ergarten Guide," says that "in the manufacturing
districts of England great numbers of the children who pass through the
elementary schools are employed in mills where weaving is carried on, or
enter textile schools to learn designing in cloth. If this occupation of
mat-weaving could be continued until the children had a thorough
knowledge of its principles, how much intelligence might be brought to
bear on the actual weaving and how much more pleasure might the worker
draw from labor that is often looked upon as so much mechanical
drudgery!" The keynote for this is the _thorough knowledge_ which is
necessary, whether or not our children are to enter textile schools.
Whatever they do, let them do it thoroughly. It should always be a
question of quality, not quantity.

[Sidenote: _Simple weaving the first essential_]

[Sidenote: _Mats as a preparation for loom weaving_]

[Sidenote: _Slat interlacing and splint work lead to basketry_]

For this reason I have taken up, quite at length, the subject of first
steps in weaving, believing that children should be kept at simple
weaving until they understand the principles thoroughly. The felt and
paper mats prepare the way for loom-weaving; the free paper weaving, and
the slats and splints for basketry. A few suggestions on the use of the
slats and splints have been given for two reasons: First, for the
training which they afford in dexterity and great delicacy of touch, to
say nothing of _exemplary patience_; and second, because the preliminary
training for basketry should be given in the lower primary grades. The
time necessary to train clumsy fingers can hardly be taken from the
regular work in grades where basketry is a prescribed course.

"Skill in the fundamental methods of weaving is essential even as the
fingers must be trained in music before the soul of the musician can
find its expression. Make good baskets first, simple in shape, strong in
texture, suited to the purpose for which they are intended;
unconsciously they will grow beautiful. The most intricate basket will
fail in its purpose if the joinings are careless or flaws in workmanship
permitted. If originality is within the weaver, it will find its
expression, once the principles of weaving are second nature." (_C. S.
Coles._) This is also true of rug and mat weaving, for the aim of all
training should be to bring out the best there is in a child.

[Sidenote: _"Devotedness to duty"_]

"The longer on t