WEST BLOOMFIELD, ONTARIO COUNTY, N. Y. gle rule, Viz.: "A time for everything and every thing in its time;”—“ A place for everything and everything in its place." Rule: "No communications in study hours." These are generally so presented and explained at the commencement of the term, as WEST BLOOMFIELD is situated in the western part of Ontario county, New York, and' on the great road from Albany to Buffalo. The town was settled by emigrants from New England in 1791. About to meet the approbation of every scholar, and to lead this time a great part of the town was bought for less than twenty-five cents per acre. The land is generally high and rolling, and the town peculiarly pleasant and healthy. The soil is very good and well adapted to raising wheat, of which great quantities are annually floured and sent to market. By raising this valuable article, and by the increase in the value of land, the farmers have generally become wealthy. Instead of the land being now sold for twenty-five cents an acre, the farms at this time, including the buildings, are worth from fifty to one hundred dollars per acre. They are usually large and some of them very fine. The people in general are industrious, intelligent and moral. The principal religious denominations are Congregationalists, Baptists, Methodists and Christians. Their houses of publick worship are seen in the annexed view. Commencing at the east end of the village, the first is the Methodist Chapel; the second is the house of the First Congregational Church; the third is that of the Second Congregational Church connected with the First Society. The fourth is the Baptist house, which is not yet completed. The cupola of the Christian house is seen over the hill south. Each congregation has a minister settled, or residing among them. all to feel an interest in their strict observance To secure the influence of the first maxim; “a time for every thing;" &c., a well-regulated clock is placed by the teacher in the school-room, where it can be seen by every scholar. By this the bell is rung twenty minutes before school-time to assemble the students, and afterward tolled four minutes till nine o'clock, when every scholar is expected to be in his seat. The teacher's bell is then struck, giving the signal for study hours, and the exercises commence immediately. After the school is opened with short devotional exercises, and sometimes a few remarks from the teacher, the scholars commence their studies; and, as the time for each recitation is marked down on one of the black-boards in the room, each scholar knows exactly the time when he will recite, for there is no waiting for lessons. In this school where the common studies, the higher branches and the languages are taught, there must be a considerable number of classes, and only about half an hour can be devoted to each recitation. At half past nine a class, uncalled, comes for recitation, to a seat near the teacher's desk to avoid interrupting the others. The recitation is finished as the clock strikes ten, which is the only signal for a recess, during which the studies are suspended, the mind unbent, and the whole time, seven minutes, allowed the students for free intercourse, and for doing all business; as leaving seats, changing books, going out, going to the fire in cold weather, asking questions, &c. In short, it is expected that every thing will be so arranged in recess, that, during study hours, nothing, except study and recitations, shall take the attention of the students or teacher. And the recess is generally found amply sufficient for this, so that no scholar feels the need of any further priv ilege, and the teacher feels sure that he will not be interrupted in a recitation, to attend to scholars out of the class, to grant permissions, &c., except in ex While the general principles of education are traordinary cases. At seven minutes past ten o'clock, often ably developed, the minutiae of good govern- the teacher's bell is rung, or the academy bell struck ment and instruction are seldom fully described. one or twice, when every scholar is expected to And, as the most definite information is often the cease conversation, go immediately to his seat and most useful, a particular notice will be given of the have his book. This requires about one minute. course here pursued, from which the general princi- Then the little bell gives the known signal for study ples adopted may be readily inferred. The teacher, hours, when all noise and all communications cease after ten years' experience, has seldom if ever found immediately and entirely, and the studies are resumed. a youth, or even a child, who did not decidedly pre- A class already having the appropriate seat comfer stillness, system and order in school, to noise, mences its recitation. At about half past ten they irregularity and confusion. By experience also, he go to their seats, and another class comes and occupy has learned that it is much easier and pleasanter to the time till eleven, when there is another recess of prevent improprieties than to correct them after they seven minutes as before, and afterward two more have occurred. These objects are secured in a great recitations. The clock striking twelve dismisses the measure by the influence of two maxims, and a sin-school for one hour. After the intermission, the bell West Bloomfield Academy.-In this town a considerable attention is paid to the subject of education. In addition to the numerous common and select schools, the academy is well sustained and in a flourishing condition. As your valuable publication is widely circulated and doubtless falls into the hands of many teachers, and others interested in the education of the young, a brief notice of the internal regulations of this academy may not be uninteresting or unprofitable to none of your readers. During the past year in addition to the students from abroad more than one hundred of the youth in town have enjoyed the privileges of the institution. 66 again, as in the morning, assembles the school at any permission to leave his seat, except in extreme one o'clock. The first hour is devoted to reading, cases, as that of sickness, when he raises his hand, spelling, definitions, general questions, &c. At two and the teacher goes immediately to him, and grants a recess as before; after which two recitations, and him any privilege he needs. So if a scholar wishes to a recess at three o'clock. The last hour is usually speak to the teacher, or if he wants any assistance devoted to chirography, exercises in composition, &c., in any of his studies;-if he is suffering with the cold, the teacher devoting his whole time to mending pens, or in short, if he needs anything whatever in study and assisting the scholars. When the clock strikes hours, he makes the same sign, and the teacher who is four, the studies for the day are suspended, the ac- generally where he can see every scholar, goes immecount of the school taken, and the school closed diately to him and attends to the case, but converses with short devotional exercises. The duties of the in a low voice, so as not to interrupt or take the atschool are the same from day to day, with the ex- tention of the other scholars. The understanding is ception of half a day in each week, when the ordi- to let the clock make the noise; or in other words to nary exercises are suspended, and the time devoted have the school so still that the ticking of the clock to declamations, compositions, topicks of general in- can be constantly heard. Thus every scholar is ex formation, lectures, &c. The scholars not only have pected to have as good an opportunity for close apa definite time for each recitation, but are encoura-plication to his books as he could have in his own ged to appropriate, and mark down a particular portion private room. In such circumstances, it is not often of each day for the preparation of each lesson. the case, that every one does not willingly study, for While there is a time for everything, it is expected he can have no intercourse with the other scholars, that scholars or teacher will do but one thing at a and idleness is rendered very unpopular. It takes a time, and devote to that their whole attention. little time for scholars who have generally been By having a place for everything and every-accustomed to a different course to learn to practise thing in its place," is meant that every scholar have on a system so definite, and especially to avoid his own seat and remain in it at all times, except all communications in school. But the subject is when he leaves it at the direction of the teacher; presented to them at the commencement of the and also that each one have a definite place for his term, and they are encouraged to make the effort; hat and cloak, and for each book, slate, inkstand, &c., and, if some fail the first day, they are treated kindly, and that he be careful always to have every article and encouraged to try again. In this way all the in its place. Here it is thought the youth may be scholars form the habit of avoiding communications learning a lesson which, if well practised, may be almost entirely. The school generally adopts the of use to him in subsequent life. regulation by a unanimous vote. If there be one who does not vote in favour of the regulation, as is very seldom the case, he is soon led to see that his views are very unpopular, while the teacher and the whole school are opposed to them; and, furthermore, that so small a minority must conform to the great majority. For awhile the account of the school is taken daily, but after the habits are well formed, it is not taken so often. The account of the school is sometimes taken in this manner: after the studies of the day are finished, "all those who feel sure they have made no communication in study hours during the day," are requested to raise their hand. If any do not give the sign, they are asked individually in the presence of the school, how many communications they think they have made. When this is done, all are requested to raise their hand who think any mistake has been made in taking the account, that is, all who know of any communication having been made which has not been mentioned. If any raise their hand, they mention in the presence of the school, or to the teacher after school, whatever they suppose to be a mistake in the account. considered perfectly right and honourable, inasmuch as the school has adopted the regulation, it is taken for granted that all would prefer to have mistakes corrected, and that no one would act the part of dishonesty and hypocrisy. By treating the subject cautiously, and leading the scholars to feel that decep By the rule, "no communications," is meant that, when the little bell gives the notice for a study hour, all conversation and mental intercourse, such as whispering, writing and showing it to others, making signs, significant looks, &c., or in short everything which can possibly communicate an idea from one scholar to another must instantly and entirely cease, and be wholly dispensed with until recess. This rule is considered very important and inseparably connected with the best interests of the school. By it several valuable objects are gained. Every scholar is now sure that he will not be interrupted in his studies, and that his whole time will be his own. He is also aided in forming proper habits of study, or in learning to take off his mind from other subjects, and fix it intently on the one object of immediate pursuit. Furthermore, he learns not to expect the unnecessary assistance of his neighbours, but to depend on his own mental resources. Thus he is aided in the important object of mental discipline, so seldom acquired in our common schools. He is also learning self-government, which may be of great service to him in various situations of life in which he may afterward be placed. And, to secure these several objects, every precaution is taken to avoid whatever will take the attention of the scholars, or in any way occasion interruptions to their studies. No scholar asks questions across the room, or gets This is tion and falsehood are among the worst traits of tween New York and Albany, is the shire town of character, they soon form the habit of mentioning Dutchess county, one of the most fruitful sections communications, or mistakes with great frankness of the state. It contains about eight thousand in and good feeling. After about one week the com- habitants. It was settled by the Dutch about the munications are faithfully recorded by the teacher, commencement of the last century, and many of the and they are generally read at the close of the term descendants of the first proprietors are now among its in connection with the scholars' names who have population. Its name is derived from the Indian made them. And to show the success of the plan, word Apokeepsing, signifying safe harbour. The it may not be improper here to state, that the whole orthography has been changed several times, until number of communications thus recorded during the many, for the sake of brevity, write it Pokeepsie. last term was only twenty-four, for the whole schoolless than one for a scholar for the whole term, and the number for the present term, which is about to close, is only twelve for the whole school! The foregoing cut represents the first dwelling erected there. It was built, in the year 1702, by Myndert Van Kleek, one of the earliest settlers of Dutchess. The house and grounds attached hare remained in possession of his descendants till the at the time it was demolished, in 1835, by the inno Under the influence of such a system, the government of the school is pleasant and easy. The present time. It belonged to Matthew Vassar, Esq, scholars most invariably appear cheerful and happy. They generally govern themselves in accordance with the wishes of the teacher; while, with scarcely a word said by him from day to day, on the subject, the clock and little bell seem to have almost the whole control. If however anything farther be necessary, the course of discipline pursued is very mild and forbearing, but energetick and thorough. A case, however, of corporeal punishment does not occur so often as once a year, although scholars are found here with all the variety of disposition, feelings and habits of scholars elsewhere. In case of failure in duty, kind remarks or a slight privation is generally sufficient to correct all improprieties; as for instance, if a scholar is late in the morning, or at any other time, he loses the next recess. So if lessons are not prepared at the time, the delinquents are liable to stay, at recess or after school till they are learned, it being distinctly understood that the time to learn the lessons for to-day cannot be to-morrow. In 1830, a spirit of improvement, which for many years had lain dormant, was awakened in Pough keepsie, and many valuable buildings were erected, new kinds of business introduced, and enterprise of every kind fostered and encouraged. In '33-4 sereral enterprising gentlemen, subsequently known as the "Improvement party," laid out about thirty acres of land, within the suburbs of the village, into streets, with a spacious square. They erected near the square a large publick hotel called the "Mansion house," and, in a short time, several elegant private dwellings grew up like magick around it. THE village of Poughkeepsie, situated upon the east bank of the Hudson river, about midway be was About this time the business of whaling commenced, and three ships were fitted out in rapid succession. The voyage of all proved disastrous, and one was entirely lost to the company. They |