, 1860-06-30

tCorr1Edcuce Of tie rrrss and TIibure.]
DtooxisG1ox. June g 1sco
The day has been one of exceeding interest
to the numerous friends Of education gathered
ut Bloomington, on this the third anniversary
Of the State Normal School. In my last letter
gave brief history Of the enterprise from its
inception, to the present time. To write fully
the history Of the successive stages Of its pro-
gress through all the intermediate stages and
phases. first mere purpose in the minds Of q
in bill passed the Legislature then as gener-
ously welcomed By this noble little city and so
on, step BY step, until from being merely in the
future. the S.ate Normal School of Illinois has
come 10 be living, breathing actuality, with
splendid building. the finest ever erected for
such purpose in the United States. Such a
history, could it be written, would be record
tain difficulties and obstacles, md an overcom-
ing Of ALL by the force Of dauntlessz zeal and in
defatigable will.
1t has been done. From being mere arcbi-
tects plan, coveted castle in the air, the splen-
did building which shall receive in my next let
ter The deiailed description it deserves, stands
completed, aud is to be tomorrow occupied for
the first time, on IN occasion worthily nude q
gala day and festive occasion By the citizens Of
Bloomington.
But VI edilice, however costly, is worth no.
thing If it lack soul. The casket, after all, is
secondary to the tenant. / shall write Of The
building anon. Meanwhile, IYhat Of the Etate
Mlrmdl Schsotr is it worthy Of the structure it
is to occupy?
A large audience hare oil this day been pre-.
pairing to answer this question. in SO far rs the
careful and protracted annual examinations to-
day closed could indicate the same.
On the o3d day Of June. 1857, as already stat-
ed, the State Normal School went into opera
tion in this city, leasing for the .purpose the
large upper hall, the same, by the way,
that was occupied By the state Republican Con.
vention in 1856. On the second floor ure six
smaller apartments, used as model school room,
recitation rooms, &c., DC.
Charles E. uovey has been from the first at
the head Of the management Of the school, 1850
cistcd with whom at the present time aIe Ira
lieaets, Professor Of Geography and Natural
History, Lewis II. Potter. Professor OF Ian.
guagcs, G. II. C3dy, Professor of Music, and
Miss Mary N. Brooks, Ttncher Of the Mode.
School.
Many disadvantages have been experienced
BY the school md instructors By cratnped and
IN many respects unsuitable accommodations,
mud By the demand implied and fastened upon
its supervisory management to keep moving
forward the coveted and indispensable project,
now accomplished, Of suitable building.
The teachers, Mr. Hoyey most especially,
may be almost said to hare toiled with building
implements in one hand and the text book il
the other, and carried the constantly welded
cares of securing the desired end Of intellectual
training and qualification for the teachers pro-
fession amocg :tc students, and Of providing
during a season Of pecuniury embarrassment
the materinl aid for the progress Of the struc.
ture. Doth llaye been done, aud we'll. l shall
dcscsibe the one in connection with the first ex-
ercises to tase place within its halls Tomorrow.
Yesterday showed the School 10 be worthy of
their new building.