American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-01-28
Reported for the American Republican,

ARYLAND INSTITUTE OF EDUC ALTON.
The proceedings Of this body, at their stated
meeting on Saturday, the 18th inst, possessed
peculiar interest.
Mr.. Howard Meeks entered into somewhat
detailed statement facts collected by him dur
ing late tour through some of the counties of
Maryland, particularly Hartford, Cecil, and
Kent bearing upon the state Of common
schools and the disposition of the school fund.
His statements as to the general qualifica-
tons of the teachers, the kind of structures used
for school houses, the average attendance of the
scholars and the management and distribution
of the school fund, were such as to lead to the
conviction, that reform is absolutely necessa-
~; and that it would almost be better to use
the fund for the payment of the States debts,
than to have it wasted, as it now is, without
any beneficial results to compare with the "a
mount dlsbursed.
Mr. Meeks concluded by observing, that
wherever he had addressed the people, upon
the subject, they appeared alive to its import
ance; and by expressing his belief, that the pre-
sent legislature would not rise without taking
some efficient steps for the establishment of a
sound system Of Public Instruction.
In accordance with his suggestion, the So
cietv appointed committee for the purpose of
devsing some plan, by which Societies aux-
airy to this Society could be established in the
various counties ofthe State.
l., The. Society then proceeded to the conside-
ration of the subject embraced in the following
questions:
What is the best method of giving nstruc-
ton in Geometry2
At what age can it be commenced with rea-
soDable prospects of success2
What are the best text books for beginners as
well as more advanced students2
MIR. Streeter opened the discussion by re-
marking that the objects aimed at by the study
of Geometry are two:-First, to discipline the
minds of students;-to give them habits of at
tention and fixed thonghts;-a rigid, close, To-
gicai and accurate mode of reasoning;-to
strengthen their powers Of discrimination, and
20 enable them, either in the inventive process
ses of their own minds, to forge the links in the
chain of true and correct thoughts, from the
initial proposition down to the final and con-
vincing conclusion; or, what is almost az i'm
portant to follow the similar labor of kindred
minds, approving soidity of argument, far de-
ductions and correct conclusions, or testing
with the hammer of severe and critical analy-
sis, the false and defective metal of unfairness
and sophistry.
The second, and in its relations quite an i'm
portant object OF this study is, to acquire such
a knowledge of its truths as will enable one to
apply them without difficulty to the various de-
'partments ofnquiry, usefulness and scientific
attainment.
The mental qualifications requisite for such
course of reasoning cannot be expected at a
very early age. The axioms and definitions
generally and some of the simple demonstra-
lions may be understood by the young, but
there can be but very little advantage in giving
them the mere alphabet of the science at a
time when the alphabet of their own language
is hardly understood, and no mental benefit can
be derived from the study Of Geometry at an
early age, which cannot be claimed from the
pursuit of the moro appropriate studies of
youth;-the forms and precise meaning Of
words, the simple philosophy of language, the
facts of Geography, the facts and lessons of
History, and the relations and combinations of
numbers The attention to the study of Lam
guage is peculiarly important; for the ideas
which the young attach to words are general
ly too vague, incomplete and confused. Ha-
bituate them to close and careful scrutiny of
the meaning of words, and they will come in RI
per years to study of the higher mathematics,
with advantages immensely increased, and the
time devoted to this preparatory exercise and
mining will be far more proftsbly employed