The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1889-11-15

what we learn. There never was a person
who could make single letter of the al
phabet without first learning it. So the
student must study pen-holding, movement
and combination Of movements, as well as
forms, principles and correct positions. OF
the really successful teacher, the setting of a
copy is but small part of his work, for
many who cannot write creditable copy
yet are successful teachers, while on the
other hand some who are excellent penman
fail as teachers. The former had good
Judgment, correct eye and looking at the
pupils work could discern wherin he had
failed and so clearly illustrate the fault as
to lead the pupil to success. And here l
would suggest the frequent use of the
blackboard.
Rapidity seems to be the grand object of
to-day. rapidity of travel, rapidity of educa-
ton from the primary study-room to bus-
ness or some profession. 1t is said to be
the american idea" There are few skill
ed workmen in any trade, few months
apprenticeship and they are house builders
or workman of most any class. Quantity
and not quality seems to govern. The
great thinking power is not acquired The
foundation is wanting. So with penman-
ship, do away with principle, form and
movement. Where is the foundation for
the future development and improvement?
If we allow our own ideas to govern us in
penmanship, why not in other branches,
grammar, arithmetic, etc.? If the students
ideas tell him that three times five are six
teen, why not let it be so? But it will not
do, we must come down to rule in every
thing, rule i'm writing, rule in study, rule i'm
government Thoroughness and excel
lence should be our motto. 1t is cheat to
educate young people up the sentiment of a
short easy course, when it means failure Bet
ter have them commence to win, though it
takes year or a lifetime. Many of our
Commercial Colleges advertise a ten or
twelve weeks course, including book-keep-
ing, penmanship, commercial arithmetic,
commercial law, all to be completed in that
time, and then the student is turned lose
upon the business world.
An able writer has said if other branches
of our English education were taught as
poorly as penmanship, the cry would go up
"cursed be the schools of our country"
And why is it that writing, which is uni
versally admitted to be one of the most
useful of all attanments, is thus neglected?
First and chiefly this is due to the indif-
ference of school-officers and boards for
examination of candidates for public school
teachers; by them good writing seems to be
rldiculously viewed as sort of special
gift. Yes, writing IS gift but those who
have the gift are the givers. Blest be he
VINO possesses it, and unfortunate but
blaneless he who does not. Who ever
knew certificate to be withheld from a
candidate for teaching from his bad writing
or incompetence to teach it? Can teachers
be expected to attach any very great i'm
portance to the result of their teaching i'm a
branch, so trivial i'm its importance. as TO be
scarcely considered i'm determining their
fitness to become a teacher? | believe pen
manship is not one less but Thousand
times more entitled to full complete
course in every school in the land. than
hundreds of studies that occupy terms and
years and much sooner forgotten, and do
not possess the practicable benefits. In
order that writing should be efficiently and
taught, school officers, teachers
and parents must come to the sensible and
true conclusion that good writing depends
no more upon special gift than any other
branch. If teachers will take hold of the
matter of writing and give il the same
amount of attention, interest and time he
does other branches only the best of results
will be realized. The chief talent for good
writing as in all other branches is stick-to-
it-ive-ness. Good copies must be carefully
studiedand patiently practiced, for persever-
ance and penmanship go hand in hand. If
penmanship is not gift any more than any
branch of education, let us as teachers
arouse ourselves and endeavor to impress
upon our pupils the fact, that their educa-
ton is not complete, until they have become
good penmen.
LII progress is the popular watchword. let
us make improvement our WatchWOrd. and
in the onward march. some must be leaders
who dare think new thought, and by it
climb upward to something higher than we
have yet known.
l.. f. S.