The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-05-18
CDufatioual.
For The Cecil Wing.
Closing Of the Public Schools.

Ns. ErIroR The readers of The Wing
have doubtless heard that, at the expiration
Of the present quarter. the Public Schools of
this county will be closed for at least four
months. This intelligence has been hailed
with delight by all miSchievous boys and
laughterloving girls. Yonder is group of
bright eyed damsels, forming wonderful plans
of enjoyment for the coming long vacation;
while those madcap boys rend the air with
deafening shouts and loud huzzas. Memory
wildly recalls the time when the writer took
an active part in similar scenes. and reoced
in anticipation Of being released, for few
weeks, from that miniature prson-the school
room. Is it any wonder then, if these chill
dren are merry, when they expect to lay aside
all irksome tasks during the next four months,
and spend the time, like gay butterflies, in
one continued round of pleasure But what
do their mammas think OF the closing OF the
schools!
"Dear mel" cxclaims Mrs. Irritability.
"the very idea OF having my boys at home
gives me horrors! They will distract me
with their noise and ever plotting mischief:
they will keep the whole neighborhood in a
constant state ofexcitement. Indeed, l shall
be most miserable!''
"Well, Pm glad my girls will have such
long VACATION" says her ncighbor, Mrs.
Indulgence, 90 for Summer will soon be here,
and it is unnatural to expect children to study
in the warm weather. Besides, Amy looks
quite pale, owing, NO doubt, to her studous
habits; and have at length arrived at the
conclusion that SO much mental labor is
injurious to young persons.''
Il am very sorry" remarks Dame Pru-
dence, " that my children will be deprived
ofschool instruction for so long period
When l consider that youth i, tho proper
season for the acquisition of owledge, and
that each hour is of priceless value, deeply
regret the closing of the Public Schools"
Admitting that children need some rclaxa-
ton during the very warm weather; yet l
agree with Madam Prudence in considipy
vacation of four months by far too long
knowledge is as requisite for tho proper
development of the intellectual powers, Us
1000 Is necessary for the nourishment Of the
body. Children should, therefore, have
regular hours each day devoted to study, and
certain portion of time allotted for recrca-
ton; ifthis wholesome discipline be relaxed
for several months, not only will much Of the
knowledge already acquired be forgotten, but
habits OF Incidence will be formed, which may
afterwards require the most persevering efforts
to overcome. While indulgent mothers often
assert that too mnch mental labor is injurious,
they appear to forget that the other extreme,
all play and no study, is equally pcrnicious.
IT teachers and parents would maintain a
happy medium, assigning lessons suited to
the capacities of the children, and permitting
them to enjoy plenty of exercise in the open
air, the rising generation would become more
robust and healthy, and at the same time,
intelligent and happy beings.
Since the Public Schools must be sus-
pended until October, owing to the want of
FUNDS, II the teachers will make some arrange
ment with the Commissioners, whereby they
can retain the use Of the school houses, and
continue teaching, the patrons of their re-
spectve schools will no doubt be willing to
grant them an adequate compsn saton for
their services. The irritable mothers will
thus be relieved of world of anxiety, and
all wise and prudent parents will be gratihed
10 mink their children can have access to new
supplies of valuable knowledge. ALPHA.
Serenh District, Man Sth, 1861.