The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1871-05-09
rHE eRRNAN-ENeLIsH SCHOOL

On invitation, we visited to-day the school
house of the German-English School Soci.
ETY., which is located on the corner OF Deer
and Rock River streets. We found the
school in ell the excitement of q public ex--
animation, but quiet and orderly % could
be expected. As we entered, q dialogue
was in progress, and the participants spoke
well aad promptly their parts. The pleased
oountenances of a number of ladies and gen
tlemeu undoubtedly contributed largely
toward inciting the scholars to do their ut
most, for it appeared to be work OF pleas
ure for thoae children to recite. A geog-
rsphy class of eighteen or twenty scholars,
showed themselves proficient in that study,
aud ans wered we'll some "puzzlers." Writ
ing books and states we're shown ne, and we
say what we believe TO be true, that we
doubt if public school in the city can pro-
duee the equals in this art TO the little folk
of this school. Then came the reading les
sons. These we're to US source of wonder.
To see little boys and girls of eight and ten
read sentence in English huently and then
translate it into German, and Uace Uerso, was
matter of surprise, to say the least. And
in grammar, the same mode Of proceeding
was observed. And on Inquiry, we learned
tina, in ell branches of study, the lesson was
half in the one language and half in the
other. We had been told that the
school was German English, but
We thought not OF the system of education
observed here. To say that the system is
beneficial, is at the least but half the truth
it is more, it is bestowing upon the coming
generation that which the present one has
not that which they will bless the society
for In after days. The idea OF having our
American children, il g sense OF the word,
Germanized, and rice versa, is becoming
apparent to all persons of sense, and in this
school we find the children of American pa
rents speaking and writing the German Ian
gusge as fuently as those to the manor
born. The number of children in attend
Ance is 80. This is too many for the limit
ed accommodation of the present school
house, and the society is negotiating with
parties for the erection OF a new and com
modious building. Until the new building
is completed, the society have requested the
School Board to allow them the use of the
Second Ward school house. This reques
We think is very reasonable, and should be
granted, inasmuch as many of the members
Of the German English society are old citi
zens, who have paid the school tax for many
years willingly, without being benefited il
the slightest degree by our system of public
schools, and as they promise t.
keep the house in good condition Will,
in their hands.
The number of classes for the so scholar
is %, and graded according to age and pro-
fcieney; the oldsat scholar is Is years old
and the youngest ones will average about
years they gave Us q specimen of German
singing, which We thought very fine, an,
after q few closing exercises the eXamins
ton was over. The parents and visitors ex
pressed themselves well pleased with tn
progress of the children, who certainly pass
cd a very creditable examination. TIL
teacher, Mr.. Nelson Roessler, to whom a.
praise is AScribed, is well known to our CHI
zens, as q man Of learning, and who under
stands the art of impArsing that knowledge
be is somewhat of hnguist, understanding
and speaking six languages, and has trsv
elsd extensively; his value is thorough.
appreciated by his patrons, and his scholars
and the probabilities are that he will teacl
the school while it is under control of tht
society. If our citizens would learn more
Of the good work being accomplished a, ,hiI
school, let them attend the next public ex
animation.