Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-08-23
Communicated TO the American Lyceum.
by WALTER II. JOHNSON.

| AS the practicaJility of any system of
education seens to be the first considera-
tion in determining whether it be adrisa-
bic, it will be most consistent with the
natural order of things to examine that
point before we speak of the other.
1 To enable us TO judge Of the practica-
bility of combining two things, aud to
discover their congeniality, we must know
something of the nature OF each, and of
the circumstances favorable or adverse TO
the success of our attempt.
The 'nsoni,orial system is variously un-
derstood, and as variously applied, by
different persons who have had occasion
10 describe it in theory, or TO employ it
in practice. Hence has arisen much o.
ver-weening confidence on me one hand
and much uniounded prejudice on the
other. AS things extremely different in
their nature and circumstances are thus
often designated by the same name, and
as we have not introduced into our Ian
guage terms sufficiently distinctive, to
mark the species and varieties in this gen
eral denomination ofschools, the liability
to error and misconception must evident
ly be s,1at and perplexing.
/ The same remark may, with some lin
itation, be applied to the term common
schools. When by this term is meant a
class Of establishments, intended to con-
vey a certain kind and amount Of instruc-
ton, and embracing various classes of
children, but still continuous en- their sris-
tence and operation, we shall be able to
predicate concerning them, propositions
which do not by any means belong to-
those ephemeral establishments, which
passing by the same name, are in fact
wholly different in character and action.
I, In the latter class Of schools the Duration
of a teachers connection with his pupils
is limited to period varying from six to
sixteen weeks And as they are in ma
ny cases totally unknown to each other
previous to this brief come ction, it is not
surprising, however unfortunate, that even,
this should be deemed too long by both
parties.
And where the annual recurrence ofthe
season of teaching witnesses a return
of the same teacher to given district,
and of the same classes to receive his in
structions, still the long interval of busy
occupation has, in all probabiiity, inter
rupted or destroyed the chain Of associa-
tons which Lad existed on the previous
occasion. Consequently, any peculiar
arrangements for facilitating the labors Of
teacher, or increasing the attainments Of
pupils, are to be commenced anew; and
ffe elements and details ofa system to be
created from the same chaotic mass as at,
first.
That the whole duty ofteaehing and
governing large number OF pupils Of
different ages, capacities, and attain
ments, on the ordinary method, should be
devolyed upon single individual, is Of
itselfso obviously irrational, impolitic and
uneconomical, that were it not for It's fire.
Guent occurrence, we could hardly sup
pose that. the discenment and the inter
est Of our citizens would allow them to.
countenance the waste Of time and mon
ey which the plan evidently involves.
We might also presume that methods
of supplying the defects under which the
plan alluded to confessedly labors,
would be eagerly sought, aud that when
discovered, these would be persevering-
ly followed, until their cxce!lencies and
defects had been minutely, thoroughly
and fairly scanned.
1T is perhaps unnecessary to remark
that this has not been the case with the
system of monitorial instruction. va
riety Of circumstances have conduced to
this result. 1t will suffice, briefly to meH-
ton few Of them.
/. The prejudice Of EducoiioH'-ihe
method pursued with the teacher when
he was himself a scholar, is generally
that which he most readily adopts when
entering on the business Of inst, uction;
especially if without previous training to
the duties of teacher.
Q. The opposition Of i"terest.-1hose
who have only the means and implements
suited for. carrying on instruction in the
ancient manner, are with difficulty indu-
ccd to furnish new arrangements. Tbs.
cause has, it is believed, sometimes pre-
vailed even where the gain was clearly
demonstrablc.
8. The limited rie,rs cf teachers
Methods Of instruction in use beyond
their own,walls, or at least beyond their
neighborhood, nre seldom deemed wor-
thy of investigation. The business OF
teaching, as generally conducted, has
perhaps a tendency TO narrow and con-
fine the thoughts and energies ot those
who embark in il. Or if on some rare oc-
casion visit is paid to another school, a
difference in discipline or instruction,
whatever may be its superiority, is apt to-