The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-08-05
Edisswiai s,srresps.Ae.ce..

Dean FRIESDs: Knowing the interest felt by
many readers Of the Examiner in tho cause Of
Education, IL has seemed TO me that brief ac-
count fam hour or two spent at one Of the
Normal Schools Of Massachusetts, weuld not be
inappropriate to our columns or unacceptable to
/ our friends.
Thess schools were established few years
since for the purpose Of preparing teachers for
the sacred work of instruction. The one
which had the happiness Of visiting yesterday
Is in the town Of West Newton, the place OF
residense Of that noble friend of Education,
Horace Mann. The school Is under the care
Of Mr.. Pierce, man, who to highly culiiva-
ted mini and heart alive TO the claims of hu-
manity sdds an experiences Of many years In
teaching which gives him peculiar adaptation
for his Office. Yesterday was set apart for
the tri+nnual convention Of the graduates Of
the school. and beautiful indeed was the appear
ance presented. Here were two hundred or
more young ladies', who, during the past nine
years have gone forth from this institution to
engage IN datias as rsspenaihlA- and -i..re.a~..
as can dovolve upon any human being. Hithsr
had they come from far and near. from the i'm
mediate nsighborhood. from the distant coun-
ties Of this State and even from remote parts Of
OF Union. Some had come from the banks OF
our own beautiful Ohio to join their sisters In
the happy reunion.
Thespectacle presented was one Of exceeding
interest Every countsnance was radiant with
joy, every eye beamed with intelligence. The
asssmblage was happy even to e1hilaration,
but without frivolity. All hearts seemed con-
| scious Of the sacrednsss Of the work coniided 10
them, and dssirops Of becoming better and bet
ter adapted TO Its accomplishment.
II was touching sight to behold these young
ladies' a. they gathered around their beloved aud
revered teacher Father, they called him, and q
father indeed he seemed. so venerable his aspect,
30 benign his countsnance as he looked with
moistened eye upon every returning pupil. and
gave TO each the warm graap Of affection and
uttered his low but earnest words Of welcome.
Nine years has this school been in existence.
During this period II has sent out four hundred
and eghty-two teachers, most Of whom con-
time in the work for which they were here pre-.
pared, though some, rs would be expected Of 80
large band Of intelligent and interesting la
dies, have entered into other relations, and some
have been called from the schools Of earth TO
the higher institutions Of heaven. Doubtless
they were well prepared for their removal, for
the influences Of the Normal School are as ia
vorable to the spiritual as TO the intellectual
culture Of the pupils.
Well may the citizens Of Massachusetts look
with pride upon these institutions. For everv
parent and every other persoa to whom the
welfare Of the young is dear, they possess deep
interest. Here teachers, true teachers, are pre-
pared; and not merely teachers, but educators,
in the high sense Of the term The course Of
instruction through which the pupils of the
Normal Schools are carried, IL thorough, and
we'll adapted TO make accurate and accomplished
teachers; bnt this Is not the only or chief end
aimed at. tits the purpose Of the Board Of Ed
ucation and Of the noble men who have imme-
date charge Of the schools, to send out teachers
who not only shall have pre-sn tuent intslIectu-
al qualifications for their Office, but who shall
realize how great thing Il Is to be entrusted
with the care Of young immortal beings, and
who shall be prepared 10 educate the hearts and
souls as wsll - the minds Of their pupiIs,
The isaasnce Of thsss high psin.,lplss .al.a
true viewsi b already very obvious. nh
in the msu,bsrs Of tie NsSax1n< ~
led % rsealk 49,