Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-01-29
educational s9fpartnltnt.


We arrived in the great Metropolis of the
western Continent; which contrasted STRANGELY
win our quiet little town, in the bosom of the
west and being friends of Common School
education we determined to visit ono of a.,
pubic schools, which are famed in all ,,,rts 90
'ne Mon. The following morning, we repaired
~ sarge 'hree story brick building, situated in
! retired street. near one of the principal thor
oushiares OF the city. The building was sur
rounded by beautiful playground. which was
planted with shade trees and shrubberv IN
The front facing the street was high fence. and
through the gates We're pouring numbers of we'll
dressed happy, intelligent looking children
We assembled flight OF steps. and found orr
serves IN spacious hall after waiting few
moments we We're usaered into the female de-
par'inent OF the building: this Department was
In the second story. 1t was not QUITE Q o'c,ocL
and We had leisure to survey the scbool-rco,,,
before the morning exercises commenced
F" men we We're seated, en- the platform with the
teachers, we had full view of the room cana
bic of seating three hundred scholars with
ease. At ne back of the room. The two ber,,s-
pheres We're painted very large between bicb
was placed clock the room was supported
with iron columns and around the wall was
painted inortoes, IN alphabetical order, which
had both a useful and pretty appearance. The
room was large, Light, and well ventilated
something that cannot be said of all school
rooms. especially the .kolc u. tie grou,adn There
was cabinet Of natural history on one side. and
a large bookcase. filled with the best standard
books, ter the use of the school, on the other
side; Ia the spaces between the windows was
hung astronomical, geographical historical. and
chronological, maps and charts We had been
so absorbed IN the examination of the room. that
we had entirely forgotten that it was approach
Irg O'Clock, until politely reminded by the
principal that it was time to open school We
accordingly seated ourselves on a raised plat
form, (Which WAS furnished with mahogany
desk, safe, carpet and chairs,) with the principal
when We heard the sound of a shrill whistle. and
all the noise and hubbub that had reigned. in
the play ground, was instantly hushed. and n
stream of young ladies We're seen coming through
the back door into the wardrobe, which was sit
uated ri the end Of the school-rcom After the
clothes had been given to the monitor to take
charge of. the young ladies came in Indian file
To their seats, which were all numbered There
were wide asles, two side and one centre and
the spaces between them we're arranged with
desks each girl having her own compartment to
keep Ler looks, and other materials On the
top Of each compartment was an opening for
the slate to slide mo, and hole for each ink
stand, 50 there was very little splitting Of ink
When the young ladies had taken their seats
which was done with much quietness and order
the principal arose and struck 4 small bell, when
the silence and order kept by every pupil was
astonishing We're both delighted and edi-
fed The door at the end of the room was then
closed, and the other teachers took their STA
tions beside their respective classes the prin-
clpal read portion Of the Scriptures to the
school and when She had concluded, by me
ton of her hand the pupils arose, and joined
her in repeating the Lords prayer. After this
exercise was finished, the scholars remained
standing, when with another motion of the
hand, they AL faced the centre aisle one of the
teachers then commenced to sing an Alpine
song, in which they all joined, while they
marched 10 their recitation rooms situated AT
both ends Of the large We followed one
of the classes into lis room, where we were
made acquainted with a part of their morning
studies, consisting of arithmetic, geography, and
history. IN which the pupils showed degree of
advancement that was admirable When we
had spent some time with this class, we pro-
ceeded 10 Tie next room, where We found q class
engaged in reading, and the care, ease, and ele-
gance, with which they read, reflected great
praise and credit on the teacher When they
had finished reading. they rccited ihcir spelling
lesson from Websters Dictionary from which
thcy proceeded to the arithmetic lesson which
the teacher explained and illustrated with such
cleareNs, that the simplest child in IL. room
could understand it. By this time the elias. es
We're coming to their seats again. from the reel
tafion and we followed into the school-room-
After being RECALLED with some delightful sing
ing by the school we took our leave much pleas
ed and Instructed with our visit to the Young
ladies' department Having other engagements
TO fulfill, we We're not able 10 prolong our visit,
10 the Primary and male department We left
with feelings of regret, nj not being able TO do
50 but hoping ere long, that there viii be
mighty work of reform commenced in our town,
for the benefit of the rising generation. II is
TO be hoped and expected. that before the frosts
of many more winters have fell, that may
hive school houses, and other apparatuses, that
viii be a credit 10 the town and community
then we viii shut up all the holes in the
ground and subteranean dungeons" return
them to their proper uses of wood cellars and
wagon shops
TrS@o'-