Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1842-12-02
mont ao DofMtr.
fnID.8K, DECEMBER ,, 1912.
COMMON SCHOOLS.


Every individual who regards the happiness oi the
community. aud the welfare ofour country at large,
must feel deep interest in the subject OF Educn-
ton. Where the greatest amount OF ignorance IS
10 be found, there also, is the greatest amount OF
crime The stability and pcrmuncnce OF our Zee
publicnn institutions depend IN prominent de-
cree upon the general diffusion Of knowledge we
all acknowledge the truth Of the axiom, that
acknowledge is Power and with equal truth 1t
may be said that Intelligence is Liberty. An m
t,liaent mind cannot BE- cnsnvcd-whcn light and
kno,ylcdre beam ipon the soul the bonds oftyranny
are broken
A ucat majority of the youth Of our country ac-
unirc all the Education they ever receive III the
common school room. But few, in comparison, are
enabled to pursue their studies in our Academies,
or Colleges 1t is cmphaiicaiy the common school
that cducalcs the youth of our land-and prepares
Them to discharge the responsible duties that viii
dcyoye upon them when as men, they 90 forth
into the world; when they are called to fill the
places Of those engaged in the active duties of
lie. 1t is Of the utmost importance then, that
these nursircs of Education be- looked after that
The people interest themselves to that the schools
are not rcirogradIng, but continually improving
We rejoice every manifestation OF interest in our
schools, and at every improvement designed to cx-
tend or increase their usefulness
This being the season of the year when the
Winter Schools are commencing, we make few
suggestions to those Interested. In na,sy school
districts the inhabitants awake to their true in
teresis---aud with conmendable zeal, arc endeav-
orng 10 improve the condition of their schools );
but we confident that in many, very many
places, much that should be done is neglected.
In the first place, is youl school-house warm and
comfortable Have You good stove and plenty ol
dry wood 1t is utterly impossible, for scholars TO
"ook their books aud advance in their studies.
while shvering with the cold. We well remember
the sulerngs we endured, in our schoo-boy days,
in cold, smoky school.house--where we were
compelled to sit hour after hour, teeth chatter
ing, and weeping from a superabundance of smoke.
Scholars who 70 from their homes, where none OF
these evils nlct them, to such school room, will
fell but little disposition to study Every necessary
Apparatus calculated to aid the teacher in impart-
ing knowledge to his pupils should be procured. 49,
How many of our schools are unprovided with a
black board This is an indispensable article in
schools the cost, in comparison TO the benefits,
mere nothing.
Those whose business il is to hire teachers,
should be careful to employ those who coInpe-
teat. Not only should they be perfectly familiar
with studies they to teach, and possess faculty
10 communicate instruction in the best manner, but
they should be persons of unblcmished moral char
acter The influence of teachers over those placed
under their charge is great "As the twig is bent,
the tree is inclined be careful, therefore, that
your teacher is whose moral conduct may be
safely initiated Many teachers engaged mere
ly because they work cheap, without regard 10 any
thing else. These things ought not so to be. We
think, a general thing, the cheapest teacher is
the dcdrcSt.
1t is not only the duty Of the Committee but it is
every Parents duty 10 visit the School, and fire.
quently. 1t is an encouragement to both TEACHER
and scholars--and should never be deferred until
the "last day. when. is often the case, Parrot
lesson is rehcnrsed. Every interest, where dollars
and cents concerned, is closely watched-and
the agents Employed required To be Of the right
stamp. Is not the training of The youthful mind
of much consequence any other business
We hope every parent, the coming winter will
discharge his duty to the common school, and we
are confident that time and money spent in this
way, will never be a of regret