Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-11-26

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Every child possesses q certain amount OF in
genuity, and ingenuity is form OF genius; Nj
nervalike, IL springs from the brain matured,
and fully equipped for conquest. We are often
puzzled TO account for the precocity OF some
children, and can only say with Emerson, Ma
ture is full of freaks and now puts an old head
on young shoulders and then, young heart
beating under tourscore winters.
Much has been said and written about the
remarkable aptness OF childhood; how the self
taught Sebastian electrified the great Murillo
by his wonderful skill in painting; how the lit
tie Alfred TennySOn, when left alone, amused
himself by writing verses, which were said to
possess considerable merit. These were rare
examples of genius the highest form OF iDgenu-
lty; but 1t is the ingenious urchln found IN the
ordinary school room that should claim some
notice.
History relates to us the clever manner in
which Sir Walter Scott, when school-b boy, won
the coveted position as head of the spelling
class. He noticed that the boy who invariably
held that place, always, when reciting, held
last to a convenient button of his waIstcoat.
Acting upon this suggestion, the quick-witted
Sir Walter slyly cut of the magic button, and so
won the desired place, for the youth, finding his
fayorite stronghold gone, became confused,
missed the word and resigned his laurels.
1t was just thatingenious manner of putting
this and that together which enabled Sir Walter
Scott TO compile so many beautiful prose works,
| and charming poems That faculty of minute
observation has pictured TO our imagination,
leach crag and knoll" each purple peak and
hinty spire,' of Scotlands mountain scenery.
In our own schools there is always one who is
thus rarely gifted; sometimes there is more
than one, but generally one genius is all that
an ordinary school can support 1t is he who is
always into mischief, and yet he can never be
accused of violating rule. If there is a spe
| cial penalty to be paid for communicating this
young schemer will manage to borrow all the
knives, books, and slate pencils that he wants
by species of pantomime. Ut is one of our
duties to teach gestures, therefore we cannot
punish if our instruction has been too thorough
ly exemplifed)
1t is that particular urchin who will smuggle
story book, always containing pictures. to his
desk, then if he is caught reading, innocently
atfirms that it was the pictures and not the
story which formed the attraction.
1t is strange what philosophical turn of
mind this specimen of ingenuity possesses. The
pin-wheel and miniature windmill having been
constructed, the young enthusiast spends much
precious time trying 10 devise means of per-
petual motion, by which the wheels may go
round and still allow him to gaze upon his
books; or perhaps with spool and string he cal
euIates the time that will elapse before the CEN
trifugal will overcome the centupetal force,
thus converting the spool into projectile which
is apt to be hindered in its fight through space
by the unoffending ear of the teacher.
When not engaged in experimental philosophy
of this kind the young hopeful turns his thoughts
to inventions of various kinds; steam engines,
made of impossible materials adorn his desk
handkerchief dolls, chalk pigs and the head
less horse occupy conspicuous place among
his treasures. This latter invention consists of
an ordinary rubber eraser properly appendaged
with pen-pointS.
will mention another instance of ingenious
makeshift practiced by this lad which well il
Illustrates the aphOrlsm, Necessity is the mother
of invention" Desiring rubber band to
fasten some compositions. called upon the
class to furnish the wishedfor article; as no one
volunteered to supply it, / was trying to find a
piece Of string which would answer the pur
pose when l noticed that boy Juggling away
at a refractory suspender. "What are you do
ing, Charley?' asked. "Oh, l am only getting
you piece OF rubber, ne generously replied
Sometimes this particular genius is assisted
in his inventions by the entire school. espec
tally when there is in demand new method of
creating amusement.
To illustrate: Early one afternoon an I'M
usual confusion was created in my school, and
made an immediate investigation, and
found a number of grasshoppers jumping
about the room in lively manner. Not know
ing where they came from, l swept them out
and hoped for quiet. Soon, however, my hopes
sank; another invasion filed the room, and
full well they laughed with counterfeited
glee." Disposing OF these as before, fastened
the lower windows and was again composing
myself. when third reinforcement appeared
somewhat arousing my suspicious. A rapid
search disclosed no less than four slate pencil
boxes and one bottle full of the hoppers ready
to be liberated
This little incident convinced me that ento-
mology was a most interesting study, and that
my pupils had tagen sudden fancy to it.
All children are endowed with a great love of
art, and the happy faculty OF converting an
artistic and really beautiful object into some
other, perhaps not so artistic, but infinitely
more pleasing to the child. I observed this
aptness when 1 undertook 10 illustrate the
minor principles OF geometry. A newly COM
pleted circle adorned the board. For moment
turned my attention to some other matter,
when suppressed litter ran around the room.
Behold two immense feet had sprung mysteri-
ously from the circle, great eyes beamed from
the interior, while the young artist proudly pro-
nounced the caricature man
Oh, those trying children Matthew Arnold
says, THAT they are very much what their
teachers make them" If that is true land
think it is to some extent) then what great
responsibility rests upon us. How much tact
and skill is needed TO direct those inquiring
minds, and guide those impossible natures.
There is a course lying midway between that of
indifferent and that of the over-zealous teacher
who. like the gardener, anxious for the way
ward sapllng to grow into a shapely tree. keeps
pruning away the imperfect twigs until all its
vitality is gone. Better that the tree should be
strong and vigorous with a natural strength,
than more shapely with an artificial shapeli.
ness.
The child expects its pet schemes to be
humored, and as mothers kiss made Benja-
min West great artist. so the teachers sympa-
thies enlisted in behalf of the child and his
small amusements may SO win him that in
after years, he will say:
''If, as teacher, WISE and strong, and good,
Into my life then you bad come that day,
And babe me listen as to who should say
Things grand ard sweet to help me bear my
fate,
Full well know had refused to wait;
And from your side had darted quick away,
Not over eager at your feet to lay
Homage, for which all asking comes too late.
But, listening, you came with eager eyes,
Seeming to bend your head to catch my thought
And straightway in my heart there did arise
Things grand and sweet TO meet yours, so in
wrought
With yours, 1 know not in the swift surprise
xUQC no 1t-
taught
Thus the aim of every true teacher ought to
be to so instruct those precious little ones in
trusted to her teaching that they may become
good and useful men and women, and
GAS bird each fond endearment tries
To tempt its new-fedged offspring to the skies,
To try each art, reprove each dull delay,
Allure to brighter worlds and lead the way"
Superintendent Hoitt next took up the
subject of Relation of Trustees and School
Officers to the Public Schools" He said
the Trustees, patrons of the schools and
the teachers should know each other better
and act in harmony. He said he noticed
in Ia orrdiapco O ruOoh Of Trucfooo FROM,