45 • 



the abstract and profound, thus following the great biological 

 law that individual development represents that of the race 

 development of which the individual forms a part. In other 

 words, we learn easiest by following the historical path by which 

 the race attained its knowledge. 



It is on this account that picture writing — graphic representa- 

 tions — should replace as far as possible written descriptions, and 

 all experimental and observational subjects should be first 

 studied by experiment and observation, beginning as Dr. Mary 

 Jacobi puts it "with a few very striking and typical forms, 

 around which subsequent knowledge can group itself," 

 adding " it is a most dangerous preparation for the study of 

 science to call upon children to imagine or represent to them- 

 selves facts which have not been apprehended by their senses." 



This is also why grammar being an abstract science should, 

 as has been repeatedly pointed out, be deferred till after 

 language is known, and why it is so utterly absurd and imper- 

 tinently pedantic to introduce into an elementary arithmetic 

 book such abstract statements as u Proportion is the equality of 

 ratios," a phrase once gravely quoted to me by a national 

 school boy of twelve, who evidently had not the remotest idea 

 of what he meant by it. It would seem almost superfluous to 

 mention these things were it not abundantly evident that in the 

 system of rote-work and hurry they are never thought of. 



Respecting the subjects to be taught as mere knowledge, it 

 has been well said that a man should know something of every- 

 thing and everything of something. While carrying out each 

 study well and thoroughly, so far as it goes, we must have 

 variety of studies so as to preserve the mental equilibrium, and 

 provide support and foundation for the one chief effort to which 

 the organism is by nature best fitted. The discovery of this 

 chief bent or capability is perhaps the most important duty of 

 the parent or teacher. The neglect of it results in the every- 

 day sight of square men painfully abrading themselves in round 

 holes without result. Financial or worldly considerations and 

 the personal hopes or desires of the parents ought here, I think, 



