, 1892-09-17

it then bore to the attendance, was nearly az
great as it is now, ia proportion to the i'm
proved attendance.
Now therefore that the schools are enjoying
more favourable advantages, let me again ask,
is it not high time for the Inspector, who re-
presents Government, and the general public
to expect better results {?
Again, he is in a mess about "some children
being less qualified etc" He talks about the
claw of individuality, and, doubtless thinks
that the Inspector at the examination should
be guided by it. May l be allowed to ask
the Defendant" what he means by 'lndlvi-
duality" in a school, and why one man excels
when another fails to do 80? Is he not aware
of the fact that our individuality depends in a
great measure upon our training, our social
conditions, our advantages and the use which
we make of them, our habits of thought and
life etc. etc? Is there very much difference
in the social condition Of children attending
the Public Schools of St. Croix? Do any of
them enjoy such vastly superior advantages
above others, of the same class? And are not
their habits of thought and life pretty much
the same? A few of them indeed, may, from
physical causes, and oftener from slothfulness
and indolenoo, be conseq uently dull, and slow
Of comprehension, but should not the teacher,
whose business it is to study the peculiarlties
OF each pupil, rouse and stimulate these to &C.
tivity and diligence? He possesses all advan-
tage above the parent in the family-the
sympathy of numbers a very potent ele-
ment in class. teaching.
1t is hoped that the Teachers who read
'Justus's' letter did SO with better glasses,
clearer brains, and hearts less pregnant with
malice. If they have done SO, then they sure
ly will have failed to discover any 'imputa-
tions invidiously hurled at them"
Tn Defendant" takes it for granted that
"Justus' being an outsider, is ignorant of the
regimen of the schools" Let me remind him
Of the fact that "lookers-on" very often know
and see as much as those on the stage, and
sometimes q little more too.
After charging him with malice "~inius-
tice, . "calumny," Ignorance" 'invidious-
ness" and "peridy," Defendant" concludes
his letter with u request that "Justus' should
visit the schools-a request which would |
think, be more appropriately made of one who
10 supposed to have real '~'interest in the cause
Of education" Did | possess leisure to do 30
Iwould very frequently 20 to see the Schools, for
be itremembered, they a1e public institutions
and are, rs all others Of their class, open alike
to the visits and criticisms of intelligent citi-
Zens.
My inability to see them does not neoessari-
ly disqualify me for commenting upon them,
and the taunts of the Defendant" can have
no other effect upon me than that Of intensity
ing my interest in the cause of education In
this island.
In conclusion, permit me to remind teach
ers that a lively interest in their work is b being
excited and it will be their plain duty, as
men who viii one day have to render an ao-
count, to continue TO discharge their duty
with their wonted zeal and activity.
While retaining the name Of my adoption.
! beg, dear Mr.. Editor
To remain,
Yours gratefully.
JUSTUS.
CnDt 18th 1900