The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-02-24
THE DISCIPLINE OF THE
SCHOOL.
Continued from February 3.


GENERAL SUGGESTIONS.
Some general suggestions upon the
subject Of instruction may here be
made. Teach subjects, and not books:
teach classes, and through the class
drill the individual members; allow no
Interruptions while classes are recit-
ing; aim to make the class recitation
attractive and interesting; and, above
all, inspire the pupils with earnestness
and enthusiasm in the business of the
school. To wake up mind is the in
structor's first and most important
work; and if successful in this, he is at
once master of the situation; and to
secure accuracy and thoroughness, fire.
quent reviews should be required of
all. Finally, let every department of
instruction be made practical, so that
the scholar will be qualified to enter at
once upon the duties of practical life.
PoLITENEss A LOST ART.
II. The discipline Of good manners.
This subject, which our fathers seem
to have regarded of great Importance,
has been fearfdlly neglected in these
latter days. AS consequence, our
children in the family and school prac-
tice only rudeness and INSTRUMENTATION.
To such an extent has this department
Of education been neglected Of late in
our country that we have received
merited reproach from other nations.
We may here draw the contrast be-
tween the old and new civilization.
The old was distinguished by proper
regard for all the courtesies of refined
life; the new can boast Of nothing but |
incivility. The rapid decline of good |
manners in our times appears most |
evident when we compare the practice |
of our fathers with their degenerate
grandchildren. The old civilization |
recognized the show" and courtesy" |
as tokens of respect. They have ever
been so regarded, though sometimes
used as mere signs of recognition. In
the rural districts the bow and cour-
tesy have been regarded as evidence of
good breeding, and as the expression
young for their superiors. Alas! that |
the sign and the thing signifed have
nearly passed away The expressions
of genuine politeness and Difference
which were met in every cultivated
family and good school in the days of |
the distinguished DR.. Edwards have
given place to habits of coarseness and
incivility, and the SIR and madam,
which were always used by the chill
dren in the genteel family as title of
respect for parents, have, with the bow
and courtesy, passed away. And
where now do we find that gentleness,
and ready obedience which
characterized the children in their re-
latlons to those whom God has placed
over them in their own homes? In
those days, under the direction of pa
rental authority, children kept their
place, regarded their instructors, and
observed all the little acts of ciqility
which throw charm around the fam
ly circle. Not so now. Rudeness
all their movements at
home and in school. With their heads
covered, they lounge about the house,
ntrude themselves into company, in
,errupt conversation, dispute with SUI
1eriors, and make themselves disagree
lble in every way. at school the
pound and scream which follow the
word of dismissal remind one of incip-
ent saYages; and in the streets the
eacher may not expect from school
Joys, as rule, respectful attention and
courteous behavior, but rather insult
ng words, and even snowballs or mud
,alls, if he chance to come in their way.
TANNERS AND MORALS INsEPARABLE.
Now, the manners of a people surely