SIR, —Dr. Linasay was admirable so far on physical and expedition
tests, skill to work out specific plans, and service to the community. Here was all-round thinking-and-doing, judgement and initiative in a fourfold achievement. But a sound education, I suggest, for each and all, should be eightfold, covering the plan he urges and the school certificate.
Some years ago, I drew up, when lecturing on education, a simple chart as follows : MAGNA CARTA OF WISDOM.
(The Eight Essential " Knowledges.")
N.B. Doing always to go with knowing.
t. Sense-knowledge (exact observation): as first-hand basis.
2. Physical ditto: free games, disciplined exercises, food and fitness.
3. Language (esp. Mother-tongue): as Tool of Thought.
4. Ethics: as basis of religion, and guide to life.
5. Nature, or Science: to use things for life.
6. Democratic knowledge (geog., hist., poles., econcs.) to live well together.
7. Ideal ditto: (art, skill, neatness): for beauty, harmony, joy.
8. Dialectic . for " straight " thinking.
(The initials, read down: SPLENDID, are an easy mnemonic.)— Yours sincerely, ERNEST A. CAVE. The Laurels, Ickenham, Middlesex.
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