THE BATTALION
3-;
Education we will notice that its literal meaning,, according -•
to the Latin term, is “to draw out from,” that is to lead' out •
that which is hidden. So we readily see that the term)‘‘Edu
cation” is not to be conceived as something being in the ab
stract, that is if we educate ourselves for a certain profession,,
whether that of a lawyer or physician, chemist or physicist,
grammarian or mathematician, that we can claim being edu
cated. Its meaning is much broader, and its application
much more general ; it embraces a far wider scope. When,
we speak of education it conveys to us the idea of drawing
forth that which is hidden in our mental reservoirs, to build
up ourselves for future usefulness. This being the mission of
education, the question occurs, what means should be brought
into action to accomplish the desired end? We are expected
to find a solution for the problem in the nature of studies to-
be pursued ; to select such studies as will best tend to develop
the mental faculties. Thus we arrive at the question at issue,,
which as a factor in contributing toward the accomplishment
of education is the more important, The Study of Mathematics
or English?
I emphatically declare in favor of the former.
As the sun by his force of attraction holds all other plan
ets in space ; as he illuminates and vivifies the world and
invigorates our sphere, so does the study of mathematics, by
the force of its attraction, regulate the motion of all the other
studies, invigorating and developing the mental faculties.
Let its light but once disappear in the west and chaos would
take place in all the other branches of learning. To have
our mental faculties fully developed they must be carefully
disciplined, and this is the office of mathematics.
The study of English can be looked upon in no otherwise
than something being in the abstract; the office within its
province is simply to teach a set of rules handed down to us
by good usage ; it does not deal with generalities, and conse
quently does not come within the sphere of education, in the
true meaning it implies. Mathematics, on the other hand, is
not satisfied to deal with abstractions, After it has elucidat
ed to us its mechanical principles it takes a walk with us into -