It is only a child here and there, generally a lonely one,
to whom lessons can be anything but a toil and an obligation. Even
with clever ones, who may be interested in some part of their study,
some other branch will be disagreeable; and there is nothing in the
whole world to be learnt without drudgery, so it would be
unreasonable to expect lessons to be regarded as delightful; but
there is one thing that is to be expected of any good child--not to
enjoy lessons; not to surpass others; not to do anything surprising;
only to make a conscience of doing what is required as well as
possible.
Now do not many children seem to think that they are to receive as
little as they can possibly take in without being punished; or that,
if they make any exertion, their teachers ought to be so much obliged
to them, that some great praise or reward is due to them?
Let us see whether anyone in Stokesley school-room was making a
conscience of the day's tasks. It is not of much use to ask for any
at present in Johnnie--not for a whole week, as Annie would declare;
he does not know his single Latin declension; his spelling, is all
abroad; his geography wild; yet though turned back once, he misses
the fine by just saying his lessons passably the last time.
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