teacher has gained the battle as before-hand, by scattering the hostile forces, by separating the talkers and mischief-makers. A petulant boy may be assigned his seat near a quiet and reserved boy; one whose morals are justly suspected near one of reliable virtue – taking care, however, lest the good boy be corrupted by the one of doubtful character.
Thirdly: No noise or confusion is to be tolerated when the students enter the class-room.[1] They should be trained to consider this room as a sacred place, "a temple of science," which ought to be entered in silence and modesty. If any come in boisterously the teacher should at the outset reprimand or punish them. This will immediately quiet their exuberant spirits.
Fourthly: The respect of the pupils for their teachers and for one another will prompt them to listen to the instructions in absolute silence.[2]
Sometimes it may happen that either all the scholars, or only a few, offend against good conduct and attention. If the former should happen, the cause of evil must be investigated and the instigators must be punished. The teacher should very rarely threaten the whole class, still less should a whole class be subjected to punishment. Such an action irritates the pupils and, feeling confidence in their number, they will be inclined to conspire against the teacher. Extraordinary tasks, like more weighty penalties, should be imposed on only a few. "Frequent ailments, unusual remedies, and continual funerals disgrace the physician,"[3] as Jouvancy wisely observes.
