The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-06
THE STUDY OF MANNERS,

The STUDY OF MANNERS.
common complaint against the public
schools is that they do not fit the pupils for
practical life; that what is learned from text
books is useful but not altogether satisfactory
when the time and labor spent in gaining the
knowledge are compared with the results
This structure is most frequently brought out
when the propriety of public instruction in
trades and arts comes up for discussion. It
must be admitted, however, that boy or girl
may be well drilled in elementary studies, and
may be skilled in some form of manual labor
without being fully qualified for all the ext
gences of daily life. The vague dissatisfac-
ton felt by many in regard to the
training received by the youth of
the period is voiced by the Hon.
d. P. Baldwin, in an address to students,
which he has published in pamphlet form
under the title, ga Study of Manners and
Conduct" 1t is forcible and convincing ar
gument in favor Of the practical utility of
good manners and graces Of behavior in all
the walks Of life. In addition to this, the
truth of which is conceded by every one in a
general way he dwells at length upon the
necessity of attaining the accomplishments in
question at an early age. AS a means of do
ing this, he suggests that instruction in de-
pertinent be given in public schools. In re-
10 had.
taught at home, he answers very truly that
in many families even of intelligence and in
tellectual culture, there is little or no
social life and that the members of
such families may, though otherwise qualified
to appear well in society, be put at disad-
vantage all their lives through awkwardness
and shyness growing out Of their early unfa-
miliarity with such scenes. AS to the lack of
manuals on such subjects which are fitted for
textbooks, Mr.. Baldwin urges that textbooks
will be written when the demand arises, and,
as preliminary movement toward this end, he
under the direction of their teachers the chill
dren will entertain each other and
their friends according to the most
approved rules of behavior ID this can be
done in private Finishing" schools he sees no
reason why the same plan should not be car
ried out elsewhere
Mr.. Baldwin's ideas will probably meet with
criticism, but, though they may be impracti-
cable, they are founded upon a need which
students do not realize clearly until their
youthful days are past. Carlyle, in his letters,
makes allusion to his brusqueness as
result of his early lack of acquaint-
ance with polished people, and Ruskin
confesses that he has found it i'm
possible in later life to acquire "skill in any
pleasing accomplishment, or ease and tact
in ordinary behavior" these graces not hav-
ing been taught him in youth. 1t is not
desirable that crop of youthful Turveydrops
be turned out of the public school mill; but
there seems no good reason why a certain
amount of training in the social habits and
customs of gentlemen and ladies should not
be given, to the great benefit of all concerned
If this be adding new burden to the already
overloaded school system it is not impossible
that some other branch could be Topped off
without serious injury, in order to make room
for it. Mr.. Baldwin's address is worthy the
attention of teachers and students though it
may be added in this connection that care
full editing and revision of the pamphlet is
desirable if it is intended for general circula-
ton.