The New York herald., 1851-08-26

part Of the evening, and defended himself in an ad
| made. He said he had not had the opportunity
fully to illustrate his IDEAS but he was glad the
lecture had been delivered as it had, and had elicit
country was going to destruction. He felt that
liberty was the school Of genius; but the tendency
immediate action did interfere with the labors OF
the ardent student.
We afterwards heard him, in conversation with
Mr. Gddings, say that the lecture had been writ
ten before the Fugitive Slave law had passed.
The Association adjourned to meet at nine o'clock
Wednesday morning.
SECOND DAY-AFTERHooN SESSION.
The President not appearing at the appointed
hour for assembling, Mr. Cowperthwait, of Paila-
delphia, moved that the Hon Henry Barnard take
the chair pro TEN. Motion adopted
After the election of list of permanent members,
the association proceeded with the discussion of the
subject opened by Professor Mahan, in the IN orn-
ing.
Mr. CcwpERrHwAIr called for Professor Green
dele gate from Brown University.
Professor GREEN regretted that Mr.. Kiags
bury, or some other member of the faculty Of Brown
was not present, as he himself had bat rec entity
been connected with the institution Professor
Green stated, that some two or three years since,
the subject of what is known as the new system Of
collegiate instruction, had been agitated the col
lege. There was report from committee at the
head Of which was President Wayland, who IN ade
the report, which has been read by many present
This change he would not have considered so radical
as to be called new. The University, he would
rather say, had been enlarged The course being
but four years in extent, and studie, being in
troduced by the necessities of the times the
must be very much changed in its plan, or the
studies would be very much crowded. president
Potter came in and took the chair) 1t has been
thought that the classical studies had been neglected
1t was not That course was never more thorough
Professor GREEN read from a pamphlet the
courses Of instruction taught in the University and
hOW he has Of inst had haan
larged. The courses, thus far, have been most
thoroughly pursued, and the results have been
good. He wished, if an impression prevailed in
this part Of the country that the classical depart
ment had been neglected, to correct it. Brown
University recognized the wants of the community
at large. 1t has been intended to constitute nor
NAL department in the university, and professor
Of didactics has been appointed, who will fit stu
dents for teaching. The art of teaching the me-
thod and the organization of schools, and the con-
stIuction of school houses, all embraced in this
department.
Professor Of Didactics would make the common
schools of the city theatre for practising his pu-
pills.
doubtedy have the privilege of visiting the different
schools, and would be instructed by seeing the prac
tical operation of sy stems of instruction.
In answer to a question of Professor Agnew, in
relation to the classical course he stated, that most
of the students of the university entered the clas
sical course and were candidates for the degree Of
A. 3. or A M.
One gentleman, only, had thus far taken the ne
degree of 3 ichelor OF Philosophy. He hoped and
believed many more would dc so.
Professor AGNEw would return to the discussion
of the lecture of President Mahan He disapproved
the innovation. The old system of education was
falsely caled a compulsory system. The next pOn.
Of the lecture he noticed was, that the old system
was exclusive. He did not think it was true. The
great object Of the collegiate i, the discipline
Of mind, and this course prepares for profession
or any other walk Of life Again. the old system, it
is said, does not teach the young man to read the
book Of Gcd and nature But this is not correct;
for in measure this is taught in the colleges
The word Of God is read, and prayer and preaching
are held in every college. The Greek Testament
is in many Of them taught every Monday morning.
1t is not intended to make them theological semi
naries, but moral instruction is not wanted. The
lecturer had said that mathematics received but
small share of attention. Where can a better
knowledge Of mathematics be obtained than in
the old colleges! Who are the men who have be-
come distinguished in this branch Of learning, but
those who have been through the ola collegiate
course! The lecturer had said it was a waste of
time to unravel sentences in the dead languages
that did not contain fine thoughts. Professor Ag-
new contended that even if the subject not in
structive, there was better more complete dis
! cipline for the mind 1t exercised ut once the
memory, the imagination, the reason and the judg-
ment Of the pupil. But those old authors were rich
in thought, that well repaid the labor bestowed
upon them. 1t was remarked further by this gentle.
man, that the youthful mind should be taught tt
look at realities rather than distractions.
Mr.. GALLAwAY said he had not intended to mis-
| represent rdicule the distinguished President
of Cleveland University. He thought the new
| system was equally compulsory with the old. II
required an examination before entering upon any
| course This shows the, impracticasility of thu
| plan.
MIR. BRAND, of Indiana, was sorry the gentleman
who addressed the association, this morning, en-
| ployed the terms sold" and '.new'' system. The
| eTeaker practical educator. He believed we
had in our Western colleges multiplicity Of stu.
dies, yet be could not think Of giving up the old
| system.
The debate was continued at some length. but
We have not room to day for the publication Of any
| further report Of it.