Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1856-09-12

10 mental calibre and character, much such
man as Bishop Potter, Of Pa. lie is
withal M exceedingly ndroit and able de-
batter, as well as strong polemical writer,
which has served him good purpose in
public discussions about the school system,
in its earlier years.
They hold thoir Offices at the pleasure
Of the Crown, through the Governor Gen.
eral, which is oquvalcn, 20 a life tenure,
or during good behavior. When frs: sp-
pointed, DR. Rycrson spent the first year
in travelling in Europe md the United
States, carefully studying all the school
systems with which he came in contact !;
then moulded system for Upper Canada,
combining, as far us possible, the excelleu-
cies Of all without their errors and defects;
which the legislature gradually endorsed
by legal enactment, and endowed with
lands and other appropriations. SO that
the government provides one hnlf the cur
rent school fund, and the local municipal
tiles the other half.
From small beginnings, and much oppo-
sitlon, the system has won its way to pub.
lie confidence, and the present hue estab-
lshment, and large corps Of clerks, aud
other subordiuates, instead, Of as at first,
simply the Dr. and bis deputy. I'resss
on lis independent foundation, also; free
from all par,izan alliances, and 10. Grip
pied and embarrassed by an unnatural nom
inal connection with the State department,
or any other governmental bureau.
( But,as Mr.. Hodgins remarked in pub
lie address in New York city, year ugo,
''it required ten years, under the guidance
Of one master mind, to bring the system
through the first stage Of Development"
In Pennsy sylvania-with much larger, and
more diversified population, howeyer-i;
has required twenty years Of time, aud If
teen millions Of dollars in money, to get
the people generally accustomed to the
presence aud forms Of public school sys-
tenn; and even now we are just beginning
to fill up the outline laid down by Hon.
Tho II. Burrowes, i'll his last annual re-
port, as State Superintendent, in 1898
This CESSATION of the elephant however, is
not without Its advantages Better bs
slow aud sure, as in Pa, than fast and 6c-
klc,a IN New York State, whefe they have
tinkered and see-sawed with the schoo.
system, till at last it floats down stream
pretty much ike Sus4uehanna raft, tha,
has pitched over dauis aud run against
piers SO often, that in its patched up shape
it is held together more by the general
force and direction Of the current, than by
any inherent strength or ti,uess Of its own.
They did good thing, however, last win
ter, in the restoration Of their County Su.
perintendency aud it is to be hoped they
will follow it up, after while, by other
good things to match. Give NE the Old
Keystone, yet, for hcalthful stability, aud
surc,fJoted success, when progress is at
tempted
Mr.. II. accompanied mc over the prem
ises. Tho main building, with the rest,
is of brick, painted Of ligh. drab color,
with cut-stoue corners and facings of the
same color, and presents very beautiful
and extensive front, in two high storeys
with central cupoa, &c. Il contains
large airy room for the Office Of the Chief
Superintendent, with an extensive library;
another adjoining, ilr the Deputy Super
perintcnient, with library, fire proof safe,
desks for two Of the principal clerks and
another counting room fer the remainder
of the clerical force, six in all large
room for the Council Of Public Instruc-
ton" an advisary body of public dignita-
rcs, including the Chief Superintendent
who cannot interfere with tho executive
administration Of the school system per Sc,
but look after the Normal schools, Sc;
other rooms containing museums of statu-
airy, large aud small, philosopher! appar-
atus, mechanical and agricultural models,
and an ndeiinite variety of other matters
to cultivate the taste, aud illustrate the
higher branches of study a fine gallery
paintings, selected in Europe last spring
by Dr. Ryerson; repositories of text books
maps, charts, and school apparatus which
arc furnished to schools, when desired one
half gratis,upon paying for the other half;
a lecture room-"Theatre' they call it
shaped like IN amphi'hca.re, for public
addresses and exhibitions aud last, and |
most important, male and fema'e Norman
schools, for the ,horo' training of common
school teachers in the theory and practice
of their profession and back Of the main
building but connected with it, by Il Gov.
cred corridor, model schools of both sexes,
composed of Toronto children, in which |
tho pupils in the Normal schools acquire
the practical part of the art Of teaching
Delightful and desirable as was every