Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-01-12
sTAUNToN VA, TUESDAY, JANUARY 12

of the prize system, is to develop emulation il
the sinful sense, and benefits but very few
Any judicious observer will sooner or later dis
cover that prizes offered in such way that al
may compete for them, and only two or three
obtain them, will always be productive OF evi
consequences, for overbalancing any temporary
or partial good that may arise from them, anc
therefore it would be we'll to dispense with
their use in Schools. When prize is offered
undue prominence is given to an object com
paratlvely unworthy. In being offered beau
tiful medal the child is tempted to undervalue
| the higher reward of a good conscience, and a
love Of learning for its own sake. In pursuing
a prize spirit of rivalry among the pupils is
engendered and then in a little while after bad
feeling and some disappointment, the hope of
gaining the prize stimulates only the fear, and
the rest become indifferent. In addition to all
this there is much difficulty to award the prize
so as to do justice to all, which arises from a
difference of external facilities, which the COM
pettors have for getting the lessons, and often
| from improper means used to secure the prize.
In the prize system it most frequently happens
that success is rewarded, not effort, talent, not
a,oyth lal 81 q hah - a.4I
1t is to be observed that a pupil who studies
for prize as chief motive, will seldom con-
tinue to study when the prize is withdrawn. 1t
has been often remarked that prize scholars in
our high schools and even colleges, are seldom
distinguished men in after life. By this sys~
tenn the influence OF the good example of some
OF the best pupils, is lost upon the school
This influence is very important to the success
OF a school, and tells with power, unless some
unworthy motive can be assigned Under the
prize system it is useless, for the impression is,
that student behaves well or studies well, be-
cause be is trying to get the prize.
As to the use Of rewards, provided they be
SO numerous as to permit every deserving pu
pill to have one, and are distributed not to talS
ent or success merely, but to good mention,
and commendable effort, there is perhaps little
or no objection to be urged. But 1t may be-
come burdensome and expensive to the teacher
to carry out this system fully and well, and as
rewards are not necessary to teacher s true
success, such outlay is not wholly justifable,
unless the Teacher is prone to put his money to
worse use, than that of purchasing presents
for his school. .a
The proper incentives to study are there, and
if child is to be found not susceptible OF be-
ing influenced by them, it will be no loss to the
world if he is not educated, but perhaps a
blessing. The incentives | refer to are these,
desire to gain the appreciation OF parents and
teacher, desire to advance, to be useful and
to do what is right. The leading aim should
be to reach the heart and conscience and
pfOLIpt tiie pupil W pIepdIe Ills ioooono Ny pui
and upright motives, and then the world will
be favored with educated persons Of a proper
spirit This is, | think, a very truthful remark
of a recent author upon the duties Of the
Teacher, in regard to the Incentives used to ex
cite interest in study. IF then the desire of
the approval of parents and teachers-the dc,
sire of advancement-the desire to be useful
and the desire to do right, can be superadded
to the natural love in the child for acquisition
and natural desire to know, there will be but
little occasion to look further for incentives to
exertion on the pupil, and | may venture to
add as a scholium to what has been already
said, that the teacher who has not yet learned
to call into exercise these higher motives, and
to rely for success mainly upon them, and who
dares not abandon the system Of exciting stln
ulants for fear of failure, has yet much to learn
as true educator of the young. With this
article this series of papers On education is
closed.
am grateful, Mr.. Editor, for your kind in
dulgence and | hope your excellent paper may
be pre- eminently useful in this and other in
terests having for their object the well being oi
our country. W. L. L.
Sweet Brer Manse.