Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-11-02
For the Free Press. ]
PUBLIC vs.. PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

Ill.
In our first article we stated quite at large the
reasons which may be urged in favor of private
schools. We did this because we wished they
should make as large a show as possible. The
gumentas there set forth, is like pocket telescope
with all its tubes extended for the sake Of getting
the full power of the glass. Let US see if these
several divisions cannot be shut up within
another and go the whole thing made portable,
# not pocketabe.
Eleven reasons werc assigned why private
schools should be preferred; but on examination
it will be seen that Nos. !, 2, and II, (all re-
ferring to morals, religion or manners) may easily
be reduced to one head. So Nos. 5, G. and
9, (alI referring to progress in lcarniug,)
have so very close connection with each other
that they can best be treated together The elev
en- heads being thus reduced to FIVE. We will see
what can be done with them.
And first, in respect to the social, moral and
reli gous advantages claimed for the private over
the public schools, we are exceedingly incrodu-
lous; nay, we are inclined to deny them altogeth-
or. We DO not deny that some public schools arc
inferior to some private schools but that the good
public school, the model public school, is inferior
to the private school. We know very wei that
the class Of children who attend the public school
is not always select, is their dress 50 ele-
CANT, nor their language and manners SO unexcep-
tionable, as Of the pupils Of the private schools
but We are Of opinion nevertheless, that when the
balance is struck in each, the preponderance of
good influence will be found to be decidedly on
the side Of the institutions supported by the
State
But are not the numerous and stringent rules
laid down in private schools admirably suited to
the trimming Of young people?
No, we think not. We are Of opinion that their
number and strictness is but temptation to the
wsnton trsnsgression Of them. The poor child is
so hemmed in by regulations tina. they constantly
annoy him Cor her.) lie knows that the thing for
hidden is not wrong in itself, and cannot be con-
WINGED that the doing Of it will work him any il
jury. lie knows that the prohibition is purely
arbitrary, aud against rule for which there is no
reason, his free young spirit rebels. The Chou
shalt not is temptation to do just the thing In
teTdiced and so the rules are broken just.for the
sake Of breaking them.
The influence Of these multiplied rules is very
well illustrated in letter We have just received
from boarding-school miss, in which after sundry
confessions she says: Very proper conduct you Il
think this for young ladies, but we haze to DO
something once in a while that isn't just So We
must la IF OCCASIONALLY" And who blames them il
they do
Besides, the young mind must havs pcrrstual
consciousness Of these arbitrary rules in order to
avoid breaking them. II can at no time be left
free to act out itself and as g consequence, its
true, spontaneous development. is not seldom cad
ly checked. 1t grows, not like tree lsft to send
cut its branches in obedience to the SUD and wind
and It's OWL principle Of life, but like a tree in
some fantastic garden, dwarfei and pr1ned into n
griffin or pyramid. Gi7ls especially, are often
haunted with sense OF p19p7iay, which not only
turns their thoughts too much upon themselves,
making them intensely self-conscous, thoughtful
Of things about which they need not think at all
but converts them into those unnatural and emf
nently dlsagreeable characters known as ys,.ug
lsdies. very uncomfortable themselves, and very
likely to make other people
Nov if any where cha. government is best
which governs least, it IS best in tho schoo l.
room. Tn -eholars retrospect is % BE- trusted ~
or5.r tl1t Il may Be- cultivated. H may bo given
to understand that his own conscience and good
sense are to be his guides in all things vhi-h con-
Germ manners and morals. His Judgment in these
matters may be presumed to be the same with tina :
Of the rest Of the school with that of the teacher
with tina; Of the community. A certain manli-
less (vomanliness) OF character is generated and
fostered in this way, which not be induced by
specific rules and penalties. Yoa will have
natural and genuine character, spontaneously
right, instead of an artificial and composite char
actcr, working By rule, and SO needing still and
always to be consciously guided by rules
The urconseiously noble character is tho only no.
bic character. The constant introspection and
oversight Of self induced by these superhuous
rules is almost certain to induce morbid and I'M
healthy tone, both mental and morGi. We be
unto him who creates crime - Yet this is done
when things perfectly harmless and proper are
stringsntly forbidden. The youthful conscience,
being needlessly burdened, and afraid to regard
as right that which it yet knows is uyong only By
enactment, !. exposed to severe temptations which
might we'll be spared it. It's sense of right and
wrong is tempered with, and il will be a miracle
if that 'consciencs" be not thereby "dehled'
What We have said above applies to both classes
Of schools but more especially to those conducted
by individuals. We are confident that the degree
of freedom usually enjoyed at tho Common and
High Schools Is better than the underwriting
oversight of Private Seminaries, which leaves no
single quarter Of waking hour free from rules
and duties. The young conscience is taught to
stand alone, to act for itself, yet not without
stimulus and guidance, where these arc needed)
and learns by constant exercise how to make its
way independently and without bladdors-as all
must at last-thrcugh the inevitable sea ofworld-
ly temptation.
FOUND, in the hall of well known and
most highly respected clergyman of Burlipg-
ton one evening recently, 4 basket contain
ing Ene boy, some two months old, eyid-
entity carefully nurtured hitherto, and
supplied with three suits Of expensive baby
clothing.
The little wait, thus thrown upon the care
of strangers, has, as we hear, been adopted
by the kind couplei at whose door it was
left, and who have raised children enough !
to know how to take care of it. They have |
named il after the Prince of Wales, and Its
chances of being President Of the United
States, are as good as any baby's,
LTTEsT FROM EUROPE.
The Steamship City Of Washington, with
Liverpool dates to the 10th, passed Cape