Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-11-30
Opening of johnson Academy.
JOHysoN. VI. Nov. 20. 1s6

JOHNSON, W., Nov. 20, 1866.
-hsssrs. Editors Of the Free Pres.
The people of this place enjoyed, last evening.
the rare treat Of a discourse on education by
Secretary Adams.
The friends of the LamOille County Grammar
School have erected during the season a new
academy building. 1t was planned By Archi-
tect johnson Of your city. and is, for commu-
NIFTY as sparse as Ours. without any exaggera-
ration, splendid edifce. The cost, for a people
oi no ampler means than ours. is great Still,
there Is spirit enough amongst the Trustees and
the friends Of the Institution to meet the entire
demand
The great Hall of the building. embracing
whole Of the second story, was opened last even
ing to the public for the discourse alluded to.
MR.. ADAMS Discourse.
Mr.. Adams began by speaking of the sympa-
thies the surrounding public ought to cherish
Tor such an institution. On this must depend
much Of its power in accomplishing the work for
which II was intended. He showed in the sec
ond place how varied and valuable the advan-
ages the public would derive from it pecuni
airy oy bringing money directly into the place
social, by inducing families to seek homes near
sHch an institution intellectual in the infu-
ence exerted upon the surrounding public,
direct or indirect. To all which must be super
added the humanizng and civilizing power OF
such an institution.
Having thus laid out his work in its local
bearings, he passed to the nature and the power
OF Eluc alton vpnaraI in &C. -,
and argument more mastery than it has been
my lot to have heard befors. His definition Of
education was, thst which enables a man to
make the most and the best Of his powers. He
gave some time TO criticisms on the ordinary
modes-pressed hard the point Of the thorough
ness that would lead the pupil to love his work
-snch slo"ness IN the process as would exhaust
topics as the scholar advanced and urged, that
WhlIe all the topics hitherto brought into
prominence IN colleges and academies, that Is TO
say, the long cherished curriculum, were not 10
De neglected., yet that the natural sciences in
their entirety should be made individually sub
Jtcts OF profound study that out of this must
grow thorough and satisfying knowledge Of
man and Of God
He closed with an appeal to the people not to
IA in training the youthful mind into knowl-
etge OF the Constitutions both Of the Nation and
OF the state, showing, as only Mr.. Adams can,
the terrible evils that have resulted from
ignorance here.
Often have heard that gifted man but in
no instance heretofore. has he elucida,ed 50
finely the value of mastering our native lau-
guage. 1t would almost seem on that subject as
if he were inspired. l think he must have
dipped pretty thoroughly into that profound
treatise on the English Language lately given
to the public by the great VermOnter, George P.
Marsh
Allow me to say in closing, that, much as
the LamOille County Grammar School has done
for the cul ture Of the young during the thirty
years Of its existence, it bids fair now in its
splendid edIfce under the management of its
present Principal. Mr.. S. II. PEARL, to perpe-
tuafe its reputation.