The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-20

Iney were tnose we nave already INDICATED,
stupidity, apathy and Incidence; and
next. the exigencies and conditions Of
labor. The children leave the board schools, fer
the most part, at the age of thirteen. At this
ripe age when the education Of the richer class
is only just beginning, these children have to
leave school and begin work. It might be thought
that the children would by this age have received
such an impetus and imbibed so great a love for
reading that they would, of their own accord,
continue to read and study on the lines laid
down, and eagerly make use Of such facilities as
might be provided for them. In the history or
the well intentioned we shall find that they are
always creditng the working classes with vr-
tues which no other class can boast In this case
we credited the children of workingmen with
clear insight into their own best interests; with
resolution and patience; with industry; with the
power of resisting temptation, and with the
strength to forego present enjoyment.
This is good deal to expect of them But
apply the same situation 20 boy of the middle
class He is taken from school at sixteen, and
sent to merchants Office or shop. Here he
works from to g. or perhaps later. How many
OF these lads, when their days work is over,
make any attempt at all to carry on their educa-
ton, or to learn anything newt These boys
come from homes where there are some books
at least, some journals and some papers They
hear at their Offices and at home talk which
should stimulate them to effort yet most OF
them lie where they are like logs If such boys
as these remain in Incidence, what are we to ex-
pect of those who belong to the lower levelsY
For they have no books at home, no magazines.
no journals; they hear no talk OF learning or
knowledge.
Therefore, they spend their evenings in he
streets Here they find their companions of the
work room; here they feel the strong swift cur
rent Of life; here something is always happen
ing; here there are always new phases. AS for
their favorite amusements and their pleasures,
they grow yearly coarser. AS for their CONVEX
sation. it grows continually viler, until lola
himsaf w0nld ma ashamo6 n ronr0duCa the talk
OF these young people.
eve do not, therefore, only leave the children
without education: we also leave them at the
most important age, suppose, of any-the age
Of early adolescence-without guidance or super.
vision. How should we like our own girls left
free to run about the streets at thirteen yeas Of
age3 Between the ages of thirteen and eighteen
how can we ever forget this time2--there falls
upon boy and girl alike strange and subtle
change. 1t is a time when the brain 10 full of
strange, new imaginngs, when the thoughts 60
vaguely forth to unknown splendors, when the
continuity of life ia broken and the lad of to-day
is different from him of yesterday; when the en-
ergies, physical and intellectual, wake into new
life and impel the youth in new directions. Ev-
cry one has been young, but somehow we forget
that sweet spring season. Let US try
to remember, in the interests of the
uncared,for youths and girls, the time of glorious
upon some peak in Darien to gaze upon the pur-
pie isles of life in the great ocean beyond, peo-
pied by men who were as and women who
were as goddesses. Our owl. leaning was glori-
fed, to be sure with memories of things we had
read. Yet, as we dreamed, so, but without the
color lont to our visions. these sallowf faced lads
with the long and ugly coats and the round
topped hats are dreaming now. For want OF our
help their dreams become nightmares. and in
their brains are born devils of every evil passion
"The continuation school ian evening school)
is to be established in this country. The difi-
culties Of the situation will be met, not by com
pelling the children to attend, but by persuading
and attracting Thorn. Much is hoped from
parents influence, now that workingmen under
stand the situation; much may be hoped from
the children themselves ia being interested and
by others example. The continuation school
will have two branches-the recreative and the
instructive. Since, after hard days work, the
children must have amusement. play will be
found for them in the shape of The Rhythmic
Drill which is defined as pleasant, orderly
movement, accompanied by music and the in
structon is promised to be conveyed in more
mentary schools. 1t seems as lie the projectors
were really going. at last, to recognize dancing
as one of the most delightful healthful and inno-
cent amusements possible. / am quite sure If
we can make up our minds to give
the young people plenty of dancing they
will gratefully, in exchange attend any num-
Der Of science classes. Next, there will be
q great deal OF singing, Of course in parts, which
will still further lead to that orderly association
of young men and maidens which is so desirable
thing and so wholesome for the human soul.
There will also be classes in drawing and de-
sign-the very commencement of technical in
struction and the necessary foundation of skilled
handicraft. There will be- for boys, classes in
some elementary science bearing on their trade;
for girls, lessons in domestic economy and ele-
mentary cooking; and for both boys and girls.
there will be classes in those minor arts which
are just now coming to the 'front.' such as model
ing, Woodworking repousse work, 'etc.