The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1823-06-03

Among the many plans that have been intro
duced, there is none that HIS acquired SO much
emnence, and is so Justly celebrated as the Ian
castriso system" Where the experiment has
been made, it has been patronizea BY the most
distinguished men. Ii has been tried in the coun
try, 10 many Of our southern cities, in EnrIand
Scotland, ireland, France, Germany, India, &c.
and in every place where it has been firIv fri
ed, it has been continued, and even exceeded
the most sanguine expectations of its advocates
The system is simplihed that one man can SUI
perintend the instruction of a greater number Of
children TO more advantage, than too can bv the
common mode. The children are kept from
idieness aud melted to study, and il is dl,nast i'm
possible for them to disturb others or remain in
active spectators themselves. The expense Of
educating a child year, on Lancaster's PLAN is
much less than the common mode, as win appear
by an extract from . Report on the subject Of
Education, read an the Senate of Pennsviconia
March Isl, 1922" Which report | herewith
send you, for publication, or any other nse you
may be pleased 10 make of it. When the facts
therein stated coming from such high authority
as the Senate of Pennsylvania, are considered,
together with the rapid progress pupils are kao,0n
to make in this system over others, | can but
think, that before any change is effected in our
public schools it will, at least, have a candid
and careful investigation givA it. And if, on
mature consideration, it should appear to prom
Use more advantages than any other plan. aud
doubts still be entertained one school onlaf might
beestablished, and fair trial be given, BY which
the town might come at facts 10 govern it with
regard to the remainder. MANY.
REPORT.
Education Of the Poor
The first school district composed Of tie
city and county of Philadelphia, Is so far as the
information of the committee extends the only
part Of the state into which the Lancastrian
system Of education has been introduced. The
schools in this district are organized under an
act Of the Legislature, passed on the third Of
March, 1915
The annual expense Of educating each child
has always been less than four dollars per annurn.
Prior-to the establishment of these schools, the
commissioners Of the county of Philadelphia paid
IT the rate of eleven dollars per annum, for each
child educated at the public expense. The econ
omy Of the new system is therefore too apparent
TO need any comment; add to which &c it is be-
Heved that small part only of the children
thus paid for By the commissioners. were actual
II taught in the schools in which they were en-
rolled-from the nature of their Office. the vari-
Gus services they have to perform and the imper-
lection Of the laws, it was impossible for the coun-
~ commissioners to exercise that minute and
availing control over either the pupils or teach
ers," which is chief excellence IN the present
system.
The boys are instructed in reading, writing
and arithmetic; and the girls are taught the
same branches, as well as ncede-woIk. in its
useful and economical departments. The sew
eral schools regularly and vigilantly inspect
Cd by the directors under whose immediate
charge they are "while the board of controie
extend to all Of them the general supervision
enioined bv the laws" The Improvement made
by the children, is such as might be expected
from well digested system Of education. admin
i~tered Under the waschf;l suPerintenAarce Of
those who seek no other reward for their labor.
save the satisfaction which thew derive from see
ing the objects Of their care trained mp in useful
knowledge, and fitted for their several stations
In society: of the moral and religions influence
of these schools, some opinion may be formed,
from the fact, that after digent inquiry no IN
stance appears. Of any of the pupils having been
arraigned for offences against the laws.
In their last annual report, the controllers
saw, that "each successive wear confirms the u
tility Of the mode of instruction which hos been
adopted and it is only to be regretted, that ma
nv parents whose children might be brought un-
der lis auspices remain regardless nf the advar-
tages, from the enjoyment of which they crimi-
nally withhold their offspring"