The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1860-12-06

Sanders. Theu followed reading report
of Monday, by the Secs. The critics
read an accurate report of all errors of
speech and action in the members of the
Institute This was followed by giving
sentiments containing gems of wisdom
aud poetry then came exercises in Arith
metic difficult examples were explained,
and the underlying principles brought to
view. Misses 3. NJ and A E Lyman
weut to the board and demonstrated
fractional power Their explanations
were approved and accepted At II
o'clock the Arithmetic class adjourned,
and all took recess Of five minutes
When again assembled, Prof Sanders
conducted an exercise in Phonetcs and
Orthography; he took the first word in
the DictioLary, which is A, and COM
mented on its frequent mis-spclling. He
said it Was enormously used ofteuer than
any other word in the language. The
members were thoroughly drilled on the
word in all its possible applications, and
shown that when no other rule would ap
ply, euphony determines whether A or
An should be used. The Professors ex-
planatious were of principles, and care
fully selected examples were given; such
as embraced the widest extent of appli-
cation. After listening with the greatest
interest until noon, the classes adjourned.
ss't- AFTERNOON SESSION. ~aFJ ! =
Assembled at | o'clock and were ad-
dressed by Prof Lewis, on the subject of
holding Levce. The question was car
ried and the succeeding Friday evening
fixed upon for the occasion. The teach
ers were to assemble on that evening and
relieve the monotony of daily drills by a
mutual Interchange of courte>ies. The
motion to have refreshments was lost at
the suggestion of Prof Cooper. On
the committee of arrangements were
AIessrs. Jonson and Shove, with
Misses Corey and Nelson. Considerable
pleasantly was displayed during the ar
rangements for the occasion, and the ut
most good feeling and satisfaction pre-
vailed
The remainder of the time until recess
was occupied by Prof Lewis who took
the stand and analyzed several difficult
sentences for the benefit of Grammar
teachers. After recess Prof Cooper
drawed on the board diagram Of tie
moons orbit around the earth, and closed
! by discourse concerning the atmos-
phere and its phenomena. They were
governed by laws fixed and immutable as
those governing any other part of the ma
terial universe" He explained that the
motion Of the air was occasloned by want
of complete equilibrium in its various
parts, and gave in their order the rates
of speed belonging to gales, breezes and
hurricanes he olso explained the causes
OF Trade Winds. They were occasioncd
in the first place by excessive heating of
the atmosphere in the equatorial regions,
and the subsequent flowing inward of
colder air from the polar regions to sup
ply the vacuum produced by expansion
and rising up of the air at the Equator.
The popularity of their moving westward
was accounted by taking into considera-
tion the fact that the earth moves much
1 fasterat the equator than at the poles; con-
sequently the air with its feeble impetus
/ from those extremes, could not immedi-
ately partake of its more rapid motion
there, and took a retrogressive motion
westward and produced the Trade Winds.
This interesting discourse was very hap
! PLY delivered and was received with the
kecnost interest and appreciation. At /
/ clock Prof Sanders commenced his drill
in ElocutiCn, and continued to amuse
and interest his hearers until 4 /! o'clock,
and adjourned.
TUESDAY EVENING. EgJ -
The Institute opened at 6. 80 Prof, S
Lewis in the Chair. Questions for dis
cussion. Resolved that composition and
defamation ought to be introduced into
common schools. The discussion was
commenced by Prof Cooper, who declar-
ed for the affirmative; he said practice in
composition while at school gave the stu
dent a facility of thought and readiness Of
expression; necessary in every business
project of after life; to have it successful
1t was necessary the Teacher should un-
delstand it himself He was in favor of
defamation partly OF ascount of the great
amount of information embodied in the
pieces usually spoken. Prof S Lewis
was then called for He thought the
proper way was to conncct these studies
with grammer and elocution' Had new
er known any great advantages to arise
from these exercises as usually conduct
ed; it confirmed a stereotyped manner of
expression and did moro harm that good
as he estimated it. Various speakers
took the floor and many ideas were gain
ed, and the resolution was finally carried
After the discussion there was singing by
]