Year: 1863

the difference between an obligiug, pleasing dis
position, and one just the opposite, and the va
rious effects which follow. It does. not require
a child to be advanced, either in years or know
ledge, to perceive that if they behave rudey
and unkindly towards their school companions,
and show an inconsiderate, selfish manner, in
their intercourse with them; such conduct
generally brings its own bitter return. For self


ishness begets selflshness, and harshness only
leads to an increase Of the same, until each in
jury done has been returned and sometimes paid
back tcnfold. Since children can see so plainly,


and feel SO keenly, at the early age alluded to,


in regard to injuries done them, is it not natu-
raj to suppose that if their minds were properly
directed, they would just as soon be able to dis
cover kind act, as an unkind one, and be in
hhcncsd accordingly 2 In childhood, the heart
is free and open to impressions, either for good


or bad, and weighty indeed must be the respcn-
sibility of those teachers whe undertake to make
those FIRST Impressions which can never after
wards be cradicated. If good, they are the


great helps which assist us in forming bright
future; if bad, they remain as lasting impede
mcnts to our success in after life. Passing from
the primary department, we will now suggest
that proper department be taught in more sci
entific manner in the higher grades of schools,


until such reformation be gained as is now con-
| sidered most needful. As a help, and one of
the greatest which could possibly be introduced,
in order to secure refinement of feeling in pub


lie schools, is a knowledge of both vocal and
, instrumental music.


| No teacher who has ever tried the expert
ment of teaching vocal music in School, can


fail to observe the pleased, refined expression of
countenanee, which generally accompanies the
effort of the scholars, to give vent to their vol
ces even if their tones be inharmonious, to a
more practiced ear. Thereby proving most
conclusively that music has a soothing, ref
ming influence upon the human heart. Beside
knowledge of music would, without doubt,
prove agreeable to all, and to many, real,b ,bles-
sing, where particular talent was evinced for it,
Every thing which could have the slightest ten


dency to improve or refine their minds and man
! n,rs should be introduced, not even the vericst
trife ought to be overlooked, if by its introdue
ton good would ensuc. If it be true shat tri-


iles form the principal distinction between The


refined and umefned," why omit anything which


if fairly tried might prove beneficial or useful


to the pupils of free schools; since we know


that through them society, to great extent, :
to be indebted for many of the good or evil hab.
its, which will follow as the natural consequence
of the neglect or care bestowed upon their early
education. Having given my humble but sin
cere opinion, in regard to the above mentioned
changes of the school program, ] will close
these few rambling remarks by saying that any
teacher, who comedies with my view of the


question and wishes to try the experiment, need


not wait for any other consent than that Of his
own will to begin with. And if, after giving
the changes spoken Of time for fair trial, he
finds no particular benefit arising from them, it
would then be we'll to go back to first principles


But if, as am sanguine enough to believe,
he would find benefit accruing from such a trial,


let him pcrsevere in the good work until order,
refinement, and rapid Improvement, form the


three great characteristics of the department
in which he has been employed UNO.