Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-10-19
For the Free Press
PUBLIC VS.. PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

schools, their teachers and appointments and
would be differently answered in different locali-
ties: for the best school is that in which is found
the most cultivated, most genial-minded and most
thorough teacher with the leisure to cultivate his
special branch or branches, the time necessary
properly TO in.tru.t his classes, and having the
suitable aids for his work.
Which should be the better,
This question also will receive different answers,
according to the standpoint of those to whom it
is put; though when the matter is looked upon in
a comprehensive way, VIC think there can be little
hesitation to the response which must be made.
Of course, leave out of the question the
plisLneufs so called, since, these are cultivated
by the few only, who have the needed wealth and
leisure, they can not, and should not be taught il
schools intended for the many. We would include,
however, all the departments Of liberal
cducation-all that is sometimes designated by the
term solids, such as the languages, higher mathe-
MATES, sciences-in fact, all that should be en-
braced in collegiate course (for either SEX and
30 these you may add Law, Medicine, and Theol-
ogy, or a full University course all the branches
taught in he training schools Of the Professions;
for these are demanded by the interests Of the
State and of Society, no less truly than the more
elementary discipline.
In behalf Of private schools this is said:
l. They are moro select in their character ad-
hitting usually but limited number of pupils
and surrounding these with strict and specific
rules; and so they secure moro healthful moral
training to those who enter them.
.. The religious Influences of private school
will be better as in this will be enjoyed the NOR
ming and evening worship and usual religious in
struetion Of the fami circle.
3. Inprvate schools girls and boys may be
separately educated, thus avoiding certain evils Of
free schools, in which the two sczes are brought
together in the classes, if not in one common
study-har The girls may be taught by female
teachers, and the boys by male and so each receive
a more appropriate and special training than they
would otherwise get.
4. II young people, boys or girls, have to 60
from home in order to pursue their studies, they
better off in the forming stage Of their chaIao
tiers, to be ia schools in which the influences Of a
family oversight and government may still be-
felt by them; they are not yet ripe enough to
stand the temptations they will meet in the public
schools, nor strong enough, especially the sensi-
tive natures to defend themselves from the injury
and insult towhich they will be exposed iu pro-
miscuous crowd Of young people.
8. The progress OF pupils in these schools is
likely to be more rapid and thorough, tlo In
structors being able to give their whole attention
10 a few pupils.
C. In confirmation OF s. Il, may DC said that
the large classes gathered in public schools viii,
of COURSE, contain many who arc more OF less dull
and GLOW Of apprehension, and the progress Of the
class will be determined, rather by the laggards
and blockbeads in it, than by its brighter and
quicker members. Hence the advance Of the best
students is necessarily as Glow as Of the poorest
This difficulty is diminished in private schools.
+. Many, especially girls, have occasion to &C
qaire the accomplishments along with the solids,
aud so are better of in a school in which they can
pursue both at once, relieving their harder labor
byfs,',r and more pleasing pursuits thus &C
compiis ing nearly double work with no increased
outlay Of vital force.
s. In private schools the students are obliged
to pay for what they get, and SO, many Of them,
led to make more diligent use Of their advant-
ages than if they cost them nothing.
9. The success OF Il private school depending
soley on the teachers reputation, there s large
inducement to ezertion and faithfulness in teach
ing.
10. The element Of perser0aaee IN the Teaeheyshp
50 deplorably lacking in the Common and High
Schools, is here measurably supplied, and
Course of Study" may in thesr be something
more than name.
II. For divers reasons, the private school is
likely to have more salutary influence on the
social s1anses Of its inmates and so will fit them
better for certain duties they owe to Society.
OF the Public School, we will have more to say
in another paper.
Az EARTHQUAKE, real lie Earthquake,
visited us Wednesday, about six o'clock
The vibrations were distinct and forcible
enough to shake every thing, wake every
body up, and scare the children.
The time occupied by the shock Is various
ly estimated by different persons, at from 10
seconds to full minute the time OF its oc-
currence is also variously stated, owing,
to the variation of clocks
Mr.. II. Il. Campbell, gentleman used to
exact observation, noted the time as five
minutes before six. He says
"There were four vibrations, with an interval Of
time barely sppreciable, then one vibration, and
second interval of time, and then four more vi
brstions.
They wero SO violent as to distinctly shake every
thing in TIE rooms, and to awake every member of
ny family sleeping in the upper rooms ofmy house.
The vibrations were attended with a slight |
-umbling and were very distinctly 10 an casterly /
lime. Barometer standing at 500 inches,
Another observer reports SIS follows
BURLINGTON, Oct. l., 1860
Aies'T'. Benediet--
Dear Sirs; This morning, at about
'uiee u Tour minutes past ak, we experience a
oms"hat severe shock of an Standardization
with low rumblinr noi,, co,,,.-.h,,
to very distant thunder.
This was soon followed by a violent motion g
the earth, shaking the house, and giving TO NV
bed motion as though some person beneath wero
tossing it.
During this time. when the shock was more
fell. several decided and pretty heavy
humps wore heard. -. .....
Duration Of the Earthquake Is seconds; time
oc.-4 m. Shy overcast.
HUSGERFoRD.
Some say there was no noise attending the
hook; others heard slight rumbling; many
ook no particular notice, thinking some one
vas moving some heavy piece of furniture.
We have conyersed with several who were
sleep at the time, and their impression, as
hey awoke, was that something was shaking
he bed-which, we suspect, was actually
he case