The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-06-29
hehnnl ExamInatfnna-
Editors Journal:


Editors Journal:
The public examination of the
schools, just closed for the Summer,
has kindled no little interest in our
city 1t is obvious that the standard
of our schools is being elevated each
year. OF the larger public schools,
which have so creditabiy acquitted
themselves, full notice has already
been made. They do honor to this
city and people, Besides these, there
are some private seminaries of learn
ing, conducted by individuals, and
dependent upon their own merit for
patronage and continuance. Not alone
chedpness but intrinsic ScOrth sustaIns
them. Without great fidelity and sa-
gaeity, their teachers could not main
tain themselves in the midst of such
excellent public institutions. Many
of our citizens prefer them for their
children. They think that smaller
number of pupils, under the imme
dIate eye of good Instructor. insures
safety aud efficiency.
One Of the oldest and best known
of these private schools is conducted
By the Misses G. Hooker and r.
Hough. aided By competent assist
ants. IL was your correspondents
good fortune, with a number OF others,
to be present at the closing exercises
Of this school. It would occupy too
much of youT space, TO give an ex-
tended account OF the several class
EXAMINATIONS Where all did so we'll,
distinctions might seem invldious.
But it Is due to the whole school, to
cali attention to the thorougbness of
the instruction, as shown IN the
classes in arithmetic, French, physi-
ology, grammar, and algebra S0me
one has said that. writing we'll. ike
speaking the truth, is rot a natural
gift, but the result OF practice Per
haps the same might be said Of speJ-
ing lCelk The examinations IN this
school, as Ia all others, show the ten
dency Of UNDERWRITING this branch
oF study. Oar boys aud eifls etifc
well, as "a rGie, and spell badly ST ACu,
in a public document like cur blank
tax returns, recently sent around. we
have perjury" spelled plr0 ~, It Is
time 10 call up the spelling class again.
There were several thoughtful and
well written essays read by the young
ladies. Miss Annie Runcie received
the first prize for good department
AMI prOficiencyin studies. Miss Mol
lie Ragon and Fannie Armistead were
awarded books for similar exce.len-
cies AS token of good use of the
article. Miss Mary Walker received
a fine gold pen.
On the whole. 1t was very pleasant.
Here were some sixty well-trained
children, whose behavior and mau-
ners showed good handling no less
than their minds. One special fea-
ture of this examination deserves
mention. 1t was not all Conducted
by the teachers Several of the visit
ors cross examined the pupils This
showed that the answer to questions
was not, what Is too often the. case.
mere parrot exercise. Il proves their
acquaintance with prime pies If this
were often done In all our schools. we
should see more confidence on the part
of scholars, and more care to know the
reason and ground of things taught
These public examinations cannot
become a fair measure of the quality
aud quantity OF learning acquired, but
If the parents and pdDic would more
generally attend, and ask quest oas,
il would impart spur and give more
tene to pupils and teachers These
reflections occur to US while seeing, and
hearing, and asking questions IN this
excellent school of Miss Hooker and
Miss Hough