The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1823-08-12
COMMUNICATIONS.

SOnIuuO 1OINC.
Mr. SHIRLEY-A desire to be in some meas
ure useful, and not to CRAFTY selfish whim, in
duced me a short time since to offer for pubica-
ton few remarks on the method Of schooling.
as practced in this town.
| was at that time persuaded that Manv"
had in Education, No. l." unintentionallv err
ed; but later observations demand a less liberal
construction upon that piece, than was then
disposed to put upon il.
The writer alluded to, has in the last paper
attempted to refute my observations how farbe
has succeeded | am willing the public should
Judge.
" Many" has been pleased to style an acknotoL-
edged, fair and candid representation of our
younger seminaries, by Veritas, ga denomina-
ted" statement of facts and says, duty COM
peis us reluctantly to notice this communica-
tlon." In the next sentence he observes that
ms OBJECT IN performing this duty is in order
mat Jdcts and truth may be supported Thus
far we mad him reluctantly in support Of " facts
and truth, and thus far he is entitled to credit
The evidence on which" he depended for
facts, next folow.-TTas requires a few re-
marks.
lst. With the execution of the " Committees
Regulation" he has become acquainted THROUGH
the report of some idle, disafected bows. linen
ton this with confidence, because the Committee
the only proper Judges of the execution Of their
otrn commands, do not agree with Many in his
report, and he says, cit is by the testimony Of
some OF the eldest pupils now attending the Pub
lie Schools" | am well assured that no lads but
such as have mentioned disagree with the
committee; or agree with Many thence nv
conclusion.
"a. 1t should be remarked that he observes.
our own experience and observation before
we emenated from school," is another Of the
sources from which lie derives his knowledge oil
Iacts; and fifteen or twenty years" are ac-
hno"iedged to have passed, since this expert
ence, &c. 1t therefore can have nothing to do
with the present case.
50. Many" continues; and in our view
100 "Verltas' F" statement of facts (not de-
nominated'') "rather justifes than contradicts
tnem, excepting the following particulars, which
we Will now attempt to reconcile"
This attempted reconciliation NAV be seen in
his publication but to reconcile" it the reader
must hrst learn +" to amaIgamate bodies of het
erogenious principles
Of the time and purpose for which bows took
(" the arr" il were unnecessary to speak, but to
introduce another Of" Many's' very happv "rec-
oncatsdtions." He dad say they were out " fifteen
minutes" said Eve" He now says wheth-
er I'VE, ten or fifteen minutes, it is not very ma
terlaL A wonderful observation
In " Education, No. I, ;" we find the following
remark "now confusion is the order of the day
win many OF those who are not engaged in wri-
ing. In his justification he observes "these
are the children we referred to as making the
I" confusion" It's well known fact that there
are but few, and these very small children in
the town schools " who do not write. and such
are always placed by themselves. near the in
structors desk. But let us pursue him through
and see if his palliation be entitled TO charita-
BILE construction. To the last quotation he sub
JOINS, " from one quarter of the room cry is
sues John is pinching me'' g From another
" bill Is putting pins under me-" sc. Ia this
numerous and alarming condition Of the school.
Ihe only alternative is DR.. Johnson's system Of
nogglng, which commonly commences in good
earnest. These remarks also refer bv his log
zeal reasoning, to a few small, inoffensiye chill
dren.-" Alarming" indeed.
lie continues; " throughout the whole exer
cises OF the school let it be remembered. the
Sc"o'dTS arc on tlptoe to hear the clock strike
the welcome sound, and they fly as from pris-
on All TINS, Many" will now have Us be-
heve is owing to the conduct of such little hnvs
as " do not write"
10 reconcile" ttis you must pocket your
reason.
The method of writing and the quantity writ
ten is precisely as | before stated, and notwith-
standing Many" still persists" in his state
ment that four or FIVE lines per day" is the
amount, Tsay it is not true.
The fact is, the description Of our "Town
Schools" as given in Education, No. l." is not
founded in truth, and consequently is not to be
relied upon. | am warranted in saying, that in
Portland it has received but Uery iittIe, if anu
credit. If it has afforded either instruction or
amusement TO the rest of the good citizens of
New England, it is my serious desire that it may
be lasting; and that due portion of thanks,
may rest upon the head Of the author.
VERITAS