Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-09-29
VOL. XXXVII.
A Japanese School.

The proverbial politeness and GENTLE
ness of Japanese, in addition to their
reverence for teachers, make them yerv
pleasant pupils. They are very ambitious
TO become wise, and therefore studious to
degree often detrimental to health.
Before the entrance of foreign customs
among them a playground was never
considered necessary requisite of a
school. Doubtless this accounts largely
for the great mortality among Japanese
students. But if the japanese official
who recently told II friend, on VOYAGE
from America, that Japanese students
were too lazy to play, would pay a visit to
our play ground during recess, he would
conclude either he had made Il mistake in
Judging the masses by one rule, or that
Yankee" teachers had inspired and de
veloped a new spirit among them during
his absence in foreign lands.
The respectful attention given by pupils
in recitation, and their adherence to the
rules of order that govern them, make
teaching in Japan, notwithstanding its
discouragements, more desirable than ut
home. 1t is doubtless a prevailing fault
among men-at least u large portion of
them-to be superficial to the requirement
of knowledge, and to obtain it in great
haste. This, perhaps, can be accounted
for in measure. The inability of
many who were once wealthy samura
(nobilily,) and now reduced to penury by
the revolution which overthrow the
Fokngawa dynasty and the old feudal
system, to keep their children in school
"A sufficient length of time to get a respec-
table English education. gives rise to make
their scanty supply cover as much space
rs possible 1t is only by long and
patient dealing with them that they are
led to see the wisdom of thoroughness.
Some borrow money from distant relatives
and friends, and then seek to make it 90
AS far as possible in fitting them for pay
ing positions, promising to make salts
factory returns ut no distant day, hoping
that some lucrative employment in gov
ernment service will reward them for the |
struggle. Some people at home who
know but little of Japan will, l fear,
doubt the veracity of one who tells them |
that students can be boarded for 81. 50 per
month here, and yet the people are too
poor to afford even that for any length of
time. The rates of interest here are fab
ulously high and woe to the man who
must needs borrow money for any purpose
almost certain financial ruin lies before |
him. Nine per cent monthly is consider.
ed very moderate interest, and sometimes
1t reaches to twenty-five. Another prom
inent discouragement is the trvialness of
many of their excuses for absence The
most frequent one used is important
business" which includes anything from
the purchasing of u pencil to the visiting
of grandmother.
In the last few years quite revolution
has taken place in the methods of instruc-
ton. One teacher can instruct many
more pupils with half the labor, and to
the greater advancement of the pupils,
since the foreign methods Of classification
have been adopted. A change, also. in
school furniture has been made in most of
the schools, especially in those under
government patronage. 1t is somewhat
doubtful whether these changes are always
all things considered, es-
pecially in the country. where small
children principally attend.
The old custom OF sitting on soft seats,
with low neat desks before them, has some
especially in winter, with no
stoves to heat the room, the little bare or
thinly clad feet are much more comfor-
table curled up under their bodies than in
swinging from benches in the cold or
poorly heated room.
Several methods are followed in dis
posing of delinquent boys. Sometimes q
urchin is required to stand
and hold II piece of slender burning punk,
about foot long, till it is consumed;
should he seek to avoid any part of his
by breaking off the lower end,
and be detected in it, another punishment
is added. A cupful of water held in the
hand is another mode of furnishing, and
should the truant spill any, Il longer stay
is in store for him. Sometimes culprit
is compelled to stand holding in his hand
a long stick with quantity of paper sus-
pended at the further end. his face bearing
marks, not of his mischievousness, but rs
The result of it applied by the teacher.
But should he not mend his ways, the rod
is applied as last resort.-Harper'S