The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-12-17

Each flower, each leaf is crisp and scar
But" merry Christmas :" draweth near
And soon will close the rolling year,J
And many-very many in the favored county OF
Norfolk, are doubtless awaiting with unwonted
anxiety, the commencement of the next; as tina,
Is the time designated for opening the Free
Schoots-one of the greatest blessings that can be-
bestowed upon a free people. That the mass
should be enlightened--that the means of educa
ton should placed within the reach of all needs
no armament, 1t will be admired; and what means
so efficient IN the diffusion of Knowledge as the
establishment of Free Schools. For their success
let us hope, but let us fear for their failure II
1t would not be presumptuous, beg leave TO offer
few hints to those upon whom their success
mainly depends-Teachers, Parents, and Guard
ulahs' IL must be very gratifying to every be-
he'oiet person who Is interested in the welfare of
'he young, that the means formerly employed To
MAINTAIN discipline in schools-the rod-the dark
closet-the in1ct:un of pan-have now become
nearly obsolete. Instead of havinu recourse tn
tedr and terror To secure obedience on the part of
pupils, Philanthropy and Science have united in
p"in'ing cut reason, hope, gratitude, ioue, and
sense oi kindness to accomplish The same object
IL need not be said the latter more efficacious
more salutary IN their efforts upon the mind
than the former; against which many are ready
TO raise their voices in condemnation | would
not be understood discountenancing corporeal
punishment entirely in schools; but | believe il
should bs used only as dernier resort IL should
be the first object of every instructor of the young
10 induce them TO respect and love him and il
should be the care of both parents and teacher to
make the children love their school and their books
Gan this be accomplished if the school room is un-
comtortable-if the teacher is unpleasant, cruss
and petulant? Too often are school houses fur
hisned with announcement seats-perhaps without
oacks-and upon such seats small children are
conhned three and four hours at time Itshould
De remembered " that in the early part of child.
hood, and even of youth, every fibre is so full, so
exuberant of vitality, that rest is pain, and motion
pleasure" For a child TO be long kept on any
seat however comfortable, is very tiresome; but
TO be confined on hard seat destitute of back.
win nothing to support its fragile Frame is insup-
portable; and frequently the cause of distortion
and deformily Exercise is of the greatest i'm.
Portance to the young, and at school they should
not be deprived of it. Would it not be wise
and JudIclous plan TO allow short recess in the
middle OF each half day, for exercise and diver
SION Dr. Rush commeDds exercise above all
things. to recall dormant ideas-to enljyen and in
vlgorate the mind.
am aware that teachers differ in regard TO the
best methods of imparting instruction. but there
is one fact which should not be lost sight Of that
Impressions received through the sight are more
lasting than those received by any of the other
senses; what is merely told is soon effaced from
the memory, whilst impressions received through
the sight are, comparatively, indelible;" hence
the utility OF Blaekboards-by means of which
many things may be illustrated and demonstrated,
OF which we could otherwise impart only the most
imperfect ideas. Every one most be aware of the
advantages OF having uniformity of text books.
are The books furnished by the public? let them
oe .ne same III all the schools: are they furnished
by the parents2 let measures be taken to accom-
plIsh the same thing. This will be productive Of
the most happy results-at least SO thinks
A TEACHER.