Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1874-07-16
EDUCATIONAL COLUMN.
Edited and Conducted by
j. r. LANGENBA UGH.
HIGHER STUDIES In SCHOOL.

4
and of the unlimited expansion of that
5enevolence which is extended to the
inhabitants of thousands of worlds-of
the comprehensiveness of those laws of
beauty and order which embrace count
less systems of worlds, We must study
astronomy. But, independently of the
dignity of the science as an occupation
for the intellect, and as preparation for
higher conceptions of that love, which,
while it has an infinite universe to act in,
ond countless intelligences to bless, takes
care even of the sparrows, and hears the
cry of the young raven, astronomy has
claims upon us on account of its numer-
Gus daily applications.
| The seasons of the year, the recurrence
of light and darkness, the lengthening
and shortening of the days, the beautiful
changes of the moon, the wonderful eclip-
Ses, are subjects about which we should
be familiar for they are the theme of the
watchful and Unsuitable curiosity of chill
dren, and in regard to them every tolera-
bly, educated individual should have his
questionings answered. To do this in
some degree not entirely unsatisfactory,
requires no profound knowledge, but
such only as may be obtained from some
of the common treatises upon the subject.
The size. shape, and motions of the earth,
the distances, magnitudes, and motions
of the sun and moon, the difference be-
tween The fixed stars and the planets, the
extent of the atmosphere, the tides of the
ocean,-these are nearly all the essential
points, though more would be useful. In
connection with astronomy, something OF
the nature and laws of light may be ex-
planned A few articles of optical and
astronomical apparatus will be of great
use; but, when they are not 10 be had
substitutes for all can be had for all ex-
cept prism. There are hundreds, nay
thousands OF districts, in which children
will be able to obtain information on
these interesting subjects from no one
except the teacher of the district school
Shall they look to him in vain.
Another subject is the arts, especially
the common and useful arts. Children
are curious as to the manner in which the
things about them are made What is
glass made of? How are books made
And tables, chairs, knives, nails, earthen-
ware and cloth? Such questions they
ask in regard to all objects that meet
their sight. The more satisfactory we
can answer them, the more pleasure shall
We give, the greater interest shall we ex-
cite in the minds of children, the more
fully shall We answer the demand upon
us to furnish them with knowledge oi
practical use. and the more efiectually
shall we excite that curiosity which is
only another name for the activity of Ger.
tain powers of the mind, the energies OF
whose action is one of the importan,
circumstances that make difference be.
tween man and man. A study of the
arts is among the preparations We are tc
make to teach Geography satisfactorily
and profitably.
Oblige child to commit to memory
the boundaries, cities, and rivers of Penn
solvania, and it will be likely to forget
all; but if you give it description of the
coal mines of the State, ard by wha
means and power the coal is brought Il
the surfoce, and the use of it, and it will
remember it, and the other facts associa
ted with it. What can be more interest
ing than the great salt mines of Cracow
in Poland, and the mode of preparing it
the lead mines, the quick silver mines
and the preparation firon, gold, silver
copper, and the other metals? In teach
ing Geography, you as teachers will fin,
constant need of knowledge of history
and there is no way in which both cal
be made so interesting as by teachin,
them in connection. A place whicl
would soon be forgotten, if nothing bu
its name and situation were mentioned
becomes engraven on the mind, by bein,
i associated with some remarkable even
in history, some curious phenomenon il
nature, or some interesting operation il
art. History, therefore, should be one O
the studies in every'district school.
An ancient Philosopher, being aske,
what child would learn, answered, wha
} will be of use to him when he becomes
man. Every man should understand tn
frame of the government under which h
lives; 10 know something of the const
tuition on which that government is based
of the laws he is bound to obey, and {
the rights and duties as citizen. Thi
knowledge comes not by intuition, nor
; it the dictate of mere common sens,
= 1t ough to be communicated in the cours
Is of his education. The masters of til
highest class of common schools, shoul
be able to communicate something fthi
kind of knowledge. A study of the col
e stitution of the State and of the Unite
States, and of the general frame of OF
: Government. and of the character of or