verbs _arriver_, _naitre_, _venir_, _sortir_,
_partir_, etc., are conjugated with _etre_."

"By this reasoning, with _courir_ (to run) you get an absurdity. 'As
soon as you _have_ run you _are_ run' is an absurdity. Therefore
_courir_, expressing only an action, not a state, takes _avoir_."

Yes, boys will understand all that, and nothing gives them more
pleasure than having their minds satisfied with a little explanatory
food. I have seen rays of happy satisfaction flashing over scores of
young faces as they got hold of these facts.

For the same reason, reflexive verbs are conjugated with _etre_,
because they also express that a state is enjoyed as soon as the action
is over.

"As soon as you _have_ washed yourself you _are_ washed--if you have
done it properly, of course."

Tell the boys so, and they will laugh, and they will understand you,
and they will be grateful to you.

* * * * *

I could give hundreds of instances in which a few explanatory words
would settle grammatical facts in boys' minds; but, although I am
tempted at almost every page to turn this book into a class--book, I
must bear in mind that my aim is not to instruct, and pass on.

IX.

HOW TO BE HAPPY THOUGH A SCHOOL-MASTER.--SUGGESTIONS AND HINTS FOR
THE CLASS-ROOM.--BOYS ON HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY.--"MAXIMS" AND "WISE
THOUGHTS."--ADVICE TO THOSE ABOUT TO TEACH.--"SIR," AND NOT "MOSSOO."
--"FRAULEINS" AND "MADEMOISELLES."--"CHECK" YOUR LOVE FOR BOYS.--NO
CREDIT.--WE ARE ALL LIABLE TO MAKE MISTAKES.--I GET AN INSIGHT INTO
"STOCKS."

I know masters who spend their time looking at their books with their
heads downwards, and who only occasionally lift them up to say to a
boisterous class:

"Now then, now then!"

They might as well tell the boys: "Just take a minute's rest, my dears,
will you? In a moment I shall be looking at my desk again, then you
will be able to go on."

* * * * *

Face the boys, or you will be nowhere.

* * * * *

Always be lively. If you once let the boys go to sleep, you will never
wake them up again.

Always look the same in face and person. Your moustache curtailed, your
whiskers shaved, or the usual shape of your coat altered, will cause a
revolution in your class.

* * * * *

Never show your temper if you have one, and keep the chang