Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1873-02-28
gellolrs falls Ti,nes,
BELLOWS FALLS, FEB. %, 1878.
Westminster Farmers Club, Feb. 15.
EDUCATION.

Of education for the young, does not
meet the demands of the age.
N. G.. PIERCE.--I am not certain
whether the present system of education
is up to the proper standard or not, but
/ am confident that some of the branches
are not IN accordance with my views
and probably the same is true of many
gentlemen present In former times it
was not difficult to find young ladies
ready and willing to assist in household
duties,or to supply the place of mothers
in case of absence, but to-day it requires
time and horse flesh. Young ladies
have not been educated to take hold of
the necessary work of life, but to take a
"proper position at the piano." Not
long since, after riding several days in
quest of young lady to assist in house
hold duties, inquired of a good old
lady, if she knew where l could find a
young lady to do common work in the
house? 81 do not" was her reply, "but
if you want one to play the piano, | can
refer you to quite number" This is
but one of many similar examples that
might be presented to show the sad re-
suit of our present system of education.
Young ladies should be educated to per-
form all kinds of house work, before
playing the piano. The piano is all right,
provided other things are equal, but to
give the time necessary for young
lady to become proficient player to the
neglect OF the necessary business of a
housewife, is serious mistake in the
success of the lady and the prosperity of
the community. But | am glad to
notice that friend Davis has arrived. l
will conclude prefering to hear from
him.
M. w. DAvIs.-A man that comes out
of tobacco room where the thermome-
ter has stood at 98, is poorly prepared to
speak upon question like this, after
riding several miles in this cold atmos.
phere. However, we are all interested
in this question. As | look at the pres
ent system of education, it is sham, a
faulty system in almost every respect.
To see this butterfly business is truly
astonishing. When boy must know at
the age of IA as much as man of years,
and be the manager Of his own affairs,
it is about time that we put ourselves in
the way of being reminded of the evil
consequences, that something may be
done to enlighten and strengthen indi
vidual conscience in relation to the prop
er training of the young. Under the
: present condition of affairs, the young
!, lad must be sent to the preparatory
school at l5 years Of age, then to college
y and after all the time and expenditure
of money, he is poorly fitted for the mos
: common duties of life. I rather have (
man that never saw grammer than {
dozen such "striplings" as are graduated
at most Of our academies and colleges
The former has the physical ability ant
Is the power Of endurance to take hold o
/ the practical business of life with ei
feet. Young ladies that fit themselve
for the demands of wife are not thos
who are models of perfection at the pi
ano, but those of whom it can be sal
they are models Of perfection in the bus
d d mess of housekeeping, those of whom
Fl may be said in after life, they lent
re helping hand in time of need. We hav
: have too much of this butterfly bushes
of education, it adorns the body but tn
heart and soul are clothed with nothin
= that is beautiful or lovely. Is this tax
ing men from low positions to higher
from humble positions in life to position
| of responsibility and trustf The gran
principle of life is to work, and lab.
together in common sympathy. The d
he sirable object is not to stand still but
: grow. Our hope is in the young: if the
's' can be properly disciplined in the d
nestle circle, they have the security
aY a prosperous life. In order to do thi
we need to call forth their sympathi
OF and take possession of their con6denc
But the system of fashion at school al
at home, is such that it is dificu
task to bring about the desired reform
ton.
w. r. KIMBALL.-I believe our sy
Is, tenn of education as a whole is all rigf
The trouble is at home. l for one, fe
,., the necessity of education. If our teac
ers are right, the system will take ca
of itself. If they are wrong, we have
home work to perform. 1t is true th
many young ladies learn to play the
EN- ano, this i think is all right, but th
ought to be educated beyond this. A la
may play the piano, and dress to t
ces- fashion, but she must know how and
willing to perform the duties of t
household, else she is not lady. l |
ars. lieve the trouble is more with rs, th
IN