Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-05-24
EDUCATIONAL WORK.
Mrs. Coviiie Writes Regarding this Great
and Interesting Subject.

and Interesting Subject.
We wonder how many OF the patrons
of our school are aware OF the excel
lent literary society that the pupils OF
our high school are conducting. 1t
has been our pleasure to be present at
several OF these meetings and were
agreeably surprised and pleased to
listen to the excellent papers, recita-
tions and debates. AS for the music,
we'll, we all feel proud OF our musical
talent in our Bedding schools. OF late
years the question has been asked who
will take the place In literature Of
Longfellow, Emmerson, Hawthorn,
Mark Twain, who have or soon will
have passed away. And while listen
ing to these we'll written papers 1t &C.
Cured to me. who knows but what the
bring forth aspirations that will lead
In future years to the heights that
those great men attained.
We were present when that ques-
ton that so many were discussing in
the beginning OF this year, which or
when does the Goth century begin?
The arguments on each side were
forceful, but felt like saying, it mat
tiers not whether we are standing on
the threshold OF the Goth century, or
that we have already opened the door
and entered in; but it is of great i'm
portance to the pupils of our schools,
that they realize the great oportuni-
ties that this coming century brings
them. Fifty years ago a girl could not
be admitted in Boston public school,
forty years ago girl could not enter
our u. of M. Co-education was just a
dream of the future-and the girl who
expressed a desire for college educa-
tion with her brother was looked upon
with scorn and suspicion. Today all
this is changed, the girls take the
same studies and advances with as
great rapidity as her brother-proving
false that old fashioned fallacy, that a
girls brain is not as large and strong
as her brothers and therefore could
not grasp or contain the topics OF a
higher education.
Aud right here let me whisper to
the boys that they have just got to
look sharp, for the girls have not only
caught up to them in the educational
race, but they are taking nearly all
the prizes, as look into the lists will
prove. We are pleased with the grow
ing in art, as shown by visit to our
school rooms, and while much remains
to be done, yet the good seed is taking
root and patrons are realizing the i'm
portance of pleasant surroundings as a
factor in character building.
The boy or girl who has had but few
lessons in drawing and coloring will
always be the better trained, not only
the hand, but the eye, it enlarges the
bump Of observation, Imagination, and
refines and uplifts. They will see
beauties by the wayside that those who
have not had this training, pass care
lessly by. But there should be fine
taste in selecting the pictures, few
copies of some of the great master
pieces, is far better than dozens of in
ferior ones.
And now we are again requested to
call attention of the graduating class
to that same question that we have in
our local articles for several years
back. Let simplicity be your watch
word in dress and in the profusion Of
flowers, few, and then the money
spent in some present to each other
that is not so rishable-something
that when you have grown old, and
tired and little soured by contact OF
this cold world, you can bring out Of
its resting place with other school
day souvenirs and you will grow young
again with thoughts of this, one OF the
most important events of your life.
| MARY f. III. CovILLE,
Chairman Art and Education,
Committee for S. F. w. G..
Il