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288 Old-time Schools and School-books |
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school-books. Yet the information imparted was occasionally rather peculiar, as for instance what is said about
The Cataract of Niagara, in Canada, North America.
This amazing fall of a hundred and fifty feet perpendicular is made by the river St. Lawrence, one of the largest rivers in the world, a river that serves to drain the waters of almost all North America into the Atlantic Ocean. It will be readily supposed, that such a cataract entirely destroys the navigation of the stream : and yet some Indians in their canoes, it is said have ventured down it in safety.
I reproduce from Scott's book one of four plates illustrating an introductory chapter, " On the speaking of Speeches at schools." The text advises —
If the pupil's knees are not well formed, or incline inwards, he must be taught to keep his legs at as great a distance as possible, and to incline his body so much to that side on which the arm is extended, as to oblige him to rest the opposite leg upon the toe; and this will in a great measure, hide the defect of his make.
When the pupil has got in the habit of holding his hand and arm properly, he may be taught to move it, that is, to raise the arm in the same position as when gracefully taking off the hat. (See Plate.) When the hand approaches to the head, the arm should, with a jerk, be suddenly straightened, at the very moment the em-phatical word is pronounced. This co-
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