Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1858-11-09

mental discipline ana then practical knoWl-
edge" bnt to the great mass of people,
who have bat limited means and litlle
( time to prepare TO enter ;he sober walks
of life, the latter course is the preferable
one. The true plan, undoubtedly, is to
blend them as far as the conditions and
circumstances of the school will permit.
q The education of business men should be
practical. the powers Of observation should
be cultivated, and those scienses taught
which are brought into requisition in the
everyday business Of life" This feel
ing has grown so strong that, in many of
our higher institutions, we see two or
three courses provided from which the
students are allowed 10 choose, and titles
are conferred according to their advance
ment IN eaolss Farther Than this, there
IS super graduates course established,
in which the student can more clearly OBJ
serve the effect Of the principles taught in
the previous course. The fields of Chem
istry, History, Law and Theology are
opened on a wider scale, and the student
learns many things that ne otherwise
would have to bIunder out through pri-
vate experience. But we, rs teachers
and friends of education, may fix our
course as philosophicalIy as we please,
and teach with creditable clearness and
accuracy, we cannot properly succeed
without the cooperation of all, without
all are willing TO aid in carrying on the
the great work and here, in connection
with this remark, permit me to mention
one fact concerning the Clergy of this
city - and do it with the greatest re-
spect, for their sphere in many particu-
lars is above mine, their labor of a different
nature from mine, and it lily becomes me
to point out TO them the path of duty =
but not one Of them, now residents of this
place. has ever visited my school since |
have been employed here, a length of
time of about three years in extent. They
join with us in depIoring the poor advan-
tages afforded by our public schools, but
do not join Us and with commendable
zeal Try and improve them they are held
up as shining lights, called by God to ad
minister to the spiritual wants Of the peo-
pie, but seem to forget that here is a good
field for labor, and we cordially invite
them to assist US in bringing up men in
the nurture and adruopition of the Lord.
One point more wish TO call the al
;ention Of our citizens and Board of Edu-
cation to the deplorable condition OF our
Fairgrounds, not that they are any worse
than the school building, for a delightful
harmony and correspondence exists be-
tween them, (but the school house affairs
have been alluded to before.) All will
agree with me that children should spend
a portion Of their time in outdoor amuse-
ments, heahhful recreauons, congenial to
their nature ard disposition. But the lin
tied size of our lots, when we consider
that those adjoining are being enclosed
and improved, will not permit them to
play their usual games without trC0pass-
ing upon the rights of their neighbors.-
This want or necessity can be partially
remedied, with but a riling expense, by
preparing, on limited scale, a gymna-
stun, adapted 10 the wants and inclina-
tions Of both sexes. Here permit me TO
read short extract from the Report of
Rev. ANsov SMYTH, State Commissioner
of the Schools of Ohio. In speaking Of
the various wants of the schools Of that
State, he says:-
Once, at least. each week. I would have the
Teacher accompany the pupils on an excursion
through tie relghboling fields and groves
This occasion might bc improved for Imparug
instruction lu Botany, Geology, Entomology, and
Cruithology. The varieties Of plants, flowers.
herbs, grasses grains, shrubs, and tS-es,-of SOILS
and stoues,-ot insects aud bIrd-,-would fur
uish pleasing and profitable subjects Tor remark
aud inquiry. Upon these subjects all children
should be instructed. 1t Is q dtplorable truth
that in all our larger towns. children are almost
utterly ignorant IN II gard 10 them There are
thousands of schoolgirls y no. n d glance could
name TIE fabrics of all the dresses ever worn by
Caroline Woodman or Flora Mel hmsey but
who could not tell the growing cats, barley. rye.
and wheat nor the oak, beech, maple, and hic-
orv, apart nor distinguish between owl and
au eagle wren and a room. To 4 restricted
extent would have like practices prevail IN all
the higher grades of oGr schools. Why should
books be studied TO the utter neglect Of the
bright and beautiful volume Of Nature. which
the Great Teacher has prepared for the instruc-
tIon Of his Children
This kind of instruction, practical, phys
ically and mentally. will developea sound
mind in 4 healthy body the only true,
legitimate tess Of q liberal education.
I1DusrR1oUs HABIrs.-Teach your
children to be industrious. Il IS the best
preventive Of crime-the best guardian
10 rirtne. Read the history Of hundreds