Butte record., 1854-11-25
SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL HOUSES.

article to our readers; it is from the
San FQnciseo Chronicle:
A hopeful change in one respect, at
least has come over the face of society
in this city within four years. Our
Schools are beginning to flourish. The
children have come. They go to school.
The schools are free. Learning begins
to flow like ril, for the fountain has
been opened. The citizens and the au-
thorities have followed up the example
set by one man and his wife, in the old
; Baptist church, five years ago. From
, the little beginnings of those days, the
few children from the streets and idle
ness, from tents and huts, from squalor
and destituion, the children of Aurtra-
LA, the Chilean and Mexican black-eyed,
the jct-haired French, the sandy-headed
urchin from the Emerald Isle,' the
/ Yankee and Hposier, there have grown
up IN our midst dozen well conducted
schools, most Of which are free schools,
as all ought to be, the only true Demo-
cratic, Republican and National system
worth talking about
Then the discordant materials have
harmonised and amalgamated, gradually
assimilating in characteristics, by con-
tact and attrition wearing off the salient
points Of education, habits and charac-
ter, and gradually becoming lmonlous
and homogeneous. The extreme health
thiness Of the climate, the robust bodies
and active minds of the children and
youth, in their results, are already evi-
dent They probably make more pro-
gress, all things else being equal, in this
city, than anywhere else in the Union.
No climate the world over is SO favora>
bic for study. Never too hot, never too
cold, for the scholar and student,
throughout the year, the ascent of the
hill of knowledge can be made with less
labor, sweat and WEAKNESS, than usual
ly fall to the lott of those who climb the
thorny but pleasant path. All that is
wanting is the sympathy and interest of
the people, and plenty of suitable guides
Those to whom have been confded
the interests of the people in this city,
have generally exhibited praiscworthy
spirit. They have not taken limited
view Of The immense consequences hang
ing upon their action The intelligence
of the present generation of children who
are SO fast springing into the places now
occupied by the men and woman of the
community, they have esteemed mat
ter of superior value to dollars and cents.
Accordingly an enlightened action has
characterised their proceedings. Ra-
tlonal and patriotic ordinances upon the
subject have been passed, and funds ap
propriated for this great aud most impor-
tant interest, the education Of our youth.
The people, have, with liberality wor-
thy of all praise, sustained their suggcs-
gestions and propositions.
Air eady very cheering results are wit
messed. The city is fast coming into
the possession and use Of elegant COM
modious and comfortable school houses
those nurseries of the City aid State.
They may have cost US much more than
they should have done. In a city so full
of speculation and spectators, it was
scarcely possible that it should be other
wise And although all good citizens
must regret that any portion should have
been misapplied, still it may be doubted
whether any of the city's finances have
in greater proportion been applied to the
proposed object, than such as have been
voted for the purpose of education.
We said the new school houses were
elegant, commodious and comfortabl -
They are more They are ornamental
to the city, and an honor to her govern
ment and people. Amid all her bad
legislation, we may proudly think of our
schools and school houses. We have
not enough yet, but they are increasing.
They are large, well ventilated and fin
ished handsomely. They are made pleas
ant to the eye. This is great point
gained. Through the organs of the
senses, the eye especially, the student
gathers much of the sentiment and taste
which are to abide with him, and color
his character for life. And the more
pleasant and agreeable his surroundings
are, the greater his enjoyment in the ac-
QUESTION of knowledge, and the more re-
fined is likely to be the thoughts, feel