The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-05-07
COUNTY CORRESPONDENTS.
(For the Spirit.)
THE PLEASURES OF TEACHING.
BY DER SCHULMEIsTER.

Dry and monutonous rs the life Of a
school master may seem,it has its beauties
as well as that of the traveller, or the sol
dier, if we will but take the trouble to
look for them. But though the beautiful,
concealed beneath some uninviting cxtc-
rior, may be near TO US, waiting to he dis;
covered and enjoyed, we make the grand
mistake of fahcying it to be far away, ad-
mired in the art galleries of Rome and
Florence; or tlnging with lis glorious
hues the sunny skies Of CASTLE, the land
of Chivalry and Romance; or reigning in
'coll aubiimitv," enthronel on the sum-
nit Of Switzarland's loftiest Alps ; CT, in
deed, bestowine its charms on any other
! place than our daily paths of duty. Bat
let us seek it among the seemingly little
and trifing things around lis. Were to
tell you to look upon the trees and flow.
ers. with their graceful forms and varied
hues, YOU would laugh at me, and say
"All very well, but rather stale. Such
things were said centuries ago" But
gentle reader, I do not aim at any.
thing astonishingly original, since nearly
all the good things" have been said and
written, and There is nothing new un
der the sun, but it is the object Of your
humble servant to attempt to say some
thing about a species of beauty, which
seems to lie out of fashion nowadays.
That beauty which is undying, yet SC
little studied and appreciated l mean the
beauty of the human mind. Have yor
not revered it in the dignficd men Of
hoary Age, admired it in the nohleness
and strength Of early manhood, loved it
in the ioyousness Of glowing youth =
But would you find it in its nohlest form
simplicity, clad in its sweetest charms, in
nocence, walk and talk with the little ones
The artless prattle, the joyous laugh o.
childhood, drive the hours away ,and care
takes flight before their silver sounds.
The grave rehuke, surprise. reflection
in the features ola child, have sweetness:
and holiness which fills our minds with
thoughts of angels and heaven. The
wonderful questions with which the little
men and women come to us for informa
ton concerning the marvellous world
which is so new to them the interested
looks and brealhless attention with which
they listen to US while we eudeavor to sat
isfy their curiosity-what can be NOR.
charming? And what pleasure can ex
ceed that Of the person whose privilege
it is to be instrumental in developing
those tender, budding beauties of intel
lect?
We have spoken of childish beauty, ,and
the pleasure of Strengthening and impro
wing it. It's the scAoolmaster who has
the power and the opportunity of study
ing this beauty and enjoying this pleas
ure. If he have true sense of the re
sponsibilities and duties Of his Office, ant
act accordingly, he cannot but feel that i
is a
Delightful task to rear the tender thought,
To teach the voting idea how to shoot
That employment which is the means
of accomplishing the noblest Of purpo
ses-that Of making others nobler, hap
pier, and wiser, and which is, at the SAM
time, source of pure enjoyment to thos
engaged in it, is, indeed; blessed ant
desirable one.
That employment is teaching.
Teachers of Monroe, is it not wort
while fer US to fit ourselves for this nobl
employment