The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-03-30

Our Cry SCHOOLS AND TIE CENrENNI.
Alive have recently bound at this es /.
Enlistment several handsome volumes Of
school manuscripts, each volume about the
size Of the Congressional Globe, containing
specimens Of the daily work OF the pu.
pills in our public schools. Each OF the
Ward schools has lis own volume, and
and each page in each volume contains a
specimen Of some scholars work in read.
ing, writing, arithmetic, geography, and
all the various other studies taught in
our schools.
These volumes will be sent forward in
few days to Philadelphia, to be on
exhibition at the Centennial, and will no
doubt be scanned by the practical school.
men Of the country with great deal oi
interest. They willshow ut glance the
modus operandi of conducting our
schools, and the progress that scholars
usually make from the lowest to the
highest rooms.
We are told that the collection Of these
specimens has stirred up the ambition OF
Young America to very marked degree,
The boys and girls would like Centen.
niul Exhibition to como OF every year,
Their desire to excel one another has been
very decidedly stimulated. Some
OF their specimens are highly creditable
especially in the way Of drawing, and
show variety OF natural and acquired
skill and taste in the matter Of maps and
other pictorial representations that is
quite amusing and instructive.
And speaking Of this branch Of school
education reminds us Of some remarks on
the subject that were submitted not long
ago, in the shape OF a report, by Rev. DR..
Anderson, Of the Rochester, N. y, Uni.
vcrsity. Most people look upon learning
draw outlines and objects correctly as
sort Of superficial requirement. The
Doctor takes another view OF il. We
venture to quote from his report as fol.
lows:
Drawing has SO long been regarded as a
mere accomplishment, and as needing a
special aptitude, that it will take some
time for the public mind to be educated
up TO the conviction that any one can ac-
qaire 1t, il taken at proper age: and that
sca,ccly any elementary study has so
practical bearing upon the daily life OF
the average graduate OF our public
schools. as drawing, properly taught.
Leaving entirely aside those considers
lions which arc commonly advanced in
tavOr Of the cultivation OF art in general
common to all arts--the committee will
Soufne themselves to n suggestion or two
upon the strictly practical advantages Of
Ae study Of drawing, as 1t can be com.
PISSED in m ordinary eommon.schoOl
Course,
Perhaps il may be we'll TO narrow the
question still more, and allude only TO its
influence upon those who are 10 bc en-.
ESgSd in mere mechanical employments.
These very drawings on exhibition show
raining Of eye and hand, Of judgment in
'iic and form and proportion, Of accuracy
u u measurement, OF inventive faculty, and
iMne'e M,e'e habiIually exercised At time Of
;Ve when correct habits are most easily
.otmed. Such habits and such acquire.
%eh!s are the only foundations for sue.
g, gess in any line OF mechanical industry.
di.,s iaess qualities, once possessed by an in.
Svi,dual, make him the master.workman,
psshaps, able to interpret the plans and
,,sGttuciions Of the architect or superih.
Saasnt, apt in design, able to direct the
eStallS, or suggest the most direct means
t0sSeOnpllsh any given mechanical ends,