Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-02-13
$tImout Thrnnifle.
SCHOOLS.

IL The Editor If the Belmont Chron'cte'
Srn Did you ever teach q school? lfl
sou ever have, I guess you had rather set
types, for il is fact that the "Schoolmas-
ter Of country village or district is not
an Il senviablc being, but may be the most
miserable. Having heard much praise OF
the 'Public Schools of Ohio, not long
s;pcc I determined to visit one, and it there
was anything that could approach descrip-
tion Of the place called Bcdlam, twas this
school. I had often heard that school was
. place ito teach the young idea how to
shoot, but as we entered the room l
thought it must be place to learn the boys
20 use the ''weed," and to teach the girls
slovenliness and i'll manners for there set
the ''master," his feet on the top Of wri-
ting desk, putting away at a "stoRa, the
smoke in clouds fairly concealing his face
from our view, and on looking about the
room, we saw nothing but confusion and
dirt: the floor looked as if it had never been
swept, dirt some inches deep, with now and
then on "old stoga,' or tobacco cud, and
The girls and boys giggling and running
about, talking, etc., as much as they pleased.
We had Just got fairly seated, when up
Jumped boy with, Master, Jo Horn keeps
tickling d" another jumped up directly
with, 'Tim Dun keeps ar pinchin me. =
The Master took his 'stoga' from his
mouth, saying ''Tim, what did you pinch
ki,u. .for2''- ''Kos he keeps er scrougin,
me-, vas the reply Thus passed the time.
Seeing come Of the scholars writing, we ex-
aminea some Of their copy books" and
will give you verbatim, ct literatim,a few Of
hecopies rs written by the Master, lat least
so the children ssid.) ''Upard and onard il
our motto" "Mry Gineral Scot has IRE
turusd from his joroney." There was
rober named Burubus" Spelling Book
mpst have beeh sAres when this knight o
the rod" got his education, was our thoughts
But there the Master sat, thevapory smok'
rolling over his head, and when class reat
or recited, it was, "Bill Clcrga hear thi
cla1,i or, Jim Dane, hear that lesson" A
boy came up to the Master with a long coun
senance, as supposed he had somethin,
Of great Importance to communicate, hi
sscsnds the platform to the desk, with al
the gravity of preacher: MASTER" said
he, "Bill Clerga and Tom Cunamins keer
all the time writing luv letters to the gals. ,
could contain myself no longer-l tool
may hat and left, right glad to get ava.
from such Beldam and enjoy the stiffness
Of most any other place, and ] came to thi
conclusion, that most any ono 'may keep
school," but it is not every one that car
manage ,shd teach ssehcol." This rtady
ing Jaw, and keeping school" just to ''rais
the wind, is not as it should be. Wha
profession is Of more Importance than h
instruct the young mind? A school shouit
be place where nothing Of a dehasinl
character or influence could gain admittance
fshould be place capable Of inspiring
cheerful sound and pure thoughts and ideas
shich ever spring, and spring only, from
pleasing associations or objects. p,,,
> A person who makes use Of profane Ian
,guage, or uses tobacco, during school hours
is not to be entrusted with tho instruction
Of youth. Such vices beget recklessnes
of thought and action and in youth, I
person entrusted with their characters, ant
their usefulness, should not be guilty Of sucl
immoralities Children learn very mucl
from example, more than most people ar
aware OF, therefore their instructors shoul,
be persons guilty Of no debasing practices
An instructor Of youth should no more b.
guilty of such vile practices, so degrading
and debasing to the mind, than the minister
who occupies your pulpit. 1t is general,
in the street that boys learn to lounge, s,oear
and to smoke, yes, and to chow. Teaching
isa responsible station, and teachers can dt
much good. In many places, they employ
that Teacher who will keep school fo
tho lowest wages, and teachers are not al
together free from blame for this state o.
things. Whatever may be the wages Of .
Teacher, lot him endeayor to DO his duty
faithfully, and improve his qualifications tc
the utmost Of his abilities, and he will teacl
with more satisfaction to himself, and NOR,
benefit to his pupils. A teacher, by care
fully instrlcting his pupils and interesting
them in their studies, viii, through them
create an interest in their parents with re
gard to the school, andtho progress Of thei
children; and this point gained, the peopl
will discriminate with reference to teachers
and he who is best qualified will obtain tn
best wages. "A lusy man may keep
school" but he is incompetent to instruc
the young. Tho working teacher surel
deserves higher pecuniary reward than h
generally receives, but, "the laborcr shoul,
be worthy Of his hire" On tho youth 0
our country depends tho :pcrpstuity Of ou
eiat and political institutions. Strike dow
our nurseries Of learning, the cradle 3
Democracy and true greatness, and dar
night would reign over the minds of mer
Then, keep up your schools, your nurserie
,.,of Education, for true Education Is the yer
soul Of her Republican Institutions Cherish
thsn, your schools; improve them; emplo