Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-03-27
SCHOOL EI1WINAT iON-NEW
SWEDEN.

The Swedish immigrants evidently do not
confne their entire attention to physical com
forts, but are looking carefully after the intel
lectual welfare of their colony The follow
ing is taken from the ''North Star
We had the pleasure of attending the exam
! nation of Mr.. Wiren's school. And such a
school, and such hosts of visitors on examin-
alton day, we never saw before. This school
numbered II boys and girls, from five to six
teen years old. The parents were present
from every part of the colony, to the number
of about 800. One father and mother, who
| lived five miles off, and had two children at
tending the school, came the night before on
| Swedish snow shoes, across the woods, draw
ing their young babe on a sled. more in
terested audience one may not often see, than
this assemblage Of 800 parents and friend,
witnessing the performance of their children,
| brothers and sisters, in language they them
selves could not understand. = Only about
thirty adults can speak or read English.
The reading of these children, after train
ing of only four months, was remarkable for
its clear, loud, distinct articulation, and for
the correctness of meditation and infection
for the most part. We have heard many
classes that have attended school five years,
under the charge Of such teachers as we have,
with such town supervision as we get that
could not read half SO well as these Swedish
children.
After the children had finished their read
ing, declamations, dialogues and recitations
of poems in English were in order; and here
every pupil had a part-little boys and girls,
five years old, going upon the platform, max
ing handsome bow, and then speaking some
little piece, like Twinkle, twinkle, little
star" or ''Now lay me down to sleep One
young miss recited very distinctly, Longfel-
low psalm of Life" We were somewhat
amused by the low bows of the little folks, as
they went upon the platform. When two
were to speak a dialogue, side by side, they
first bowed to the audience, then, turning to
face each other, they bowed again, after
which they began to speak. The Swedes in
| their own tongue speak of defamation as
reading without a book, or ''reading with
out; and we were a little surprised to hear
the teacher say to one who was reciing a
piece, ''read harder" while we should say
"speak louder"
In witnessing this examination and the day S
proceedings we were deeply impressed. What
shall be the future of this colony ? With
the start it already has, it would seem impos-
sible but the result shall be favorable to this
people, and greatly beneficial to our State
The value of the capitol building, where pub
lie worship is had, where the school for the
entire colony is kept, and where must be ey-
cry public gathering, cannot be estimated
With this building, moral instruction, educa-
ton, religion, and patriotism are possible,
and about certain. Without this building, or
something equivalent to it the people would
gradually go backward until they reached
state of barbarism.
During the day the American flag was
floating from one flagstaff, and both the
American and Swedish from another. The
fifteenth day of March was very stormy
day, but to witness such scenes was worth
facing the storm many miles. This day will
long be remembered by about 400 of the
Swedish colony who were at the capitol, and
listened to the performances Of that occasion.