Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-07-10

EXAMINATION OF THE WASHINGTON Lam
CAsTERfAN SCHuOL.-Pursuant to notice, the
examination If this School was commenced
Yesterday morning, at 9 O'Clock. We were
/ told that the number on the roll during the
wear had been l0S, and the average atten-
dance fifty, yet We fund but hcenty.t,co, all
told As to spectators, Rev. DR.. Harrison,
and Messrs Scott Barton, and Berkeley of
the Board OF Guardians; Col. Shay, for
ner teacher, and now Surveyor Of this port,
Alderman Reid Of the Committee on Public
Schools, Messrs. Carne, o G. Whittlesey, s.
I. Beach and Mcknight Principals Of Pri-
yate Schools, and Mr. John S. Beach Of the
State Public Schools. aud a young gentle
man in the uniform IF the Virginia Military
In-titute, composed the entire audience: not
Il single parent being present. Except some
little indications OF WEAKNESS, among the
smaller boys, very good order was preserved
during the two hours and bali occupied by
the exercises The lower classes we're first
examined in spelling, and then the upper in
reading ami spelling, in which last they did
very well. Iu Geography, they gave az cxhi-
bltion Of the system OF singing pursued by Mr..
l.. Whiitiesey, who has the school IN charge;
and the Rev. Dr.. Harrison, having proposed
questions on the outline maps, in the usual
iyrm. it was found that the plan had not tie
effect Of learning them mere by rcte, as
has been supposed by some, but is produc
tigs of real improvement.
The advanced boys being nearly oil alb
sent, there were no examinations IN English
Grammar and Arithnetlc;as to Penmanship,
very few specimens were exhibited, and those
of beginners only, 20 that there could be no
fair judgment formed as to the system Of in
struction.
Defamation followed Thomas barley re-
citing Little Thing,;" George barley, Sci
kinks S ,,Ioquy;" d. R,ooy Payne, Casa.
nilnca;" and Daniel Payue, The Scool-5oy's
Soldering"
Rev. u. Harrison then Distributed rewards
of me it as tOllJws:
To Joseph Mansfield, n silver medal f.r
Puactuai Altepdauce, and to Henry Gsithn,
George barley, VIM. Dariey, Tuonas ,riey,
Charles Grady, Oscar Demaine, and Edward
Llstanic, various prizes for diligence and
improvement. Or. II. concluded the distrl-
button with some appropriate remarks to the
children, aud was followed by Mr.. S5Ott,
WIG gave some cautions as 10 behavior ~ Va
cal!on. Tue school was then dismissed until
Thursday. the Oath of August.
There appeared to be but one sentiment
az ,ng the few spectators, and that Was that
tie display was MT exactly what Aiexan-
dria ought 70 make in the matter Of public
education. The chidrcn have been well
taugat 70 far as they have progressed, but
there is surely room FIR ll;tle hlgner sys-
TEN of education and few more boys. Mr..
WhiItlesey is a graduate # Yale College,
and could conduct n High School; and II
some arrangement we're made by which no
boy unabe to read could enter, the State
fund. would sutii e Tor primary instruction,
ard this school might lie made the means Of
affJrding a Letter education TO those who ap-
pear willing and able TO receisei'. Nothing
is waited but little concert between the
city aud county boards, and the community
lock to the able aud iodciatigabIe gentleman
who is the soul Of both, fr the Initiation OF
such movement.
T,.,rrr>.,rr,r NV At ErRr,y CoURT