Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-09-16
smoothly. Such efforts Of memory are
violent, and
"Thiugs violent last not"

DATES.
II in not we'll 10 cunlber the mind with
too many dates. II is well to have q few
prominent ones posted at intervals 70
mark tho boundaries Of our little garden
plots OF learning; but too many OF them
sre hike rugged stones usurplng the
place of blossoming plants, which may
,'become fruitful and multiply" Too
many of our teachers, both public ana
private. confne themselvesexclunyely 10
,swbat the book says" They embrace
teaching, not from any eminent htneSs
for the vocation, hut because they can
not do ANYTHING else so the school-desK
becomes a counter for literary mcrchan-
disc. over which they dole out so many
wards Of history, grammar, geography.
or arithmetic as "the best IN the shop,
without a thought beyond getting that
piece of information transferred as
quickly rs possible to the scholar, who IL
still more anxious to get rid Of It (Which
be does SIS speedily as he can.
must say FOR the pubic-school teach
ers that thelrroOms are generally filled TO
Overlooking and itis exceedingly difficult
To maintain order and discipline, leaving
Inadequate time and strength 10 enforce
a lesson. Far be il from mo 10 wish 10
add to their la5ors, for many OF them
wear ont their lives in physical and men
tai conflict with the unkempt bodies and
unframed minds OF the little vandais IN
their charge. But the plan 1 am gong
70 suggest am sure would Tighten their
labors and make the lesson a pleasure
instead of a yexation Of spirit One
nevor-to-be-foreotten fact is that so soon
rs YOU gain Il chld's interest his atten-
ton is sure ~ follow and he becomes rs
WAX. 70 be moulded at your will.
II is WISE for any teacher, no matter
how learned he or she may be, to 90
over tie lessons to DO taught before
hand. so that when afquestlon is asked
she may know the required answer.
After seeing that Tom u not sticking
pins into Harry she need not scan the
PAGE earnestly to see If John Is saying
:. what the book SAYS She might even
Keen an advanced history near her. and
the night before read chapter bearing
on the subject for next day. Thus she
Will be on familiar ground, and she will
have collected some Interesting Things
not in the pupils very book, but collate-
raj facts. which VIII spice the otherwise
nnpalatable lesson. The scholars will
iuwardly wonder at her vast knowledge,
aud she gains their respect.
The simplest division Is ancient ms
tory before Christ and modern history
after Christ .Cor'cT's general history
subdiyides these two portions INTO
seven periods before and seven after
Christ, giving fourteen dates TO be re-
momhcrcd. some striking fact OF the
worlds history standing guarded 10y
these dates. and thus the ground plan Is
laid for the subsequent structure.
Just ms after the deluge first one little
point of land. then another, and another
rose above the waste OF waters, forming
mountain chain then the valley and
plain being spread abroad beneath the
bright clad sun. 80 countries ause before
thepupils delighted oye-laud after RAND,
kingdom after kingdom, city after city,
is unfollcd ike vast panorama.
Man Iu lus primitive state then a'
patriarch with his iocks and herds then
more banded together for mutual pro.
lection the dawn of civilization. hing
doms arse and fail, one nation making
war upon another, gratifying the habits
and customs of the couquerors upon thl
family tree of the conquered, until the
now fruit bears DO semblance TO the Old.
III the ittle strugrlers after knowledge
could know that they are indebted to
me of them Cld sucicnls for th'
very names of the weeks upon VhcL
they go to school. and the rayishln.
das when they do not so the srhoo
months and the lovely vacation months
/ time would "trcad ON flowers"
Could they hear descriptions Of Tho
Tvramils ana the rest OF the sever
wonders Of the world the Olympi,
Games of boxing, wrestling and racing
/ tine Arcouautic expedition IN scaicn O
the Golden fleece; tho Trojan WAITS
| the maguihcence OF Solomou'- Temple
/ Persian Invasion Of Greece then Alex
/ ander the Great: the decline OF the
/ Roman empire, their minds would h'
/ in measure prepared for the comm.
OF Christ. and the great change IN The
Affairs Of man w the dawn OF GU
/ Christian religion. He would even tuu
from "Roamiug Randolph lockwood
| the Reckless Ranger or, The BOY Ierro
Of the Far West, and centre bis interes
IN the "Holy Wars" Later on Ia
could bring in Columbus in his prope
/ place and learn the orgin OF his Owl
/ land and mother tongue.
SARAH A. PEPLE.