Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1893-04-06
EDUCATING BY THE EYE.

When the art of imparting instruc-
zion has 80 far advanced that people
WIN have learned the value of educa-
tion BY the eye, they will have gone a
long way on the highroad to successful
teaching.
All OF the theory and rules in the
world will never give to the mind an
toea as correct as may be obtained
from single glance at many of the
objects with which we are familiar. 1t
Is waste of time to try to impress
upon many children any understand
ing OF the forms of certain things.
ihey comprehend them only in the
vaguest sort of a way when merely de-
scrlbed in words. and give very lit
Tie, II any, evidence of inter-
est in the matter in hand; but show
them picture or the arti-
Gle itself, and there is something tangi-
Bile upon which the mind can take hold.
And indeed the same rule may apply
with almost equal force to children of
larger growth. 1t is only well-trained
mind, familiar with measurements,
causes and effects, and skilled in apply
ing the rules of science and art, that
can grasp the meaning of an illustra-
The value of object-lessons. is only
lmperfectly understood. If parents and
teachers would realize the Importance
OF instruction by the eye, they would
md their tasks much easier, and the
pupil would make much more rapid adj
vancement than is possible when the
discourse is confined entirely upon the
incorporating and precept-upon-precept
form of imparting information.
The value of exhibits and displays Of
mechanical and other appliances can
not be overestimated in education. 1t
is one of the important factors ia the
training of the young. The country
fair. the trade exhibition, any show of
implements or machinery is almost
sure to draw an admiring crowd of
youngsters. A few hours in such a
place will often develop a taste that
will shape the boys entire future
career. The benefit of such q collec-
ton OF objects of interest as one sees at
the American Institute fair, in New
York city, is incalculable, and special
arrangements should be made whereby
public-school pupils could be admitted
without charge on certain days. In
companies and under the care of COM
petent teachers they might have day
or hours set apart for them. It might
be well to appropriate a morning hour
on certain days of the week and have
it understood that exhibitors should
take special pains to explain to the
youngsters the peculiarities and prop
critics of all of the exhibits. This would
be a liberal education, and would add
new interest to all such occasions.
Every state and county fair or ma
tional exhibition should be organized
on n basis demanding a certain amount
of attention to the training of public
school children. Talent is often latent
and only needs some well directed
handling to bring it out. Many par
ents do not realize the Importance of
sending their children to such places.
and therefore the state should look to
it that its citizens are as well equipped
for life as possible.
The boy who has little mechanical
genius may find himself an inventor
after few hours spent in the intelli-
gent contemplation of high-class ma
chinery. The simplest, and conse-
quently the best, devices in the world
have been worked out by people with
out education and training. They had
seen the need of something better than
that which existed, and in the clearest
and most direct way their thoughts
went out toward supplying the lack.
1t goes without saying that if boys
could be deeply interested in mechan-
ical subjects, they would have less
thought and care for many of the
things that are now only the source of
injury and Generalization. The mind
can hold but certain amount, and it
would seem unnecessary to impress
upon the hearts of parents the inn
portant thought that if the child's in
terest is turned toward useful subjects,
there would be less danger of his go
ing astray and following after evil de-
ssires and devices. Invention is exhaust
less and fascinating, and once boy is
started in this direction, he is quite
sure to follow it more or less closely all
the days of his life.-N. y. Ledger.