Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-27

New YORK. IL. Applctoi, q ".
a n unrest. expressing itself in
"a terms of vague dissatisfaction
~ concerning the present system
of education. has taken hold OF
the public. The same feeling.
narrowed to acute apprehension, aglta-
tion even, possesses professional Work-
ers IN the pedagogical field. In the Tor
mer class this state of mind springs
from an only half-conscious contrast
between the enormous outlay for edu-
cation and the economic inefticiency th
rhe product; in the latter class it arIsea
from the consciousness. now settthS
steadily in, that there is a gulf. deep
End so far unbridged. between the
multiplied mechanism and activity OIL
education and any real equipment Tor
life in all OF its higher and most OF It's
common aspects. Important, far-reach-
ing changes are unavoidable and immi-
nent II there ever was a time 1t is now
here for an overhauling of educational
foundations, wherein principles anu
aims with their dependent plans are
subjected to the closest scrutiny and
the frankest discussion. The present
timely volume, acknowledging this gen
eral disquietude and trend, claims Tor
directly to teachers, 1t avows the DIS
tinct purpose of discussing their pro-
fession in reference to the ideals of life,
and further of making clear the rela-
ton between psychology and education
and again, OF selecting from modern
psychology only that which can be or
service in the school. The discussion,
following this announcement OF pur-
pose and plan. falls from its outlook
and aim into three parts: the ethical
the psychological. the educational. The
first of these. broadly philosophical and
funda mental, holds up in its conclusion
as the objective of all education the
human IDEAL or the true values or Hle
expressed in harmonious unity. Ethics,
that purposive force in life, is analyZed
in relation to ideals and in contrast 10
the abstract passivity of the scientific
attitude by means of which facts are
realized. Here a sharp distinction is
drawn between the aims and means OF
education. To confusion of the two IN
use. from a false conception of thelc
distinct nature and office, to failure to
make an organic union or me Two: Is
ascribed the source of the modern peda-
gogical conflict and the general made
quacy of educational results The sec
ond part of the discussion Is devoted to
an examination of the mind Of the
GEOLOGY, related in it's progress to the
biological aspect of function to serve
the ends of life. The third part, fore
est by the preceding discussions and
founded upon them. defines the work OF
the school, dealing broadly with organi-
nation in its related parts, curriculum,
Instruction, inspiration - all 1mmedi-
ately and profoundly applicable. The
substantially of this book rests upon
its matter coupled with the manner Of
its presentation. Confidence at the out
set is inspired. to be sure. by the seri-
Gus character of the author. by the
completeness of his equipment and by
icfy re hi inn n
ton. but it's value rests. notwithStand-
ing, in the work itself, philosophical
in foundation, logical in development.
Principles illumed by illustrations. ia
through application. Fearless judg--
ments in the face OF tradition and
practice. Wise caution before untem-
pered zeal Truth. common sense. force.
directness. This is deeply significan.
contribution to the profession of peda-
Sogy. addressed Immediately to the
leaders, those sources of inspiration and
policy. for the relief of their confusion
and misdirection, then, mediately, to
the great army of teachers to furnish
stable foundation for intelligent, inspir-
iting cooperation and complete pro
fessional efficiency.
SPARROwS, the Story of an Unpro-
tected Girl. BY Horace E. c. Newte,
author of THE Wife," etc. New
York: Mitchell Kennerley.
IL might as we'll have been Paris, New
York, Washington. or any other great
city. as to have been London. The un-
protected girl is everywhere, striving by
the work of her own two hands-just two
too little quite to grasp this ravening
world-to make sure of her elemental
needs: something to eat, covering for
her body, place to sleep. This book is
a picture photographically true. without
cavil Concentrated and focused in
single girl. to serve the purpose OF its
mission. it strikes the snug and pro-
fected reader as abominably impossible.
Were il not for the element of exag-
geration leaning toward burlesque that
marks the essence of caricature in its
broad and fragrant art, this greWsome
story would make fine example of it
but in shockingly bad taste. But, my
dear person, hedged about with the pan
oply of home and parents and plenty, by
the conserving conventions of society,
this is true story. This unprotected
girl. famished in body and starved in the
spirit of her youth, goes past your door
in the morning while you are still Sc
curely sleeping: and at noon. while you
are lolling yet, in careless idleness: and
at night too. while you are playing your
sillv game of forfets, I'm the glare and
dazzle of your artificial life Morning
noon and night. on this her lonesome,
hungry way past your safe door. she is
looked upon with lustful. calculating eye
by your brother. your lover, yes-your
father too, Oh. the misery of it and the
pity of it, This is a story to make the
whole world-men and women, God and
the angels, yes, and the devil, too-fy TO
succor and support, A girl as good as
YOU. save for circumstances, It Is all
summed up in the simple. pathetic pref
ace OF this revealing book. Read it,
Nowadays, all nice people fall asleep
OF nights, trusting more or less implicitly
to providence land the policeman to pro-
tect them from harm. The while they
rest in security, outside in the night a
pitiless struggle Is waged between various
species of animals and insects, which
prey on one another with ruthless ferocity
In order to exist. The contrast between
those who rest IN safety and the beings
who fight for life in the darkness Is
much the same that furnished by the
lives of protected and unprotected wom-
en-" You, protected women, turn over In
YOUR sleep and dream again, nightmare
dream-that wakens you a-quiver with
fear-of that which is dread reality just
outside your barricaded door.
CARI.YLE'S LAUGH, and Other Sur
prises. BY Thomas Wentworth Hlg-
ginson. author of Studies in His
tory and Letters etc. Boston:
Houghton Miff1in Company.
These gathered reprint sketches do not
constitute book, at all They, instead,
make up a company of poets, philoso-
pliers. friends; score or more of men
and women. at all times meeting in the
common bond Of intellectual kinship. but
on this simple occasion. coming together