The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-18

John told Berlin student OF a queer fei-
low he had met in the Thuringian Forest
who made out all sorts of wonderful
things from stones and cobwebs'' This
queer fellow was Froebel. and his ex-
tracing of grand general truths from the
simplest manifestations of nature date
from the period of his solitary meditations
in ire forest.
When the two years of apprenticeship
had expired Froebel was thrown upon the
world practically penniless. His benevo-
lent uncle procured him admission TO the
University OF Jena, but upon his being
imprisoned for a debt OF 81. he was obliged
TO abandon his university career and en-
dCayored to earn a subsistence by various
emDloyments. Throughout all his vicissi-
tuGes. however, he never abandoned the
idea that he was destined to accomplish q
great revolution in education Ii was new
ertheiess. chance which opened 10 him the
way for the accomplishment of his pur-
pose. While studying architecture in
Frankfort on -the-Main he became ac-
quainted with the preceptor OF a school
tablished in accordance with the ideals or
the celebrated Italian educator Pestaloz-
ii. This schoolmaster convinced Froebel
that education was his true forte and the
latter readily accepted a position In the
new school. He labored here successfully
for two years al the end OF which period
chatel. where Pestalozzi had established
his then celebrated school.
Al Yverdon Froebel imbibed the princi-
pies established by his great predecessor.
but so improved and extended them that
they became but as a spring to the great
river OF his own formula. That formula
simple in statement. involved in its ap-
plication an aggregate Of all the knowledge
that science had already attained. but was
ings of contradictory philosophers. There
were no tendencies distinctive to church or
state or any existing social institution in
yoiYed in this proposed reform. On The
contrary. having for its object the instilling
OF those inyiolable laws OF social order ana
justice together with proper respect for
authority, it was calculated to prove one of
the strongest bulwarks OF government.
Like the French Revolution its object was
the betterment Of the human race but I'M
like that horrible failure, it designed to
work according to the laws of Christianity
and peace. Nevertheless. at a later period
OF revolutions. the Prussian Government.
in blind alarm. took issue with the new
educational system. and In 1851 the "cul-
tus minister. Ranmer, issued an edict for
bidding the establishment of schools after
Friedrich and Karl Froebei's principles"
in Prussia. This was at period when
Froebel, then an old man, had hoped afte..
life spent in wearing and discouraging
labor. TO gain the sanction of Prussia for
establishing his schools under the protec-
ton OF that government The order OF the
''cultus minister" extinguished the best
hope OF his life and he died disappointed
man In May. 1852, at Schweina, in Marien-
thai. Gradually. however. the revival be-
gan and, as above stated kindergarters
and school gardens are now established by
law In the greater part OF Central Europe
while they have lately begun to be intro
duced into this country.
The Agricultural Department as well as
She Bureau Of Education is proving an emil