Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1845-08-25

Paus,iA which, nj the commencement Of tho eghteenh
century, but weak and uncomfortable state has be
come Of the important and powerful nations @
Europe Is pre.en, sr,ent embraces Of iO7 OO
square miles. with population OF l4.OOo.O0o. which
nearly equal the whole white population OF the un,e
States.
The government Of Prussia Is nearly an absolute mon
archy and yet such the wisdom and bene6cence OF IL
administration. that country Of Europe private ngh
thoroughly respected. justice riedy obser'
cd. EVERY thing for the peo,le nothing by them" the
fsvorite principle Of the administration
This is striknRy evinccd by the wise and paerha' poll
CIV Of the government relation to public instruction.
The Pru..ian has done more To PROVIDE io
the trkes people. the OF Primary instruction. han
any other govemment-cher in Europe or America Inc
happy that good elementary schools are 20
numerous and education general that 1t is rare OF moi
impossible find person oi mature Throughout ffus
STA who has been well instructed in oil tho practical
and useful branches Of learning II there are any eScep
,ons TO this remark they only be found IN some small
d,rcts in the remote parts which border ON kus
sia.
The excellent school system Of Prussia - not OF recent
orsiu il was confirmed by Frederick the Great IN 1909
Tho Guided by an enlightened and liberal policy, applied
h,m.. necessarily promote the welfare and happiness
of This people In 1874 introduced into the frus-
,,an Code and was finally adopted IN the law oil ioi'
By this law all parents in Prussa are bound to SEND he'f
children to the public elementary schools or to SATISFY inc
proper authorities that their education Is sufficiently pro
vided for at home.
This obligation confined to parents and guardians
but extends to all persons who have the control OF chill
dren such as manufacturers and masters OF npprenhees'
nl.o .pples to children both from their seventh to
their fourteenth year complete Twice year. the sehoo'
committee and the pal authorities make s o' AT
the children district whose parents nave NOT p'-
ded for the education and require the attendance VI a
who arc within the prescribed age This attendance,
.f,.t - ON m
children will be properly instructed elsewhere; but IN this
the parents nevertheless bound contribute 10 the
school TO which their children from their location, would
naturally belong.
Every teacher is required keep list of attendance
which delivered every fortnight TO the school committee;
And in order facilitate the regular attendance OF the
children and yet altogether deprive the parents o their
the hours Of lessons in the elementary schools
are arranged such manner as to leave the chldren
every day hours for domestic labors.
To enable poor parents obey the law, care Is taken
10 proyde their children with suitable books and clothes
alt is hoped says the law that facilities and assistance Of
this kind the moral and religious influence OF cergymen ana
the good advice OF the school committees municipal author
tiles will cause people gradually appreciate the ad
van,ges good elementary educauon; and Will inluse IN
to the minds Of young the desire Of obtaining know
ledge winch will enable them seek 1t oi their own &C
accord"
IT, notwithstanding these facilities and inducements, the
parents omit send their children to school, the clergy
man Of the district first required apprise them OF the
the duty which they neglect and should his
eIhortations prove sufficient the school committee is at
liberty them and demonstrate with them as the
circumstances Of may require The only eScu
ses admitted are certificate of illness by medical
III. absence Of the children with their parents OF the want
Of clothes.
Parents who continue eet this important duty 10
TO their children forft all claim pecunary assistance
from the public except the allowance Tor instruction, which
however, is not permitted pass through their hands
vii Office in the community J. w. NJ.