The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1823-06-10

impressions are favorable rather than otherwise
to this system but these have been made by
superficial knowledge onlv and, possibly they
might not bear the Test of moro thorough ac-
quaintance. Let me not be understood as speak
ing unfavorably Of Mr.. Lancasters' plan, for nv
own views of il are altogether different; but
there seems 10 be general reluctance TO try
new experiments all at once. And had been
led to believe, for This reason, that the Lancas-
terrain mode, to its whole extent, whether the
best or not, would not be generally acceptable.
A part of il, however, Il think would be accepta-
Bile, and might be turned to very good account in
o ur schools.
This will appear more clearly if VIC call our
attention TO few facts. There have been usu-
ally about $50 scholars in each schoo--and three
hours are devoted, mornings and afternoons, to
instructon-as much, experience has taught us,
as any instructor can bear without hazardiDg bis
heath--as much, too, as can be profitable and safe
to the pupils. Surely half an hour is utterly
insufficient for the purposes of preparing the
books and pens, examining the arithmetcans,
and for the various and important duties of gov
eminent and discipne-and vet, under the pres
ent plan, the instructor cannot possibly devote
more time to all these various objects, for one
minute only remains 10 each scholar for reading
and spelling-and even this scanty period a.
bridgcd by the necessary usage Of allowing the
scholars to take the air for short time, twice
dav.
| Labors like these, altho' they may be, and
they are accomplished, cannot fail to fatigue the
/ instructor and destroy much of his usefulness
! A master may well and proftably employ two
hours, instead Of half an hour, in his attention to
other branches than reading and spelling and il
so much time can he spared bin for these purpo-
ses, the Improvement i'm our schools would be in
creased to an extent, Of which we do not, readi-
! ly, form a conception. And the instructor will
not be exhausted by incessant labors, which he
feels are not so profitable as he wishes; win
his powers be weakened by hurry, care, vexation
and perplexity.
| But the question is, can This be done' an
swer, with high degree of confidence in the af-
frmatiye.
| There are three clascs in each school, who are
/ reading and spelling in succession during the
whole period allotted for instruction, except tie
short half hour aforementioned. Now if the
lad at the head Of the first class should superin-
| tend the reariing andspclhag of the secondhand
1 the head of the second superintend the third
two thirds of the masters labor's in this depart
ment would be spared for other important parts
of bis duty, which he is now obliged TO slight, ii
I thus be saved. And the lads will be as well in
structed. as by the master himself, who will at
tend to the first class only. This will not only
excite laudable emulation in the scholars to
obtain such mark ofdistnction; but these SUBJ
instructors viii be gaining instruction them
selves for, altho they have passed the class
which they instruct, yet they will be revising
part of their exercises, which cannot but be profit
able. and which perhaps would otherwise be ne
elected.
1t will have another good effect; for when
they observe one who has made more improve
ment than they did at his period, il will lead TO
useful reflections, and excite to greater diligence
when they find one whom they excellod at the
same period, they will feel the rewards, and esti-
mate the value Of diligence and attention.
This project might be carried further, and give
the master YET more time, to be devoted TO arith-
metic and other branches, which under the pres
ent system are SO much neglected from inevita-
bic necessity. The master might select daily
two of his scholars 10 examine the exercises 81
the Younger arithmeticians. while attending him
self to the more advanced scoIlars only, and thu:
the sphere Of his usefulness would be vet more
considerably extended. Ifsuch regulations were
adopted, cannot but believe, that the progress.
sive Improvement OF the pupils, in any given Pc
riod, would equal chat of double the time under
the present management.
would not occupy too much Of your paper
with my observations upon this subject One
idea more,and have done. 1t was lately suggest
ed in my hearing by one of the instructors, that
| each class should be subdivi1ed into two parts
senior, and iunior-the latter to read first,
aud then attend during the reading of their sem
| Tor class, with monitor TO observe them 70 sea
| ii they attendant in case any one should dis
| cover marks of inattcntion, to call npon him TO
| read in conrse-by which the idles would detect
| themselves. was much pleased with the idea.
and believe il would be profitable regulation
il would give them habits Of attention and afford
to those, who want il most. an additional portion
OF instruction, it would also afford beneficial
mode of punishment for the inattentive in the
first class might be degraded 10 the second and
| 1t would excite in the junior class a profitable
emulation to riso-but this belongs TO the subject
of schotl government, upon which did moi in-
tend any remarks. APPARENT.