Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1883-03-29

small annual fee was paid, which, in ad
EDITION to the proceeds of the sale, bought
a new set of books TO be distributed
Tread. and afterward sold like the first
This club has been in operation for more
/. thsn ferry years, and two or three gen
eTations have enjoyed its benefits. Here
are number of copies Of Farm and
Fneside." in which much fuller &C
count of this plan for book club is
given. All who desire are requested to
take copy.
: Family classes for the stu iy Of bot.
/ any, entomology, astronomy, or any 9TH
er. useful department of knowledge,
makes pleasant feature in the life of
some families. In regard to such classes,
those farmers who have been fortunate
enough to secure bright school marin
fpr a wife, will probably have a great
advantage. In addition to such classes
or in connection with them, the collec-
tion and careful preservation Of speci-
mems of natural history for home cabi-
nets, afford charming occupation for
country boys and girls, and those who
live where such objects are abundant
have greatly the advantage of their
young city friends. The social life of
families may be promoted if the parents
will make ample arrangements for social
games. Play is not only source of
pleasure, but it is valuable educator; !;
the social instincts operating through
play, will develop and train the mus
cles, may sharpen and train the senses
and Inenntal faculties as they. cannot be
trained either by hard work or study.
. oiotl fo of i-hh Il,
finds valuable aaxiliary in the grange.
In some localities, l regret to say. the
grange has not proved a success; but
where its educational and social features
have been well brought out there has
been no such word as fail. In some
neighborhoods. where the fathers and
mothers meet in grange to discuss busi-
ness and farming topics, the young peo-
pie have an association more distinctive
ly literary. In some localities one form
OF organization may be most readily sus-
tanned; in other localities a different
one. There are few places, probably.
where some social and educational or
ganization may not be made success.
Te improve the carriage and physical
movements of young farmers, 1 should
be glad to see dancing taught to children
by our young lady teachers in summer
schools, and | am equally in favor of
teaching military drill to all our young
men while attending the winter schools.
1t will help to form habit of prompt
obedience to authority which young
America mahifestly needs. These exer-
cises would improve the carriage, gait,
movement and attitudes of our young
ran< otrd rail- hAr 80
of awk wardness and embarrassment
which is often cause Of positive suffer-
ing, and frequently serious obstacle to
success in life.
In this connection, and as I view it,
not in any manner incompatible with
the exercises just named, there ia prob
ably nothing more pleasantly social and
profitable to neighborheod than we'll
conducted Sunday school. Some writer
has called the Sunday school "the uni
versity for the million" where every
thing which one ought to know should
be taught, and whore persons of all ages
and tastes may find pleasant and proita-
BILE occupation, either as teachers or
learners.
Country and farm life have the advan-
tage Of being constantly In contact with |
nature. God made the country" and |
in the country we are surrounded by a |
thousand objects of deepest interest. |
The sky above is an excellent chart from
which to study astronomy; the earth af- |
fords excellent opportunity for the
study of geology, the vegetable and ami
NAL worlds supply abundant material |
for the study af botany and zoology;
but one may live life time in the midst |
Of these things and learn but little of
them; without living teachers, without
society and mutual help, but little will
be learned. Ohio is the heart of this
nation; whoever goes from East to
West goes through Ohie-equally, who
,ver goes from West to East goes
through Ohio; and In both cases, leaves
,r takes some impress. Standing as we
10 between the East and the West, we
should combine the desirable qualities of
both regions-the intelligence and sta
)ility of the East with the courage and
enterprise of the West. Ohio farmers
must arouse themselves and make the
oest of their opportunities for intellect
lal and social culture; if they do not
tand among the foremost it will GER
ainly be their own fault