Middletown transcript., 1897-02-27
Ha tanght il side bY side with readlng,

He taught it side by side with reading,
but did not begin these exercises until
the pupils had been well grounded in the
exercises previously mentioned.
His method, which has to-day be n
generally adopted, was to teach fromN
series of groups of letters arranged in
order of difficulty.
The Pestalozzi method of teaching geo.
graphy has completely revolutionized the
teaching Of that science.
The child is first taught to observe the
country about his home, not on the map
but on the land itself.
With the study of geography was also
connected the other sciences, such as
natural history, agriculture and local
geology, etc. Singing also played an inn
portant part in all Pestalozzi's instruction.
The youngest children first learned to
sing as they had learned to talk by imi-
tation.
The introduction of gymnastics into the
programme of school was another in
novation due to Pestalozzi. He attached
quite as much importance to this exercise
as to any other lesson.
In all the Pestalozz method there is much
of spirit and life, and that before it can
bear fruit, this spirit must sink deep into
the mind and heart. Whatever may be the
aim of education, success is not possible
without methods. The powers of the
child must be developed by exercise and he
must be taught to apply his strength to
raising himself slowly to the knowledge of
truth and the practice of duty. This is
what Pestalozzi proposed to do and con-
sidered in itself, his method is independent
of all dogmatic opinion and it is for this
reason that it will never grow old, but at
all times and in all countries be capable of
application, not only to the powers of the
body and mind, but also to the divine
element within the SOUL
have often heard the question asked.
What is the great fundamental principle of
Pestalozzi's system Of teaching2 / would
answer, the natural, progressive, and har-
monious development Of all the powers
and faculties of the human being.
shall here append few of his maxims:
"It is impossible to curtail child's lib
erty without to some extent incurring his
dislike"
Experience proves that children who
have been too much under restraint, make
up for it later by excesses in the opposite
direction"
Restraint excites various passions"
"a wise liberty induces the child to keep
his eyes and ears open, and makes him
contented. happy and eyen-tempered."
without obedience there is no educa-
ton possible"
"There are crises, indeed, when the child
would be ruined, by being allowed his lib
erty."
"Even under the most favorable circum-
stances, it is impossible not to thwart his
will occasionally"
Pestalozzi's religious sentiment was
strong and loving. 1t comes out in all his
writing and in all circumstances of his
life. And yet it is by no means clear what
his religion was for he no where makes a
confession of faith. The fact is, that he
had no religious system.
The first seeds of his religious sentiments
had been sown in his earliest childhood in
his home life, and, though his faith had
been weakened rather than strengthened
by his subsequent theological studies, and
severely shaken by the writing of Rousseau
and the philosophers of the eighteenth CEN
tury, it had been revived at the birth of
his son Jacobli.
His most popular works are: Leonard
and Gertrude, }" "The Evening Horn Of
Hermit" and 1.-THE Book for Mothers"
Henry Pestalozzi, the educator of hu-
manity, man, christian, citizen, the work
er for others, and nothing for himself,
died at Brugg. the 18th of February, 1897.
Peace to his ashes.
MARY ELIZABETH REGAIN.
Wilmington, Del.