Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1884-12-04
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Educational Column.
JOHN B. SCOTT, EDITOR.


EDucATIoN OF GIRLs.-( Concluded.
While all must acknowledge that
the infiuenc of mothers is inestima-
BILE, they will at the same time admit
that that influence which will mould a
high type of citizenship can be exerted
only by mothers who are truly edu-
Gated. There may be exceptions to
this. There are many noble men aud
women whose mothers were not edu-
Gated, but these mothers had learned
discretion, possessed common sense,
and had acquired the ability to think,
which 70 an important part of an edu-
cation, and without which "book learn
ing' is worthless. But how much
would the circle of their influence have
been widened had they had the OPP
portunities of q good education. It is
the rule We wish to discuss, and not
the exception. "Whiie the motherly
instinct may be relied upon as suffi-
cient to supply the child with the most
common of the physical necessities, in
all mental and moral work the mother
must be guided by an enlarged intel
ligence. The love for the child will
supply the motive, but this love must
be supplemented by a knowledge of
what constitutes the highest welfare
of the child, and what means are best
adapted to secure this welfare. To ex-
pect such results from mothers who
are neglected and misdirected at home.
and who have no opportunity to cor
rect their early impressions by educa-
ton. would be absurd. In consequence
of the momentous results involved,
woman's education should be as ex.
tended ana complete as possible. Since
the work of the mother is to shape the
future destiny of the child, the whole
well-being of society depends upon the
intelligence with which this work is
executed" A smattering of many
things will not do. For girl to study
several branches of the higher mathe-
matics,geology, zoology, botany, rbeto-
ric, English Literature, Latin and
French, all in one year only, (this is
not infrequent). and base her claims
to culture upon this, IS absurd. What
ever be the extent of her course o:
study, it must, to be beneficial, be
thorough.
1t is fortunate thing for American
society that the girls are enjoying bet
ter opportunities of education than the
boys. The necessity for the boys to
leave school as soon as old enough to
help earn living for the family, is un-
fortunate for the boys; but the want of
demand for the services of girls which
keeps them in school several years
longer than their opposite sex general
ly remain. is great blessing, not to
them alone, but to society in general.
The TEACHERS SHOULD READ.
Yes, all of us should read good, in-
structive literature, for many reasons.
First, it 10 such an agreeable manner
OF spending portion of our leisure
hours. The mind, like any other piece
OF machinery, must have some ACTIVE
~, some movement to keep it polished
and in good working order. Again,
the mind, SO to speak, Graves this ac-
tivity whereby its working power is
improved. We may allow ourselves
to grow careless, and, msyhap, indif-
ferent, as tn the material which we put
before our minds; this ill-chosen mate
rial, or lack of any choosing, tells IS
certainly on the activity of the minds
growth. The hypothesis, then, of put
ting good material before the mind,
for good results. is true one. All
teachers should, ought, and must, read
good literature, or, in time, the same
teachers, neglecting this mental cul-
ture, are left behind in the race for
first-class position. We all hope, want
and expect to succeed in our endeavors
for success in life; then I claim it the
duty for each and every one of US to
leave no stoue unturned in our re-
spective positions, whereby we may the
better fit ourselves for doing well the
work assigned Us. This view of the
question, then, makes it necessary for
US to brighten and improve our pos
sessions of knowledge. No ones mind
Is SO retentive as to retain all that was
once held in it. This is called the
progressive age; granting that this is
so, then we must read and study to
keep pace with the rapidly advancing
ideas, theories and discoveries of mod
ern thinkers. No one can blame any
one bat himself, if he is behind in the
comprehension and acceptance of mod
ern research. Educational theories are
not by any means the vanguard of all
this advancement of ideas. Some may
ask, What shall read? In answer,
say, Do not omit reading the literature
of your profession. You will find many
good, wholesome ideas advanced in
educational journals, which would
never have occurred to your mind
otherwise. You eau find, as it were,
an abstract of the daily educational
ledger of the land. We are all glad of
nny spirit abroad for the advancement
of the cause which we profess to fol-