The New York herald., 1870-02-17
EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS.

Meeting of tho Board Of Commissioners or
Common Schools-The Study Of Languages
in the Common Schools-An Irish Petition
aud a Scotch Speech-Appotntments of
Teachcrs-The Evening High School and
the Evening school Biackweits Island.
The Board Of Education, or rather, a quorum OF
the Board, met yesterday evening in stated session.
with the President Mr.. r. T. Larremore In the chair
The lobby well filled by teachers and others con-
necied with the public schools. Among the papers
was q communication from the Trustees OF the
Seventh ward in relation the study OF the Irish
language in the public schools
The petition stated In lengthy words and some.
what obscure sentences that fright, Incompatible
with the cosmopolitan character OF this CITY, ap-
pears TO have been given TO the German language;n
that all natonalities should be merged into one
bodiment, the beau ideal &c, OF the world-an
American citizen. II then presented the merits and
claims OF the Gaelic language, IN which 'thc warm
lay Of love and the light notes OF gladness" awaken
the most eloquent sentiments exciting 70 achieve
ments the most brilliant, quoting its ''anltY with
the Sanscrit the eldest daughter Of the undscover
able mOJher-tOngue," and contained much more TO
the same effect.
Commissioner WOOD arose when the reading had
been completed and said he believed firmly In the
sentiment or the preamble that the schools should
be conducted so as to make only American citizens.
He thought the children OF Irish parcntage being
quite numerous should have the same privilege as
the Germans, and the Gaelic should be Introduced.
He favored Also chaDRe IN the musical ar.
rangements In the schools where Gaelic prevailed,
and that instead OF the plano the Harp that once
through Tara's halls the soul OF music sned" should
10 introduced ana IN those schools where the Scot
element was greatest the bagpipes might be used.
The petition asking for tho introduction Of the
German uniforms for the scholars was referred 10,
aud he would suggest that the uniform Of the
ancient Gaels would be found quite beneficial II.
giving ample ventilation to the urchins' limbs and
saving their mothers the trouble Of repairing the
seats ana knees Of the trousers.
The subject was referred to the Committee on the
Course OF Studies.
AS soon as order was restored the regular business
OF the Board went on IN order. The action OF the
trustees OF the Nineteenth ward LII removing Miss
NollOy from the male department OF grammar
school No SO To a primary school, was declared
Illegal, and her restoration to her original position
was ordered by unanimous vote. Commits
sioner Bell, from the Normal School CommIs-
sloners, reported the following additional APP
pOintmentS In the daiy normal and high
scho0:--PrOfessor OF Natural sciences. Mr..
r. NJ. w. Redacld, az an annual salary Of $500;
assistants, Miss L. NJ. Holman, at i,506 and Miss
AbDic 4. Hamlin, $i200 Assistant to the president,
Miss Mary willard ST. 200: assistant TO the vice pre-
sident, Miss Frances Il. Feck. $500; teacher Of
casthenics Miss Laura Il. Leal, 81, 400; teacher Of
drawing, MISS A. Caroline Covell, 81, 400 The re.
port Of the committee was confirmed. A resolution
was adopted granting permission TO the trustees OF
the Nineteenth ward 70 continue the session Of the
evening school on Black wells Ieland long that
VI the evening nigh school, and notice was given
that the nigh school viii continue in session some
ak weeks longer After the trahsacJicn OF s0mc
further routine business the Board adjourned