The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-07-11
The Public schools OF this City-The Conn.,
mon Schools OF Connec tlcut.

we nave Deen wondering LOT come uliic pass;
what new aud beneficial results would flow from
the late act Of Legislature relative TO public
schools, and also TO see what our newly appointed
trustees, commissioners, &c, would do to improve
the present SYSTEM about which there have been so
many complaints Our attention has again been
called 10 this most important and highly Interesting
subject by the perusal of the Report Of the School
Commissioners of Connecticut and we purpose
making few remarks thereon, TO which we call
the attention of the authorities of our own public
schools.
Though Connecticut has long been extolled for
the excellsncy of her common school system, II ap
pears from the report of the Board of Commlsson-
ers of Common Schools" that previous to the year
1888, little general interest manifested in the
subject, and little had been done by the Legislature
toward improving and perfecting it. Indeed, the
good people of that state seem to have considered
it an incontrovertibe fact, that they had the very
best system of primary education in the world, and
must Of course, be looked up to by all the other
States, as well foreign nations perfect model
Those who staid at home, inherited, with their es
tates, this opinion Of their proenitors, never having
once thought it possible, there was anything to be
learned on the subject of education without the
boundary of Connecticut.
But in 1898, there was a movement in relation to
this matter. Men of intelligence no sooner looked
into the subject, than they found that for the income
of two millions of dollars, which was annually ex.
pended for the support Of common schools, there
was less accountability required than IN any other
department of the public service that there
officer of the government charged with the super
vision of this important interest; and that the sta
f,to hook for half h>ro Tex
of any efficient legislation to advance the interests
of common school education. The fact then forced
itself upon them that while their children had been
learning from biographies, compiled in Connect
cut that this the very paradise of the EARTH
lightened above all the other States and the United
States in general far superior to any other country
in the intelligence and means of education of its in
habitants-while their children had been learning
this, and being trained up to rest contened in their
fancied superiority, other States Of the Union, and
especially foreign nations, had been improving and
perfecting common school education, and leaving,
self-satisfed Connecticut in this important matter,
far behind the age. A Board of Commissioners,
consisting of some of the most enlightened men OF
the State, was then appointed by the Legislature,
with power to inquire into the appropriation of the
common school funds, and to take measures for its
udicious expenditure. Henry Barnard was chosen
Secretary of this Board, and charged with its duties
and responsibilities; he had travelled in foreign
countries, with view of rendering himself familiar
with their systems Of public instruction. He boldly
forward, and in his official character, told the
people Of Connecticut that there was amsng them
great mant of information respecting the school sys
tenn, and progress OF popular education in other
countries; and that "the true greatness of State
Ices not cons st In borrowing nothing from others,
but In borrowing from all whatever is good, AID
pertectlng what IS appropriate"
Mr. Barnard has spent four years in indefatigable
exertions TO improve the COMMON school system in
Connecticut, anu to carry forward his noble and
well directed efforts for the benefit of the rising
generation. Mr.. Barnards report constitutes the
anger portion Of the pamphlet before us. II de-
scribes the condition of the common schools in Con-
necticu, in 1898, when he commenced his labors,
and gives able and lucid account of the improve
ments in their condition which have been made
1ince that time.
II appears that the women of Connecticut are yea
ously cooperating in this important work. The
}oard OF Commissioners, referring to their efforts
hus remark The Female Association for the i'm.
rovement of common schools which originated il
KensiDgton, developes snW po,c9-a power every
where ditfused, and capable of universal application
FOR the moral and Intellectual Improvement of oul
common schools" This association was formed
inder the direction OF Mrs Emma Willard, the late
distinguished principal of the Troy Female Semi
aary.
From the outset of my career, says Mr.. Barnard,
have aimed TO enlist the active and jealous co-ope
ration of females, and especially Of mothers. They
stand at the very fountain of influence. The clean
liness, Dress manners, and punctuality OF the chill
lren, and the review or preparation OF the schoo
essons at home, depend mainly on them BY these
associated efforts, revolution in our common
chools can be effected. Let the mothers of dis
riot read, converse with each other, and becom,
we'll informed as TO what constitutes good school,
md the fathers and teachers generally will hear OF
nj inf n reD n left
rom the Rev. Mr.. Robbins, the able author OF
Outlines of Universal History" and some other
valuable works, and clergyman in the parish o
[ensington where the first female association fol
he improvement of common schools was formed
Mr. Robbins says, such a society has been talked
If from the time of Mrs. Wiards coming amongs
is-the original suggestion was hers and entered
| component part into the scheme she had devised
Tor the benefit of common schools At her instance
IN association formed in the East District, anf
I has been sustained with good degree of spirit
,ver since"
We regret that our limits will not permit us to
luote from the report of Mr.. Robbins, detailed
,ccount OF the operations of the Society, and the
numerous benefits resulting fromit; benefits seen il
he Improvement of school houses, additional furni
ure Tor the same, commencement of school libra
les, and the increased interest felt in schools by tn,
community at large Never, says Mr. Robbins, nav,
ne children been so neat and tidy in appearance
lever so willing, so ready, DESTROYS to attenc
chool-never have they gone thither with SO suita
e preparation in their hearts and minds, TO real
re the objects of education and never have the,
ppeared so well in their behaviour and studies -
Having been a school visitor for nearly six ano
twenty years, have had an abundant opportunity
orjudging, and such is the decision at which hav,
lrived. These, he says in conclusion, are some OF
he particular results of the Ladies' Association, a.
otced among us, aside from the general healthiu
impulse which it has given to the cause OF common
chool education-an impulse, hope, to last, no
or a few m nths, or few years, but from genera
ion TO generation
The power ant influence of women in society is
yreat, and what objects can more Immediately ap
zeal TO their sympathes than the interests Of their
hildrcn. We fear there are mothers who, in lhe
zeal for the Improvement Of the heathen not unire.
luen,ly neglect their offspring, or for the sake
~ gratifying their literary tastes or pous feelings
'ttend Lyceums or religious meetings, when they
houd be deyoing their attention TO the training W
IT their children This association, however does
not carry them from the immediate sphere of their
ufy but calls and fixes their ate ntinn To IL Their