The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1874-02-26

/ PUBLIC FREe ScHooLs OF THE CITY-AN 1NrER
EsTING occAsIoN.-On thursday evening last s
resolution was offered by W j Nelson, and passed
by the city council to make an official visit to the
City Free SCHOOLS, embracing the members Of thu
council, City School Trustees, and the Editors 0.
the several papers published at this place.
| The parties convened about 10 O'Clock, and
proceeded in body to the Academy building,
where the schools are being conducted. The Wis.
it was surprise to the Superintendent and teach
ers, and the more highly gratifying because ii
was unexpected. The visiting body consisted Of
Trout, Mayor, Jno 3 Evans. P Hoge, Jno
Echols, I WITT, R W Burke, R NJ Guy, H Ker, J
" Abby. B Bagby, W German, Nelson,
of the city council. NJ Bell, Hoge, Jno B
Scherer, NJ Blaokley and NJ Funkhouser,
representing the school Trustees, and several cit
liens.
There are six departments in the school, and
over 400 regular scholars lst Primary depart
ment, under Miss Brown. I'd Miss..Lelia Reers.
Sd, or I'd intermediate, Miss Mills. 4th Mrs
Thompson. 9Th Mrs Tipping 9th, or High
School, Capt J H Lackey. These are taken in
regular graduation from the Alphabet, to the high
er branches OF the English language, and inclu-
ding the classics. Each is separate and distinct
from the other, but under @ general system. har-
manizing in its details, and working for the &C,
compishment of common end. The method a.
dopted for new beginners is novel to those who
have never been acquainted with it. It aims to
impress upon the memory, the word, by the use
of chart in advance of even learning the letters
in their regular order, that spell it. This is done
by the appearance Of the word, illustrated by the
/ object itself Throughout the entire school, the
mental exercises are exceedingly interesting and
take the scholars from his incipiency through a
systematic ira lining, quickening all his faculties
and especially strengthening his memory. The
exercises in each of the schools, although neces-
sarily BRIEF astonshed those of the visiting body
who had never been in the school before, impress
Ing them with the through mastership Of Professor
Ladd, as an organizer and instructor. The exer-
cises in Latin, in the High School, conducted by
Capt Lackey, we're interesting, showing the
thoroughness Of his method of teaching, and the
rapid and intelligent progress ofthe pupils.
The vocal music department, which embraces
all the schools, distinctin their classes, however
is under the charge Of DR. ] Brown. The facil-
ity with which the primary class receive and ap
propriate the mentary branches Of music, is
astonishing The exercises in the vocal and sci
entfc parts of this study, illustrate the rapidi-
ty of the progress Of the pupils, and the eminent
fitness of the gentleman who has been selected as
instructor. 1t is something new in this part of
the country, to teach vocal music in the regular
academies. except in the select schools for young
ladies' A visit to the public schools of Staunton,
however, and an observance of the exercises in
tlis department, will satisfy the most incredulous
that there is no more important branch of study
for the young In addition to the exhilirating
and elastic effect it has upon the feelings, which
necessarily must be communicated to the mind, it
is a pleasant and profitable rela Ration from the
studies It is like the refreshment of the shade
of the spreading tree, and the cooling atmosphere
of the brook, in the heat Of -invgorating aqd
Strengthening.
We understand that it is in contem platon to
introduce drawing into the Public Schools, as
soon IS the finances of the city will admit of it,
This will be another useful accomplishment and
add to the attraction and utility Of the Institu-
ton. In this connection, it is worthy of mention
that we noticed on the Blackboard, in the school
of Miss Mills, fine mqp of the United States,
drawn, to illustrate the lessons of the scholars
and the school of Mrs Tipping, amap of Africa,
imilarly drawn
The wonderful success Of the public schools of
Stanton thus far, and the unexpectedly large
scholarship will neeessltate increased facilities
fer their accommodation. The present rooms.
six in number, were not intended to commodaie
more than 800 scholars. There are already over
400 in them, and applications are being made ev-
cry day for admission.
Prof Ladd evi lently has his heart in his work,
and aided as he is, by the active aud efficient CO.
Operation of his assistants in their various schools,
is destined to build up an Institution Of learning
accessible to all classes, which viii prove an or
nament to Stanton and g blessing to the commu
nifty. In a few remarks he made to the High
School, he spoke Of the high Lersonal character
IL
eral. HI stated that there had been no absentee
ISM except for good cause and very little tardiness
in any of the schools Everything was working
smoothly and tremendously; promising the most
healthy and happy results
At the close of the visit, which was unannoun-
ced and entirely unexpected to thu Principal, his
assistants and the school, K Trout, Esq, May
or of the city. made q few retaarks, expressing
his qualification at the evidences of prosperity.
and the fact of an established institution, of SO
much merit, in SO short time, and in the face of
prejudices against the system.
Gen. Echols followed Mr. Trout in a happy lit
tie speech, full of encouragement to the scholars
and breathing an ardent interest and sympathy
in the success of the School. tits rarely we have
heard more appropriate and eloquent imprompt-
ure effort, 1t stirred up thu boys in tbs High
schools, and they manifested. their appreciation
of it, by the active use of their feet and hands in
attes.ation of their Feelings.
We could not help going back oyer the past
while witnessing these benefits of Free Schools
and rejecting how much the present generation
of men had lost by not having the advant age of
them. We can readily account for the want Of
progress in the South, compared with other Sec
tons. when we consider the educational restric-
tions which circumstances have imposed upon the