Mr Rolleston on Education

Waipawa Mail, Volume X, Issue 1023, 16 December 1886, Page 4

Mr Rolleston on Education

In reply to the hackneyed question, “What shall wo do with our boys?” Mrßolleston says if l»y this is meant what opening is there in the colony for the generation which is to succeed us, ho has no fear for the future. “There is as much opening in the colony for ability, industry, and good character as ever there was. It is true that in earlier days, when the first wave of settlement had not passed over tho country, pastoial pursuits, and subsequently the fitful speculative energy incidental to tho outbreak of goldfields, led in in .ny casts to speedy fortunes, without those steady qualities which arc now necessary for success ; but the record of the failures of those days was proportionately sad. Tho old order has changed, but it is nonsense that a country with tho population of Liverpool, in an area greater than Great Britain, does not nffo/d ample scope to ability ami energy rightly directed. ... A world of usefulness, competence, and happiness ?s as open as ever to the youth of tho colony. Its attainment involves greater labor closer application, and more highly cultivated faculties.” The speaker went on to urge that those leaving school for commercial or professional pursuits in the large towns should endeavor to take advantage of the College lectures, which can be attended iu the evenings and proceed to a University degree, pointing out that “ the early stages of life do not, as a rule, entail any great mental effort, and the pursuits of a systematic course of study under the guidance of our College professors cannot but prove of service in after life.” As to the education of girls, Mr Hollcston spoke most soundly and s»*usibly, and it would conduce greatly to the advantage and happinncKs of tho next generation if 11i -r words were laid to heart and his sound advice adhered to. The following passages were pregnant with wisdom : “ While our hoys go afield to battle with the world, tho work of women begins at all events, like the greatest of Christian virtues, at home, and in tho domestic circle. To many this sphere suffices to cause happiness, which grows from generation to generation—no mean mission or career in life, to others a wider sphere is opened out, and there are numbers of women exercising an influence in the. world, which shows that public work, great learning, and intellectual pre eminence are not inconsistent with all that is most home. All that 1 would contend for is that those who would publicly dislinquish themselves in promoting tho happiness of the world should aks > piivatcly ho ‘ rich in gracious household ways.’ A laigo amount of Christian virtue is involved in darning a pile of stockings, in boiling a potato, or in cooking a mutton chon. The unhappiness which has accim-d in the world from the neglect or improper performance of these household duties which particularly appertain to women is simply incalculable. The following passage from an American writer expresses so pointedly ami well what I wish to convey to j our minds that 1 cannot do better than quote it: —‘ Learn to keep house. If you would be a levelheaded woman ; if you would liavo right instincts and profound views, and that most subtle, graceful, and irresistible of all things, womanly charm ; if you would make your pen, your mu. ic. your accomplishments ted, and would give them body, character, and life ; if you would bo a woman of genuine power, and queen o'er all lliecurili, learn to keep bouse thoroughly and practically. You see tho world all awry, and are consumed with a desire to set it right. Must yon go on a m : s«ion to tho lieathcrn ? Very well, but learn to keep house first. Begin reform where all true reform must, begin—ll tho centre, and work upwards ; at tho foundation and work upwards. Wh.it is tho basis and centro of all earthly life ? I t is the family, the homo ; these relations dictate and control all others. There is nothing from which this distracted world is suffering so much to-day as for want of thorough housekeeping and homnmnking. Simple dress, simple tastes, simple manners are proof ‘of royal naturo and of noble mind.’ Possessed of those you will go through life controlling and not the slaves of circumstances.” And the summing up with which Mr Ivollcston closed his admirable address puts the whole matter iu a nutshell. JIo well observed that tho real cause of anxiety is not as to our hoys and girls “ getting on iu tho world,” but lies in the dangers arising “ f-om lack of reverence, followed by lack of self - respect,” and he bade his audience remember that whether a nation is to bo great or little “depends upon the sort of men and women it is producing. A sound nation is a nation that is composed of sound buman beings, healthy in body, strong of limb, true in word and deed, brave, sober, temperate, chaste, to whom morals arc of more importance than wealth or knowledge ; where duty is first, and tho rights of men are second ; where in short men glow up and live and work, having in them what our ancestors called tho fear of Cod.”