Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-06-30
LOCAL NEWS.

COUNTY SCHOOL EXAMINATION -TheC County
Superintendent of Public Schools accompani-
ed by Mr. Snowden, jr., left here early yester-
day morning for Arlington, to attend the ex-
animation Of the public schools in that district.
Soon after 9 o'clock, they reached the Freed
mems Village, where they found Arlington
School, No. ,, under the charge of Miss Celin-
da D. Anderson,a highly accomplished teacher,
assisted by Mrs Ella Henry. The attendance
was comparatively small, many of the older pu-
pills having left school to embark in the black
berry business and other kindred pursuits and
very little interest seemed to be taken in the
examination by the coIored people of the negh-
borhood, only one of them being present. The
10 that of the colored children in this city, but
some of them read very we'll. The Superin-
tendcnt gave the usual instructions for re-enter-
ing, as he did in the other schools examined,
and complimented the teachers for their atten-
ton to the interests Of the children, and the
trustees for their very great diligence in the
discharge of their duties lie was followed by
Mr. SnoHden in few wcll-timcd remarks, and
l,v Geo. r. Adams, esq, Chairman of the
School Board, who spoke severely Of the lack
of interest displayed by the colorcd people in
their children.
The party then drove to Columbia School,
No. /, located in building finer, III every re-
spect, than any of our city school houses which
they found filled with well dressed and hand,
some children and youths of both sexes, and
an audience Which for intelligence and refine
meut could not be cxcelled anywhere. The
school is in charge Of Miss Julia +. Mosher,
who has been teacher but two months and has
suffered greatly from sickness during that
time, but the pupils displayed surprising pro-
ticency, especially in geography and drawing
maps from memory, in which they came as near
perfection as We have eyer seen persons OF their
age. The chanting of the Lords Prayer, &C
cOmpaned by 4 fine parlor organ was eXccut-
cd in manner which delighted the visitors.
Highly complimentary addresses were made
by the Superintendent and MessrS Snowden
and Adams and the first named, Judging this
the best school in the district, awarded his
medal to Miss Ida Wibert, as the best pupil in
it.
Columbia School is of higher grade than any
of our city schools, being trcquented by all the
white children in the neighborhood. Before
the visitors left, they, i'll common with the
school, were so handsomely entertained by the
ladies of the ncighborhood that we should
think examinations i'll that quarter likely to be-
come vcrv popular affairs We arc sure that
the city delegation will be found always ready
to respond to the call for examiners.
At , p. M. the visitors reached Walker
School, No. ;, at Ball. Cross Roads, under the
charge of Mr.. James f. Green This school
has suffered greatly from the want OF interest
taken in education by the people Of the neigh
borhood, and must be closed on account OF the
average attendance falling below the minimum.
Tho examination showed but little progress,
and the addresses Of the Superintendent and
Messrs Snowdcn and Adams were, therefore,
directed to cxhorting the parents, some Of
ION were present, to take more interest in
the cause Of education.
After the school closed, the visitors were
handsomely entertained by Mrs Adams and
Mrs Harvey Bailey, who gave them ample
reason to wish for reasons to visit Arlington
District frequently.
The Superintendent, at the request of the
Trustees appointed 5. Is. Wibert, esq, to
credit their accounts, and took occasion to say
that he did not believe any district in the State
was blessed with more efficient School Board.
The country about Arlington is most beau.
tiful one and has been handsomely improved
by the inhabitants We know Of no place which
we would choose for residence in the country
sooner than that part Of the Columbia Turnpike
about Columbia School-house. From the high
hills, covered with the grccnest vcrdurc, the
three cities with their domcs and spires are
distinctly visible, while the broad Potomac,
white with sails glidcs calmly along and de-
lights the beholder with its beauty. Our city
people would be delighted by an evening drive
up that way.