, 1876-09-09

with regard to education is in force, and
that education is impaired free to any
who attend the school am not pre-.
pared to speak in favor Of the mode OF
rnising the money tor the maintenance
of the schools. To my mind, it seems
rather oppressive On some parties, and
unfairly lenlcnt with others. Only prop
erty owners have to pay to the education
rate; AMI man who merely rents n
house, however good may be his posi-.
tion IN hfe, escapes absolutely free. Were
the tax to he levied on all inhabitants,
in proportion TO their means. l fancy it
would be much more just in its incidence,
and | believe more fully appreciated by
the people of Connecticut themselves.
Now for the schools. There are three
schoolhouscs in Danbury-two elemen.
tary, AMI one for highclass education.
| visited one Of the elementary schools
neat frame" or wooden building
and found perhaps seventy scholars of
tender age, divided into two classes,
each class occupying y separate room,
and under the charge of young lady
teacher. The tiny scholars in the lowest
class were just learning to write and
spell, and several of the little mites had
really made marvellous progress. In
the other room were children Of five, six,
and seven years OF age. l heard them
read, and the correctness and Clenmcss
of their enunciation was praiseworthy in
the extreme. The teachers had the
scholars under perfect control. They
were as systematic and precise in all
their movements as soldiers OF the line !;
and movement of the teachers finger,
or one word, was sufficient to guide their
conduct. also visited the chief sch ool,
to which the scholars of the elementary
schools are drafted so soon as they have
attained suitable proficiency. The school
was a handsome brick building, fitted
with all appliances, and composed of
class.roonis, with wide, airy corridors in
the centre of the building. Priol to
school hours the children can play IN the
large yard adjoining, or, if the weather
is unfavorable, in spacious room on
the basement of the building. On the
signal being given for resumption OF
work, the scholars at once deposited
their supertluous clothing in convenient
rooms on the ground floor, and formed
up in line, class by class, with the prcci-
sion oil companies of volunteers. The
classes contained both boys and girls.
At another signal, one OF the lady teach
ers seated herself at grand piano, stu.
ate in the first floor corridor, and com
menced to play stirring march tune.
With measured tramp, and in perfect
order, the children, class by class, then
marched to their class.rooms, and in
few seconds took their places at their
accustomed desks. II should be observed
that children of all classes of society in
the town attend this school. The daugh-
ter of wealthy manufacturer might be
seen sitting next to the son Of poor
negro laborer. There is no class distinc.
tion in the school, save that of educa-
tional attainment. Twenty-fOur teachers
attended TO the various classes, the whole
being under tho control of supcria-
tendent. The average attendance was
1000. OF course, the children were
divided into classes, according to the
progress they had made; but in that
free school child could commence at
the lowest step of education and pro-
ceed to the bighest-in fact, receive an
education that would tit him or her to
proceed to college. l copied tho curri
culum of the high class, and will re.
produce it, so that Birmingham people
may see what may DC done even in free
schools Algebra, physiology, natural
philosophy, general history, chemistry,
astronomy, rhetoric, botany, geology,
geometry, English literature, trigonome.
try, zoology, mental and moral science,
Latin, Greek, &c. l believe painting,
drawing, and music also are taught.
only wish some of those Birmingham
voluntary school teachers who raved so
foolisbly against the Nayor's ideas on