The Ottawa free trader., 1876-01-08
From the Aurora Herald.
Prof. Clark on Stairs and Studies.

In the December number of the Illinois
Schoolmaster we find the following commu
nicatloH from Prof. Thos Clark, teacher OF
the high school on the east side of the river
lin this city. AS the subject treated of has
attracted much attention here, the article will
he read with interest:
Much has been said in denunciation OF the
long flights Of stairs leading to some of our
chool,rooms-much too, in criticism of our
courses of study. They are breaking down
our girls in mind ana body, it is charged.
| We do not propose to defend the cause of
the stairs. We admit there are more of them
than we would have. Desirable AS are all
heavenly influences, we would prefer our
daily school sessions not quite so near the
angels. We grant the stairs are sometimes
a "weariness to the flesh" "vexation to the
5ones," and possibly, in some instances, even
worse, though We have not seen conclnsiye
evidence of it.
Nor are we going to defend the cause of
the studies. They require work; there is no
denying 1t. They are arranged for healthy
youths, not for invalids; for workers, not for
idlers; for students, not for devotees of So
ciety; for those who believe "life is real'
and earnest and who recognize the duty
Of preparation, in knowledge and mental dis
clplIne, tor Its duties and responsibilities
uOt tuOSC WHOM SlSlOu CutCUcS no glimpse
Of the future beyond the point where "the
winter of their discomfort" in school shall
"be made glorious summer" in matrimony.
Being 80 arranged, some OF our pupils fall by
the wayside, and their fellows have to pass
on without them. The trouble may be in the
stairs; 1t may be In the stHdies. We defend
neither. There is fault, no doubt, in both.
Yet Is IL not barely possible that other
agencies than these work part of the mis-
chief? Some of our school girls mount the
stairs leading TO the operations gallery an
average of twice week they are quite con-
scientious In making two or three daily trips
to the post-ofice for their mail-each time,
OF course, climbing the high blu fl on their
way home; they attend frequent sociables
and parties at private houses, and in their
frolics run up and down stairs dozen times
an evening; they eat much confectionery
and take hearty meals at unreasonable hours :;
they reach home two hours after the time
that girls of such age, with the duties off
school resting upon them, should be in bed
and sound asleep; they are careless in ex.
posing themselves 10 the weather at times
when too much caution cannot be exercised.
Yet when ills come upon them which IL
would seem might well be attributed, IN
some small degree, at least, 10 these dIssipa-
tions and exposures, they are all charged upl
to chose horrid school STAIRS When the
ills grow more numerous and serious; when
the dear creatures grow nervous and troubled
with headache or sleeplcssness or even worse
then the other scape-goat-the siudies--isl
summoned up Tor service, and all the sins
lefi after loading the former. are pack ed on
the latter.
a few Of our good doctors-we say /; re-
gretiully, for none hold their usual good ser
wees in higher estimation than we-arel
quite too prone 10 aScribe all youthful ills of
body and mind to the schools,
a tender mother consults the family physi
clam about her daughters health. The symp-
toms and troubles are duly recounted. The
doctor listens dTreet,s dHribus, looks wise
why should he not;) and gravely propounds
these queries: Does your daughter attend
school: Does she have To mount two or
three flights of stairs daily? Does she take
all the studies of her class: An affirmative
answer being given TO each, with the siguif-
cant ejaculation, "Ob, those stairs and stud
les ~ he proceeds 10 write prescription of
some powders and pills, charges the mother
- withdraw the daughter at once from
school, settles backs in his easy chair, and
wouldn't give q farthing 10 feel any surer
than he does that the recording angel is busy
adding another To the long list of credit
marks opposite his name in the heavenly
register The mother Is delighted that the
case is no worse Yes, and she Is flsttcrcd,
loo; fol is il not clear that the doctor believes
her daughter capable OF mental applications
10 intense as even To be dangerous. or
course, she believes every word OF the ad.
vice-it is so easy to believe what one irishs,
10 believe--snd holds in higher esteem than
ever before ihe professional skill of the
adviser. i
Darling shall quit school al once. Strange
did not realize the trouble sooner Thst
aEsa.L 49, -. SOEs.-a. app>allnCs "a