The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1869-02-26

him, and make misery more miserable,
as he sits, or rather hangs on bench
with no back. The desks are carved
and cut with various figures, many most
vulgar, some of which were executed by
the frowning school boy of years ago and
others are the work just finished with
the well-sharpened pocket knife you
see in the hand of the boy now occupy
ing the place. He does lot study his pO-
sition is too uncomfortable, yet his
mind must be engaged about something,
if it be nothing more than to cultivate
habit OF cutting, scraping and destroy
ing whatever may be found in his
reach. But now he goes out to play.
What does he see? The school house
stands on the corner of two alleys. In
front sixteen and a.half feet from the
door is stable on the one side an al
ley; on the other pig pen in the rear
fence. And here, with scarcely one
hundred square feet of ground, except
the alleys, the boy is to take exercise aud
recreation. 1t is not necessary to say
more of evil than of good influence, nor
is it necessary to say the boy thinks
school is only place of confinement,
| instituted to afford the teacher living
and keep him from annoying his pa
rents at home. Remove that boy to the
school rooms of the Literary Institute.
| Their beauty, cleanliness and comfort
make his eyes sparkle with joy. He
| Immediately begins to realize that the
school room is not the most dreary pris-
on. lie sees no vulgar carving there,
and though but yesterday he cut his
desk, think you he will 50 mucn as mar
the polish of that furniture by the
| prick of pin? No, he Immediately
opens his mind to admire the good and
pleasant part of school boys day. In-
stead Of the rude, idle boy, he becomes
an industrious and genteel student.
Here, having grown weary by close ap-
| plication to his lessons, he goes out for
exercise. He finds about the building
yard adorned with fragrant flowers,
and farther out acres Of beautiful, clean
sward, upon which he is made glad.
| Does not the impression of single day
| give this boy an idea of the beautiful?
Did he never entera school room again,
would he not grow a nobler, more hon
est, and more useful man? All are in
huenced by those things with which we
are associated, whether they be per-
sons or inanimate objects. With these
views we approach the directors and
people of the county whenever an ap-
portunity is afforded, and we hope ere
long to convince them of the necessity
of more care in building.
These labors, together with the usual
examinations and visitatioDs, with oc-
casional lectures, comprise the work of
the Superintendent during the past
year. More directors and citizens were
present at the examinations than here
tofore. In addition to the lectures at
few special meetings, have upon ev-
cry occasion when time was found, adj
dressed the teachers, directors and citi-
zens at the close Of examinations.
BLOOMsBURG NORMAL SCHOOL.
A prospective acquisition to the
school interest of our county is found
in the proposed establishment of State
Normal school at Bloomsbury. The
trustees of the Bloomsbury Literary in
stitute, upon the suggestion Of the State
superintendent, Mr.. j. p. Wickersham,
first entertained the idea of erecting
additional buildings and converting
their institution into Normal school
last November. After full considera-
ton they determined this spring to
proceed with the work, and at this
time the contract for the buildings hH.
been made, and the erection is in rapid
progress, under the direction OF the
architect and contractor, Prof. Henry
Carver, who expects to have it complet-
ed by the first of January next. The
laying of the corner stone was witness
ed, on the twenty-titth day of June, by
a large and apprecative audience. His
EIcellency Gov. Geary conducted the
ceremonies and in an earnest AL lreSs
upon the subject of education created
much enthusiasm. He paid an excel
lent compliment to our public institu'
tions, both of polity and education,
showing the dependence of each upon
the other for maintenance in Repuh.
lican government. His Honor Judge
Elwell, Of Bloomsbury, followed with
an eloquent and well directed address.
Previous to the administration Of the
ceremonies, Hon. C. l.. Ward, of Brad
ford county, delivered an excellent lee
ture in the hall of the institute. In the
evening, again, the spacious hall was
filled TO hear the logical and convincing
address of Hon. j. p. Wickersham,
whose earnest manner of talking direct
| ly sat" his audience, holds every ear
and leaves good impressions perma-
nently fixed upon the mind.
Our opinion expressed three years
ago In an essay upon "NOrmal schools
their necessity in our school systom, ;"
prepared at the request Of the late Su.
perintendcnt, Hon. c. II. COhurn, and
published in the school report of 1865,
that Normal schools are the basis OF
our school SYSTEM" is still firmly be-
lieved. We feel the benefit of this pro
posed fatherly institution even now.
Our teachers and citizens inquire of it,
and it seems to have inspired new
literary ambition with all.
Let the work go on, as it has during
} the past two years, gaining force in ge
ometrical progression, and in short
, time we shall have no
OBSTACLES
OF which to speak in our annual reports
, and further, we shall have no necessity
of suggesting
MEANS OF PROMOTING IMPROVEMENT