Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-11-01
TFor the Free Press.
PUBLIC vs.. PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

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 g show as possible. The ar
guueutas 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 one within
another. and so the whole thing made portable,
If not pooketable.
Eleven reasons were assigned why private
schools should be preferred; but Oh examination
it will be seen that Nos. !, 2, and H. Gall re-
ferrng to morals. religion or manners) may easily
be reduced TO one head. So Nos. 8, 6, and
2, (all referring to progress IN learning
have SO very close connection with each other
that they can best be trested together The ele7-
en- heads being thus reduced to FIVE, VIC will see
what can be done with them.
And first, II respect to the social moral anu
religious advantages claimed for the private over
the nublic schools. we are exceedingly incredu-
lous. nav. We are inclined to deny them altogeth-
e.. We do not deny that some public schools are
inferior TO some private schools, but that the good
rubc school the model public school, is inferior
- the private school We know very wcl that
the class Of children who attend the public school
is ALWAYS so select nor is their dress so ele-
rant. nor their language and manners 90 unexcep-
tionable as Of the pupils Of the private schools
lint VIC are Of opinion. nevertheless, that when the
balance Is struck in each the preponderance Of
10 adl 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 training Of young people
No. we think not. We are Of opinion that their
number and strictnsss Is but temptation to the
wanton transrression Of them. The poor child is
50 hemmed in by regulations that they constantly
annoy him Cor herr He knows that the thing for
hidden is not wrong in itself, and cannot be con
WINGED that the doing Of it viii work him any IN
! Jury. He knows that the prohibition Is purely
arbitrary and against rule, for which there Is 10
/ reason his free young spirit rebels The "thou
shalt not is temptation to do lust the thing In
terdicted and so the rules arc broken Ius for a.
/ sake AZ 5-raSlng them.
The influence Of these multiplied rules is very
well illustrated II a letter we have Just received
from boarding-sohool miss IN which after sundry
confessions. she says: Very proper conduct you
think this for young ladies, but We ha,, t. dc
something once IL a while that isn't ,ust SO. We
must Is, of OCCASIONALLY And who blamcs them
they do
Besides the young mind must have perpctua
consciousness Of these arbitrary rules in order II
avoid breaking then. 1t can at no time be lot
free 70 act out itself. and as consequence, IT
true, spontaneous development is not seldom sad
" checked II grows, not like tree left to sen,
out its branches IL obedience to the sun and win.
and its OWL principle Of life, but like a tree II
some fantastic garden, dwarfed and pr1ned into Z
griffin OF pyramid. Girls especially, are otter
haunted with sense Of P7aprirg. which not only
turns their thoughts too much upon themselves
making them intensely self-conscious, thoughtfu
/ Of things about which they need not think at all
/ but converts them into those unnatural and emi
nentlv dIsagreeabie characters known as ys1ng
ladies, very uncomfortable themselvos and very
/ likely to make other people So.
Now if any where that government Is best
which governs Least. = is nest II Ju- --li--,l
-e--- TIL, fcbolar's sec7espe-t 70 be- trusted o.
/ o-a,- ia1r f. may 5e oulnUate5 BE may be civer
TO understand that his own conscience and goo,
sense are to be his guides IN al tbings which con
oern manners aad morals bis judgment IN thes
! .+r
O. the rest Of the schooI with that Of the teacher
with that Of the community. A certain mani
less (womanliness) Of character is generated an
fosteTed in this way, which can not be induced By
specific rules ana penalties You will have
natural and genuine character, spontaneous ;
right instead Of an artificial and composite char.
acter, working by rule, and 80 Needing still and
always t. be consciously guided by rules
The unconseioasIv noble character Is the ozit no
bic character The constant introspection IN,
oversight Of self induced by these superfuou
rules is almost certain 10 induce morbid and IN
healthy tone, both mental and roraI Wo b,
unto him who creates crime ?" Yet this is don,
when things perfectly harmless and proper AZ,
stringenty forbidden. The youthful conscience
being needlessly burdened, and afraid to regard
e. rigat that which 1t yet knows Is trro-g only ~
e1lscfmszI Is exposed to severe temptations which
might well be spared it. Its sense Of right an,
wrong Is tempered With and twill be Iniraol,
If that conscience" be not thereby "defled
What We have said above applies TO both classe
Of schools but more especially to those conducted
by individuals We are confident that the derre,
Of freedom usually enjoyed at the Common anl
High Schools Is better THAI the unintermitting
oversight Of Private Seminaries, which leaves no
single quarter Of a waking hour free from 1ule
and duties. The young conscience Is taught to
stand alone, to act for itself, (yet not without
stimulus and guidance where these are nesded)
and learns by constant exercise how to make 1t.
way independently and without bladders-as all
must al last-through the inevitable sea OF world.
ly temptation
FoUSD. IL the nall Of q well known and
most highly respected clergyman Of Burling-
tor. one evening recently, basket contain
ing q fine boy, some two months old evid-
emily 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 coupled at whose door it was
left, and who have raised children enough
to know how to take care Of it. They have
named it after the Prince Of Wales. and It's
chances Of being President OF the United
States, are as good as any baby's.
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