The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1897-01-27

AOl luc SubJcCt VI LiUCAaSulS. III JDf
child. during his first years, learned
his letters, could write a little. ano
remember that one and one are two
two and two are four, it was deemed
sufficient. 1t was often with
difficulty he accomplished even this,
owing TO the methods of presenting
the subjects. Literature, Language
and Geography were not thought to
be comprehended by children lower
than third and fourth grades. But
how different do the educators of To-
day think.
Lei Us note the reasons for Litera-
ture in the primary. First-it gives
the Child elevated ideas Ut life. The
heroes and heroines Of history, whose
stirring adventures and sacrifices
teach them 10 DO nobly that which
falls 10 their own part III life are
brought before them, The heroes
and heroines of great fiction, such as
Little Nell, and hiawatha, Iypify
human character, hopes and condit-
ions. Study cultiyates love for the
best in literature and this Certainly
is Of great Importance. high school
teachers of reading complain that
their pupils cannot read with mean-
ing. There is no appreciation of
either pathos or humor in their more
delicate shadeS-thoSe touches of
literary art that thrill the scholar.
Comedy and tragedy are read in the
same tone of voice. A newspaper
joke brings smile, or cheap senti-
mental verse tear, 10 the eyes OF
these young readers, but the best
humor Of Shakespeare, aud the holy
rhapsody OF the Psalms are lost upon
them. They can cali words, but can
mol read anything above the common
ylace. Cultivation of the literary
sense means training 10 mental fine
ness.
The close relation Of literature TO
lives and consequently 10 everything
studied at school. is fact of great
practical value 10 the teacher When
d child mas reached the age to begin
The study Of history proper, there has
already been fostereo in his mind the
love of man and love OF country. /
once heard mother say that her
little daughter OF three years knew
the pictures of many writers and
Statesmen, and could tell, in her
childish way, some little incident in
the life of each. What a foundation
that child would have for her work
in after years. She madethe acouaint-
ance of these men and would have a
life long interest in them Children
are assisted in language by acquiring
the thoughts and expressions OF the
different writers. Geographical no
tions are also turned for example in
this selection from Sir Launfal:
Down swept the chill wind from the mount
ain peak.
From the snow five thousand summers old;
TN open void and hilltop bleak
1t had gathered all the cold.
ana whlrled il like sleet on the wanderers
cheek;
1t carried shiver everywhere.
From the unleafed bough and pastures bare;
The little brook heard it and built roof
Meath which he could house him, winter
proof;
All night by the white stars frosty CLEANS
he grolnsd his arches and matched his
DtaLns;
slender and clear were his crystal spars
As the lashes OF light that trim the stars;
tie sculpIured every summer delight
In hls halls and Chambers out Of sight
This. if presented in the right way,
is full of beauty and meaning TO The
very little child. He forms in his
MUD a picture of high mountain
on the top. of which, is i cod snowy
cave where MIR. North Wind lives.
One day he comes d wa the side of
the mountain and ssees some people
whom he makes 10 Shiver with tie
cod. He makes The trees and every
thing cold. The little brook does not
like Mr. North Wind. so at once be-
gins TO build a house in which TO hide
himself Jack Frost helps TO make the
house pretty, by the aid OF the stars
which give him light. Thus ideas of
winds, seasons, temperature. and
mountains are given in most beauti-
full and interesting manner.
One might ask from what sources
primary literature is drawn.
Fables, myths, fairy stories, poems,
and history treated Of. by presenting
lives of men give US an abundance Of
material with which TO work. All
children love stories, and what the
universal child loves is necessary for
his development. All great stories
come best TO children through stories,
whereby their imagination is strongly
exercised. Literature makes the ex-
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