New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-10
Az EDUCATIONAL CONTROVERSY.

a v
TO what extent the higher studies should be
;,,rod,ccd I'm the common schools is n question
which is receiving some attention at Fosteryille
lvest Viroinin. The teacher, Mr.. Black. holds
that advanced instruction in astronomy and the
otber sciences should be given, while Mr. Thomas
7 Roonc father of one Of the pupils, thinks that
II may bc ovrrdone 1t is all right, Mr. Boone
sovs in tbe course Of letter 10 the local paper
IN which the controversy is being carried on. to
toach n boy arithmetic and a little grammar
and enough geography 10 enable him to bound
tho States but when teacher branches ont and
bcqins 10 rive lessons about the Gulf Stram
and tbe rings Of Uranus and other things which
NAV or may not exist, Mr. Boone considers II
time TO call n halt.
The attention of Mr.. Boone and the rest of the
community was called to Professor Back
method Of teaching by the failure Of Master
George Washington Boone properly to recitc hrs
lesson. George Washington's lesson for the day
embraced questions in physical geography,
astronomy and kindred sciences. In regard to
cyclones he was very clear and explained that
they buzzed around one way in the northern
hem ,sphcrc and the opposite direction in the
southern hemisphere. This met the approval of
the Professor. who added that they were dis
astrous 10 shipping and other commerce." to
which Gcorra aQrccd The spots on the
were then taken up and the pupil explained their
nature and effect on mundane things. The Pro
fessor then propoundcd the inquiry as to what
produced the aurora borealis or northern lights
and was astonshcd when. rs he puts il himself
"thc Young ignoramus Aunkcd completely and
said he did not know" He tried 70 creep out
II il in a half-hcartcd sort Of way by saying
that he had known but had forgotten. &C. such
dense ignorance astonishcd me-, writes the
Professor, $50 stood him in the corner 10 ruml-
maze on the subject for n couple Of hours II
was ~ this punishment that the elder Boone
objected aud thus the whole question Of higher
education was brought mp.
30 believe in this advanced education 10 4 Ger
tain extent. writes Nr Boone. d" ! know what
it has done for me. and want my boys 10 have
ms much If il as j, laying around loose. want
them 10 know noun when they see il, and 10
be able 10 tell the capital of England, il any
body should ask them about il. want them verscd
in practical science also. such as. for instance.
that the time 10 xiii hogs is when the moon is
growing. So that the pork viii swell, instead Of
shrink when it is fried. But can't see any good
II is going - DO George Washington 10 know
MI about what makes The northern lights To
This Professor Black replies that the education
Mr. Boone proposes j, superficial 1T is good
thing Of coursc' hc s1}s 10 understand about
pork swelling and shrinking, hut why does 81
swell and shrink? 80 man can claim 10 DE
educated unless he can tell this And as for tie
aurora bofcalis man who cannot explain It's
origin must Dee ST do,yn as uutt t. be- a citizen
81 an enlightened Republic The Professor closes
hy proposing 20 give n popular lecture az the
Pine River schoolhousc on the auror, borcalis,
thc influence Of thc moon on por, and other as