, 1865-08-18
SummntitG1io
To the Editor of the St. CrOix Avis.
DEAR SIR,

This thorough combination OF every state
ment advanced by the Superintendent to
prove that the comparison, drawn by the
Minority, between our Schools, and those
of the English Islands, is not a fair one,
brings us back, with augmented strength,
to the original position of the Minority,
viz.-that if the undoubted failure of our
Schools, in comparison with similar insti-
buttons elsewhere, cannot be attributed, in
any great degree, to the causes alledged
by the Superintendent, then, it is manifest,
that the chief cause of their failure must
lie in something pecullor to Themselves
something non existent IN other quarters,
where, under similar circumstances gene
rally, much greater success is attained
and that this is to be found only IN the pc
culiar method of instruction called the
Phonctical, adopted therein, and pursued
nowhere else, where the English Language
is taught. The Minority then sustain their
condemnation Of this system on 4 grounds
which may thus be stated. The wretch
ed failure of our Schools, under this sys-
tenn, in comparison with other Schools,
where, in the same climate, with the same
Race and Glass Of people, under voluntary,
and therefore more irregular attendance,
and with all the appliances Of education
much less literally supplied by Govern
ment, double, and treble the results are ac-
complished. II. The universal re lection,
after trial, of this system, in all places
where the English language prevails, and
where common School education is carried
on to the greatest perfection. III. It's spe-
oS,1 ooalo1,-,+1o, Ivv olnoO4iO,Icr VIII,
occupy prominent and responsible positions
in English Schools, such as-the PrOpriG-
tor and Head Master of a Grammar School
in England, which has hOurished for over
20 years, himself the Author of two well
received works on practical education
and the Inspectors of Public Schools in
three of the English Islands, where the
field of labor is precisely the same as ours,
and where education has been comparative
ly very successful. ". The Superinten-
dents own test, the evidence of unbiased
and Independent Teachers who have had
practical experience, under both systems,
in our Schools. Now let us see how he
has answered these arguments, than which,
every reasonable man will admit, nothing
can be stronger.
Under the |. head, nothing need be said,
as the point raised here has been fully dis
posed Of already, But under the II. and
III. we have a word to say-Here a heavy
blow is dealt, by the Minority, simultane-
ously at the chief cause of the failure of
the Schools, and at the most cherished Of
the superintendent hobbies-here there
fore, we had every reason to expect, that
his full strength would be put forth in de-
fence of that hobby: and now that the de-
fence appears, what is it's nature Surely
I am fully justified in saying, that anything
SO utterly feeble, and unsatisfactory, has
never before appeared in any controversy.
I was quite certain that no very strong de-
fence Of such a system of instruction could
be made, but I confess myself utterly con-
founded at the weakness that has been re-
vealed, and I know that the public univer-
sally share in my establishment. Could
any one possibly have imagined that this
very strong argument against the Phoneti-
cal system, derived from the universal re-
lection oft by accomplished educationists