CHAPTER XI 



NEW LIFE IN OLD SUBJECTS 



" The old gods pass, the cry goes round, 

 Lo ! how their temples strew the ground, 

 Nor mark we where on new-fledged wings 

 Faith like the phcenix soars and sings." 



" Education is developing by doing real things." These 

 words have the familiar ring of an old song. They would not 

 bear repetition here if action were as easy as speech. In spite 

 of the best of theories it is safe to assume that some of us 

 are still preparing our young- people for a life that lies dimly 

 ahead of them, or which we guess lies ahead of them, instead 

 of marching with them step by step in tune with the life that 

 pulses around them. 



Just as far as a child is left to experience the ups and 

 downs of life alone, isolated in spirit from his elders, just so 

 far he will necessarily be self-taught — and this means half 

 taught — in the lessons set him in the great school of life. 

 Is it strange that many a youth becomes submerged by the 

 rush of new experiences ? The wonder is that his courage 

 and his integrity are so often saved. 



In the schools of the past, as a matter of course, academic 

 questions pure and simple absorbed both teachers and stu- 

 dents. There are, in fact, schools still existing to-day where 

 classes are kept busy solving mythical problems about myth- 

 ical butter and eggs at mythical prices, and where they are 

 still practicing the art of composition by writing acceptances 

 to imaginary invitations from imaginary cousins at the antip- 

 odes ; in a word, unregardful of the real things going on 



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