The Springfield herald., 1910-04-29
IDA LITTLEPAGE'S PAPER AT
THE BACA COUNTY TEACH
ERS' ASSOCIATION.

What was the object of Ruskins
writings?
To understand Ruskin we must un-
derstand something of his life. He was
reared in a Puritanical home. He gain
ed the ideas of faith, truthfulness, and
goodness; for nothing was ever prom
ised him that he did not receive, moth
ing told him that was not true, and
nothing but the bright side of life ever
presented itself to him. His mother
was i,is sole teacher. He was taught
humanity and Christianity. Ruskin's
father was nature lover and from
him Ruskin inherited his love of art,
nature, and all things beautiful.
AS he grew older, this love of the
beautiful and his mothers teachings
caused him to look for the good in the
beautiful, but in looking for the good
he also found the defects. He did not
look on these as loathsome but as
things to be remedied. He began the
remedy by setting the example himself.
He gave lectures, wrote articles to the
laboring class. encouraged art, etc.
Upon one occasion, one of his read
ers complimentipg him on his work,
made this remark in Ruskin's hearing:
81 enjoyed your writing so much. :"
Ruskin replied 81 don't care whether
you enjoyed them or not, but, did they
do you any good?'' Thus, Ruskin's
whole object in writing was Good"
''All my work is to help those who
have eyes and see not"
What and how should we read?
Ruskin says read some of the good
books of the day. Read much of the
passing events; then, remembering
your time is limited; choose a few of
she very best; that is the master
pieces of the best authors. Read them
not only once, but twice, and even
thrice. Study each line separately, if
necessary each letter. Find the deri-
vation of the word with all it's inter
marriage. Be thorough. Do not think
the words of great author are loose,
not having special meaning. They
are not. Each has true use. Do not
think the author dull if he does not
think as you do. Do not try to get the
meaning your way, but try to grasp
the authors meaning. If you do not
understand, study again. If you do,
and find that you do not agree with
him, either pass it oyer as something
beyond your comprehension or quit the
book entirely. Do not pass opinions.
When reading we have no opinions of
our own. If you are wiser than the
author do not read his book, but if not
wiser read to learn. Our true feeling
how strange, yet it must be true. Then
Investigations follow: deep study until
the meaning of the author is fathomed.
But, again do great authors write so
deep, so mastery that we cannot COM
prehend? Certainly. knowledge which
is not worth pursuit is not worth hav-
ing. Aad al! intelligent writer's like to
veil their writing in parallels or even
in the various figures of speech.
For example, Ruskin's Sesame and
Lillies" means "A key to Purity.
More might be said, but | think as
Ruskin says: l''Twenty lines read thor
.oughly and with good understanding
makes us educated along some lines
to great degree" Ruskin says, 1t
were better to learn one language
thoroughly-an it takes whole life
time TO learn one well y than to learn
five imperfectly.
A real book is the good that is in it,
and that may be only a small portion
.pf the book.
What does Ruskin say is the
true purpose of an education?
Education should not be for the pur-
pose of leading into higher positions in
life, nor for the purpose of earning a
livelihood. Neither should it be only
for gaining high social standard. But
high education should lead to nobler
standards, higher ideals, and greater
power to do good. In order to have
this education it is necessary to teach
from the beginning the main purpose
of education i. e. the power to do good.
If every boy was taught this, Il great
change in government would be the
result. Men would be stronger, more
ready to give for their country's sake,
and more lenient and sociable toward
their fellowmen.
Ruskin says: "The purpose of edu-
cation is to attain to the highest state
of purity, nobility and goodness. =" Also
1.-The first use of education is to enable
US to consult with the wisest and great
est men on all points of earnest diff
Guilty"
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