The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-08-08

l.
stitution, which has existed in our city for
more than half century, is one concern.
ing which many Of our citizens have very
little knowledge, particularly the younger
portion of the natives and those who have
come here from elsewhere. The building
occupied by the school was built in the
year lslG. The cornerstone was lald by
DR.. John Dove, or the Masonic fraternity
The location chosen for il is very untor.
tunate one, and we hope some day, when
the CITY can afford II, that this building
will be sold, and another erected in more
eligible location. The school was cstab.
lshed several years before this building
was erected, and the room over the Old
Market was used as q school-room. What
was known as the Lancastcrian plan OF in.
struction was adopted when the school
was commenced. This plan, which wa.
invented bv celebrated Italian named
Pestallozzi, and improved upon By the dis
tinguishcd philanthropist of England, Jo-
scph Lancaster, consisted in teaching by
cards instead Of with books, and in making
one of the more advanced pupils Of 4 class
the teacher.
1t was done in this way Il row Of semi
circular seats was placed in the room for
the use Of the pupils. Opposite the GEN.
trc of these benches was set up card, Oh
which was the lesson TO be taught, printed
in type sufficiently large to be seen by the
class. The teacher, standing by the card
either gave lesson or heard recitation
from his class. This plan was only suited
for beginners, and for the elementary part
Of an education, and was devised on ac-
count of the high price and scarcity OF
school-books. 1t was followed in this
school for many years, and was abandoned
when School-books became more plentiful
aud cheaper; but is still called the Lam
casterian school. The average number OF
pupils for many years prior to the war was
about four hundred and fifty.
This school is strictly an institution OF
the city, and has been supported princi-
pally by an appropriation made annually
by the Council. In addition to this, the
trustees received annually for many years
before the war the sum OF nine hundred
dollars from the literary fund of the State.
There are also two legacic>-one from
Whitaker Shadworth, the interest on
which is between three and four hundred
dollars per annum: and one from the
estate of Archibald Blair of two hundred
dollars per annum. The literary fund OF
the State was swallowed up 10y the war,
and the appropriation from this source is
of course stopped. The Council short
time since increased the city appropria-
ton TO four thousand dollars per annum.
Many Of our old citizens took very
lively interest in this school, and by their
attention have made it a very useful insti-
tuition. Amongst these is DR.. John Dove,
who has been connected with ii lis truS-
tee from its commencement. For large
part of this time hc was president of the
board, and Is now acting rs secretary. lie
SAYS liz has attended the meetings Of the
board regularly every month Tor fifty
wears, and mentions H. il remarkable fact,
that although it is a city institution, and
there is Il standing colnluiltce OF the Coun-
ell to attend t. it. he las never seen Il
member of the Council at one "t the
meetings, unless he was Il trustee. The
affairs Of the school are conducted by Il
board Of nine trustees appointed hy the
Council. 1t is an elementary school, III
which reading, writing, arithmetic, geo
craphy and the rudimemts Of grammar
are taught.
As at present arranged all of the male
pupils are taught in the same room,
regardless Of their proficiency; and all
of the females in another room. By the
appropriation lately received from the city,
the trustees will he enabled to sub-diyide
the rooms So rs to have separate rooms for
each class; and the plan which has been
so efficient in the free schools 81 Norfolk
and Baltimore will hc introduced into
this school. At present there are five
tcachcrS-Mr. Gates, who is principal, and
four female assistants. Two Of the ladies
teach in the male department the other
two in the female department.
We are glad to see that an appropria.
ton has been made by which the trustees
can make the Improvements which are felt
To be absolutely necessary, and 10y which
the teachers can be paid better salaries.
Thi, school, which has been quietly pur-
suing its course for more than fifty years,
has been the means of educating many
orphans Of this city who without ii conld
not have been educated. Quite Il number
of our prominent business men and most
excellent citizens have been educated
there, and have more than repaid the city
for what it gave them.
Many girls married from this school, and
became the heads OF respectable and use.
tul families.
There is Il wide field before it and simi.
! lar institutions here now. We have great
many orphans-the children of those who
gave their lives in defence Of the cause
which was so dear to all of us, and in de-
fence of this city. The city owes II debt
of gratitude to these brave soldiers, aud
the least it can do is to provide the means
bv which their orphans may be educated
and made honest aud useful citizens.
We had some years since, in addition to
this school, free school iu each ward oi
the city. They were discontinued during
the war. The buildings are still standing
and we hope immediate measures may be
taken to reopen these schools, so that the
opportunity of acquiring an elementary
education may be put within the reach
Of all.
The great Importance Of education Ii
acknowledged by all and We hope that NJ
time will be lost and no means left unused
70 educate the youth, male and female, o
orr city.
NATIONAL CEMETERY At SEVEN Pines