Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-07-03


The examinations Of the Montpelier Union
Schools were attended last week, and tho indi-
vidua that can truly say he has sat there the en-
tire six days, during which some three hundred
and fifty pupils were put through their several
opportunities 70 tell what they knew seldom
what they did not know, deserves suinthood.
We learned this, that the pupils under Mr..
WEsrGArF and Miss BuRNnAM in the highest de-
partments. in Latin, Greek, French and Algebra,
had been faithfully taught, and exhibited tie
usual amount Of scholarship which follows such
training. The first place for proficiency in draw
ing we thought must be given TO Mr.. Charles J.
Hubbard
The school Of Miss MAxuAM, No. @, VIC propose
to turn out in competition with any in the State
for thorough and practical knowledge in Arith-
metc, the principles Of which her pupils had
sufficiently mastered to be quito at home in soly-
ins any hir examples in their text book or out OF
il and they were tried enough to show that the
examination was no cut aud dried Arrangement
for display.
Numbers and have been under teachers new
to our system, and Of course their pupils were
not handled with that skill, nor was there shown
that dedniteness as to results, that leaves the
spectator in no doubt about the pupils perfect
comprehension Of his work. These rooms next
year would doubtless make better showing un.
der the same Teachers who appeared perfectly
competent to produce better results than were
shown, and anxious to impart thorough instruc.
ton.
Numbers and 3 were examined by our proxy
who assured us that good progress had been made
and that the schools were well taught and man
aged
Number may be safely called the model school
of the District School Department. The teacher
for young children we verify believe is " bonn
not made Step into Number !, filled with
eighH-Gye child.en. II runs like nicely adjusted
and well oiled machinery. With no apparent cf-
fort on the part Of teacher or pupil in the march
ings and counter marchngs, the studies, recita-
tons and exercises Of the school room, each pupil
seems to have no other mind, desire or will than
20 perform exactly his allotted part 10 the best Of
his ability. And in this all are happy. Who
ever can so manage school-lor it IS manage
ment- has been gifted with natural instinct r
the business and the eighty five pupils Of Miss
she had but ten, and are sent onward on the road
to the Temple Of Knowledge t.ee lrontispiece in
Noah Welster's Spelling Book with an impe-
tus and JOY that long aJdes.
Graded schools are most efficient means Of edu-
eating, but they will NOT iun alone Here the
good teacher shines brightest. As to the success
Of our schools, we know that no pupil can 60
through them without such practical knowl-
edge Of Geography, Arithmetic and Grammar
as our fathers never dreamed of till they had
graduated from the highest schools Of the nation.
The higher branches Of education Of course de-
pend upon the application and capacity Of the
pupil, and cannot be 50 readily drilled into him
As the lower. But one thing is certain no better
schools exist in the State for thorough education
from the b to the complete college outfit than
we possess.
At the exhibition on Friday afternoon the ori-
ginal declamatuus Of tie young gentlemen and
the essays Of the young ladies were quite credita-
ble and delivered with an ease and CORRECTNESS, very
satisfactory to their friends The addresses OF
Messrs, Dewing and Bailey were very proper
introduction to the Fourth Of July
The Leyee on tue evening Of the 2sth was high
ly appreciated, and the splendid music and the
promenade wee enjoyed by everybody This an
nual Leyee Of the school, where teacher, pupil,
parent and friend can circulate with freedom and
with freedom exchange cour;esies and ciyilities,
has become an important institution, and may it
never be omitted.
We are pleased to learn that the committee
have decided to retain for another year the ser