Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-07-13

fUBLic SCHOOL ExAMixATfoS-The annual
examination OF the female department of the
Fourth District school took place last Tne.dav
afternoon The number of vfsitors-parents and
DINERS interested in education-was unusually
arg, eVincing that more interest by the people
is ieIt In that part of the city slapd) for the edu
cation OF their children than in any other portion
ne manifest benefit arising from their active
interest ana participation In school matters is
S,;nan Gu oy corresponding energy and attention
gwen by the teachers to their daily duties OF
Tue trustees present, we noticed Messrs Miller,
walsh, Fort Randolph, Willett WHITE, and
1 r.. MI. John E; Holmead, one of the
Iiustees OF This district, was prevented from
attending by sickness DR. Samson of Columbia
college, Richards, of Union Academy HYDE of
me georgetown schools, and most Of the public
school teachers were also present The examina-
ton consisted of the best classes In Enoiish com
Posluon, grammar, reading, orthog aphy mental
ana written arithmetic, familiar natural science
n n,s.oTy and geography On the school roll S.
neatness, good order, and attention; and excel.
lence OF scholarship and intellectual Discipline
was manifest throug bout the exercises. IL 1t had
peen desirable to add to the established excellent
reputation of Miss Margaret Milburn, the instruc
0.ss' the occasion We refer TO would have amply
accomplished that object. The reading that
prime TEST OF careful and able instruction was
duhlrapie,- much attention having been paid to
clearness OF enunciation, correct pronunciation
ana true expression of the sentiments of the teYt
Inc grammar classes analyzed and passed most
serted Nillage,n and promptly detected and de-
fined the errors In the ungrammatical sentences
read 10 them, gave the for the corrections
ana o.neI satisfactory exhibitions of their familiar.
ny with the principles and usages of our anguage
4 ne punctuation, orthog raphy, and writing of
the olctatlon exercises were uniformly excellent
In mental arithmetic prof. Davies excellent
srdued sYstein) the proficiency was more than
remarkable-tt was extraordinary The analyses
was thorough, and the problems long and yerv
complicated; SO much so that doubts are expressed
as To the proPriety and benefit arising from 40
aR ia inv
classes OF questions given in the recent publics.
lions on this subject, Of which IL Is claimed nv
some OF our most competent teachers, the book
committee OF the Trustees has lately selected the
most Observation-Disclosures last edition In
written arithmetic the pupils were tested bv a
sumclent number Of questions and particularly
AZ 70 Ine pest modes OF operation on common and
ueclaI fractions, OF cancellation of Qual factors
the rates OF proportion, and the application of
fractional ratios and cancellation to them The
usual course of public examinations in written
arithmetic as conducted in our public schools ia
to "give outs sum- and let the puniIs Oct The
answer correctly the best way they can, while the
theory or principle upon which the operation ia
performed never sees daylight. Such system is
downright folly, and we say, ssreform II Alto
gether" We are glad to note that at this exami
natlon the teacher desired to avoid and succeeded
In departing from, the stereotyped process i'm this
respect. DIR. Samson In his reInar ks 10 the nuniIs
said that in his opinion, the pupils OF the .cboo
Were receiving more substantial, thorough, and
disciplinary education than could be obtained at
most OF what are termed fashionable schools ;,
"a remark referred to and concurred in with
additional emphasis by Gen. Randolph, who also
addressed the pupils at the close. MIR Richards
also made some highly commendatory remarks
and the general expression Of those present was
extremely complimentary to the school and its
energetic and judiciOus instructress For our
part we adopt the sentiment Of Lord Brougham.
one OF the Few great men who have condescended
10 say something encouraging to that useful, but
kept humble class, called teachers-1 Their call
Ing is high and holy their fame is the property
OF nauons-may they sleep under the not in
glorious epitaph, communicating one in whom
mankind has lost friend, and no man got rid of
an enemy -