The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-06-24

arrivals on the Continent seems 10 increase and OF
these many doubtless have Dresden In view lor
winter ldence. The town Is justly favorite Que
with Americans for several reasons-frst that the
expense OF living here Is In proportion TO the eX-
pehSe OF nome as one TO Two or Two ana hAii' )
second, that the schools OF Dresden enjoy wide re-
pufauon Tor excellence. fine operate ana ara
matte troupe and SURPRISING music complete us
charms. But think that the Ideas OF newcomers
concerning educational advantages are frequently
exaggerated and seldom clear. Let me briefly set
before you the in1nence-mora, physical anu men
tal-of education here.
Two methods are generally IN favor One Is 10
leave or send boys here with entire control over
their movements, power to choose their apartments,
any course Ofstudy ana any tutors they please WIN
young men this Is very well; put too often II Is
thus granted them may result in dissipation and
total waste OF the years spent abroad not In con-
sequences that shall be felt to the end OF life.
The safest plan is to put ali boys In school. n
their parents remain with them they can go as day.
scholars. II not they can be safely left in some Wen
known pension or boarding school, but even tnen
almost the only advantage acquired Is the learning
with ease and proficiency nowhere else attainabie,
the language OF the country. TO counterbalance,
this we have other influences not altogether favor
able. In the first place, the religious spirit ia the
se studies Of each class but Is Seldom heard Of out
or it, and Is the deadest Of oil branches. The pro-
family OF the instructors (which, however, they enjoy
IN common with the most OF iaymen) is something
shocking 10 the Angl0-Sax0n mind; and the discl-
pline Ia very rigorous and unreasonaDly despotlc,
the effect OF when Is, In the younger OF the Amer-
icans to produce worthless, cowed submission
and, In the elder, turbulent resistance to Oil author
1ty. GymnaStC exercises are ODQatOry, Dul ROOu
food and fresh air less attainable and no enthu-
siasm exists among the German youths for outdoor
athletic amusement They do not understand the
spirit OF boating, cricket base ball. and have no
responding sports. 80 much for the moral and Dhy-
steal atmosphere. As for the intellectual training,
IS very difficult for the American 20 profit by this
for the following reason: the course in all the
schools here Is arranged for the German who enters
his classes usually at the age OF nve, and works up
gradually and regularly through dozen years, and
sometimes more, before entering the university.
The amount learned In q year Or two, therefore
the time usually allotted by Americans Tor their
stay-ts smaller than In our more rapid travelling
schools, and the studies IN the main are only useful
The spirit, too, OF learning appears mere TO be
generally favorable to pedanrry, and not In accord
with the vital present, and most ofall the present or
America. The form OF liberal knowledge Is here
and have to go always to Germany for our theory
but In some way the actual tone OF Its learning Is
slumberous and not q stirring One
great mistake Is the combining OF students In
school IRON seven in the morning until six In the
evening, with only TWO hours OF nterlnission-a GUS
tom which tends rather to sacken the brain than ex
erclse IL, our system does, In which work and
play are more equally halved.
AS transient experience then, and as enabling
one to learn German with unusual ease attendance
on school In Germany well, but It's III effects must
be strongly guarded against. The Injuries OF living
are here inexpensive, and the young man who has q
hard battle Of life before him in the New World may
unwittingly fall into habits that will there prove
great clog on his progress.
In general the best place for the youths OF America
Is in America. In these days we have need, in
deed OF good American Citizens and true patriotism
OF this sort cannot be easily cultured on German SOIL