The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-01-31
TT HERE is" wrote the authorities

moral. and physical uplifting of tn
Child than knowledge and an ap
probation of the Beauties of Nature
IT is the duty and the privilege of tn
teacher to bring this elevating infu
ence into the lives of the children 70
whom she is responsible"
There are not many of the Beautie!
of Nature to be found on the lowe
East Side of New York and Mis-.
Bailey, who was responsible for fifty
eight of the little children of that dis
trict, found this portion of her duty
fun of difficulty. Excursions were Out
of the question, and she soon foune
that specimens conveyed but crudely
erroneous ideas to the minds of her lit
tie people. She was growing discour-
aged at the hating progress of the
First Reader Class in Natural Science
when, early in October, the Principal
ushered into Room IS Miss Eudora
Iangdon, Lecturer on Biology and
Nature Study in a Western university,
a shining light in the world of edu-
cation, and an orator in her own con-
ceit.
I've brought Miss Langdon to you,
Miss Bailey" said the Principal when
the introductions had been accomplish
ed, because she is interested in the
questions which are troubling you. i
shall leave her with you for a short
time. She would like to speak to the
children if you have no objection"
Surely none" replied Miss Bailey;
and when the Principal had retired to
interview parents and book agents, she
went on: Il find it difficult to make
Nature Study at all real to the children.
They regard it all as fairy-lore.''
"Ah, yes" the visitor admitted sit
does require some skill. You should
appeal to their sense of the beautiful.
But I greatly fear said Teacher
sadly, that the poor babies know very
little about beauty"
''Then develop the ideaI,'' cried Miss
Langdon, and the eyes behind her
glasses shone with zeal. Begin this
very day. Should you like me to open
up the topic?"
IF you will be SO very good said
Teacher, with some covert amusement,
and Miss Langdon, laying her note
book on the desk, turned to address the
class. Immediately Nathan Spiderwitz,
always on the alert for bad news, start
ed rumor which spread from desk to
desk-'Miss Bailey could to be goin'
away. This could be a new teacher"
Children" Miss Eudora began, with
deliberate and heavy coyness; I'm so
fond of little chiIdrenl I've always !
loved children. That's why your kind |
Principal brought me here to talk to |
you. Now, wasn't that good of him"
At this confirmation of their fears the /
First Reader Glass showed so moderate |
a joy that Miss Langdon hurried on: t
And what would you like me to tell |
you about?'
Lions said Patrick Brennan
promptly. Big hairy lions with teeth
The visitor paused almost blankly
while the children frightened. Miss
Bailey struggled with a rebellious
quickly.
IT shall tell YOU" she began serenely.
.fabout beauty. Beauty is one of the
greatest things in the world. Beauty
makes us strong. Beauty makes us
happy. I want you all to think-think
hard-and tell me what we can do to
make our lives more beautiful"
Fifty-eight pairs of troubled eyes
sought inspiration in the face of the
rightfuI sovereign. Fifty-eight little
minds wrestled dumbly.
well, / suppose / must help you"
said Miss Eudora with elephantine
Now, children, in the
first place. you must always read
beautiful books; then, always look at
beautiful things; and lastly. always
think beautiful thoughts
Miss Langdon.' Teacher gently in
erposed, these children cannot read
7ery much-twenty-fi words perhaps
and for the majority of them, poor
title things, this school-room is the
,rettiest place in the world.
"Oh that's all right. My text is right
here said the visitor, with a nod to-.
wards tree. the only large one in the
district, which was visible through the
It had not yet lost its leaves, !
nd a shower during the preceding
light had left it passably green. Turn
ng to the children, now puzzled into
retfui unhappiness, she clasped her
ands, closed her eyes in rapture, and
Proceeded:
You all know how beauty helps
gu. How it strengthens you for your c
york Why, in the morning when you t
ONE to school you see beautiful
hing which cheers you for the whole c
ay Now, see if you can't tell me ]
THAT it is L
Another heavy silence followed and f
Iiss Langdon turned again to Teacher.
Don't you teach them by the Socrat- d
method?" she asked loftily. S
'sOI, yes Miss Bailey replied, and
hen, with a hospitable desire to make
er guest feel quite at home. she adj A
ed: But facts must be closely cor
elated with their thought-content. F
heir apperceiving basis is not large"
'.Ah, yes; of course said the expert o
aguely but with new consideration, n
nd then to the waiting class: Chill g
rem, the beautiful thing I'm thinking c,
E is green. Can't you think of some o
hing green and beautiful which you n
e every morning." k
Eva Gonorowsky's big brown eyes, t.
xed soIemnly upon Teacher. famed
it'll sudden inspiration. and Teacher &c
liz Icnrn u