The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1848-09-02
Eor the Innrnal.

| Mr.. EDIroR:-You will allow me with plea
sure, am confident, to say few words thro
your columns in reference TO Mr.. Chute's
school in Lamasco. He had private examin-
alton on Thursday, TO which few ladies were
invited, and myself among others. Had MT
been previously acquainted with the teacher,
| could easily have ascertained his character
from an examination of his scholars. All OF
them appeared TO advantage, though they were
mostly i'll the subordinate studies. They
showed that their teacher was thorough-that
what they did, he required them to do rcll
aud understand fully. This is the great desid-
eratum in teaching. Let person learn the
primary branches of study well, and he can
master all the more advanced ones without the
aid Of teacher, if possessed of an ordinary
share of intellect. 1t is an unfortunate fact
(Which believe no one will deny) that per-
sons literally educated are often found who
are defective in their knowledge of the elemep-
tary branches. As DIR. Webster remarks: 1--WE
ind very few, comparatively speaking, even
strictly the rules OF Grammar in the construc-
ton of sentences and still smaller number
who are able TO punctuate correctly" This
results from a defective eduea ton in the ele-
mentary branches fstudy. If these were cor
rectly attended to in every instance, we should
have very little cause to complain of want of
intelligence in the community. If the basis of
education were properly laid in our common
schools, reading and reflection would become
constant sources of pleasure to those
who are naturally incident, and all would be-
come votaries of learning. Such has begun to
be the case in the New England States; and
this change has been produced by reform in
their school system. Some of the first minds
in the community are there engaged in the CON-
mon schools; and such only should be employ
ed. The conductors of our early education
require more tact and discretion, or, l should
say. more common sense, than those who instruct
in the higher seminaries of learning. Hence
it results, oflentimes, that literally educated
teacher is less successful than one who has en-
joyed more limited advantages. Such is not
the case with Mr.. Chute. He has been favor
ed with collegiate course of training; but he
understands fully how to conduc. the early de-
velopments of the mind. He knows how to
adapt himself 10 the intellect of the most stu
pid scholar, well as to those who are quick
at experimenting, and in the more advanced
studies.
Mr. Chute's school has numbered during the
past session 66 scholars, which is an unusual
number for Lamasco; but he has been capable
of attending to them without difficulty, and |
hope the people will still continue their pat
ronage. The English language is the language
of the country, and the German population
should send their children to the English
schools. Many of the Germans are in error on
this point. They neglect the English educa-
ton of their children. thinking that a know
ledge of German a lone will fit them for bust
ness and usefulness. 1t is no doubt desirable
that they should understand German, but il is
still more important, that they should be able
10 read and write in English.
A FRIEND OF EDIICATION