The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1856-11-05

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The advantages OF graded schools are, that
more scholars can be instructed by one
tsacher-lheir instruction can be more thor
ough-,hey can receive more lessons and
longer ones then when all studies are pro-
miscaously pursued---and where all in q
school are nearly in the same degree of ad-
vaRcemeni, no Lesson TO or from one class is
Iosl upon any Other member Of the school.
For in 6 graded school, no scholar is go tar
ahead or behind, that the steps of his or her
mind cannot be followed and improved BY
Others. Every exercise is comprehended by
aiI, either as an incentive 10 inspire progress,
or as a review 10 impress indelibly and re-
vivs, with new ass ocia,ons and new illus
irauons, what others have already learned.
We are wont to say that an efenly bal
,ure and civilization is mainly beneficial
because it has this tendency TO equalize and
balance tempers and passions go that minds
march on will. even step in their progress,
and each aids the other by check or spur I,
10 this even tread and discipline Of firm
rank, tha, makes an army stronger than its
numbers would be in disorder; and it is lhia
grading Of the departments of manual labor,
iha, gives 10 the hand and eye lha, wonder.
ful proficiency and skill, which siriks US as
iae pc rfec:ion of human art.
But the teacher gains as much as the
scholar, and n the same way. II he is re-
quirsd 10 lea ch from The alphabet 10 meta
physics, he must teach in superficial manner
and matter. His lessons must be only reci.
islions from The dull, dry tex, OF the book,
and canno, be full or impressive illustrations
from the living inspiration Of he subjec,.-
And such tasks will weary and repulse the
young learner, rather than attract and in
s,ruct b, the pleasant sympathy Of mind,
for which the tender intellect has yearnings.
Both the sel6shness Of man in ART, and the
proficiency of the learned in science, have
proved that there must be concentration Of
mind and hand 10 one point and ore object,
In order 10 gain the highest success. TIA,
"a rolling stone gathers no moss" was know own
before the English language was spoken, and
IL we ask any man 10 do every thing, we
mus, not complain if he does nothing we'll.
FOR the art Of the teacher, like that of the
sculptor, long and of repeated effort is neces-
ssry 10 success-and this must be long and
dilligent attention TO each detailed rar o. the
work. The more narrow we make the range
or grade Of this practice, The ofener will the
process be repeated. and therefore the faster
will 60 on the lesson Of experience.
A teacher 10 impress instruction must not
only understand the subject of his lesson, but
he muft be familiar with iis connections,
and msst be able 10 present il with such va.
rious illustrations as will associate ard link
Il with something thai is already fast in ev-
cry mind Of The cIaes. And a. no two tastes
are pleased with the same rose, so no idea
OF illustration will strike Two minds In the
ssme manner and certainly will no, in tho
sams way impress whole class. There ia
need Of variety in this art, as much as in The
face and form. or in the foliage, ,inge and
perfume Of variagated nature, TO please a.
many various tastes and senses. Bu, whether
We seek dreciness or diffnseness for impress
sions OH class, the teacher must be able 10
soncsntraie his attention, in order 10 appIy il,
with practical force.
In the county where labor iher were no
~6raced schools three years ago. In the firs,
year Of the Co. Superintsrdency they were
graded in one district, and lest year in the
six towns. They worked with such success
that The public schools, last winter, superse.
dsd every private institution Of learning, ex-
eeps one seminary and one primary school.
Ip towns il is moi very difiicull 10 establish
graded schools, fer the advantages can be
easily made sppareni. Three grades are
perhaps most desirable, but two will answer
very good purpose and where two are
we'll established, the third viii follow as
soon as il will become necessary. Ia the
lower grade OF primary schools The teacher
can find time for onhography, Reading, Wri-
ting from copy aud from dic,aiion, Oral Ari,h.
metic, Written Arithmetic commenced, and
Physical Geography. In some instances
other branches may be added. Music, az II
snlirens the mind, exercises the iunas, and
PARTIES the heart, cannot be Introduced too
early; and as the ear 10 mature and suscepti-
bic Of instructions earlier than the reasoning
faculties. music can be learned BY its natu.
sal:orsan long before complicated problem
In geometry can be solved In all tbe sex.
ssllsnt schools oi Prussia music is Introduced
very early. Pfos Stowe, Of Ohio, Ia 1886,
visiled Enslsnd, France, Prussia and The diff.
fsrsnt staisso Germsny on an educational
icnf Of observation, and be found music sv.
sry~hers in ibs schools, both ran element
Of instruction, discipline and refinement. He