Washington telegraph., 1850-10-23
EDUCATIONAL ITEMS.
NUMBER /.


pledged myself to prepare series OF
articles for publication IN your paper
upon the subject of schools and teachers,
the best methods of instruction, and the
means to be employed in founding and
sustaining schools Of high order
design to redeem that pledge, and enter
tain the hope that the presentation OF
this subject in plain, practical, and un-
affected manner, will I've attended with
benefit to the Institutions OF our village,
as we'll as, to the general cause which
they were esta bished to promote. You
have, no doubt, observed tina; OF the many
effusions so frequently presented 20 the
consideration of the public, upon the sub
iect of education, few OF them bear the
stamp of vigor, or give indication of the
skill or experience of their authors. IL
has become a hackneyed theme, upon
which every tyro just beginning to try
his powers in composition, has remorse-
lessly pounced; and the subject, upon
which of all others, correct notions and
clear views ought to be entertained, has,
in consequence of these crude and Eex-
perienced efforts, been bnrdenea with
great many absurdi.ies, aud involved IN
a complete maze of sesquipedaian words,
and l.igh-soanding sentences. reference
TO the various essays and literary produc-
tions of the day will bear evidence to the
correctness of the remark. Indeed, the
subject has been theorized and speculatcd
upon to an extent so great, that the pub
lie mind has become completely sated,
and now requires more substantial and
nutritive condiment We want an ac-
curate exhibition Of facts. the simple,
unambitous statelpents of experience.
Now, though | beg leave to disclaim any
pretenlions 10 an unusual degree of skill
in my profession, or remark able vigor in
my style of writing, |, nevertheless, make
the request that may not he included
in the class of theorists to which allusion
is made. / do not write for the purpose
Of attracting attention to myself, and
thereby gratifying reprehensble vanity,
but for the simple object Of presenting
what l regard as sound and correct views
upon a subject of very deep interest TO
us all, and upon which many very mis-
taken notions are entertained. In the
language of Cicero in writing to his friend
Lentulus, 'Haec scribe non 9TH abun-
dantia, sed amoris erga te:" 81 write this,
not out Of the abundance OF leisure. but
of my affection for YOU" With this end
i'll view. must be permitted 10 express
the hope that, the articles which | shal
prepare will be read, and their merits
fully and fairly considered. I Go not de-
sign to deliver long holnily full of sb.
stract reasonings and sreculations, Of
the very srlte theme of education; but,
to offer in a plain way, some plain facts
and views upon the subjects above men
toned. | wish to point out many com
mon errors in the management of schools,
and the system of instruction, as well as,
to mark what is worthy of our continued
appreciation and support.
In addition to this, wish to show you
that your interest, as we'll as that of every
good citizen, is involved in the proper
establishment Of those means which will
secure the good education Of your chill
dren. | wish TO exhibit to your view the
fact, that the promotion of the cause of
education is Intimately connected with
The advancement of your best interests;
and as yon regard the future prospects
and success Of your community.-as you
desire the welfare and happiness of those
now dependent upon your care,-as you
love the country, and cherish the freedom
which God has vouchsafed to you,-and
as you regard the progress of the cause
OF religion, by SO much are you under
obligations to promote and assist the
establishment of permanent, well-regulat-
ed, and well-endow ed institutions of learn.
ing in your midst. With these prelimi-
nary remarks, respectfully solicit your
attention 10 the subsequent numbers, in
which the claims of this important work
will be presented, and the sub:ec. dis
cussed with reference to its connection
with your interest and wants.
S. L. S.