The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1886-06-04
Why Teschers should be Loyal to Fac
Other-A Few Points OF Order.

/ AshlotiC Games Tor Boys Necessary 20
Their Intellectual Development.
Why Teachers should be Loyal to Each
Other-A Few Points OF Order.
BOYS GAMES.
The oversight of boys is usually con-
fined, on the teachers part, to directing
their intellectual development by means
Of books. Yet he is not obliged to limit
his observation to the hours and places
OF study, whatever may be true of his
| authoritative directions. The play
ground is place where much character
Is unfolded, developed. and where, to a
large extent, the foundations for future
well-being in the form of good health is
laid. I'VE love the play-place of our
| early days" We learned something
there, too. The teacher of youth is not
called upon to direct sports as he does
studies. Indeed, he had better not in
terfere much with them. But healthy
interest in them is no detriment to his
influence or his dignity. He gains
rather than loses by il. Boys games
are worth attention for two reasons:
Phey promote health, and give chance
for Misunderstanding
Plato said. "A boy is the most Zero
cious Of animals. Whether the Greek
boys Of Plato's time were more ferocious
than American boys of ours, or not, is,
to say the least, doubtful. At any rate,
perhaps on account of their experience
In tanning and training such ferocity as
their boys did have, the Greeks elabor-
ated complete system of education. II
xyrD,,Uht ~,,t h,, I;l;ront ,<rlx, An
the needs of the individual and the
wants Of the state. A sound and we'll
balanced mind, with a healthy body, is
said to have been its end theoretically,
and usually its practical result. Sym
metry, mental and physical. distinguish
ed that wonderful people. This same
Plato, who is so hard on the Greek boys,
advises that they be sent to the gymna-
stun; ''that having more efficient bod
les, they may the better minister to
virtuOus minds"
Now we cannot keep the boys at work
all the time. "All work and no play
makes Jack a dull boy" Even our
book learning. fine though it may be,
needs to be supplemented by other
| things. What sort of sports they have
is subject in which the faithful in
structor has some interest. OF course
there may be those who would think it
inappropriate for the schOolmaster even
to know that there is any such thing as
play. He has sometimes been supposed
to be next to the minister in solemnity,
ia man severe and stern to view,"-
his mental equipment wise saws and
solemn learning of the ages; all the
better IL little dry. Still, nowadays,
it may be questioned whether it is alto
gether necessary for even the school
master to cultivate preternatural solemn
ity or wear long face, unless nature
has given him one 1t may be possible
for him to believe in hard work, very
hard work,-work at the top of ones
ability, and at the same time to believe
in hearty play. He may even know
something about drop-kick, a curved
pitch, or three-base hit, and yet not
be any the worse for it.
There is much good in athletic sports
when they are not carried too far. Ex-
elusive attention to bodily powers and
powers of muscle does not give us the
highest style of man. II these subjects
get too thoroughly and deeply into
school, it is detriment Everyone ac-
knowledges that such result works
harm. But, after all, is it not more
harmful not to have them in the school
at all? Would not school. if such
one could be found on the face of the
earth, where athletic sports were not a
topic of conversation and source of
amusement, be sort of emasculated
institution The Romans expressed
contempt for person by saying, "He
has no acquaintance with literature. and
he cannot SWIM" As far rs boys
games tend to establish foundation of
good health for the future, they are
valuable. The demands of American
life are pressing. The strong jostle the
weak. push them to the wall, and pass
on. The prizes of life are for those who
can endure. 1t is verify survival of
the fittest. The strain is tremendous to
hold your own. Success is often a mat
ter Of physical endurance. I'm every
efficient man there is, first, fine ami
NAL. "-R. Payson, Binghaniton. N. Y.
CRITICISM.
Teachers should stand by their frater-
nifty. Physicians are loyal to their craft
against all attacks; lawyers never adj
NIT any weaknesses in their guild so
long as the professional methods are
followed; clergymen are jealous of the