Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-01-05


OF THE CELEBRATION ExPLAINED-AS AD-
DRESS BY Mr.. sP0FFORD.
i meeting Of the teachers of the public schools
was held at the High School building this after
noon. mainly FOR the purpose of listening to an
address By Sir. a. L. SpOfTOrd. the librarian OF
Congress. upon the life OF Benjamin Franklin.
The superintendent, Mr.. J. Ormoud Wilson,
made the following preliminary address, which
. explains what is pUrposed in observing Frank
Inns birthday with special exercises in the
schools:
In accordance with the custom in our public
schools of celebrating each year the birthday OF
some eminent person who has TeI Tered Illus
trtous service to mankind, and whose life char
aCief ana writings furnish good example and
instructions for the Young. We haze selected for
the present year Benjamin Franklin. the next
anniversary OF whose birthday VIII occur JAN
uary II. 1851.
In all schools having but one daily session the
exercises will take place curing The last part of
TIE session. and in ell schools having two daily
sessions. during the last session. Teachers and
pupils viii cordially invite the friends of the
/ schools 70 be present.
TIE FURTo. = OF THIS CELEBRATION
IS to give the pupils special oppor-
tUUity 10 learn as much as possible
about this remarkable NAV; and l am
sure we make no mistake in spending little
time in studying the example and lessons of the
LIE OfC1e who without wealth, influence or for
tune, worked out his own education. and by
toll priyaJOn. courage and honesty became the
foremost nan in his own country ana the ac-
knowled@ed peer Of the &bieSt and Wiscst of
{ mankind. WHAT lesson can the children in Our
public schools have more valuable or entertain
Ing than the story Oh his early life as told by
himself: Pupils in the higher grades VIII be
Interested in his philosophical experiments and
discoveries. his inventions. the important dis
Cussions III which he participated. and the part
he acted In the history Of the country during the
last ht:t OF the eighteenth century. embracing
the close of the colonial times, the Declaration
of Independence. the war of the Revolution
the treaty Of peace and the framing and adopt
!ng OF the Constitution Nor Will they be
less Interested in learning his maXims
OF practical wisdom and the leading part he
took III founding literary and scientific societies.
public libraries. schools hospitals and whatever
institutions were calculated to promote the well
fare OF his fellOwmen. The style OF his writings
The cIearness of thought and simplicity of ex-
preston. furnish an excellent model for the imi-
tatiOn of the Young. Mr. Matthew Arnold saws:
Ffdnkiln ana Emerson are the most distinctly
and hOn0rabiy American of our writer's They
are the most original and the most valuable
Two books should have a place in every library
for youth. the Autobiography of Benjamin
Franklin ard the Memoir OF Robert Cham
bcrs.'
While it is desirable and important that the
teachers shall be thoroughly informed on the
subject so tnat they may be Intelligent guides
for their schools. they will do no work for their
pupils that they can DO for themselves. Some
days III advance OF the celebration the teachers
Will explain its purpose to them, request them
to inquire. read and prepare for the occasion.
| and Inform them that the day celebrated will be
an opportunity for telling what they have
learned and what they think about BENJAMIN
franklin HE efforts Of the pupils may then be
supplemented as the good Judgment OF the
teachers shall dictate; and in schools composed
Of the younger pupils. OF course, the work must
be done chiefly by the teachers
Zach teacher viii make out program OF eX-
erc;s"s suited to the grade Of the school and
ages of the pupils. In some features these will
necessarily tie alike in many schools. but it is
not designed or desirable tomanG them conform
II a set pattern. not even in schools Of the same
grade. Each teacher is expected TO originate
. his or her own plan Of work and final exercises
Inc following suggestions may be OF use
Zach school room can be ornamented with a
statuettc. bust. or picture Of Franklin; and the
blackboard can be decorated with his portrait
. or representations o. scenes Illustrating noted
events in his life The three words often found
in his writings and so grandly Illustrated in his
= Role career that they may well be regarded as
the legend or his life, should be prominently and
tastefUlly displayed in each school room and
their full meaning be brought out and Illus
trated III tine exercises.
INDUSTRY. TEMPERANCE. PROBABILITY
Subjects for blackboard illustration which
may be copied from pictures to be found in the
various editions of his life: Portrait; the taow-
chandler boy: the printer boy; first entrance
into Philadelphia; his own porter: experiment
with kite; signing the Declaration of indie
pendence; signing the Treaty of Peace; crowned
philosopher at Versailles: his printing press:
public library building in Philadelphla; and
house in which he was born.
The literary exercises will consist Of recita-
tons OF his maXirns. sayings and anecdotes
telling interesting incidents of his life: reading
compositions, or short essays; declarations:
reading selections from his writings; talks about
Franklin. the exercises to be led by the teach
ers; and at the close, remarks by the teacher or
visitors.
Attention is especially called to the following.
The Autobiography. AnecdOtes-The turkey:
| The use OF graHdmOthers: The halter: The har-
row; fphysicians do most harm or good. Fable
The Eagle and the Cat. Essays-The whistle:
Morals of chess: The art OF procuring pleasant
dreams; Advice 10 young tradesmen; The way to
make money plenty in every mans pocket: An
economical project; preliminary Address to Poor
! Richards Almanac for the year lbs. Letters
Parting advice to his DAUGHTER. Nov s. 1864; to
ms daughter, June ., 1879: How to do much
good with little money, to William Nixon Sep
TENDER 3, 1851: The usefulness OF enemies. an
extract from letter to John Jaw January g.
lioi; Way to make money lent do the most
/ good, to Benjamin Webb. April 81 1854: The
uses and abuses of luxury. to BENJAMIN Vaughn
July 70, 1874; Art OF writing well. to BENJAMIN
Vaughn, November g 1883: His examination in
the British House OF Commons February 1865:
Speech in favor of opening the convention to
frame a Constitution. with prayer. 1851
For music our national hymns and other ap-
proprlate pieces may be selected.
Do not forget that the purpose Of this ceebra-
tl0n Is not to get up an exhibition. but to give
an interesting and instructive lesson. and in
this nothing is to be done for the pupils which
they can do for themselves"
MR.. SPOFFORDS ADDRESS
Mr.. Spoflord In an address which occuried
three-fOurths OF an hour, characterized the
various elements which carried Franklin from
the most unpr0mising surroundings to ultimate
success and fame. He dwelt upon FranklIn's
power as a writer. and his distinction as an in
yentor and discOverer. to whom we owe more
first things than to any man who has lived in
America-the first public circulating library
the first philosophical society, the first fire COM
pany. the first volunteer militia the first street
pavement. the first lightning rod, the first liter
AIRY magazine and the first academy or high
school. He was traced as skilled and success
I ful printer, always producing good work and
publishing from 1923 to 1165 upwards of 400
distinct books and pamphlets, bearing the
franklin imprint. Franklin as n Journalist was
next discussed; always the same clear per-
suaSlVe, and often fascinating writer marshall
ing all his powers to convince the reader The
/ pthy maXims of Poor Richard. and the keen