The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-04-27
COMMON SCHOOLS,

be to-rnerpw, by : ohan Of Commanders, en-
tirel5 The reverse 4 " ',v,.t.' sisss
COMMON SCHOOLS.
What is usually known, or VIC should say
spoken Of, Jas the Prussian system. Of common
schools, is more correctly denominated Ger
man for it is the outgrowth of German civili-!
cation. AS. most of our people have heard
much ;sof. German Schools, ainds have a general
idea Of their superiority ever others, without
having any definite knowledge on the subject,
we have thought it mnys not be improbable to
giye.some Of their. more characteristic features;
especially at this time, when our own schools,
of every grade, BY reason Of the long inter-
ruption BY the war, have been brought back to
the formative stage, and areawaiting plastic,
master-hand to give them being, character and
individuality; Mr. y. Ross -BnowsE>s book,
can American Family in German w.: recently
published, Will assist our memory in ths exc
cutipn Of this task :s- - - se.,
The schools in Germany are conducted with
grent care and under strict municipal regulal
tions.s The: teachers nre geneeally; persons Of
superior b1ity- and thorough education This
will be readily credited, when we consider that
owing to the cxcess.of population, it is gcner-.
ally as difficult there fSr = teacher to gain n;
position Of honor, and >emolun,ent in his profess
aion, JUS stis here fora dawysr t6 gain fane or:
fortune at the bar. Teaching is not .taken up".
by anycand every one ;$itis aiprofession, the!
| avenues to which are as carefully guarded by,
Government as those to the army OF the civil
service.
IL "a great feature in these schools is the amount
of oral exercises; through which the children
are required to pass. No mere learning by.
rote is permitted: Every brunch must be-
thoroughly understood and However ( little d
pupil may acquire he must comprehend it as
| far as he goes. Superficial show is altogether:
disregarded: Until boy is duly qualified in a!
primary class he'cannot enter o higher :one.i
Great attention 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 engineering; geography,
drawing, bookkeeping, natural philosophy
geology, etc. Due regard is also paid to the
health Of the pupil He is required to exercise
at frequent intervals, to bathe, sing, walk,
and Hold himself in On erect position. The
("school hours in summer are from Z A. NJ
until 2. AI-; with an intermission Of two
hours for dinner; * in, winter from s TO Il.
This, however, varies in different parts Of the
country. All the studying is, done in school;
In this this way there is but little opportunity for
street lounging and rowdyisn- At school Ill
are considered boys, big and slittle; ana all are
SO treated. Precocious young gentlemen Of
Neatness and cleanliness in dress and person
are imperatively required.
The relations between teachers and their pu-
pills are-ofSthe most kiad1y and ahectionate
character. The same Interchange Of friendly
l:sod4enirs which 50 frequently take place in
families, is also q prevailing custom in this
| connection. Birthday and Christmas presents
are made to the teachers, and on those tocca!.
sions thessvh school a:,,nies in doing them
honkofS addresses: are: Delivered
on both sides, and there is always avery hap
py scene If rejoicing. Every child brings
something, of course according to- his n,catiis:
Many bring flowers or ornament tal plants;
purses, watch-guards, etc. y, etc. So on New
Year and on his birthday;,ssthe teacherrecAives
congratulatory epistles frem nearly ytall his ;pu-
pills; and o vein Of refined sentiment perYades
the, everyday Life. .,of these. poor humble, and
obscure villagers, which our more practical
but very unpoetic countrymen, find it difficult
to credit. \. esse-; ;:s}t.S MI
During the. summer holidays, pedestrian
tours are made through various parts Of the
country, having in view health, recreation, and
instruction. Sometimes these tours extend to
the esmountams & Of Switzerland md Bavaria:
The classes are accompanied by their teachers,
who omit no opportunity Of instilling into their
minds . q practical knowledge Of geology, bota-
ny, entomology, and such other studies as
come within the sphere of their rambles Each
boy carries with him o. tin case, sin,wkich to
preserve the specimens picked up by the way
side AS they wander along through the beau
and picturesque parts OF the country, they
sing glees and choruses, make sketches of the
old castles, or bathe in the mountain streams.
They are the hapPiest set Of beings n existence
Knowing no troubles, overAowing with health,
and in the full enjoyment Of liberty, they pre-
sent picture Of pure and perfect happiness,
If such thing; can exist upon earth: ..,;
Will any one pretend to say that such life
as this, innocent and refining in ali its ten
denotes, is not infinitely better than the holiday
life Of our American Gill dren Here there is
no dissipation, ii no encourag cement to: evil Of
prohigate habits, no morbid and unwholesome
exoitementsi "a love Of nature in its most at
tractive aspects is encouraged Not a stick, or
stone, OF fower,;on; the ,wsy-side, but has its
meaning The beautiful legends Of the tco,in-
tIy are the subjects 81. song and story. Health
earned BY exercise brings with it an increased
capacity for study The mind and body are
refreshed, and when the holidays are over, the
teachers and pupilsreturn to their duties with
clear heads and strong nerves. In this way y
the Germans acquire those robust constitutions
which resthc admiration ofsthe world; and
among our Teutonic citizens we, find the best
civil engineers, sdraug htamen,. chemists, botan-
ista, and geologists,to deYelope the resources
tof our country 4ssz5 II V.
...t- Or .sA Z.
SPLENDID REsIDENCE AND FARM.
80 g {{tl o. 1f~~S