Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1866-05-24
IFor the Delaware Republican,
TpE TEACHERS INSTITUTE.

Mn. EprroR:-We are truly glad to ind such
Interest. being manifested 10 the cause OF pop
ular education, as we have exhibited 10 the
Teachers Institute of New CASTLE county. We
understand that all the members OF the in'u
tuts, have connected themselves with 1t, with
The arm determination, II possible, to elevate
che profession Of public teachers, aud OF In
stitutipp q reform 10 school economy; and II
che teachers OF the public schools of this coun-
Twill but come forward and assist them In
their efforts to carry out the work thus begun,
n glorious reform may be accomplished, which
viii be Of lasting benefit to the county and the
professional teacher They have already com
rnsuced the work. series OF lectures wiz
be deliyered on practical subjects connected
With the cause OF popular education, at stated
times before the Institute, with view to de-
velou the objects before mentioned. The hrst
lecture was delivered before the Institute, on
Saturday afternoon, May l2th, by Mr.. hey-
uolds, Principal of the Wilmington classical
Seminary; the subject being the philosophy OF
common fractions.
Hs commenced the lecture BY explaining
the general principles involved in abstract,
concrete. prime and composite numbers, Is an
easy and familiar manner elucidating much
Thai has been the terror Of the school boy, and
vreseutiuQ the foundation Of the subj;ct in a
clear and concise manner, SO as to be easily
understood by any child Of average ability OF
Sen years of age. He next proceeded to notice
she prin ciples involved In finding the least
common multiple, aud the greatest common
divisor Of composite numbers
He here presented two methods OF solution,
which are not generally prActlced In our pub
lie schools; aud, which, from thsir simplicity
We consider the most clear, plain and compre
hsnsible methods yet advanced for the solu
usn Of problems, under those rules. HAVING
thus explained some OF the main prineipie
upon which Common Fractions depend, IN or
der that his future explanations would be
more easily conpreh ,ndedi he then commence
Q close, aud searching analysis, OF all the sub
jeets coming directly under this depar .men'
Arithmetic, including Reduction OF Fractions
of finding the least common and common De
nopinators, Addition, Subtract D, Mul,ipli
cation, Division, the Greatest Common DIV
sor. and the Least Common Multiple OF Frac
lions.
In the discus sion of these several subject
under one head, Mr., Reynolds seemed to
perfectly atease, dem bnsrating and iliustra
ding the several subjects, by using familia
terms aud obj sets, so rs to De eahly compr
hended by the most ob.ule mind anu w. u
servsd that the leading idea was 10 explai
the subject 10 such a manner, as to leave n
ambiguity as to the reason why such rul'
existed, aud why they should be used. as
rected by our arithmeticians. We were a's
pleased with the presentation OF An entire
new method of finding tho greatest CONNIE
Divisor OF two or more fractions. The gre'
utility arising from the use OF this rule, Whit
originated with Mr.. Reynolds, is, that 1t
bridges the ordinary method with half the
mount OF labor and time.
We cannot do juetice to the lecture.
could OILY be heard, to be fully appreciated
On the whole we consider the lecture ooe
the most mastery, scholastic ana thorough
positIons,ot the subjsct, that We have ever b
the pleasure Of listening TO; and, as we nnd,
stand that he contempates addressing the
stitute on the general subject OF Arithmeti
on next Saturday afternoon, May 2eth, 10
Good Templar's Hall, in Third street, we he
tily advise those who wish to hear and sse,
able, sound and clear exposition OF the geo
al principles On the subject alluded 10 aoo
70 70 and hear the Professor. OBsRRvra