RURAL LIFE IN LITCHFIELD COUNTY 



sympathetic encouragement and through suggestions 

 for utilizing agencies directly at hand, is the modern 

 form of benevolence that is to-day very wisely replacing 

 the old form of giving. What is given outright is rarely 

 appreciated as much as the opportunity to do for one's 

 self, which can be made use of without lessening the 

 self-respect of the recipient. If country people can only 

 be led to appreciate the value of fresh air, pure water, 

 simple, wholesome food and effective sewage disposal, 

 through the suggestive teachings of the district nurse, 

 it will do more for country welfare than all the direct 

 gifts that charity can offer to the country. 



The public school is an institution that is fundamental 

 in the life of any free people. A public school system 

 that is free to all, at the expense of every one in the 

 community, lies at the foundation of our educational 

 system. While the public school is a community insti- 

 tution, unfortunately it often does not lie within the 

 power of the community to shape the policy of the 

 school. Our educational system is the outgrowth of an 

 age when only the children of the wealthy were sup- 

 posed to profit by its advantages. It is based on the 

 principle of culture, and this was at first its real function. 

 To-day, instead of the few profiting by the schools, they 

 are used by the many. Our rural schools must shape 

 their work to fit the needs of the rural people. When 

 we reflect that less than ten per cent of those who pass 



C1223 



