“They are, for it sometimes happens that overproduction shuts up the shops and manufactories.
But these men have been taught to work with their hands, and their bodies have been fitted for such service. When they can’t get work at their trades, they do something else. Thousands upon thousands of them go to the great West, and become farmers. They can always get a living out of the earth, if they can’t any other way. But I did not intend to argue this question; though I desire every young man to think for himself, and form his own opinions. You can think as you please; and if you believe that high-schools, as managed at the present time, promote the best interests of the whole people, you are entirely welcome to your opinion.”
“My father don’t believe in high-schools, and would not send me to one,” said Phil Gawner.
“Never mind what your father believes: make up your mind yourself, and have your own opinions, my lad. Now, boys, the studies you are to pursue here are those which will fit you to become good mechanics. But I hope you will read and study as long as you live. What I intend to do is to fit you out with a business that will enable you to earn your own living.”
Miss Fatima Millweed was present with the
record-books with which she had been provided; and the name, age, and residence of each pupil were taken. The average age of the scholars was found to be fourteen and a half. A few were only twelve, but several were eighteen and nineteen. All of them were graduates of grammar-schools, and some had attended high-schools and academies. Of course, the schools they had attended did not fairly gauge their attainments; for some of the oldest, who had been to the higher schools of learning, were weak in knowledge and mental power when compared with the ones who had only been to the lower grades of schools.
“Now, my lads, a few words more, and I shall leave you to your instructors. The studies you will pursue are all practical ones,” said the captain, taking the platform again. “The principal branches will be drawing, natural philosophy, chemistry, geometry, and book-keeping. Geography, history, arithmetic, and grammar will be taught incidentally. Before you graduate, there will be a course in botany, geology, and zoölogy. At one o’clock you will all assemble in the shop, and make a beginning in the mechanical part of your education.”
The captain left the platform, and left the schoolroom. Mr. Bentnick was the chief instructor, Mr. Darlingby being his assistant. He proceeded to organize the classes in the studies the principal had mentioned. He made such rules as he considered necessary, but they were not very stringent.
The boys were divided into two classes, according to their attainments. Ten were found who had made considerable progress in the four principal studies, and these were the first class. Mr. Bentnick proceeded to give them a lecture in chemistry. It was conversational, and the instructor soon found where to make a beginning in the science.
At the same time Mr. Darlingby began with the rudiments in the second class. The pupils were provided with text-books, and lessons assigned for the next day. A start was made in geometry in the same manner, and by that time it was noon. At quarter past twelve the dinner-bell rang; and all hands, including the family, the instructors, the pupils, and Miss Millweed, seated themselves at the long table. It was a sociable meal; and no one seemed to be under any restraint, though the boys behaved very well.