Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-04-21
Tna Tbs uSIos AND lNEuCAN.
NASHVILLE PRE- SCHOOL.

Business permitted me- on Friday afternoon, to
sttend for the first time the weekly examination at
the " Hines Building" of some Of the various de-
partments Of the Free School. was attracted
thiher by parents interest in the education of his
children and being already satisfied with the evil
dence Of their progress expected my patience to be
taxed with the tedum Of ordinary automatic exerci-
ses. Permit to say, that was never more agree
ably surprised and entertained in my life. The pu-
pills under examination were those in charge Of Mr..
Dorman. Everything about the hall was attractive
the manly and tidy little fellows on the platform
and the respectable and attentive audience. The
first exercise after my entry was the recitation Of
the Sailor boys dream by the entire number Of
pupils. This was done with a concert and precision
50 perfect as to render every word distinctly audi
Bile, and with pathos that-that, yes that actually
made me dry my eyes. The actions, Egesticulation
and information we're admirable and bespoke the most
careful training with rules Of oratory The next
series was mental arithmetic and now the perform
ance Of these little chaps only waist high, shamed
al my boosted aptitude in numbers. How perfect
their recollection and ability to retrace long and
complicated propositions, and how promptly they
gave the proper results, when 1 was in a perfect
maze. Where in the world did they get that conf
dence and comPosure from, so coveted and 50 wanting
an my maturer years! o! thought I, 1t is only the
result of assdu5us training. All ! indeed, that is
just the point They have that training. These little
fellows our children are under such faithful instruc-
ton, that we absolutely wonder at the achievements
Of their inautila minds Now, listen to that chorus
Of young voices as they sing anthem Of praise to
their Heavenly Father. Snail we have bedlam
uPr0ar Of fifty disc0rdant, sgueaking voices Not
80. That anthem rose in acceptable harmony. Their
voices tutored to sing tine several parts in such
concert and key, that am sure, there was not one
Of that large audience, but who listened with sur
prised pleasure, and no parent who was not thrilled
with a deeper emotion. The exercises were conclu-
ded with the dialogue Of " Receiving calls at the
School which was acted and recited by the several
dramatis persona, with great spirit and understau-
ding and amid the warmest plaudits Of the delighted
company.
Let the moral Of that dialogue come to US like an
appeal from our children, to be cautious how we
make complaint of our public teachers and endanger
the permauence Of their schools the establishing of
which was uuquestionabIy the most commendable
enterprise ever engaged in by our city. The Free
School buildings stand as the brightest ornaments
Of the wisdom and progressive spirit Of her pOpula-
tion.
The Inauguration Of a system Of popular educa-
tion has opened a new era in her growth and pros
perity. 10 preserve this system and foster these
schools in full efficacy is Of paramount Importance.
! believe the present management Of them could not
be improved upon. Without the slightest personal
acquaintance with the present Superintendent, Mr..
Pearl, au prepared to say, from the most crafty
ingProgrcss Of my own children, that his govern
ment. discipline and mode of instruction could
scarcely be surpassed My children have been under
the tuition of 3Iessrs, Tarboz, Tobey, Thompson,
NichoI. Dorman and Mclaughlin; whom except Mr..
Thompson, I only know through my children and,
therefore speak Impartially when bear public tes-
timouv 10 their active taithlulness and ability as
teachers. These gentlemen have the faculty OF ell
dcarlug themselves TO their pupils-tcaching them
wholesome habits OF PUuctuality and diligence, and
ezci,uCa spirit of emulation that calls forth the
best powers of their young minds For their faith
ful duty towards my children, return them unaffeo
ted gratitude.
To conduct So extensive an educational system
and give entire satisfaction to the thousand and one
interested parties, many of them practising no gov
crumcnt at home. and captous Of any proper disci-
pIiuc in the school room, cannot be expected. There
are those whose very element seems 10 be complaint
and there are those blinded by parental fondness
that it is pity they have children to ruin. But un-
mfstakaBIe evidences of the mos, efficient manage
rnen of these schools are presented in these public
examinations on every Friday, TO which the public
arc invited. Go and judge. Go and witness, with
hearts in your bosoms, the happy work going on in
the public school room. Goand greet the hundreds
Of bright eyed boys and girls surrounding the public
fount Of knowledge and joyously drinking It's spark
ling waters aud my word for it, you viii experience
new emotions Of kindly sympathy and fresh impulse
70 the performance Of your social duties, F,