132 



In considering the proposition to reduce the number of dis- 

 tricts, two things must be regarded. First, how far they may 

 be reduced without increasing the distance from school to an 

 improper degree; and next, what number of pupils can be 

 profitably instructed under the care of a single master. 



If a school-house is so situated, that by far the greatest num- 

 ber may reach it in traversing half a mile, and the greater por- 

 tion of the residue are within a mile, while a few only must 

 come from a distance of a mile and a half, and by mere pos- 

 sibility a mile and three quarters, I shall assume that such 

 house will properly accommodate its entire district ; especially 

 as I w^ould propose that the common school system should not 

 purport to accommodate any children below the age of seven 

 years. This is the limit downwards in the Prussian system. 

 Now it may seem strange, but examinations have satisfied 

 me, that so far as territorial accommodation is concerned, eight 

 at least out of every twelve districts in the State, (the avei age 

 number now in each town,) may be dispensed with. I be- 

 lieve that nine could be with entire propriety ; but I am quite 

 clear that an average of four districts in a town is altogether 

 sufficient.* 



But this reconstruction of the districts will throw into each 

 a much larger number of children to be committed to the care 

 and instruction of a single teacher. The average number in 

 each town being about six hundred and forty-three, the child- 

 ren in each district would average about one hundred and six- 

 ty. And as the districts must always be formed with a due 

 reference to territorial convenience, there must of necessity, as 

 at present, be more or less inequality in point of numbers, 

 which may range perhaps between one hundred and tw enty- 

 five and two hundred. And the true question now is, can the 

 largest number which, on this plan, may fall within a dis- 

 trict, be profitably instructed in a single school and under a 

 single master? For myself, I suppose there can be no hesi- 



