"HIGHROADS OF HISTORY."

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 4 March 1908, Page 86

"HIGHROADS OF HISTORY."

Many, sincere enough, but without sufficient thought, recommend a \iniform series of~school books printed in the colony, and the literary matter the re3ult of colonial effort. It would be impossible for a small out-of-the-way place like our Dominion to keep pace with the publishing progress of the Homeland, because the cost would be so great. But somebhing could be done. There is no reason why there should not be a committee of educational experts set up to report on the best two or three series publisher in the English language, with the view of adopting these for a series of yeari. The Government could then contract with the publishers to supply tOio quantities of fche series chosen by each board, and these could be distributed a,b first cost. By adopting such a course the very best procurable could be used and a great saving made. In addition to these there could be locaJ series published dealing with local history, geography, etc., and arithmetics suited to our wants. These could be compiled for the Government, printed at the Government Printing Office, and distributed at first cost. There would be a saving of 30 pea' cent or 40 per cent, in coat, and the very latest and best would always be in use. I have written somewhat simi'arly before, but the February number of the School Journal and the recently -issued volume of Nelson's " Highroads of History " cause me to write again. In the School Journal for Classes 111 and IV there is a lesson, " The Father of English History (the Venerable Bede)," and there are to hand Nos. IV and V. of "The Highroads of History," which, with the previous numbers, show what can be done in the way of history writing for children. The article in the School Journal refers to Gregory, Augustine, Bedc, Jarrow, the Roman Invasion, the Roman Forum 1 slavery, and Alfred, while associations suggest other historical points. Now, see how one or two of these are illustrated in the last word on Children's Histories. " Caradoo in Rome " illustrates Angles being taken into slavery, and the lesson accompanying tells wihat was done to him; "The Forum, a Market Place at it Appeared in the Days of Pope Gregory," shows where the Angles were sold ; " The Druids on New Year's Day," with the reseriptive lesson, forme a contrast with "He Told Them the Gospel Story " [Augustine is referred to] ; " Augustine Preaching to Ethelred and Bcrtba," and ''The Baptism of Ethelred." Bedi is shown in the fine picture "The Last Chapter." A true teacher would hardly gi\e the story of Bede without also giving that of Casdmon, which is illustrated by " Ciedmon's Cross a-t Whitby " and " Whifby Abbey as it is To-day." Other historical references in. the School Journal are equally well illustrated It must be remembered, too, that these pictures arc. most of them, coloured, and are copied from originals by artists of repute, principally R.A.s, (he original pictures being in prhate collections, city halls, or being portions of frescos in the Houses of Parliament. The pictures alone are an education. And the reading lessons are a- fit setting for them, for they are the work of writers who can relate in a manner interesting to children without sacrificing style in w riting down to the child mind. It 'would be a grea* pity then if a popular but thoughtless agitation should be the means of practically prohibiting the use of such books in order thafc school books very much inferior should be wholly produced in the Dominion. I might have added thait the three books for Standards I, 11, and 111 are written on the concentric principle, each covering tho whole period of British h^tory and each succeeding one being an amplification of the previous ones. Those for Standards IV, V, and VI are on the periodic principle ; that for Standard IV takes from tnoear'iest tirrc; to 1485; that for Standard V from ! 1485 to 1688. and that for Standard VI i will presumably be from 1688 to the present time, but it hr.c not vet appeared. I Not only do the North Canterbury inspectors report against too great a restriction in the choice of readers, but I 1 aim glad to see that the Minister of Edu- ' cation admits tha.t it is impossible for the Dominion to approach Home publishers j in the publication of educational works — j meaning, I assume, readers and histories. , At present the expense of providing a large [ family with new books is undoubtedly a I serious consideration, but this can be largely obviated by the Staite doing as has I been done elsewhere — making a contract with the best publishers and supplying at

cost price. Indeed, the question might be seriously raised whether the State should not supply books free.