Middle-Class Education. 35 



spelling together to young beginners is to read out rapidly, but 

 distinctly, a passage from an interesting volume of any first-rate 

 Natural History — Yarrell's ' British Quadrupeds and Birds,' for 

 instance — a description, say, of the mole, the swallow, the fox, 

 the raven. It is essential that the subject be attractive to the class. 

 Only the most picturesque and striking passages of the chapter 

 should be read, the boys standing around in class. They then 

 take their seats immediately beneath the master's eye, having an 

 hour to employ, during which time they are expected to cover 

 two sides of a large slate from their recollection of the matter 

 they have just heard read to them ; all original remarks being 

 interdicted. 



At the first they are extremely shy to begin, or thought refuses 

 to flow ; and you see the poor little fellow bend his head in agony 

 upon his hands, as if in a vain attempt to squeeze out something 

 from his vexed brains. But after a while a thaw sets in, and 

 when they once begin, the allotted two sides of a slate are soon 

 covered, after a fashion. 



So far so good ; but now for the grand improvement. Forbid 

 the use of a single " and " or " also " throughout the whole 

 exercise, and the effect is magical. The first essay in composi- 

 tion of any child will show at once how he depends upon these 

 unhappy particles, the result being a medley of all sorts of 

 thoughts linked together incongruously. Forbid their use, and he 

 at once casts about, under considerable difficulty at first, for the 

 best modes of breaking up and commencing his sentences. It 

 is surprising how great a variety of endings and beginnings he 

 will strike out, how terse and neat a style so formed will ulti- 

 mately become. As a teacher I reckoned it a lucky hour when 

 this expedient was hit upon, so great w as the relief it gave me. 

 Let any one give the plan a trial, and he will soon be con- 

 vinced of its value. 



There is an equally rapid and successful mode of teaching a 

 boy to write an essay on any subject ; which, however, it scarcely 

 falls within my limits to describe. 



Draioinc/ is not only of eminent service to the officer and sur- 

 geon, but it improves the eye and taste of all. I do not advocate 

 a child's beginning too young. Little boys, unless possessed of 

 real artistic talent, only get Avearied and disgusted bv incessant 

 practice in straight strokes and shading. Besides that, the 

 drawing-class is too often the refuge of the idler. It is impossible 

 for the master to do much with lads of this sort, while the annoy- 

 ance they give the more delicately organised artist will unhinge 

 the best temper, and prevent fair attention being given to the 

 more industrious. The little idling vagabond knows well that 



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