Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-03-08

NesTs EditorS:-Ihe communication of the accom-
plished teacher of the High School, Mr. p. W. Calk-
ms, in your issue of yesterday morning may become
very interesting to the public. as drawing attention
| to the high character of that school, which should
| be source OF general congratuation. As a reply
TO my modest letter to the School Committee. com
planning of the unnecessary sringency of the recent
examination of candidates for that school, and the
deleterious effects of that examination, the commu-
mcauon is not OF so much moment Mr. Calkns
bases large part of his paper upon my supposed
charge that the examination in conflict with the
statutes regulating the public schools. AmOre care
ful reading ofthe communication, would have shown
him that spoke only of the possible conflict with
the statutes constituting and not the statutes reg
| ulating the High School, and nv. communications
| was addressed to the School Committee in conse-
| quence OF these very regulations specified by Mr.
Calkins-and perhaps requiring just such an examin-
alton as was had-n order that the Committee might
modify them. The now so called High School of
Massachusetts, was based upon the old statute of the
earlier history of the Commonwealth, which requir-
ed every town of certain number of inhabitants to
| support such school should prepare young men
for the university. And the Language of the modern
law only fulls this spirit by specifying the branches
that shall be taught, and stating that this shall be
done FOR the benefit of all the inhabitants" did
not mean that an examination which might deprive
many persons, entitled to the privilege, of being
taught Greek and Latin at the public expense lin n
town of 1000 inhabitants) in collision with the
statute which provided these advantages for all the
Inhabitants but only to suggest this question to the
tary one.
MIR. Calkins next takes up my suggestion of the
ulscOuftcsy 10 the teachers and subcommittee of
the several preparatory schools In examining anew
and in the strictest manner, the pupils whom these
tenchers and subcommittee had already examined
and promoted, in their declaration that they were
fit. will not rciterate this, for is sufficiently OBJ
vi0us Besides, Mr. Cnlkins, in his closing sentence
suggests the remedy, In recommending that hereaf
ter the teachers and committees Of the High School
shall assist at the examination of the Grammar
Schools, which examination shall be instead of the
other This brings US 70 the proper matter in exam
nation, viz TO the influence which an examination
that characterized as "extendng through six days
for II occupied every day in the week except sun
day. with nights IN the suspense, necessarily anxious
and wakeful, must exercise upon the minds of pu-
pills at a tender age" &c. And here 1 can readily
conceive that our enthusiastic teacher may differ
from us. But this Is u question Of experience and
before.
And this disposes Of the whole Of Mr. Cnlkins's
communication except for It's quiet but amiable and
complimentary personalities would only add that
no one can surpass me In respect for him | admire
his scholarship, his enthusiasm, and his esrit d.
corps. And repeat that l am willing TO have been
unpleasantly conspicuous here, II our conmunica.
tions may have done something TO draw public at
tention to the excellent school that we have In our
mdtt JOSEPH SARGENT.