The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-01

BILE suggestions were advanced. but from the
circumstance, even more significant, that the
assembled teachers were quick to recognize
and show appreciation of the best points made
and to approve proposed reforms. This read
mess to respond is proof sufficient that the
theories set forth will at least be given the test
of experimental trial.
To enumerate the ideas worthy of attentio,
would involve review of the conventions en-
tire work, and is unnecessary; but one plan sug
gested as an educational measure is deserving
of special consideration. That children
should be carefully directed in the choice of
reading matter is beyond dispute; that the
majority of them are without intelligent
guidance Of that character is also true. They
are left to chance and to their own fancy and,
as Professor Carhart truly says, they read for
amusement only and devour an untold amount
of trash. It may be said, parenthetically,
that the trash is by no means con-
fined to yellow covers and five
cent libraries" but may be found
in volumes issued by the best publishing
houses, and is not unknown to Juvenile
periodicals, excellent as these are in the
main.
It is not that this literature is actually i'm
moral or openly vicous-childrens books,
even of the poorest class, are seldom harmful
in that sense; it is Objectionable because of its
bad literary quality, the false ideas it gives of
life, its lack of purpose, and worst Of all, be-
cause of the improper and hurtful tastes
formed by those who read it. A child who
has been permitted to indulge his fancy for
sensational fiction without restraint finds it
difficult when be arrives at years of discre-
ton, to interest himself in a higher order of
strongest, and the books read in early youth
go further to mold the character than the
same literature studied with care in later
years.
recent mention by a number of distinguished
men of books that helped them. The most OF
these named were read in childhood, and none
of the lists so far seen contain any works of
the character most popular in the juvenile
world to-day. What sort of reply the boys
and girls of this generation who read
"Oliver Optic" Horatio Alger and q
host of others of the same grade can
make to such question twenty years hence,
or what manner of men and women they will
become, only be coniectured. Those of
us who were born before the present flood of
literature inundated the community wont
to speak half enviously of the superior adj
vantages of children nowadays, but unless
their tastes are trained and regulated it may be
doubted whether they enjoy an unmixed
blessing. The plan for accomplishing this,
suggested by Professor Carhart. seems good
one Reading circles have proved to be
no reason why they should not be of equal
service to children. Properly organized, and
with the active cooperation of teachers in the
movement, they should not only accomplish
the main purpose aimed at namely, that of
cultivating taste for the best literature, but,
by afording opportunity for practical appGca-
ton of routine lessons, they should and
would become an indispensable adjunct to
the school Necessarily this involves some
care and trouble on the part of teachers; but
as was very truly observed, they may well
spare the time from the computation of per-
centages and averages" Education is
something more than the examining of facts
into the youthful minds, and by directing the
thoughts of their pupils into the best channels
teachers are only fulfilling their true mission
and gaining right to the title of educators.
1t is to be hoped that Professor Carharts sug
gestons will bear fruit.