, 1868-12-29

lady, who led eff with the time honoured ''c-a-t,
cat and dog, dog" Then we had a lltle
singing, which if not quite Handelian teStivi-
liam in power and tone, was, nevertheless, very
sweet to listen to. And so we went through
the different grades of the schools, out of one
room into another. In each class the pupil
remains about six months, until the age of eight
or nine promotion to the grammar school ar
riveS. Here, being we'll grounded in the three
Rs, the boys are pushed forward in history,
grammar, geography, drawing, music, military
drill, mathematics and the girls in the same
studies, with such differences and additions as
the nature of their duties in after-life demand.
Physical training is an essential element of
school culture here, and the results are said to
be extremely satisfactory, a healthier develop
ment of the body being invariably found to
strengthen the mind. The various motions
gone through by the little children l saw are
intended to lay the foundation for a good posi-
ton in sitting and standing, a graceful carriage
of the body, full development of the chest,
general symmetry of form, proper habits of
breathing, development of the voice, besides
distinct and forcibly articulation in reading,
speaking, aud singing. From the grammar
sctUut those pupils WHO Show an aptitude for
pursuing the higher branches of study are Sc
lected by examination, and placed in the Latin
or English high schools, where they are fitted
either for college or the business of life direct.
And here | would express my best thanks to
Mr.. Thomas Sherwin, the principal of the En-
glish high school, for the kindness and courtesy
shown to a stranger who looked in at a most
incOnvenient time, when the lads were being
finally prepared for their examination. There
can be nothing but praise in writing of Mr..
Sherwln, or the gentlemen, both teachers and
-t-1 -. l. I.I
ledge of oratOry, algebra, the laws Of mpchan-
les, English composition, and military drill, the
French language, and Latin, with other things
which are, as the bill says, "too numerous to
MENTION" was evidently poSsessAG by every
lad | saw there, and this educa4on is within
tie reach Of every working mans son IN BoS-
ton. That one sentence seems to me 10 settle
the whole matter of the comparative desirable
ity for a poor man of a residence in the United
States or England for be it remembered, that
although Boston takes the lead, all the main
features OF the educational state of things which
exist here are To be found in most cities of the
Union. Until you give your workmrn the
same facilities for educating their children that
there are here, every Am- rican mechanic will
be, beyond the reach of doubt or argument,
better off than his English brother. The love
of ones children is the most powerful incentive
to labour which most men possess in life, and |
think you would be startled if you could see the
sum total of the energetic. clever men who
have been lost to your country and added to
this one from this consideration alonp-.lf |
cross the Atlantic, my children will have a
good start in life"
There is one reflection which arises in the
mind at the sight of all these arrangements Tor
cultivating the intellect of the poor, which at
the first outset is startling enough. Que is apt
to ask oneself who will do all the hewing of