Los Angeles herald., 1892-07-20
elvR rHR CHILDREN AIR.

In some OF the cities OF this state the
schools commenced their summer term
of tuition on the 10th inst, having had
six weeks vacation since the last Friday
in June. This we deem too short a
vacation, for the simple reason that
summer time and study do not mix any
more than oil and water. During the
winter months when the winds come
whistling around the caves and the
cold, drenching rain sweeps down the
deserted streets, it is well enough to
keep children pent up in school. But
when the summer days come and the
larks are caroling in the, hedgerows;
when the skies are cloudless and clear,
and the buzzards are careering proudly
through the zenith; when the SHOWS
melt away from Shasta's smokeless nos
trils and Whitney's icy crown; and
when the Santa Barbara channel be-
comes as smooth as mountain lake,
then the children should have their
liberty on the beach or in the densely
wooded cations of the Sierras.
Travel is cheap now, compared with
what it was thirty years ago. A man
can 90 from San Francisco to Fr esno, or
Marysville, for what it used to cost to
carry him to Stockton or Sacramento.
and in about the same time. The voyage
from San Francisco to San Pedro, by the
crazy old Goliah and Sea Bird, used to
cost $40 and consumed sixty hours.
Now it is made in less than two-thirds
OF that time by handsomely equipped
and swift steamers, at cost Of $40. 1t
costs very little money for good, st out
canvas tent and the bedding already in
the household will not spoil by bein 6
used for a couple OF months in camp.
Between Point Sur and Cape Firmin
there are camping spots enough to har-
Dor 100000 people, if they want to go to
the coast; and the Sierras are open to
alllmaukind, from the roaring McOloud
to the Kern. There is no excuse for
people remaining in the cities, there
fore, with such facilities for enjoying
the summer months.
1ucTS Is uQb Ouc UOt SiiA 1h bWOhtJ
who can stand nine months confine-
ment in school room, let alone ten.
Whenever you keep children in school
more than eight months in the year You
risk their health and endanger their en-
during powers in the future. By doing
90 you breed up race of puny men and
ill-natured women, with predisposition
to debility. Give the boys and girls at
least three months' holidays in the
country, and our successors in this work
day world will be a hearty and vigorous
race.
History affords US examples OF hun
dreds OF successful men who had little
or no early education. Old Zadock
Pratt, who built up large town in
Northern New York and left fortune
of $4,000, 900, never had but one year OF
schooling. Old John Covode, who was
a power In Pennsylvania in his day, was
almost illiterate, and on one occasion
sent up resolution to the speakers
desk in congress calling for an investi-
CATION OF "frods in the Indian depart
ment." Davy Crockett, the hero of the
Alamo, could barely read by spelling
the words; and James Lick used to
boast that ten months schooling was all
he ever enjoyed. And 80. while we do
not urge abolishment of education, we
believe that there would be fewer super
fcially educated men and women in
America if the hours in school were re-
duced down to nine months in the year.
And now, having walked all around
Robin Hoods barn to say what we
wished, we end this as we began it by
saying, Give the Children Air.