Cleanings.

Kaikoura Star, Volume XIV, Issue 753, 6 July 1894, Page 2

Cleanings.

—§ — A Noble Profession.

Prince Bismarck to Teachers.

The students and teachers of the Normal school at Liineburg visited Prince Bismarck at Friedrichsruh on the 10th of May, it being the twentythird anniversary of the Treaty of Frankfort. After the Rector of the school bad spent some time with the Prince in his study, the latter went out on to the terrace in front of the house, while the ladies of his family seated themselves in the balcony. With a firm step, and stooping only slightlv, the ex-Cbancellor stepped down to his visitors, glancing keenly in all directions with his large, bright eyes. In reply to a short and enthusiastic speech from the Rector, the Prince spoke as follows :

‘ Gentlemen, I thank vou, and wish that God’s blessing may lead and guide you in your highly responsible duties. As teachers, you come in contact with a large number of our rising generation in an authoritative relation. In the eyes of your pupils you represent not only the Ministry of Education, the official body to which you are specially responsible, but also, at the same time, the Government itself, as school discipline lies in your hands. In school you represent the Ministry of Justice. You have a certain administration of justice. Do not forget that even the Royal right of pardon is transferred to you in the school room, and make a liberal use of that right, so far as compatible with the necessities of justice, and with the necessity of inflicting punishment. This is easier in the case of children than it generally is in the case of grown-up children. Never forget that children possess a talent for keen observation which, indeed, they do not openly show the teacher, though they show it to one another and to others. If one listens to them, one is often astonished at their natural insight into human nature which they display in judging of their parents or teachers. Only meet your pupils half way, not with the preponderant feeling of official position and dignity, but with the preponderrnt feeling of love towards children. I am sure that most children will return you this love, and that you will considerably lighten your work by awakening in the children the feeling that love and, I will say, respect between parents, teachers, and pupils are mutual. A child is a human being, a creature of God, with a claim to regard for its weakness; a creature to be kind heartedly treated, even as men are more considerate and polite to women just because men themselves are the stronger. This relation of superiority is still greater between teacher and child, but the interest of a noble heart in a person entrusted to its protection lies just in this superiority. AU I wish to lay to heart, therefore, is to deal gently with ‘ the boy Absolom,’ and be friendly and benevolent. This is no merit in the case of parents, for it is mere love of their own flesh and blood —an efflux of egoism—but* in the teacher’s case a certain conflict is necessary with the feeling of what he can do, and knows, and has done in order to attain his official position—a conquest of this feeling, in order to recognise in the childish element a plant which thrives better when it is gently treated. Be guided, then, in your profession by the law of love.’

A Fearful Threat.

In the Royal Navy sailors are often in the same ship for three or four, or even more years. Daring this time their craft is their home, and they speak of it as such, and with an affection as if it were a living thing. By means of the ship the men may be wonderfully influenced. The late Captain Hall was in command of a remarkably fine frigate on the South American station, of which he and his crew were justly proud. The handsome bu»t on her beautiful figure-head

was brightly gilt, and great care was taken of it. The harmony which had generally prevailed on board was somehow disturbed. But instead of resorting to corporal punishment, the captain summoned the men aft, and in a simple, manly speech, pointed out the impropriety of their conduct, and concluded thus, ‘So now, my lads, if this be not put an end to, and hearty goodwill restored, I'll blacken your figurehead and put the ship in mourning.’ Had b bombshell fallen at their feet the men could not have been more astonished. To have their figurehead blackened. No, anything rather than that, and in this way order and harmonv were restored.

Are We Coining to This?

Mrs Lease (looking up from her newspaper) : William, does it not make your blood boil to read of these combinations of capital against ’ Her Husband: One moment, my dear; the baby is wake again. I must give him some more soothing syrup.’ Mrs Lense (as he leaves the room) : Bother the baby ! I can’t have peace to think in this house. It is enough to drive a woman to drink !’ Mr Lease (who has returned after pacifying the baby) : My dear, I don’t think camphorated oil is good to rub on his chest; it opens the pores and

Mrs Lease (impatiently): All right, do as you please. As I was saying, William, the down-trodden farmer cannot get bread and bacon to eat, while ’

Mr Lease (excitedly) : Ah, now I remember 1 I put the bacon in the pot just after you left for the conference, and 1 never thought of it again till this moment. How could Ibe so eCupid ! Mrs Lease (after his return from the kitchen) : William, I fear you cannot raise your mind above sordid things. It is no use to talk to you of the great problems which are engaging the human intellect. When I try to explain the causes of the agricultural depression you cannot take your mind off your humdrum household duties. Mr Lease (humbly): Don’t be hard on me, my dear. After your office hours you can spend your evenings in improving your mind, while my work is never done. 1 was up with the baby nearly all last night. Today I couldn’t get the kettle to boil, and I have a heap of sewing ahead of me tonight. Mrs Lease : Well, perhaps there are excuses for you. Go on with your sewing while I finish this article.

A Wonderful Choir.

In the choir of Sc Peter's at Rome their is not a female voice, and yet the most difficult oratorios and sacred music written are rendered in such a manner as to make one think that Adelina Patti is leading. The choir is composed of sixty boys, They are trained for the work from the time they get control of their vocal chords, and some of the best singers are not over nine years old. At the age of seventeen they are dropped from the choir. To say that in that famous edifice one hears (he grandest church music the world has ever known sounds commonplace, so far short does it fall of apt description. I am something of a connoisseur,{have been a profound student of music all my life, and have heard every great opera produced by the most famous organisations but until a few months ago, when I heard St Peter’s choir, I had no idea that the human voice was capable of such performances. —Correspondent of an English paper.

Good Samaritan (to friend doctoring a man at the roadside for snake bite) : ‘ There, he’s coming around all right, poor fellow I I guess you needn’t pour any more of that whisky down him.’ Rusty - Cub (in a voice faint, but earnest) : ‘ Let ’im (hie) bite me (hie) ’gam.