The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-11-23
THE UNION
EASTERN JOURNAL.
Bidd,fOrd, Friday Morning, Nov. %, 1856.
OUR SCHOOLS.

The TALL term Of our Public Schools in the
city district closed last week. We devoted
, part Of two days, the latter part Of the
week, to visits to the Grammar Schools, and
ard the High School. and were highly pleased
with the appearance Of the Schools, and
the progress which the pupils seemed to have
made 10 the attainment OF knowledge. The
first School we visited is the one KEEP, BY Mr..
Charles Milliken, on Cedar Street. This
School has been under Mr.. Milliken's charge
for number Of years, and in the manage.
ment it, he has gained not only the love
Of his pupils, but the confidence aud esteem
Of the community. The present exnmina.
ton did not detract the reputation he sojus'-
ly enjoys. The answers Of his pupils in the
various branches Of their studies were prompt,
clear, and shew that Mr.. MlIiken had not
forgotten to impress upon their minds the
necessity Of thoroughness, while their gen.
eral department was most satisfactory.
The Grammar School kept by Mr.. Hiram
II. Brugdon, on Sullivan Street, a school
similar in grade to that kept by Mr.. MILL
ken. yet not so favorably located tn Obtain
good class Of scholars, was next visited, and
here, too We were agreeably surprised with the
good order, and promptness Of the school,
Mr., Bragdon appears to be very successful
teacher, and the school under his charge
promises to be, if it is not already, equal to
that kept by Mr.. Mlliken. The classes in
his school are not perhaps quite so far adj
vanced as in Mr.. Milliken's school, but so
far as they had gone there was manifested
an equal degree Of thoroughness, and was
equally as crediable to the Efforts Of the
teacher. We were present, only a portion
of the time during the examination Of the
Scholars in the High School under the charge
Of Mr.. Horace Piper. Mr.. Piper has the
reputation OF being one Of the most success
ful teachers in the State. and he certainly
takes unwearied pains with his pupils. The
examination on this occasion was a nest sat-
isiactory and alike credtable to both schol-
ar and teacher. Some of the exercises in
the higher branches ofthe Mathematics were
interesting, showing as they did, the attain
ments OF the scholars to be unusually good.
We were also struck with the merit Of some
Of the peicss Of composition, which were read
in the presence Of the Committee. Bidde.
ford maintains good reputation abroad for
the excellence Of her Public Schools, and
she il deserving Of it. There is no town or
city in the State which has exceeded her in
the amount Of appropriations for Schools,
and there is no place where the Schools are
under more successful or popular teachers,
Those who have had the management Of
them in times past, and under whose direc-
ton they have grown up into usefulness,
while they have the pleasing satisfaction Of
seeing them in a prosperous condition are
also entitled to the warmest thanks Of the
people. As the Schools are now arranged,
not only can good English education be
obtained BY pupils from Ill ranks in Society,
but even the poorest boy can receive such
instruction as shall ct him to enter college.
or make himself acquainted with the higher
branches OF study. There is nothing that
pays so well, in any community as good
Public Schools. The money appropriated
for them is a good investment yielding the
creates, and most desirable dividends-a rich
harvested virtue, intelligence, and happiness,
A'community can hardly do too much for
them, or respect too highly the Efforts of the
teachers to whom they are entrusted.