520 Report S.A.A. Advancement of Science. 



not so much time has been spent in acquiring knowledge of the past, 

 but rather more has been spent in teaching pupils to use knowledge 

 acquired in producing fresh knowledge in the future. I believe the 

 book " Robinson Crusoe " owes its popularity in that it treats so 

 much of tools and work. 



The early education of young children in primary and prepara- 

 tory grades of secondary schools and in private schools commences 

 on good lines — the kindergarten, that of action, seeing and doing. 

 But, unfortunately, in too many cases this good start is not followed 

 up, till perhaps the pupil reaches the upper classes, when a " feeble 

 dash " is made to make up, by giving the boys a course of woodwork. 

 If the pupil is to receive an all-round development, the manual occu- 

 pations of the kindergarten must be continued in some form or other 

 to the highest standard. There must be no break. Of the many 

 names used for this form of education, " Applied Drawing " seems 

 quite the most sensible. 



Many years ago in Liverpool, when educationalists were begin- 

 ning to consider the experiments of teachers in Sweden, Finland, 

 Russia, Germany, and the United States, it was decided to try 

 Woodwork for boys, and so as not to offend the susceptibilities of 

 Trades Unionists, it was decided to call the subject " Applied 

 Drawing." There is more in that title than appears at first sight; 

 and if the various branches of the subject are taught in that spirit 

 as well as in the letter, there will be no doubt as to the success of 

 the training. The application of Drawing — the Alphabet of Art — 

 taught in this way is a valuable form of expression, expressing the 

 results of sight and observation, and by so doing is a means of 

 culture. Ruskin says : "I am nearly convinced that when we see 

 keenly enough, there is very little difficulty in expressing what we 

 see." Artisans and mechanics, with the allied professions, need 

 Mechanical Drawing and Free Sketching. The question arises how 

 can this be obtained along with manual dexterity. Courses of card- 

 board work and modelling in plastic material have been arranged for 

 the first three or four standards. Beginning with Standard I. by 

 drawing to measurement on cardboard with rule, set-square, and 

 compasses the simpler geometrical figures, and proceeding gradually 

 to making nets for trays, boxes, and geometrical solids, the construc- 

 tion drawings for more complicated models, such as a photo frame, 

 as the child moves to higher standards, facility in the use of drawing 

 tools and a readiness and accuracy of measurement is acquired. 

 Dexterity and love of work is obtained by cutting out these working 

 drawings, binding and fixing them as the model requires. Freehand 

 is cultivated by drawing plans for geometrical tiles. On the plan 

 drawn the tile is built up bit by bit in plastic material — clay or 

 plasticine. The smoothing off of the surface, the cutting and trim- 

 ming of the edges to shape and size, add to the dexterity of the 

 pupil. On these tiles and similar ones, sketched outlines of leaves, 

 flowers, etc., may be made from nature, and afterwards models in 

 relief of the subject. Teachers can easily demonstrate on rough 



