Daily national Republican., 1863-11-25
LOCAL AFFAIRS.

THs TrACHlR's IHsrITUTK. afternoon
the iutroductofy lecture before the Teachers In.
shtute was delivered by z. Richards, Esq, at the
suithsouian Institution. All the public schools
were closed At 70 o'cosk to enabs the teachers to
attend. large audience WAS present, Tho sub.
jsct of tie lecture was 1.-THE necessity and means
for the professional training Of teaahsrs."
The speaker alluded to the difficulties which he
| had encountered In gaining what experience he
had found to be useful to himself The words
Teacher, ihik,snj School Schooh ouse and Education
were magic words. The school room and teachers
work were the DREAMS and hspTs Of his youth.
Failures md disappointmsnts had marked his
course as teacher, simply because he had not re-
ceived the advantages Of an early professional
training and this no believed was the experience
| Of every successful teacher.
The old Latin proverb, Poeta nasiiur non a."
| 10 not the motto for teschers. Nature may do
much, but art and practice are necessary to make
a good teacher. There 10 q science and an art OF
teaching. There can hardly be anaiurai dptnesS to
teach. Aptness to teach means Ginfss, and Rtnes
can he acquired. II may be harder work for some
than for Others. Alabsster can be worked into a
statue more readily than marble or granite; but
the marble and granite admits OF finer polish and
are more durable and less liable to injury. So that
teacher who has to work the hardest to 1T himself
Tor his work will make the most reliable and suc.
eessiul teacher. Brilliant geniuses, rarely make
| successful teachers. d. .. u. d. .. &c..
Aptness to teach requires: LIST. Good mental ca
paety, or n sound mind IN uoRnd body. Weak
and dun minds arise chiefly fi9ni uusound and de-
formed bodies, or bodies debAsed and Injured by
depraved habits. Aptness TO teach requires lore
for eAiidreB, which can be cultivated, and which
every teacher should have, not attempt to teach
Aptness to teach requires slss iops for our race
or spirit Of neutrality-suspicious. .asntal tsain.
ing-'neludins 'uil de' elopment and strengthen.
log OF all the Intellectual fseulties II requires
| also thorough knowledge Of all, bsanohss to be
taught-~ knowledge Of hunlsn asIu,S,. and full
share Of eonnIo, srn'e Most Of all, Ia ths Gro wn.
lag Qualihantou, II ieqiiIes high appreciation oi
moral and religious responsibilities. The more
| and better these principles are understood, ths
more evident will 1t he that every tescher should
have 3 specific, professional trsinIng, Yet very
lew now engaged In teaching have ever received
| any such training. Every other ktnh OF business
/ or profession requires an apprenticeship and
special training. We must have an experienced
artist To make even our boots, hats and clothing,
bit brighter day 10 coming. Normal schools
seuinaries Aid teachers institutes are doing much
to elevate the teachers probes, ion and bring the
public to better and higher appreciation Of the
| teachers work. r.. b ? b. b
The speaker then gave an outline OF what was
pfoiosed 10 DO accomplished by lis institute, al
Wen Hs what could not be accom- phsLei. This
movement may he looked upon as one OF the most
promising indications OF progress In the work Of
public school Instruction.
AN APPEAL FROM THE CHRIsTIAS COhMIs,
sIoh.-We notice that the District connittse Of
the U. D. Christian Commission, have, by request
OF the Executive Committee, made an appeal 10
tie several pastors and congregations OF this Dis
triet TO present the claims sf the Commission on
Thanksgiving Day, and take up q collection to aid
| them In their work.