538 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



Dec 



teach the hearers to think and reflect, which ex- 

 tend their acquaintance with nature and art, with 

 language and men, and which enforce lessons of 

 duty and worship, better meet the purposes for 

 which the lyceum was intended, and for which it 

 is needed. It is, and should be, one of the means 

 of education in the community. When it is made 

 merely a source of amusement, like the theatre, 

 and the opera, let it be so understood, and so 

 called. Let it take some other name, and fall in- 

 to its own proper class, and not, under the guise 

 of a false name, draw in toils support those who 

 are seeking instruction, and not mere entertain- 

 ment. 



We have no objection, certainly, to public or 

 private amusements, when properly conducted, 

 but we are sorry to see an institution capable of 

 conferring so much benefit upon every communi- 

 ty where it is sustained, perverted from its high 

 end and purpose. It does no good to complain 

 of the managers and curators of our lyceums. 

 They will cater to the tastes of those who elect 

 them. The only way to restore the Institution 

 to itsti'ue purpose, is to elect for its manacfement 

 men who will make it what it should be. Farm- 

 ers and their families are interested in this mat- 

 ter, for they aid in sustaining the lyceum, and 



over the matter, until they have the appointment 

 of teachers. In all our larger towns, this power 

 is put into their hands. Where this is not the 

 case, districts should appoint men, who will not 

 regard district limits, relationship, or any outside 

 influences, but procure the best teachers within 

 their reach. 



When the school has commenced, see that your 

 children are well supplied with books, and are at 

 school every day, and pundually at the opening 

 hour. To the older scholars, those whose time is 

 most valuable at home, and whom, therefore, 

 you are the most often tempted to keep at home 

 to assist you, this winter is of inestimable value. 

 Perhaps it is the last season they will attend 

 school, and nothing but absolute necessity, should 

 be allowed to break in upon their time, and in- 

 terrupt their studies. They should be furnished 

 with every facility, and encouraged to make the 

 best use of their days and evenings to acquire 

 that knowledge which can alone fit them for use- 

 fulness and respectability. 



The introduction of a reasonable number of 

 new books into schools increases the pleasure 

 and interest of the scholars in their studies, and 

 parents should not grudge the cost. Committees 

 should use their best judgment in this matter, 



they should not leave its management wholly to without paying any regard to the written or per- 



the young men in the villages, who are too apt 

 to prefer amusement to instruction. 



Our Winter Schools commence with this 

 month. Parents of all classes and occupations, 

 should unite to secure for them that success 

 which their importance demands. Where the old 

 system oi prudential committees is continued, the 

 chief responsibility rests with the primary district 

 meetings. They should appoint the raost intelli- 

 gent, public spirited and independent men among 

 them, to select and aid the teacher, and make 

 the necessary arrangements for the season. They 

 should never elect a committee man in order that 

 some one in the district may be employed to 

 teach, and the money be kept in the district. 

 This is a miserable and narrow-minded policy. 

 As a general rule, teachers, and especially young 

 teachers, should not teach in the district where 

 they reside and have attended school. It was re- 

 corded as one of the experiences of human life, 

 more than eighteen hundred years ago, that "a 

 prophet is not without honor but in his own 

 country, and among his own kin, and in his own 

 nouse," and the experience of the eighteen hun- 

 dred years since, has not shown any change in 

 Jiuman nature, in this respect. 



Notwithstanding the position and permanence 

 given to town committees by the statutes of some 

 States, the results of our schools must and will 

 depend mainly upon the prudential committees. 

 Town committees can have but a limited control 



sonal application of publishers or their agents. 

 Encourage teachers in the discharge of their re- 

 sponsible duties. Visit your school occasionally, 

 and speak a word of commendation to both teach- 

 ers and pupils. In this way you may do more 

 good than you can be aware of. The teacher who 

 feels that he has the countenance and aid of the 

 parents, will labor not only with more pleasure, 

 but with more success. The teacher is doing 

 your work for you, and he or she is certainly en- 

 titled to your support and assistance. Be sure 

 you never throw hindrances or obstacles in his 

 way. We have written quite a dissertation upon 

 school management. But the subject is one of 

 immense importance. The care of your chil- 

 dren Is of no less importance, certainly, than that 

 of your calves and colts and lambs, and their fu- 

 ture happiness and respectability will amply re- 

 pay all your efforts in their behalf. A good ed- 

 ucation is the best investment you can make for 

 them. It will make them not only better and 

 more useful men, but better and more useful/ar- 

 mers. Is not this an appropriate field to culti- 

 vate in December ? Does not it promise as rich 

 returns as any field of your Summer culture ? As 

 the field crops had your earnest care, and brought 

 you ample reward, let this, also, receive your 

 special attention, and your reward shall be great- 

 er, even than in those. 



December. The close of the year is at hand — 

 a fitting goal upon which to pause and reflect. 



