Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1858-07-29
Thoughts about School Houses.
Correspondence Of the Times. -


publication Of tha. which you think may
prove beneficial 10 the educational affairs Of
Glasgow. We shall, therefore, pen some
ideas with reference 10 school houses, and
send them 10 you with the hope that you
can favor US with their publication. Many
Of the ideas to be presented are not to be
regarded as originating within the writer,
as they have long since been Put into sue.
cessful practice, which recommends them
10 the earnest consideration of those having
the construction OF sohoo!.housss in their
hands. Glasgow has long been minus 4
good school-room for her intelligent and
promising boys, bu! the dark cloud that has
SO long overshadowed the public opinion
relative to school-hOuses, is rapidly passing
away, and soon bright sun will appear TO
gladden., nourish, strengthen. and purify
many youthful minds.
Our City Constable, au informed, is
collecting with success, the tax assessed
for the purchasing Of desirable ground, and
the building thereon ola school house credi-
table 10 the neat little city Of Glasgow
Well, now, that house will good be one.
Our Trustees, and the people generally,
have taken steps which deserve laudation,
and reflect honor on them now, and will
prove source Of happiness in days yet TO
come, and will speedily bring into existence
an edifce much needed by cur city and
surrounding vicinity. As the erection
Of this building is SO near at hand
some remarks relative to the location, yard
external arrangement, internal APPENDICES,
apparatus, &c., cannot be regarded as out
OF place or uncalled for.
What We shall say, we do not wish to be
taken az a dictation, but merely as an ex-
preston Of our views and good feeling, hop
ing that what 10 valuable may be accepted
and that which is worthless quietly cast
away.
The first thing to be taken into consider
alton when school-house Is 10 be erectel,
after The tax has been levied, is to selec,
an appropriate location, and the question
a. to where the house shall be built, is Of.
ten decided by placing it in the territorial
centre Of the district, il msttering not
whether this, thus selected place, falls upon
some dreary hilltop, exposed to the scorch
ing rays Of summers sun, and to the mer-
eilesss SHOWS and northern blasts Of Win.
ter, or, in some dismal swamp where Ioath-
some reptiles creep, and frogs fill the vita
ted, supplying, and disease creating air
with their dissgreeable croakings. Such
places as these are, not by right, yet, are,
by public opinion, at any rate, public action,
the sites suitable for school houses.
The selection Of The ground wherein TO
cree. such building. should be made with
direct reference to its aptress or power to
contribute 10 the health, repose, and enjoy
msnt Of the subsequent occupants. If it be
exposed TO the heating rays Of o Summer
sun, and 10 the chilling winds Of Winter, ii
will present no inducement to the pupil to
resort to il as a place where he may, with
profit and delight, dive into the volumes
Of learning. 1t is o mistaken notion that,
this building may as well form one side Of
q hos-pen, while the roof is sufficiently
closed to prevent the passage of the larger
hail-stones. which, should they pass through
might fall upon sOft-hesd-the spaces be-
tween tho logs being Enclosed, yet, small
enough TO forbid the entrance Of large dogs
whose empty stomachs and ,hieving pro-
pensities might prompt them 10 put their
noses in somebody's basket, as to occupy
and ornament, the centre Of some Eden-lke
garden; for, really, it should. above all other
houses, be built on high, dry, and healthy
place, blessed with all the advantages and
charms Of nature, at the same time, capable
Of being made, by art, more attractive than
others contiguous TO it; this would have
tendency to make the school-house desi-
rable place, which is great desideratum.
II the pupil be forced 10 attend school we
cannot expec, as much Of him as if he 60
willingly: and gladly. Therefore, care
should be taken to make the external and
internal school-hOuse, apparatus, surround
Ing objects, &c., comfortable and attractive.
Many seem to be unaware Of the indelible
impression made on the flexible minds Of
The young by the 'chool-hou'e and its para
phernalia: according to the quality Of the
thing from which the impression is re-
csived will 10 the impression itself--puriiy
uannot come from corruption. Therefore,
Ill things shout the edifce-now under con-
sidersiion. should be neat, numerous and
,ppls in oil respects, and if things border
IN sublinity so much the better, ss the ten
lsncv will be to expand and elevate the