Page:Free Opinions, Freely Expressed on Certain Phases of Modern Social Life and Conduct.djvu/29

 than reading. If they are ever taught the right way to read, they may become wiser than any political government would like them to be. For right reading makes right thinking—and right thinking makes right living—and right living would result in what? Well! For one thing, members of councils and other "ruling" bodies would be lazier than ever, with less to do—and the Education Act would no longer be necessary, as the fact of simply knowing "how" to read, would educate everybody without further trouble.

Dear Sir or Madam,—read! Don't "skim"! Learn your letters! Study the pronunciation and meaning of words thoroughly first, and then you may proceed to sentences. Gradually you will be able to master a whole passage of prose or poetry in such a manner as actually to understand it. That will be a great thing! And once you understand it, you may even possibly remember it! And then,—no matter how much you may have previously been educated,—your education will only have just begun.