Even after this remark of mine, many boys remained silent; but at last one timidly suggested "David."
He did not seem to be quite sure.
"This," I thought to myself at the time, "is hardly an encouragement to make children read the Bible twice a day from the time they can spell."
The knowledge of geography is not more widespread than the knowledge of history among these same boys. So, if you have no time to waste don't ask them where places are.
They know where England is; they know more or less precisely the position of India, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Cape of Good Hope, and such other spots of the earth as are marked in red on the maps published in England.
France, Russia, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, Turkey, they could after a few hesitations find out on the map of Europe, but as they are not marked in red, their patriotism prevents them from taking any more interest in these countries.
France, however, is rather interesting to them as being a part of the globe in which the French irregular verbs come by nature.
Never expect any thanks for all the trouble you have taken over your pupils.
When boys succeed in their examinations, it is owing to their intelligence and industry; when they fail, it is owing to the bad teaching of their masters. Boys can do no wrong; get this well engraven on your minds.