Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-06-18
College Examinations.

The interest manifested in the exami-
nation exercises Of a school is invariably
in proportion 70 the excellence OF the in
stitutioB. \ school which is devoted TO
the faithful and conscientious training OF
the young minds committed to its care
will use its examinations 70 exemplify the
progress made by its pupils and the
methods Of instruction edopted by the
faculty
Teachers who instruct their pupils thor
oughly naturally desire the public 70 be
informed OF the result Of their work, and
invite the most rigid examinations and
criticisms. On the other hand, where
instruction is not thorough, the evidences
Of special preparation and examining for
examinations cannot be disguised. The
institution VIII BE- devoid Of character
and little interest win be felt IN the an
nual exercises.
There Is in one Of the Southern States
a female college. the annual examinations
Of which are attended by thousands Of
people. Only a small proportion Of these
are relatives Of the pupils or have any
speciaI personal interest in the school. A
large proportion Of the visitors are edu-
Gated meu-sOme Of them teachers in
rival schO0ls-WhO attend these exami-
nations as real ssfeasts Of reason" a
class is seated on the stage and the books
Of the pupils distributed among
the auditors. No set Of precOn-
certed questions are propounded, but
any person present is permitted-Urged
to ask any question on the subjects COW
cred by the studies Of the class. Instead
Of a formal examination the exercises as
sumo more the form Of a debate or argu-
ment between the not always friendly ex-
aminers and the pupils. Not only this,
but the pupils almost invariably acquit
themselves with credit. and very frequent
| " win brilliant victories over their ques-
TONERS. ThOrOughness only IS aimed al
/ By the faculty. and all efforts at show OF
/ deception are studiOusly avoided.
There is another school in an adjoining
state which is conducted on totally differ
ent principles. Lessons are half memo
rized by the pupils in a mechanical sort
| Of way for the first three or four months
I Of the term. The last month is de-
/ voted 70 the reviewing and examining Of
! selected examination exercises. At the
| prescribed time the appointed examina
4 ton lessons arc recited in the presence o.
a small audience composed OF relatives d
/ pupils and trustees, who know pretty vel
I the fraudulent character Of the school, anC
who feel very little interest or pride in it
The demand Of the age is forprOgress in
/ educational institutions as well as il
/ everything else. The schools Of to-day
/ are generally much superior to those o.
/ twenty years ago, but there is room FOL
further Improvement in all OF them. There
/ are yet a good many sham schools in The
/ land. though there are more genuine
I educational institutions than ever before
/ Year by year the frauds who are peda
gogues only for the purpose Of making
a living are being rooted out, and the.l
/ places are being filed with those WIT
/ adopt teaching as a noble profession, anC
whose ambition is not limited by any ide;
/ or mere pecuniary success.
The examination exercises Of a school
| afford a very accurate index Of its true
character. Only the superficial observer
can be deceived by ingenious display anC
noisy demonstrations, and genuine merit
only can command the admiration anC
| respect OF the intelligent patron or public