Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-02-05

gentleman of great Authority He stated, "hrre wao
throughout Virginia, great complaint not only of the
bet Of The subjects 'ught and o Ihe manucr Of tgDau-
iur. The CoirissDl.eIs frequently take iutT.s';
the rich do like 10 mGg! with The poor IN The Ci"
The las gives the iIter CT distinct objects OF pub
lie charity: therefore The former do not contribute to pub.
lie schools, but send aar or empuy tutor; the exai
ners are said often 10 be incompetent careless no
responsibility few reports, as to competency mode
and actual results of Instruction. money vouchers the
grand objects Of scrutiny at the meengscheapness tie
grea, Iug many of The instructors ignorant unskIlled
and drunken and The attendance CT The pupils inter
ruptsd"
William Maxwell Esq of Norfolk, says alt is now
obvious enough, think and seems think, 10 be pretty
generally agreed that cur present plan OF granting an
annual sum from the Literary Fund however, we'll in
tended has failed entirely He calls il "a mise rable
annual allowance for nothing
In memorial Of 1876 iIom Albemarle, Fredericks
burg and elsewhere, he sub cc of School for gri
culture the signeIs remark to the Legislature "thnk
that little more than what has been already done for
Education is required TO bring back Virginlas Palmy
days. Without al! the aid you give her moral dis
eases under which she is suffering intensely, will
finally des'rny her, or reduce her 10 condition Of which
every true frgnian will be utterly ashamed" gen.
tlc.nan of Albemae told "ihe present expenditure
of sor oil use'-and in almost those very words
spoke gentleman of Russell, who has been trying 10
do good with ill., and who has been school commissions
ever since their first organi2atIon professional gen
"he knew hut ore Common School master who was con-
pe,ent" | trust his acquaintance with the profession
was limited. lie then mentioned two who were ulter'y
incompetent. Another gentleman furnished me stale
menls that he knew several instances where persons q
drunkenness and The most Gebnuched character, were
instructors. Three he knew had been arragned Tor lie
lonv and one twice. he himself having defended him
and this client has since stated that he bad mace up
school did not ask him The names or the localities
What must be The information, the habits obtained a
such schools in The limits o! TeHding VIII
ing and arithmetic will tell you to hat the present
system condemns thousands The writing may c2'ent
to ones na:e 1t is troubled with correct spelling
am ADVISED tina; the reading but lahord, slow nnt
Stumbling recognition 81 words. without thought, ant
in the great majority If cases. without understanding
The arithmetic does not extend beyond tie simplest sl
transactions. ignorance is s in the land In The iur
nished statement alluded 10. find that III 1883 in one
the counties of the State, 90 cf - marriage lcens
bonds had cross marks for the different sigma ures-as
wear :. out or IS, in The pred!camenl; aud
of the notes for fees which the compiler has taken IN Il!
course Of five years practice than one third hay
crosses from inability 10 write In the same time, II
has had scarcely male client with the exception
those on the man road and in the towns who could viii
/ her name.
Do not bcnevoence. and justice, and patriotism, ca
upon the State and People 10 alter and improve ines
things; IHEO. H. JENCho.
! AplS0Doy, Washington CO Va.