The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1867-05-09
Common Schools.

'S''" a"' CommOn SCHOOLS 'h
= What Is usually known, or we should
say spoken OF, as the Prussian system
of common schools, is more correctly
sdenomiua,ed German; ;gfor it is the out
growth siof German civilization. usAs
most OF our people have heard much of
aGefman schools, and have q general ice,
OF their. superiotitylorer others, without
having any definite knowledge, on the
subject, we have thought it may not te
Improbable to give some Of their more
characteristic features {; especially at this
limes when our own schools, of every
grade, by re sson Of the long interruption
BY the war, have been brought back 10
the, formative stage, and are awaiting a
plastic, m aster hand to give them be-
ing, character and individuality. Mr..
J. Ross Brown book, "An American
Family 10 Germany" recently publish.
ed, will assist our memory in the exc
cution Of this task. .'' ',''f" y - 'F"i''
The schools IN Germany are conducts
ed with great care, and Under strict
municipal regulations. The teachers
are generally persons Of superior ability
and thorough education. This will be
readily credited, when we consider that
owing 10 the excess Of population tits
generally as difficult there for teacher
TO gain position Of h onor and .emolu
ment in his profession, as it is here for
a lawyer 10 gain fame or fortune at the
bar. Teaching is not stakeu UP " by
any and every one il is a profession,
the avenues to which are as carefully
guarded by Government as those 10 the
army or the civil service. .5.na .n....
A great feature in these schools il
the amount of oral exercises through
which tho children are required 10 pass.
No mere learning by rote is permitted.
Every branch must be thoroughly under
stood and however little pupil may
acquire he must comprehend it as far
as he goes. Superficial show is alto.
gether disregarded. Until a boy is du
ly qualified in a primary class he can
not enter higher one, Great at,en.
ton is bestowed upon those studies
most likely TO be Of use to the pupil in
future life, as, for example, the modern
languages, mathematics, civil engineer.
ing, geography, drawing, book keeping.
natural philosophy, geology, etc. Due
regard is also paid to The health of the
pupil. He is required TO exercise at fre.
quent intervals, to ba,he, sing. walk,
aud hold himself in an erect position.
The school hours in summer are from I
A. NJ, until @ p. NJ. with an intermis.
sion OF two hours for dinner In winter
from 8 to Z. This, however, varies in
different parts Of the country. All the
studying is done in school. In this
way there is but little opportunity for
street lounging and rowdyism. AT
school all are considered boys, big and
little, aid all are so treated. aPrecocious
young gentlemen of sixteen are regard.
ed with special disfa,or. Neatness and
cleanliness in dress and person are i'm
peralively required. ....- ...-... ...
The relations between teachers and
their pupils are Of the most kindly and
atiectionate character. The same inter.
change Of friendly souvenirs which so
frequently take place in families, is also
prevailing custom in this connection.
Birthday and Christmas presents are
made 10 the teachers, and on those oc-
casions the whole school uui;es in doing
them honor. Affectionate addresses
are delivered on both sides, and there
is always very happy scene Of rejoic.
ing. Every child brings something, of
course according to his means. Many
bring flowers or, ornamental plants,
purses, watch guards, etc, etc. So on
New Year and on his Birthday, the
teacher receives congratulatory epistles
from nearly all his pupils and vein
of refined sentiment prevades the every
day life Of these poor, humble, and OBJ.
scure villagers, which our more practical
but very unpoetic countrymen find il
difficult 10 credit. I'd. 'r.
During the summer holidays, pedes-
train tours are made through various
parts Of the country, having in view
Lealth, recreation. and instruction.-
Sometimes these tours extend to the
mountains Of Switzerland and Bavaria.
The classes are accompanied by their
teachers, who omit no opportunity OF
instiling into their minds practical
knowledge Of geology, botany, entomol
ogy. and such other studies as come
within the sphere Of their rambles.-
Each boy carries with bin tin case. in
which to preserve the specimens picked
up by the way-side. As they wander
along through the beautiful and pic
tnresque parts of the country, they sing
glees and ehoruses, made sketches o
the old castles. or bathe in the noun
tain streams, They are the happies
set Of beings in existence. Knowing nc