The Pursuit of Knowledge by Stephen Leacock

But let me turn a moment from the discussion of the organization and framework of our education, to observe the same contrast between spontaneity and freedom in the method and process of our teaching. Here it is even more obvious and important.

We may take our point of departure from the aforementioned little Emile of Jean Jacques Rousseau of the year 1762, the world-famous type of the natural, spontaneous child, naturally and spontaneously educated. We may contrast him with his sturdy young contemporary, that tough little Briton, Smith Minor of Westminster School--first cousin a few degrees removed of John Smith of Smithville, Minnesota, Ontario and elsewhere.