The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1860-02-09
City Items.


SEMI-ANNUAL PUBLIC School ExAMINA-
T1oNs--A large majority of our citizens,
when spoken ein reference TO our schools,
are loud in their commentators of the po-
sition our city occupies in relation to them,
and frown upen any attempt to disparage
or underestimate their value. With few
exceptions, all the children in our city
are now instructed in the public schools
All, in the matter of education, stand on a
common Ievel-and the need of honor is
awarded to the diligent and intelligent, ir-
respective of birth, dress, or position in
society. Every child is taught that he mnst
depend on his own individual exertions, if
he would excel his fellows, and not because
his parents live in palace, and he is per-
mitted to fare sumptuously every day
| Upon this feature of our free school system
rests the hope of the nation. We trust it
will be maintained; and so soon as il be-
comes general in EVERY city, county, and
State IN the Union, viii our people be a
! free, prosperous, and united people.
The regular semi-annual examinations of
the schools are now in progress. We were
| so fortunate, yesterday, as to witness the
examination of the children in two of the
| primary departments-thoss of Miss Street
and Miss Half under the supervision of the
Trustees, Messrs. Wheeler and Hornbrook. A
majority ofthe children seemed fully imbued
with tile Importance of the occasion, and
anxious to gain the approval of the visitors.
But few parents were present. We regret
ted this exceedingly. Nothing SO animates
| and encourages child as the thought that his
parents feel an interest in his studies, sym
pathize with him iu his failures and re-
| joice with him in his triumphs. Parents
ought, by all means, to have so arranged
their business and home duties, as to have
been present to witness what progress their
children were making in their respective
studies. The education of the child should
not be left altogether to the teacher.
1. We were pleased to observe the system
and order that pervaded the two schools
examined yesterday. Every pupil seemed
to know his place and what was expected
of him. The reading was generally very
good. We observed that a great many of
the children have acquiredsthe habit of pro-
nouncing the last word in a sentence quicker
and louder than the Others, as though they
had some spite at it, orwere anxious to par.
company with ii rs soon as possible. We
would not, perhaps, have noticed this pecu-
iiarity had it not been SO generally practiced
This was more observable in one of The
schools than in the other. However, ths
reading and spelling in both these schools
were much .supcriorlto what we have Otter
heard coming from pnpiIs. who claimed Il
be much further advanced. Mr.. Wheeler
objected TO the spelling, but we though
it did very well. aia l-- .asl .r@
One of tie most interesting features o
= these primary schools is the singing. Thi
) is taught as regularly as any other branch
and we are sure is as instructive as enter
: tanning. The little fellows, with their
! "a Come along, Como along. don't be a fool. l.-liil
Uncle Sam is rich enough TO send US all TO school,
= sir up their enthusiasm considera6ly, be
3 sides imbibing some very PATRIOTS senti
ments- The couple of hours we spent n
the school room yesterday we've Yleasaa
ones, and we suggest to our citizens that a
L many of them as can make il eonvsaien
a. to be present during the contiNnation Of tn
examination to-day and to-rorrow, sheuI'
do so by all means. t AT