he school."

* * * * *

In this and similar ways the various business brought up is disposed of.
This custom is useful to the scholars, for it exercises and strengthens
their judgment and their reflecting powers more than almost any thing
besides; so that if interesting them in this way in the management of
the school, were of no benefit to me, I should retain the practice, as
most valuable to them. But it is most useful to me and to the school. I
think nothing has contributed more to its prosperity than the active
interest which the scholars have always taken in its concerns, and the
assistance they have rendered me in carrying my plans into effect.

You will observe that in transacting this business, very little is
actually done by myself, except making the ultimate decision. All the
details of business are assigned to teachers, or to officers and
committees appointed for the purpose. By this means we despatch business
very rapidly. The system of offices will be explained in another place;
but I may say here that all appointments and elections are made in this
quarter hour, and by means of the assistance of these officers the
transaction of business is so facilitated that much more can sometimes
be accomplished than you would suppose possible. I consider this period
as one the most important in the whole morning.

_Second Recess._

(See plan.)

After the expiration of the quarter hour above described, the study card
is dropped, and a recess succeeds.

_Fourth Hour.--Sections._

(See plan.)

In all the former part of the day the scholars are divided into
_classes_, according to their proficiency in particular branches of
study, and they resort to their _recitations_ for _instruction_. They
now are divided into six _sections_ as we call them, and placed under
the care of _superintendents_ not for instruction, but for what may be
called supervision. _Teaching_ a pupil is not all that is necessary to
be done for her in school. There are many other things, to be attended
to--such as supplying her with the various articles necessary for her
use,--seeing that her desk is convenient,--that her time is well
arranged,--that she has not too much to do, nor too little,--and that no
difficulty which can be removed, obstructs her progress in study, or her
happiness in school. The last hour is appropriated to this purpose, with
the understanding, however, that such a portion of it as is