Jan. 21.
Joust now when the schools of the Far East are beginning their first term of another year it is worth while giving a glance at the report of Mr. Fisher's Deparimental Committee that was published in November. In its broad effect,"' says The Times," "it is the reasoned ease... for a really humane education, based upon,.. the English language and English literature.'' This recommendation has a piquant interest because it seems like a reply to those who have been urging under the banner of Mr, H. G.
Wells, that the need of education to-day is above all the—standpoint of a worldwide view. Every country is to tell its story to its own youngsters as part of a scheme of universal history. Just as American history books begin with English records so English history will not begin with the Druids but with the folk who wandered through the forests of Europe, and will not confine itself to our rough island story, but will keep in view all the branches that belong to the parent stem, We can see something of the value and obligation of this standpoint to prepare the mind of the next generation for an agenda of peace and the federation of the world. But truth and life are the balance of opposites. And the more We universalize our sympathies, the' more we rust' deepen our own rootage. To renounce Xhe policy of the mailed fist and commereia! exploitation is cogent reason for studying our country's real claim to honour and to influence in the world. But it must be sorrowfully admitted that there are millions brought up under our flag who know little of these claims. Patriotism means little to them because they identify it with militarism. And now that militarism is at a iscount a' It is not every one that will finer patriotism will have to be have the ecstasy over Elizabethan built wp by education. Children' English that inspired Keats to be taught the real secrets write a sonnet On first looking itain's greatness if they are into Chapman's Homer to hold out against the idealisms} Then felt uy some watcher that are merely destructive} 2: ale be of ski When a now planet swims into The right of Labour is a one- ken, sided gospel; as we see from the!
Or like stout Cortez, when with consequences in Russia it must} eagle eyes be balanced by an equally noble!,, He stared ay the Pavilie."
atchword—the duties of Eng-' But some under nding of the linen, or whatever the nation-, best is the only way of enjoying ality may be.
English literature, for all good writers keep in the company of This is not given as a ground the greatest, just as hills are clus-for urging the new education in the tered round the mountains. The report just mentioned, but it is enjoyment of reading, apart from surely one that, may wall be subject and style, lies in the re-Weighed with advantage. Not 60 cog ition of reflected lights from very long ago history was a mat-' dassie literature. It is like find-; ter of kings and battles with the ing familiar faces in a crowd.
thereof. Then J. R. Green spart from the enjoyment there Prof. Marriot light up democracy. After-! tis the use. "In the opinion of Prof. Marriott, now mem-those best qualified to speak," ther of Parliament, linked it up cays the report, the chief need fo geography. Next Mr. H. Gel og business liberal supply of 4 Wells opens up its sources in! young entrants who can speak and 1 anthropology. Finally Prof. Rox- write English correctly, and pos-wants. it to aeons 2 CIVICS" sessed of that broad outlook which real an of Pa political and wide reading and the study of social obligations that arise from literature may be expected to jour history. Only by these ex-! provide." tensions can history play its full)"
But such knowledge has a; part in human education. social value too. For it is by But in a similar way English'means of the English language grammar and literature will have! properly known and employed w be enlarged in their scope.) that the pupils of the public ele-Who does not remember the it-j mentary schools will most surely relevant rubbish that was forced: move on to the levels now occu-on our attention as boys in the! pied by the © note - privileged name of rules and exceptions? classes. It is the dialectical babel Literature was presented to us as' that divides the various orders of something to be parsed and analys-' society as truly as the language jed, or, it may be, learned by divides the nations. The unifying heart with penal intent. But its'tendeney is distinctly contem-\beauty was hidden from our eyes plated in the report. And it is jand the background that gave it only a romantic regret devoid of significance, and the proper use reason that forbids us to rejoice and force of our language were ju the day when the Cambridge-not revealed to us. The signa- shire farm-hand and the Laneastories of the report wish to change shire weaver can converse without all this. We reiterate the two on interpreter, when the York-points which we desire to build shireman will -hasten his accents upon: First, the fundamental and the Devonshire lad curb his necessity of English for the full that they may exchange confid-development and character of ences concerning the improvement English children; and second, the of England. For these reasons Jet fundamental truth that the use us agree with the words, of the jof Eng}ish does not come to all report "The importance of by nature, but is a fine art, and English in the elementary schools must be taught as a fine art."' is absolute and unchallengable.""
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.