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, phoenix 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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