National Republican., 1873-01-08
DISTRICT SCHOOLS.
A LOOK IN THE PRIMARY.
Teachers and Papil.-Thc Relations be-
tween Tbem-IpterrstInH visit

Teachers and Pupils-Thc Relations be-
tween Them-Intercsting visit.
Among the many objects Of note Of which tho
District Of Columbia can justly boast, its al.
mlrable school system stands prominently In the
foreground an evidence at once Of the public
spirit Of the citizens and the real and eniciency
Of those charged specifically with the direction
Of popular education. It's buildings are models
Of Inconvenience and elegance-conceded to be the
finest In the world-lts division Of grades and
classes admirable, the studies arranged In man.
ner to meet the requirements Of all who attend,
and the rules for the government Of both
teachers and scholars as near perfect as can be
obtained.
These are facts which are patent to all, and
are only republlshed because they cannot he told
too often.
know them only too WELL and as q consequence
allow the children to 10 on, day after day, from
on early in the morning, have their dinner ready
at noon, read the monthly reports when sent,
probably attend the annual examination, huy
new books for the next session and then repeat
the experiences Of the last year.
TO THR TnACHRR
the classroom IA world In itself, Of which he
or she is the monarch, and IN most cases the
subjects are willing, graceful and obedient; but
occasionally some one proves unruly, and for the
time at least the unpleasant result Of mlsoon-
duct clouds the brow nf the teacher and extends
Among the interesting visits which come
within the province Of the reporter may he ln-
cluded
TIM scuoot-roox,
and to one Of them a representative OF the RS
FuBLioAh,a few days ago, made an unAnnounced
call, The class contained the maximum number
OF sixty pupils, and the grade was Primary male.
Think Of II, sixty boys, ages varying from seven
TO fourteen years; characters embracing all pos
sl6le phases-the children Of rich and poor,
Ss %s WSs Hn q PsoPs teass tSs 0qG & Rs S
Of life, and 1ttlng them for the approaching race
in which they ali must engage. f6ese are under
S 'SS Ss T pss GS.s II s%s S%s
class, through the highest grades, aud ID still a
student, lifting for still
HIGHER nCTtEs
In the profession she has chosen.
II may he that the remembrance of her &C Olar-
ship IN the primary grade has not yet faded away
and that the recolleciuns Of u serve to soothe an
Occasionally ruilled temper and plead In justlnCa-
ton orninor offences committed by her charges.
II may he that experience teaches that II Is far
easier TO govern BY love than by fear, but certain
u Is that in the school visited and all Others In
this District moral suasion Is tho rule, and II
works admirably. sixty spoiled, petted boys,
for the nrst time subject 10 restraint other than
parental, are compelled to sit for six hours each
day, to observe order, TO perform the tasks as
signed them, and this they do TO the satisfaction
Of the teacher and her snperlors and to the won-
When the visitors entcr-and none are ex-
cluded-the nrst thing which strikes them II the
AIR or NEATsrss
which peryades the room. The walls are white,
the windows clean, the furniture bright, and the
pupils each model Cleanliness Is one OF the
virtues thus practically enforced, and Its good
result Is at once apparent. All Ia quiet and most
Of the children, while they may steal a sly glance
at the visitor, young as they are, have been
taught that when strangers are present the
utmost decorum must be observed, and cOnse-
tuently maintain mute and respectful de-
meanor.
After greetings are exchanged, a call-bell on
the desk signals attention, and at once all eyes
are nxed on the desk. The kind voice Of the
preceptress calls class, and the task Is recited
OF course there Is a diffidence apparent Chill
dren are all shy before strangers on such occA-
slons, and need TO he reasaured. This Ia done,
the next class called, their task performed, aud
as the visitor IL abont to depart a song sung for
his benent, the happy voices uniting In the
pleasant choTus.
The visit hns been agreeable and interesting,
and the visitor departs well satisfied that the
teacher has discovered the mode Of governing
children, and Is applying It for the bencrt OF the
youth OF the District,