Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-02-26

be so fashioned and moulded by the plastI'
hand Of discipline and instruction., as not onl,
10 become asslmilated in complexion 10 tn
general masses OF the social community, Blu
euentulHy to reflect credit upon. and become
source OF real pleasure 10 the whole OF tha'
community, by which the benefcleni process /:
gratultously carried forward. If success mas
not vet crowned these anxletIeS and efforts 10 al
extent commensurate with their wishes. IT mas
no, been throu.h the want OF appliances adap,
10 10 such an issue. so much as from the inter
p~osItion of obstacles, easily imagined, and al
WAYS existing in the nature OF The material oi
which the Institution is made up. They be
lie,e however. that the efforts bestowed, nave
neither been wasted nor thrown a"ay-taat
there are signs OF pr"gress-some tokens lot
good. which the Board are disposed 10 hail as
the earnest of a more cheering and successful
future. The children certainly do appear oetter
than they did la months pas not merely III re.
gard 20 personal neatnesS and resPectuiness OF
manner, but. al the same time, III all that KIND
OF feeling and sentiment, IN which is constitu
ted the true basis OF a healthiul sell respect IN
the community 10 which they belong.
The semi annual examinations IN July and
December, have, both OF them, been full and
thorough and, on these occasions, sucn OF the
pupils as have been distinguished during the
tern, either IN learning or IA general good be-
havIour, have been carefully rewarded by d
medal. or some other esteemed article, as an
encouraging premium, and so TAR as can be dis
covered, the effect OF such a measure has al
ways been happy. The Board regretted exceed
ingly that the invitation extended 10 your honor
able body. 10 be present and participate IN the
engagements OF tkr Christmas Examination,
was not complied with; because the children
were given Ia expect II, and because the Board
believed and believe still that such an lndIcd-
ton of public interest IN the progress OF the pu-
pits. would supply a powerful siIHfIHHs, both 10
good behaviour. aud "a more rapid advancement
In the variou. branches OF study, TO which their
attention has been directed. They were greatly
pleased, however, with the presence OF the
Mayor, OIL that occa. ion. as well as with the
valuable assistance he Notwithstanding IN
the School until the exercises were CLOSED
awarding all the premiums, and concluding the
services, with not only a pertinate but very APP
propriate, and impressive dIscourSe-lor all
which ne has our sincere and unielgned &C
acknowledgements.
The School is not large, and (since this part
of the District of Columbia was retroceeded 10
! lIllb II H'fNi q "N'' ~ 1870
the introduction at that period, OF the District
system, which prevails throughout the State
aud If all were IN daily attendance wnose names
have been enrolled, the number, even then,
would not be more Than 50 or 80. But in an
Institution OF that particular character, where
regularity of attendance and close attention 10
study, is regarded more generally IN the light OF
a favor conferred, than as a benefit received,
l--.l L ,.Lnln hn = afuIfpps-- n n TIl u IN
be expected that the average attendance, will be
more than equal TO the hall OF the numbrr that
have been enrolled, and the Board are sorry 10
have il 10 announce, that this Is very nearly the
truth. In regard 10 the School committed 10 their
charge-notwIrhstaI Dig all the care they have
extended towards II, and Notwithstanding the
various methods which hey have resorted 10,
for the purp pse OF producing an abatement OF
the evil. From the quarterly returns which
nave been made by the Teacher, II would APP
pear hat the number OF pupils IRON the differ
enr Wards were. in very unequal proportions;
and in one OF them, there were days IN which
there was scarcely a solitary on "a tact To be
attributed mainly, II is supposed, TO the clrcum'
stance that, but lew children Of the kind attend
ing such an Institution, are found residing IN
that Ward.
The average for the year, in the whole School,
has been about torty-slX. For the last three
months, there has however, been a manifest III
crease, both IN numbers, and IN prompt, close at
t~ention 10 the exercises and requirements OF
the School il most cf rs departments. These
Departments consist of Spelling. Reading, Def.
%nltions, Writing Arithmetic, Geography, and
the general rudimentS OF Grammar. And
though, as a matter almost OF course, the pro-
gress made, IS not rapid, there is progress never
theless; and recently such as 10 awaken the
hope OF a future, far more satisfactory and peas
ant. Much however, will depend, and must de.
pend upon the fidelity Of the Board Of Guar
dams, and their continued diligence and watch
fulness in inspecting and supervising all It's IN.
~terests. II they fail, or beconit rtnnss,-eveh
though the Teacher might be bob competent
and faithful. the School, il is believed, will never
prosper. Besides rendering The Teacher heart
less, the effect will be-, that the pupils, being
lett without proper Incentl!e, Will become utter
ly careless and indifferent. This is the result
OF a CONVICT ion, growing up ifom both observe
ton and experience, and wuIch therefore, nOth-
ing can repress. The Managers and supervI-
sors OF the Institution. mast be men who Will
honestly and faithfully discharge the duties con
scquent upon their poSitIon;-otherwIse. the re-
suIting issues will hardly be such as TO justify
in the public mind, the amount OF funds expen.
ded with the view OF keeping It in operation
Its condition is now hopeful, and, on the whole,
promises good, and with suitable care, may he
continued so for omIng years; so as hnally TO
accomplish the bcn,ficent intention Of It's origl
saI founders But without all interest IN It
constantly kept up, and the use OF means al.
ready referred to increasingly applied, your pre-
sent Board, have no reason TO believe that, II
.rer trlH.
As to the condition of the School ediilce, the
Report TO be made, is OF the most favorable
character. The repairs authorized by your non
orable body during the past year, nave all been
completed, and the interior aspect OF the room
is one of comfort aud convenience, such as II has
not exhibited before, for more than twenty years
and, it is believed that, the whole expense IN
Cured, will. in a very few years, be covered, BY
the saving in tue fuel. which will henceforth be
required Tor the warming of the house.
All OF which is respectfully submitted,
ELIAS HARRISON, President.
SYLVESTER SCOTT, Secretary
WILLIAM \. BERKLEY,
BENJAMIN BARTON,
WILLIAM n. FOWLE.