Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1874-02-13
An m-Goyerned School.


liyelong day, and is constantly watching,
prompting and admonishing her pupils.
Neither the force of wise rules, nor the
fidelity Of the children is relied on no
well-digested system, with its set times
and tinkling bell is put in operation no
action or resting of child is studied
with second thought " no recitation
is quietly listened to, and the difficulties
cleared up but in season and out of
season, it is the outpouring of rebuke
and command. Scholars may take their
books. Mary, why don't you take out
your geography you know you will
want it this afternoon "Pve learnt
my geography lesson" Samuel, sit upl
" My shoes united" Sarah, look this
way. "Some one knocks Well, go
and see what is wanted John, your
eyes are not on your book. 81 was try
ing to spell my words" Peter, ,Ohat are
you doing2 Trying to find my slate
and pencil" Sarah, put down your
hand from your eyes "The sun shines
right 10 my eyes /" Some one is biting
her slate pencil Keep those feet still
Glass in geography may take their placesl
John, go out and shut that blind l
hear some ones lips moviDg We're
waiting for you all to get still? Mary
bound Africa. " 1t IS bounded on the
north by the Medi--" Samuel, pick
up that paper you dropped on the floor,
and put it in the stove? "I didn't know
that | dropped it; its my composition
Bring it here you're careless boy;
go to your seat "It dropped out of my
arithmetic when opened it." | didn't
understand how you said Africa was
bounded :? Peter, describe the river Nile.
" The Nile rises in mountains of the
eastern central part of the continent,
from two separate sources, which are
called Thomas, how many times
must tell you to keep your feet still?
| shall certainly punish you if have to
speak to you again to-day! Peter, where
did you say the Nile empted "Into
the Mediterranean sea-" Sarah, give
description of the Great Desert "It
lies in the northern part of Africa, ex-
tending from" Thomas, come here
| told you | would certainly punish you
if you did not sit still. Hold your hand
(gives him some smart blows with a
rattan; he cries lustily.) Sarah finishes
her answer while the punishment is GO
ing on, turning her head so as not to see
the blows applied to her little brothers
hand. The class got restless and impa-
tient. Some of them whisper together,
evidently to divert their minds rather
than from evil intent. Plainly the les
son had been we'll prepared; but it has
lost all its interest to them. And
break was made in the work of the
school. They felt the punishment was
harsh and hasty, and out of time. 1t
1t was several minutes before quiet was
restored and all were breathing easy,
and the current of study was flowing on
again.
The teacher was well educated, as the
phrase is; was thoroughly conscientious
and devoted, and believed she was only
doing her duty in the matter of dsci-
pline. This is faithful picture of a
half-hour at the opening of an afternoon
session. The question needs to be rails
ed; Was profitable study possible in
such circumstances Could a true and
faithful impression of facts and princi-
pies be made on the memory under such
frequent Interruptions? Was discipline.
SO enforced salutary on the individual
or on the school? Was that teacher. in
any proper sense, training aud develop.
ing the mental powers and the suscepti-
bilities of her pupils, and helping them
to form symetrical character Pr. I.
Schoolmaster.