The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-02-12

T. MODERN In meInOuS WHICH are d
present considered correct by educa
tionists.
5. Less history than Mr.. Copelands
manuscript.
6. Emphasis of relief maps.
RHODA GREEN.
Honolulu High School.
Mrs. j. NJ. Dowsett, Commissioner o
Education.
Dear Madam: Having been chosen
one of a committee to report to YOU
as to the comparative merits of tWt
manuscript biographies for our Ha'
waiian schools, I hereby beg leave tt
submit the following:
I have read with some care the two
Biographies, compiled respectively By
Mr.. Baldwin and Mr.. Copeland. and
find much in both of great merit-much
in both that would interest and instruci
the intelligent and thoughtful stranger
regarding the photographic and other
features of Hawaii.
Both appear to be planned in accord
ance with the soundest and most re-
cent trend in the teaching of geogra.
ply, though, perhaps, in unequal de-
grees. Mr.. Copelands seems to ems
phasize more what I might call the
topographic and descriptive features.
and Mr.. Baldwin's the photographic.
or underling causes Of those features.
For pleasant reading, especially for
the young, I think Mr.. Copeland's the
superior of the two. 1t is written in
an easier and more flexible style Mr..
Baldwin's is somewhat terSe and
Grabbed. But, after all, geography is
not literature. Tt is for information.
l think the blen1ishes of both, il
blemishes there be, consist of too great
length, too much detail, out of proper,
ton with the rest of the world, likely
to give children a distorted perspec-
tive; yet / know that home things,
whether history or geography, should
be treated in somewhat more detail
than other things, whether in space or
time.
Mr.. Copeland gives a preliminary
sketch OF the history of Hawaii in his
copy. / am not convinced as to the
advisability Of mixing history and ge-
ography, while admitting their close
connection as cause and effect.
From his point of view, he is, per-
haps, correct, but the question is about
the point of view.
His statement is that most of the
children, especially in the remoter dis
tricts, may never have the advantage
of instruction in the history of their
own country and its relations to the
outer world, except it be got in this
geography. If this be true, Mr.. Cope
land is right in his view, but Alexan-
~ CHI H. oh
er's desk, from which oral instruction
should be culled, suitable to the capac-
ity of the children. Moreover, under
stand that DR.. Alexander is preparing
from his larger work an easy primary
history especially suited to our PR
mary schools.
Mr.. Copeland's geography is written
in an easy and graceful style, and
would, perhaps, be more interesting to
children than Baldwins, We're it to be
put into their hands without a teacher.
Baldwin's work appears to me to
show much more knowledge from per-
sonal contact and observation-much
more originality-less Of a compilation.
As an instance, compare the two on
Kauai. Baldwin's Kauai is admirable.
showing the photographic features of
stream and coastal plain.
and the resulting climatic conditions
of the Garden Island while Cope
lands is a commonplace compilation.
The same disparity may be affirmed,
though in a lesser degree, of Oahu.
The two, so far as I am qualified to
express an opinion. are of about equal
merit on Maui and Hawaii.
There are some features in both that,
could they be combined, would make
an Improvement on either; but. as I am
asked to intimate my preference, 1 am
IF the opinion that. in the hands of a
skillful teacher, Baldwin's would be the
better geogra ply. Respectfully SUBJ
mitted, NJ. NJ. SCOTT.
WILL BE REVISED.
Mr. Dodge asked if the book would be |
published under the direction Of the |
BOARD.
Superintendent Babbitt, answering in |
he affirmative, said that for use in Ha- |
vail the geography would be published /
n separate form. while the publishers t
night combine it with general geog-
Apply for use elsewhere.
Mr.. Hutchins asked why not consult |
With Prof. Scott, whose remarks had
much impressed him. Mr.. Babbitt an
'wered that neither of the works was |
let completed It was impossible to |
ret the two authors to collaborate Mr. |
Iutchins moved that the report of the |
be adopted, which Messrs /
Dodge and Harrington seconded to-
sether. and the motion was unani- /
nously carried.
Mr.. Rabbit then expressed the
hanks Of the Board to Mrs. Dowsett |
or her personal services and through