ANOTHER OASIS

It is ordinarily considered of practical value to begin the study of geography in the lowest grades of grammar schools. It is further considered practicable to end this study when pupils arrive at what are called years of discretion. The purpose of such an arrangement is doubtlessly in order to impress youthful minds with the spirit of discovery and adventure. Another aspect, however, is apparent; it is found that by the mere association of ideas children can easily connect Brazil with nuts. Ceylon with tea, or even Java with coffee. By this method, they learn to the exclusion of more important facts what goes under the name of geography.

If history is to be readily comprehended, the mastery of regional geography is of prime necessity; one is naturally the direct complement of the other. Yet, whereas history is read and inwardly digested by scholars in all walks of life, geographical truths, which in contrast ring out their utter simplicity, are sadly neglected. Perhaps it is because of their relatively simple nature that they are regarded as unimportant for maturer minds; when one becomes a man, one must put away childish things.

But at last another oasis has appeared in a prolonged desert. Mr. Hoover has taken up the task so admirably started by Colonel Lindbergh in offering gratuitous lessons in geography. The daily papers are continually recording the names of hitherto unknown, or long forgotten, cities and villages, which now distinguish themselves as hospitable hosts to a celebrated American. For those who have seen the map of South America through a glass darkly, these illuminating reports are becoming mines of information--the historical student can now locate the home of Bolivar, and the engineer the railroad passes across the Andes.