Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-07-28

TOT the Eastern 1fnaeS.
The North Grammar School and its Play
Ground.

-"
Mr.. EDITOR Please to allow me, through
your columns, to call the attention Of our cItl-
zens and Of the City Government TO subject
Of vital importance to the city, and especially
10 our public schools.
There is LOT of land lying on the West
side Of Middle street, between the North
Grammar school house and the new Primary
school house on North street, that's very much
needed for the accommodation of the five hun
dred scholars who attend these schools during
forty weeks Of the year and which can now be
bought on reasonable terms, and much cheaper
than at any future time. II this opportunity to
purchase il, is allowed to pass, it is very doubt
full whether the city can ever again obtain it.
Let the parents Of the children who attend
those schools, see to it, and express their
wishes to the City Government, SO that they
may act in the matter, and acting, feel that
they are carrying out the desires Of their con-
stituents.
know the city is expanding quite large
sum of money, this season, for public purposes,
and sure / am, that every one must feel pleased
to see the improvements now being made, and
not only feel willing but proud to bear his part
Of the expense. But let not this consideration
have the least weight to hinder the purchase of
that lot. Every dollar expended for our pub
lie schools will come back to the city in hun
bred fold, not only in dollars and cents, but in
our better educated young men and women,
higher literary taste and intellectual develop
ment, and ia purer and safer moral condition
of the community.
A pleasant school room and good play
grounds have more TO do in forming the char
acter of the Young, than most people think !;
and appeal to you, parents, and ask, what is
of so much importance TO you, as the forma-
ton Of The character Of your children! On
this depends not only their own prosperity and
happiness, but very much Of your own. We
want higher appreciation of the value and
majesty Of highly cultivated intellect. We
want better acquaintance with the laws of
mind, and Of the principles of intellectual
growth and development. New England is
raising up race of men and women, who are
TO shape, not only the destinies of this great
nation, but of the world. Let us do our part
promptly and faithfully. The city has indeed
been liberal for the last Ten years in providing
for our public schools, and were it proper in
me, should say that our people may well be
proud Of what has already been accomplished !;
but much still remains 10 be done. In COM
mercial point of view, and this is a view which
is often taken Of things in these days, it will be
seen, that education is an advantage to the
wealth of community. Property suffers no
depreciation on that account. 1t creates
wealth. II sustains the responsibility and dig
nifty of wealth. Education underlies, fosters
and protects every other interest Of the city.
No pen can describe the tremendous power
exerted by our system Of common schools,
over the public mind The astonishing results
Of to-day are TO be attributed TO education, and
this it is alone which has power sufficient to
control the mighty elements which il has reused
into increased activity. But lis true value is
not to be measured by the amount Of revenue
it secures. 1t strikes deeper chords. 1t
touches more vital interests. II deals with the
mind Il takes hold upon eier-
nifty and tracks its way 10 the very throne of
God. Whoever lends his money or his inhu-
ence to advance this great scheme of human
improvement, does just so much 10 give dignity
10 human character, and swell the tide of hu-
man happiness. Those who do this, act not
for Bath, or New England, or this land mere
ly, but for the world. More anon.
A CITIZEN.
Bath, July 25lh, 1853.