The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-11-24
The Teachers Institute.
WICKYoRn Nov % lah3

nicate brief account of the feathers
Institute, being held in this place, to
my patrons and the community, through
the columns of the Echo. These ses-
sions commenced on Monday morning in
the Masonic Chapel, under the direction
of Prof. Colburn of Mass. The weather
being quite unfavorable, the assembly
was small and the number of teachers
limited. Professor Colburn, however,
commenced series of Lectures or in
structions upon the subject of Mathe-
matics, principally elementary, very in
teresting, and we'll calculated to intro
duce young Teachers to the great art of
teaching. l was not able to be present
during the day session, but was informed
by those who were present that the day
passed off pleasantly and profitably to
all present.
Upon the arrival of the evening trains
there was great accession to their
numbers. Every carriage and source
OF transportation from the depot to the
village was crowded with members of
the Profession from the country around.
Prof.Sumner, OF the State NormalSchool,
whose services as teacher of Oratory
proved very valuable to the Institute.
The Evening Session Was commenced
by a Lecture from Prof. Colburn upon
the subject of Public Schools generally.
He gave brief history of public schools
in this country, referring to the pro-
visions made by the Massachusetts,
Colony as being the first in this country
if not in the world, also of their progress
to the present time, and finally he
gave us the view of good school, and
what constituted it. Specifying lst, a
good house in good place; I'd, good
teacher, though he gave US not the
definition of one; Sd, punctuality on
the part Of the scholar and finally, in
telest on the part of parents. The lee
ture was well adapted to the occasion.
Many of the points introduced were dis
cussed by the members of the Institute,
as liberty was given after the lecture.
This Exercise was followed by recitations
OF different extracts, by Prof. Sumner.
They were admirably executed, espe-
cially the interview between Lord Mar
mion and the Duke of Scotland, and the
Poem of Mrs. Sigourney, concerning
the Bell of the wrecked Atlantic. Even
now l seem to hear the tone of that
solemn bell as echoed by his lips. Prot.
Sumner is also an able lecturer upon
Geography. After prayer by the Rev.
MIR. cheshire the Institute adjourned
to nine o'clock on Tuesday morning.
After devotions, the Institute listened
to lecture from Prof. Colburn on the
best method of teaching Arithmetic, very
emphatically stating, among other things
that in no case should he require the
repetition of rule from the scholar
until he recognized the principle upon
which the rule was based. The princi-
pies illustrated in this lecture were
peculiarly lucid and practical. The
morning session was closed by lecture
upon the methods Of teaching Geography
by Prof. Sumner. The lecture was
somewhat novel though very truthful
and l have no doubt that the methods
in general use would be materially modi-
fed by the knowledge of this lecture.
The Exercises of the Institute in
the afternoon consisted of q con-
tinuation of the lectures upon Arithmetic
by Prof Colburn, and Rhetoric by Prof.
Sumner. l ought not to omit the hints
given by Prof. Sumner upon the study
of Geography. The method of instruc-
tion consisted in noticing tho great
natural features Of the territory first,
thence inferring the climate, the pro-
ducts of the soil, the natural facilities
for different kinds of business, commu-
nlcation, &C., &C.. which plan recon.
mended itself to the better judgment of
every teacher present. In the