The morning call., 1893-01-06

! ! { :: :: ::
WKHlhHi M Sudbc Ncic puOHOtiC
"a = W4fMl IA as the Italian, one-third
W "a Hgas "a Of the money expended
YIk9Gs gHr-. on primary schools might
W ~ fTSN be saved.
W $40 hear" Is to spell
~ in ia lingua Italiana."
a Hearing and spelling
have scarcely bowling
acquaintance IN our own
tongue.
"Tor-to. Ia" dictated the teacher OF the
first class at the Italian school yesterday.
and the pens of all the girls firmly sought
the paper and wrote without hesitation, all
but one child. whom knowledge of the
snares and pitfalls OF the English language
had probably taught canton. Seeing her
pause the teacher cried tor" rolling an
81" that would have excited the envy of q
Scotchman, and the girl Immediately
finished the word triumphantly.
No wonder these Italian children come
cheerfully to school from $3.50 till in the
afternoon. Arithmetic and dctati0n, the
two great bugbearS of primary education.
do not assail them. Arithmetic they are
supposed to study in the American schools,
and dictation and spelling are. for thems
mere pastime.
Italian residents here have established
the schools for the preservation OF their
own language among their children, and
English is prohibited tongue, but never
theless it is difficult to suppress II entirely.
Yesterday the lesson in the primary class
began by the teacher asking the day, the
month and the year.
Eighteen hundred and ninety" they all
cried In Italian and then paused. till one
lueklese pupil exclaimed "Three!' in Eng
lish, and was Immediately pounced upon by
the teacher WHO called ont in horror,
what. What do you say" The child,
conscious of guilt, hang her head and MUIR
INJURED. "Tre." but she was not the only
cuIprit. Soon after another pupil declared
that the month was January. "sand again
the teacher insisted on the Italian equiva-
lent.
1t seems TO be the hardest thing in the
world TO make the children do their daily
thinking in Italian. Indeed, their expert
ence is that of most people who live abTcad
for any length of time namely, that sooner
or later they begin to think in the language
they daily hear.
The books in use are those of the Italian
elementary schools, and are imported at
considerable expense from the old country.
"rhey are little bagnati." said the
slgnora maestro OF the first class regret
fully, holding up a new consignment OF
primers that had been .'hathed." to use the
Italian expression, on their sea trip. But
the books were precious, nevertheless, ana
were only dealt ont to pupils actually In
need Of them. Indeed, it is necessary to
incnlcate great veneration for scfool-
books, and torn, dog-eared volumes are
promptly pouuced upon by the teachers.
Naturally the subject most studied IN the
school is the Italian language.
TIE higher classes give good deal OF
attention 10 Italian literature. history and
geography. Judging by some sam pies Of
past examination papers which one OF the
teachers kindly exhibited. the pupils excel
particularly in that gfacelu, poetlcal form
of composition to which the Italian Ian
guage so readily lends Itself.
In Italy one does not hear 50 much about
the rights of children as in America;
grown-uD people have rights too. GILL
dren should be seen and not heard" is no
derided anachronism. 1t is daily impressed
upon the youngsters, and might be supple
mented by, "When heard children should
make nice polite speeches"
wish your cousin a pleasant walk, J"
exclams the fond mother in Italy, wish
your uncle good appetite Tor his dinner.
and the consequence OF this training is that
the dIgnified courtesy of better class chill
dren in Italy fairly puts 10 shame more
rough and ready foreigners.
Some Of this graceful politeness the
teachers labor 10 instiil into the children at
the Italian school here; they are taught to
incline their heads and say "BuoD j0urno'
on entering the school.
WHAT! 40 you pass WltuOut ueihanulnS
pardon of the lady," exclaimed one of the
teachers; ''come back directly and say.
Excuse me. signora, and the child
meekly dropped her head and murmHred
the required apology. but Notwithstanding
there was twinkle In the corner OF her
eye seldom seen in the old country, which
seemed to say. Don't deceive yourselves
into thinking | am not very independent
little person." and indeed nothing proved
her independence to me more than TO ind
that the crowd of mothers. nurses and
faithful retainers which custom prescribes
must wait at the entrance of girls school
in Italy TO take the pupils home had not
one representative here.
1.-The children 90 home Alone" said one
of The teachers smiingly.
These girls are fortunate. They learn
their beautiful Italian language, and ct the
same time taste the sweets of American in
dependence. MARIE EVELYN.