It is just fit this point that I think a new departure 

 should take place and instead of the ordinary methods now 

 in vogue there should be substituted a course of industrial 

 traininof, fitting the youth for the duties of active life. 

 Such a course would begin after leaving the grammar 

 school, and only those admitted to it who showed such 

 natural ability and proficiency as to make it desirable. The 

 course itself should include the higher mathematics appli- 

 cable to the mechanical arts, one or more of the modern 

 languages, free hand drawing, draftmg, some physical 

 science, and suflScient practical fomiliarity with a trade as 

 will secure a fair livelihood to the graduates. 



The need of some such free instruction will be obvious 

 to any one who considers the great demand made to-day 

 for skilled mechanics in all departments of manufacturing 

 and industrial pursuits, as well as the lack of means 

 among our laboring classes forgiving their boys the time 

 required for an education. A large majority of boys whose 

 parents are working people cannot afford the time involv- 

 ed in a high school course and the additional years neces- 

 sary to learn a trade. Therefore they are usually taken out 

 of school at the end of the intermediate course and placed 

 as apprentices in some shop, or set to work in a store or 

 factory where they must earn their own living. The re- 

 sult is that unless they are naturally gifted they will never 

 rise above a mediocre position in their calling, and never 

 attain a due rank in society, because of lack of early and 

 sufficient education. They are unfitted for the position of 

 foremen or superintendents, seldom become master work- 

 men, and are deficient in that intelligence and culture which 

 enables them to enjoy the society of cultivated persons, or 

 the higher works of literature and art. If they could be 

 taught the principles of some mechanical trade, like the 

 machinist's or the carpenter's, with sufficient practice to 

 make them good workmen, and be instructed in the theory 



