American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-01-28
than if given to geometrical principles and de-

than if given to geometrical principles and de-
monstrations
The speaker condemned in strong terms the
disposition prevalent among many parents and
some teachers to make their boys men. We
have infant phenomena in abundance, and pa
rents and teachers are not to blame if we have
not generation of baby mathematcians and
infant philosophers! The young have been
daily orerted from infancy up; and their powers
in consequence, have none of that healthy
hearty tone which would have resulted from
simple diet; and that, in proper quantities and
at appropriate seasons.
1t " therefore. concluded, that cases will not
ofeh pour when pupil will be properly pre-
pared Tor the study of Geometry before the age
of IA years.
"Davles First Lessons in Geometry" was
recommended for beginners, and "Legendre"
for more advanced students
With regard to the method of instruction,
the first steps must be taken with great care
The axioms, definitions, &c. must be so tho
roughly committed to memory as to be ready at
moments warning. The mind must be train
ed to the power of recognizing, developing and
arranging abstract and essential truths. The
pupil must be able to see, from various points
of view, the harmony and strength of the struc-
ture of thought before him, and to ascend step
by step with distinct apprehension OF his pro-
gress, until he stands in triumphant sympathy
with the original demonstration, upon the very
Truth which constitutes its browning beauty.
Besides the ordinary plates attached to works
on Geometry the speaker recommended the
use of large plates, handsomely engraved, to
illustrate the various lines and figures For the
illustration of surfaces, set of planes, either of
pasteboard or wood, so constructed as to be
easily combined, and thus indicate to the eye
the figure intended to be formed. The solids,
likewise, should be illustrated by a full series of
models in wood. The student should be re-
CURED TO copy from these figures and models,
for the purpose of mpressing the ideas more
firmly on the mind. An incidental advantage
would arise from this process, as it would form
the preparatory step for linear and architectural
drawing.
Ia conducting recitation, black board is
all essential; piece of furniture, by the way,
which no good teacher can dispense with for an
hour. Every pupil should be able to give az
IONS, definitions, theorems, SIC. without prompt
ing and without hesitation. Each one should
be prepared to draw, promptly and neatly, the
| figure with which the demonstration required
is connected, and to 60 through with the de-
monstraton, in the order of proof and with en-
TIRE ulstlnctneSS. lie Ihal test, ny WHICH W
try his understanding of the subject, should be
a constant changing of letters, in such man
ner that it would be next to impossible for the
pupil to proceed if he had not well understood
the principles and reasoning of the demonstra-
ton
After Mr.. Streeter had finished his able adj
dress, Mr.. Hey replied in a few words, when
the subject was postponed to the next meeting
Of the Society.
The Chair announced that the subject next
to be considered was "Composition," as en-
braced in the following questions:
|. At what age may instruction in Compost
ton be commenced?
H. What is the best iniatory process?
iii. Can any books now in use be employed
to any advantage for assisting beginners in the
art of Composition?
The Rev Mr.. Hey opens the discussion.