Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1859-08-19


In this beautiful village is located one of
the four State Normal Schools. \ very SIC.
eessful term has jus: terminated at each OF
them. Class after class 60 forth to their i'm
portant work Semi-anually. These Schools
are no lorger an experiment but living sue
cess. They fiji our land with better teachers.
and CONF cl the former ones either to properly
fit themselves for the vocation or seek some
other employment to which they are better
suited The attention Of the public is being
drawn more and more to them. Nearly ev-
cry State legislature discusses their peculiar
merits. The time is not far distant when ey-
cry State Will consider its Normal School as
essential as its State House. Each one has a
regular prescribed course ofstudy. at the COM
pletion of which, pupils receive the diploma
of the institution. Also graduates can avail
themselves of the privileges Of an advanced
class. and persue Latin, French, and Greek.
OF the Westicld School in particular | will
now speak. The annua! examination, which
took place July Is and 26th WAS very credi-
tduIc uA4At " anu sCllD4aT,. MS
school needs no encomiums in regard to It,
high standing. Particular attention Is paid
TO moral culture. A lac& of attention to this
important part Of education all other literary
institutions has been the means of raising up
a class ef men skilled in literature and science
but deficient in morality and virtue.
The ranito.iaDs ovtnonj .hnrrvrhvoez
cry exercise showed good knowledge Of the
suhjec, under consideration. One thing very
noticeable WAS the readiness with which the
pupils iilus;a;ed th2ir points. The students
LOOK with suspicion upon all Teaching dlsco4-
nccted from the objects themselves. The frs,
knowledge Of Nature can no: be impaired by
means of words, and most OF the pupils are
taught drawing. Its value is clearly shown at
every recitation. For instance, one pupil in
Geography drew amap, an dpointed the seat OF
the late battles AMI related with rapidIty and
accuracy the cause of the war, the various
movements of the armies, the number of killed
and wounded in each engagement, and spoke
Of the armistice and declaration of peace. \
class in Physiology taught by one OF the pn-
pills did finely. One pupil was called upon
to commence upon the subject Of 1.-THE Bones
after taking q bone and showing by expert
ment its properties, he drew upon board the
the bones of the head, debating and describ-
to the class at the same time Then another
was called upon who did likewise with the
bones Of the upper extremities, another the
lower, and so on until there were as many
skeletons drawn as there were ambers Of the
class. Then the muscles. adipose matter,
and stomach received due share OF attention.
The classes in Rhetoric, English Literature
and Mental Philosophy showed a thorough
understanding of their subjects. Two essays.
two recitations of poetry. an Grafton and a
valcdictory were very ereditable and con-
tanned many valuable thoughts. Some teach
ing exercises on Botany and Natural History
were marked success.
The prosperity of this institution may be
best learned by few extracts from the Prin-
eipals' annual report. The member of stu
dents in attendance upon the school during
the past year, has been greater than during
any previous year of its existence, being 1873.
Ladies, 1871. Gentlemen, 80. The lumber
who have completed the course of study is
II ladies and s gents. TIE average age Of
the ladies ls years 3-4 months. Gentlemen
10 years "a months.