Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-06-23
.u.F.Y.vBHs T.v THE SCHOOLS.
An ADDRESS DELIVERED IN BOSTON At \
RECENT MEETING OF MASSACHUSETTS,
SUrERTNTENDENTs.

sUrERGNTENDENTs.
The following Just sentiments on an inn
portant though much neglected branch of
education in our district schools, are from
the pen Of Vermont educator, Mr.. l.. +.
WARD, formerly Of Wardsboro in this
county and now of Northampton Mass.
Our county may be justly proud of having
furnished to the schools of Massachusetts Il
gentleman whose ideas on education are so
practical, and ut the same time so far in
advance of the general sentiment of New
England on the particular branch on which
he treats. We hope that tho people Of the
State will give this address of Mr.. WARD n
careful consideration, it's omincntly val
liable suggestions being as appropriate to
our own schools as they are to those of
Massachusetts. Why should we look to
Massachusetts to carry into practical opera
ton the ideas that originate with our own
educators? We ought to show the world
that we are as capable Of prescribing and
following out our own direction in educa-
tional matters as we are in our political in
forests, and not look to outside agency for
assistance in either:
u
information is impaired by the pictures
prcfacing the written description Of each
division. In them we read the race, ma
ton, business pursuits, education, refine
mcnt, comforts or needs of the people
Let MS look at the pictures prefacing the
Geography of England, and next that of
France. We can see Mt glance the whole
contrast of Saxon and Latin character in all
its applications; but chielcst, stands out,
in bold relief. the diverging lines Of Latin
and Saxon manncrs-nmnners that charac-
terizc nations SO completely that You detect
the individual man. one from the millions,
as accurately as plant or animal is classi-
fed by the markings of the natural systems
Of science.
Here you see the Engishmau, filling the
front ground of the picture, portly, indie
pendent, naughty almost, evidently feeling
tho importance of the Magma Charta of hui
man rights, or maicsticaly coming "that
every Englishman has been endowed with
certain inalcuablc, &C." With what husi-
ncss-like dignity. hat ON the head, and
cane in hand, he watches by the seaside
strand for the distant pictured ship to ar
rive.
Sec, in the opposite picture the STOPPING,
bowing, graceful form, cane under the arm,
and hat in hand, address to the gentle mad
anne, her gracious highne-s, your most
obedicnt. Words Of the stern Saxon pol
ished by classical influence for thousand
years, are still tLmo to express the volublc
rounded epthclS and obsequiousncsS ofthc
Latin manners.
But amid all the Independence Of the
young America OF our New England
schools, this sticking for their juvenile,
puerilo human rights, this idea of liberty
not to be trined with, drank with their
earliest natural nourishment; or rather in
bred in the marrow of their bones, is there
not danger-great danger-that we are neg
lecting, as teachers, Instructions and disci-
plinc in The outward courtcsies Of life, in
the Latin element of civilization? While
the spiked helmet of the Prussians has as
serted, by its native, pristine Saxon ener-
gy, coml.l~tc supremacy over the vineyard
fields of sunny France, amid all their cul-
turcd manners and courteous bearings, yet
powcrloss for defense; while the victorious
North, in its devotion to liberty and conn
lGN, ltN SUluutI lllf 'lllN sIll' 'i4N l''iiN' ,
though rebollious South, can we not, like
the old Romans, copy even from enemies
the aflabiitics, the compaSancc, the out
ward display of inward feelings, which
shall tend to soften the asperitics and make
pleasant energies of Saxon youths?
Is there not golden mean between the
Saxon and Latin clements of manners; the
blending Of energy, dignity, the stern
morality, the love of liberty, and the idea
of universal brotherhood of the one, with
the development of kind manners, and
outward display of loving hearts within,
moro than now characteriZcs our people.
Not that we would distort our ancestral
character to display falsity in manner
which exists not in the heart; nevertheless
there are Christian graces of the inner
spirit, there are affections of kindness flow
ing from the heart TO every human being,
which may receive an outward maiileSta-
ton in acts, and words, which shall consti-
tutc ritual of manners, Of forms, if You
please which shall typify to those we meet
that we live as is manifested; are not saw
age in our feelings; can even after wish
of Kindness to those we meet, high or low
iltn Vt poor tNtll " INV hi'NN ''' As'''NN
which may De to them agladdoning sun
beam in u winter day.
f There are showings of respect TO super
iors, kindness TO equals, and courtesies to
interiors; which may lavorably affect our
selves, and by retrofleN action mako us
more and more in fact what we attempt to
express
with all the improved methods of oduca-
ton, the drawing out, the disciplining and
strengthening of the powers of the mind,
with all the improved powers ofinduca-
ton, (allowing us the word the bringing,
and adding to the mental powers, whereby
I the successful teacher intuses and multi
plies himself and his spirit indefinitely by
induction through the Lifetime of his pu-
pills, and by their influence to all time,
= with all our improvement in classification
, and simplincation of science have we not
, rctrogradcd in teaching, or ncglcctiug Ia
. teach, not morals, but manners outward
I | manners?
! Year, ago every lad thai entered New
g England school house, made obcisance to
= the master of the school, and performed tho
= same ceremony upon retirins-somethinq
70 was iHdjcdtcd thereby; regard for au'
: thority, fitting respect to the leader in the
n intellectual march. These manners indi
A Gated to, and taught each pupil something
a of that decorum which should mark his
. pres once at home, and in other places.
: What is the salutation which the teacher
, of to-day receives as he meets his pupils
= less respectful, but more familiar. out o
the exuberant truthful kindness of youth
# ful uman nature in Northampton, we ar,
a addressed by the boys and girls of from
to 20 years of age WITH Holloa ye! How