The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1868-12-17

nncaster and its Schools.

Written iJr the Lancaster Gazette.
Lancaster and its Schools.
Once. only, had it been my PRIV.
ilegc to look upon your quiet little
city, so beautifully situated between
its protecting hills, where, after a
tedious ride through miles OF snow
and mud, | alightcd, on a chilly
November afternoon with { feeling
OF gratitude, upon its clean-swept
pavement.
My previous visit had been be.
meath the red hot glare of q broil.
ing August sun, when il seemed as
though Old Sol had selected this
particular spot as Il focus through
which to shoot his burning rays
upon the defenceless earth.
was then particularly impress.
ed with the picturesque scenery
and favorable location OF Lancaster,
and determined that when favor,
able opportunity was presented, |
wouId extend my Investigations
The very key of the Hooking
valley--Lancaster with its future
accession of railroad lines-tht
new and important outlet to Co.
Iumbus being but the commence.
ment of what the future will dc.
velope-is destined 10 become an
important point. IT
Did space permit, I would speak
of the legal and military talent
which Lancaster, in common with
the rest of Old Fairfield, has given
TO the country, but the names Of
Stanbery, Ewing, Hunter, Sher.
man and others are as familiar to
your readers as household words,
and | will pass on to consider the
Educational advantages OF. your
city.
Accepting tho polite invitation
of your able and worthy Suporin.
tendenL of Schools, Prof. W. r.
Spoonor, 1 accompanied him to the
various departments under his
charge, and was highly please d
with the efficient manner in
which the Schools are conducted.
1t has been my privilege to visit
many of The Schools in our own
States as we'll as in various purts OF
tho British Provinces, and l am
sure that with the material which
your Superintendent and Teachers
have to work upon, by the hearty
cooperation of parents, the Schools
here may rank with tho best in the
State: without this assistance moth
ing can be accomplished.
Parent il you employ skilful
architect to plan and erect beau.
liiul ediico, your whole soul is in
tho work; you give the artisan all
the assistance possible;. you furnish
him with ali the encouragement
and means necessary to the accom-.
| plishment OF his great work.
Is the God given intellect of your
own offspring q matter of lees i'm
portancc? Then as you value the
woIi,b being Of your child, give to
that teacher into whose plastic
hands you have entrusted the rear.
ing of that beautiful and delicate
structure, the human mind, all the
assistance, all the encouragement
he needs TO assist him in his noble
work.
Before closing l must be allowed
to object seriously to ar idea ad-
vanced in receLt number of the
Gazette, by your correspondent
"Sextus.
lie thinks that each parent
should be allowed the privilege OIL
selecting the particular branches
which his child shalt pursue, and
that TOO much time is used in ac.
quiring an education.
This promiscuous selection oI
studies would prove fatal TO our un.
surpassed Gystom of Graded Schools
which is working so admirably in
our county at the present day
1t would be q step backward and
place us where we were fifty years
ago. Is every parent q competent
judge as to tho branches to be pur,
sued?
If | mistake not he gives the i'm,
preston that three years might dc
the work of educating, and hence
tho folly ofspending twelve.
hardly know at what age il
would be proper to place child
under the care of a Teacher for the
purpose of running him through
lhrco years course. but we will say
for the sake OF illustration, at nine
years ofago, and then at twelve YOU
will have your Professor or Busi
ness man, at pleasure, or just as Di'
vinely, your educated Farmer, (anC
contcnd that the Farmer sAoulG
be highly educated