The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1859-06-22
For the Grand Haven News.

inoinen's "ere improved py me, recently, |
in a call at the Union School Of your vii
age. found Mr.. BANFIELp, superinten- |
dent, Miss PEAKE, of the primary, and |
Miss ANDERSON of the infantile depart
menL each "at home' and ever ready to
welcome to their respective rooms any
one interested in the instruction of chill
dren and youth, and who is well wisher
to the future well-being Of all little boys
and girls, as well as of those in the more
advanced stages Of life.
Ifound all quiet and orderly, as is the
case in every well arranged and properly
conducted school. On my entering Mr..
BAEFIELD's department, class of the
older pupils were interogating one of
their number standing before the black
board, chalk in hand, as to the "why's"
and wherefore's" Of certain principles
that constitute the foundation OF the sub
lime science of numbers. The ready
question and the prompt and accurate re-
ply, showed them no novices in the SCI
ence of Arithmetic, and if all other
branches 10 which the attention of pu-
pills is directed in that department, are as
thoroughly understood as the branch to
which attention was directed, as above
stated, the approbrium of superfciality,
so truly applicable to many of our public
schools, cannot with justice be attributed
TO the higher department of the Grand
Haven School,
/ listened with much interest and pleas
IRE to the spelling exercise of the differ
ent classes in Miss PEAKE's department.
The little lads and misses did well, nobly.
The hard" words were mastered with q
promptness and tact that filled me with
delight, and showed conclusively that Miss
p. is working teacher and well under
stands how to fashion, develop and direct
the tender mind.
/ Miss ANDERsoN's department is a mod
Ell of order and quietness considering
their age, on the part of the pupils) and
of patience and diligent labor on the part
of the teacher. Parents may be assured,
that any little juvenile intrusted to her
care will be kindly treated, and well in
structed.
And yet there is an essential feature
lacking to make the school of your vii.
lage what it ought and might become
if l am allowed to judge-to wit: lack
of becoming interest on the part of the
parents and patrons. No public school,
particularly, can become really efficient
and subserve in the best manner its great
end and alma thorough education of
the people-in fact, n peoples college"
without citizens engage heart and hand
in helping it onward, by often visiting the
school room, consulting with the teachers
as to the best plan to accomplish this or
that desired result, and then assist in
carrying out the measure. noticed but
few of the young ladies and gentlemen in
attendance who have heretofore been the
soul and ornament of the school. What
is the cause? Is their education COM
plete, or do they choose to take vaca-
ton during the warm weather Of sum-
mer to recruit their mental energies for
the winters toll and preparation in the
school rooml
We really hope the good citizens of
Grand Haven will spare no effort ON their
part to assist the teachers in their onerous
labors, and to make their village school
what it should become-tho very place
where their sons and daughters may be
thoroughly and efficiently educated, and
taught, in addition to the sciences, those
great principles of selfreliance and de.
cision of character, that form the perfec-
ton Of human greatness, and constitutes
the only true foundation Of future pros
perity and usefulness. VIAroR.
|
THE GREAT EAsTERN.-It is expected
that the trial trip of this monster vessel,
which has been dragging along for several
years towards completion, will take place
in July, sailing from Weymouth England,
to the middle of the ocean and back again,
to test her qualities under all possible