The morning call., 1894-01-30
FOR HIS LEISURE.
A Talk on the Education
of the SChoolbOy.
Elevating Influences of Literature.
Officers of the San Francisco
Teachers Club.

ION the Track With the Boy was the sub
iect of an interesting lectsre delivered yester-
day evening by w. II. V. Raymond before the
San Francisco Teachers Club.
"By the track" said the lecturer, 81 simply
mean the set course of study, the straight
iron track OF the school curriculum. / hope
none OF you will challenge the term boy |
have merely employed the masculine word for
convenience, but any remarks that make ap-
ply equally to girls.
The teacher may sometimes think the boy is
TO be educated for his father, for the prejudices
of tue parents often wrap their children up
in graveclothes, and SEX 10 determine not
only the paths of their occupation but the plan
of his entire life. Other teachers may some
times think that the superior claim is TO edu-
cate the boy for the State. Most of you are
impressed by those claims; but somehow. in
spite OF this, the teacher VIII often feel that the
little bright-eyed urchin Is being educated Tor
himself.
The boys education does not end with his
ability 10 earn a livelihood, ne is 10 be edu-
caIed for Ills leisure. From O'Clock till II
an0 fIom l till 6 will probably be his hours
devo,ed 10 a struggle for life. They VIII seize
upon him with relentless grip; but boy who
is educated for his leisure hours has ten
chances 10 another's one He can devote his
leisure 10 music, art. the study OF science, and
all these studies Will elevate him. But you will
say That IN music the schoolteacher can do
little, IN art less. The teacher can impress
upon the boy though that no other friend
equals on the whole a good book.
IF We may look upon literature as holding
high place In the education for leisure. the next
question Is to consider the line of least resist
ance along which the child may be led 10 study
! IL. All his life boy Will be most intimately
| acquainted with men. and what Will probably
| instruct him most Is knowledge OF men-of the
| boy next him, so 10 speak. In the library,
| therefore, his interest touches first TO men of
| action; be finds his interest in the poetry and
| action of men.
Reasoning from my observation, and that OF
! others, should point out three specific courses
! OF reading. fiTst good biographies. which are
| the literature OF human life; second, myths
fairytales legends, stories OF folklore, and this
! reading. be IL remembered, is real study, which
always begins with the free power of selection
| The third course l should suggest would be
! poems, such as The LADY OF the Lake." Nav
not such reading as This begin IN the school
! and with The help OF thr teacher? II children
were allowed one afternoon week In which to
! tell to the class the stories they have read it
would stir the sail OF many virgin intellect.
III you can arouse your pupils 10 an interest in
good literature you will have saved 60 happi-
ness and home and heaven thousands of lives,
before The preacher or the reformer ever get a
chance at them"
The election OF officers for the San Francisco
Teachers Climb during the next six months was
held Immediately before the lecture. The fol-
lowing ladies aud gentlemen were elected:
NJ. Babcock. president; Mrs. L. Il. Burke, first
vice. president; Miss NJ. +. Donnelly, second
vice president; Miss Louisa Doneliy, recording
secretary; Miss Sallie Doneily, corresponding
secretary; Miss Ruth Campbell, treasurer;
S. A. White, librarian.