162 GLIMPSE OF A CHRISTIAN HOME

ease. It is not the business of life. The man looks
one way and rows another. His eye is on the bar or
the pulpit, and to this he directs his wishes and his
efforts. Then there is no attainment of experience,
Teaching is an art, and one of the noblest and most
difficult. Itis not to be acquired in a year or two years,
Thus it often happens that, just at the moment the
teacher begins to feel his strength, reeover from his
mishaps, and mature his methods, he breaks off from
the work, and transfers the pupils to another.”

“ And so, perhaps, a school may be for years together
under the hand of novices.” |

“Exactly. Indeed this is the case with a majority
of our country schools.”

“ But how, sir, is this evil to be remedied ?”

“ Just as you have remedied it in Prussia, where the
profession of teaching is as distinct and as honourable
as most others.”

“But allow me to ask yet further, why is it that
young men even of promise and learning are unwilling
to stay at their post and teach as long as they live?”

“You are coming to the very point,” answered Mr.
Mill. “The reasons are many, but they resolve them-
selves into one comprehensive reason. The work of
instruction is not high enough in the esteem of our
people,”

“Ah! TI thought no people made so much of educa-
tion.”