American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-03-24
Reported for the American Republican,


MARYLAND INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION.
PROCEEDINGS OF SATURDAY, March 7th.-
he discussion on the subject of instruction in
lie Greek language, was opened by the Rev.
HI. Dashiell His Introductory remarks
ent to shew that the true object Of the teach
is, to discipline the mind of the pupil and
BIT merely to impart facts. The Importance
branches OF study, therefore, is not to be es-
mated SO much by their practical availability
after life, as by the opportunities which
ey afford for thorough mental discipline.
The study of language is chiefly valuable
pr the beautiful and systematic details of phi
blogy, which exact from the student such
hre, and vigilance and discrimination, From
is standpoint grammatical recitation wears
b important aspect. To say nothing of its
Principles, grammar presents an order so pre-
Use, that it allows scarcely deviation-a me-
pod so analytic, that the most inconsderable
ord merits attention. Its proper study,
therefore,, must form habit of precise and
nalytic investigation; and habitual attention
its rigid rules and strict deductions must be-
ct logical acumen.
The defects in the established method of
lassical instruction, have been long the sub
bet of remark. Milton, in his letter to Mas
Thoughts on Education" alludes to them;
nd Roger Ascham, an earlier writer still, even
uts forth the leading idea of the new system,
ow so popular in Germany.
The peculiarties of this system, which is
apidly superseding the old method, may be in
icated under the following heads:
/. Fewer definitions, particularly at early
tages of study
M nf oil of will ha inn,
nediately needed
8. Teaching more by oral instr uction.
a. Exclusive attention to roots of classes of
words.
rs. Regular arrangement of the system of
[Vord-endings: such as case-endings of nouns;
ense-endngs of verbs; together with roots,
characteristics, mood-vowels, SC.
The beautiful regularity of the Greek verb
was almost unknown Though often eulogized)
until Thiersch discovered the true mode of
Forming it's varied infections BY this plan,
pupils learn i'll half the time, retain doubly as
well, and understand clearly what was before
a mystery to the sage pedagogue himself
= Qn this connection, the speaker fully ex-
Eplained the system of Thiersch, by means of
Illustrations on the black board)
/ In referring to text books, Mr.. d. mention
FED Bullion's Greek Grammar as the most va
|auable; being the only one which presents the
System of Thiersch in clear and comprehen-
Isive manner. Prof McClintock, of Carlisle,
was also alluded to, as having in preparation a
series of Latin and Greek elementary books,
upon the Ollendon system. Arnold's First
and Second Latin Book, recently published
was likewise named, as in some respects faulty,
but still, worthy of high commentator.
!, Mr.. Dashiell then entered into detailed
statement Of the new mode ofstudying the an
Gent tongues; and pointed lis especial advan-
tages when applied to the Greek language.
He strongly recommended to the attention Of
the members of the Institute, the new mode Of
developing the Greek verb-the formation Of
cases and lenses from roots-the omission Of
much of the Syntax in its present form-the
inversion of the former order of translation Ga,
Feast during the early stages of instruction j.
the practice Of forming sentences from English
after classical model-the frequent repetition
of first principles and of simple grammatical
iorms-the study the declensions and coniu
cations by examinations, not by whole para
dgms--the extensive use of oral instruction
the assigning of short lessons-a thorough anc
minute grammatical analysis-she adoption 0