Eastern times., 1855-11-22

Co., under the direction of Hon. Mark FL.
Dunnell, State Superintendent, commenced its
session at Richmond, on the 18th inst, at IL
A. NJ The instructors were Prof. c. G.
Burnham, of Haverhill, Mass, and Walter
Wells, A. M, OF Portland. The order Of ex-
ercises were as follows Devotional exercises
each morning at o'clock, by Prof Burnham.
Reporters, appointed from the class the pre-
ceding evesing, then give full reports of the
exercises of the previous day. No one knows
who may be called on to report the exercises
of the day until the close of the evening lee
ture; and as no ordinary excuse is received,
each member is obliged to give undivided at
tention.
Critics are appointed each morning for the
day, whose criticisms are often quite amusing
as well as profitable. Next, familiar lee
iure by Prof. Burnham, highly practical, and
admirably adapted 10 the wants of teachers
After recess, lecture upon English Gram
mar, by Mr.. Wells, who never fails to inter-
est and instruct. His lectures are exceeding
ly philosophical, yet perfectly lucid. Exer-
cises in Arithmetic, by Prof. Burnham, occu-
py the remainder of the forenoon.
The first exercises of the afternoon are in
reading. by Prot. Burnham, which we hope
will be often repeated by the teachers compos-
ing the class. At2 o'colcl, Mr. Wells gives
lecture on Physical Geography, illustrated
by Pelton's new Physical Outline Maps
These lectures are so very rich in interest and
instruction, that we shall give somewhat ex-
tended report. The remaining exercises of
the afternoon are by Prof Burnham, in Arith-
metic.
| A lecture each evening at the Town Hall.
We think Mr. Dunnell has been fortunate
in his selection of instructors. They awaken
an interest and enthusiasm in the class we have
seldom witnessed. The attendance, we are
gratiied to notice, is very large.
We give brief synopsis of Mr.. Wells lee
ture of Monday. Tie succeeding lectures
will be reported hereafter.
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY.
The general subject was the earth and the
continental FORMS The Office of Geography
was asserted to be threefold 1st 10 state
facts I'd, to investigate causes Sd, to ascer-
tain the influence of the facts. The speaker
proceeded TO apply the method to the general
form of the earth, stating the profound wisdom
displayed in its present conformation-that
vegetable, animal, and human life could exist
in present conditions only upon body Of the
/ diameter, shape, and general structure of our
/ globe He traced back the fact of the form to
fuidity of the earth during the geologic peri
ods; its oblateness of form 10 the operation of
rotation imposed upon it. The influences Of
the same fact he showed to be vast as creation,
and wide-extended as the domain of organic
life.
Passing to the divisions of land, the inquiry
was propounded, whether wisdom could be
seen in the present amount of land above the
sea. 1t was shown that the amount of land
could not be changed without disastrous results
upon the organic creation. The triangularty
of the continental forms was shown 10 secure
oceanic influences to larger portions of land,
and also advantages in respect to commerce,
navigation, and the numerous civilizing ten
denotes arising therefrom. The notifications
Of the continental forms, produced by indenta-
tions Of the sea, by the upheaval OF pits and
tabe-lands, were then discussed.
The limitation of knowledge alone prevent
ed the discussion of the I'd point-the causes
of these forms. The speaker was of the opin-
ion that the reasons fer the variation of form
were of the same sort as existed for the diff
culties and distractions in the way of the in
tellectual and spiritual development Of man,
viz; for his trial and discipline-in a word
probation.
Lastly, the influences of these forms upon
climates, vegetable, animal, and human life
was traced. Western Europe, as compared
with Thibet, is warm and genial, because
open TO the ocean and sea winds but Thibet
is perched on the shoulder of table-land, giri
about by mountains and located in the centre
of continent. South America abounds in
NeSeidIOn, oeCduee inc 'dporS oi tne ocean
are preciptated by the Andes, while in the
same latitude, Africa spreads desert, because
her rains are precipated only by the Highlands
on the east. The high stand of Europe in
civilization is owing in part to her form, open.
ing herto the sea, and inviting 10 intercourse
while Africa pays the penalty of her geograph.
ical eXclusiveneSs in her barbarism The
prodigious changes incident upon a closing up
of the Gulf of Mexico, were presented and
the important influences exerted upon the
physical and moral conditions of our country,
by its continental forms, were shown,
| For the Eastern Times.