Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-02-15
Lamensablo state OF Eaucaroa. an spau

Lanentable state OF EducatiOn fn spain.
A correspondent of the London AHiengum, writ
ing from Simancas, Spain in December last, draws
this unattractve picture of the state of education
that country:
at il, think, a widely spread opinion that the
Spanisrdsare tooindoent to trouble themselves with
questions respecting the education Of their ehiren.
l. at least whee formerly travelling in Spain, took
that for granted. Closer observation, however,
teaches me that was wrong. Il i 9 fact which
can attest from my own knowledge that in Simancas
and its neighborhood there are only few field Ia
borers and shepards to be found who not able
read or write, and who do not know the rdiment Of
arithmetic. Formerly when the converts were nu-
merous and the number Of the monks legion, there
was scarcely family, even amongst the poorest, a
number of which had not entered holy orders and
the love OF their family prevailing over their indo
lence; the monks became teachers Of their young
brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces-
After the suppression of the converts, very ex-
tensive system Of popular instruction was estab-
lIshed. In our village Of about one thousand souls
we have two public schools, enc for boys and tbs
other for girls; and the small hanlefs in the
neghborhoOd, consisting Of twenty or forty houses
besides provided with their own little schools
The sehOOlmasters and schOolmistresses are indie
pendent Of the Chnrch. They are lay persons and
appointed and paid By the Ayuntamientos. or com
mon councils. My friend, the maestro Of the boys,
In Simsneas, Is q goOd-humored, healthy-lOoking
man, of about fifty years Of age. On school DAYS
he teaches his disciples what he has learned from
his master; and on holidays be likes to spend some
hours in the here ordinarily vain attempt 70 shoot
rabbit partridge As far as the most elementary
instruction is concerned Spain has no reason to be
afraid of comparison with other countries. But
her weak point consists IN the almost complete alb
sence Of useful books; the consequences IS, that
though even the common people are generally able
to write, and to read letter. ard to keep their ac
counts, their ideas remain undcVeloped, their views
narrow, and the ignorance on all matters which do
not touch them Immediately is all but complete.
KANSAS SUFtERERs-Doubts have been expressed
to the existence Of any real suffering among the
settlers in Kansas but it is certain that great dis
tress prevails there, and that many hsvs died Of
starvation and cold. But for the relief that has
been afforded them, many more would have per-
shed, and others must yet die unless provisions and
clothing continue to be sent them. Their necessities
appeal to all humane persons, and with peculiar
force to the people Of New England to the "Emigraat
Aid Societies, (" and TO those political schemers by
whose representations they were induced to ex-
change their comfortable homes here for the stern
vicisstudes of frontier life. Most Of these settlers
had no other motive in removing to Kansas than TO
throw into that (then) Territory population which
should cucumber their opponents, and thereby
cure it for Freedom" Many Of them were city
bred and inexperienced, and unused to the hard
ships of the frontier; but IN their zeal they were
willing to forego the eonveniences Of life and to
dure privatlons for they innOcentiy believed that
they were doing service to their section Of the
country and TO the cause Of freedom and humanity
They appeal for aid to those upon whom they have
especial claims. What is the responseg Thaddeus
Hyatt telegraphs from Atchison to the New York
Relief Committee: Boston giUes US no help. Not
one dollar of the Boston fund has reached the starv
ing yet" Boston was ready to contribute rifles and
balls to drive out Shareholders and Democrats, but
refuses to send bread The demagogues who
speculated in Kansas do not come to the relief of
their victims. What a load Of responsibility rests
upOn their shoulders for this frQhtfl disrress and
what a commentary are this starvation and death
upon the iaiquity Of forcing into q new country an
inexperienced population, to carry out the program
of sectional party