The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-01-18
A DIV RTISINC.
SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS,

The pnblic examination is supersedinp
the old-fashioned dramatic school exhibit
ton, and it has many firm friends among
professional educators. The pupils are ex-
amlned in the presence of their parents
and friends, so that all may see just what
progress has been made by each, and give
credit accordingly. The expectation of
these periodical examinations is supposed
| to act as stimulus with teachers and pu-
als alike. That is the idea of the public
| examination, and if | had not been inter-
ested as pupil, as teacher, and not exactly
| as parent, but as elder sister and children's
friend, l suppose I might not feel so much
like calling these examinations a .h,tns5uq.
The parents are deceived most; the children
| take another lesson in the arts of deception
| and in the immense Importance of being
able to make show; and the teachers feel
how almost impossible it is to help this
wretched state of things until the public
mind learns the true idea of education.
The public examination is no true test
Of the advancement of the pupils, or of the
| teachers ability as an educator. Children
naturally quick and ready show to the best
advantage, while slower ones are abashed
| and discouraged. Those who need stimu-
lus most get the least help from the public
exhibition. Those whom nature has gifted
with quicker wits get praise which nur-
lures their self conceit, instead of encour-
aging their tagging faculties. The poorest
educators often make the best show as ex-
hibitors on enthusiastically. They can
show you that the pupils have been trained
to certain dexterity and mechanical pre-
cIsion, and to concert action which is very
effective with the unretlecting crowd; but
no teacher can exhibit the best things a
good teacher can do in the way of educa-
ton. The illustrations which have bright
ened all the daily tasks; the bits of history
and biography which have endeared to
each pupil text books otherwise dry and
dull; opportune suggestions as to methods
of study: and, better still, sympathetic
help toward the formation of noble charac-
ter, toward the development of honest men
and women with clear heads, and warm
hearts, and helpful han9s-can any public
examination, yearly or monthly, make a
true exhibit of these most precious works
of an educator? Will it be likely to help
or to hinder this larger education?
you would satisfy yourself as to the
faithfulness and ability of your children's
teacher, go and see him or her at ecorh two
or three times at least every term, dropping
in unexpected for fifteen minutes or half.
day, as you can find time. Let the teacher
feel that your eye is on him and your heart
in his work. If you talk with the children
at home about their school work frequent
ly, as well as visit them in school, it will
do them deal of good-provided all is
done with true symqathv, and not in the
character of cool superior critic.
The CANADA LYNX.-This animal,
which is a size larger than the Bay Lynx,
our wild cat, is frequently COMPOUNDED with
the latter by persons not familiar with the
two animals. The Canada Lynx, strictly
speaking, is northern beast and is not
often seen this side of Canada, though it is
occasionally encountered in Vermount,
New Hamshire, Maine, northern New
York, and now and then in northern Penn
sylvania. The old hunters tell us there are
two kinds of wild cat, one larger than the
other, and in some respects somewhat diff
ferently marked. The Canada Lynx is
nearly three feet in length, with stump
tail of four or five inches, and weighs from
twenty to thirty pounds. 1t is powerful
ANIMAL and in thick forests jumps from
tree to tree. if pursued, until it reaches one
of good size where it conceals itself in
fork. 1t is a much shier animal than the
Bay Lynx, and usually keeps away from
settlements unless driven by hunger to
prey upon the exposed poultry, &c, of the
frontier farmer. 1t lives generally upon
rabbits, squirrels, wild geese, ducks,
grouse, and whatever birds it can succeed
in capturing. 1t will lay crouched upon
Vic oiducH VI 1iee' hiIeeH vi twenty leeI
from the ground, awaiting its prey, and
will then pounce upon it with almost uner-
ring certainty. 1t can go for days, like all
wild animals in high ATTITUDES, without
food. 1t generally inhabits deep, undis-
turbed forests, or new growths of burnt
districts. 1t is not dangerous to man,
unless when wounded and fighting with
the dogs for its life. A thirty pound Can
ada Lynx has been known to disable half
dozen dogs. Its fur will sell tor two or
three dollars.