Evening journal., 1889-06-25
LANGUAGE EXERCISES.
GOOD RESULTS FROM THE REGENT
EXAMINATIONS.

primary grade and the sixth grammar
grade, inclusive. 0ne-third the whole
number of pupils in these grades were
examined in the exercises and l, 100
papers were received. The rules govern
ing the examination were as follows: The
papers must be written by the pupils,
without assistance at one continuous
sitting. The time was not otherwise
limited. Pupils could revise and rewrite
their manuscript as often as they desired,
provided 1t be done in the session.
Most of the exercises in the lower or
primary grades were what are called
reproduction articles" written from
memory, after dictation by the teacher.
AS the older scholars are reached, essays
and letters are found. Many of the latter
display great deal Of keen observation
and thought.
Taken altogether, the result OF the
examination would please any person
interested in education. Many Of the
exercises We're examined under the fol-
lowing heads
l. Arrangement.
2. Peamanship.
3. Spelling
4. Capitalization and punctuation.
5. Grammatical construction.
They are marvels OF what can be done
by systematic and thorough instruction.
| The same examination was tried last
year and the results were very accept
able. But this year shows an improve
ment over even last years work.
The compositions that were read were
in good handwriting, clearly expressed
and correctly capitalized and punctuRted.
Many of the pupils in writing the repro
ductions" displayed views of thought
entirely untrammeled by the text. 1t
was clear that they had relied more on
| reproducing the sense" than
the wording of the original.
| The articles were divided to the best
effect and paragraphs we're pnt just where
they were needed. The productions of
the pupils were far removed from the
writings of that large class of persons
who with small education, always spoil
what they write. This class never finds
use for capital or period and as foi
grammar, it is of less need to them than
the eleventh census will be.
In the exercises of the pupils special
notice was taken of the clear and gram
matical sentences. They are nearly al
very good models of rhetoric, and som'
of them partakeof the nervous newspapei
style.
There are too many compositions u
allow of fair judgment as to those o
best merit, but few read at random ma,
be mentioned. In the Boys High School
grammar department, James E. Ford o
the sixth grade. writes on the Cyclone
of last summer. 1t is pointed and cover
the ground, although little sameness i
, expressed in several Of the constructions
Charles Ayars, also Of the sixth grade
. has q bright article on the Castle Got
! lin." Ia it the interest is kept up TO tn
I last, and II Is well written, besides.
The members of the hfth gramms
, grade discussed Delaware" among othe
I subjects and gave the Diamond State du
: praise.
A notable feature in the mparison b,
tween the writing Of the boys aad CIR
,, Of the High School, is that the gir
: write the best. Not simply a prettie
hand, but a more correct one. Emma I
Foulson writes brief essay on "Sel6sl
ness" Lillian McGuiness contribute
one on the Autobiography of a Doll
' She writes large, handsome hand an
presents the subject with good judi
> ment. One OF the longest and neatel
n compositions. by pupils of the high'
grammar grades, noticed, was that G
4 Respect Old Age, by Emma Sophis.
n The change from the highest gramms
a to the lowest primary grades, can
noticed by the words and constructio
i and by them only SO far as spelling
: penmanship and arrangement are col
4 cerned the younger pupils make rs goo
u a showing as their older brothers al
sisters, but in the size and use Of word
Il the latter excel, as they should.
Il The younger scholars having had lei
"a practice do not use such large words
d come easily to the older, yet they g
Is press what they wish very clesrl
"a Therefore they are not far behind.
grammatical construction. practice aga
4 gives the grammar students the beneii
# not yet accorded to the primary student
n Other things being equal the compo'
# tions of the primary grades are superi
8. to those Of the grammar grades.
n In school No. 2, Florence Carey, Of t
tenth primary grade, writes on ITEM
?. tation, and Eugene Thompson on 20
Sailors Lot" In school No. 3, All
Lewis's composition on the Gree
Chicken" shows one Of the best spe
e. mems Of penmanship among the boys.
80 The subjects treated occupy lar
be range. Among those noticed not pre-
h+ iously mentioned are Balloons" "T'
he Dogs, Friendship" christmas Eve
he George Washington" Gar Wheell
is James A. Garfield" "a Storm at SeG
N. "A Forrest on Fire, mice" 'Cl
to riages. "Slsve Trade" and 50 on throui
the whole number.
There exists of course in some of {
writings bad mistakes, but they are We
on few. 1t would be hard matter to Fl
rs a dozen missPelled words in score
Il manuscripts As to penmanship, 1t is
e. good. Although some of the boys wrI
no small hands and some Of the girls lar
Ial hands, yet that is the exception and L
n. the rule. Some write easily read matt
ak yet the letters are not formed accordi
It TO the rules; others who apply the ru
mt in forming letters, do not make su
I'd: plain words. These differences do I
ir affect the general standing OF the conn
ID. sitions and they will bear strict critici
ice on any the above six heads.
rs. Among the compositions examined,
following very cute epistle was discover
Il has probably never been seen by a
lst member of the Board Of Public Hducati'
IS. so it is given here. punctuation q
n spelling being the same as in the ori
lul nal.
of APRILe4. 1885,
i'll Te the members OF the Board of Public Edu
tion.
KIND sIRs: We are very thankful TO
for giving US next week as a holiday. dc
think you will be sorry for il will do us e
me and we are all coming back feeling refres