Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1862-06-10
BARRE ACAD Z VI Y.


bAtoR9 81 rms EXAMINING Committee
10 thu TRUSTEES Of BARR Academy
GENTLEMEN Your Committee have attended
to the work assigned them, and have to report
that thcy have found it rather pleasure than
q duty We have been much pleased with the
general management of the school, the deport-
ment 0l the scholars, the cordial relations SEEM
ing to subsist between teachers and pupils, and
the methods Of instruction, 10 far as they have
come to view in the examination
The examination has been an honest one. 1t
was not gottea mp for show. The questioning by
the teachers has been thorough and impartial
meant to show not only what the scholar has
actually made his own, but also what lac has
failed TO master Of that which it was his bus-
ness t. make his own The privilege has also
been freely accorded to the Committee, and ms
freely used by them, Of taking part with the
teachers in conducting the examination, The
general result Of this questioning has been
highly satisfactory The answers have usually
been prompt, and so loud and distinct as to be-
heard with ease in the large hall We were
glad to hear now and then the ready and frank
. don't know" instead Of q timid or daring
guess
We have seen proof that the scholars are
taught to think and search for themselves,
rather than to take things for true because
- the book says so" The attention has been
directed rather to things, and the truths which
underlic the things, than to the words Of the
textbooks. The pupils have been taught that
the How and the Why are to be learned. in or
der to u true knowledge OF the Fact itself.
The teachers seem to have a preference in their
educational husbandry for subsolng. rather
than surface tlagc, and to have adopted ar
thcr own the genuine teachers true motto, nan
milid scd getmUltHm.
But you will desire us to specify rather than
gcnerallle aud this we will do. The CLASSES in
the classic, have mostly acquitted themselves
with credit. The miHutiG Of the languages have
occupied considerable attention. and the scholars
have shown themselves % Ice in fair way ~
come 10 kHOlr Latin and Greek They have
e'ineeda good degree of familiarity with forms
and principles, and have given evidence that
their instructor has driHcd them. Derivation.
quantity, and the discrimination of synouv-
nous words have not been neglected. Wcare
glad to note that this department will remain
IN the same hands from year 70 year and so the
course OF study and method OF instruction have
something ui pcrmaneLcc We are please,
also, with the prominence given 10 tine Ancicn,
Language. rs compared with the French be-
licyng, as We do that this department does
more than amy other to give tone and character
to @ school.
The Mathematical classes which we have heard.
have done credit 70 themselves and their teacher.
The classes in Algebra resolved intricate equa-
lions and problems with facility, and proved
themselves not unacquaintcd with The logic
which underlay the symbols while more nd
yanced class handled triangles and logarthm-
with ease and accuracy enough 10 warrant
sending them out with chain and compass to
do the ordinary field work Of the surveyor. In
these higher Mathematics ~ in Cicero aud Nr-
gil the young women showed themselves to have
been successful competitors with the Young
men. and TO have borne off their full share OF
prizes.
The department Of Vocal Music is worthy of
especial mention. from it, own excellence. ~
well as from the fact that it almost never has is
due share of attention in our schools The
class gave evidence of the skilfu training it has
received. by the accuracy Of time, correctness of
intonaton and distinctness Of articulation
which characterized all their performances
They showed, also, that they had been taught
ho,r 10 Usc their vocal organs, thing which
many singers and speakers never learn.
OF the Compositions Of the young ladies, read
ON Tuesday evening. some exhibited yigor of
thought, Others grace in expression, while few
showed a happy combination of strength with
elegance And we deem it Of sufficient impor
lance to add, that nearly all were rendered with
so much force and clcarness Of enuncation az
not to be lost to the large audience which had
gathered to hear them
The Omtions of the young gentlemen On
/ Wednesday evening gave MS much satisiaction
1 aud were heard with attention by a crowded
house We could mention some worthy of
special commentator, if it were proper for us
To partlcularilc
In conclusion, we have to congratulate the
/ Trustees and the Patrons Of the Institution
upon its present furnishing condition, aud the
promises which it holds out of increased and
continued usefulness.
j. t. GOODRICH,
p. +. BARNARD, ,,....,,..
Il. IRWIN CARPENTER, 0''''''''''
DAVID PACKER,