ot; and her volunteer soldiery an able and a brave of- chines. We have taken time to examine many others at the ware-rooms and in the family; we ficer. Resolved, That we appreciate the nobleness of the man and the bravery of the soldier, who, in his first battle, led his comrades within the entrenchments of the enemy, only to fall at the moment victory crowned their arms with complete triumph. Resolved, That we honor the unselfish patriotism have heard the testimony of experienced workwhich called him from his scholastic duties at home to men, and now, after our own use, we most cheerendure the privations and hardships of a soldier's life, fully award the palm to the Grover & Baker mato engage in the sanguinary conflict, and thus volun- chine. It will run many years with proper care, tarily to lay his life upon the altar of his country. requiring trifling, if any, repair. Its stitch is elastic, strong and durable. It is easily oiled and cleaned, while its quiet demeanor when at work gives the canary birds the entire audience. These machines are fully competent to meet all their obResolved, That in this time of our country's trial, we ligations. They make one of the strongest stitchhave the utmost confidence in the justice of our cause; es known in hand sewing, while it will embroider and, trusting in the Right, and relying solely for needed on woolen 'for children's clothes, hem or gather, strength and assistance on the Great Jehovah, we look &c. We say to all who would catch a sunbeam in forward with no misgivings to a speedy and complete your nursery on a stormy day, while the children overthrow of this wicked and atrocious rebellion, and are all at home, go and get one of Mr. Clapp's the permanent restoration of the authority of our Grover & Baker sewing machines, in the Phenix good government over all this great country, from the building, Providence. Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the Lakes to the Gulf, From the Providence Evening Press. A meeting of the R. I. Institue of Instruction was held at Centreville, Warwick, commencing on Friday afternoon, Feb. 28th, at two o'clock. Hon, Henry Rousmaniere, Commissioner of Public Schools, presided, and opened the exercises with an appropriate address. He commenced by saying that the Institute was a working body. No young teacher ought to sit silent. Every one had a duty to perform, in deciding how to listen with patience, speak with wisdom and vote with understanding. There must be no sluggards here. As to what the greatest improvement of the age is we will not presume to state, and yet among the The speaker recommended those present to cultimost wonderful, it seems to us, is the iron seam-vate more earnestness as teachers. They would all stress, that little family companion, the sewing need great enthusiasm, for they must expect to enmachine. To him who has read "the song of the counter difficulties and provoke enemies. The road shirt," to her who has consumed weary nights to all professional success was paved with trials, and with the slow needle for a family of romping, tear- hedged in with thorns. Above all professions, that ing children, the sewing machine presents a grate- of teaching was liable to produce lukewarmness. ful relief. We speak of that which we know, when There were various reasons for this, such as the unwe say that they are a blessing to humanity. We just interference of trustees and committees, the pashave recently screwed up our courage to brave the sionate partiality of parents, and the recurrence of misgivings of the echonomy of our fathers, and have the same questions, the same answers and the same purchased a sewing machine for the first time. We lessons. The favorite schemes of a teacher being thus have held family gatherings to make inquiries into nipped in the bud, he sank at last into professional its strange but simple character. We have quiz- languor and listlessness. zed its disposition and temperament until we think Many teachers sought a relief from the lethargie if a severe diagnosis can ever prove fatal to the influence of their daily pursuits by building “castles subject, this must be on “its last legs." But, as in the air." The danger was not in the possession of was remarked, we have purchased a sewing ma- a brilliant imagination, but in the spendthrift abuse chine, and paid for it. We did this for two reasons. of it; not in the glowing fancy in which are daily The principal one was that our wife could no long-bathed the homely trials of a village school, but in er dispense with it; the other, for fear that some following capricious, unsubstantial shadows, far away fabled monster should silently steal out from the from the real objects of duty, home and school. Befoggy shores of Dixie's alligator swamps, and ware, said Mr. R., of "castles in the air." No one while gazing at Bunker Hill, take Boston in at is made sounder, purer, wiser, or more industrious, by one swoop, sewing machines and all. An era has ignoring the plain, practical world, in which he lives, taken a position in our family, and the winter of and peopling the air, the light and the woods with our discontent is made glorious summer by the aerial beings. The result is a disordered state of the purchase of one of Grover & Baker's best ma-'affections, and a complete disgust for the simple pleasure that a kind Providence has scattered every-turers, to the Methodist Church for the use of their vestry, and to the citizens of Centreville for their hospitality. where. The Institute adjourned with singing America and Old Hundred. The speaker recommended greater "method and order." Amid the anxieties of the school and the multiform inducements to social excitement, teachers should always remember that a cool, quiet courage, Although this meeting was of a most interesting might perhaps make them masters of others; while and lively character, still we missed one attraction a strict method and order would surely make them enjoyed at recent meetings, viz.: that of a general masters of themselves. participation in the discussions on the part of the younger teachers. Mr. S. A. Potter, of Providence, then gave a very lucid explanation of his system of teaching writing. His illustrations were humorous and pleasant. Centreville received the members of the Institute on this occasion, with characteristic hospitality. The The Commissioner having in the course of a speech exercises indicated mature reflection and careful suggested that the teacher's sphere of usefulness, and thought on the part of those who engaged in them, the number of persons upon whom he acted, were the music was fascinating, and the attendance large, greater than the sphere of the clergyman and the considering the inclemency of the weather. number of persons acted upon by him, the Rev. Mr. Husted arose and expressed his dissent from this pro- WE are indebted to the kindness of the learned position. A discussion ensued, which was continued Agent of the Board of Education of Massachuby Rev. Messrs. Leader, Brayton and Cooke. The gen-setts for his report on the "Defects Existing and erai opinion seemed to be that there was really no the Improvements Needed," in the Public Schools conflict between the duties of the teacher and the of that State. We most heartily agree with the minister, but that the one was instrumental in ad- sentiments of the report in the main, and would vancing the views and purposes of the other. ask our friends to give some extracts a careful perusal, and see if the same may not be true of our own: The evening was agreeably spent in listening to the very able lecture of the Rev. Lyman Whiting, upon "The Comforts and Pleasures of School Keeping," of which we published a report at the time of the annual meeting. SPELLING AND READING. My visits in all sections of the State have strengthened the conviction that spelling and On Saturday morning the Institute was opened reading should be made very much more promiwith prayer by Rev. Lyman Whiting, and was con- nent studies with the younger pupils in our schools. tinued by an exercise in English History, with a Spelling is often the last exercise of the session, class instructed by Mr. D. R. Adams, of Centre- and not unfrequently is deferred till after the proville. per "school-time," when, in the weariness of the This was followed by a familiar lecture on the sub-pupils, and their eagerness for the expected and ject of spelling, by Joshua Kendall, Esq., of Bristol. yet delayed dismission," and the consequent In the afternoon, Mr. S. A. Briggs, of East Green- haste of the teacher, a lesson which in anticipawich, gave a practical exhibition of the attainments tion of such a contingency has been poorly preof his geographical class in the art of map-drawing, pared, is still worse conducted. Instead of being which was highly satisfactory to all present. Mr. Wm. A. Mowry, of Providence, then gave a familiar lecture on the necessity for the study of the United States Constitution in our public schools. thus crowded to the last hurried moments of the session, spelling should hold the front rank, the post of honor, certainly in the lower grade of schools. No lesson deserves to be more thorough At the close of the lecture, the Commissioner made ly studied and carefully heard. The aim of the some remarks complimentary to the accurate memory recitation should not be, as it so commonly is in and vivacious answers of Mr. Briggs' class in Geog practice, to cultivate the Yankee shrewdness of raphy, and pointing out a few errors of pronuncia- the scholar in guessing, with the privilege of trytion which a little attention might rectify. He also ing on each word, as in a riddle or conundrum, till brought the claims of the RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL- he "gives it up." One trial is better than a score MASTER before the meeting, and urged every teacher of guesses, both to decide whether the pupil has to subscribe for that journal, and every friend of ed- mastered the lesson, and to insure its study in fuucation to assist in circulating it. Upon this subject ture. With beginners spelling should be the chief a discussion arose, which was participated in by exercise, commenced before they have completed Messrs. DeMunn and Mowry, of Providence, Lap- the alphabet, by printing every word on the slate ham, of Centreville, Briggs, of East Greenwich, and blackboard, a useful and pleasant exercise, Kendall, of Bristol, Rev. A. H. Cooke and others. even for abecedarians. I find, however, many Resolutions were adopted expressing patriotic sen- Primary Schools not furnished with slates, and timents, extending a welcome to the citizens, teachers sometimes without blackboards. and scholars who were on Saturday received into our Alike for spelling and drawing, printing words, State, expressing regret at parting with those who and cultivating both the eye and the hand, the left it on that day, and returning thanks to the lec- slate, and best of all the "drawing slate," with appropriate copies and pictures on the frame, other study, and elevates the whole school. Their should be furnished to all, especially the youngest superiority makes the prevailing defects seem more scholars. Many committees and teachers have glaring and needless, and demonstrates the wisbeen easily persuaded during the last year to sup-dom and necessity of reform. What a revolution ply the Primary Schools under their charge with would be seen in our higher schools and with all slates and blackboards. I have found many school advanced classes, if the dreaded and misnomered houses with blackboards so small and placed so" drudgery" of spelling and the difficulties of high as to be serviceable only for the teacher, and mere reading-I do not here speak of elocutionothers entirely without blackboards. Some teach- were completed under ten or twelve years of age. ers and committees even believed blackboards al- This is the surest method to facilitate all other together unnecessary in Primary Schools. From and higher studies, for early mastery of reading some of these very teachers I have afterwards re- fosters a love of learning and fondness for books, ceived grateful acknowledgements for the personal while aversion to study and hatred of school are efforts with committees which secured ample black- often produced by tasking children in grammar boards, with the assurance that they have materi- and higher studies before they can read and underally aided in government as well as instruction, stand them with facility. Once implant a love of keeping children both pleasantly and profitably reading, and you have a strong pledge of scholaroccupied. ship through life. Increasing observation confirms my belief that Too long and too difficult reading lessons are the art of spelling may be essentially completed often assigned to children-selections of an abunder ten or twelve years of age. In early life stract or didactic nature, when they can apprecithe memory is circumstantial, and naturally and ate only the concrete and descriptive. Dialectics easily grasps items, details, words and their forms. are too strong meat to be either savory or digestiIn later years, while the memory grows more te- ble while the reflective faculties are yet undevelnacious of principles, comprehensive facts and oped. I have often found “the first class” of ten general truths, it retains such minutie with diffi- or a dozen in a district school, after repeating the culty. words of some abstruse essay mechanically, as if Instead of being a monotonous and mechanical in an unknown tongue, not only unable to analyze drill, spelling, by a great variety of methods, it, but even to repeat or suggest a single thought should be made an attractive and intellectual ex- from the whole selection. No reading lesson is ercise; pursued not merely to learn the literal ele- properly selected and studied unless the pupil can ments of words, but for the higher aim of culti-tell in his own words the substance of the story or vating the eye and conceptive faculty, acquiring description. This can hardly be expected when the power to bring before the mind's eye the form the "Sixth Reader," or the highest of the series, of a word as a unit, as it looks on the printed page, whatever it may be, designed for advanced pupils just as one would so carefully examine a robin, a in High Schools and Academies, is the reading dog, a rose or a picture, as to be able vividly to re-book of so many young and poor readers in our call the image of the object. It is a great and common schools. One poorly compensates for the most important art to see so accurately, that one's loss of progress by thus gratifying the pride of conceptions of visible objects may ever be as clear promotion. and distinct as were the original perceptions. This process early developed in spelling may be repeatThis punishment is doubtless sometimes necesed at will in reference to any objects of perception sary, but it is too common an occurrence, and and description, and thus the child gains a new should be inflicted only in extreme cases as a derand invaluable power, which enters into all the nier resort. I have found boys expelled from graver operations of the mind in natural science, school who seemed to me neither vicious nor inhistory, poetry and the fine arts. corrigible nor malicious; whose offences were veThe rules for spelling derivatives are not very nial rather than "mortal," originating in heedcommonly learned in our schools, or if memorized, lessness, love of fun, restlessness, stupidity, or they are not comprehended and practically appli- aversion to study, rather than sullenness and deed. Certainly a large share of the bad spelling pravity; whom milder measures might restrain which I have witnessed is chargeable to a neglect and stimulate to studiousness and fidelity. Inof these rules. stead of operating as a reformatory measure, a hasty expulsion sometimes awakens a sense of inNext to spelling, and in comparison with its im-jury and a spirit of retaliation, and involves that portance, no subject seems to me so much neglect- disgrace and loss of self-respect which weaken the ed and so poorly taught in a large proportion of restraints of virtue. This measure is occasionally our schools as reading. There are many schools adopted as a cheap riddance of trouble, a cowardwhich deserve high commendation for their profi- ly retreat from difficulties which a courageous and ciency in this department, where this fundamental earnest spirit would meet and master. "That excellence plainly infuses new interest into every rascally John -," said a teacher, "if I could READING. EXPULSION FROM SCHOOLS. get rid of him, this would be an easy school to mar schools of our cities, indicates the same tengovern." I replied. "John's recitation is enough dency to finish their education when that great to show that he is a bright boy. Give him a fair work ought to be regarded as just begun. This trial. Here is a chance to test your teaching tact premature graduation proves to many an injury and skill, and win an important victory. Study lasting as life, closing against them the doors to John till you can so thoroughly read him as to find the highest and noblest sciences, the most imporsome unexplored avenue to his heart, some latent tant and practical topics, those best fitted to libersense of right or honor, or some good point where-alize and expand the mind, and which are indisby you may encourage him. In some way get on pensable to any thing like a complete common the right side of him, visit his parents, enlist their school education. In education as in architecture cooperation, and by one or all of these measures such is the relation between the foundation and you may save him." "I'll try," was the response, the finishing, the preparation and the completionand not long after word came from that faithful that the same time and effort seem to accomplish teacher, "John is now one of my best boys." So at the close, manifold greater results than at the many scholars within my knowledge have been beginning. Thus a more marked change in mendismissed in disgrace whom gentler influences tal character often seems to be wrought during the might have reclaimed, and sometimes expelled by last year of a full school-course than during any the teacher while in a passion, and at heart more two or three previous years. THE USE OF KEYS IN ARITHMETIC culpable than the pupil, that I have grown bold in imploring teachers never to abandon any boy as a is a common evil in our schools. In theory they "hopeless case," until they have exhausted all the profess to be designed for teachers only, but the measures which skill and kindness can wisely em- booksellers in some towns affirm that the demand ploy. for them nearly equals the sale of the correspond A quiet moral power ought to reign in the school-ing text-books. Whatever may be said of the conroom, rather than coercive and extreme measures. venience or necessities of teachers, there can be Its influence is more happy, effective and perma- no defence of their use by pupils. They prevent nent. True wisdom and skill in school govern- thoroughness and self-reliance, defeat the primary ment consists in the prevention rather than the purpose of education, and directly foster indopunishment of offences; in interesting and occupy-lence, superficiality and conceit. ing pupils, cultivating the better feelings of their nature, truthfulness, generosity, kindness and self-respect. Refined manners, winning tones and an earnest spirit will exert a peculiar sway even upon the rudest and most unmannerly youth. There is a silent power in the very face of a teacher beaming with love for his pupils and enthusiasm in his noble work. PREMATURE GRADUATION TRUANCY AND ABSENTEEISM. No fact connected with our public schools has impressed me so sadly as the extent of truancy and lic as to this fruitful form of juvenile crime. This non-attendance, and the strange apathy of the pubgreat evil calls loudly for a remedy. In a few towns the laws in reference to truants and absentees from school are faithfully executed, and with the happiest results, while in others these laws are is a serious evil in our schools. Too many close overlooked or utterly disregarded. Though I have their books and "finish their education" when often elsewhere invited attention to this subject, that great work ought to be regarded as just be- as one vital to the prosperity of the Commongun. Not unfrequently children are permanently wealth, the extent and dangerous tendency of abwithdrawn from school at twelve years, and some- senteeism seems to claim consideration in this contimes at a still earlier age. The law in regard to nection. the employment of children in manufacturing es The ratio of the mean average attendance to tablishments, although admitted to be wise and the whole number of children between five and fifimportant, is not faithfully executed, especially in teen, is seventy-four one-hundredths; less than some of our smaller manufacturing towns. There three-fourths of the whole number of children re are not a few agents, overseers and owners of turned. It is true the attendance has been gradmills who are to-day liable to the just penalty of ually improving for a period of years; but after this law. I have often had occasion to remind making due allowance for private schools, a sad school committees that the general statutes made deficiency remains, and far greater progress is deit their duty to "prosecute for all such forfeitures." manded. The general statutes make it the impeSome children are kept from school at a very ten- rative duty of truant officers and school committees der age to engage in branches of industry not dig- to secure the enforcement of the law concerning nified with the name of manufactories, carried on attendance upon school. They are not, as is so in small shops or private families-such as closing commonly done, "to wait for information to be shoes and braiding straw. This early withdraw-given to them of neglect of duty by parents and ment of children has become a common as well as guardians, but they should discover and inquire ina great evil. The small portion of children who to all such cases, and pursue the delinquents accomplete the full course in the high or even gram-cording to the requirements of law." School com mittees can render no more important service to successful. On this subject I do not merely theo. the public than by combining their own efforts, and rize. I have tried the experiment with happy reenlisting the cooperation of their several constit-sults, and can point to many instances of youth uents to repress this alarming evil. Besides its thus rescued from the contagion and contaminatendency to sow the seeds of vice and crime, this tion of the street school, who are now regular atimperfect attendance greatly lessens the advanta- tendants and diligent pupils in our schools or useges which our schools would otherwise confer on ful and virtuous citizens. How amply have these the community, while it does not at all diminish humble services been afterwards compensated by their cost. In the case of irregular attendance, their grateful acknowledgments, or by tears of joy the loss in improvement and instruction is clearly more eloquently bespeaking their cherished remuch greater in proportion than the loss of time. membrance of timely aid and counsel. Teachers have rare opportunities of reclaiming erring youth, and thus winning their lasting gratitude. Much can be accomplished in this direction by frequent and friendly conferences with paIndeed, there are not a few teachers who, The evil is obvious and serious, and the practi-| cal question is, what is its cause, and what the remedy? There is one class of truants, newsboys, "street-gleaners," and others, without parents or responsible guardians, almost homeless rents. and friendless, whom kindness and charity might in their untiring devotion to their duties, evince a easily reclaim. There are also three classes of genuine missionary spirit, and who, in addition to parents who encourage and extend the evil in the labors of the school-room, "go about doing question. 1. Those who seem to have no appreciation of the advantages of education, and therefore needlessly keep their children at home. In such fami lies the opportunities of home education are of course most meagre. 2. Those who are unable, or who seem to think they are too poor, to clothe their children decently. 3. There is also a considerable number, especially among our foreign population, who keep their children at home to work the year round. It has been to me a pair ful necessity to find little children of eight, seven, and even six years, kept out of school, at closing shoes, or other "home manufacturing," to support their parents in idleness and intemperance. I am sorry to be compelled to add, that there are others so greedy of gain that they needlessly confine their little children at work as soon as they can earn the smallest wages, to the entire neglect of their education. Were it not attested by personal observation, it would seem to me incredible that any parents would be willing thus to impoverish their own children's minds for the sake of enriching their purses. I would by no means disparage or underva'ue labor. Every child. rich or poor, should learn to work in some useful calling, and best of all, if possible, at farming-a pursuit which is itself a most important educator. One's mental discipline is incomplete until he has acquired that common sense drill, that habit of adapting means to ends, which is best secured in addition to school culture, by testing his skill in manual labor. good" to the neglected youth within their reach ; who regularly and personally report to parents every instance of truancy or serious delinquency, uniformly inquire into the causes of absence, visit pupils in sickness, and by various proofs of sympathy and interest, win the confidence and cordial cooperation of parents, even of those hitherto indifferent or captious. There are other teachers, school hours and relieve them of all that care and whose theory and practice limit their duties to labor outside of the school-room which are needful to prevent truancy and absenteeism. With reference to the second class, where children are really destitute of comfortable clothing, and their parents are too poor to provide for them, their wants should enlist the sympathies of the benevolent. If committees would seek out and report these cases, such wants might be easily supplied by individual charities. In some towns which I have visited this has been frequently and cheerfully done. It is very commonly done every year, to enable the children of destitute parents to attend Sabbath schools. While I entertain the highest estimate of the usefulness of the Sabbath school, I believe the public school is still more important. The pupils are here brought for a longer time under salutary influence, and to a large number of our children, the common school furnishes the only means of moral, as well as intellectual culture. But a work of so great importance should not be left to be done at random by occasional volunteers. The law assigns this work to the school committee, in towns where no speclal truant offiWith the first class of parents, and indeed with cers are appointed, and makes it their imperative all, very much may be done by personal influence duty to see that it is faithfully performed. While and persuasion. Let both teachers and commit- kindness and moral suasion should be the main tees visit them, urge upon their consideration the reliance in all efforts to promote the welfare of great importance of education to their children, truants and absentees from school, it will be found turn their attention to the privileges furnished of essential service to the school committee to have them in the public schools, and by every persua- some authority-some law with suitable sanctions, sive, encourage them to avail themselves of these to fall back upon. In those cases where parents, advantages, and the effect in most cases will be without good reason, deprive their children of the |
