River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1876-08-17
GdnrafunaL
III. ). BAKER. a. H., Editor.
(couSTY SUPERINTENDENT
oOLVG To COLLEGE.

oOLVG TO COLLEGE.
At the last Teachers Association
held in River Falls, the topic, "Where
Shall Wisconsin Boy Prepare for
College, was discussed In that dis.
cussion, the dark side was held up to
the audience very ably, by one who
one year ago, at a similar gathering
presented the advantages Of classical
training, so plainly that those who
heard him must have wished to secure
it if possible. We regret that the
other side was not also presented.
There were some reached by the discus.
sion who hope, at least,to obtain lib
eral education, and they were probably
discouraged, if not dissuaded from
their object. In presenting the other
side Of the question, the thing of most
Importance is the
EXPENSE.
The figures given by the speaker
must apply to the more expensive col
leges, in cities of considerable size.
But we believe that statistics show
quite as large proportion of eminent
men from the smaller colleges, in
what may be called country towns, as
from Harvard, Yale and Ann Arbor.
The tuition in these is largely free.
The endowment is usually sufficient to
pay the tuition of those who show by
their good habits and close attention
to business, that they deserve it.
That expense is reduced to zero. Books
can be procured second hand and then
sold, when the term closes, at a very
small loss. Board in clubs is usually
very cheap. The expense need not be
over $3.50 per year, If the student is
economical. Many do even better than
this.
PREPARATION.
It is necessary to have a very thor
Ough common school education, and
in addition, a knowledge of plane
geometry, and elementary algebra.
Then there must be as much knowl.
elge of Greek and Latin as ordinary
OF even smart pupils can acquire in
three years. Some, with close appli-
cation may do 1T in less time, but rare
ly. Frequently more time is needed.
If thestudentisoti togofrom home
to attend a preparar ny school, the
expense will not fall far short of uteo or
six hundred dollars. But there were
teachers last year at River Falls and
Maiden Rock, that could teach all the
preparatory studies. Also at Hudson
and Hammond. There are several
others we doubt not, who could teach
the mathematics. In older counties
the chance is even better. Private
tuition is often to be obtained Of pro.
fessional men, at reasonable rates. In
the above ways the expense of prepa-
ration may be reduced TO a nominal
sum.
OBJECT.
Colleges DO not profess to prepare
young men to enter at once upon any
occupation, unless it be academieal
teaching. The knowledge of mental
science there acquce red, lays the foun.
dation for structure Of methods that
is very creditable. The object is to
cultivate the mind and it is accom-.
plished.
But none can briid large edifce
upon a small foundation. Mediocri.y
is improved, but il is not made into
genius. What, in brief, ARE the beneftsl
In regard to what the college grad.
uate knows about books, it may be said
that he has good knowledge of Greek
and Latin. At least six years study
upon these is spent before the currie.
ulum is completed. lie has a fair
knowledge Of mathematics, finishing
geometry, trigonometry, etc, up
through astronomy, and the intricate
problems involved therein, of which
the calculation Of an eclipse is one.
While he has some knowledge of all
the sciences, be is quite thorough in
chemistry, philosophy in all its
branches, and botany.
What can he dol
He can teach according to good
methods, academical studies. He can
do surveying, and ordinary engineer,
ing. He can learn profession in one
10 two years less time than with only
common school education, and this
for two reasons; he has already many
of the studies required, and the re-
mainder he can learn In less time.
Best Of all, lie can think for himself,
learn for himself, and do anything
better than before.
ro BE- coSrwrED.