Washington sentinel., 1900-06-02

definition given, and no drawing
made, but has some bearing upon
either the materials or the tools or
the purpose OF the combined trades
mentioned above. No step for
ward is taken until the why and
wherefore Of the preceding step
has been fully understood by
everyone in the class. And, as IN
all schools ot like character, great
stress is laid upon free hand draw
ing. This is to give the young
men not only all the technical
knowle dge needed, but also to train
the eye and the mind in designing
every part OF the various styles of
furniture, as we'll as artistic decor
ations in wood carving and Inlaid
work. Such work, when added to
talent and diligence, must lead to
thoroughness and originality.
The young men in the last years
course were scattered all over the
room, each standing before a
blackboard, engaged in drawing
some part OF a piece of furniture or
some ornamental carving, while
the teacher moved about examin-
ing the work. Upon inquiry was
told that this was a lesson review
ing, in an objective way, the oral
instruction given by the teacher at
the last recitation. | will add that
every student was given different
part Of the work, so that no two OF
them had the same drawing to
make.
There are only a iew salaried
teachers employed, while there
are always several boss mechanics
present, as already stated, assist
ing in various waVs. This must
be an excellent way fer these men
to get and maintain the confidence
and respect Of their apprentic ces;
for when young people see that
their masters are not only able to
show them how to handle tools in
the workshop, but are also fully
capable of instructing them theo-
reticallY, it cannot fail to have a
beneficial influence upon the rela-
tions between the master and the
apprentices. Surely such teaching
unites theory and practice in a
wonderfully complete way.
have already said that the boss
mechanics in the cabinetmakers'
trade union contribute their own
time TO this school without any
compensation, and also give each
apprentice one full forenoon in
every week to attend the school.
This is a great sacrifice for most
oil them. Mr.. Kiefhaber, founder
Of the school, for several years not
only devoted his own time to this
work, but has paid most OF the
expenses himself. Surely, not the
least Interesting feature OF this in
stitution is its benevolent object OF
reaching young people from the
humblest walks Of life, elevating
and educating them so as to make
oi them good mechanics, artisans
and citizens.
The attention OF the Govern
ment, both municipal and national.
is now being called to the import
ance Of this work, and it is hoped
that the institution will soon be
placed on a sounder financial
basis, have no doubt that this
school, if properly supported and
wisely conducted, will, in course
OF time, build uD in Magdeburg
an industry which will give en-
ploYment to hundreds OF artisans
and mechanics, and bring renown
to the city for its manufacture of |
fine and artistic furniture, as Dres-
den is noted tor its fine china ware,
Munich Tor its works Of art, Leip- |
zig for being the great book mart,
and so forth.
To an American, this school for
apprentices az Magdeburg is inter
esting, chiefly because, it again
shows 70 what an extent intellec-
tual and technical training is car
ried on in this country. in order to
achieve and maintaIn the foremost
position in the industrial world.