The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1877-11-24
Our Table

HISTORY IN OUR COMMON ScHooLs.-Love
Of country ought to burn in ever breast with
o steady and reliable flame. 1t ought to be-
and is to a great extent, the mother element
Of our national life 1t would be stronger,
steadier, more reliable, if every citizen un-
derstoOd our institutions, their origin, devel-
opment, progress and promises. This un-
derstanding can be had by those alone who
study the history of the country from its dis
covery to the present time, who gather the
lesson Of its greatness from the successive
steps the fathers made toward liberty and
independence, until they gained the realiza-
tion of their hopes in free land and a self
governed people,
Systematic study Of the history Of the
United States is not generally pursued in
the common schools, although something
TO answer the form of historical investigation
is there attempted. The subject has become
distasteful in late years, not because it lacks
interest, not because its Importance is un-
derrated, but because historical textbooks
do not convey the facts of history in attrac-
tive form. The story of our national travail
and birth is one of the most exciting and
absorbing relations in all history, when
properly presented. When shorn of its il
lustratiye incidents, legitimate deductions
and grand climax, it is tame and dry as any
mere chronological record. Ordinary text
books of history cut the grand and soul
thrilling record down to its dry chronology
cal features and expect it to excite the en-
thusiasm of youth
We feel impressed with the view that no
change presents wider field for improve
ment than that contemplated by the friends
of reform in school histories. 1t is subject
of the first importance to the people, for
upon its wise determination depends the ad-
vancement Of our children in knowledge OF
their own country, and no knowledge is Of
greater moment to the future citizen.
Our attention has recently been called tc
History Of the United States for the use o.
schools, by Prof. j. C. Ridpath, which is not
only the best we have ever seen, but EN-,
braces features of rare value never before in,
eorporated into any history. 1t is writer
in style Of elegance, but simple and easy
Of comprehension systematically arranged
in connected narrative unbiased and
without political or sectarian prejudice
elegantly and intelligently illustrated with
chronological charts, progressive maps, to
biographical diagrams, portraits and cuts
fresh, philosophical and readable. 1t is al
much unlike an ordinary school history a.
the beautiful periods of Irving are milk,
the turgid nonsense of Tupper and it S,
ndroitly weaves the inspiring story of tn,
country into the web and woof of its materi
al facts as to impress the lessons of history
upon the mind with indelible force. 4
change to this book has already been effect
ed in more than fifteen hundred schools il
the State of Pennsylvania, and we Are clea
in the opinion that its generel adoption will
prove both grateful and beneficial TO attend
ants Of our common schools everywhere
Jones Brothers 4 Co., publishers, l4l and IA
Race street, Philadelphia, Pa.
LONE CENT DAY l-Economy is the or
der of the hour, and every expenditure
however small, is expected to give return
in full value. Every family requires on
good, reliable family newspaper. If such al
article can be procured for less than one cen
5or each working day Of the year, we are nc
aware of it. A Family Newspaper shoul
caRtsin a carefully- summary of al
the news of The day, both Religious and Sec
ular spd be arranged so that the two de
Partments may be separated and read b
two individuals At the same time, 80 muo