Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1876-12-07

The long winter evenings are upon US
again, and something must be done to
make them pass pleasantly. In the city
where evening entertainments arc plenty
and the means of social pleasure abun-
dant, it is not difficult to occupy the time
very pleasantly; but our country friends
do not have so many privileges, nor in
fact so many temptations, hence they
must provide for themselves such an,use-
ment as they can. Several avenues are
open to them. One of the best is reading
aloud. The young people do not get sui
6cicnt practice in this exercise, while at
school, and what they do get is not always
valuable. Cntler the direction Of an in:
different teacher they arc allowed to vio-
late not only the rules but good sense also,
and thus fail to be benefited at all BY their
practice. To compensate for this, the
children should read much at home, and
read for the benefit of the family, because
in 50 doing, they will be compelled to 30
exercise the voice and the judgment as
that those who listen may understand.
Such an exercise continued perseveringly
will make good readers of nearly all.
The old fashioned debating school
should bc revived. A. means of pro.
noting consecutive thought and accurate
expression, it has, ana can have, no rival
BY all means let there be debating
school in each district, holding meetings
once every week. Such an organization
interests and benefits, both old and young
and it not only benefits, it pleases, and
human beings need pleasure as much as
instruction. Another old fashioned insti-
tution-ths spelling school-should be
restored to lis place in the catalogue Of
winter privileges. Not many Of Us know
how to spell oil the English words in
common USE, nor shall We very soon,
without much study and practice. A
proper spirit Of rivalry makes this ex;
ercisc one of intense interest and great
advantage. After having ''spellcd down"
few declarations add interest to the
occasion. There may be found in every
school few boys that can acquit them
selves creditably in such an exercise,
and the grown people like very much tc
hear them.
The singing school" should not be for
gotten. No other neighborhuod affair Il
| ,vnr%l> hale = ~ ,,oE M a, vnoana ~ aniov
mcnt for the ''young folks as this. While
it cultivates the voices, it opens the hearts
and enkindles tender emotions, and de
velopes sweet harmonics and often RESULT
il uniting interests aud purposes in com
mon destiny. The singing school has u
assimilating power which is truly wonder
full, and it should be retained as an i'm
portant element in our agencies Of civiliza
! ton.
Eacl, family IN the rural districts SHOULD
be supplied with such papers and period,
calls ss will furnish them the best intelll
gence upon current questions, whether
political. scjentidc or religious, and tim,
should be given to ,beir careful study
4 No person can be considered veil infora
ed Who Is not familiar with the progress
Of the present age. and none can Be q
without reading the papers. BY acting
upon the suggestions which are here mad
our friends will increase their fund Of IL
formation, and derive degree Of plessur,
which, they never before experienced