Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1849-05-04


Agrccnlly 10 a resolution passed at tho last
session Of the Legislature, a COPY OF "Darndrds
Schooi drehdccigrs, or contributions 10 The i'm
proycmcnt Of School Houses" has been sent 10
The Town Clerks Of this State, for the use Of the
several Towns. This Is a book Of between three
and four hundred pages, containing great VA
rioty Of information on the condition Of School
Houses in New England; common errors 10 be
aroided, and general principles 10 be oJserccd in
erecting new Ilousesi plans Of School Houses
recommended by practical teachers; also, plans
and descriptions Of several Houses recently
erected.
A book containing so much information can
not fail to be Of great service TO the cause Of
Education in our State, and the attention OF
Town Superintendent, School Committees,
Building Committees, aud the friends Of Com
mon Schools in tho several towns, Is earnestly
called to this work. and 90 the subject on which
it iirsis, VIZ, School Uouscs
Many new School Houses have bren erected
within ten years, in our county, no boiler, and
perhaps rorse than the old ones, for want Of
suitable information. The same money may be
expended 10 much better advantage when the
principles Of a good School House are under
stood Il Is often easier, rs well as cheaper, to
do thing rs It should be, thar TO do il as IL
should not be. Who would think Of building a
dwelling house now, with the large timbors and
huge chimneJs Of other days? Yet, while there
has been so much improvement in the mode Of
building dwelling houses and barns, there has
been in our county no corresponding improve
mcnt in School Iionscs. The District come to-
reiher, vote to build n new House, just Ike me
old one, aud then let out the job TO the ioicest
bidder.
Before visiting the School Houses in our coun-
IT, I did not believe they were generally half %
II ~
venicn,, seats uncomfortable with no shelves, OF
closets for clothes, no curtains, no scrapers mat.
} or brooms, and no means Of ventilation, part Of
the scholars shiycring with cold, another pari
roasting with hest, some sick with headache 60
they could not study, some sick with colds, and
all suffering from bad air do not believe ar
equal number Of slaves in the Southern State,
endure 80 much physical suffering rs the ehil
: dren who are shut up in our School Houses
haf.frozen, halfroasicd, and half-suffocated
The people in Vermont are noted for their sym
patty for the slaves, and canno, believe the,
are destitute Of all compassion for hev chill
dren. They need to be told that their children
suffer no, only in their studies, but in their hedlth
morals and manners. and that much Of the none
expended in schooling is thrown away for wan
. OF a suitable House and when tho subject
: fairly UNDERWOOD, ] am sure tho people will b
. willing to build better Houses.
, Selhshncss, enpdity and Pdrsimony. know
will for a while oppose and Prerent reform bu
intelligence, public spirit and humanity, will il
8 the end prevail. Arc not cur farmers buildinl
i. better stables for their cattle, better folds 70
their sheep. and even better pens for thci
: swine? And will these farmers have less con
passion on their children than on the dunn
] beastsl
: Says one man, ] do not think this book wi
be Of any use TO US, for we do not build such ex
pcnsive houses" But this is mistake. NJ
/ matter how cheap you build your housn--ihi
] book will tell you how TO build cheap house Is
the best manner; how TO expend your money q
, the bes, advantage. JAMES TUFTs.
!, Wardsboro, Vt, April, ls4s.