The Republican journal., 1892-09-15

Manual Training.
''The Slayd System of Wood Working,
by 3. B. Hoffman,, superintendent of the
Baron de Hirsch Fund Trade Schools. is
manual for teachers who wish to intro
duce this form of manual training into
the public schools. The purpose of the
work is to train pupils to use hand and
eye intelligently in the working of wood
INFO form. One of the results, aside from
the training, is that the little artisans can
perfect, even while in the elementary
stages of the work, ii number OF orna-
mental and useful objects. The art is
within the capacity of any one. lot of
street boys, called at random from the
gutter, were few years ago used as an
experimental and illustrative class, with
astonishing results. and as the tools and
materials are few and very cheap there is
no reason why the system should not be
come popular in American schools. In
deed. it should 90 further, for We're men
and women of small means and large leis-
ure to study it, they night transform many
plain articles of home furniture into things
of beauty. american Book Company.
New 1ork.
We take the above from the book re-
views of the New York Herald, thinking
that with the interest aroused here with
regard to manual training schools it was
worth while to call attention to this work
A recent writer has said The manual
training school has come to stay There
is no doubt of it. The movement origi-
mated in Europe. where for the past forty
years manual training and technical
schools in one form OF another have been
making Roadway Their introduction into
the United States dates from 1870. and
within the past four years they have null
tiplied very rapidly as their utility and
value have been recognized. The first
manual training school in Canada was
opened at Woodstock Ontario, three
successful, attracting many students
! There has been one in operation in con-
nection with the Alex andra school at
Halifax. \, s, since September last and
at McGill University a department has
also been fitted up. One is now about
starting at WVlfylle, y. s.. in connec-
ton with Horton Academy The course
at Wolfville is expected to extend over at
least three years. Ia the first year it will
include wood work in the second wear
iron work, in the third year machine
work and perhaps moulding. Mechanical
drawing, drafting, etc, will accompany
the work with tools. The wood working
room will be provided with work benches
of approved pattern. A set of tools and
a wise will be provided with each bench
A number of turning lathes. besides other
machines, viii also be placed. The iron
work room and machine room will also be
fitted up for succeeding courses An en-
CINE and boiler will furnish the required
power The boiler will he ample for heat
ing the building, and electric light may
be furnished for the academy boarding
house. The practical study of electricity
may in time follow.
The journal is heartily in favor of these
schools 1t believes that too much cannot
be said in their commentator. They
supply a long felt want in our education
al system. and should undoubtedly form a
part of the common school system. 1t is
not, of course, expected to AXE wood
workers of all the pupils, nor to take
from the professions those whose tastes
and talents incline them in that direction
But the training that eye and hand re-
ceive at these schools is Of real value. even
if not called upon in later life to furnish
the means of subsistence If there was
no other resultant good, the healthful ex-
ercise, and restful change from books.
would warrant the existence Of these
schools. That they will be the means of
developing latent talent that might other
wise have been lost to its possessors and
to The world, none can doubt. As an ex-
change well says: 1T is the purpose of
manual training schools to develop man
ual dextelity and skill in the use of tools
it is not to teach a trade OF to manufac-
ture articles fol sale, but rather to assist
equipment for life. If the student dis
covers aptitudes for mechanical pursuits,
the way is open for him to become civil,
mechanical, or an electrical engineer,
or perhaps an architect or manufac-
turer In either case his manual training
carries him more than half way to these
positions.