The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1858-09-02
For the Gate CITY.


MKssks. EpIroRs In the last number Of
the German paper Of this city there appeared
an article, under the heading Of "Ths Ger
man School in Keokuk," which deserves, II
am not greatly mistaken, the attention Of
your readers a. well ~ of the Germans, and
| bsg leave to trace here its principal points.
The writer, Mr.. r. Wurth, teacher at the
German school here, states that the necessi-
ty Of starting German school in Keokuk
originated in the consideration Of the two
following facts:
In the Grst place, he says, the German pa
rents are not satisfied with what the children
can possibly learn in the public schools here,
because there are too many scholars in each
class.
In the second place, the Germans Of this
place were mach in want Of an institution of
influence. which might be capsule Of uniting
the Emergencies of opinion existing among
them, and which could extinguish the odium
Of visible rivalry nourished by some Of them.
A committee was selected, subscriptions
were made, a constitution was drafted, and
MIR. F. Wurth, from st. Louis, who had
formerly, for more than fifteen years, in
Germany, attended to this calling, was
chosen, some five weeks ago, to take the
place Of teacher Of the new school and it
is just this MIR. F. Wurth who tells us in the
paper his We've on this subject, and how
things will be carried on to reach the desired
end.
lie says, that the state Of instruction the
children brought with them into the new
school Is . very pisiful one. Amongst some
eighteen scholars, from nine to fourteen
years Of age, only two are tolerably we'll ac-
quaintsd with English reading and writing
mono Of them can write any kind Of compo-
sition, or any thing like IL; there are bu,
three Of them who know the ono times one
thoroughly, and moro than twelve able
scholars, Of the age above mentioned, did
not know how much 10 sixteen minus two
although almost ell Of Thorn frequented reg.
ularly the public schools.
As to the morals Of the young folks, he
finds them too wild, too rough, too little civ.
liked, and would not feel astonishsd il such
wild young plants would bring forth some
Wild fruits.
v The question, "What will the German
School do to reach i.s end ?" ID answered in
the following manner
1t will teach
! LIST. LANouAoEs.- German Language
In German the scholar will be instructed 80
far a. be has acquired, in his l4th year, o
clear understanding Of the parts Of speech
~ we'll a. Of the different modes OF express
sion and the periods he will be able to write
business articles without difficulty or mistake,
viz receipts, boads Of debt, notes, &C., or
letters and compositions on theories adapted
to the ideas Of his age he must be able to
road ausntly and with good expression in
every German book.
English Ldnguags.--In English the schol-
n must be able to read and speak with ease,
and to make little compositions and business
articles, which must be done correctly. He
will acquire the capacity to tell precisely in
German what be has read 10 English:
%. BRANCH OF NATURAL HIsroRY.-Natu.
raj history comprises the division and classi.
6cation Of the natural productions, their
origin, growth and use. All Of this ought
to be shown as much as possible by spcol-
mems.
Physics.- Explanation Of natural phenom-
enons, the principal qualities Of ccrpous, as
well a. explanations Of the most important
inventions, such as steam engine, telegraph,
printing, &c.
Geography -Comprises precise knowl-
edge OF our earth a. planet, knowledge Of
the surface Of the globe, particularly the
United States, division, situation, natural,
industrial and commercial condition, princi-
pal cities, and thorough acquaintance with
all parts Of tho old world, particularly Ger
many.
Sd. BRANCH OF FINE AIRS Ninging.--
In this branch, the institution intends, in
the 6rst place, culture Of the sense of hear
ing, and then by this means Of ennobling the
mind the children will learn the system Of
notes, and be lead to sing songs for two and
three voices.
Cdl!igraphy Intends to improve the
sense Of beauty, and 30 enable the scholas
to write an agreeable and fluent andwriting,
% we'll German a. English.
Dras0ing-To improve the eye in higher
polemo, and BY this means to ennoblo the
sense Of good taste. Flowers, landscapes,
ornaments and architectural drawing.
4th. BRANCH or UsryUL TnISos.-Arith-
metic and Mathsmatics.- Tho first 30 far
as to enable the student to solve the ques-
tions Of arithmetic occurring in every day
life. In the second, to sharpen their intel
lectual powers, proofs Of plsnimetry, to-
gether with calculations Of squares and
cubes.
Hissory.-Abrcvisted history Of the Uni-
ted States, and an acquaintance with general
history in its principal epochs and most i'm
postant facts.
Morals.--As to morals, the children will
be directed to follow these two rules Do
right, and fear nobody; and, Do unto others
= go, could h~va th.~r - $3.50 -.