The morning call., 1891-08-09
GOOD PRACTICAL SENSE,
In Intelligent Mothers Views On The Education
Of Children

A lady who has given the subject CT edu-
cation of the youth Of our land much atten-
ton was yesterday asked by representa-
tive of THE CALL: How comes it that so
many men have been able to acquire good
education by few hours study each day
before and after a hard days work?"
Her answer was terse and to the point:
'Equipoise Of mind and body" She then
pr oceeded TO give her views with reference
to the education of chldren as follows:
There must be something radically wrong
in our schools when the best five hour of
the days will not suffice to accomplish the
prescribed course of study! Why not do
the work during those hours ana not send
the pupils home to spend four or five hours
in study?
Most parents wish their children to have
the advantage of a liberal education, and
with this object in view send them to the
High School. They soon are astonshed to
see that 1t seems necessary for their sons
and daughters to study so much but are
afraid to complain TO teachers or superin-
tendent lest it be thought that their chill
dren are not properly prepared for the work
or are in some way mentally deficient
Consequently, notwithstanding strong men,
tai protest, they allow the study to continue,
and many are the mental aud physical
wrecks that eDsue.
Other parents take upon themselves the
task of instructor, and spend night after
night in doing what should have been done
In the school-room. Others again who have
the means employ private teachers who help
to prepare the lessons which are to be re-
cited on the following day. Still others
who see the folly of placing their daughters
under such undue mental strain sacrifice
their ambition, and allow them to become
specials" taking only BART of the stud
les, thus FORGETTING the honor of graduation
1t IS a sad sight to see our bright-eyed
T0SV-chpeEeu girls fade before pv NJ,
amount of mental culture can atone for this
There is no time left these young students
Tor physical exercise, home duties, home
graces and accomplishments, and following
upon loss of exercise and sleep come loss of
appetite, loss of vitality. loss of memory,
loss OF health, ending often in paralysis or
insanity.
Girls have been known TO 20 to school day
alter day without partasing of breakfast
and taking no luncheon with chem. Look
into the yards and school rooms of the High
School atnoon to-day and you will see them
filled, not with merry girls at play, but with
students with flushed cheeks and corrugated
brOws, pacing restlessly to and fro, book In
hand. studying, studying, forever studying,
and then unrayeling each night what had
been done throughout the day.
AS for the poor unfOrtunates who have
Unabridged Dictionaries learned pa
rents, brothers, sisters or tutors, they either
drop out and get married or skirmish
through school in some unaccountable way,
generally serving as examples Of want Of
application" but coming out as well off in
point of good looks, good health and good
spirits as when they entered; and probably,
having nartaken as freely OF the good things
set before them as their mental appetite
prompted them to do, they are really
stronger mentally than their overfed in
tellectual sisters.