,800
1,701
November
1,112
1,271
1,835
1,203
1,239
1,376
1,680
1,379
1,295
1,376
1,871
December
1,821
1,516
1, 107
1,818
1,271
1,119
1,532
1.515
1,510
1,081
2,062
January
1,120
1,861|
1,682
1,170
1,337
1,796|
1,70%
1,739
1,53>
1,670
2,559
February -
1, 150
1.025
1,550
1,110
1,490
1,650
1,11.16 1,351
1,551
1,617| 2,411
Total
11,739 16,201 17, 508 16, 298 11,9 17 16, 161
17 788 18,869 16, 760 16,970 21,315
-
-
-
116
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN.
117
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN.
CIRCULATION.
From March 1, 1893, to March 1, 1894.
ISSUED FOR HOME USE.
Total number of volumes issued from the library. 21,315
Largest number issued any day, Feb. 17, 257
Smallest, number issued any day, Sept. 7, 13
Average issue per day, 70
NUMBER WHO HAVE TAKEN BOOKS FROM THE LIBRARY.
Accounts open from the beginning, 5,256
Accounts cancelled from the beginning, 2,437
Accounts open the past year, 353
2,819
Accounts now open,
LIST OF DONORS
Magazines. Books. Pamphlets. 2
Angeli, Geo. T.
Baker, Z.
1
Boston Public Library,
1
Bronson Library, Waterbury, Conn.,
2
Brookfield, West, Public Library,
1
Brookline, Mass., Public Library,
1
Brooklyn, N. Y., Public Library,
1
Charlton town officers,
1
Chicago, Public Library,
1
Children's Hospital, Boston,
1
Cochran, John M.
2
3
Concord, Mass .. Public Library,
1
Department of State, 3
C
Fall River, Public Library,
1
Fay, Miss Sarah B. of Boston,
22
Fletcher, Free Public Library, Burlington, Vt.,
1
11S
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN.
.
Magazines. Books. Pamphlets 1
Hamilton, Ontario, Cana la. Public Library, Handsworth, England, Public Library,
1
Harvard University.
Hartford, Conn., Public Library,
Indian Rights Association,
1
Leicester, Public Library, 1
Lovell, Geo. M. 2
Maimonides Library. N. Y. City,
1
Maine State Library.
1
Manchester, Mass., Public Library,
1
Martin, Albert W. 2
Massachusetts, Commonwealth of 28
Millcent Library, Fair Haven, Mass.,
2
New England Educational Society,
1
New Haven, Conn., Public Library,
1
Newhall, Charles F .. 1
1
Pennsylvania University,
1
Poor, H. V. and H. W.
Pope. Albert A. of Boston,
1
Saint Louis. Mercantile Association,
1
Salem, Mass., Public Library.
1
Secretary of the Interior,
1 .-
22
Smith, Miss Julia S., 154
20
Smithsoman Institution,
1
11
Springfield City Library Association,
1
Sunset Club, Chicago,
1
Swansea, Wales, Public Library.
War Department.
1
Waterhouse, Prof. S., Washington Univer- sity, St. Louis.
G
Watertown, Mass .. Public Library.
1
.
Webster. Mass., Public Library,
1
Welsh, Herbert, Phila.
1.
Woman's Medical College, Phila.
1
Worcester Polytechnic Institute,
1
Worcester Public Library,
1
154 106 96
Newton. Mass .. Public Library,
Providence, R. I., Public Library.
119
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN.
GIFTS TO READING ROOM AND NAMES OF DONORS.
Angel, Geo. T., Editor, Boston, Mass. "Our Dumb Animals."
Beach, F. E., Editor. Southbridge Journal.
Darling, Linus. Editor. "Massachusetts Ploughman."
Ellam, J. W. & Grant, Geo., Editors. "Southbridge Press."
I. O. O. F. Lodge. "The I. O. O. F. Journal."
Mass. Agricultural College, Amherst, Mass." "Bulletins of the Hatch Experiment Station.
Mynott Fund. "Christian Advocate" and "Methodist Review." Newhall, Charles L. The Magazine, "Home and Country."
Phoenix Council. "The Royal Arcanum."
Robinson. Wm. T., Editor. "Southbridgo Herald."
Rogers, Mrs. Anne. Chicago. "The Critic."
Springfield Public Library, Springfield, Mass. Bulletin." The "Library
United States Patent Office. "Official Gazette."
Universalist Society. "Christian Leader."
Walker, Hon. J. H. "Congressional Record."
Whitaker, Mrs. Allie E., Editor. The Magazine "Health."
Whitaker, Geo. M. Editor. "New England Farmer."
· Woman's Christian Temperance Union. "New England Home."
A. JEANNETTE COMINS, Librarian.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Overseers of the Poor.
Overseers of the Poor.
OUTSIDE POOR.
Charges to the outside poor are $7,658. This includes $1,825 paid for the insane at the hospitals, $575 paid for persons hav- ing settlements in other towns, $400 paid other towns for per- sons having settlements in this town, $1,336 paid for the state for unsettled persons. $95 paid for 950 tramps. Total, $4,171 paid in the town and total expense to the town of $5.807, an increase of $2,226 over last year. It is not necessary to state the cause of the increase. The hospital charges are constantly increasing $261, more than last year and is nearly 23 per cent of the whole amount. The expenditures have been kept within the appropriation with a balance of $228.89 to the credit of the account. The treasurer's account shows it overdrawn $109.10. This comes from a credit on the Overseers books of $337.99 paid by the state and not received by the town treasurer from the state treasurer, but will be paid and make the accounts agree. Several persons have had outside aid and have paid in part by work at the Town Farm and would paid in full if more work could have been provided. The amount of $169.46 paid Worces- ter hospital for care Annie Munroe has been paid to the town by James Munroe. Inmates of the hospital are :
Catherine Tynan, Hendrick L. Smith,
Annie Munroe,
Thomas Boyle,
John Brogan,
James W. Ryan, .
Mary Kavanaugh, John Coldrick,
Edward H. Hill,
William H. Wilson.
For the outside for the ensuing year we recommend an appropriation of $4,000.
-
124
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
FARM AND ALMSHOUSE.
The amount of orders drawn is $2,130 against $2,141 last year.
Whole number of inmates during the year 24. with an aver- age of 15 all the year.
The net cost $2.05 per week includes services of superin- tendent and matron, hired help, services of physician. etc. The inventory of personal property is $3,553, against $3,532 last year, a gain of $221.
The management and care of the property by Mr. and Mrs. George F. Northup, superintendent and matron, has been to the satisfaction of the Overseers, and have secured their services for another year, and will commence their sixteenth year of cont in nous service.
The expenditures have been kept within the appropriation with $827.55 to the credit of the account.
We recommend an appropriation of $1,500 for the ensuing year and $200 for repairs of buildings.
ACCOUNT OF CASH.
Received and paid Town Treasurer by C. A. Paige, for ac- count of Overseers of the poor for the year ending February 28, 1894.
James Monroe for amount paid Worcester Insane Hospital, 170 68
Bernard Silk, for amount paid Worcester Insane Hospital, 10 07
P'. M. Clarke, on account of support of wife at Ahnshouse, 35 00
M. J. Surprenant amount overpaid Louis Champaine in 1893, 12 00
W. E Alden, aid O'Brien girls, 3 00
125
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
City of Worcester,aid Mrs. Charles Burroughs, 36 00 Town Sturbridge aid Mrs. Paul Phanuef, 130 00
Town Barre aid Mrs. Sarah A. Sanderson, 52 00
Town Dudley, aid Duffy and Peter Grenier, 88 75
Town Leicester, aid Mrs. Charles Hemlock, 36 00
Town Williameburg, aid Mrs. Helen L. Witherell, 5 25 Town Cheshire, aid John Magher, 10 95
Town Hadley, aid Celina Parr, 4 00
Town Millbury, aid Peter Dumas, 10 0)
George F. Northup, produce sold at farm,
148 53
P. N. LeClair, produce sold at farm, 104 66
P. H. Carpenter, produce sold at farm, 25 81
$882 40
For sale of produce at farm-
Stephen Grant,
1 00
Silas Morse, 1 00
J. L. Gagon,
12 00
Dwight Vinton,
3 00
Albert Wells,
5 00
Andrew Clark,
1 53
John Hanson,
80
Charles W.Johnson,
3 11
George Trusedale.
3 20
L. S. Ammidown,
1 72
Thomas Potter,
2 00
W. E. Northup,
10 00
Henry Wells,
1 20
WVm. A. Marcy.
50
E. F. Dakin,
2 20
Edgar Brown,
1 32
Clemence,
25
Lorenzo Plimpton,
2 50
A. J. Bartholomew,
1 00
John Halpin, 8 00
Franklin Jacobs,
1 00
M. V. Chamberlain.
1 00
126
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
W Phillips,
1 00
A. Ellis,
38
Gatineau & Prue,
19 28
Edwin Bacon,
50
Theodore Harrington.
2 50
C. W. Wyman,
10 83
Mrs Daniel Pratt,
1 25
Ferris & Irish,
6 79
H. A. Morse,
2 00
C. A. Paige,
80
Fred Rowley,
4 99
A. Corlis,
3 34
Daniel Morse,
2 50
D. S. Stewart,
2 50
Chauncy Brown,
6 00
Wm. Booth,
1 25
H. L. Geer,
11 00
C. V. Carpenter,
2 40
P. H. Carpenter Company,
5 86
$148 63
C. A. PAIGE, HENRY A. MORSE, M D. MORRILL.
Overseers of the Poor.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SELECTMEN.
Selectmen's Report.
We hereby submit a brief report of the doings of the Select- men for the past year. For expenditures we refer you to the several accounts in the Auditors' report.
We have endeavored to be economical in the expenditures committed to us, but owing to the demands from the different departments for expenditures of money, which was unknown at the annual meeting last spring when appropriations were made, we have been obliged to draw quite heavily on the different ap- propriations, and in all cases we think that the money has been economically used, and we have kept within the appropriations, except the highways, which will be more fully explained under highways. Our taxpayers are struggling under heavy taxes Can they expect anything different when for the last few years they have been advocating and demanding large special appro- priations which was voted and the town has something to show for these large expenditures, with the exception of a railroad to. Brookfield.
HIGHWAYS.
The appropriations made last spring for this account were not sufficient owing to the elements which made sad havoc with the highways of the town. The heavy fall of snow during the months of March and April of last year necessitated a large ex- penditure of money clearing the streets and highways leaving our roads in a very bad condition. Owing to complaints fromn different parties, new culverts had to be built, old ones had to be cleaned out and rebuilt, large fills had to be made after the com- pletion of the new sidewalks built the past year, all of which
130
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
was paid from this account, but should have been done by special appropriations. This department has been entirely in charge of John J. Bowlen, street commissioner, whom th : selectmen placed the utmost confidence in. Owing to the good condition of our roads, we would recommend the sum of $5000 for highway repairs.
CONTINGENT.
This account of all accounts is always quite heavily drawn upon, unforeseen accidents or extra bills come up which all have to be paid from this account. Owing to the imperfect construc- tion of a culvert on Hamilton street, damage to the amount of $125 was caused to the St. Mary's Hall which was paid from this account. We would recommend the sum of $2,500 for this account.
SIDEWALKS.
The town has built the past year about 4,500 ft. of new con- crete sidewalks : Lower Main street walk, Everett street walk, Elm street walk, Pine street walk and River street walk, all of which are recorded and are established walks belonging to the town. All sidewalks of the town are in good repair with the exception of some of the old brick walks which are badly worn and dangerous, and should be repaired. We would recommend the sum of $1,000 for sidewalk repairs.
BRIDGES.
The auditors report will show quite a credit to this account owing to an appropriation called for by the selectmen last fall for the repairs of River street bridge, when they got bids for lumber and labor, making a saving from the estimated cost of the repairs of the bridge. The west side of Central street bridge
131
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
was thoroughly overhauled and repaired. All of the bridges of the town now we believe to be in good repair with the exception of the iron bridge at the Globe which is virtually condemned. We would recommend a new bridge to take the place of the old suspender iron bridge at the Globe and also that the sum of $200 for ordinary repairs be appropriated.
RAILINGS.
We nave put up considerable new railing the past year as some of our new sidewalks required it for protection. Most of the railing of the town is in good repair, some of the old is get- ting dilapidated and rotten and should be replaced by new. We would recommend the sum of $100 for this account.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
We have nothing but words of commendation for this indis- pensible department. The interest taken from the chief to the subordinate, the economical management of this department is worthy of the support of every good citizen of the town under the efficient chief, Charles E. Wilson, whose report will give more particularly the doings of the department.
INSURANCE.
We believe in insurance and also believe that the property of the town should be freely insured, and would recommend the sum of $500 for this account.
WAR RELIEF.
.
There has been a large call from this account owing to the hard times during the past fall and winter. We are now assist- ing the families of ten soldiers who are in great need of assist- ance. We would recommend the sum of $1,000 for this account.
132
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
MILITIA.
We most heartily recommend the usual appropriation for the maintenance of Co. K.
STREET LIGHTS.
For this indispensible convenience we recommend the sum of $6,500 for this account.
TOWN HALL CONTINGENT.
This account has been very heavily drawn upon, owing to repairs that were obliged to be made upon different parts of the building. The vault in the Selectmen's room has been fitted up with shelves and drawers, thereby making a good, safe recepta- cle for books, plans and records belonging to the town. In view of other repairs which are in sight and must be made the coming year, we would recommend the sum of $1,000, with the $500 from the school fund, making in all $1,500 for this account.
Respectfully submitted, J. M. OLNEY, FELIX GATINEAU.
Selectmen of Southbridge.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SINKING FUND COMMISSIONERS.
Sinking Fund.
The Sinking Fund Commissioners respectfully present their report as follows :
RECEIPTS.
Receipts as per last year's report, $41,175 08
Dividends paid by City Institute Lowell. 133 33
Corporation Tax, 22 47
Acquired dividends, 4,964 47
$46,295 35
INVESTMENTS.
Five Cents Savings Bank, Haverhill, $1,082 32
Milford Savings Bank, 1,160 12
New Bedford Five Cents Saving Bank,
1,117 81
Cape Ann Savings Bank, Gloucester,
1,145 46
Institution for Savings, Lynn,
1,143 85
Institution for Savings, Northampton,
1,160 12
Holyoke Savings Bank,
1,171 62
Palmer Savings Bank,
1,040 40
Worcester County Institution for Savings, 1,222 75
Peoples Savings Bank, Worcester,
1,125 05
Hampshire Savings Bank, Northampton,
1,030 20
Fitchburg Savings Bank,
1,082 42
Athol Savings Bank,
1,126 14
Millbury Savings Bank,
1,171 62
Amherst Savings Bank,
1,233 87
Natick Five Cents Savings Bank,
1,115 08
Andover Savings Bank,
1,126 03
136
REPORT OF SINKING FUND COMMISSIONERS.
Charlestown Five Cents Savings Bank, 1,120 54
Worcester Five Cents Savings Bank, 1,216 85
Arlington Five Cents Savings Bank.
1,082 42
Berkshire County Savings Bank,
1,126 14
Citizens Savings Bank, Fall River,
1,139 88
Bristol County Savings Bauk,
1,030 20
New Bedford Institute for Savings,
1,120 54
Institute for Savings, Newburyport,
1,120 55
Central Savings Bank,
1,030 20
Worcester Mechanics Savings Bank,
1,216 88
Cambridgeport Savings Bank,
1,040 40
Ware Savings Bank,
1,249 07
Gardner Savings Bank,
1,125 04
Springfield Institution for Savings,
1,171 62
Chicopee Savings Bank,
1,082 42
Fall River Five Cents Savings Bank,
1,087 66
Monson Savings Bank,
1,115 08
Barre Savings Bank,
1,093 06
South Adams Savings Bank,
1,131 64
Provident Institution for Savings,
1,120 55
Southbridge Savings Bank,
480 76
Dedham Institution for Savings,
1,115 08
Easthampton Savings Bank,
1,093 03
City Institute for Savings, Lowell,
1,000 00
Westboro Savings Bank,
930 88
-- $46,295 35
I. P. HYDE, C. D. MONROE, GEO. L. CLEMENCE. Sinking Fund Commissioners.
We have examined the foregoing statement and find the same correct.
JOHN W. ELLAM, JOHN A. HALL, P. F. DELEHANTY, Auditors.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
Town of Southbridge
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING MARCH 3, 1894.
SOUTHBRIDGE: PRESS BOOK PRINT. 1894.
School Officials and Teachers.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR 1893-94.
REV. S. HAYWARD,
Term expires 1894
ALVAH L. HYDE,
Term expires 1894
DR. F. W. EDWARDS,
Term expires 1894
GEO. M. LOVELL,
Term expires 1895
ISAAC P. HYDE,
Term expires 1896
F. X. TETRAULT,
Term expires 1896
OFFICERS OF SCHOOL BOARD. REV. SILVANUS HAYWARD, Chairman. GEORGE M. LOVELL, Secretary. Regular monthly meeting second Tuesday evening at 7.30
J. T. CLARKE, Superintendent of Schools and Clerk of the Board.
OFFICE, TOWN HALL.
Office Hours : School days, 4 to 5 p. m .; 7 to 7.30 Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
NAMES OF TEACHERS, MARCH, 1893.
High School.
Fred E. Corbin, Principal : Annie M. Goodrich and Frank R. Arnold, Assistants.
Grammar School. Florence A. Morse, Minnie G. Riley, Alice Holmes, Maud Oldham.
140
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Intermediate.
E. P. Newcomb, Mary E. Meagher, Jane Farquhar.
Primary.
Jacobina W. Taylor, A. Rebecca Rowley, Mrs. S. M. Knight, Agnes M. Meagher, Mary J. Delehanty, Annie F. Morse, Mary A. Ellis, Mary E. McCabe, Martha Cutting, Margaret L. O'Hara.
Ungraded.
Ida M. Plimpton, Bertha Cheney, Mary E. Morse, Mary L. Boardman, Margaret G. Butler.
Special Teacher of Drawing, Margaret J. Patterson.
School Committee's Report.
TO THE CITIZENS OF SOUTHBRIDGE :-
The ideal school or system of Education is far to find. Nevertheless every true man, the lover of his race, is forever pressing toward that distant goal. Rushing currents of diverse tendencies keep the educational world seething with fermenta- tion, whether finally destructive or clarifying, remains to be seen. Shallow streams make the most noise. We need warnings sharp and loud against the tendencies rife in the present. Multitudi- nous perils beset us. All who see them should raise the cry of alarm. Cassandra must utter her prophecies, even though the infatuated Trojans persist in bringing in the treacherous Greeks.
A materialistic and utilitarian philosophy is undermining the foundations of true education by lowering and belittling the aims of life. It cannot be too often repeated that the highest end of education is the man himself. To substitute anything or everything outside the man is to weaken the work, and reduce the whole system to a lower level. One says that the end is to make him at home in the world, that is, to master the world. This is indeed great, but there is something greater. Self- mastery is the problem of life, the key to the treasures of the universe. That life is a failure which has attained all else, but missed this. Wisdom strikes for the highest and best, and in so doing wins all of worth below. Manhood is the perfect product of the loom of life. In this product moral training is, of course, the highest and most important factor. Assuming this as under- lying and pervading all right education, the three principal factors in manly training are accurate observation, clear think- ing,and concise expression. He who has attained these is a man
·
142
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
so far as education can make him so, for he has mastered his own powers. In present educational tendencies the first of these is well emphasized. But the great lack from the primary school to the university is the lack of thought. He who trains his pupils to think is a successful teacher. Having thought clearly, to express that thought concisely is one of the highest and rarest acquisitions. Too often pupils are trained away from concise expression. Answers should be like a rifle ball or a flash of lightning, quick. exact, brief. and not the dreary drizzle of pat- tering drops on a tin roof. No teaching can be worse than to require or permit an answer of six or more words which can be given in one. The products of such training are found in preach- ers of interminable pulpit platitudes ; windy lawyers bewildering juries with words of "sound and fury signifying nothing ;" legislative talking machines warranted to run on and on without saying anything ; journalists sprinkling the wilderness wastes of their periodical pages with flavorless inanities: and the count- less bores of fashionable society pouring out frivolous floods of wish-washy words to the insufferable torment of all who are compelled to listen.
A century ago the lament was made that "Discipline grew old and died." Now nothing but dust remains. The fathers slew the prophets, and the children build their sepulchers, Few parents or teachers know the meaning of discipline. Restraint is an obsolete word. Not Solomon but Rousseau is their foun tain of wisdom. One of the strongest tendencies in the highest educational circles, at present, is to let the desire of the pupil be the guide in all his course of study, confined formerly to the last years of student life, even to professional pursuits only, it has already crept insinuatingly down the ladder to the begin- ning of so called higher education. And now those supposed to be of highest authority recommend its extension to grammar schools. and even to primary instruction. The theory is that the desire of the child shows the direction in which his mental pow- ers are naturally strongest, therefore we should not coerce his nature by forcing him to study what is distasteful, but instead of wasting time on his weaker side, let his training and instruc-
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tion be, from the first, in the line of his natural proclivities, and in this way we may expect brilliant results. It is difficult to imagine more extreme folly. It is a device to produce weakling monstrosities instead of strong men. When a child is found to have some parts of the body unusually strong and well developed, while other parts are somewhat feeble, he is not made to devote his attention to the production of remarkable growth and power in the stronger limbs, while the feebler are suffered to pine and shrivel with neglect. Rather the weaker are strengthened by enforced and special exercise that he may become well-built and regular instead of deformed. But when it comes to training the mental powers, the great lights of the present day advocate ex- actly the reverse course. And the result is no less disastrous to the mind than it would be to the body. The tendency of such methods is to produce deformed incapables, curious monsters, instead of well proportioned men. We cannot be too often or too earnestly warned against catching up the flying fads of ephemeral educators. The air is permeated with the miasma of decayed educational theories resuscitated by prominent scholars seeking notoriety by shouting, "See! this is new !", when lo ! "it hath been already in the ages which were before us." They are attempting to import the effete systems of the old world in place of the strong, healthy, common sense methods of American man liness. "Brother Jonathan" is the highest type of manhood the wide world knows, because he is an "all-round-man", who can turn his hand to whatever the occasion may demand. He can build an engine, or cultivate a farm, or run a mill, or manage a college, or fill any office from field driver to president, not merely in some poor way, but with excellent success. Education should aim to produce not meteors, nor comets, but suns :- not prodigies, but men. Even to produce a specialist, no other education is worthy the name. For the highest specialist is he who has first been trained for a perfect manhood, without reference to his specialty, and then pours the full strength of that manhood into his life work. No successful substitute can ever be found for stalwart discipline and unrelaxing effort in such studies and by such methods as serve to strengthen every weak point and lay
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