Virginia Argus

FROM THE LYNCHBURG STAR.

New-London, May 8, 1807.

AS a friend to successful education, Dr. Graham will unquestionably give the following a place in the Lynchburg Star.

About two years ago, a gentleman of this place proposed, that four or five heads of families should jointly employ some young man of talent and worth, to teach their children.--That the number of scholars should not, by any consideration, be permitted to exceed fifteen--that the government of the scholar should be adapted to the age of the children, giving them such intervals of relaxation and amusement, as would secure a continuance of their health, and keep up the necessary fondness for their books and the business of school-

And that they should be instructed in Spelling, Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic; and occasionally be made to write down so much of some sketch of natural history; as they could remember, after hearing the teacher read it deliberately over and over, two or three times.

The proposal was approved--Without delay they engaged a young gentleman, who has served them until this date, and who, to say the least for him, has fully answered their most sanguine expectations.

It is really charming, to hear the little pupils spelling with a degree of correctness, almost surpassing credibility. And some of them at five years old, not only read very prettily, but can also write a legible hand-Small boys and girls eight or ten years old, read correctly, and by a judicious use of tone, cadence and emphasis, prove that they have considerable knowledge of the subject matter which they read. Some of them are already very well acquainted with the common rules of vulgar and decimal arithmetic. And their essays at transcribing sketches of natural history as above, are such, that any person not acquainted with the fact, would be confident, the little performers must have had the book before them at every word.

Such are the effects of a small school under the tuition of a proper teacher.

Two years have rolled around and not a jar has ever taken place. Employers, teacher and scholars are all united; and it may be said, with truth, that the school has been conducted in perfect harmony.

Let those who are avariciously attempting to cheapen education, by bringing together twenty, thirty, and forty children, from every part of a whole extensive neighborhood, compare these facts with the ordinary effects of their dangerous system.

How frequently are the morals of children ruined at a common large country school? What frequent, even continual broils, among parents, master, and children! With how much difficulty do they keep the thing in motion for a quarter or two at a time, whilst for months and years there are intervals, during which they cannot raise a school of any description.

It is earnestly recommended to parents in general, that every three or four families should imitate and improve upon the plan pursued at this place. The writer of this article is confident, that such an institution in the hand of a capital teacher, would never fail to answer the expectation of those concerned.

VERUS.