The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-05-23
COLUMBIAN ACADEMY.
WASHINGTON, May 10,

i THINK it my duty 10 inform those whose children
under my care and those who intend to send that
the following regulations must be complied with
That all scholars attend regularly the hours OF
tuition, without imperous necessity prevents them. The
majority of those who call upon say that their children
have been long time at school with many teachers
that they hate their books and their school, and have
made no Improvement in useful knowledge What they
state IS in most cases many of them are SO far gone
That 1t impossible to make any alteration them for
the better. Obedience they not bear-application
and regular attendance hateful to them. Now do
their parents generally take an active part in aiding the
teachers to them Of their evil habits? When their
parents find that they know their teachers not
age them, they send them here, and the time,
tell U.S. that they would have them BEFORE but they
heard 1t will be thirtysix years this
day, the 10th of May since opened at the Navy Yard
with only four scholars have had some thousands I'M
der my care and have been very fortunate reforming
many vicious youth, and improving them, morally and
intellectually (by kind treatment, exactness and proper
distribution of rewards and punishments) for which
received the thanks of their distressed parents They
convinced that was their frend--obeyed all
my regulations and among the best scholars had.
few years back, two hundred scholars might be man
aged with greater than fifty and improve
in useful knowledge in years than they do in
ive This is not the blame of the youth, but of those
who managed them. There is no individual who pays
attention 10 the rising generation, but must lament the
conduct of the Washington youth, and not help but
think there is some mlsmanagement in regard to their
education at home and at school, When they arrive at
the age of IA 5 they consider themselves ladies and
gentlemen and try to convince their teachers that they
such by coming and going when they please, and
please
convince the younger scholars that they above obey
ing the Rules and Regulations; and instead of setting
good example, they are proud of setting the very worst
The following will no doubt be considered APP
plicabe to the conduct Of these woud-be gentlemen:
MIscHIEvoUs ADJUSTMENTS ScHooLBoYs.
Schools, unless discipline were doubly strong,
Detain their adoescent charge too long;
The management of tyros Of sixteen--(or fourteen)
Is difficult their punishment obscene
The stout tail captain, whose superior size
The minor heroes view with envious eyes,
Becomes their pattern, upon whom they fix
Their whole attention. and ape all his tricks.
His PRIDE that scorns Z obey or to submit,
With them is cOurage-hs effront'ry, wit.
His wild excursions window breaking feats,
Robbery Ofgardens, quarres in the streets, &
His harbreadth 'scapes, and all his daring schemes,
Transport them and are made their fav rite themes
In little bosoms such achievements strike
kindred spark; they burn to do the like
COVER.
have repeatedly stated that am great enemy to
holidays defy any man to prove their utility in our
common schools. When some years ago, did give a
few holidays, for many days before the time found it
impossible keep the scholars their studies. The
girls distracted and tormented their parents for
dresses to go visiting, whether they able to do
or not was no concern with them.) Boys were laying
disturb the public peace. The bodest and wlckedest
amongst them was the favorite, and commander chief
Many got sick and gave more trouble to their parents
during this short vacation than during the whole year.
and with the greatest Efforts they could be collected
for many days after the time appointed Neither teacher
nor scholars Knew where they gut NOR where to begin
custom Although did not charge for the holidays,
still thought was committing great crime for permit
ting the youth under my to spend much time
ideness and wckedness, and giving trouble to their
| parents. MI t4 < stg .t
The fewer holidays the better for both teachers and
scholars that intend to do their duty Education can
not be forced Time must be taken to perform that i'm
portant duty well. No teacher did or ever will
take too much of his establishment those ntrus
be better scholars in half the time that is usually
spent at school, (more moral and useful through lfe by
proper and energetic system Of education which would
employ their time WELL and make study pleasing them.
have scholars that have been and seven years
at school, and did not know the multiplication table when
they came, nor the most simple rules in arithmetic, nor
one part of speech from another in English grammar;
and some Of them not exceeded by any children in the
city in natural abilities. They would have been good
scholars in half the tme fjustice had been done,
Those who have the management of youth ought to
manage them they do their fshtake them in time.
They are easily spoiled and then they are hard to cure
Spring time of youth is past and never
parents would calculate the time and treasure spent
by their children school, what value they have re-
celved, what improvement they have made in useful
knowledge and good MORALS they would find that large
majority of them improved only ideness, wickedness
dsobedience to their parents ana teachers and in dis
turbng the public peace Perhaps full time for those
who have the of the rising generation to judge for
themselves, and, Unnecessary to make change. They
have great consolation they may rest assured that
they not change for the worse If eur youth
travelling in the way they should go, they certainly
gaopping rapidly in the way that they taught and
encouraged to 60 This must be acknowledged by all
who pay the least attention to them. Some, perhaps
think it best to permit them to continue their wicked
reer and when tired they will return to the path of
tue Others think when they have gone far enough
they will be converted, instananeously, like St Paul
was This doctrine is rather desperate depend upon.
JOHN MLEOD Principal
p Again wish 1t expressly understood, that all
scholars attend :he hours of tuition punctuay and
pay their bills the expiration of each quarter be
dismissed. Without adopting this plan, do
Justice ourselves scholars
Since commenced teaching IN Washington have
lost upwards Of five thousand dollars Many have
their children who intended to pay cent ea-
cept in insults and calumny.
intend to make change in very short tme and
adopt the cash SYSTEM which to all trades
still active and healthy, and may still teach many
years. The Columbian Academy is located in one Of
heanffill and snluhrinlla Washnnton