The Washington times., 1902-06-01

" HE custom of publicly exhibiting
selected work of the pupils pre-
i phratory to closing the schools
has been discontinued for several
seasons past, as It was found TO involve
considerable expenditure of time and
trouble with no adequate results. But
the work of public schools is always
open to inspection. and the system en-
ployed for teaching the young idea how
to shoot" and for developing into the
finished product OF useful learning, is
most interesting.
In no other city of the Union can that
great national institution, the public
school system, be studied to such a6-
vantage, perhaps, as here in the Nation
al Capital. Foreign visitors realize this
fact. and Superintendent Stuart has.
during the past year, had the pleasant
task OF showing quite a number of dis
tinguished persons from abroad the sys-
tenn of public instruction in vogue in
this country.
An Englishman's Surprise.
An English gentleman, the master of
a grammar school abroad. recently made
an inspection of the schools of this
city. In speaking to Mr.. Stuart of the
observations he had made, he remared
that what had struck him most foreibly
in the conduct of the schools here, as
contrasted with that of similar institu-
tions in his own country, was the free
dom and lack of restraint on the part
Of the pupils, and their familiar footing
with the teacher. He said he missed
to seeing in English schools, especially
the free schools; the influence of the
master" as he expressed II. The teach
er in the American public school i'm
pressed him as instilling kind of do.
mestic spirit between herself and her
young charge.
No Special Classes.
He was very much astonished when
he was told that the son of the Presi-
dent of the United States attended a
public school in this city, and at once
jumped to the conclusion that II must
be school somewhat different from
the rest, or. at all events, that the son
of the nations Chief must be included
in special class" When informed
that such was not the case, and that the
Presidents son was given no distinc-
tion in regard to social standing above
his schoolmates, who might be the sons
OF laborers and mechanics, he was still
more surprised.
A Model Class.
Considering the general excellence of
the public schools of this city and the
success Of teachers and assiduity of pu-
pills in all. it is hard to particularize.
Miss Lackeys sixth grade class in the
Dennison Building is model one. The
sixth grade is a critical stage in educa-
the two hard" grades, namely, the sew
enth and eighth. Miss Lackey counts
among her young charges some exceed
ingly bright children. Little Miss Mar
guerite Miller is one of these-a veri-
table jewel, as Miss Lackey her. John
10 Oht Va
Miss Lackeys room, and is a wonder
fully clever boy. His drawings and COM
positions are among the prize show
works Of the school. Notwithstanding
his exceptional ability, it is a difficult
thing. says his teacher, TO get him to
work. He is possessed of tendency,
rare in grown-up person, TO under
rate his talent, and is always loath to
undertake any work, though. once he
starts in. he is sure to produce some
thing excellent.
One of the Youngest Teachers.
The third grade in the Dennison School
is ably conducted along the fowery
path of learning hy Miss Kupfer, who
looks scarcely older than some of her