Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-06-29
QUE HIaE SCHOOL.

EDS. RECORD UNION Permit me, through
the columns Of your enterprising journal, to
call attention to this excellent institution of
our city. After invitations from the Chair
man Of the Board of Education, I spent a
forenoon in the school, in careful observation
of the methods pursued end the proficiency
attained. At $3.50 a. n. the scholars mum.
bering about sixty, assembled in the upper
hall of their elegant school building, listened
TO brief chapter from the great book of
moral precepts, snd then entered upon their
Rotations for the day. All was done with
quietness and precision, the discipline Of the
school appearing to be excellent. During tie
first hour | witnessed a recitation in spherical
geometry by the middle class" conducted
by Professor Crittenden, successor of the late
Professor Brisr. The theorems were in most
cases quite difficult, yet, with scarce an ex-
ception, both young men and misses gave
clear demonstrations OF their work, and in a
contest would compare very fsvorably with
like classes in the average college. Their in
structor appeared TO bemaster of this intri-
cate mathematical science, and kept them
Interested in what Is to most learners an ex-
tremely dry subject. A recitation in botany
the following hour, by the senior clasF, gave
evidence of similar proficiency on the part Of
pupils, and the ability of the same instructor
to both hold end interest those under his tut
ton.
During the same time Mrs. Folger had the
middle class in charge, the teachers alter.
mating in this, with 8 lesson in American
literature. l was greatly interested both in
the matter and manner of s reading from
Bancroft by one OF the young gentlemen, and
IN "a ~ 1azdircr ar7tH fri.- hx-
Houng ladies of the class. Having preceded
Mrs. Folger to the junior class room lis
tened to an excellent recitation in history
und>r her charge One of the misses had
PREPARED a sketch of the history OF Mexico,
comprehensive in most respects, which she
presente6in charming fashion, without sgy
close confinement to her manuscript. Others,
on the Lesson of the day, gave pretty clear
account OF matters in ancient Greece, and
evidenced thereby both their own industry
and the paiustaking endeavors of their tesch-
er.
During the hour preceding the same class
had been engaged on an algebra lesson, under
direction of the Principal, to part of which l
listened. These juniors appeared to have hsd
8 hard struggle with the polymonisl theOrem,
from which, with a small exception, they had
come off victorious under the veteran leader
ship of Professor Adams. He impressed me
as being master of the whole science of alge-
bra, and much besides Part of the next
hour was spent with him, as he concluded
recitation in Cicero with some Of the middle
class. I was delighted with the proficiency of
these pupils, as well as with the exact aud
comprehensive methods followed il their in.
struction. During several years experience
as examiner in one of our leading Pacific
coast colleges never met with class more
skilled in the grammar of the Latin classics,
or superior in the art of translation. Look
ing at my watch, found the forenoon had
slipped by. and then came away, wonder
ing why 1 hadn't gone before, and why SO
few parents, professional men, merchants and
others, visit the schools-the High School in
particular. An hour or two, now and then,
spent in this way, would be of great value
alike to visitors. teachers and pupils. In this
lie both duty and pleasure for our citizens.
ANDREW J. HANSON.