The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-02
THE LEATH SCHOOL.
AN INSTITUTION OF WHICH MEM
PHIs MAY BE PROUD.
School Who're Principal, Teachers
and Pupils All Work Together in Har-
mony, Accomplishing the Best Possi-
BILE Results.

aNNlo anu btllCNCD Nllab ~ VIC Dtbl, anu
80 we are ready to stoutly contend that in
this, as in so many other matters, Mem
phis stands pre.eminent. Memphis is
proud of its schools and proud OF its teach
ers, and in smaller and more detached but
just as earnest circles, is very proud of its
pupils. Impelled partly by that and partly,
perhaps, by personal interest, we spent on
Friday q couple OF very pleasant hours in
the Leath School, on Linden street. The
elegant, commodious and thoroughly ar
ranged new building will be ready for use
this fall but awaiting that, the school is
taught in the little wooden wreck standing
under the drippings of its stately rooitree.
The removal OF the school to tho new
building will certainly mark an era of adj
vance, for principal and teachers who can
maintain the discipline and do the work
which they do amidst tho unpleasant sur
roundings and with the all-imperiect ma
terial they now use, will surely show in the
new building as well managed and thor
oughly taught a school as any OF the cities
OF America can present.
IL was wonderful to mo how they could
do as well in the worn and weary rooms,
Battered walls and time-tinted and tainted
appliances, Anyone who has had TO do
with children OF lesser or greater growth
knows how very much they are influenced
in manners and ways by externals, and
the moral and entire behavior OF this
school as il Is now, shows q knowledge Of
child life and thorough acquaintance
with all It's queerness and whims, and an
executive ability, power OF adaptation to
circumstances and an overcoming of made
quate and unpretty surroundings that
speaks volumes in proof OF the ability and
fitness Tor their position Of Miss Scudder
and her assistants We speak so fully OF
this because 80 many are apt TO overlook
these undue influences and TO take as OF
course the perfection Of this school, with.
out thinking of or acknowledging the hard
work and great extra effort necessary to
produce this, as compared with the better
accommodations OF the other schools of the
city. II certainly is school Of training
and discipline in patience, and the art OF
making the best OF everything for the
teacher as well rs the pupil
Miss NJ. l.. Scudder, principal seemed
peculiarly fitted for her position. In her
dress and manner she was a constant OBJ
ject lesson for the pupils, as she passed
from room 10 room with a word OF COM
mendation or caution. Her quiet, womany
presence poFvadng and influencing, guild
ing and restraining. She is devoted 10
this work, for which she is SO well fitted,
both by nature and training, for the posi-.
ton which she has held for five years past.
She is a full graduate OF Synodical Female
College OF Georgia, having taken the reg
ular classical course, beside the full liter.
AIRY and mathematical one, adding almost
the entire male curriculum TO that pre-
scribed for female graduates. A course OF
travel in Europe has broadoncd her views
and increased her usefulness.
As il was the closing day Of the school,
there was n large attendance OF parents
and friends. all Of whom were enthusiastic
in their approval. The face and behavior
ol pupils Is a sure test OF n school; these
pupils looked bright, cheerful and happy.
there was nothing Of fear or aversion, but
all gave proof Of prompt, cheerful, willing
obedience and attention. Before the
opening, the pupils scattered around
and in front Of the building were quiet
aud courteous. showing careful, kind
training through love and example, rather
than by fear and command. The exami-
nations were quietly conducted and all the
youngsters weio attentive aud watchiul,
eyincing full confidence in their teaching
ID teachers, aud Ia their general knowl.
--lge OF their studies and work, It was also
evident that there had been no special
cTaming or preparation, lin fact, the
teachers had had no time for doing this),
nor did they know just what was coming
or when, but had 10 depend on their train
Ing aud teaching, and the faculty OF ex-
pressing ideas and giving their own
thoughts. Everywhere was the evidence
OF capable and earnest work.
There were Rotations by classes. The
fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh grades
gave exercises in history, arithmetic,
geography, and In what IL particularly In
our line, general knowledge, which was q
most interesting portion oil the exercises.
The little ones OF the iirsi grade gave reel.
tati0ns and songs. One OF these songs
bright Morning Hail" particularly
touched our feelings, rs We had loaned oui
oyercoat 10 a poor uncle for the supposed
summer. Pleasure Climbs 90 Ever,
Mountain" "Gaily Our Bark" sigh
Gentle Gales" "Ihey Can't DO II, Iou
Know" sung with applause. 10y X. llar
ris, wee boy, who seemed 10 believe thai
ho could do II n anybody could; "Brnl
Nc n letter." by two little maidons
Julia Vaughn and Julia Glass; Fare
we'll" by the seventh grade. Tho program
was well selected and admirably rendered
and showed earnest work on the part o
all, but particularly OF Miss Sims, wilt
has charge Of the little ones, who seem lie
voted 10 her. She was elected 20 a highc
grade, but the wee bit darlings claimed he
with tears and protcstations, aud she. Tx
true woman, sacrificed herself for he
charge. She awarded n gold medal 4
Wnssel Randolph for highest average. ais
beautiful badges 10 five others Tor merit.
Each teacher has n specially, which sh
develops Ia addition 10 her general work
Miss Monctt has trained her pupils II
drawing MAPS AMI outlines and her black
boa:d showed some fine specimens OF ihci
skill and art therein. Miss Iinoni la
the reputation OF being one OF the mos
conscientious aud hardest workers OF ih
seventh grade Ia the city schools. her pa
pills have made an exceptionally fine rec
ord In their examinations and done grca
credit 10 her powers OF instruction. Mis-
Thompson, very young teacher, give
promise Of great usefulness; she Is one
the best discipllnafians IN the list q
teachers, notwithstanding her youth. sh
awarded prizes for doponment 10 llclc
Pruisman and Carrie Wolfe, and 10 TOT
Cranberry and Bessie Crulman for prot
cheney in school work. Her specially
fine pcnmanship. We could not but fec
onvious Of her pupils, when we thought {
the misery caused by our own chirOgri
ply. Miss Banks has well.carncd rpu
iation rs superior. teacher