48 Sketches of an Excursion to Southern Alaska. 



consistent expansion which attends varied experience; but they furnish satisfac 

 tory evidence of native capacity, retentiveness, and faculty to turn to accouHf 

 what they acquire. We can expect nothing; better than this of any children 

 under the sun. 



This conclusion is the impartial judgment of men once prejudiced against 

 the sch.jols, as well as of those whose observation led them to the spontaneous 

 expression of favorable opinions. 



COMMON SCHOOLS 



should be projected in sufficient numbers to gather in all the children of the 

 several tribes. Only the rudiments should be taught ; and teachers and schol- 

 ars should be furnished with the most approved facilities. But as all these 

 schools cannot be opened at once, 



A TRAINING SCHOOL 



for Teachers must be established wherever a Mission is located, and in con- 

 nection with a common school. There will thus be two grades. 



The aim of the Lower Grade will be, in addition to learning the common 

 branches, to teach the mind to think and to acquire knowledge for itself. 



The aim of the Higher Grade should be the development of the character 

 upon the basis of whatever is sound therein, taking the most approved model* 

 and examples known to educators, for general outline and leaving the filling 

 in and the filling up to the wisdom of the teacher and the aptitudes of the 

 scholar. The wise teacher will humor harmless idiosyncrasies, and indulge 

 traditional customs and hereditary tastes that are not inconsistent with true 

 progress. The School for Training Teachers should also be furnished with tht- 

 simple apparatus that experience has shown to be most useful. 



A BOARDING SCHOOL FOR GIRLS 



was originated at Fort Wrangel designed to protect them from the cruel abuse 

 of marriage customs and rescue them from a life of infamy. It is also ar, asy- 

 lum for orjDhans and for girls who are given to the mission. 

 This school will be turned to good account in two ways : 



I. By teaching, in addition to the rudiments of mental education, the do 

 mestic arts by improved methods, making their houses homes. Out of this 

 will expand, 



II. The tiaining school for female teachers. This class of instructors, 

 never yet adequately valued in civilized communities, will wield a direct and 

 most decisive influence upon the renovation of domestic and social life in 

 Alaska. 



AN INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FOR BOYS 



is the counterpart and corollary of this institution. A project for such a school 

 is already outlined. 



These departments of usefulness have connections which require discussion 

 and explanation that must be laid before the Board of Home Missions. And 

 I am constrained to dismiss the subject with the remark, that I am not pre- 



