The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1894-03-13

| The following history of Pesta-
lozzi, the great Swiss educator,
was read by Prof. II. S. Townsend,
of Lahainaluna Seminary, at a
recent teachers meeting on Maui :
There are educational thinkers and
writers whose personal characters de-
| tract from the respect due to- their
| words. Were / discussing Rousseau,
| for instance, L should think best to
say little or nothing of his life, since
! it is more profitable to seek out the
+, good in his writings than the evil in
| his character. But the case of the
| man to whom our attention is directed
| this evening is radically different.
| His words are better understood in the
| light of his life. His philosophy is
| interpreted by his motive and charac
| ter. Hence, it is impossible TO begin
| this lecture otherwise than with bi-
ography.
| HIS LIFE.
John Henry Pestalozzi was born of
well-tO-dO parents at Zurich in the
year.1746. Five years later his father
uICty anu IlC was lclU 10 Tie care Vi II
devoted and pious mother. Her wild
owed condition and the care of her
three children naturally developed
her emotional nature beyond proper
bounds, and this, in turn, affected the
character of her son. Accordingly,
his first contact with the world, in the
elementary school, showed that he
was not being well-fitted for its strug
giles. The laughing stock of his com
paniOns, he withdrew himself from
them and became dreamer Of
dreams.
He spent his holidays with his
grandfather, a village pastor, and the
example of this good man so affected
him that he wished to initiate him.
He accordingly became student of
theology. AS "a student he came into
contact with the spirit of the times
the spirit of "the Revolution'-fo it
is not to be supposed that this spirit
sprang suddenly into life and full
vigor, and proceeded at once to tear
down the Bastile. No; it is not re-
stricted in time or place. 1t is the
spirit which defends the disinherited
OF earth against the oppression of pre-
rOgative, whether of blood, wealth or
prowesS. He came to consider the op-
pressiOns of the poor, as he had seen
them, and his heart bled for them.
He read Rousseau, and this influence
confirmed his purpose to devote his
life to the betterment of the social
state. He began to write for the Me-
mortal, and the privileged classes
soon came to recognize him as their
enemy. a sample of his satire will
not prove uninteresting:
FISHES AND THE PIKE
The fishes in pond brought an
accusation against the pike, who
were making great ravages among
them. The judge, an old pike, said
that their complaint was just and to
make amends the defendants should
allow two ordinary fish each year To
become pike"
The Memorial was suppressed and
the band of students who conducted it
was broken up. One was banished,
and PestaloZzi and some others were
imprisoned for a time. He gave up
theology and became student of law.
At this time some distinguished pro-
fessors in the university were strongly
influencing students toward Il simple
life. PestaloIzt soou gave up law and |
decided to become "a farmer.
But this must not be taken as an iu- |
dication that he had abandoned the |
cause of the people. \ matrimonial |
engagement existed at this time be- |
tween him and n friend of his child |
hood, Anna Schulthess, a lady who i'm |
all their troubled life proved herself |
n worthy companion of his labors,
troubles, joys and sorrows. \ few ex-
tracts from one of his iove-letters eau
hardly fail To be interesting: ~ also /
owe you the open confession, my
DEAR" he writes, "tbat | shalt always
consider my duties toward my be-
loved partner subordinate to my du
ties toward my country /
shall not forget my first resolution TO
devote myself wholly to my country.
| shall never, from fear of man, re-
frain from speaking when
see that the good of my
country calls upon me To
speak. My whole heart is my
Couutry's. I will risk all to alleviate
the needs and miseries of my fellow
What consequences
may the undertakings to which feel
myself urged on draw after them
And how imperative is my duty To
show YOU the possibility of the
dangers which they may briug upon
me : Reflect upon everything.... You
will not think less highly of me that
I did not take advantage of your want
nj acquaintance with my character for
the att" amcnt OF nay utmost wish"'
What love letter What would yuu