The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1902-01-24

experimental stage. Fads vary in de-
gree, in the elements Of time. and local
ity. They are different things lin differ
rnt times at different places. They have
their exits and their entrances. Time
alone proves their value or their WORTH
lessncss, and that which is .righteously
dubbed a fad will fade as 4 fashion Of
the hour. Eads are Of two kinds, ephem-
cral and eternal, and mortal man, be he
editor or educator, cannot always classi-
ty. A fancy to-day may be Il fad to-
morrow. 4 foible the next day, and, in
the hands Of some unbalanced enthusiast,
a fool thing thereafter.
We do not now consider geography a
fad. but the courticrs of Isabella OF Spain
said that subject was a fad with one
Christopher Columbus. A half century
ago the Srencerian system Of penmanship
was hailed as a fad; it was opposed be-
cause it was said to destroy individuality
and character in p~enmanship. To-day
the vertical system is termed a fad and
. opposed for precisely the same reasons
but the one had and the other has a mis-
sion to perform: each was a distinct step
in advance; each received or will receive
modification, but each systematized the
WIN "AN l. tItCullOu uACN ~ Il
most important subject. Music is sonle-
times and in some places termed Il fad.
But the fifteen minutes daily Of %instruc-
tlon i'll vocal music in the school room
has a distinct temporary and permanent
value; we may say it has a temporal and
spiritual value. Condemn sooner the tive
or three hours daily instrumental prac-
ticc in the home.
In m oo,tn, SAoA- ~ ~...
ton Of small ruralsschools and the trans
rortation of pupils by public conveyance
may be considered and is sometimes
termed a fad, but it is 4 fad that will
grow in favor as it's advantages are bet
ter understood by the public. Whatever
tends to improve the rural schools and to
keep the boys on the farm should receive
universal appreciation, be it fad, fact or
fancy. In Nebraska at present the ele-
ments of agriculture, including a fair
knowledge OF the habits and structure OF
the common plants, birds, insects and
quadrupeds. is a fad, perhaps, but that
great agricultural State will instruct its
youth thoroughly in the causes and Deepen
denotes Of it's commonwealth.
Drawing and elementary science are
not fads, and they have a distinct econ
Onlc value Ill luuuSltlit ccDIefS. M1null
training in it's various phases, domestic
science, ETC.. may or may not be fads
according to local conditions. Extending
the department store plan of the grea'
universities and colleges down through
the high schools into the grammar grade:
is. fear, a dangerous fad.
We lack the time and the public lack!
the patience to wait for results in I'M
certain experimentation in the gramma:
grades. Less than one hour il eight il
passed by the child in the school room
: when he attends regularly Throughout
the school year. The average attendant,
would not equa: one hour in twelve. Per
haps there are fads in the home, on tn
street. in society, that influence the chill,
for good or for. i'll. Society may trail
our youth for social functions, pink teas
and midnight rcvels, while the school i
%endeavoring to train for better citizen