New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-08-14
NOTES ON EDUCATION.

Summer schools Of instruction are rapidly becoming
IN important educational feature in this country
There is something in the idea underlying theso
schools, Of combining work and play, that strongly
sppeals TO tho American people, who, yet hardly
know how rest for the sake Of rest alone Ana as
long "a summer recreation is TO be diluted at all 1t Is
well that the duton take such practical form as
these summer schools. Their informally ana freedom
from the ordinary restraints of school, douhtiess
render them positively rccreative to many who attend
them. and even those who are most weared with inc
and business of III" wear will find mental sum
illus in the interesting lectures and discussions whc
make up their programmes For after all, recreaoh Is
not an abstcntion nom all activity but rather
change from one form Of activity to another
The new hill on primary education. which has been
introduced by the Belgian Government Is designed 10
do away with the objectionable features of the law OF
1870. Under this law the State determines the num-
Der of primary schools aud schools for infants ana
adults In each commune. as well as the number OF
teachers whom il forms in its own training schools
and of whom Il has virtually the nomination. IL HNes
The budget Of tho schools. and leaves the commune
neither initiative independence The result OF TINS
provsion was that the opinions of onc-ha oi the Ma
ton were imposed upon the other half II the present
hill becomes law all compulsory measures on The part
or ,ho sto,e will bo abandoned and each commune will
be allowed decide for itscf the religious character
oS It's schools In short he object of the bill 10 pro
vide instruction for all to allow the comnuncs Whlch
rrcf,r on condition that the instruction given comes UP
10 the proper standard to do away with the anomaly
of building expensive school houses and keeping mp
stan of teachers whore the parots are unwilling 10
send their children to heiu and 10 put stop To- the
hostile feclng that ~ now prevalent a over the couh
Try between communal schools ana prl'at" SCHOOLS ana
the pressure put upon parents to Hhd 'h"u Ont
dron to one or the other.
Santa Fc Academy ia rapidly taking rank among tho
best high schools Of tho country Its principal, tho
Rev E W Meany IA graduate of Oxford University
England. aud has held many important educational
,osions in This country and England Ito n assisted
ty an able CORPS of tesohcrs aud tho course oi insrnc
ton given In The Rohool Va wide and thorough santa
De II becoming vol known ~ h"hh i'sort nhu
parents who bayo delicate children arc now Hehdlhg
hnm 90 this school In preference to ANY other, ON nc
count Of la hcpthiul climate"
Howard College Ia situated IN Marion, Ala aud Aimee
iis foundation IN iNl2, has taken high rank among tho
educational instiutona Of tho State II was Tho lia
college Ia Alabama that offered to the young mon OF
the State regular aud ull training IN civil and military
engineering, thus preparing Thorn Tor tho great ana
lucrative profession tho knowledge OF which has been
so necessary IN developing tho natural resources OF the
State IN times of peace aud assisting Ia operations Oh
defense la time OF war
In a circular rooenuy issnod by Cornell University,
the results of co education summed up rs follows
"Young women boar the strain Of mental work quite
as well a. young men, aud there IA not sickness
among them moreover, largo percentage of them
complete the and graduate and the average oil
y
men This fact does not necessarily imply mental
superority IL results Doubtless from the greater reg
uarity with Which they apply themselves to thor
tasks"
Tho Starr King School Of Boston, is an institution
that deserves success 1t is for girls and its aim is to
supplement- the training Of the public schools with an
elementary and technical training Is now nearly at
Tho close of It's second session. and has an average at
tendance of 100 pupils. There is kitchen garden
class. class IN modelling clay class in knitting,
a GLASS in ad needework, classes in color, in
weaving. in gyWnasiics. aud class in
carpentry. alt is surprising" says " The Bos-
ton Advertiser" to SEQ how well the girls do aud
especially how well they do in the latter class. and
how naturally some of them take to tho of tools
Their efforts are mostly in the cabinet making line al
though the first lessons in getting out pieces of
wood for miniature fences, and learning 10 use the
tools and shape the woods. From these they so to
something moro ambitions, knife-trays, ironing boards
foot stools etc. Of the girls is making pretty oak
desk another an easel still another ornamental
table There Is play about this work il is genuine
labor they do everything themselves, under the guild
nncc. OF course, of skilled carpenter, who acts as
teacher They take the Dimensions get out the wood,
prepare it properly and PIT IT together ne result III
many cases would not shame experienced woTkmcn. |
OF course only the larger girl, do this labOTious
work hint The t.c ones have their coloring and
inp their part In the ncrdlcwork and the kitchen |
garden Glasses and all have the gymuasuc training !
under one of Professor Sargeuts best graduates The
olasses modelling do surprisingly well; they model
from the Hat and they show really Iemat ahc skull
The teachers OF the best, and are all interested most
Thoroughly IN their pupils Ii Is hoped next year To
sdd designing to the l,t Of studies. many of the
older girl. anxious for the opportunity OF such
study. In the meantime, what has already been
achieved hy tins short session of technical school TOT
girls will be shown ut the Institute fair, where there
will he an exhibit IN tho wonsn's department OF the
work of the school Mrs Mcbride having made SPECIAL
effort in behalf of this display which VIII show how
much may be done and well DONE 10y girls whom prop
erly trained aud directed The wish has been expressed
b. many interested IN educational matters that this
schoo should become permanent institution, instead
of so temporary a Ouc.'