Science. The deficiency here is attrib
uted, in part, to the text-book, but we
rather think the way in which these sub
jects are taught is more culpable. With
no other inspiration than a request to
repeat parrot-like the contents outline
of a book a student can not be expect
ed to attain other than “ordinary suc
cess." A recitation conducted on the
verbatim et literatim principle is devoid
of everything but a display of memory.
These branches are successfully taught
only where the instructor imparts
his knowledge in a, manner that will
rouse and energize his pupils. He
must “ scorn ‘cramming,’ so preva
lent in our day, and convert the knowl
edge he imparts into a lever, to lift, ex
ercise and strengthen the growing
minds committed to his care.”
DRIFTING.
Wo flouted onoo on Idle tidos
Winch lay beneath tho rising sun.
Than lovers there wero none besides
That happy sunshine shone upon.
Spring life was In tho earth and air ;
X fult within my frame strong youth.
1 saw her luce divlnolylfuir;
Her heart was love, her soul was truth
Alack, a day wo fell apart:
It gavo mo sure a bitter pain.
Alas I that wo did full apart.
My heart doth nover cease complain
Tho sun moves down 'hove sombre waves,
A light from sky and air lias lied.
How oloso tho land is marked with graves I
Thun men more sweet dollghts are dead.
* * The tissues of the Hfo to ho
We weave with colors all our own
Anil in tho field ot destiny
Wo I'cuii as wo have sown.
THE FRE
LANCE.
Among the most enjoyable occasions in the
life of ordinary mortals, students included, are
holidays, those oases in life’s desert where the
weary traveler may enjoy a brief season of re
freshment for his further journeying. As mere
rests they are very beneficial, especially to those
in the whirl and bustle of our American business
life, and it is doubtful whether their number
might not be increased with advantage.
While we all view these days with pleasant
anticipations, we do not often think of the pe
culiar surroundings of each, of the atmosphere
which encloses it and gives it a special influence.
Omitting from present view the weekly Christian
holiday, the healthful effects of which are invalu
able, and omitting also the church festivals—
Easter for example—which are not recognized by
all Christians, but which probably have, never
theless, a greater power here than in lands where
the state recognizes them, but a state religion
deadens the reverential spirit, we find that those
which remain are few in number and, with one
exception, readily fall into two classes, the moral
and the patriotic. The exceptional case, New-
Years, is neither Christian nor American but
rather heathen in its character, as it was wholly
heathen in its origin. Professing no more than
to be a season of unmixed jollity, it has been in
the country a children’s festival chiefly, but in
cities a period of carousals which fashionable so
ciety sanctioned or at least winked at. Within
the past few years, society has looked askance on
New-Years dissipation and we may well hope that
it will be henceforth a season of pure social joy
ousness, free from its old barbaric associations.
Christmas, though primarily religious and so
not specially American, may rightly be placed
with that festival which is most distinctively our
own, Thanksgiving, the former proclaiming
“peace on earth, good-will to men,” and the lat
ter acknowledging the blessings of home, and
country. Thanksgiving, the national festival of the
- Whittier.
HOLIDAYS.