The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-12-19
LOCAL MATTERS.
y.st, tc the Esnblic Schools

Yesterday Inc cOAlluil'eeoi "a. ny
Gil. consisting of j. j. English, w. II: Scor'
and W. ID. Chestcrman, accompanied ny
SUPERINTENDENT Binford, secretary Ahfeo
Moses, and Me>srs. Wall, Rady, English, ana
StearuS, Of the School Board. ana number
Of other gentlemen, paid Visit OF Inspection
TO the city public schools.
Beginning with Madison schooI. Just De-
fore the onening exercises, the party had an
opportunity of seeing the boys ana slrl>
form in line in their respective departments
and march into the building with that we'll
nigh perfect discipline and drill to WhiCn
they have been brought. All OF the schools
in the group were assembled IN the large
hal. into which all Of the rooms on the moor
can DC converted by the admirably arranged
Sllding-doors. The visitors heard the pupils
siny one of their sweet songs, and were pre-
sent at the simple opening exercises OF read'
ing the Scriptures and prayer by the primer
pal. The party thcu heard dialogue oy
two of the young ladies, and the several
classes were marched back 10 thelr fe>pec'
tive departments.
Next in order the visitors were conducted
tbrourh all of the grades; heard the pupils
recte their regular lessons in phonetlcS, ma
tural history, arithmetic, geography, read
ing, grammar, mental arithmetic, &C, anc
were fully satisfied that the teaching hao
been admirable and the progress of the pu
| pills most commendable.
The next visit was TO the Baker (c0ored
school, where there were similar exercises
| interSpersed with dialogues, rccitations, anC
sipcing-all exceedingly well done. The
visitors seemed to be struck with the eE
ceedingIv tidy appearance of the pupils o
| nf ho ,tb pnlnrpd SphnnlS
visited.
The party next went to the Leigh-Stree
school, where the pupils were at their recess
amu>emcutS, from which they were soor
marched into their respective departments
and put through the regular exercises, Il
the high qualification of all present.
Proceeding next to the High School, Oh
Marshall street, the party admired the splen
did bui!din. and excellent appointments o.
every kind, and then went through tue reel
ali connected with this pride Of Richmond
Principal Fox and his able assistants art
most thoroughly posted in what they teach
and exceeding skiltil in imparling in
struction. The drill. discipline, and in
struclion arc well-nigh perfect. Here
there were Rotations in algebra, higher
arithmetic, &C.; songs by the school, aDt
the reading of Dickens's "Dcath Of Little
Nell" by Miss Elliott, and the Une-Hors(
SHAY" by Master Frank Anderson, both OF
which pieces were read with rare felicity
| Then the pupils gave some very interesting
exercises III cllsthcnics. j. }. English, Of
| the Council committee, was called out, and
made an earnest address. The party then
enjoyed an excellent lunch after which they
visited the Central school, and were equally
we'll pleased with all they heard and saw
there.
The party wound up their round at the
Valley Colored school, where, after the usual
exercises (Which elected high eDcomiulns),
the whole school assembled, and there were
short speeches by Superintendent Bnford,
Captain ]. j. English, Judge Wright, Rev.
Dir. Jones, and Mr.. Charles r. Rady.
Judge Wright took occasion 10 say that,
rs he was born in Vermont, it might come
well from him 20 remind these colored chill
dren that they owed these advantages which
they enjoy not TO the northern people, but
to the white people Of Virginia and of Rich
mond-the former owners of their race.
The whole visit was most agreeable one,
and IL number OF points Of interest were no.
ted, which are necessarily omitted for the
want Of space.
Certainly Richmond has just cause of pride
in her admirably -conducted public schools.
WORK FOR TILE PooR-TnE New RESER-
volR.--ArranGements have been made for
constructing the new city reservoir ut II
point on the canal near the three-milr locks.
Early in January force Of about 800 men
will be put to work Oh it, 50 as to give en-
p!oymcut TO Us many persons us practicable
and TO push the work forward to compile
ton.
The insurance companies of the city have
agreed TO take the Richmond water bonds
TO the amount OF nearly $4,000. The esti
mated cost of the improvement is $40 900.