Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1866-02-08


tai gymnsstic, we should do more with
principles.
Mr. J. b. Perry of Swanton, thought
that the common school, In order to be
place of instruction for all, for those
who could not pursue their studies be-
yond its walls, should have the Higher
branches,-should teach Higher Arith-
metic. He expressed himself as coin
Gliding with the first gentleman.
Mr.. Spaulding OF Barre calls atten-
ton to the necessity of practicability in
these discussions. Since 1855 such
have been the deliberations of this AS
ISOLATION. He believed in no text book
on Arithmetic he has ever seen. He
shows as matter of fact the liability
OF even young ladies finishing their edu-
cation, and young gentlemen prepared
for college of confusing the abstract
and concrete in numbers. He insists in
his classes on rules being learned, and
gives his method of conducting class
in this branch.
| Mr.. Hiram circuit came to the rescue
of the idea of too much practice
too many examples, and says, as in DR..
Lewis gymnastics, it is all practice.
There are two objects in study-first,
acquaintance with principles, and sec
ond, acquisition of knowledge for life.
By comparatively little attention to
principles both could best be fixed
and become possessed, by drill mcea8iug
and practice.
Mr., B. F. Bingham expresses it as his
decided opinion, that the !ving teacher,
his energy and his animation, is before
all text books. He never would make
any account of rules. He considers q
text book oaly as assisting the pupil in
expressing his previously to,mea ideas of
principles.
Sec. Adams combats Mr.. CIRCUITS idea
of the gymnastic process Discipline is
the first great object in teaching. In
struction in the principles should first
be thorough, and then may come practice.
Then was read the report of the bust
ness committee fixing the time of the
session from 9 a. m. to II m; 2 p. m. to
S, and 7 p. m. to evening and
that in the absence Of Prof. Fl. B. Buck
ham Of Vassar College, the afternoon
discussion would be supplied by Prof.
Buckham Of Burlington. Subject Con-
versatsoH. And that this should follow
the subject for the afternoon discussion.
The convention was then adjourned.
| AFTERNOON.
The discussion Of the following ques-
ton occupied the attention of the men,
bers during the first of the afternoon,
viz; At what stage of education should
the study Of English Grammar begin
Mr.. circuit opened 1t by saying, that as
matter of fact, every child begins to
study grammar as soon as he begins to
talk. But the question evidently has
its intention in broader sphere. This
| question seems to be not 80 much the
| hot0 as pten.
He had been accustomed to argue
that only after the reflective faculties
had been cultivated could English
Grammar be pursued with greatest profit
1t is usually introduced too early in
the course of studies.
| Mr., Bingham thinks we begin emphat-
ically too late, combining himself of
course to the first or limited view of the
question and in this view is found to
agree exactly with the first gentleman.
Mr.. j. B. Perry remarks the general
fact, that one may dance finely without
understanding the laws of motion.
Likewise without understanding the
science one may use good grammar.
He seemed to think, that there was gen
orally some confusion between the PROV
ince OF Logic and Grammar-the science
Of thought and its expression.
Mr.. Bishop calls for the discussion of
the question as evidently framed Fl. e.)
as study in the school.
Mr. Bingham interprets the intention
of the question in its limited scope as
an art.
Rev. Mr.. Chandler interrogates again
as to the scope Of the question.
Secretary Adams remarked that he
supposed this question was rraotinl He
considers the Office of Grammar In COM
mon schools Is to teach the art of writ
ing and speaking correctly. He be-
believes the great Importance of this
discussion will be the public recommen.
dalton by these teachers assembled of
the superlative Importance of this, that
all the conversation the child learns by
parents and companions should be oer-
rect. This is, the way-teach grammar
by correctly using 1t from infancy. And
In the schools esevosses co4ttassa| should be
given written and oral.
Rev, Mr.. Brown also takes the limited
view. he says he would commence
teaching Grammar to the child of one
year.