The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-07-13 00:00:00

DREADFUL STORY OF A DIAMOND
RING.

Among the victims of the recent railroad smash-up
at Metuchen. N.J., was a Danish couple named
Potassen, but two months married, Mr. Potaseen
being the son of a Danish nobleman (says the New
York lierald). They were on their bridal tour,
and were en route to San Francisco. where
Potassen's brother is Danish Consul. When the
terrible crash came all was darkness and confusion
for El few moments ; but the gentleman soon
re mvered consciousness, and his first thought
was of his bride. An immediate search was made
for the lady, who was at last found beneath a heap of
abris, senseless, and covered with blood. Upon raising
her up her husband was horrified to find that one of
her anus had been completely torn off. The un•
fortunate lady was removed to shelter, and the hue.
band began the sickening task of seeking his wife's
missing arm, lie proclaimed that upon oneof the lingers
was the diamond wedding ring, a jewel worth many
hundred dollars, and instantly a general search
was begun. Among the prowlers about the wreck
was a train hand, who was observed to secrete
something under his coat anal walk away. He was
soon overhauled, and on perceiving that he was de-
tected he threw down his burden, which proved to be
the lost arm. It was picked up by the nobleman, who
removed the ring, and caused the arm to be taken care
of. The lady was brought to St. Bamabaie Hospital in
Newark, where she now lies in a fair way o: recovery.

CONFERENCE OF TEACHERS.
At the invitation of the President and Council of
the College of Preceptors, a conference of teachers and
friends of education upon the training of ripper and
middle-class schoolmasters and schoolmietresses, was
held in London last Saturday, at the rooms of the
Society of Arts, John-street, Adelphi. The chair was
occupied by Dr, Lyon Playfair, M.P., with the excep-
tion of a short period at the commencement of the pro
ceedings, when it was temporarily tilled by the Rev.
Mr. West, D.D.
There were also present Mr. Bell. of (Motet's Hos-
pital ; Mr. Ellie, F. U.S., the Bev, (anon Dover, the
Rev. J. Ridgway, Ds Pinches, Dr. Weymouth, Dr.
Daniels (Exeter), Dr. Schmitz, the Rev, Mr. Johnson,
of the Home and Colonial Institution ; Mr. Payne,
Mr. NVeymouth, of the Scholastic Registration As-
sociation ,• Miss Carpenter, and Mrs. A. Lewis.
The Rev. Mr. West opened the proceeding:, with
few remarks as to the necessity for a careful super-
vision being exercised over the training of school-
masters ; after which Mr. Bell proposed a resolution
to the effect that in the present condition of secondary
educat;on in England, the question of providing mekno
for the improved professional training of teachers woe
one of paramount importance. Mr. Ellis seconded
the resolution, which was carried. Dr. Weymouth
proposed, and Dr. Pinches seanided. a resolution,
stating that the institution of professional ohaim of the
Science and Art of Education in each of our Univer
sities would be a most valuable measure, and ought hi
be pressed upon the attention of the Government and
of Parliament. The Rev. J. Ridgway spoke in sup-
port of the resolution, which was also adopted. MiBls
Carpenter next moved
•• That the establishment of training for upper and middle-
claAs schoolmasters and schoolmistresses would be a IllOst
important step towards raising the standard of secondary
education throughout the kingdom.". . .

The speaker, while quite agreeing as to the valuable
influence of the combination of sexes in education in
a certain way, and that the lectures of gentlemen had a
tendency to brace the female mind, still thought that
the absolute education and training of the girls of this
country must be entrusted to those of their own sex;
and the question was where were the teachers to be,
found? She should not think it desirable to go to the
neetnal training colleges for them, because she held a
strong ',pinion in regard to the different classes of society
instructma esteh either, and she ehould not like to take
a teacher from the lower class schools to teach in the
higher classes. (Hear, hear.) He or she might be in-
finitely clever in teaching, but they all knew that in all
grades of society there were habits of thought and
feeling which were easily transmitted frown the elder to
the younger, and this, from the point of view she was
speaking, would be particularly undesirable in the case
of girls. (Hear, hear.) They ought to get a special
class of teacher., and these might, she thought, be ob-
tained from the vast number of young ladies of • re-
spectable class of society who, possessed of narrow
means, now endeavoured to gain a livelihood by needle-
work. Dr. Daniel seconded the resolution.
A discussion ensued in which the Rev. Canon Dover,
Dr. Schmitz, the Rev. Mr. Johnson, Mr. Weymouth,
and Mrs. Lewes took part, and while a general feeling
, VMS elicited in favour of the eetablishment of training
colleges, some difficulty was felt as to the source
I whence the necessary funds might be obtained for the
purpose. Mrs. Lewes condemned the system of pupil
teaching which was being pursued in our elementary
schools. She considered that to take a boy or girl at
the age of 15 or 16, and to expect them not only to
devote several hour,' of the day to acquiring knowledge,
but also to teach the roughest and, perhaps, the most.
ignorant children, was to put a pressure upon the brain
which did not allow them to develop into sound
teachers. (Hear, hear.) The resolution was adopted,
a few dissentient hands having been held up against it..
Dr. Playfair, having vacated the chair, moved the
following resolution t—
enet the study of the science and art of education ought
to form a neceesary part of the professional training of every
teacher, and that examinations to test the proficiency of
teachers in that subject are urgently required, and ought to
be more generally established."
The hon, and learned gentleman observed that this
was by far the most important resolution of all. The
middle clam of this country stood in a very peculiar
and anomalous position. They had the lower class "
educated by skilled teachers through the elementary
schools being taught by certificated teacnerg; and
they had the upper classes taught in universities
by teachers and professors of high eminence ; but
they had the large and most important middle
deep, of the country educated by teseheis who
assumed the profession, often haphazard, an. I
often in want of other legitimate oceepations, for
whom there was no examination to prove their qualifi-
cations as teachers. This was an extremely serious
position for any country to be in, and with regard to
civilised countries England was almost the only one fn
this position. It was extremely important at
teachers should support this movement, and demand
that their body ebould be created into a profession, that.
profeseion showing its elietenes by the usual method
of examination. As soon as teaching was made a din
tinct profession all the rest would follow. A well
organized prefeesion could always dictate its own term
to the public, and obtain a higher remuneration than a
mere body of men who had no recognition as a pro-
f minion. (Hear, hear.) Ile trusted they would preen
this matter upon the attentionof the Government 8.11,1
the country. With regard to the fonds, he mid not.
think there was the difficulty that had been started by
nrevious speakers. He admitted that it was useless to
go to the public for subscriptions, or to the public
puree fel. Imperial grants, but neverthelees there were
funds in the country which might be legitimately
devoted to the purpose, and that was through the
public endowments, which in many cases were wasted.
(Hear, hear.) There were large endowments which
had become obsolete and lost their waning, which
might be appropriated to purposes such as these they
routemplated, it the public chose to ask for them. He
instanced the vase of endowments, for killing ladybirds
in Corn:till and releasing English prisoner inn Bsrteary.
(Laughter.
Mr. Payne eeconded the reset Wien, which was carried
unanimotudy ; and the proceedings, which lasted over
three holm., were brought to a close with a vote of
thanks to Dr. Playfair for presiding.