Page:Don-bosco-pine.djvu/74



The following brief sketch of Don Bosco's plan of studies drawn by one of his pupils is of interest. "On leaving the primary school the boys attended a professional school of arts and trades, or went through a secondary course of literary and scientific instruction in the Salesian institutions. Each pupil was guided to a choice of his studies in accordance with his inclinations.

"Don Bosco established agricultural schools in the country as well as industrial schools in towns; thus his work was universal. He observed with particular care the aptitude of his pupils; the orphanages were like nurseries, from which he yearly transplanted the best saplings to better ground. From the primary school these pupils passed to a college or gymnasium of classical instruction; and again, when there were vacancies, into the large seminaries. He endeavored to assist without forcing vocations, and he knew how to draw forth natural gifts. His observation and influence in this way were perhaps among the most remarkable of his faculties."

"The educative system of Don Bosco," writes the Director of a Government Normal School, "is