The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-02-07
TOO MUCH STUDY.

The subject Of complaint in the communication
which follows is an old one. The process o.
"cramming" as practised in the public schools
Of the day has been handed down from times
past, and has been the theme Of many an essay
wise and voluminous, written in the interest Of
reform, and still the practice is continued, and
will no doubt continue while schools exist. There
is only one way to stop it., and that is to abolish
schools, and this we are not prepared just at
present to recommend.
| We. however, submit the letter in the hope
| that it may have the desired effect in the case
particularly referred to:
Editor New Orleans Bulletin:
While the school-book question is being agita-
ted, permit me to ask that you will put in plea
for the little ones on subject which really re-
quires attention, i. e., the number and eng of
lessons given the pupils.
The lntle folk are nearly all of them ambitious
to degree. though not all possessed with the
capacity to keep up with their classes, and often
so to school thoroughly discouraged. because
to six pages Of Rhetoric four to five pages of
History, chapter on Botany, five or SIX pages of
Philosophy, twelve or fifteen prolems of Algebra
three to i've pages OF Physiology, a ! ng lesson
IN French Grammar; a piece for defamation
lessons not excused defamation day., and their
compositions upon given subjects.
Is it any wonder they groan under the tasks
set them, or that their poor little heads ache
Their hours VIII CHI should be devoted to sleep
and which we know is so essential to youth, are
spent over their books till half-past eleven aud
sometimes twelve o'clock at night then up at
Elk O'Clock IN the morning studying till school
time: ''Al work and no play makes Jack a dull
boy
The above are the lessons of the Junior class |
of the lower Girls High School; the other classes
are as severely taeked.
The little ones, Mr.. Editor. turn their eyes to |
you TOR the relief they can where else find, |
and beg you Will exert your influence through |
the columns OF your paper, which has since its |
start shown desire to assist them in their
search for knowledge and reform in this matter.
one little girl OF my acquaintance, unusually
bright and advanced for her age. remarked a few
days since, 80 am discouraged. have tried
all my might to stand first in my class and per-
feet III my lessons, but | can not the lessons
are SO long, and what's the use trying when it is
absolutely impossible to remember all that is ex-
pected OF us?'
She dill try, nevertheless, and though her
nights till IL. and sometimes II O'Clock, are spent
boring over her books, her eyes growing heavy |
her cheeks pale, and at times suffering dread
July with headache, her ambition is so great
that she will not cease her labor till her lessons
are all learned, nor Is she the only pupil whose
over taxing the brain.
Would 1t not be infinitely better if shorter les
sons were given, thus enabling the pupil to 90
resh and perfect to recitations? Who can doubt
Z?
MIR. Editor, dip your quill in ink and with it's
'ont do battle for these little ones, showing us
'ou are not afraid to champion their just cause
# complaint, while their smiling lips and CRATE
u N hearts n thank you as no pen can. Fla