Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1839-05-16
THE TELEGRAPH.
-----
B AT H !, M E.:
THURSDAY MORNING, MAY le.

~ DA I've
7 EDUCATION OF YOUTH. There is no
subject, that more particularly concerns a
free people, than that we now propose to
touch upon-the education of our youth.
And still, it must be admitted, that we have
as people, been culpably negligent-nay,
wickedly indolent, in the correct and faith
full discharge of this great, binding duty.
We are glad, however, to see that an in
terest is beginning to be felt, in almost eve.
ny section Of our country, in behalf of this
too long neglected subject We trust the
good work may progress ard prosper, un-
til mighty revolution is effected.
The object of this article, is, to invite
the special attention of School Committee
men, to some particular and very impor-
tant branches of their duty, in immediate
respect to the approaching summer schools.
The first, and fundamental duty of the
Committee man, is, to obtain a correct
understanding of the various and RESPONSE
BILE relations he sustains to the community;
the existing provisions Of our Common
School laws, and the most probable and ju-
dicious operation Of those laws. 1t is but
IA trifling palliation, in heglect.hg this duty,
that we condemn these laws, as not being
what they should be-so enlarged, liberal
and comprehensive as necessary, this will
avail but little. We suppose no man, hay-
ing vast interests at stake, in distant city,
requiring his immediate, and personal atten-
ton, would think of excusing himself on
account of the injudicious location of the
roads over which he must necessarily trav-
ell. He might well suppose that ruin would
inevitably overtake him, should he wait for
more agreeable, and shorter thoroughfares.
So in regard 10 Our present system Of pub
lie instructon,-if not what 1t should be,
so much the more reason then, that it
should be fully understood, in order that
we may receive from it every possible benz
eft, until better can be devised.
Another most important duty dcvolvng
upon Committee men, is, the selection of
Teachers. This duty, is indeed most
responsible one, and requires exercise Of
the utmost discrimination, and the most
sciupulous imparialliiym The Committee
should rest satisfied, nothing short Of
decided conviction, FOUNDED upon a faith
full and scrutinizing examination, ) as TO the
qualifications of their instructors. And here
we may remark, that peculiar qualifications
are to be sought after that is, we are not
to be content, with the mere literary q0al-
ifications; we know of many persons who
are eminently qualified in this respect, and
yet, by no means, fit for this high and les-
ponsibe station. There is deep knowl-
edge of human nature, definite, and
thorough plan Of government and high
and abiding sense of an over-ruling and
All-wise Providence, that peculiarly pre-
pares the otherwise competent teacher, for
certain and extensive Usefulness, in his in
teresting field Of labor, that should never
be overlooked.
Personal, and frequent examinations OF
the schools, is another duty belonging to
the Committee, that cannot be too faithful
ly performed. We think every town,
would find it much TO the advantage of
its schools, if visited by the Committee,
at least, twice a month, and oftener, if pos
sible. This, while it would encourage and
strengthen the faithful teacher, could hard
ly fail of bringing to light the incapability
of the Inefficient
Thus much for the present. Hoping
that general attention may be directed to
this all important subject, and that meas
ures may be speedily adopted by which the
character of our common schools, may be
properly elevated, we now dismiss the
subject, until we find time 10 pass upon a
few other important topics, connected with
the above remarks.
LADYs Book. The May number Of this
popular work is before US. In addition to
its usual quantity of valuable reading, from
the pens of the most able and entertaining
writer's of the day, this number contains a