Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-11-09

A TEACHERS INSTITUTE convened
in the State House, on Monday evening, the
3Oth inst Henry Barnard, Public School Com
missioner called the meeting 10 order Mr.
Cyrus Bean was appointed Secretary. Amer
prayer was offered by the Rev. Mr.. BRooSs 8,
Mr.. Barnard addressed the meeting.
After referring to the apparently favourable
auspices, under which the Institute convened,
be briefly stated the objects Of its meeting -
which were to fulfil the requisition Of the law;
10 create o greater interest in behalf Of public
schools, in the minds Of the people; to make
teachers better acquainted with each other ; to
promote their mutual improvement, and fnal.
ly, TO ele vate the character Of public schools,
and render them worthy Of public patronage.
The Commissioner also gave programme Of
the subjects which would be presented to the
consideration Of the Institute, either in the
form Of Lectures, or Of Instruction and Illus.
tfation, or for discussion.
In an appropi late and eloqnen, manner he
spoke Of the progress and condition Of the
schools, their prospects, &c, and expressed,
his confidence in the disposition and ability Of
the people 10 maintain them. Another lnsti.
tute being in session at East Greenwich, he
said be should be obliged to will draw, and
leave the supervision Of the Institute with the
School Committee of Newport, and appointed
the Rev. Mr. Dumon,, President.
Mr.. Dumont then addressed the meeting, on
the magnitude Of the subjects to which Teach.
ar na11a 1ah 70 atfn thnir AL
the dignity of their profession, and the diff.
culties to be met and overcome
The Institute continued in session until Fri.
day night, and heard Lectures from DR.. Jar.
Wis Of Dorchester, or Physiology, as subject
Of school study; from Lowell Mason of Boston,
on vocal music; from Rev. Mr.. Munro Of
Bradford, N. II. on the qualifications of Teach
ers, intellectual and moral from Mr.. Greene
Of Boston, on English Grammar; from Mr..
Northend Of Salem, instructions in the best
modes of teaching Spelling, Book k-keeping,
and Composition aud letter writing; and two
lectures, one on the rank and nature Of the
profession, the other on the obstacles To the
success Of our common school system from
hr. F. Russell instructions in reading, with il.
lus,rations; and from Professor Davies, in.
s,ructions in the best mode of teaching Artl!-
Inetic, with illustrations and explanations Of
some difficulties in TIE operations Of numbe r.;
and lecture, on the duties and relations 1t
Teachers, parents and pupils; from ME.
Kingsbury Of Providence, on the causes Of
failure in teaching.
Various topics were discussed by he mem.
bers of the Institute, aud the !riend. Of EGaca.
ton who were present; and an inkresiing
statement, was made, by Mr.. Bishop, Superin.
tenden, Of the Providence Public Schools, Of !
various matters connected with the instruction
and government Of the schoos undeF hi, care
Several Of the Cl.rgym-n Of the town took
port in conducting the devotional eAerclses
On Friday night, a!lsr passing the following
resolutions
E,so!s,G, Than thanks of,hi1 Institute be .
rendered 70 the gentlemen who have come
among US from abroad, aud have given us val. |
vXb!s instructions in the several branches OF
our profession.
Ress'sa That IN" thanks Of this institute be
given to the citizens Of Newport for the pro.
visions made for our comfort, and Cor the 1--we
iy aad generous interest which they have IA.
ken IN our exercises. II
the institute adjourned. \
The meeting was harmonious and instEuc.
tive, and will doubtless result in profit to all 4
concerned The sessions were attended daily Il
BY as many OF the cjiiseus Of Newport az the
places Of meetins could he made TO hold. In
fact, for the evening exercises, /. vas found
absolutely Necessary TO provide larger room
than the Representatives. Chamber, which was
occupied during the day. Through the Kind
mesa of the First Baptist Church, Ike Institute
found ample and pleasant accommodations,
tor the large assemblies Of ;Ae evening, in their
beautiful house OF worship. Il