The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1898-03-09
Our Educational Column.
Uncle William" Editor.

Address all communications relative to this
department to Editor Educational Column
care of THE STAR.
Boys and girls, we have grown tired
of giving you good advice from week to
week. You do not seem to appreciate
1t. therefore. we will give you some
thing from the pen of others to digest.
The first is chapter on "Politeness,"
by DR.. Seeley, followed by n short dis
sertation on DAY Dreaming" Read
them both and ponder them carefully,
they will do you good. Study them
we'll and practice them and you will
profit thereby.
poLITENEss.
Rosenkranz says that ''politeness is
the virtue Of civilization" II this
definition be accepted, does It not seem
apparent that there Is something wrong
with our American civilization? King.
In his "School Interests and Duties"
says, Americans have not II fiattering
reputation in other countries in respect
to politeness, although all the world
admires their enterprise, courage and
generosity. The statesmanship of
American diplomats ut the courts OF the
world has been universally recognized;
but some Of these distinguished men
have been remembered in society for
unfortunate social blunders, which,
though seemingly ,riiiing in themselves,
were 10 be regretted, to say the least.
Many young man has been handi-
capped in the race for L0nor aud fame
by not having learned what the usages
of good society require. Young men
not superior In other qualifications have
outstripped him In the race because
they had in mind and practiced ut all
times those little kindly courtesics
| which custom demands" Everyone
acquainted with the facts knows that
the truth is stated in the above para
graph. Who has not witnessed the
rudeness OF women In the street cars In
failing to recognize the yielding Of Il
seat to them by II simple "thank you,"
until II hiss become the custom In our
large cities to ignore them and let them
stand? Rudenee answering rudeness,
it is true; but rudeness on the part Of
men which the lofty indifference TO one
Of the most common courtcsies on the
part of the other sex would seem to
justify.
l Could not leave the impression that
lack OF politeness is confined to the one
sex by any means. How often one sees
the want of courtesy On the part of one
uam to another, as welt as that of one
SEX to the other. Tits not my purpose
te'correct faults in those whose habits
are fixed, but to oaN attention to the
lack of politeuess among American
children; for il we are to become civil
ned In this respect. our only hope rests
with them. S,are,y American childrea
could we'll learn 'sf German children Ia
N this respect 1t is universal custom
Mn German sche6s for all the children
ma arise at once when their teacher or
~ visitor enters che room. and remain
standing until t;dden to be seated. Tn
only one American school have seen "a
similar practice True. It interrupts
the lesson for moment, but does IL not
teach one of the most important lessons
rthat youth shosid learn? II so, is it
mot time we'll spent? The purpose of
the school is not simply to carry out
scurriculum; it is to teach all things
nhat form character and prepare for
aife. and pOliteness is an importaat ele-
ment in both f these purposes.