The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-11-30
WILD MANS ESSAY.
WRITTEN FOR TIE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
by V. HEATH WATTS.

many names. Yea, verify, no man car
enumcrate, the diverse erithets, by which
we and our avocations are known. Flat
ering, and otherwise, they cluster rount
us, cling to us, abide with us-and seem
ingly form-in public estimation-a legiti
mate part of our very being. The demands
made upon US are still more numerous
We are expected to be at all times and il
all places, correct illustrations of Paul's
beautiful idea of charity, as set forth in
first Corinthians, 18th chap, Al verses
inclusive. One of the strangest facts in
regard to this magnificent profession be.
comes apparent to its followers, at an early
period.
| Outside of the profession, man, woman
or child has never yet been found who
could not propel a public school just tritle
| better than any such institute has ever yet
been run.
This stubborn fact is nicely balanced by
the gratifying reflection, that those engag-
ed in teaching are, in all the wide world,
the only individuals who are supposed to
know just nothing at all about it. The
aoorst feature connected with the occupa-
ton is, the longer and harder one works at
it the less he knows concerning it. The
possibility of learning anything about
teaching is SO far beyond the tillest shadow
of a probability as to be entertained by no
rational being.
The multiplication table is the most
awkwardly constructed piece of school
furniture ever saw. 1t cannot possibly
be put up in any manner that will involve
a greater loss of time, labor and vitality,
in mastering it, than its present FORM
This is subject of not the slightest inter-
est to US as teachers, it is merely thrown in
to relieve the monotony Of the rest.
Practice makes perfect is an old
proverb, and is true the world over, out
side of the school room. There theory
rears its majestic form, leaving not a
chance of possible, probable Or imaginary
use for it.
Much practice is requisite to success i'll
all, even the most common affairs of life
A man cannot cut wood, NOV grass, cradle
wheat, bind, build or stack it; huslS corn,
or even keep scythe in order without
practice. He may possess as much physi
cal strength and power of endurance as two
ordinary men, and be willing to use them,
and yet, to the farmer the man will not be
worth his daily bread, if he has not had
sufficient practice in the aeodus operdndi Of
these several employments, to enable him
to use his time and strength to advantage.
If he has to stop to think how each band
is to be made, put around the sheaf and
tied, he will find his better drilled compan-
ions far ahead of him, doing three times
the amount of labor, with one-half the
fatigue. Drill enables the efficient opera
tive in all departments of industry, to per
form his customary labor without the ex-
pense of thought. If it cost an effort Of
mind to breath, but few would live long
enough to investigate the matter. Ifevery
simple operation of labor cost thought
every time it was performed, but little
could be accomplished in lifetime.
In the cells of the Inquisition were found
some trifling arrangements for the annoy
ance of those who would not endorse the
tenets of the Holy Catholic Church. The
Church was right, of course, while the peo-
pie were willing to stand it.
Among those pious contrivances was a
hot or ha IF
struction, surpassed all the rest. 1t caus-
ed the most terrible agony of body and
mind. 1t merely held the victims head in
one position, while cold water-a single
drop ut time-kept falling upon it.
The Inquisition passed away. But for
the amount of suffering entailed upon it's
victims, there is an institution, that, by
comparison, causes the Spanish Inquisition
to sink into contemplate insignificance.-
Much older than the Inquisition, spread
out all over the civilized world, but few
escaped its baleful influences. The most
astounding fact relating to this institution
is, that it is intended to be a benefit, and
the mode of it's architecture alone causes
all the misery that arises from it. These
defects could be easily remedied, but still
will it pass down through all coming time,
visiting upon all future generations its
whitening, stunning influences. "Ask you
of all these woes the cause" The Multi
plication Table.
Not that they are of the slightest import
ance, or that any beuefit can be derived
from them, oh! no! just to fill up these
pages, and to make in one respect, at least,
a finished productions; will mildly advance
few opinions about teaching, without the
slightest regard to their order or arrange
ment. Children possess faculties and feel
ings, and are susceptible of all those emo
lions which agitate, for good or i'll, their
older associates. They should ever be
treated with kindness, sympathy and re-
spect. A child may be able to read intell-
gently in the second or third reader, and
not know b, from d. Kindly point out
the difference, but do not scold or find
fault, though you may have described those
very letters but yesterday. We should
respect the wishes and feelings of our pu-
pills, but should ever bear in mind that
the good of those under our control de-
mands that we should consider our own
wishes and opinions of paramount import.
ance. 1t is our province to tell our pupils
uhat, 1chen and hoo to study, how to enter
or leave a class; how to address their
schoolmates or even ourselves. Govern,
not by RULES, but, by your own ,judg-
meDt in each individual case, without ref
erence to former seemingly parallel cases.
Rules fetter both teacher and pupils: cspec-
tally do they clog the movements of the
teacher.
All persons can study better with the lips
closed; can sec as well with the mouth shat
as with it open; can study much better with
the mind than with the lips. Therefore,
the unpleasant music of lips in studying
lessons, should not be tolerated in the
school room. By studying with the lips
closed, pupils acquirs the po'oer of concsn-
fr0fj7lc the 7rLoIe mind unou me sf,,1U The