, 1891-09-05
To the Editor of the st. Croir Avis.

May l be permitted in your esteemed
paper to ask a question or two in regard to.
educational matters?
Now Mr.. Editor, education is a Government
aflir, a State organisation, and | am a fellow
with a holy horror Of shadows and quick
sands. and dread to fall foul of constituted au-
th0rities, so, if in the course of my inquiries |
chance to light on any allusion to Govern
ment' or make free with the name "State,'
please do not attribute me any offence for the
words, or think that l mean for one moment to
attach criticism to any august Institutions going.
Quite the contrary indeed! Besides in writing
to a newspaper one is distinctly always under.
stood to mean-like the astute character in
Mr.. Burton's celebrated play-Not this
Government, some other Government Not
this State, some other State So, Sir once
for all, we have an established land safe rule
I wish to ask, why in taking charge of the
education of the young-making it compulsory
in fact-GoYernments-some other Govern
ment - could not proceed on the principle
Of practical education An education that
would fit and agree in some measure, with
the needs and after life of the person educat-
ed?
Public education, by which is meant, State
education of the children of the working class
CS, dllu VI OA0AAA@lJ PCOPhO NOhC h"PPJ LIN
can afford. or not afford, to educate as fancy
pleases) consists solely of headwork, reading,
arithmetic, geography, DC. Of what use are
these only to people who have to work with
their hands? and to gain their bread, we'll,
sbv the sweat of their brow ?" Public educa-
ton appoints for the use of schools, beautiful
comics. and texts. and stories, which for those
who mag be able to read them, no doubt incul-
cate excellent moral precepts, but a working
person who has no means of his OWn-tho'
Santa Cruz working people seem all to be
born with means-has to supply all needs from
his weekly or monthly wages. How does
the ordinary School routine teach provision
for anv of these needs? Can you tell me Sir
how grammar, and multiplication, and text
sinoino. will help the man whose lot is to
plough and live in the field? to dive for conch
shells and balahoo? to drive crook mules or a
box carr? to hammer up a zamba for his wife?
or even to 90 out as a servant for cooking and
cleaning ?-these latter, however, are usually
considered to come by simple intuition, like
the iourneyman blacksmith, who, finding
notbing else to do at the moment, offered for
situation as cook, and in reply to queries
abont his capability. stated he was able to cook
anything from iron down.
10 Government will gainsay that every
human DHllQ requires w O"O, w w NASOASN' w
have shelter. every individual, male or female,
has some other one, either parent, or child, or
reIative-domestic servants have a great deal
too many Of them altogether whom it be-
hoves him. or her, TO look after; every one has
social duties to perform, and obligations also
toward the dumb creation why then not cast
education in a form in which it will bear some
practical relation to his own life and the lives
of +hooo arornd him? Would it not be more
sensible land serviceable) to give the indivi-
dual, male or female, a lift into the boat in which
through life he has to steer, by showing him
At the outset it's easiest and best and safest
course? l am led Mr., Editor to these remarks
by having been auditor of a little conversation
between two schooIboys in the Street, but
having already trespassed to this length per-
haps you will give me permission to record the
dialogue in another letter.
l am Mr.. Editor,
Respectfully,