The Washington herald., 1909-03-31
DR.. ELIOT ADVISES
HIGH SCHOOL BOYS
Harvard President Delivers
Address at Central.
PAYS TRIBUTE TO JEFFERSON
Dwens Upon Educational Develop
ment In the south During the Last
Ten Years-Urges Students 10 Train
Powers of Application and Senses
and Acquire Practice of Thinking.

More than three hundred professors and
boy students OF the Washington high
schools filed the main hall at the Central
High School yesterday to listen 10 an ad-
dress by DR.. Charles W. Eliot. president
OF harvard University.
The educator addressed his remarks to
the boys. and his words Of advice and
instruction received rapt attention ano
were vigorously applauded
Dr. Eho: paid tribute 20 the first diree-
tor OF public education IN Washington.
Thomas Jefferson. He also devoted a
portion Of his address 10 a description
Of the rapid educational progress made
in the south in the last ten years.
The great strides made in the South
ern States 10 obtain a greater and more
efficient system OF public education and
the results already achieved. especially
IN the secondary institutions. has been
the most instructive feature OF my trip,
said Dr. Eliot
Pays Tribute 10 Jefferson.
After Prof. Stuart had closed his intro
duction by saying that the school sys-
TEN in Washington has been ever linked
with the development Of the national gov
ernment through the efforts OF Jefferson,
DIT. Eliot began his address.
He said In part:
That great man. Thomas Jefferson. has
not ceased to act upon our school system
and the principals first inculcated in his
own university still exert a wonderful in
fiuence on modern education. I refer es-
pecially 70 the two distinct essentials, uni
versal education and the procedure OF
teaching from the top downward. These
were precious thoughts put into opera
tion at the University Of Virginia By
Jefferson and he adde,l another cOncep-
ton that is by no means unessential-free-
dom OF choice among studies.
To-day we still retain that elective sys-
tenn Our universities still maintain that
q student shall pursue the studies he pre-
fers and shall not be tied 10 a curriculum.
/ always like 10 acknowledge this debt 10
Jefferson whom 1 regard as one Of the
greatest geniuses our country ever pro-
dUced.
1T Is his great principles that you enjoy
in the high schools OF Washington. II
has been my delight 20 see that in those
beautiful States of the South the chill
dren are 10 have the privileges which you
have always enjoyed. A great educational
evolution that viii result IN much good.
Is now in progress IN the Southland.
Gives Advise to Scholars.
Allow me now TO impart few words
CT instruction particularly 70 the boys.
We are not content with the manner in
which the boys pass hurriedly through
the schools: they do not remain long
enough. This fault may lie in that they
do not find the institution sufficiently
interesting OF that they do not see the ad-
vantages which arise IN after life I would
advise that you obtain in these high
schools the power OF intense application,
that is to exercise your mental power 10
learn a lesson IN ten minutes instead OF
an hour. This faculty cultivated in school
life will stand you IN good stead when you
enter into the world
My second admOnition Is that YOU
make better use OF your senses All the
laboratory work and various courses are
included in your curriculum 70 make YOU
think and TO teach you 90 make correct
observation OF facts. The process OF
knowledge to arrive al truth depends
upon an accurate use OF the senses.
Practice in thinking is another thing
you may acquire in this school Give up
all mechanical methods in pursuing your
studies.
Plea for Power of Expression.
The fourth great accomplishment open
TO you is that you acquire some power
Of expression. one may pump rhetoric
and grammar into a boy or girl for years
and although there may be some absorp-
tion. stin the process is similar TO wettine
a sponge and then squeezing the water
out.
You must by dint OF study obtain tha;
power Of expression. and you must dc
things yourself. not read about them ir
descriptive treatices. The student Should
write themes and compositions frequent
~ If he would acquire a freedom OF style
The medical training in vogue illustrates
how a student must individually acquire
skill in his own operations
MY advice 10 you IS that you write
recite. play instrumental music, act ir
plays, and do anything that uses the
mind. so that you may enter this new
movement of education By this means
you will gain some power Of gjving
pleasure 10 others. Many Of you boys
viii perhaps enter college after yom
graduation here. To get in the swim
you should be able 20 be cheerful and
merry, and snow cnat you obtained al
the benefits Of education.
Urges study of the Past.
Allow me in conclusion TO urge eaci
one Of the students here TO obtain thai
broader outlook in life and human so
ciety. Study with love the histories anC
Iiteratures Of nations and apply your
selves TO the study OF the progress @,
the human race and to what forces ",
owe that progress The first method o.
arriving at truth is by getting an insight
into a particular subject and learning
little bit at a time The right tendencie.
Of the present age are best appreciated
by study OF the past
Each OF these opportunities are a
your disposal in the Washington higi
schools, and you will better appreciate
the benefits of prolonged education by
mastering the principles taught In these
institutions.
When Dr. Eliot had concluded. Prof
Stuart asked for a viva voce vote OF
thanks. and the boys responded by e
hearty cheer that left no doubt OF theil
appreciation.