The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-01
THANKSGIVING IN THE -FOUR I'll WARD IN
DUSrRIAT, SCHOOL.

This school, which was formerly held in the i cement
uf the Mariners church. in Roosevelt street. has been
removed 10 No 90 Oliver street Tho exercises at this
place yesterday, Of pleasing character Over
hundred little girls, all OF them hang from te mos!
degraded portions Of the ward, collected together
by Mr. Ccey, the superintendent OF the school; who had
provided for them very excellent Thanks giving dinner
For several days past the benevolent md charitable had
been called upon to contribute something vi,erewh to
entertain the children of this and other schools but
their efforts well nigh fruiess, for up wcaaes
day evening but very little had been collected soo ttlc
indeed to accomplish what the officers Of the schools
desired. Mr.. Gecry in despair, he had promised
the children Thanksgiving dinner. As last resort he
made appeal to the market men and market
women ia Caiharine market, who, ~ theii
credit he il said, responded literally TO the CALI
and furnished enough and more than enough Of moat
poultry and other edibles for the children.
The exercises commenced early in the day 1T the
school. When we entered We found tls children under
the charge Of Mrs Arther the principal preceptress
citing their ieesons and singing. Although coprscy
dressed, they clean and tidy, and among them
could be seen many intelligent Tho walls
covered with motos, such ''Thou shalt not steal
"The fear Of Lord is the beginning Of wisdom 30
While there they sung song entitled /" The
Lazy Girl in which set forth the terrible
quences of azness 70 body in general and little
girls in particular Then there description OF the
process Of shoemsking BY the girls. This done by
mered the sewing and pegging operations followed, until
tho imaginary shoe was made. All this appeared 10
please the children, as 1t certainly did audience OF
some ten or twelve persons who were present.
We learned that the method of teaching pursued In
this school in accordance With what is termed the
wilderspin System so named after its originator Mr.
Wilderspin, who Hourshed in England years ago.
This system consists in the children being taught to im
tate the processes the teacher wishes to mpart to them
III.
animal, say COW, in which tha process milking is
initiated; the of the horns shown in making combs
sc. And thus the children are disciplined BY theiy
hands and bodies being kept in motion until the desired
information is impaired.
After the children had concluded their lessons, the
Superintendent introduced Mr. Ropes, who addressed
remarks to thom. Children, said h. when think
of my own childhood cannot but sympathize with you
in the suiscrings you have andergone but you ace
ceive here will never be forgotten. Eo1, continued
Nr. RcIes, IL offered you eaeha gold watch
Yes yes responded the little srls eagerly. evlantly
under the impression that lr II. 9oiny 20 produce
you are receiving here what Is worth TO yoa th
gold watches any such trnets you will DO " icate
and made equal to those who have been born under hap
pier auspices. AT this stage OF the proceeding, y
appeared at the door, and announced that iuner
ready whorcupop, Mr.. Ropes concluded his remarks
and Ike children were conducted down stairs where
they found the dinner smoking on the table, Ibe az
sfMe' the fare was sounta lhsy had roast nrssy and
CRANBERRY bavce anu boUcA turhry ana oyster sauce
and breaG and butter nc, In abundance; the whole
being laid ont ON tin platters, brightly cleaned The
children made 70 stand aroand the table, when
they.tnng the following grace before eating; thoug
must be confessed they looked as though they would
sooner do the eating first
BE present at cur table, Lord,
Be here, and everywhere, sdor'a
Thy creatures bless and grant tha,ws
May feast in Paradise with thee
They then proceeded to dcmolish the viahas before
them with truly marvellous appetite siter which,
they attacked the pies with equal success. Que lttie
girl looking suspicously at pe, asked her ncghbor
what II whercupon the other, sting IL, said she
thought IL apple this disared their suspicious
and they finished II. The children dismissed
sff lnuer