New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-07-08
d MODEL SCHOOL.

From Our Special Correspondent
JAMESTOWN. Chautauqua Co., ~ Y, June 10, isss
This little of-the-way place is scarcely
known to the world at large except the residence OF
Gov Fenton and yet 1t has some peeuliarites which
make it well worth knowing. Until the completion Of
the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad almost
Isolated from the outward world and was known only a
little hamlet in the midst Of numbering and an agri
The village has fair amount Of manufactures and IL
the center extensive trade; but the absorbing
strangers Is the Public School This school is peculiar In
many respects and merits than passing notice
trcts each provided with schoohouse like those scat
tered the country, httle better than stables bat
those eOngegated within. Besides these there was
academy no better and no worse han te average Of
the philosophy and the art OF instruction. Everything
logged along after the good old way and the majority OF
But several Of the citizens. who had had opportunities
for observing school systems elsewhere satis
question OF improvement. After encounering aud van
dushng the usual opposition from the standstis and
the doiothngs they succeeded in establishing Union
school, which includes the SIX dtfIcts ana the Academy
Academic Schools. the trustees pursued exceedingly
wise course They neither trusted to their own nexpe-
renced Judgment nor to an architect who knew nothing
OF the details Of school managemen but tLey put the
whole matter into the hands OF Prof s. g. Love, then Of
Randolph Academy VINO, Oy edueatloh ana experience
was every way qualified to take charge OF It, He visited
best schools in the country and then devised the plan
The building rs of BRICK upon a solid stone foundation
65X95 four stories ABOVE tue Dihflheht III
tecural appearance. It is by far the best building In
town. and surpassed by few in the state outside OF the
The first two stories are devoted schoolrooms the
third occupied by spacious hall with gallery uSec
as general session room Tor lhe sehOo. any dc E.er
ecturerOOm for the village; and the f0urth mas rooms
for the laboratory and library and for the Music Art
and Commercial Departments. Tie schOOlrOOms Of
ample size, and plentuy furnished with pure ai While
OF the most improved modern construction aud wei cal
cuated to secure the comfort Of the pupil The lecture
,faa npuIiaf with of
% c1 So H 6pseoSs clock visible in nearly every
part OF the village good beginning has been made In
collecting philosophical apparatus hOIaiJ' anu o@"r
The cost OF the whole building complete has been about
$500 the whole Of which has not only been economical
y expended but every dollar has been raised by tax and
paid The people OF jamestown have not only deter
have good school but they have had the c9ur-
and lberallty to put their hahds INTO ther pOckeo
aud pay it thus setting most wholesome e1-
ample TO their neghbors. -,
But It in its internal management that TINS schooi
has attained greatest reputation The superintendent
has introduced more measures OF radical reform n arc
found III any but the most advanced SCHOOLS IN Ine "S
The Of study is comprehensive ana compete IIon
founded upon the natural development Of the
mental powers and the system OF instruction thorough
mnge, in about equal proportions, lang Dahenat-
les and the natural sciences The children IN the pn.
mary department not obliged 70 take course OF alb
sract reasoning upon their first entrance into school, bus
their powers perception cultivated BY the obserYa
Music is taught and practced in every department. Of
tins school, ana the pupils with scarcely an exception.
is taught science, and special course IS provided
Tor IN i,'d at - - nTyifed
for the teaching OF the more advanced classes N drawing
Physical culture has been successfully introduced
The general system OF Dr. DO Lewis practced IN every
department, under the direction OF an accomplished
teacher The different exercises and eyolutons are all
music BY this physical training the pupils pre-
their health, are able TO perform much more man
an ordinary amount OF Intellectual Labor and obtain
freedom aud grace OF movement almost marvellous 70
those who are unaceus0med 10 te results VI TINS
This physical exercise also affords an outlet Tor the sur
plus Vates Of growth and, in consequence dlscphns
becomes a CON paratively easy matter.
The language the movements, and the conduct OF the
pupils at all receive the most careful attention.
ThOroughness OF study is induced py contests between
classes, the lower frequently challenging the hlgber
ones IN studies in which the former FRESH and which
the latter have long passed over Inc necessity Oh tup
hitting defeat gracefully and without anger praco-
cay incucaed and generous and noble sentiments srs
developed by an appeal to justice and kindness.
IL impossible to fully show the influence OF ms Seney,
Snce Of tits school the attendance has risen rom ago to
llOO and population Of the place has increased rom
these mainly BY persons DESTROYS OF receiving the ado
In passing to ard from school the pupils indulge IN
bOsterCus and unSeemy conduct Ia their intercourse
with their teachers with strangers and WITH eaeh oher
the boys polite and manly and the Ils are nodes
and fearless You hear no coarse expressions ana see no
mncing afectation, rutany conduct or sinister LOOKS
The movements Of all are tree graceful and eiauc Inc
whole disc plne calculated 10 develop the nobier
faculties and TO bring the lower propenstes into perfect
order and control 80
they believe IN IT, They ready to second any effort
OF the Superintendent to produce reform IN any direction
dness and rreguarity of attendance and they nos
ready with multitude OF frivolous excuses for keeping
their children from school They give the teacher aid
and cOuutenauce by frequently visiting the school, and
there public contests between classes the
large hall Il crowded
The general result Of the system adopted may be
summed up follows: The children educated IN tho
highest and the rues The people elevated intel
ecually and morally. All parties ind recreation ana
amusement in matters not only harmless but positively
beneficial. Whisky shops and other disreputa6e places
down for OF patronage The industries
and all the higher interests OF the place have been greatly
stimulated, and property has increased in value.
IN regard all the appointing is the system or nsruc-
ton pursued, and the results attained consider the
jamestown Union School inferior institution OF the
same grade this country the world. IL Is model
for others 10 follow, and II possible 70 surpass Trustees
preparing FOR the erection Of union schools and teachers
DESTROYS Of Improvement would do well TO visit this
school and witness It's daily workings. j.