The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-12-09
LEWISTON, Dec. Z, 1S'

LEWISTON, Dec. Z, 1868
To the Editor OF the Press:
The report of the school committee of the
city of Lewiston, for the year ending August
1868, has just been published. From 1t we
learn much Of interest relating to our
schools.
Whole number OF scholars, according to
the census of last April, Also, of whom 1854
were under 10 years. OF American parent
age there were 2600; Of Irish 1898, of Eng
lsh z01. About 81 per cent. attended the
public schools, more or less, during the year,
while the attendance throughout the State
was only AZ per cent. Yet our committee
very justly complain of absenteeism. Num-
Der Of schools maintained 32, with 39 divis-
ions, ald employing 80 teachers. Length of
16 primary schools SO weeks each, OF IA
rural and intermediate schools 80 weeks, of
grammar school As weeks, of high, AZ weeks.
The high and grammar schools are report
ed in excellent condition, while the lower
schools have made commendable progress
| toward the high ideal standard which the
committee have in view. Now that the high
and grammar schools have been provided
with suitable buildings and placed upon
firm basis, special care is to be given TO the
primary schools. They are to have more
ample and better accommodations, and the
course of study and the methods of instruc-
tion are to be greatly modified. A beginning
has already been made towards the conten-
plated revolution, though the committee do
not yet appear fully to appreciate how much
children caa learn, if only they are taught
the right things in the right way.
Had room 1 would indicate what 1 mean,
as it is a matter which has an important
| bearing upon the primary schools in Port
land as well as upon those in Lewiston.
The committee say it is doubtless true that
many scholars, especially younger ones, have
remained at home during the year, because
there was no room for them in the schools
The attendance upon the primary schools has
averaged about 10 to each teacher, when 1t
should not by any means, have exceeded 80
OF 40. Soon as sufficient room for the pri-
mary schools has been provided the commit
tee give notice that all the children must at
tend school.
OPIUM EATERS.
think very few are aware how many ha-
bitual consumers of opium, in some of its
forms, there would be found, upon careful ex-
animation, m our-State. 1t is estimated by
one of our apothecaries that at least fifty ha-
btual opium eaters purchase their supplies OIL
the druggists in this city and in Auburn
They do not all live at this point, but natur-
ally come here to trade. Some OF them make
| quite large purchases of that opiate which is
thought 10 have inspired the wonderful tales
of the Arabian Nights. But for its great
cost, it is probable that it would be much
more extensively used than now. AS it Is,
not few country grocers find it necessary to
keep constant supply for regular customers.
Of those at present addicted to the opium
habit in our State, without doubt the larger
part formed the habit by first using opium as
a medical prescription against pain. There
is no other enchanter whose spells are so ir =
resistibe, or lead to more terrible woe, if we
may believe those who have entered the flow
cry portals and followed the path that termi-
mates in the smitten fields beyond.
OUR PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Five of our leading corporations have re.
Gently given $3.50 each to the public library
of this city, which puts the library association
out OF debt The corporations will, in a short
time, undoubtedly make another liberal do
nation for the purpose of adding new books
to the library, which now contains some 1000
volumes. 1t is 10 be hoped that they will
conclude to give stated sum each year for
the purchase of new books.
| MOVING THE ETERNAL HILLS.
For number of months the Franklin Com
pany have kept about forty Irishmen, with
wheelbarrows, carts and horses, at work grad
ing streets. Their principal business is the
tumbling of the hills into the hollow-there-
by working great change in the surface Of
Lewiston. They win probably be kept at work
all the winter. BARLOW.