England and Virginia were also frequently presented. Tableaux of American history generally are understood and appreciated by the audience.

A modification of the tableau may be found in the stage chorus. The personages of the tableau may retain their position in the background and along the sides of the stage, while a song is rendered as a solo or duet, and all can join in the chorus, with suitable expression and action. The tableau chorus may sing the entire song, if this be preferred.

Mythological characters have been popular as subjects. for tableaux, and also for floats in the spectacular celebrations of Mardi gras in various cities of Europe and America. The draped figures in numerous works of art offer suggestions as to topics of this character. The mythology of the Greeks and Romans, the Norse, the Persians, the Hindus, and the American Indians is available for a class of schools in which these subjects are familiar. For the most part, they would be generally deemed inappropriate for the more elementary schools. Any good work on mythology will suggest suitable topics for such representations.

Music for School Exhibitions. The nature and the selection of musical compositions to be rendered must vary with the different circumstances of the schools. Choruses by the school or class, together with solos, duets, or quartets by pupils qualified to render them, add much to the interest and pleasure of the occasion. Patriotic songs are always appropriate, and the national songs of other lands are often rendered with fine effect. Instrumental music may be accompanied by calisthenic exercises of various kinds, and by marches of the smaller pupils, if any such participate in the programme.

Exercises for Small Pupils.-Throughout this chapter have been considered chiefly the exercises suitable for students of high schools and academies, and for pupils of the more advanced classes in the ungraded schools. In a

general exhibition, however, it is often found desirable to have various grades, including the smaller pupils, represented. In such cases it is better to assign to the latter an early place on the programme. For the most part, the various performances described — readings, recitations, dialogues, tableaux, and songs-may be adapted to the pupils of the lower grades. Exercise songs and some of the games for little children which are presented in Chapter III of this volume, will be found suitable for incorporation in a programme in which the smaller pupils participate.

CHAPTER XI

SCHOOL DEBATES

The Value of Debates. — The debating club, to which allusion has been made in a preceding chapter, was an important feature of American seminaries, and often of common schools, in an earlier day. The debate has generally ceased to be the single feature of students' societies, but it still holds an important place in them. There has been, moreover, a tendency in later years to introduce into the school work exercises of this character, as a part of the rhetorical programme; and in very many high schools the practice of extemporaneous speaking of an argumentative character has proved exceedingly valuable in its results. The arguments in favor of this form of school work are such as should claim the attention of every teacher in academic and high school grades, or in the ungraded schools where there are pupils sufficiently advanced to participate in discussions.

However valuable an accomplishment it may be to read well, it is assuredly better to talk well. Whatever may be the influence of the writer, and whatever prominence may be attached to his name and reputation, his present, active influence will be strengthened if he can exert the same abilities and express the same ideas in speech. He will thus reach an audience that may never hear of what he prints - much less read it. In the present day, when the test of a man's life may be made and may be over in the course of half an hour's duration, it is important that every one should be able to impress himself clearly and forcibly.

general exhibition, however, it is often found desirable to have various grades, including the smaller pupils, represented. In such cases it is better to assign to the latter an early place on the programme. For the most part, the various performances described - readings, recitations, dialogues, tableaux, and songs-may be adapted to the pupils of the lower grades. Exercise songs and some of the games for little children which are presented in Chapter III of this volume, will be found suitable for incorporation in a programme in which the smaller pupils participate.

CHAPTER XI

SCHOOL DEBATES

The Value of Debates. The debating club, to which allusion has been made in a preceding chapter, was an important feature of American seminaries, and often of common schools, in an earlier day. The debate has generally ceased to be the single feature of students' societies, but it still holds an important place in them. There has been, moreover, a tendency in later years to introduce into the school work exercises of this character, as a part of the rhetorical programme; and in very many high schools the practice of extemporaneous speaking of an argumentative character has proved exceedingly valuable in its results. The arguments in favor of this form of school work are such as should claim the attention of every teacher in academic and high school grades, or in the ungraded schools where there are pupils sufficiently advanced to participate in discussions.

However valuable an accomplishment it may be to read well, it is assuredly better to talk well. Whatever may be the influence of the writer, and whatever prominence may be attached to his name and reputation, his present, active influence will be strengthened if he can exert the same abilities and express the same ideas in speech. He will thus reach an audience that may never hear of what he prints much less read it. In the present day, when the test of a man's life may be made and may be over in the course of half an hour's duration, it is important that every one should be able to impress himself clearly and forcibly.