Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-02-22

with al the research have given the sub
iect, 10 obtain ANY authentic information
IN respect to the schools established I'm
our sister states, some of which would do
honor 10 amy country or aye the world
has ever seen. When we look for exam
pies, 1t is better 10 obtain them from
countries whose governments are assimi-
lated 10 our own, and will BEGIN with
the one which, alone, among those shall
quote, has this Recommendation.
Geneva, a smai! Republic, whose nolit-
| ical virtue and frmness has alternately
appalled, the iNIdni, and exalted the Pat
riot, is The FIRST ! sliall name. Under tie
direction, patronage and endowment OF
her government, she has established her
Schools, Colleges and Academies which,
by the simple operation. have been di-
vided into three departnlenis-the first,
embracing the studies Of childhood the
second, Ot adolescence; q the sd, Of the
liberal professions. To the LIST, is in,rusied
the instruction Of the male and female
children OF the Republic, until they arrive
TO lineage of 5years-During this period.
they are successfully taught reading,
writing, orihography, arithmetic, the ele-
meats OF Greek, Latin and Mathematics.
They have Public Library, free of ac-
cess TO citizens andsirauwers. When the
Pupils have advanced beyond the ins Y &C.
ton OF childhood, If from their genius il
appears they are best suited for mechani-
Cal professions, they no longer progress
III scientific Improvement, but turn their
minds Ia retrospective ayocations. AL
though tins be their destination, YOU will
ilnd the Gencvese remarked for their
grammatical correctness and enlargement
of ideas, and which has very property
been ascribed To thelr classical etluca-
tions
Their Colleges instruct the youth un-
III they are 20 or 2l years of age, when
they enter on their professional studies !;
some Obtain liberal educatious, without
devoting themselves TO any particular
profession: wGiie there are many whose
Genlns entities item 10 educations of
professional character, 4 they readily OBJ
tain them
Al these Schools arc Cratuitous, and
Tree ioreverv Geneyese, whether rich or
poor. patriCian ormeclianic. and even To-
relgucrs are admitted Ivy the teachers,
eeirom charge. The Professors receive
all their cmoluments from the govern
ment, and never demand fees from the
Pupils.
This inspires Difference and resncct in
fuplls for the Professors and tie public
consideration in which the latter are
held while in the school there is no dis
tlnctIon between the scholars, and each
one feels himself equal TO his fellow
ms system, sir, IS supported by a DO
pulatOn little exceeding 3O.O0N souls.
whose wealth is extremely limited. Yes.
sir, an emulation for the office of Teach
er, is here excited, not euualIed in any
other country in the world, and which Is
produced by public spirit and opinion. on
the one hand, and respect for know
ledge on the other. This small popuIa-
ton educates IN this manner 1000 youth.
What have been the effects Indepen-
dent OF having produced her Ronsseaus,
Bonnets, De Sausures, and lie SagueS,
the Inestlmable virtue, and the strong
attachment with which each citizen is
INSPIRED for ms country, lis government
and IFS laws, cannot but he esteemed of
the highest ydlne, and would, trust, at
least balance this pit.iul reduction ofthe
taxes 20 per cent.
| now, sir, call your attention and that
OF the Committee, TO country which
am OF opinion Will almost take the palm
from Scotland and New England. That
part OF Germany, known by the name of
SiIesla, and nova portion OF the king
dom OF Prussia, possessed population OF
about /, ZOO COON 1894, and was originally
= part OF the Empire OF Austria, and ciaini-
ed by Maria Louisa, ibe diem Empress Of
that nation. Frederick the 2nd. OF Prus-
STA, most usually and deservediy known
by fine name of " Che Great among
many other princes of Europe, upon tie
death of Charles 1ih of Austria, IN 1910,
asserted his 09im 70 that Province, and
as early as i742, disposscs3ed the fair
occupant OF her possessions, which she
by treaty Yielded about lie middle of hat
year. 1t was with reluctance and some
years afterwards with foreign aid she put
the Great General 80 many straits, and
at last alter wdr OF z. years, common
cling in i75G, aud ending ia 1863, lrede-
rick obtained permanent possession of
SliesIa, which he held until his death,
and which remains ihe brightest gcrn in
the crown OF iils Successors. During tile
arducIis struggles which were to decide
tile fate, ofilis territory, ii lost MANY of
It's most useful citizens, and suffered
dlmlnutiOn OF iTG 900 souls, in its total
population. Among the first objects
which engaged the attention OF tie
cOnqucrOr, was tie moral and intel
iectual Improvement Ofhis newlyacquiI ed
subjects, who had cost him So many mo-
ments of toll and uncasiness. aud some
tunes JeOpardized thc crown le wOrc.-
The means Of eilecting this was the es-
adjustment of Schools, where all might
be instructed and boldly leaving The
path Of his predecessors, he determined
to govern al enlightened and moral pe0-
pie or not to govern al all. He began
by establishing trivial schools, AZ they