Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-10-24

beds; bathrooms were adjoining; from
this room we passed to the sleeping
apartments here we found a large num-
Der of single beds, with clean and whole
some bedding; from this we all repaired
to the chapel in the third story; here
the more public exercises of the occasion
were held. After the visitors were
seated the boys were marched in and
took their places in the seats reserved
for them.
Here the opening exercises were sing
ing, with piano accompaniment, prayer
by Rev. Mr.. Merrill, chaplain of the
House singing by class of seven small
boys. They sang ''Let the good angels
come in" to the great satisfaction of
the audience, after which we had
exercises in geography, and mental
arithmetic, interspersed with singing
between each recitation. 1t was aston
ishing to many to witness the proficiency
in these branches, especially in mental
arithmetic, going through very difficult
combinations of figures with rapidity
rarely seen in a common school. After
this we listened to a speech by Cover
nor Converse, which was listened to by
the boys and the audience with marked
attention.
The Governor commended the boys
for their proficiency in these branches.
After these exercises the boys were let
out into the play yard and seemed to
enjoy themselves very much indeed
The buildings now occupied by the
school are of brick, new with the excep-
ton of the old brick workshop erected
four or five years ago. The new build
ings have been erected since the last
session of the legislature. The plans
were drawn by the Superintendent, Mr..
Fairbanks, and adopted by the Trustees.
Mr. Fairbanks gave his personal super
vision to the details of building, and by
his own energy and industry, under the
direction of an efficient board of Trus-
tees, the work has been pushed forward,
and although they have exceeded the
appropriation made for the erection of
the building, and have provided for a
much larger number of boys than are
now there, yet | think from personal
observation made by members of the
two Houses this day, they will endorse
the action of the Trustees in making
these improvements. Mr.. and Mrs.
Fairbanks, the Superintendent and Mat
ron, seem to be the right persons in the
right place. They have seen similar
service in q Massachusetts school. The
teachers all seemed to be adapted to their
work and enthusiastic in it, and having
complete control over those under their
instruction.
The school now numbers 118 boys
from 6 to 16 years ofage, perhaps few
a year or two older. Much interest in
the youngest boy was manifested, many
seeming to think he was too young to be
at such q place. Yet l doubt not his
chances to grow up to usefulness are
much greater than had he remained
with his home surroundings.
AT $50 we took the cars and were
safely landed at Montpelier at 6:15,
with the general impression prevailing
that we had done as great service to the
State as in any one half day of Icgisla-
ton, because the information gained
from observations made personally, will
enable the members of the legislature to
carry to their constituency in all parts
of the State a more satisfactory state
ment of the work being accomplished by
this institution, and also the extent of
buildings erected and expense thereof.
LEICESTER.