Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-01-29
FSr the Spy.
The Worcester High School.

me undersigned, By request of the School Board,
.4hGea the exsnn 1tion NJ h matbem department
IN me Hish school, on Wednesiay and Thursday, Dec
oe'h and Slst This department is under the general
supervision of Mr.. Calkns assisted by Mr. Chamberlin
the ION wink classes Tere examined namely; A class
a. .4lni a. Philosophy Taught BY Mr.. CaginsI class
10 Arithmetic composed Of two classes Zone taught by
| Mr chtius, the other by Mr. Chsmberin) a class OF
beginners u Algebra Thy Mr. CFamb Rim and advanced
CLASS IN Algebra, and to classes in Algebra and Geometry
combined, (hy NJ C4klusl.
In the study Of Natural Philosophy, the method had
ote adopted OF selecting topics instead Of following
ordeE 81 The tex bOoti aud The scholars hal heen
gel to gain information from any authors access
DIE to them The number oi subjects investigated was
quite limited, and the method had not perhaps been
snm2eutt applied TO test its practical utility. The
mtte an entertain doubt o the advantage Of dis
cafdhg serve attachment a text book, and encOur
aging freer and wider discuson than possible under
any close "a reoceto he syst author. Either
IRON the dill ring capacity the members Of the class
or from the short time VIII oh had been devoted tile
study he class did not appear as well as might have
e'ea expected, from the siritcd which they
mad been instructed. While scholars prompt
ana co rect IN heir answers the Glass; whole failed
70 IL press the comm ttee with the idea thai they had
mi lar and accurate knowledge Of the topics upon which
| they were examined
The class 10 Arhm-t tic was evidently composed OF
individuals wild ly differing alta nments; and while
lev were ready in answering questions designed elicit
their kpowledge OF pr ncipes, Tie maj ry the class
Sc me too deficient to authorize commendatou With
out doubt, allowance is to be made the TACT that The
class had not been il the habit of reciting together and
ais" a ssty hal comp He'd uniting those who were
unequal in their kn0wled e Of the subject
The younger class ia Algebra exhibited good degree
Of proficiency ard correctness in braic operations.
The work upon the blackboard was promptly and well
pelorme1, And when consider The defective charac
ter OF most OF the elementary algebra and the
comparatively small Lumber OF pupils in schools who
reay gam clear conception OF the meaning aud purpose
OF algebra will BE- extraordinary that this class of
beginners failed IN their attempts anayze some Of the
iurnela, and show the principles involved.
This deficiency dis ppeared in the Grief examination
In algebra which accompanied the recitation of the lower
class in Geometry 1t quite apparent, that they
unrr NTH ~laaF1 ,do
cmmittee we're gIad with he tok they gave, that
at the outset, they getting notions Of the
generalzatens which characterize and give yalue 10
agebraic science
The recitation of the advanced class in Algebra was
such as to Justify the hopes inspired ia the just
mentioned They were examined in the last half of
Robinson Ageora, though demonsr .ons aud analyses
were introduced. contained in that work The class
was small comprising one male aed three female pu-
pills
The points selected were, the binomal theorem and
the theory and OF ogarithms; and ali were worked
out with admirable readiness and precision. of the
long processes performed mentally with great
facility ana actness nosthstand ng he Interruptions
aud questionings of the Committee The scholars an
peard to have thoroughly grasp every principle IT,
volved and ted with such practical applica-
tons as required of hem. The proof given by the
examination Of TINS class Of high competent in
ST ton they had enjoyed elected their warmest apprc
baton.
The lover class Geometry acquitted hem.eve very
satisfactorily. While here were instances of fa ure,
arising perhaps from the whole asl ect of
The class, c.early showed hat they had been under
most vigorous tuition, and had esponded with aac
rlty. TIE method examination demanded a constant
wakeulness the part Of the psrt OF the class The
demonstration OF previous prop sition involved also the
demt nsraon Of every previ proposition required as
proofs so that in TIE process every sep f y exhb-
lied Iom the simplest principles. By this m,thod the
demonstration of fr5 pToposid called ten or twelve
pns ani he entire pr carried forward by
QUE supplying ia his turn. the needei proof By this
means qaickn ness and attention stimu ated and the
exercise highly interesting spirIed while it loses
nothing of thu and eOnsecutveness which be-
longs 10 gem"melrical reasoning,
In the advanced class in Geometry, the mmitt-e had
more favorable opportunity the thoroughuess OF
the us etion Ia this departme The animation
conuned principally to propositions in sUlId geometry.
The committee were ested by the instructor t.
allow any assertion to pass without full proof, and pro
tracted exam alton shO@ed to en the class
had mastered the subject and how faithfully they had
improved TIE severe dlscpne to which they had been
suiJ c,ed. The gor and quckness of perception which
was mantle ted and the thorough appreciation of that
complete which is The glory Of geometrical de.
monsation evi ced net nuly faithful study but
siasc teEchIpg. The committee cannot withhold hgn
praise from Ii class.
Ia addition to what has ben said in respect to the
particular recitatons which listened TO- is Tut just
to express the cJnidence Inspired by the hs tone
and enthusiasm Mr.. O4lkIns who is at the head of
tois department.. While he independent and earnest
he appcTs also to possess the spirit and
reasoning are essential in mathematical
and thorou8huess-t being at rapid severe.
He eecIihes the collie formula and inspires with life
tue rudest lines OF the stlfest diagram.
The Committee congratulate she Board and their
Fellow citizens securing services Of allie and
Competent whose fidelity, patient az:
siduny, ami Incorporating thuroughuess for 3 many
years made hi Il oil valued teachers; and
they cannot but iniuge the confident e tton that
the mathematical dep High school is des-
tined to reach high prosperity und it's present
pieces The advantages Inherent in such refining may
b. ound IN thus schooi need only cordially appre
cated by Community 10 secure for it lust
and encouraging pat elage.