River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1873-10-28

IN sciences in the River
Falls Institute, before
the 1T. Croix valley
Teachers Association,
Oct. I.1th, 1878.
(COncladed)
Mathematics should not be studied
for its own sake entirely. Its chief
use is as a key to knowledge, and the
mathematical division of the intellect
is small, aud comparatively, Of no great
or importance than others. Hence the
idea that knowledge Of mathemat-
les is the principal thing, is as mischeiv-
Gus as it is common. | would not
discard arithmetic but the idea that it
should be finished before one begins
anything that deals with realities that
are tangible. A limited knowledge Of
it will answer the ends Of business
else why so many successful men, thus
situated: That is to say, an Ignorance
of it is no worse than an ignorance of
other things. He need not even know
how to compute interest, as tables are
prepared for business men and used by
them. A knowledge of compound pro-
portion is less to be desired, than the
method of esting kerosene, to see if
you can trust the lives of your family
in its keeping, with the best of usage.
| simply ask that mathematics should
walk hand in hand with science, and
not precede it. Geography may be
studied when it can be remembered.
Grammar is as abstruse and abstract as
anything and should not be taught as
science until quite late in school life.
When person is at the right age,
two terms will give him as much knowl-
edge Of it,as nine tenths Of the pupils
ever need, or at least ever get. Spelling
should be taught in all schools. If
once we are proficient, We soon forget
unless in constant practice.
An objector may say that the object
of study is discipline, and if mathema.
tics aud grammar give that, then study
them. That idea has had its day, and
is now received in part. One object
of education is discipline, the other is
to fit us to pass through this world to
the next, without being useless to our
selves and others. The existence of
bodily wants cannot be ignored; hence
we should be taught at the proper time
those branches that train us for bust
ness, such as book keeping and arithme-
tic. Commercial Colleges seem to
assume that this is the sole object of
schooling, making hobby of an idea,
good in its place. But in order to be
of any use in the world person must
live to a fair age, and physiology helps
him to do this. In order to be hap
nv. the mind must know and study
nature and learn to see the finger OF
God as manifest in nature; pointing 1t
IN the beauties of creation and life
beyond.
Other studies than those most pursued
not only discipline, but also instruct
the mind. But if it were not so, people
will not forego the practical and instruc-
tive, for the disciplinary element.
The best instructors IN grammar are
well written text books. There is nothing
that trains both the observing and ex.
pressing faculties like botany, as all
who have studied it will admit. The
whole range of sciences teaches one to
look from effects to causes, aud com
pare objects, and in these two acts is all
that IS worth the name of discipline.
In contrast, grammar is simply based
upon usage, and in some cases on indl'
vidual opinion.
II is public sentiment that decides
what qualifications teacher needs. II
grammar were advanced to first grade
qualifications, aud physiology aud phi
losophy placed down among the third
and people accustomed to the change
il would not sound strangely for
young teacher TO say to the clerk, 81
cannot teach grammar but | Gan teacl
physiology, botany, and arithmetic Tor
have been through the textbooks"
IF it could be done should be gIa'
to see one science, at least, put on III
third grade scheme, at the expense q
10. .iag