The Marlborough Press. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3. 1880.

Marlborough Press, Volume XXI, Issue 1251, 3 December 1880, Page 2

The Marlborough Press. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3. 1880.

We are accustomed to associate the most radical ideas with everything pertaining to American Institutions, but these ideas are ill-founded, and arise solely for want of a more intimate acquaintance with the mode of expressing opinions and knowledge of the method of conducting business by;;our .Trans-Pacific cobjeins. j|t, is surprising how mistaken notions are corrected and erroneous impressions removed by a closer acquaintance, and instead of the free and easy notion imputed to them, we may. find that we may learn a useful lesson by studying the manner in which certain public business is transacted in some parts of America. Last week we published a report on our public schools, and there now lies before us a similar report on the public schools made by a Boai'd of School Visitors for the Bristol District in the State of Connecticut in America. There is a certain similarity in the two reports, but there is a distinction not altogether to the disadvantage of the American mode of making public such items of interest connected with these public Institutions. It appears that the functions of school visitors are wider than is undertaken by the single Inspector in this part, and they enquire into and report upon matters that here are left to the Education Board or local Committees. In the report to which we are referring, the matter of attendance and cost of the several schools is enquired into and commented upon, and although details of scholastic progress are not given, it is evident that scholars are examined and praise or blame given to teachers as the case demands. It is a question worthy of consideration whether this general supervision of schools is not likely to lead to a more satisfactory system of education than the divided authority exercised by the several bodies under our system, as it gives greater power to the supervisors, and in the event of irregularities, the difficulties of attaching responsibility are not so great Here,' what' with Education Boards and School Committees, it is not easy to say which is responsible for any neglect of duty ; but there, the public, having only one body to look to, may at once call them to account and bring about improvement. „ The report on the Bristol schools commences with some general remarks, and then gives the mimber of scholars in the district with the average attendance and the cost of education. There are, it apyears, 1053 children of schoolable age,' and of these 821 attended school last year, and the cost per head, or expense per scholar, as it is called in the report, is something under fourteen and a-half dollars,, or say about £3. each per year.. There is one notable difference -to this where the. scholars attending one school cost nearly £7 per year each. This does not differ very greatly/.from our own experience, for we find that children in the Picton schools co.s.t:£3 ,ssf 5d each, 'while in Blenheim they cost £5 Is lld, hut there is this difference, that whi|e the. Education Board and School Committee in Blenheim appear content to let this anomaly remain, the Board of School Visitors in Bristol point out the excessive cost in the one instance, and insist that a reduction shall be made. The report then goes into other matters, and as affording an opportunity \ bfi showing the difference in which the subjects are treated, we subjoin the following extract : . j

“To people somewhat advanced in life it is interesting to contrast former days „with, the present, especially with reference to school-houses and text books. Then we had the rude slabs of saw-mill logs for seats, and supported at either end by two strong well-braced legs ; without any back for the little ones to lean against, and too high for them to rest their feet on the floor. The writing desk on three aides of the school room consisting of thick wide boards attached to the walls of the house, to which the large boys and girls turned in as gracefully as they could, when it was time for them to take their goose quills and imitate the copies set by their teacher. This done, some remained

as they were, studying arithmetic and

resting their slates where their writing books had been ; others turned out, to pursue their studies, finding some relief for their backs against the boards that had just before supported their elbows. A large fire place, with shovel and tongs and heavy handiroris/ with its blazing wood, sent out heat that could be felt on one side at least, "but not always on the other. “ Webster’s Spelling Book, the New Testament, American Preceptor, Columbian Orator, DaboU’s Arithmetic, Murray’s., Grammar, and some rude text book in Geography, constituted a full supply for our district school.; Meager as it was, it turned out' scholars that, iu all the elementary branches, could bear honorable comparison with any at the present day. And in those far-off times, onO important branch was taught more effectually than at present, viz :—-good manners. Children uncovered their heads when they entered a neighbor’s house, made their obeisance when they entered and left the school-room, and when they met respectable people on thei'street; 7 How - different at~the present day ! ' 1 • ' *-

“ Our school-houses are built after the best models, supplied with desks for all classes, and furnished with maps and black-, boards to facilitate the acquisition of useful knowledge. They are warmed by stoves or by steam, so that all can be made comfortable without any tax on the time of teacher or pupil. And as- for school books, they are like the stars of heaven, or sands On the seashore. There is not a month when we do not received a catalogue, circular, or letter from some publishing or furnishing house, setting forth the excellences of the books they have just issued, or the furniture they have provided for the school-room. The wisest man that ever lived once said, “ Of making many books there is no end.” That was • long before the printing press was invented.* - What would he say if he were now upon the stage 1 We have not r jcnjly-'-Jj.ookjrin' all *dopactments, but senes of volumes on the same branch, from three to seven or eight. “ It is made the duty of the School Board to prescribe what books shall be used in our schools, and authorize such changes as they may think best. Ab in some dis tricts there are scholars that have advanced to the higher branches, there are in use some books that are unknown to the common district school ; for example in Algebra, Book-keeping, Greek, Latin and German. The changes we have authorised in the common branches are such as have been found important and useful. They have, the last year, been confined to Language Lessons, History and Olney’s Arithmetic. New books have been introduced only as nsw classes were formed, so that there has been no friction or serious inconvenience. The teachers in three of our very best schools desire a new series of Readers, and we shall, probably gratify them ere long. The one in use was introiluood ton jeara ago, and baa give** great satisfaction ; but teachers and scholars have become familiar with it and wish for something new. If we make a change, it will be to accommodate those who desire it, but not make it obligatory on others at present.” ■ ~j < Much of this might have appropriately been written concerning the schools and text-books in this district, but there is one subject mentioned that would not be noticed here except in a cursory manner. We are apt to believe that the tendency of democracy in America would lead to the levelling of all class distinctions, or to the teaching that any respect to persons is incompatable with perfect freedom ; but it appears from this extract that democracy is not synonymous with a total absence of good manners, and the School visitors of the Biistol District Schools lament the absence of teaching to, make children’ resemble those who cultivated learning and good manners at the same time in the past. It is possible that if a little more attention were paid to this department beie, as well as there, the scholars would not be worse taught, and we commend the subject to those who have the supervision of our public schools in this district. There are other subjects worthy of consideration,.but, want of space will not permit us -to enter more fully into the;raatter at the present time." j