, 1865-08-25

stand lt-and that but little progress
could be made under it. This is easily
explained aud would be aforegone %conclu-
sion with any one who studied both sys-
TENS, the results in the Country Schools
here only practically illustrating it. The
fact then is-that an impetus was g ven to
the progress of those children with whom
the foundation had been already laid un-
der the old system, but that when this sup
ply was exhausted the success OF the
Schools became more anil more contract
al, until it dwiudled down to It's present
lean proportions. Here then we have the
true explanation above and beyond what
has been already given, of the glowing &C.
counts Of some OF the Teachers Of the T.
vantage Of the new system at first, and
Of their subsequent disappointment, and
condemnation OF lt-of the gradual decline
0f the 5 n0ais-of the Parents consequent
and natural Increased carelessness about
sending their children thereto-and, last not
least, of what seemed so strange to every
one before this explanation was given-the
superintendent going back to the first
years adoption OF the system for evidence
in it's favor.
But, says the Superintendent. every one
will readily believe Of the evidence given
by the Teachers quoted by the Minority,
that their n~eighb0r, the Rector Of st Paul's,
exercises so much influence over them as
to make them furnish him with the letters
&c. Now think it due TO these Teach
ers, as well as to myself, to say-that their
letters Wee written III RELY to a circular
from me, asking certain questions on the
subject Of the Rural Schools, without any
pre- ious consultation Whatevcr-that on
certain points, other than the Phonetical
system, their opinions differed widely from
miDe-that | applied to them for their
opinions, not because ofany foreknowledge
OF their views, but simply with the object
of e~IicjtiuG the evidence Of men who were
reliable, because unbiased, independent,
and experienced under both systems of in
struction-and that I did not even read
their answers before opening them at the
meeting of the Commission, at which they
We're produced. Any thing t%uirer, and
more above board than this, | cannot ina
CINE. But in what way are these Gentle
men under my influence as asserted by the
Superintendent: (? With two of them l
have no connection, or relation whatever:
Will one L nave ItidllOiS3 UuU Vi SuCu u
nature as dISconnects them entirely with
such a matter as this and which could
NOT, in any manner, operate on this ques-
ton. They are entirely Independent Of
me; in what then can this great influence
Of mine over them consist? Listen, oh
Public and wonder-they are, says the
Superintendent, they are-acighbors Of tie
Rector Of 81. PaukH Comment is USE
less.
With regard to the influence of the
Schools on the morals of the pupils, I have
nothing to say but that the only evidence
I have on that point, pro or con, is fur
nished by the superintendent own start
ling revelations. But [ take exception to
his parallel in this matter between the
teaching in the Schools, and the preaching
in our Churches. In the latter case the
people are immoral IN spite of our preach
ing while in the former he himself asserts,
that the children use their teaching as a
means of immortality.
And as to the "~unIaufulness'' of my pub
fishing his 'AnnuaI Report without his
permission, or that of the Commission, per-