ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Southland Times, Volume 1, Issue 501, 25 June 1866, Page 2

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

WF BO DO NOT IDENTIFY OTTBSELVES E* XSY WITH THE OPINIONS EXPBESSD BY OTJB COBSESPONDEKTS.

(TO THE EDITOB OP THE SOTTTHXAIO) TIMES.) Sib, — In your issue of the 16th inst. I observe something in the shape of an advertisement — which still is not one — to the effect, that your humble servant, who has had the presumption to write his thoughts on the late educational system of this Province, is a " philanthrophic schoolmaster, careful of number one ;" and in the open column a rather singular notice of my last letter to you, in which the writer, without advancing a single argument weighing against the principles of the Ordinance defended, makes a sweeping declaration condemnatory of my views. Does it not strike the reader of the former hermaphrodite paragraph that it is the height of arrogance that a schoolmaster (be it supposed that I am one) should dare to have thoughts, or having to promulgate them, regarding the profession to which he has been trained? Could there be a more convincing proof of "A Countryman's" disqualification to treat of his subject ; or a more triumphant refutation of his arguments than the fact that he is a schoolmaster ? Reflect, he is also " Careful of number one." Is not this sufficient to stagger the strongest faith — enough to cause the soundest reasoning to be received with caution and distrust? If, however, ife shouid so hanpea that in the scales of public intelligence logical reasoning should outweigh sarcasm and insinuation, the squib has been written in vain.. Personally, lam insensible to both the sarcasm and insinuation ; but not the Jess should such dag-ger-thrusts be denounced. Sarcasm and insinuation are the weapons of the weak and the treacherous — the invariable supporters ®f a »a«£ cause. A manly courage and a good causa want but a fair field aud the legitimate weapons of controversy — sound arguments. The barrren criticism of my friend in the open column extends only to* assertions with a laudable disregard of proofs ; assertions, whatever weight they may have with a certain class of minds, are utterly valueless except as far as they are based on clear logical deductions. Our critic witli ready assurance denounces my views as visionary, but as he fails to show how they are so, I am at a loss to understand the application. "With equal perspicuity he applauds the views of a former writer, of which he appears to have but a misty recollection. "The sensible and practical view" referred to which meets with his unqualified approbation, is to this -effect:— That there should be no public system of education ; that such as are equal to the task should teach their own children ; and as a neces-^ sary consequence, that the children of such as can neither teach nor support a private tutor should, if they are so inclined, spend their time at the profitable juvenile employment of making mud-pies. Truly a wise find politic view is this. As to its practicability no one -will doubt that seeing we have ample proof of it and are daily° adding to our experience in that line. Schoolmasters, inveigled into the Province by representations and promises which in the end proved false, indignant at the breach of faith on the part of the government, will doubtless feel grateful for " Another Countryman's" sympathy, if their emotions do not subside as they read the quibble, worthy of a member of the executive, by which ho would relieve the present G-overninent of .the obligation to respect the pledged honor of the late Grov eminent. Ourfriendassertsthatthe Education Ordinance "hopelessly unworkable." Row is this the case ? I am aware that during the agitated period of the commercial crisis, which is now happily over, the Ordinance has been suspended ; but I am likewise aware that measures are adopted during a panic which cannot by any degree of sophistry be justified. At the same time, however, that I hold the principles embodied in the Ordinance to be unimpeachable, I am far from maintaining that its details do not admit of modification. Hitherto, building expenses have swelled the rates levied under the authority of the Ordinance to a degree justly considered vexatious. It is useless now to revert to the extravagant notions entertained by some, which led to such' a contempt of economy ; but 1 think that were G-ovcrnment, as its contribution to the cause of education (from which it should not be exempt) , to undertake the supply of building, the rates would not exceed what the great majority of settlors would willingly contribute. To be' paid their salaries'out of the public treasury would unquestionably be more agreeable to schoolmasters," but it has always been the aim of clear-sighted and liberal-minded politicians in the mother country, when legislating for education, to interest the people in an institution which has done ao much to elevate the moral tone of society, and to promotenational prosperity; and" any course which, here or elsewhere, tends to deprive the people of its patronage, and to make it a department of the Government service, is to be reprobated. To the reader who is not satisfied with the simple appellative I have chosen, I am a " Philanthropic Schoolmaster," or a " Rustic Visionary." or anything else he uleases, but am, Mr. Editor, your humble servant, A CoUKTittTJUX

— , —^& (TO THE UimOß OV THE WEEKTjt TlMfiS). Sin, — 1 am a subscriber to your paper, and for some time past I have noticed in it certain observations op. the weather j which w» pftrtiiittly t9 th© wg\* j

fare of the province. In your issue of the 16th inst., Mr C. E. Marten describes the last month as being magnificent, a striking contrast to that we have endared throughout the last fifteen months. Now, Sir, what would intending emigrants, thinkof a climate where there is only one fine month out of sixteen. I have noticed all along that Mr Marten has magnified any bad weather we bave had in most exaggerated language ;. the good weather he does not notice, except as in the above instance, where it is used to the disparagement of the climate. Ap Observer or the Weather.