, 1891-11-25
T the Editor Of the "St. CrOi1 Avis"

o the Editor of the "St. CrOi1 Avis"
Sir,
In Your late editorial, and criticism a
couple of weeks ago on my papers relating to
Education, which a press Of some work has de-
layed my replying to earlier, | beg to acknow-
ledge the honor you have accorded me. 1t is q
source of qualification, that the views of an
authority SO we'll fitted in all respects to pro-
nounce on educational matters; as the talented
Editor of the avis" should in the main
points, coincide with those | have expressed.
and to the errors pointed out, this novice meta
phorioally bows in Difference.
The Editor, however, is wrong in thinking
that / attributed blame to the schools for the
chil3ren's bad language and lack of ethical
morality. / should be sorry to convey
such an impression. No, we see too plainly
it springs from outside influences, and example,,
and in one of my letters, | pointed out, that
if the young generation could in some way, be
grounded into habits of industrial discipline,
and observance, they might set the example to
others outside. .
There is no question that the teachers in
the various schools, teachers who (allow me
to give them their full due are most usually a
conscientious, painstaking, and in some re-
spects an unappreciated, class-do their best
by precept, and advice land the school ~routine)
to guide to correct principles, and in the
Editors words, they cat least tend to counter
balance some of that weight which drags down
in the wrong direction; but precept and ad.
vice go a very little way, when, with other
and more relished, influences, the uniformed
mind has nothing more tangible presented to
the evidences of its untutored senses In
aunrv Ooo1rraooo of nVnru Hau Ifn fhic rnla
shews; you may talk, and i~nculcate a (self
evidenu) truth day after day, and it goes for
nothing, but if you can manage to have it
done, shewi it plainly, perhaps coerce a little
into it, in nine eases out of ten, except where
opposite interests interfere, as they do often,
however. the example is followed.
That there is a growing conviction in all
parts of the world, that industrial aims should
form a part of education of the young. is evil
dencedby the Editors notice of the Sloid sys-
TEN in Sweden and the recent experiments in
Demerara to which may be added the In
dustrial Palaces dately ~inaugurated in Eng-
land and the Manual. and working Schools
in America, all Of which seem to promise salts
faction, and at this point, / trust I may
without egotism take credit for having some
yearsago, 6rstadvocated such a'system in st.
Thomas-and elsewhere.
The Editor gives me a hard hit when he
speaks Of the pictnreso of schools Fflled with
enthusiastic missionaries of ethics, who will
make the children, in, spite of hereditary in
A1enees, and in spite of outside influences, the
swSeetlyF reasonable creatures they oughttobe'
1t is not always a picture. 4fIadidnot fear to
seem "harping too much on one string I
couldbring forward some very marked illus
%tratidns,, that came under my own notice, of
the beneficial einfaenoes'' Of these establish
ments. In the Editors own valuable issue of
the 10th uft. there is mention that the plan
tiers of Cuba recognize the need of especial
schools for education and training in the
practical working and management of Sugar
Estates'1 and of Sugar manufacture in order
to ensure The best results - Now if these are
requisite In the case of educated persons, and
in the same line in which their Interests run,
what, does it shew Of the undisciplined who
know nothing. and whose interests lie mo-
where? r9H l 3 As& #f.br
,Clearly it sKews that in every incident Of
bringing up, in every phase of industry, OF
whatever application, whether common or
, skilled, training is needed /, good results can
not be left to chance or mere inclination.
Again in the issue of 2lst ult. thereiis aacopy
from the Barbados Agricultural Reporter, tel
ing of the working of the Government Elk