Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1818-12-22

cow SO much 10 Use, lost the honour and
profit of his improvement in nautical
science, and thus Columbus was refused
the honour of giving his name 10 our coun-
try.
II is due to the cause of truth, to enc
deavour to put the public in possession Of
such information as may enable them 10
form correct opinion. Aud though the
writer Of this does not pretend to have
more knowledge on this subject than
many others, still he believes that the
particulars which follow are not 10 very
extensive circulation.
1t will be proper here to take notice Of
the principle which distinguishes the new
system of education. 1t is simply this,
the management and instruction of a
school, " through the medium Of the
scholars themselves" 1t is not, as some
nave supposed, the invention of new
forms, with fixed states, and tables of
sand. Sand writing has been known from
the year 1901, when it was fonnd TO be
practised on the coast Of Maiabar, by
Pier della Vale. 1t is therefore, neither
to DR.. Bell nor Mr.. Lancaster that this
practice is TO be attributed as discovery.
And though it is not impossible that DIR.
Bell may have received the idea Of his
from the practices of the
Hindoos, yet this does not diminish in the
least, his claim to the honour OF inven-
ton. He who first took up the principle,
end as such, carried it into the manage
|ment of school, is as much the discov-
erer, as franklin was the discoverer OF
electricity.
In 1889, school was formed at Egg
more, near Madras for the orphans aud
male children of the military Stationed 10
that vicinity. This school attracted The
attention Of DIR. Bell, aud he resolved to
devote much of his time TO its improve
ment. He soon found, however, that he
had entered upon an undertaking OF no
common magnitude and difficulty. These
children had imbibed from their wrFsched
parents the lowest feelings of our nature,
and the worst principles. They were
uncommonly stubborn and perverse, adj
dicted to trick, lying and dupIicity." The
ordinary modes of teaching and govern
ment took no hold upon the great majority
of them. Aud though DR.. Bell succeed ed
n getting into the school number of ac-
tive teachers, yet he found that he had
inc sooner qualified them for tue profitable
lsiisctarge Of their duties, than be hal fit-
ted item for far more lucrative employ
ments; and the first opportunity was en-
Ibraced for leaving him. He now resolved
upon the application of his great princi-
IpIe, the management of the school through
the medium of the scholars themselves.
The school, consisting of two hundred
boys, was divided into small classes. each
having teacher who had made sufficient
progress himself TO teach that particular
class, and these teachers again formed
class by themselves. 1t was at this time
say ing Of DR., Bell, Give me twenty
four boys TO day, and will give you to-
morrow as many teachers as you want"
The progress of the Egmore school was
astonishing, and there was found upon
DIR. Bells plan, an annual saving of near
one thousand pounds sterling. The minds
of the boys we're elevated and strengthened
beyond expression BY being thus made Of
consequence, and the desire Of making his
class equal to others, became security
for the utmost diligence Of each.
Justice to Dr..Bell demands, that mem
ton should be made Of his disinterested
efforts for this charitable institution. He
presided over it for seven years, refusing
Eany salary OF remuneration whatever.
At the end Of this term his health was SO
much impaired that he found ii necessary
TO return to Europe. But he refused the
generous offer Of the Directors of the
Charity, TO defray the expenses of his
voyage, thus proving himself the disin-
terested benefactor and phiianthropist.
Before he left India, DIR. Bell drew up
Report, which he delivered to the board
Of Direction aud such was their high
opinion of its importance, that Lord Ho-
bart, then president of the board, and
Governor of Madras, caused copies Of
the report to be officially sent to the gov
ernments of Bengal and Bombay, remark
ing, that the school at Egmore had -four
ished Mnder system Of teaching alto
gether ne,v.
DR.. Bell arrived ia England in 1907
and published 10 that year the report a.
bove mentioned, together with the highly
respectable testimony Of the Government
of Madras; under the title of !" an ex-
pertinent in education, made at the male
YUM of Madras, suggesting a system
By wbich a school or family nlav teach it-
self under the Superintendahee Of the mas
ter or parent When the manuscript Of
this report was put into the hands. of the
Bookseller, DIR. Bell said TO him, 6 You
will think me an enthusiast, but ia thou
sand years this system of tuition win
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