Evening star., 1932-06-19


the relatively inconsiderable effects of educa-
tion upon the great world currents Of thought
and action for today and tomorrow. Reforms
of many sorts are afoot. Progress, true
Progress in this field is imperative. Much
dead wood is still being carried by way OF the
deeply cherished tradition Of learning. Ex-
periments in the direction of life urgent and
demanding are still tentative and timid. Real
advance is still sporadic, still reluctant toward
the audacities that this particular reform de-
mands
Yet there is 10 retreat. Daxed at the power
that he himself las released through the con-
quests of science man knows that Tor him
there is no flight that for him there Is but
one way. The way ahead and that this lies
along the road of education. Along the road
OF training that fits the day and hour. that
prepares for the coming days and years So.
as matter of self-preseryation the pedagogue
must re-examne his maps and charts for the
whitherward of the oncoming generations.
This book is, in sense. primer OF 1nyes-
tigation. going to and fro around the earth,
to see in what measure other countries are
wakening to the new call toward its youth, to
see in what manner these are fitting their
educative material to the human material in
their care Japan, China, India, the Arab ma
tions and the Turks Communist lessons in
Russia, the outlook upon education in Poland,
Germany France. England and then home.
Sketchy views, Of necessity these. yet the
trained observer, one trained In his special
craft. passes inclusively where another but
skins thin ard insubstantial surface.
An enlightening pilgrimage. this one, to those
concerned in this vital matter Of education. The
final chapter, that en- the United States, illum-
mated by those going before it. is Of special
significance and value.
Entertaining John Deweys theory that edu-
cation is not a preparation for life. that it is
Life itself instead. this author examines the
field before him from the ground up. so to
eYHoo ha Cnt Sphn ic TtS
fant beginners in the business of learning
dealing with life no less than the products of
university tlaining. Life, each day, in the
measure of its CALL of its demands, is that
which all must meet in concert of individual
understanding and power. The child's under
standing and pcwer no less than these in the
adult. So education in respect to its physical
and mental and moral responses is Of like pat
tern throughout differing only in the measure
of its acceptances and reactions 1t is one
growth from infancy forward, net separate
parts called childhood. youth, maturity. A.
first by virtue of childs nearness to his
personal needs and desires, by virtue of his
short sight and narrow outlook, the individual
holds first place. But the present active plan
Of education is speedily to merge the individual
IN the group, the group in the community and
20 on till the barriers of nationalsm have given
way to world society of common knowledge,
common aspirations, common ends. This is not
new. Not new, save only in its early beginning
with the little children, save only in the un-
swerving integrity of it's ultimate purpose in its
complete dedication to world community of
understanding, and aim and achievement. tina.
will make unthinkable the barbarism of war. c.
destructive competition. of hatred and envy in
the domain of Grass materiasm. dream?
It may be. But, dreams, before now have come
true. And this is very glorious one to hasten
Into reality
BREAKDOWN BY Dr. Robert Briffault New
York: Bretanos
ONE chapter in breakdown" by this noted
~ English sociologist bears the title Modern
Medievalisrn' In it occurs this bit for our fair
ponderirs: The United States expect and de-
maEd boundless loyalty and devotion from their
citizens. The obligation is not however Ie-
ciprocal. The Government does net assume re-
Sporsiblity for the lives of American citizens
Should American citizen die of starvation
in the midst of unprecedented wealth, the State
does not hold itself responsible for his death.
When scme seven million citizens need food,
the Government generously appeals to Christian
charity to afford relief to their condition,
but makes it clear that this is merely an cx-
preston of its human and high minded Senti-
ments and that it is under no obligations what
ever to take any step whatever concerning so
irrelevant matter. Why that seeming in
congruous disparity between obligations of citi-
Eens and state? The reason lies in the fact
that the great, free, democratic republic of
American has taken over its conception CT wha.
constitutes a civilized state from ancient al
tocraces in which an absolute ruler was re-
RaDded as disposing at his pleasure of the lives
OF his subjects, while ne was not bound to
them by any corresponding obligation toward
them
THE REAL BERNARD SHAW. BY Maurice
Colbourne. Boston: Bruce Humphries, Inc.
I lABITUALLY himself, Bernard Shaw is gen.
orally counted radically different from
the majority. Looking out upon events with his
own eyes appraising them with his own mind,
vcicing opinions in his own words, Mr. Shaw
bx2 gained a reputed personality that is all