The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1869-09-18
The Schools of Prussia.

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and the best in these countries are found
in Munich, in Dresden and in Berlin
In these cities the schools are conducted
with primary reference to mental de.
yelopment, and as a means to this end
The subjects of study are so classified
and taught as to lead to the acquisition
of knowledge in a scientific manner.
I notice, as I 90 aboat to the different
school-.ooms Of a large educational insti-
tuition, that they are all we'll supplied
with the means of illustrating every
topic that is taught. In one school-room
in which botany is studied, l saw the
plants for analysis, all growing in pots.
which were arranged on shelves about
the room. In another room, where
zoology is taught, the students were
supplied with specimens of the objects
they are required study and these spec
linens are so arranged that they are
always before the students as he studies,
or near him to be used as illustrations
as he recites. The teachers do not re-
quire rules to be committed to memory
at first, and then all mental operations to
be performed in blind obedience to the
rule, but they require the rule: or gene
raj principle, to be derived from an OBJ
servation which the pupil is led to make
for himself.
In the study of language the pupil is
led to the principles Of construction by a
study of constructions hs has himself
been led by his teacher to make, and
the language is in no case to be used by
the pupil until he possesses the ideas
and thoughts which the language ex-
presses. The teacher of geometry first
teaches by object lessons the principles
upon which geometrical reasoning de-.
pends. Then the pupil is led to the
solution OF problems by means Of his
own reasoning, in which he himself
makes an application of the principles
be himself has learned, The pupil is
trained to observe by observing, to
reason by reasoning. and to do by doing.
In the principal German schools have
visited, the teachers have for the primary
objects of their thoughts, as they teach,
the wants of the human mind. The
German mind is naturally metaphysical
There is, accordingly, in all plans of
German education, thorough clasi6ca-
tion of subjects of study. The schools
are graded, and the different grades are
related to one another in accordance
with the plans of study. In Bavaria,
Saxony and Prussia there are schools
called Volks schools or peoples schools,
in which the common branches of learn
ing are taught. and which all the Ger
man youth are required by law to attend,
from the age of seven to ten years III
some States, and from six to thirteen in
others.
The law is popular with all classes,
and is rigidly enforced. The common
people, as well as the upper classes. all
give cordial support to the common
schools. At o'clock in the morning
the streets of the city are filed with
pupils of the primary schools and stu
dents of the higher grades, each with his
satchel of books tied 70 bis back, march
ing cheerfully to his appointed place for
study. After 8 o'clock no children Of
school age are to be found away from
their classes. Each parish Of town
must have at least one primary or ele'
mentary school, and most towns, in
addition to these elementary schools,
have at least one upper burgher school,
as it is called.
The German children at school all
appear neatly dressed, and, what l am
sorry to say, is not always true in my
own country. these children are trained
to good manners. When a atranger
enters school room the children all rise
and remain standing until the stranger
is seated, or until they are invited to be
seated; and when the visitor leaves the
children all rise and remain standing
until he has closed the door behind him
This practice is observed in all the
grades of schools, from the first primary
up to the senior class in the university
IF parent is not able to clothe his
child properly for school, then he il
clothed at the public expense. The
children of the rich are found sitting or
the same seat with those Of the poor
. and the noble do not hesitate to allow
their children to receive elementary
training in tho same classes in which
the children of the humble are trained
and the boy who has the most brains
and explains his lessons best, is the bes
fellow while his,school days last. what
, ever distinctions may be made in afte
life. After having the common schools
| the German youth can enter upon tn
duties Of active life, or they may ente
the trade school, where they remain thre
) years, and prepare for the various trade
r they may choose to follow. Then b
, can follow his trade, or be eau enter tn
industrial school, and in two year
J graduate an architect, an engineer
r chemist, ETC.; or, if he wishes, he cal
r pass from the industrial school to th
polytechnic school, and prepare to tax
: a high position in the mechanic arts
. The student may leave the common
il. school also and enter the gymnasium
where Latin, Greek, mathematics. rhe'
oric, history, and chemistry are taugh
From the gymnasium the student ca
T. take up the study of a profession, or h
f can 20 thence to the university, wher
3 he can fit himself to take the highes
= position in the profession be chooses
q and where he can know all the subjec,
!. of his study as sciences.
n In the gymnasia the students are II
). quired to study and reeite thirty-tw
a hours per week, and before graduatin
a to pass over coulse of study which n
& ouires nine wears to complete. Ih