The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1870-10-19

Prussian Brains.

tlu6Nluli DtUiuS.
Prussia has about twenty-five thou.
sand common schools, attended by)
children Of both sexes between the
nges Of scvcn and fifteen years, to the
number Of three millions. Attend
ance of school is compulsory 1t is
almost impossible for their children
to be without an elementary educn-
ton. At the head of the system is
the Minister of Education with an
ample cabinet, employed in tho ad-
,ninistration of public schools and in
dcVising and executing measures for
their Improvement. Under tho Min
lister and cabinet there is in each
province a provincial council, repor-
ting directly to the Minister. The
provinces arc subdivided into CIRCLES,
at thehead of each circle being Lam
drath, aided by an inspector and oler-
gyman Euch circle il divided into
parishes of which each must have at
least Que school and each school is
under tho supervision Of Committee
consisting of u curate, two magistrates
two or more responsible citizeus and
on Inspector, except IN the case of
large cities where the Mayor, Council
aud directors Of high schools are con-
stituted q board o. supervision.
School books are uniform, and the
salaries Of teachers are regulated by
law. The number of pupils tor each
teacher is limited. THO Schools
average about one hundred and twen-
ty pupils. Boys and girls arc taught
in the same classes. Religious in.
struction (Protestant) is the invaria-
bic rule, but the attendance Of reli-
gious instruction is not obligatory
upon the children of dissen,ients.
Each parish supports its own School
if able otherwise it il aided by the
circle, province or State. Teachers
are exempt from military duty while
preparing /; Textbooks arc pre-, ,cribcd
by the Minister Of Education, avoiding
much expense and Inconvenience from
oaprioious changes. The School sys-
TEN is cordially approved and liberal
ly maintained by the masses of the
people, and educated men are held
universally in high estimation. The
law strictly prohibits the employment
of uueducated children in mills and
and shops but manufacturers arc al
lowed the privilege of schools for
ly maintained by the masses Of the
people, and educated men are held
universally in high estimation. The
law strictly prohibits the employment
'cf educated children in mills and
shops, but manufactures are allowed
the privilege of schools for their
Juvenile employees.
The course of study in Prussian
parish schools resembles that Of the
best public schools in American cities.
Oral and conversatioal teaching pre-
dominates. Physical exercise is not
overlooked. Prominence is given to
drawing, and especially to music.
The tasks of younger pupils are light
and care is always taken to avoid
fatigue and the irksome sense Of res
Itraint. Fl"
The rule OF the government over
the schoolmaster is despotically exac-
Iting, but it's very strictness prevents 8
the master from tyrannizing. over his
|pupils. For this reason, and because
health and comfort are consulted in
the structure, furniture and surround
ings Of school-houses, and in the
division of time between study and
recreation, Prussian children love
their schools and benefit by them Q.
oordingly.
But the common schools arc only
the base or groundwork for magni-
ficent superstructure Of education
made UP of SCHOOLS cf agriculture, Of
mining, Of engineering, Of arehitec-
ture, Of navigation, Of veterinary
science, of law and Of theology,
as we'll as normal schools for
the education and practice Of teach
ers. In addition to these and
Ito military schools, Prussia has nine
|great universities Of which that of Ber-
lin alone is attended by more than
twenty five hundred students. In a
time Of peace it would DO a moderate
estimate to say that about 100000
males from eighteen to thirty-6ve are
pursuing the branches Of higher educa-
Itiop. Tho range of instruction in
ythese higher institutions comprehends
! the whole aroma Of theoretical and
applied human knowledge. Ger
man intellect is laborious, bold and
free. The great minds are informing
Ienergizing and inspiring the masses
continually. 1t would require q
volume to, catalogue the intellectual
enterprises now in progress beyond
the Rhine. The Prussians especially y
have for cultivated intellect q pro.
SQUAD revoronoo. They nave faith III
lgreat minds, and universal education
enables all Prussians to appreciate
them. We may we'll believe that in the
|present contest Prussia's full brain.
~ l.. e~tk IL l. ~ 1 =.