New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-07-20
VISIT TO ST. CROiX No. IN.

Correspondence Of The n. Y. Tribune.
ST. CROIx, ". l., April 1855.
A few years previous to Emancip atioa-durng
the administration of General Yol Scholten-
the Government established public free schools
for blacks throughout the Island; successive
administrations have since fostered them with
interest and care. Nine, l think, large, hand
some brick edifces were erected for their ac-
commodation. These, which do not include the
public schools in town, were for the country
children and so located as to be within reach of
all the plantations. The children from about
twenty estates, from one to two hundred in
number, are gathered daily in each for instrac
ton Attendance is required of every child
between the ages Of FIVE and nine, three hours
per day, from o'clock till ID The remainder
of the day they are compelled to labor as third
class hands After they have reached the age OF
nine. the teacher may seec. one from each estate
to assist him as monitors, keeping them at school
two years longer, with the right also of lnstructng
them privately one hour extra each day. vi
course he selects the aptest boys and girls, and
thus they receive pretty good common education.
Practically the schools are under the sole direc-
ton of the MOravan Missionaries. They are man
aged by a Board of Commissioners. For some rea-
son the Government constituted the United Breth-
rem that Board, probably from their being the prin
cpal relI i0us teachers of the country people. At
present the Episcopalians are urging the authori-
ties 10 give to every Christian denomination place
and influence Ell this Board. The Commissioners
employ as teachers mainly the candidate Mission
aries sent out by their Society in Germany to as
sist in the Missions Most of these are young
Germans who speak the language very imperecty,
aud of course are not so competent TO instruct as
those who have the English tongue for their YER
nacular In the only school. however, which |
have visited. the teacher was young Creole OF
% or So He was certainly very skillful, thor
ough and-irOm what | saw-successiul teacher
He seemed heartily in love with his work aud his
scholars He was married and lived close at hand
having devoted himself and his wife to the business
OF teaching. She instructed the girls in needle
work. parted from these people in much admir-
alton Of them and strongly impressed with the idea
that if what had seen was even toerable speci-
men of the schools they are element Of much
promise 70 the condition OF the people.
The branches taught are reading, geography
and arithmetic. Everything is conducted on the
lan-asteran plan. The Phonetic system Ofeuuncia
ton IS employed in teaching them TO read. They
are taught mainly from large printed cards hung
on forms, around which in circular classes the
children stand under the direction Of the teachers
or monitors They exhibited the greatest anim9.
tion. The advance class read the Testament flu
emily. was much interested in an extemDore
examination made on my account, upon the lesson
they bad read IN the morning II was cond uc ed
according TO Slows Sy stem Of Training AMI
seemed calculated TO quicken their faculties cult
yate their memories and inpait much general
information. Tie subject Vas The leading of
q" the Israelites out of Egypt by Moses" Their
knowledge of 1.-THE history was drawn out b. ques-
tions. and then further questions elected their
understanding of particular facts, which mad been
explained during the previous exercise For in
stance. What is a miracle r. The prompt and
general reply was Something unusual, which
" only God can do" What is bondage Being
held as slaves - with other questions, demon
stratng the wickedness and injustice of Slavery.
Thus by long series not only were historical
facts fixed in the mind but much awakened and a