This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1908. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IX AS TO SCHOOLS "Education" means so many different things that it would be impossible to define it. The only thing to do is to discuss its evidences, and how they may be attained. But this much may be said--the sooner parents realize that there is much of education which is not covered by "book-learning," and much in book lore which has not much bearing on true education, the better will it be for the rising generation, as many of the problems which now arise, would be eliminated entirely while others would become simplified. So advanced are we in our ideas to-day, that the age of entering school has been reduced by one-half, and it is no uncommon thing to see tots of three and four started off every morning with the nurse or an older child, to take their places in the schoolroom. But there are many who are beginning to wake up to the fact that this is all wrong. There! the heresy is out. "Kindergarten " did you say, so indignantly? Yes, kindergarten truly, but a "schoolroom" just the same. Now, please listen patiently because there is reason and much deliberation back of all that is going to be said; and if you do not agree with it, there is no harm done by having been shown the other side. The "kindergarten " is a good thing, a fine thing if you will, in its own place, but it is not a positive good nor an unmixed one, by any means. There! the heresy is out again! For the poor, it cannot be surpassed. It is a place where the children of poverty can obtain training and association with gentlewomen, which they could find nowhere else. A place where they are taught the pleasantness of childlife which would never come to them in any other. They are taught to " play fair," they are taught the meaning of truth, honesty and all the other virtues, and ...