Morning journal and courier., 1888-03-12
A TRIRUTE

To the Late TT. w. IT. Curtis.
 In Saturday evenings Hartford Times was | beautiful tribute to the late T. W. T. Curtis of this city, the sentiments in which will touch responsive chord in many hearts in this city. It is as follows:
 In all my life's experience no one holds a | more grateful place in my memory than my best of numerous school teachers, the late T. ". T. Curtis. The sudden and painful news that came from New Haven of his departure into the silent land recalled his peculiar adaptability to his high and responsible call ing his cultivated tones and manner, his sweet and gentle spirit, his words of en- couragement and deeds of helpfulness to his scholars that always came at the needed time under his watchfuL care and conscientious guidance. He had a delightful way of imparting knowledge, and, apart from his regular lessons, he often gave impromptu ! talks on casual subjects that were filled with charm and information. His thorough in sight and understanding of all the varied and variable natures of the young girls in his charge, and his consequent separate dealing with their individual dispositions, as far as circumstances permitted, made hin what nature and study had fitted him for, 8
 teacher, in the very best and highest sense of the word. Not only this, he was also 8 sympathetic friend to his pupils. He en tered 80 heartily in spirit into their stud ies, recreations, pursuits, grievances and
 school triumphs, they loved as well as re- spected him. He was genuinely concerned
 in their welfare, morally, mentally and physically, and he introduced what were at
 that time some sensible innovations in the pre-
 vailing school methods to develop these diff
 ferent elements of character. He was thor
 oughly in earnest in his profession, which in
 his case amounted to true vocation. He
 spared no time, trouble nor expense to perfect
 and formulate his educational plans, and he
 improved them fast fresh and good
 ideas occurred to him. In fact, with his
 generosity and large heartedness, if he had
 fault it was his prodigality in equipping his
 school with the best conveniences, the
 finest appliances and the most gifted teach
 CTS that could be commanded. The result
 proved advantageous to his scholars, but dis
 advantageous to himself from 8 pecuniary
 point of view. There are no schools to-day,
 certainly no private ones, that afford any
 finer facilities for learning or that are any
 better conducted in all departments than was
 MT. Curtis model establishment on Asylum
 street. If he had been the possessor of
 large fortune it would have been devoted
 probably not to himself, but to his education
 al ideals. He would have founded sshool
 that wouldahave become noted for it's unique,
 genuine and progressive character. His win
 ming nature, exceptional teaching, patience,
 indulgence to failings and his firm but quiet
 efforts to remove them. his modesty and
 unobtrusiy iyeness, have left an indelible in-
 precision upon the memory of those who
 came under his influence and tuition. A bove
 all he had moral courage, that brave quality
 of spirit, which I, perhaps, have stronger reason to reverence and remember, more than any scholar he ever had, as it was nobly exerted in my behalf, during 8 trying and exciting period of the schools history. The love of justice and the true spirit of Chris tianity shone pre-eminently through his'char- acter, at that time of bitter, unchristian in tolerance. In offering this slight tribute to the memory of MT. Curtis, feel that it ex- presses the regard, however faintly, of not only myself, but that of many of his former pupils who will keep him in loving and grateful remembrance