Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1866-03-21
z ID DUCATIoNAL- A
Closing Sohool-A Suggestion.


there are three classes Of teachers. and
Of closing the professional relations be-
tween pupil and instructor.
1Lo who teaches 50 many DAYS for so
much money, will impatiently look for
the last day Of The term which IS to
release him from his unwilling task,
entitle him to the last instalment OF
his salary and set him at liberty to de
vote his time to some more congenial
employment. Such schoOlmaster,
either from want otappreciation of the
Importance Of the occasion, or OF IN,
cInatlOn TO meet its requirements,
marks the last day OF the term with
nothing save an extra degree of impa
tience Of its duration and carelessuess
of it's usual routine duties; and it may
be that he shOrtens the irks0mG hours
by an early and an uncordial dismissal
of the school. On their part, glad to
he freed from the thrai,irom Of such
school, the pupils huddie up their books
and rush forth like liberated prisoners
rejoicing that the morrow and the next
day and the next, for weeks and months,
will be free Of school and its tedious
tasks and its unloved master.
The representative Of another class
resolves to make show at the end OF
the term, and to build up his profess
sional reputation upon the specious but
shallow foundation 0l a public eXami-
nation-so called. Weeks are devoted
TO the preparation. Set questions in
all the branches are selected. ard men,
Urized answers fitted to them. Syeci-
mems OF penmanship, kindly touched
up or painted by the master, are
ready. Intricate sums are practiced
oD the black board, till worked off with
q rapidity and expertness that plainly
show that drilled fingers not disciplined
mind are at work; and the whole is to
terminate with Il comic dialogue, or, it
may be with some scenes of stage
play, with costume and all the mOuthing
mImicry OF the theatre. The last day
and the last night of the term are thus
passed with eclat; and pupils and teach
ers meet no more. And we'll it is so
for how they could consistently meet
the next day to take a solemn leave Of
each other, it is hard to conceive
Alike deceivers and deceived, words of
truth and honesty between them would
he out OF place. Or, if they meet at
all, it can onl y be to injuro each other
more permanently, by rejoicing over
the success of the fraud.
Another class there is,-and we are
glad to think it is the most numerous,
the members Of which desire to dis
tinguish the closing Of the term with
some Observances suitable TO the im-
portance Of the occasion. BY this re-
remark we do not wish to exclude that
real public examination OF pupils in
the whole scope of their studies, which
tests fairly and fully the amount Of their
progress. Neither would we exclude
that proper exhibition Of readings. de.
clamatlons, &c, prepared for without
loss OF time during the term, and re-
sorted to for some worthy purpose at
its clOse,-at which no one processes
more than he knows, or exhibits any
thing unsuitable. But in addition to
this or these, if resorted to, it has al
ways seemed to us that there should
be regular formal closing of the
school and a leave taking between
teacher and pupil. And it is in refer
ence to this that We now venture
suggestion.
During the trials and vicissitudes of
the term, the teacher, if qualified for
the position, will have pretty accurate.
ly ascertained, not only the abilities
huy hn I;cr~z,t;1- Il q
every pupil While they have been
learning from him, he has learned
much Of them What shall he do with
MS knowledge? Is he to remain sat
lstied with the clue it afforded him in
the management of the school, or, is
he to endeavOr to. turn it to greater
account by bringing it to bear at the
solemn hour OF separation upon their
future career as men and women?-
This question would seem to be plainly
suggested by the occasion; and if SO.
the further question arises,-how shall
it be answered? And if in the afirma-
tive, then arises the still further cues
tion-how shall this duty be dis
charged?
The nature Of the occasion seems to
indicate its own treatment; the existing
feelings to admit of but one line Of
conduct.
The honest, Jealous, qualified teach.
er has, as matter of course, obtained
the respect and confidence of his pu-
pills. The parting is, to him, solemn
event, brings before him the sense of his
responsibility in its fullest extent. To
them, making all allowance for the
buoyancy of youth and the feeling of
relief from school duties, it is also Sc
sious The hearts Of all are softened
Every asperity is removed. On the
one side. Uniformed character is in It's