Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1861-06-25
r EjFbtg d ~ 40 IcrYear.
'~~ va - $3.50 Ia Adyauer.


=, HlLioNN, fildAy evening,
Mr.. G. NJ. FREEMAN, MONTPELIER, VI,
Sir As Il general rule, do not intend to
have anything to do with witchcrah, or any
thing resembling it but one cannot help
leelng that it must be exceedingly conyenl-
ent to possess the power which you are said
to have OF going thousand ways at once and
holding private interviews, simultaneously,
with ever SO many different people whom il
would be next to impossible 10 bring together
and do believe that your familiar, by whose
assistance you do such wonder. though he has
been called by so bad name ever since the days
Of Mr.. Faust, and though the first impression
that he makes is often very dark, is really an
honest and benefcent creature after all, and
worthy of our confidence and gratitude With
this belief have less scruple in asking you. if
IN passing about the country you meet any
who are Interested in the pedagogic art and vet
were not present at the last meeting Of the
County Association at Mortified, to call their
attention to the following questions which were
| there discussed &" To what extent and in what
way, should Physical Exercises be introduced
4 into our Schools? &" Is 1t expedent for
Washington County to establish the coming
! autumn, Teachers Institute to continue two
weeks, tor the pnrposo Of giving our Common
School Teachers more thorough training in
the art Of school teaching? What stand.
ard Of qualification should the Superntendents
of Common Schools, in the examination OF
eschers, adopt?
The first question does not demand attention
50 imperatively in Vermont as in the large
cities and villages Of some other States, whose
children are generally :" more refined that
Is, less robust (perhaps some of the city editors
would expect me to say robustious) than our
Green Mountain boys and girls still it excited
considerable Interest. The discussion was
chiefly upon the system Of physical training
advocated by DR.. bio Lewis Of Boston, in his
monthly er,-the same that attracted so
much attention at the last meeting Of the
American Institute Of Instruction. and which
has been introduced into many Of the schools
of Massachusetts, Considerable amusement
was afforded 10y attempts at.a practical illustra.
ton Of some of the simpler exercises Of the
system, small bags Of a very common variety of
pulse being provided for tie purpose. 1t may
be proper to add that these sacks Of leguminous
fruit were brought there for seed, and II is to
by hoped that the seed will be found prodac-
! tive, NOT a escuiont. but rs an ed0cator
and perhaps the time may not be distant wben
the now Vulgar and nonsensical inquiry wbeth
cr the teacher kH0cS 5cGHs, will have a serious
significance with examiners, and even attain to
the high dignity Of being admitted to the Leg
slaiure and helping to make law.
During the discussion OF the several ques-
tions there was manifested a general desire 70
know how many persons in the county would
become members Of a teachers training school
for fortnight, mex. fall, If there were an op.
portunity, whether an opportunity, if desra-
ble and desired, could be provided and il SO,
how it should be done and Df. Bates Of North
field, Rev Mr.. McAnn Of Montpelier, and Mr..
j. 5 Spaulding of Barre were appointed a com
mittee to find out. Of course, those who are
interested in the matter will confer with the
committee
In considering the third question, it was
thought desirable that examinations should be
conducted wholly or partly in writing, and that
the Superntendcntso Of the different towns should
meet and confer upon the kind and number Of
questions for written examinations, and what
proportion of them might be missed by candi
dates who receive certificates.
Please tell them too, since you did not report
the meeting at the time, that the attendance
aud the interest in the proceedings indicated
that the cause OF education Is progressing even
while there IS so much to divert attention.
that there were good numter OF educators
there, from the merry schoolgirl Just beginning
to be a teacher, her bright, laughing face a very
little sobered by this first approach to matronly
dignity, to the veteran preceptor whose pupils
pupils are teachers, and whose wise suggestions
respecting whatever topic was considered were
the fruit Of many years of constant laborous
experience in the scbool-room or the reverend
College President who does not forget the com
mon school. Then there were superintendents
and legislators who see that there is still room
for Improvement, physicians who know the value
of sound mind in a sound body, and min.
listers who do not overlook the mutual depend.
ence of religion and education | can furnish
no fitting report Of the essays by the ladies' the
able lecture by Rev. Mr.. Parker, or the clio
queut and patriotic address by President Pease,
which was in itself both preaching and prac
tce on the duty of educators to be teachers Of
loyalty and patriotism. Yours truly,
PEDAGoGUs FERIATus.