Page:An Encyclopædia of Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture and Furniture.djvu/785

 FITTINGS-UP AND FIXTURES OF SCHOOLS. 7l ohjecls. Tliis frame moves on two pivots, so as to admit of presenting its sm-facc at riglit angles to the eyes of the infants, whether these may be standing or sitting on the benches round the walls of the room, or sitting or standing in the gallery. Below this board is a wire, u, on which are strung black and white beads to teach notation, and nvimeration. There is besides, an alphabet frame, containing shelves or compartments, each of which holds twenty-six letters. These letters are painted on small square tablets, which are put into the shelves by one or more at a time, according as the object of the master is to teach single letters or syllables, printed or written letters, small or capital letters, letters in the old English style, &c. When the lesson is to be proved, all the letters are put in, and the infants are directed to take them out by name. Fig. 1 407 is a portable stand, combining an arithmetical board, b, for teaching the first four rules of arithmetic by different-coloured beads, with an alphabetical board, for teaching letters and syllables at c, a section of which is shown on a larger scale at c'. Fig. 1408 may be called the 1407 1408 infant's show-box, as the upper part contains two rollers, on which there is an endless sheet with a great variety of pictures and names painted, and which, by turning one of the rollers, are shown at the opening, d. This may seem a very trifling and useless con- trivance to some ; but we are assured, and we can easily conceive it, that it is a soui-ce of great entertainment to the infants ; and, as the objects shown include many articles in general use, and many of the leading objects in natural history ; also the names of eminent persons, ar.d of countries, on each of which, as the roller brings them to view, the master deliers a short lecture, it must be very instinctive. Below this show-box is an open space, e, into which a variety of objects are introduced, at the pleasure of the master ; the space being closed by a piece of pasteboard while the lecture on the show-box is going forward. A circular plate containing a mariner's coinjjass on one side, and the dial of a clock on the reverse, is a common resource ; and often square frames of pasteboard containing pictures are put in, and lectures delivered, or questions asked. The lower part of this stand, f, is formed into a box for books. Fig. 1 409 is a rostrum or pulpit for a little monitor, with a reading-desk, (/ ; a drawer, li; and a box for books, i ; k shows the steps of ascent. Fig. 1410 is a rostrum of the commonest kind. Besides these, there are various other portable articles belonging to infant schools, which will be found figured and described in the works of Wilderspin, and other writers on the subject. 1615. The Portable Furniture of a Madras School consists of little more than forms, fig. 1379, and square boxes for books, which are shown in fig. 1378 at o. These forms are supported by cast-iron feet, in the same manner as the desks, as shown by the section 4 s