Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1866-06-30
School Examination.

On Thursday afternoon last, large num-
Der of our citizens who take an interest in
the cause of education. assembled at the
school house to witness the examination oi
the primary department of our public school,
under the supervis ion of the teacher, Mrs.
Kent. The folding doors which usually sep
arate the different departments had been re-
moved, throwing the whole building into one
and gentlemen present comfortable seats, and
fair opportunity to hear and witness the
proceedings. without discommoding the pu-
pills. As the greater part of the audience
was composed of the parents of the scholars,
great interest was taken and the most marked
attention paid to the efforts of the children
during the entire examination. The exercises
consisted of declamations, reeitations, read
ings, dialogues and singing. and We feel con-
fdent that the universal opinion of those
present will bear US out in saying that such
proficiency in their different branches Of
study as was exhibited by the pupils of Mrs.
Kent's school, has never before been equaled
in Mokelnmne Hill. The reading of the diff
ferent classes, in concert and singly, was the
best, considering the age of the readers, we
have ever heard; some of the children not
more than seven or eight years old, minding
the pauses, accents and infections, and mod
ulating their voices as necessity required, in
manner that would reflect credit upon per-
sons of maturer years, and which could only
have been attained by careful attention to
their lessons. and continual, patient training
by their teacher. The declamations and dia-
logues were fully as good as the tender age
of the speakers and the large number to be
taught, would lead US to expect; and con-
siderable oratorical talent was displayed by
some of the older boys. One of the most
pleasing features of the entertainment was
/ the singing, in which the entire school par
ticipated, and their bird-like voices made
| sweeter melody than the artistic efforts of the
most accomplished opera singer. The reci-
tations, especially in arithmetic, were truly
excellent. The class seemed to thoroughly
understand the principles of notation, and
notwithstanding the extreme youth of the
majority of the members. they performed the
most difficult examples in addition and sub
traction, with promptness and exactitude
We, for one, were perfectly astonished, not
deeming it possible that children of their
age could acquire such a remarkable prof.
cheney in the diffic2l 1t science Of figures. The
pupils conducted themselves with the most
becoming propriety, each one knowing when
his or her turn came to take part in the per-
formances, affording the most conclusive
proof that Mrs. Kent, without employing
harsh measures. maintains the most perfect
order in her school. Mrs. Kent, by the kind,
loving manner in which she treats her pupils,
has so endeared herself TO them that she ex-
periences no difficulty in governing her
school, without the use of compulsion. She
possesses. in an eminent degree, the rare fac
ulty of imparting knowledge to others, with
out which, no amount of education will
enable a person to become a successful
teacher. The care and attention which must
have been bestowed upon so large a number
OF scholars, some seventy or eighty, to cause
them to appear so advantageously as they
did on Thursday last, certainly speaks'well
for her patience and perseverance. The pa
rents of the children were highly delighted
with the creditable performances of their lit
tie ones, and very much pleased with the
rapidity with which they have advanced in
their studies. The universal sentiment of
those present, so far as we heard it expressed,
was, that Mrs. Kent is better adapted to
teaching the school which she now has undsr
her control. than any teacher we have ever
had IN Mokelumne Hill. and that she should
by all means. be retained in her present po-
sition. She has been employed in our public
school for the last four years, has become
thoroughly acquainted with the wants and
habits of the children, and is much better
qualified to teach them than stranger would
be. Our citizens should take interest ENOUGH
in the education of their children to see that
Mrs. Kent is re-engaged.
We had intended to give the programme of
the exercises, but owing to want of space
We are unable to do so.