The San Francisco call., 1897-06-28
PLEA FOR THE CHILDREN.
A Radical Change in the Mode OF ln-
struction Demanded.

Radical Change in the Mode OF ln-
struction Demanded.
We teach our children science and
mathematics and history and language
and morals and manners, says a writer
in the Overland Monthly. we are az
monished again and again, and we realize
between times, that our course OF STUDY Is
overcrowded. We have been trying TO
"co- ordinate" and concentrate and calcu-
late until our heads have grown dizzy,
though our hearts have not become faint
Yet, with it all, have we not been losing
sight OF one I'm DO rtant thing?
Now, don't 20 off to other States and
other countries to find a textbook which
we have not been using. Don't ask the
university or the high school TO prescribe
another requirement. We DO not mean
any such thing. What, then?
We have cultivated the intellectual fac
ultles for centuries; and for awhile in
certain localities land elsewhere spas
modically) we have to some extent cuti-
vated the physical. But with it all have
we not neg ected the finer and even more
elevating impulses of the soul-the sym.
pathetic, humane and loving heart? We.
teach the classification, structure, habits,
utility AMI inutility of animals. But do
we teach our children to treat those sa me
animals humanely and kindly. Some do,
and our adverse criticism does not appy
10 such. Yet there are those who do not.
How much culture Is derived from that
study by which the bov is enabled to re-
peat the memorized distinguishing char
acteristics OF the cat, II the same and
other teaching does not lead him to treat
that same cat with even more kindness
than has been his wontP
That boy who is more pleased with the
dogs yelp than with the wag OF his tail,
be ne ever so we'll versed in zoology, is
ignorant of the most beautiful lesson TO
be derived from the fascinating and de-
lighIful study of natural history. That
boy who can give in the phraseOlogy of
the scientist the history OF The horse from
the most antiquated representative of the
vertebrate to Nancy Hanks, and yet who
will treat that horse with any sort of
cruelty, deserves fewer ana less EN- phatic
compliments than does the untutored lad
who properly feeds, waters and shelters
his horse and drives him with modera-
tion.
All lessons in morals and manners
should lead children to respect and treat
rightfully the people OF a community; as
the study of history and civics sh uId
teach the student TO respect the rights of
other nations while maintaining its own,
so the study of natural history, however
superficial or profound it may be, shou.d d
lead the student to regard with much
more consideration and kindness the
many SUBJECTS OF MS STUDY especially
those which conduce so much to his COM
fort and enjoyment.
Morality, refinement, politeness and
obedience are the natural result of such
treatment. In those communities of
England and France where such .instruc-
tion is npulsory the moral tone and
standard are very high in com parison
with that of other unities where the
same is not taught. In such communities
crime not only decreases, bat almost dis
appears; and as a result criminal trials are
less frequent and expenses are much less
Such instruction need not necessarily
be made a special order of exercise. 1t
may be incorporated with and should be-
come an element of the regular instruc-
tlon and that too without involving any
greater responsibility so far as text and
classwork are concerned. Let it not be
omitted. Let it be done. Let all of our
instruction be so i'm portant as to culti-
vate in the mind of every ch Id such traits
or character as will. cause him TO deal
hum anely and kindly with the animals
over which he holds dominion, and Justly
and fraternalIy with peop:e whom he
should respect as he would bs respected.