A MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL TEST.

The recitation is the best school test of a pupil's moral character. It gives a pupil an opportunity to define and describe himself. If he is manly and self-reliant, he will refuse promptings from his classmates; if he is indolent and dependent, he will seek every opportunity to shirk recitation. "It is the recitation, with its direct and indirect influence, which makes a pupil an independent, courageous student, or a hopeless beggar." A recitation should be made so exacting, so direct, so personal that a large majority of pupils will prepare their lessons.

The recitation is the best school-test of a pupil's intellectual character. From the manner in which a pupil expresses himself, a teacher can judge of his power to observe, to reflect, to imagine. Thinking is hard work, hence pupils are prone to clothe their ideas in ragged or incomplete sentences. The most persistent effort on the part of a teacher should be made to have a pupil express himself in clear, concise sentences. Training in expression should constitute a part of every recitation during the entire period of a pupil's school-life. Clearness of statement is evidence of culture. The mere ability to state a fact in careless or slovenly English does not suggest culture. Pupils should recite in their own language; they should not be permitted to quote the language of text-books-definitions excepted. The parrot-like recitation of facts in the language of others is not significant. The mind is not satisfied with the recitation of the words of others. Teacher, if you are a routine recitation hearer, get rid of the habit at once. Independent thinking on the part of teachers will lead to independent thinking on the part of pupils. Mere text-book facts are cheap and may be found in dictionaries, gazetteers, and encyclopedias.