The record-union., 1894-05-26

would do credit to many bands composed
of so-called professionals.
/ heard also some charming singing by
choir consisting entirely of boys, some
of them quite little fellows-and the ex-
preston of their faces as they sang be-
tokened the pleasure they were them
selves receiving, while so greatly delight
ing those OF US who listened.
The military company, whose evolu-
tiOns in company and battalion drill
elected the unqualified appreciation OF
some competent critics who were OF the
party of visitors, is otficered entirely by
the boys themselves.
One little fellow in writing home after
his first few days at Whittier, conveyed
the important il not startling information
that he had sheets on his bed. Poor little
fellow, they were probably the first he
had ever slept in; but will he not here
after strive for something better for him
self, and for his children, too, ii he shall
ever have any, than bed of dirty, ragged
blankets or bits of carpet.
God helping him, he will.
The great movement in modern educa-
ton everywhere is toward what is vari-
ously called industrial Education" !"
Manual Training" practical Educa-
the result OF belief which is very gen.
orally shared by thinking people, that a
purely intellectual or academic education
falls short in some essential features, Of
the proper equipment of a young man for
the affairs OF life in this busy, busting
practical age. The advocates of the new
movement claim for it more uniform
and natural development OF the whole
mana development and training of the
eye and hand and the judgment, along
with the ordinary scholastic work of the
schools land this too without any loss TO
the latter by devoting a certain portion
OF each day to work in some branch OF
mechanical industry, as carpentery, cab
met making, blacksmithing, etc. In adj
dition to Wnat is claimed for 1t from an
educational point of view, 1t is claimed
also, and with reason, that one receiving
suct training is better fitted to make his
way in the world-to earn living for
himself and for those who may be de-
pendent upon him.
At Whittier this education and training
has been adopted, and is in practical and
eminently successful operation. One
half of each day is devoted TO the ordi-
nary well-classified schoolroom work
under competent teachers, and one-halt
to work at the particular trade or oCcupa-
ton for which the boy or girl has ex-
pressed choice or manifested some spe-
cial adaptability. Thus facilities have
already been provided for the boys to be-
come well-trained and quite expert farm
ers. gardeners blackSfniths, carpenters,
cabinet-makers, shoemakers, cooks, bak-
ers, walters, nurses, electricians, stem
ographers and typewriters, and for the
girls to become dressmakers, milllners,
nurses, tailors, ETC., and there are some
of the inmates preparing as each of the
foregoing, SO that when they shall leave
the Institution they will do SO not only as
well advanced educatlonally az the boys
and girls of our grammar schools, but
also prepared to take their places among
the industrial classes and to earn an hon
est living.
In this communication | have pur-
posely avoided all statistics and any refer
ence to the extent or arrangement OF the
buildings, size of the grounds, etc., as
entirely foreign to its purpose and intent;
and, not unduly to prolong it, l will
bring to close this very imperfect ex-
preston of what | would like TO say, with
a brief statement of some of the conclu-
sions to which my visit to the school. and
the train of thought thereby started, have
inevitably led.
In the first place, then, have had to
modify several of my preconceived ideas.
NV whole training has been that Of a
business man; and it has been, and Is, m y
habit to take business mans view of all
questions. both public and private, con-
cerning which | think, or am called to de-
eide or to act upon; with the result that
among my friends and associates l am no
doubt regarded as far too conservative, if
not indeed cranky" Gin passing, let me
say in my own behalf that it is no slight
compensation for me to know that my
conservatism-extre if you please
has not infrequently served as safe bal
ance wheel to some of my more impeuu-
ouS and s1snaadyO associates