The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1890-07-31
ExACTNESs IN THOUGHT AND EXPIRES
SION.

Exactness is one Of the principal points
Of education, and never originates spon-
taneously. Whether in manual execu-
ton OF in thought, it is an unmistakable
evidence of education.
How shall we teach children exactuess
in thought and expression in EuglishG Z
In other words how shall we einduce them
to speak correctly-intelligently Edu-
Gators everywhere at once recognize the
fact that q proper study of the mother
tongue overtops aud trauscends any
other topic that can be named in our
full-packed common school course Of
study. A proper requirement of this
cannot be gained by the routine work of
English grammar. 1t begins with the
first lisping of the child, but we must
confne ourself to school life, and say it
begins the iirst day be enters school, and
should continue through the high school
and university, looking to the true ex-
preston of thought both orally and in
writing.
The aim of this course is to give the
learner power to use this language with
facility and accuracy, yet he must ever
keep in view the Importance of constant
practice. Comparative values will aid
US in giving q true estimate 10 this sub
ject. How much arithmetic or geome-
try is required of the lawyer or physi.
clan? How much geography or chetnis.
try is of practical importance to the
mechanic, merchant or minister? And
yet to which of these is not thorough
knowledge of the mother tongue an indis.
pensable attribute.
What is it that strikes us first in the
man of education, and so instantly dis
tinguishes him as one of superior culture
that we cannot stand in the same retreat
during a shower of rain without finding
him out? Though he may convey moth.
ing Of unusual interest, yet we realize the
exactness of his thoughts and perceive
the result. However trivial his fabject
there is method in his mind.
In the whole range Of knowledge,
nothing is more desirable than thor
ouga acquaintance with English, though
after years of school.life how many
young men and young ladies use it cor
rectly in conversation? And are our
sensibilities not sometimes shocked by
hearing the corruptions of slang phrases?
How many can write upon current events
with which they may be familiar so as to
express thoughts clearly and forcioly 2
This is no common requirement, yet
proper training will effect it.
Look over the curriculum of study and
say which of the many subjects will be
of greatest practical value to your child,
and which will show supremacy of intel
lectual vigor The mind to be educated
is complex machinery, exposing but
little OF its workings, yet it possesses a
reliable index which registers true
results. hence the importance OF method
and exactness in its training. Nature
teaches US to learn to do by doing. Is a
boy to learn to swim? Let him do SO by
actual practice. He will uever do 80 by
studying the motions and elements of
water. Neither will he learn good Eug.
lish by studying the theory alone. Nor
will the youth ~ho spends the summer
reading novels advance much in this high
art.
We, as teachers, should teach by pre-
cept, being guided by the patience which
was exempli6ed by that immortal mother