erve those _distinct_ and well _defined_ lines, by which all
boundaries must be marked, in a large establishment, if order and system
are to be preserved at all.

Though at first you may experience a little inconvenience, you will soon
take pleasure in the scientific strictness of the plan. It will gratify
you to observe the profound stillness of the room where a hundred are
studying. You will take pleasure in observing the sudden transition from
the silence of study hours to the joyful sounds, and the animating
activity of recess, when the Study Card goes down; and then when it
rises again at the close of the recess, you will be gratified to observe
how suddenly the sounds which have filled the air and made the room so
lively a scene are hushed into silence by the single and almost
inaudible touch of that little bell. You will take pleasure in this, for
young and old always take pleasure in the strict and rigid operation of
_system_, rather than in laxity and disorder. I am convinced also that
the scholars do like the operation of this plan for I do not have to
make any efforts to sustain it. With the exception that occasionally,
usually not oftener than once in several months, I allude to the
subject, and that chiefly on account of a few careless and unfaithful
individuals, I have little to say or to do to maintain the authority of
the study card. Most of the scholars obey it of their own accord,
implicitly and cordially. And I believe they consider this faithful
monitor, not only one of the most useful, but one of the most agreeable
friends they have. We should not only regret its services, but miss its
company, if it should be taken away.

This regulation then, viz., to abstain from all communication with one
another, and from all leaving of seats, at certain times which are
marked by the position of the Study Card, is the only one which can
properly be called a _rule_ of the school. There are a great many
arrangements and plans relating to the _instruction_ of the pupils, but
no other specific _rules_ relating to _their conduct_. You are, of
course, while in the school, under the same moral obligations which rest
upon you elsewhere. You must be kind to one another, respectful to
superiors, and quiet and orderly in your deportment. You must do nothing
to encroach upon another's rights, or to interrupt and disturb your
companions in their pursuits. You must not produce disorder, or be
wasteful of the public property