MENTAL DEFECTIVES AND SOCIAL WELFARE. 755 



old garments and the rent would have been widened: his obstinacy 

 would have been aroused, and he would have continued to tear to 

 the end of the chapter. 



The imbecile of middle grade receives that fuller presentation of 

 work suited to fuller capacity. Some time is devoted to the three 

 " Rs," as it is found that attention may be aroused and concentrated in 

 the phonetic drills, more especially if associated with pictures, and 

 the drawing of the objects named free-hand; thus eye, ear, and hand 



High-grade Imbeciles (Feebly Gifted) at Sloyd Work. 



are encouraged 



to work simultaneously. Those who accomplish 

 finally the reading of short simple stories not only enjoy evenings in , 

 the library, but may be enabled to glean suggestions for the various 

 handicrafts for which they are being trained. This effort at quick 

 observation and original thinking is further carried forward in the 

 ambidextrous movements of free-hand drawing, designing, and 

 sketching from life — finding ready and practical application in the 

 daily use of tools. The value of the rule and the try-square is tested 

 in the manufacture of the various useful articles in both paper and 

 wood included under the head of sloyd, and " a boy can not learn to 

 take a straight shaving off a plank," says Ruskin, " or to drive a fine 

 curve without faltering, or to lay a brick level in the mortar, without 

 learning a multitude of other matters which life of man could never 

 teach him." 



