“An Old Fogy's View of Modern Educational Methods”
The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore, Maryland, June 7, 1908
In years long gone 'twas taught at school
Our mother-tongue to speak by rule;
But now instead they "English" teach,
The child "absorbs" the choicest speech.
Why know the "Wherefore" and the "Why"
Old fogies taught in years gone by?
And some there are (not very old)
Who well recall what teachers told
Of decimals and "rule of three"
And how to learn the height of tree;
But now all these are out of date;
No need for pencil or for slate,
Geography and grammar, too,
Were always fresh and ever new;
But still they've learned a better way
To make the teachers earn their pay.
To teach and study bugs and flow'rs,
In gayest woods they spend long hours.
Tho' sums make boys as keen as fox,
More useful 'tis a paper box
At school to make, and then take home,
And later send o'er earth to roam,
In manhood's state how great their woe,
If arts like this they do not know!
For then its use will be made plain,
As children from it pleasure gain.
For if thus trained they'll have no gold,
But children will their arms infold.