, 1872-02-24

ARITHMETIC.
The instruction given in this very important
branch is very praiseworthy and how many I'VE
their bread to the a~ssiduity and success with
which it has been taught for more than a quar-
ter of a c~entuary, it would be impossible to as
certain. Suffice it to say that their number is
great who hold situations which yield a good
deal more Of the good things of this
world than it is thought fit to bestow
on the old gentleman who has served faithfully
and we'll for such a length Of time, and who
now, because worn out in the harness, must
submit to the modification of seeing his long
labors 50 deprecated, that he is net thought
worth a decent pension when he retires at an
age so few ever attain. We should, however,
with regard to this branch Of instruction, re-
commend that more attention be given to men
tai practice and less to the comparatively me-
chanical process Of working out on the slate the
solution Of questions and problems according to
fixed rules. Mental arithmetic not only pos
sosses the advantage of imparting more clearly
and thoroughly a knowledge of the principles
of the science, an a readiness of applying them,
but it is a far more efficient means of training
the mind to habits Of patient and active thought.
1t is also highly desirable that the more adj
vanced pupils should be taught the first eIo-
meuts of bookkeeping.
AlGEBRAj OEOhEIR1, NATURAL Ills lOR45
NATURAL PHILOSOPHY AND CHEMISTRY.
The " Terra iacogn5ta" Of ReUerend Uss1ng.
The importance of these sciences as practical
ly useful as we'll as ornamental is such in our
days as to commend them strongly to the at
tention and interest of those wac have the duty
of carrying out the reforms which are absolute
~ necessary as the basis Of all other reforms.
Let it not here be objected that these sciences
Eve could never think of bringing it beyond the
elementary Outlines) are not required, as men
who possess these requirement are being import
ed for our experience has proved that this
imported leayen, whatever may be the intrinsic
value of it, has not in any One way come in con-
tact with the great mass of the meal it is sup
posed to act upon. We have in previous re-
marks alluded to the necessity Of giving our
young men of the classes that can afford to pay
for the higher instruction such an education as
would enable them to follow the avocati0n of
agrioulturists in an intelligent manner, and
not let them be without an opportunity
of getting at least so much insight into the
modern Improvements in agriculture which are
furnished by chemistry, as to be able to follow
a popular lecture, or to read and understand a
book on this subject, even q popularity written
one, without being Disguised and rebutfed by
the technicalities without which no scientific
knowledge can be communicated 1t is, IN our
opinion, for this kind of instruction they pay, and
not for the common branches, which they, as
tax payers especially, must be supposed to be
no less entitled to than those who either from
necessity or choice receive the gratuitous Com
mon school instruction.
And let US remember that also for those who
intend to follow commercial or mechanical
pursuits will this study, elementary as it must
needs be, be an invaluable discipline to the
mind, serving to develop the understanding,
awaken curiosity and inquiry, and will more
over possess the incalculable advantage of
leading the pupil to continue the work Of men
tai culture in after life and so enrich his mind
with the treasure of those sciences which con-
stitute the peculiar glory and triumph of mo-
dern civilization, and lastly though not least to
tend to produce the intelligent voter and leglsla-
tor, should he be called upon to act as such in
a free community such as we enjoy it.
HIsToRY AND GEOGRAPHY
are very imperfecty taught. The books used
as class-books are about as bad as can be, be-
ing too voluminous and in some cases abstruse,
The teacher of these branches, however, holds
on to them, not merely because they are autho-
rized by Government, for others might perhaps
long ago have received the same authorization,
AI- ~Iun hmm an