The Columbus journal., 1879-01-22
GOING TO SCHOOL.
Practical Versus Theoretical
Education.

pupils, a lad Of L, and there was sly
twinkle in Mr.. Old Fogy's eyes a:
he rubbed his hands before the fire
81 want to show you that you are
all wrong" he said as he sat down
''and have therefore brought James
along. You can ask him any ques.
tion you see fit. Perhaps you had
better test him in geography lit
tle."
"James, what are the principal
products of Louisiana 2" | asked.
"Sugar, molasses, cotton and rice,
he promptly answered.
SHOW do we get sugar? What is
II before it is sugar."
81 don't know, sir"
"Does rice grow on trees, or
how?"
"On trees, I guess"
"What is molasses, james,"
at is sweet stuff, SIR"
nOW QOeS COllOH BTOh
al don't know-we never had
that.
"What are exports?"
81 don't know, SIR"
"Why do yon ask him such ques-
tions ?" put in Mr.. Old Fogy, getting
irritated right away.
"Simply to see if you have really
taught him anything. You have
been teaching him for several years,
and yet he can't tell whether
molasses is dug out of hill or
picked from an old knOt-hole.-
When you first mentioned the name
Louisiana to him you could have
explained all the rest in two minutes.
Now, James, what is our system of
government"
Republican, SIR"
"And what is that of Russia 2"
"Monarchial, sir"
"Very well what is the difference
between them? Name any one
point"
at is awful cold in Russia an
swered the boy after long wait.
"That isn't fair-indeed il isn't :"
exclaimed Mr.. Old Fogy, as he rose
up.
"Isn't il? You have, as a teacher,
asked these same questions week af-
ter week for twenty years, and yet
never explained a single point. The
boy now believes that the weather
makes the difference between a free
government and a despotism, and
he'll keep on believing until some
one outside of the school enlightens
him. Now, James, take this slate
and pencil and draw me cape.
"Why, how singular!' growled
Mr.. Old Fogy.
"Yes, very," I replied, as James
gave it up. "For years this boy has
been told that cape is a point
land projecting into the warer, and
yet he can not mark out one? Well,
does he know anything about arith-
metic."
"He can do any sum in the first
half OF the book, SIR"
"Can, eh? James, ifyou kept store,
and a woman bought ten yards of
dress goods at forty cents per yard,
but returned the goods and want
ed factory at five cents per yard,
how many yards would you give
herr"
James figured. He bit his pencil
and figured again. He pushed out
his tongue, wet his pencil and final
ly replied:
every singular - very singular ?"
growled Mr.. old Foggy.
$50 it is. Now, let me hear him
read"
James took the school reader and
began:
"A farmer whose poultry yard
had suffered severely from the foxes,
succeeded at last in catching one,"
etc.
as your book right side up,
james,"
"Yes, sir
"And your eyes on the lines"
Yes, SIR"
"Well, now, wait a moment"
Half dozen children were play
ing up stairs, and calling them down
j selected a girl eight years old,
handed her the book, and said:
"Now, Lily, turn the book upside
down and read US about the farmer
and the fcx."
She held the book away and re-
peated whole page without hesita-
tion.
"You see, Mr.. Old Fogy, your boy
has read that article and heard it
read hundred times. 1t was long
ago monotonous to him. He simply
repeats it parrot-like, and his mind
is not whit interested. as it would
be if he read something new and
different each day. Now, Ill show
you how / would teach school.
Children, stand her in a row. and all
answer together"
"IfI ship goods into an other ceun-
try what are they called?"
Exports, SIR"
"Ifl buy goods of any other coun-
try?'