Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-07-06
THE DISTRICT SCHOOL EXHIBIr
At Paris.

The following letter from Hon. John d.
Phibrick, Superintendent of the American
Educational Department Of the Paris Exhibi-
ton, will be read with interest here
l66 BOULEVARD Mont PARNAssE,
PARIS June p 1873.
Ny Dear Sir:--I have already informed you
that the collective exhibition of the school
system OF the city of Washington and the
weeks ago, and that it was Immediately set
up in the center of our exhibit, the place |
had intended it should occupy as soon as its
design was made known to me. Ii looks well
1t is just the center-piece needed to give a
finish to the arrangement of materials. It's
height and size are quite in harmony with the
surroundings. 1t is the first object in the eX-
hibit which strikes the eye and arrests the
attention of the thousands of visitors who
daily thrOng the adjacent broad passage. The
label placed on the base of the model reads,
" Mason EcOle Prinldire de Ia VIE de Wash
angt0n,' the word ''primaire' being univer-
sally understood here as comprising The
grades which in America we call primary and
grammar
Since writing the haSty note notifying you
OF the arrival OF your important cOntribu ION
to the American educational exhibit, have
taken pains to examine it in detail and taka
pleasure now in assuring you that | regard il
as highly creditable not only to our capital
city and to all who have been concerned as
c0-operators in its production, but to the
whole country.
The plan of the school house represented by
the model has some novel features Utility and
economy have been equally regarded by the
architect. 1t is no doubt We'll adapted for the
purposes for which it is designed. Its mechan-
zeal execution is excellent The large and
handsome volumes Of scholars work quite eX-
cced what had expected, both in regard to
quantity and quality. And feelitro be a duty
as It is a pleasure, TO say THAI this comnlete
presentation OF the methods and results of the
Instruction III AL the grades of the schools of
washington, from the primary TO the normal.
allordS the most conclusive evidence of the
wisdom and efficiency Of the management OF
the system. Both teachers aud pupils deserve
much praise for their lab0rS in the preparation
OF The contents of these noble volumes which
will be examined by thousands of interested
ln4urerS from different countries.
The course of study with the accompanying
teNt-bookS and books Of reference is another
important and highly interesting feature OF
tie collective exhibition, and it Will not fail to
attract much attention.
The contents of the drawer comprising plans
and views OF the school buildings are much in
Spected by visitors, and they are all could de-
sire III that line And the fine set of school re-
ports make good figure and will well repay
peruSal.
In word, the collective exhibition of Your
schools is firSt-claSS success. Il is tn chief
ornament and the most interesting aud in
StructiVe part of our collective national ey-
hIbit: am greatly obliged to you for the part
You have had IN its preparation. | know II
must nave cost you very much labor and
trouble. | hope it will be duly appreciated
and recompenSed by the jury. But if the
honorf deserved should not be awarded. the
great benefit to your schools which must result
from the work of preparation is secure.
Accept my thanks for yourself. the school
board, and the teachers and pupils and the a bic
architect who designed the school model, and
believe me- most truly yours, p
Hon. j. OrmOnd Wilson, Sup't Pubic Schools
WASHINGTON. ID. G..