boys, he began studying each individual boy and to plan courses to fit him. Nor does this mean that he abandoned group-work, with its immense social and character value. It means that beyond the group-work, caring for definite indispensable fundamentals, he was able to plan more and more effectively for the development of the special capacities of each individual boy, no matter what those capacities might be, finding those capacities through study of the boy's obvious aptitudes and tastes as correlated with classroom performance.

That was one of Sanderson's fundamental achievements-making first-class courses to fit the individual boy. This was a revolutionary idea when he brought it out, but he was successful with it in his school because he was able to provide a staff capable of caring for the wide and varied range of interests demanded. Even a brief visit to Oundle leaves one astonished at the variety, completeness, and excellence of the equipment provided for the development of individual capacities, from the severely classical to the severely scientific, and from the artistic or musical to the purely mechanical. The scientific laboratories, for instance, are thoroughly equipped with a range of apparatus and with delicate instruments that many a college would be glad to possess. Then there are complete shops for very thorough and practical training in the use of wood and metal. Then there are testing machines, such as we find here only in the laboratories of our engineering col

This shop work is not looked upon as a kind of play or recreation, much as the average boy enjoys it. It is very largely average boy enjoys it. It is very largely used as an aid in understanding fundamental principles through their application, and all without being so technical as to overwhelm the youthful mind. So valuable did all this applied science seem to Sanderson, because of its "romance to Sanderson, because of its "romance and mystery" for youth, because it is not static but progresses as the race progresses, and because of its contact with almost all aspects of our daily life, that, no matter how narrowly classical a boy's tastes and aptitudes might be, he boy's tastes and aptitudes might be, he had to take his turn in the shops-even to the extent of doing some practical blacksmithing! Real blacksmithing, too, in a typical village smithy, where the village horses are brought regularly to be shod! And I am personally acquainted with a number of young men who are impractical and conceited individuals, unsuccessful in their relations with others and of small value to society, with others and of small value to society, but who undoubtedly might have been interesting and useful citizens if, in their formative years, they had been compelled to beat out horseshoes on an anvil, and then nail these same shoes to the unwilling hoofs of suspicious and not particularly enthusiastic horses.

Let me say, then, that special courses for individuals and for small groups are developed at Oundle to a degree practically unknown in our own preparatory schools, though some of us are making sturdy strides in that direction. Besides this, Sanderson's practical knowledge of

abled him to suggest changes in methods of teaching-to the improvement of those methods. This was true, for instance, concerning mathematics-a subject that with us, just now, needs a good, rousing revolution. He declared that the ordinary teaching of mathematics was "narrow, stylistic, unambitious, and hedged in by the artificialities which so rapidly grow round a selfcentered subject." He therefore insisted that mathematical "problems" should be drawn only from a practical and obvious reality. He banned the improbable and often thoroughly silly "examples," such as are usually given our children, particularly in algebra-with the evident idea of puzzling them with unmeaning intricacies rather than instructing them in matters having some real connection with life.

The same stimulus went into courses such as art and music. As in other good English schools, there is much music at Oundle-both vocal and instrumental. The singing at Oundle is famous in England a nation notable for its singing. A little time ago their singing of Handel's "Messiah" was broadcast by radio. That would be a mighty fine achievement on the part of any of our best preparatory schools! However, we may not be so very far from it when one considers the excellent work now being done by our college singing societies.

Understand me. Sanderson did not for an instant advocate the too widely advertised theory that school work should be made both easy and pleasant

While he declared that the pursuit of knowledge should be a "pleasurable unfolding" rather than merely an acquisition of hard facts, he nevertheless believed that the acquisition of hard facts, through good hard work, was invaluable, but as a means and not as an end in itself. This idea would come as a terrible shock to those of us who feel that we can only educate by stuffing juvenile minds as full as possible of "facts"-or how else will they be able to pass their College Board examinations?

I hope I have given some of the thought underlying the spirit of Oundle, which, besides, is a splendidly equipped school in buildings and faculty, strongly supported financially (an ancient trade guild stands behind it), using, as do other English schools, the assistance of chosen older boys as an aid to proper discipline and attitude, and doing its utmost to find and to develop each individual's special capacity, no matter what it is, while preparing him at the same time for that social co-operation so necessary for folk who must live in com

TH

HE aborigines, the Arawaks, whom Columbus found on his arrival (1492) in the island now called by the Spanish descendants Santo Domingo, by others, when referring to the western portion, Haiti, played a game of pelota which bore the name of batei. It would seem to be a far cry from that day to the advent of beisbol, the phonetic spelling given to the great American game of baseball.

Just as developed in Cuba, Porto Rico, and the Philippines, where American influence extended beyond the confines of purely administrative endeavor, our beloved National pastime has made a deep impression on the native mind, one result of which was the introduction of baseball. The game has become firmly implanted in Santo Domingo.

For several years past the youth of the country at its principal centers has caught the athletic spirit engendered by the great game, essentially a pastime of the poor, for little paraphernalia is required to keep dozens of boys occupied and intensely interested. On Sundays, holidays, feast days, and Saturday after

noons many games are in progress. It is a healthy sign and augurs well for better health and greater stamina in the rising generation. The youthful minds, thus weaned away from thoughts of sordid things like rum, cockfights, and lottery tickets, engage in the exhilarating sport, which means filling the lungs with fresh open air and promotes body tissue building. For in the endeavor to excel, and thus make positions on the scrub teams, the survival of the fittest test naturally applies.

It is an interesting sight to watch the play and players, many of whom wear improvised equipment in the way of home-made sandals to protect the feet,

in the absence of regulation shoes, and gloves not bearing the Spalding trademark. Some youngster who has acquired spiked shoes at once becomes the envy of his team-mates. And it speaks volumes in behalf of the young Dominican players to note that in an athletic contest unknown to the country a dozen years ago such progress and skill have been developed that the older and better teams easily held their own against clubs

composed of American Marines during the latter period of the military occupation which terminated in 1924, for in certain so-called league contests the Marines were defeated by the Dominicans. Also it may be remarked in this connection that among the Marines were players who had had the benefit of training and experience gained in the United States. So it is not difficult to conjecture that within a short while there may be Dominican ball players who will find places in both the National and American League circuits, in which to-day figure more than one Cuban star.

"first," "second," "third," and "nines," for which there are appropriate Spanish equivalents (primera, segunda, tercera, and novenas), the other English nouns, such as "out," "fly," "foul," "strike," "pitcher," "catcher," "innings," "lineup," "hit," "base," "runner," "outfield," "box," "trainer," "bats," etc., are employed by players and fans, but with a native pronunciation which would puzzle the fans at home. A fan becomes a fanatico. Not a bad equivalent, and maybe nearer the mark (for the time being).

When some dusky twirler is being lambasted to the four corners of the lot, the cry goes up, "Vamos á cambiar pitchers" (let's change pitchers), and when an embryonic Babe Ruth loses the ball on a long drive to a near-by cocoanut grove the delirium of the side-lines is as intense as on some more pretentious field.

The native press in reporting ball games gives more of a personal touch than with us, and compliments are freely handed out to individual players, especially where keen rivalry has been developed between teams representing different centers, social clubs, or lyceums.

PERHAPS it is the Spanish inborn love for the spectacular, as evidenced by the matador striving for the plaudits of the multitude in the bull ring, that explains the skill developed by Dominican ball players in their, at times, truly sensational fielding stunts. Some of their infield stops border on the marvelous, and would get a big hand at any ball park. In their execution the player has his ear attuned for the outburst in the stands if he succeeds. In the principal department of the game, pitching, the Dominicans had a decided edge over their Marine opponents, and the native pitchers were wholly self-taught. Upon occasions no-run games were registered against Marine teams. Thus, on the whole, the natives have shown a superiority. As late as 1920 and before that year Marine Corps baseball clubs had little difficulty

In both pitching and batting the natives excelled, and this fact was freely admitted.

A picturesque figure developed among the native pitchers was Alejandro Pedro, familiarly known as "San," a youngster of some twenty-three years, born at Monte Cristi, near the Haitian border. San, self-trained, possessed a wonderful under-hand or submarine delivery, com

bining speed with twisters which completely baffled his opponents at the bat. But for drawing the color line, San one day might be found in a big league circuit. On the side-lines, those trying to rattle him call him muñeca de tarvia (tar baby), because of his color and the relucent appearance of his face. So clever was he that his prowess became known in neighboring islands, and he was induced to go to Porto Rico to join a local team there striving for supremacy.

It is to be recorded, and with regret, that since the departure of the Marine forces baseball has experienced a decline. Absence of the urge. Just another and concrete example of the lack of sustained effort on the part of the average Latin-American in any endeavor which calls for perseverance. Hence it is to Porto Rico, just beyond the Mona Pas

close of the Spanish-American War (1898), baseball has flourished, and the game there is under more pretentious management, with a naturally advanced development and progress. Semi-professional teams from home visit Porto Rico

for series of games with the local talent.

Sundays are the big days for the contests in both forenoons and afternoons, when intercity series are played by teams representing the larger Dominican cities. These games are liberally supported by the populace, who are relieved of a subway jam by traveling à la Ford to the ball-grounds.

Being in the tropics, the playing season is the opposite to that in "the States"Christmas time versus May Day-for the afternoon sun in the summer months would prove much too enervating, plus the prevalence of torrential rains.

The photograph at the top of this page depicts an unusual baseball view. The background, forming the left field wall, supports a huge advertising sign of a local tobacco manufactory, which offers a premium "por cada home run"

there we have the juxtapositionwhile just beyond, plainly to be seen, is the wreck of the ill-fated armored cruiser Memphis, christened Tennessee, once the pride of the American Navy, a veritable floating fortress, cast up by a monstrous tidal wave or marine earthquake, as explained at the time (in August, 1916), when on a clear, bright afternoon the ship was lifted by the elements and deposited, on an even though crushed keel, on the coral coast, so close to land that a short suspension foot-bridge admits of easy access to the phantom-like craft.

membership in the League would be the soundest conclusion to be drawn from his moves.

By adroitly presenting "prosperity" as an issue he has shown his usual insight into public psychology. He has been able to appraise the patriotism of the average. It does not care to go hungry for principle, or to prefer power to profits. Since he began his public career in Northampton he has never made the mistake of over-estimating popular opinion. He can diagnose without getting excited, and operate without the sound of cheers ringing in his ears, preferring approbation to applause. This he has invariably secured.

The scandals attached to the Harding Administration are none of his concern. The courts are dealing with them, and his appointees are doing their duty well. That it is an era of the commonplace is easily to be admitted, but there is much comfort in commonplace placidity. We now have plenty of it.

That Mr. Coolidge is "near" in the Yankee sense is true. That means being close-fisted, careful, and conservative. "Nearness" differs from suspiciousness by being concrete. It takes nothing on trust and is not affected by emotion. A New England product, it has stood the test of time. Mr. Coolidge's spirit is that of the common run of plain, honest folks, whose chief luxury consists in being satisfied with themselves. He is not a "spender" either personally or officially. There are no houses of mirth connected with his Administration. Lincoln told tales to illustrate his points and rest his mind. Coolidge is rather a creator of anecdotes. He wants his "pants" pressed at home. If a small coin drops, his quick ears locate the spot where it falls and his fingers are the first to get it. He wants what he wants when he wants it, but gets along with little.

It is not strange that he should affiliate with Governor Alfred E. Smith, of New York. Smith, too, has a sense of the soul of the common person. Neither is a great man, nor aspires to be. Smith is not "great" in office. He is competent. So is Coolidge. Thus they meet the requirements of government. Neither is a busybody, uplifter, or experimenter. Each knows that the surest way to succeed is not to attempt things that cannot be done. Smith is a hailfellow-well-met to many, Coolidge is such to none, but beneath their skins they are alike. The contrast is outward. That they may face each other in the next campaign does not affect the kinship.

Lincoln, it may be said, never came to the rescue of politicians in distress. Neither does Coolidge. He will get into