The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1899-09-08

KNOWLEDGE IS PLEASURE"
THE NEW WAY.
In the list of contemporary scholars
and writer's who reaffim the doctrine
knowledge is pleasure we find Sir John
Lubbock, of London, who remarks that
Whatever our occupation it is most
desirable to create for ourselves some
other special interest. We must all ex-
pect times Of anxiety, of suffering and
of sorrow; when these come it is an
estimable comfort to have some deep
interest which will, at any rate to
some extent, enable us to escape from
ourselves"
The identical idea meant to be con-
veyed with the greatest cleverness by
that distinguished statesman and
scholar, Hon. William NJ. Evarts, who
said that 'he would not take all the
wealth OF the world for the pleasure
his knowledge had given him. His
studies are his only recreation If he
were unable to appreciate books or art
he would be the most miserable of
men,"
Herbert Spencer, that prince of En-
glish scholars, has written with his
usual perspicuity on this matter as fol
lows: AS final test by which to Judge
any plan of culture should come the
queSton-dOeS it create a pleasurable
excitement in the pupils-a pleasurable
state Of feeling is far more favorable
to intellectual action than one of in
difference or disgust. Everyone knows
I that things read. heard. or seen with
| Interest, are better remembered than
| those read, heard or seen with apathy.
Whoever has marked the effect of
intellectual success upon the mind, and
the power of the mind over the body,
will see that in the one case both tenn
per and health are favorably affected,
whilst in the other there is danger of
permanent moroseness. of permanent
timidity and even of permanent con-
stitutional depression To all which
considerations we must add the further
one, that the relationship between
teachers and their scholars is. other
things equal. rendered friendly and in
1uential or antagonistic and powerlesS
according as the system of culture pro
duces happiness or misery. Human be-
ings are at the mercy of their associat-
ed ideas. A daily minister of pain can
not fail to he regarded with a secret
painful ones, will inevitably he hated,
| Conversely he who constantly aids chill
| dren to their ends, hourly provides
them with satisfaction of conquest,
hourly encourages them through their
difficulties and sympathieS In their sue
cesses. cannot fail to be liked; nay, if
his behavior is consistent throughout
must be loved.
AtAsIsI of fnYlf
and benign is the control of a master
who is felt to be friend, when COM
pared with the control of one who is
looked upon with aversion, or, at best,
| Indifference, we may infer that the in
direct advantages Of conducting educa-
ton of the happiness principle do not
fall far short of the direct ones.
In the Sanslrit it is written: "Knowl-
edge produces humility; from humility
proceedeth worthlneSs; from WORTH
ness riches are acquired; from riches
religion, and thence happiness"
OF all things knowledge is esteemed
! the most precious treasure because Of
It's incapacity to be stolen, to be given
away, or even to be consumed. Knowl-
edge introduceth man to acQuaint-
ance. and as the humble stream to the
ocean, so doth it conduct him into the
hard acquired presence of the prince
whence fortune fioweth.
Learning to man is name superior
| TO beauty; learning is better than hid
| den treasure; learning is companion
on a journey to strange country;
learning is strength inexhaustible.
Learning is the source Of renown, and
Is the fountain Of victory in the Senate.
Learning is superior sight; learning
| Is livelihood. and man in this world
without learning is as a beast Of the
aeld"
1t is a we'll settled principle that edu-
! eational systems are not made-they
, grew. If the doctrine knowledge is
| pleasure ever comes to be an education
ii axiom, 1t must be by process Of
growth.
Probably every teacher Of experience
aas seen the crises which occur. SO to
speak. in the lives of some pupils, that
t to say from being indolent and In
different and possibly a universal tor
ment to the teacher, they become in
.erested and jealous. This change &C.
cured at the hour they realized knowl-
EDGE was pleasure. That hour marked
the beginning of an epoch in the in
ividual life, and so, too. this hour will
mark the beginning of an epoch in edu
.ational matters, If the influence OF the
press and the pulpit and the forum for
he next 200 years. can be brought to
Dear to announce and reiterate in sea-
ION and out the doc trine knowledge Is
pleasure. X. b. G.
Singing to Oxen.
In France the oxen that work in the
i fields are regularly sung to as an en-
enlargement to exertion, and no peas
ant has the slightest doubt that the
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