The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-11-21
TEACHERS MEETING.


Tho Columbian Association of Teachers held an adj
journed meeting at the Smithsonian Institution yester-
day The president being absent the vice president took
the chair
The subject of elocution having been resumed Prof
q haris made remarks in reference to Mande-
system of teaching that branch. At the last meet
Ing &c had stated that Mandevie's system was in a
great founded upon that of DIR. Rush. He now
desired to qualify that remark little. So far as the
cultivation Of the tones of the voice concerned
correct, but no further. There was a marked diff
ference in the modes of teaching elocution and
Mandevles system founded upon sententia struc-
ture. He proceeds upon the theory that there are
limited number Of forms the of sentences
which include all kinds in ordinary use. IT, then we
know how particular kind of sentence ought to be
read the same kind Of sentence, wherever it occurs
should always be read in the manner making al
owance for the difference in sentiment This was not
original with Prof Vaudeville but the idea was started
by Walker, who undertook to analyze language, and
founded his system upon the principle The prn-
cpes laid down by Dr. Rush, and also by Vaudeville
for the cultivation of the vocal powers he believed to be
He also spoke of the importance of correct
system of punctuation and with regard to expression
The passage would convey different ideas differ
call up and these associations varied with each ndivid
ual that two persons would read the same pas
sage with the spirit and energy although, far
the rules concerned they might both be governed
by the same principles Each would mpart to it the
coloring of his mind
Professor Mcleod regretted that the very limited time
which was allowed each speaker afforded 80 little op-
portunty to him to express his views properly on this
most important question. lie gave outline of the
plan of teaching clocution which he had employed for
many years. and which he had found emnenty success
full He believed DR. Rushs philosophy of the voice af
forded facilities to skilfu practical teacher than
all other books upon the subject ancient or modern
He also acknowledged his obligations to Sheridan,
Knowles and Archbishop Whately and from these va
rous sources he had matured system of his own simply
because he could not find satisfactory anywhere
else This system he had been teaching for fifteen years
He also remarked upon the importance of making the
analysis of language constant branch of education in
schools If the English classics, Shakespeare and Mil
ton should be studied with the care that is be-
slowed upon Virgil and Homer the pupil would succeed
much better in bringing out the full of the author
Prof DERRICK thought cultivation of sentiment was
essential than cultivation of voice. although that
was very important. He urged the necessity of the
speakers feeling the sentiment himself in order to make
his audience feelit
Prof Mcleod said that there very little difference
between the views expressed by the different members
the association although each had dwelt strongly
upon that point which seemed to him of paramount inn
port,noc He alluded to the importance Of action or
expressing sentiment, well as feeling it,
Prof Wight expressed his qualification that so many
interesting views had been thrown during this dis
CUSTOM which might not have been the had all the
commencement seemed to think alike upon the subject
Prof Richards proposed that the subject of arithmetic
be next taken up for discussion after which the assoca
ton adjourned