Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-08-30
THE SCIENCE OF SOCIETY.
Meeting Of Leading American Thinkers ut
Saratoga.

Saratoga.
SARATOGA, N. Y, Aug 30.-Today's session
Of the department Of education Of the Ameri-
cdn Social Science Association began at $50
this morning with q large attendance Of in
terested members Chairman Merrill Edward
Gates, president Of Amherst College, addressed
the department, speaking of the effect Of the
department upon the system of education ut
present In vogue in America: the advancem ent
over the old system of imparting knowledge,
and the bright future and constant improve
ment of Americas system Of education In her
schools, colleges and universities.
The reports Of the secretary were read by
DR.. L. F. Brysoh of New York who also spoke
on Education Us a Therapeutic Measure" An
interesting and lucid paper on Public Libra
ries as Factor in Education" followed, was
read by Miss Hewins Of the Hartford
Library. The succeeding half hour was occu-
pied by the reading OF a paper on 1.-The Edu-
cational Value of Modern Economics" by Starr
Hoyt Nichols Of New York. Perhaps the most
interesting paper read was that by Miss Myra
B. Martin Of New York on Art Education in
American Life"
EDUCATION IN ART.
In this Miss Martin spoke of the awakening
OF the American public in the past two decades
TO the importance of children's education and
the cultivation of love for the esthetic
and beautiful in the mechanical and
practical side of life. The first
movement to incorporate art education on a
sound basis was made in Massachusetts IN 1870.
The philanthropists enabled art to reach but
the few. How to reach the masses is the
question. Children Of all classes spend half
their waking hours in the school room
here the refining influences can and do reach
them. We know that as a nation we are not
trained esthetically. and to hush our conscience
We proudly point to our developments in other
lines.
There are at least three classes who hold con-
trary opinions to aims and methods OF
difusing an art education. First. those who be-
leve in the mechanical side only of manual train
ing; second, those who would develop the artistic
element only, and, third the rapidly increasing
element who believe in bringing mechanical
skill and the esthetical together so that by a
combination of the two studies our artisans
may be able to enter into sue
ccssful competition with the old
world. We export immense quantities
Of crude material and buy small amount of
the same material at prices from two to twenty
times as great because Of tn artistic industry
employed in making up the raw materials, as is
shown in the case of textiles, bronzes, &c.
The creed of the third class may be translated
as "Ihe Aims of Modern Art Education viz
The awakening and developing In our people,
first, love Of beauty, both in natures and man Q
works; second, power to put beauty into one q
own work.
In conclusion. the essential principles of all
good art are Immediately and practically trans
latable into the terms Of everyday life. The
infusion Of the genuine art spirit into public
education must necessarily be long,
slow process, but as far and as fast as the art
spirit does become reality to the people so
far simplicity and consistency must needs seem
desirable in our modes Of life-truth. unity
and harmony in mans relations to bis neigh
bors.