Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-08-28
THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF IN

New England and mostly in Massachusetts. 1t
numbers among its members many persons of
high culture and distinction, and brings together
annually large number Of men and women
who are exerting a wide and enduring influence
in the community, and doing perhaps more than
any other class of persons to advance the cause
of civilization in our land. For several years
the annual meetings of the Institute were cid
in the city of Boston; but recently at other
places when an invitation has been given to do
so. We believe this is the second time it has
met in this State once in Burlington in lS49.
The exercises at these annual gatherings, be-
sides the choosing of officers and transacting
other business, consist chiefly OF Lectures and
Discussions on subjects having more or less
practical bearing on the subject of popular Ed
ucation.
The attendance on the exercises here was
very large, our spacious Town Hall being dense
ly crowded with attentive listeners. After the
organization of the meeting the Members of
the Institute were welcomed to Brattleboro in
brief ard appropriate speech byJ d. Bradley
Member of the Vermont Board of Education,
who told the Teachers that the present war was
their war. Mr.. Bradley was responded to by
Mr.. Hagar, the President of the Institute, in a
happy manner, who said that the Teachers were
ready to fight if necessary. After the response,
the President delivered his annual address Civ
ing favorable account of the condition and
progress of the Institute. During the session
of the Institute there were six Lectures deiv-
cred besides that of Mr.. Hagar. The Lectures
were all of high order of merit, showing cul-
ture, ability and due appreciation of the great
subject of Education. The views presented
were, in general, broad and LIBERAL both conser-
vative and progressive in their character. An
son Smyth, State Commissioner of Schools in
Ohio gave in his lecture highly interesting
sketch of the progress, not only in education,
but in other things, that has been made during
the existence of the Institute, and then effectu-
ally demolished the objections that have been
raised against our free Schools charging them
withirreligious infdel, and immoral tendencies.
His Lecture was clear, forcible, appropriate and
highly satisfactory.
Lewis B. Monroe of Boston gave an instruc-
tive Lecture on the Human Voice, describing
the vocal organs and pointing out the manner
of training them so as to give clearness and
force to the utterance. In his own delivery he
gave a striking, practical illustration of the
power over the voice, which may be gained by
the skilful training of it.
| ~
Y, delivered q Lecture on Power, of great
beauty and.force, showing thought, taste, and
liberal culture. He illustrated aptly the power
of health, language, enthusiasm, friendship, &c
We should like to see that Lecture in print and
read it at our own leisure.
I. B. Adams, Principal of the High School
Newton, Mass, gave an able Lecture on the re.
lation of Education to Republican Govern,
ment well adapted to the present time, and
full of practical views.
H. E. Sawyer, Principal of the High School
Concord, n. H., and Lander Wetherell of Bos
ton, were the other Lecturers; the latter taking
the place of Calvin Pease, President of Yer
mont University, who was absent in consequence
of illness.
The Discussions were All important part Of
the exercises of the occasion. These were OF
subjects of practical character relating &c
teaching, and the connection of Education will
Free Institutions. Much was said on Physica
training, and the necessity of Gymnastics il
our schools the Importance of inspiring the
young with love of Nature, and of directing
,hn;r IN ctu l., oct ho l,1
and animal creation was urged with good dea
of force, and the necessity of moral culture was
earnestly insisted on.
The last evening of the Session was employed
chiefly by short Addresses by Representative,
of large number of the loyal States of tn,
Union giving an account of the status of Ed
ucation therein, intermingled with pleasantly
and wit by the newly elected President, Mr.
Stone of Plymouth, Mass, and others who
seemed surchargcd with fun.
On Friday L. NJ. after the exercises of tn,
Institute a large number of the teachers o
both sexes RECALLED themselves hy visit tc
Wantastiquet mountain, to feast their eyes with
beauty and invigorate their limbs by climbing
the steep ascent. After the usual exercises O
the Institute were closed in the evening, all who
were so disposed visited the Lawrence Water
Cure by invitation Of its Conductor and Phys
clan, and spent the remainder of the evening
hours in greetings, conversation, music, anC
dancing.
The Female teachers were Hospitality enter
tanned by our citizens, and we trust that thos,
who came from abroad went home with pleas
ant remembrances of Brattleboro; and we fee
sure that the people of our Village have mucl
cause to be glad that the meeting of the Insti
tute was held here.
/ The influence of so large body of highl,
cultivated men and women, laboring in the caus
of Universal Education, must be great and per
manent.
Let the generous and liberal ideas which thi
Institute inculcates, and the free ard mani
spirit which it claims to inspire, be universally
difused among the people, and we have pledg
of the permanency of our Government, and tn
progress of Civilization.
-
lMPERPECT-The Committee appointed b.
the Grand Union Demonstration here on tn
2lst. 1t is now composed of Rev. John Wheel
or of Burlington, Hon. Lucius b. Peck O