Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-08-28


schools. The speaker remarked that dependcn-
CIV is an established law in both the natural and
moral world, and it exists between the different
grades of schools. Undue prominence given to
any particular grade, detracts from the eliicien-
cy of our system of education. Our Pilgrim
fathers recognized this principle by establishing
Harvard University, about the time that they
inaugurated our present system of Common
Schools. In modern times this principle has
been somewhat overlooked, and while much has
been said and done for the common school, the
higher institutions have been too much neglect
ed
Rev. Mr. Richards, appeared as the Repre-
sentative of the n. III. Teachers Association,
and expressed his qualification at seeing all
classes of teachers, from the President Of the
College to the teachers of the common school,
participating in the deliberations, while the 9TH
er trades and professions were also represented.
He made proposition that Vermont should
unite with New Hampshire in sustaining their
education Journal. The proposition was refer
red to a committee consisting of Messrs. Conant
of Royalton, Parker of Waterbury, and Wins
low of Pittstord, who reported that such meas
ure, under present circumstances is not advisa-
ble although we would reciprecate the kind
feeling that prompted the offer.
The report was adopted
EVENING.
A social levee of members of the Association
and citizens of Bellows Falls was holden in the
Island Hall, at S o'clock. Governor Fletcher
presided.
Short speeches were made by Governor
Fletcher, Secretary Adams, Messrs. Clark of
Ira, Beckwith of Irasburgh, Parker of Water
bury, Lieut.. Gov. Slade OF Middlebury, Perkins
of Stowe, Roe of Bellows Falls, Winslow of
Pittsford, and Il Poem on the Brotherhood of
Teachers, by {. X. Ballard, A. NJ, of Montpe-
lier.
The Bellows Falls Band were in attendance
and enlivened the occasion with their very ac-
ceptable music The evening was very pleas
antly and profitably spent in cultivating the So
cia principle among the teachers and others
present
WEDNESDAY.
Rev. ~ Clark Of Ira, offered prayer
Mr.. Ballard, from the committee on the place
of meeting for next year, reported in favor of
Burlington, which was adopted.
Mr.. Stone of Montpelier read an essay on
Recitation. The object of recitation was shown
to be not simply that the pupil had learned his
lessons, but also to afford an opportunity to cor
rect errors 1t furnishes incentives to study.
Our ideas do not obtain definite shape until
formed for expression. In education the object
of recitation is not knowledge the purpose of
study is not simply to fill up the mind but to
enlarge It's capacities 1t should be so conduct
ed as to cultivate language-the faculty of dis
course-sef reliance. The scholar should be
learned to work himself-to think his own
thoughts, not the thoughts OF others.
Address of HENRY G. ARK, Esq, of Poultnev.
Suhject,-.Hehtm Derclopmed
Mental development, the speaker asserted, is
based upon and is the enlarged expansion of
the mind through natural law. All true devel-
opment is from within. Although capable of
great expansion, mental development is confined
to the possible capabilities of the mind. The
mind OF man cannot become the mind of an an
gel or OF God Among men a great variety in
natural endowment exists. Equally true is it
that there exists the same variety in kind of
power Each mind has its distinctive mould
its liking and tendencies, consequently its Atm
ity to particular studies and pursuits. The in
fuence OF parental culture i'll mental develop
ment is great. On the one hand see the effect
of Byrons earliest training in the fitfu but aim
less career his life displayed. On the other
hand, see by the bright ray cleaning through
the thick darkness, that Burns had a beginning
worthy of better end. The early removal Of
Cowper's mother called forth in his nature the
plaintive and sweet, imparting most peculiar
tenderness. The climate and scenery were re-
ferred to, as giving peculiar development to the
mind. After abiding TO the influence which
the political condition exerts, the address closed
by showing that until a view of the spiritual
world was unfolded TO it, there could be no true
development of mind.
ArrERNoaoY.
John l.. Richardson, delegate of the Penn
sylvana Teachers Association, by invitation
addressed the Association on the present condi-
ton OF the Common Schools of his State
Mr.. Conant, from the Committee to nominate
Officers, reported the following list which was
adopted:
President, Rev. CALVIN PEAsF, d. ID.
Nice Presidents. ]. +. Bolton, ESQ.,, Addison
Co; Rev. ]. ID. Wickham, Bennington ]. X.
Colby, Caledonia; A. f. Leavenworth. Chitten-
den; Loomis Wells, Essex Rev. S. L. Elliott
Franklin; Rev. o. g. Wheeler, Grand Isle ;
Charles H. Heath, Lamoille; b. Farnham, Jr
Orange; Rev. J. II. Beckwith, Orleans; b, F.
Winslow, Rutland; {. b. Smith, Windham !;
Hon. c. osby Miller, Windsor
J. S. Spauiding, y. NJ, Barre, Treasurer.
Moses Burbank, A. NJ Ludlow, .4uditor.
Rev. 5. l.. Elliott, a. NJ, Fairfax, Secretary.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
Rev. ]. IL. Worcester, Burlington Prof. G.
n. Boardman, Middlebury; Rev A. Webster,
Mortified.
The Hon. VIM SLADE, of NIiddebury deliv-
cred an address on Thoroughness in Intellectu-
al Education, Of which the following is brief
outline:
1t has passed into proverb, that, "Whatev-
er is worth doing at ALL is worth doing we'll"
1t is equally true that whatever is not done well,
is not done at all. Great minds grasp not only
the outline of great plans and works, but the
particulars: Many do not know the meaning
of thoroughness in education with them, thor
ough means through the books; through pre-
scribed course. Books are the instruments for
developing and maturing the mental powers,
which are the great objects to be secured in ed
ucation. Education is a great work, yet very
inadequate views exist concerningt. The great
difficulty is to get pupils to think Education
has been superficial, especially so in the case of
females. Substance has been sacrificed to show
This defect originated in great error in regard
to woman's capacities and her t,ue position IN
the social scate, with the additional notion that
high intellectual culture units her for her her
appropriate duties. The remedy for this is to
be found in good teaching This commences
with the beginning of education. Teachers must
inspire courage and confidence in the minds of
their pupils Thought should be awakened in
connection with reading lessons their attention