The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-10-21

amidst the abors and trials Of common life. The
of mind, rs il comes up 10 mntnrty, may, by prog
er system of education be disciplined TO viSor, and
furnished with nm amount of knowledge, fitting for
almost any station, not involving the necessity Of pro
fessionul skill for its success ~
do not undervalue the higher seminaries They
must be sustained established upon solid ioundu.
tions-placed beyond the reach Of embarrassment
and want. They important, not only TO train in
siructors, and fit for the learned proession but
10 maintain n high standard Of education in conimul
nifty They are like the sun shining in his strength,
and communicating light and heat 10 the bodies by
which he is surrounded. But If we would sustain
them, let us elevate the standard of common ednca-
tion for in proportion that is DONE will the higher
institutions be more valued and more literally pat
ronzed and endowed; while there will be, through
out the community, greatly increasing thirst Tor the
water that comes from these deeper and purer Goun
tahs.
The greatest desderaum in regard 10 common cd
ucation is, improrea modes IF teaching, modes by
which the hitherto great waste Of time may be avoid
ed-the mind stimulated 10 activily-uuned to hNb-
us of sefreying effort, and learned 10 ego aone,'
il shall be thrown upon its own resources, amid,
the abors and responsibilities Of practical life. Time
waits not The sluggish and inefficient movements of
false methods Of teaching 1t bears children rap
idly onward 10 manhood, prepared unpreprred for
the great duties Of life. But double the power
Of human energy by processes in agriculture and
MECHANIC arts may double the allotted time for
education. We are eager TO avail ourselves Of the
augmented power 10 gain wealth through the won
derlGl discoveries and improvements Of this age
Rail roads augment the value Of every thing they
touch or approach, and we are, therefore, awake TO
their importance; but there not wonderful
Developments TO be made of intellectual wealth by
improved modes Of education7 Shall Other improve
nents 60 on, while this stands still? Are the mind
and heart OF people Of less importance than the
terials Of wealth in The earth they inhnbil? Shall
caref lilly improve the breeds of animals while we
neglect the improvement Of man? Ifhe is esteemed
public benelnctor who makes two blades of grass
grow where grew before, is not he a greater,
who devises means for doubling the productive pow
er of the mind Of people!
And now ia presented the great nquiry-Dy what
means shall the needed reforms be effected in the
management and instruction Of our common schools?
This is, practically, difficult question The first
thing to be done evidently is TO ascertain The present
condition Of our schools in regard the precise de-
fects in the modes ofnstrucon the character Of the
books used and the general standard OF qualification
of teachers.
Though we have doubtless many good teachers
there is in general manifest deficiency in this rc.
spect. Nor should this surprze US. 1t would Tnth-
er be surprzing If, under present stem-r sys
tenn it can be caled-the standard of qualification did
not fall FAR below what it should be- Tenching is,
generally, but Temporary resort either obtain the
means of an education, Of emharkng IN other pur-
suits. II should he profession, as honorable as il
is responsible There will he good teachers when
we shall mature common school system which shall
create demand for, and furnish the mennsol reward
ing them. ''
There should be, furthermore, an examination nto
The condition of the school houses, in reference to
their size, seating, ventilation warmth lncation and
the grounds connected with them.
Information all these points should he embud-
Ted and brought out, in order to awaken the public
attention TO the necessity Of vigorous and systematic
efforts to reform. And this must he done under leg
lsatlve authority, by persons competent nspec-
ton, and TO the making Of its results Ineligible and
useful, as basis Of future action Such inve ii
cations have been the first step in the prosecution of
educational improvement in the States Of Connec-
cut, Massachusetts aud New York, producing, with
IN few ye nrs, great and beneficial results in these
States VIII Vermont longer hesitate 10 follow their
example, On you rests the responsibility ofdecding
this question would not urge too hasty and head !
long efforts at Improvement. Gradual progress is the
law of advance TO sound and vigorous maturity in eve
ry thing. But there can be advance without !
beginning %.
How shall this beginning be made. is a question !
Tor immediate consideration. The exploration sug- !
gesed, TO be Of any avail, must be uniform, universal
and thorough. To make il such, compensation is OBJ
vious'y indispensable We have cnco tried it with
out and failed; and without ii, we shall fail again
I here must be an efficiency which the responsibility |
OF accepting trust with compensation can alone Sc
cure. BY what agencies the work shall be done il !
will be for wisdom TO determine. 1t will he worthy
Of consideration whether they may not be SUCH in
part, shall be needed for the general supervision
necessary TO carry forward and perfect system Of
euucdllSnHi improvements Such Tor example,
board of commissioners as is Connecticut or Of Edu-
cation as in Massachusetts, general Surerintend-
ent OF common schools with County Supeinte dents
as in New York There may be advantages worthy
of consideration in the direct and undivided rcsponsi-
biy of single general SUPPLEMENTARY, while the
County Superinenents may well be supposed from
the range given for their selection to exercise tho rir
id supervisors and make the suggestions of improve
ment indispensable 10 progress in the reform.
This corresponds somewhat with the Prussan
system ofsuperinendency, described by the Sec
rotary OF the Massachusetts board Of Education in the
late report of his visit TO Europe for purposes connect
ed with education The kndom it appenrs from the re
port is divided into circles districts, in each of
which is cone or more school commissioners or in
spetcors, selected from the most talented and educa
ted men in the COMMUNICATED would be APP
pointed presidents professors in colleges. Judges
OF the higher courts. The whole Prussian svstem'' !
says the anther Of the report, compressed with
deep sense of the vast difference in the amount Of
general attainment and talent devoted to the of
popular education in that country as compared with
my other country stated had ever SEEM Over
all the other functonaries entrusted with the execu-
lion of their system IL the Minister of Public Justice
who is member Of the Kings Cabinet 'sSuch has
also been the case in France since the late organza-
lion Of their system of public,instruction - j. .
Under the New York system it is the duty of the
County Superintendent visit the schools in their
nacttx,a Nu,tinS ,.,;,h !