The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-06-05
BARR ACAD Y
REPORT OF THE EXAMINING COMMITTEE

REPORT OF THE EXAMINING COMMITTEE.
To the Trustees of Barre Academy
GENTLEMEN Your Committee have attended
to the work assigned them, and have to report
that they have found it rather a pleasure than
A duty. We have been much pleased with the
general management of the school, the deport-
ment of the scholars, the cordial relations SEEM
ing to subsist between teachers and pupils, and
the methods of instruction, 50 tar as they nave
come to view in the examination.
The examination has been an honest one. 1t
was not gotten up 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 he has
failed to master of that which it was his bust
ness to make his own. The privilege has also
been freely accorded to the Committee, and az
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 az 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 a tlmld 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
5 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 a true knowledge Of the Fact itself.
The teachers seem to have a preference IN their
educational iusbandry for subsoiling, rather
than surface tillagc, and to have adopted az
their own the genuine teachers true motto, non
muha sed permuhum.
But you will desire us to specify rather than
gcneralizc. and this we will do. The classes in
the classics have mostly acquitted themselves
with credit. The minut,9 of the languages have
occupied considerable attention, and the scholars
have shown themselves to be in Il fair way to
come to knoU Latin and Greek. They have
eyinced II good degree Of familiarity with forms
and principles, and have given evidence that
their instructor has drilled them. Derivation,
quantity, and the discrimination of synOny-
nous words have not been neglected. Weare
glad to note that this department will remain
IN the same hands from year to year, and SO the
course of study and method OF instruction have
something Of perlnanence. We are pleased,
also, with the prominence given to the Ancient
Languages as compared with the French, be-
%licving, as we do, that this department does
lHDIt lIil any pIICl W SlNt IVit dlit ldN
to u school.
The Mathematical classes which we have heard,
have done credit to themselves and their teacher.
The classes in Algebra resolved intricate equa-
tons and problems with facility, and proved
themselves not unacquaintcd with the logic
which underlay the symbols while a more adj
vanced class handled trianglcs and logarithms
with ease and accuracy enough to warrant
sending them out with chain and compass to
DO the ordinary field work Of the surveyor. In
these higher Mathematics, as in Cicero and Nlr-
gil, tic 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 its own excellence, rs
well as from tie fact that it almost never has it's
due share Of attention in our schools. The
class gave evidence of the skilful training it has
received, by the accuracy of time, correctness of
information, and distinctness of articulation
which characterized all their performances.
They showed, also, that they had been taught
hOtC to use their vocal organs, a thing which
many singers and speakers never learn.
OF the Compositions of the young ladies, read
on Tuesday evening, some exhibited vlgor of
thought, others grace in expression, while a 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 clearness of cnunciatiCn as
not to be lost to the large audience which had
gathered to hear them.
The Orations of the young gentlemen on
Wednesday evening gave us much satisfaction,
and were heard with attention by a crowded
house. We could mention some worthy of
special commcndation, if it were proper for us
to particularizc.
In conclusion, we have to congratulate the
Trustees and the Patrons of the Institution
upon it's present Furnishing condition, and the
promises which it holds out of increased and
continued usefulness.
j. +. GOODRICH.
p. F. BARNARD,