Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1846-03-26

SldDUItS3 AlOhi oiobCA GouSSS1 ~ iSSfHNAo4'J
Invited to participate in the ceremonies Of the
OCCASION " mchester Virginiofs.
THE SCHOOL BlLL.-The bill eS-
rtablishing a system of district free
schools, will be found in to- days pa
per. We ask for it a careful and i'm
partial perusal.
Every county in the State, where the
population is not too sparse, by avail
ing themselves of the provisions of this
!. bill, can now redeem themselves from
the reproach Of ignorance, at an expense
comparatively trifling. We are aware
that there are 20 De found those who
are opposed to the establishment OF a
system of free schools, such as the bill
under consideration provides for; and
we are aware, also, that there are those
who are opposed to any more efficient
than the present system. Without I'M
pugning the motives of those who dit
fer with US upon his subject, we can
not but think that, interest, no less than
patriotism, will, wherever it is pfacti-
cable, and where the provisions of the
bill are fairly understood, secure its a.
doption. Those who have children to
be educated, cannot, if they understand
their true interest. object to the easiest
and cheapest way of doing it; and those
who have no children, if they be good
patriots, will not object TO contribute a
smalI portion of their wealth to educate
their neighbors' children. Let the
people think upon this momentous
question, and-'we shall see what we
shall see. We will refer to this SUBJ
iect more particular hereafter.
To Correspondence most heartily ten
der our thanks to those who have SO generously
aided our efforts to extend the usefulness OF
our paper, in making it the medium for the
dissemination of knowledge, in the strlctest
and most legitimate sense of the term. The
suggestions thrown out few months since
have been responded to in manner that lndu-
ces US to look forward to the development OF
the full scope of our designs, with the most
unwavoring confidence. We are happy to per-
ceive that an increased interest in the questions
which have been published, is daily increasing,
not only in our own county, but wherever our
paper circulates to any extent Let the friends
Of science, and the friends of youth, press On
wards, until the object oftheir most ardent de-
ssires shall be contaminated.
We would just remark, while upon this
subject, that it is desirable that all questions or
problems, should be submitted in the simplest
form, and in as few words as the nature of the
subject will admit, SO that the space which is
allotted to them may be filled up to the very
best advantage; and it is also desirable, that
all questions should be written in prose; not,
to be sure, that we are not lover of good
poetru-(we have little music in our soul -
but we make the suggestion from motives OF
economy, as above referred to-and-we like
to have said-that an interesting question never
appears to greater disadvantage, that when
clad in suit of 'insutferable doggrel;'-ls Is
like clothing man Cor woman) of comedy ap-
pearance in rags and tattels.'s -lfthe dissem
nation Of solid and useful information be de-
srable, it is not less desirable, in carrying for
ward our designs. that the style of the writer
should be pure and elevated; for every publ
cation is destined to have its due weight In the
formationor moulding Of the taste and style OF
the Young reader, for whose improvement we
are laboring. 1t will be seen that, for the rea-
sons above named, we have reduced several
pieces to less than half their original length
simply by laying aside their poetic garb, and
investing them viii plain. unassuming suit OF
dull prose-
-:0-
| Foreign Ns,cs-The readers attention is
lob c,r,.~rv rn vrc ruhliched fn-Hav