LECTURES AND ESSAYS READ AT INSTITUTES. 309 



rules. Intelligence must guide the toiling hand. My experience has led me 

 to believe farmers' boys are somewhat more tractable than other classes of 

 boys; that our best men grow out of this class of boys. In order that all 

 boys should get the best education possible foi- them, I would send city boys 

 into the country to breathe pure air and acquire good habits, such as no other 

 place affords. The country boys I would bring into the village, that they 

 might mix with their vigorous constitutions and steady habits, good business 

 qualifications. I do not wish to be understood that I think farmer boys more 

 dull and less ready to learn than other boys. The question was not given 

 because it was thought they are hardest to educate, but to ascertain, if possi- 

 ble, the kind of education they are to recefve to keep them at home on the 

 farm. I would commence with the home-circle and rural school, since one- 

 fifth of the boys receive at these places all the education they ever get. 

 The home training is of the greatest importance, and ought not to be neg- 

 lected, for the thoughts that go with us through life, are those picked up 

 around the fireside. The home influences should be first, and the rural school 

 supplementary. 



These schools should receive the attention of the best minds in the country 

 and the earnest support of every farmer. They are attempting too much at 

 present, are going beyond the needs of the average farmer and business man. 

 Charles Francis Adams, jr., thinks that none of the foreign languages should 

 be taught in public schools. They should teach nothing but the common 

 English branches; and, as necessity is the mother of invention, she will teach 

 all who really desire more. Every child should commence at the lowest round. 

 He should learn to speak his mother tongue correctly; and in this not all 

 learn equally well. There are none born natural orators. If you wish a boy to 

 talk, teach him to talk. Talk to him. If you wish a boy to sing, teach him 

 to sing. Sing to him. I know it is frequently said that some boys can not 

 learn to sing. My daughter had a bird that was kept alone in a cage and it 

 didn't sing. She tried all the nostrums that were said to bring out the sing- 

 ing quality in birds, but all failed and she really thought the bird couldn't sing. 

 She finally put into the cage another bird that could sing, and it was but a 

 short time before the bird was singing as nicely as any. Music should be 

 taught and practised in every family, for a boy is not all he should be until 

 he can be moved by the harmonious strains of sweet music. 



The boy should know the rules of arithmetic. I was surprised, a few days 

 ago, in looking over an old author's work on arithmetic, to find all the rules 

 you would find in any modern work. Then they made a specialty of arith- 

 metic, and I think primary arithmetic should be taught to-day as thoroughly 

 as it was forty years ago. He should have a knowledge of the rudiments of 

 geography and history, and should know how to keep simple accounts. 



Farmers as a rule do not keep accounts. They should not only keep their 

 business accounts but should open and keep accounts with all departments of 

 the farm. 



The seeds of the boy's character are planted at home and at school before 

 he is twelve years of age. The home and the rural school furnish the means 

 of a good education to every boy. But you say, perhaps, that it does not 

 furnish enough to every boy. I answer that after the boy acquires a good 

 rural school education, and really desires more, he is in good shape to obtain 

 more and will have it. 



After I was informed that I was to talk on this subject this evening I com- 



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