The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-07-24
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE EDUCA-
TIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
VIRGINIA.
THIRD DAYS PROCEEDINGS.

The Association was called to order at 10
A. NJ, the President in the chair.
Prayer by Rev. J. L. NJ. Curry, D. D., of
Richmond College.
Rev. Alexander Martin, of Charlotte
county Professor Thomas B. McCandish,
of william and Mary College; and J. r..
McRae, of the Masonic Academy, Rich
mond, were elected members of the Asso-
citation.
AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION.
An hour was spent in the consideration
of the amendment to Article Y. of the Con-
stitution proposed by Professor D. L. Pow
ell, chairman Of q committee appointed last
year.
After debate by Messrs. Powell, Winston,
Cooke, Hart, Abbott, Davies, Wood, Rev.
Dr.. Atkinson, and others, the Association
agreed to the proposed amendment. 1t is
as follows: -- ..
"There shall be appointed by the Presi-
dent on the first day of each annual session
committee of three, whose duty it shall
he to select from the questions proposed by
the members of the Association such as
may be most proftably considered during
the session. This committee shall also be
empowered to select such questions as may
most proftably occupy the attention Of the
body at the session next ensuing, and shall
designate members to prepare essays upon
the subjects thus selected"
RESOLUTION.
On motion of Professor Blackford, Of the
Norwood School, committee, consisting of
Professor Blair, Harris, and Blackford, was
appointed to consider and report at the next
meeting of the Association upon the COR
rect accentuation, quantity, and pronun-
citation of the Latin language, and the hest
method Of inculcating the same in schools.
EDUCATION or GIRLS.
The appointed hour having arrived, the
Association resumed the consideration of
the report of the Committee On the Educa-
ton of Girls.
Professor Newell, of the Maryland State
Normal School, and superintendent Of Edu-
cation for that State, delivered an interest
ing address on the subject. While agree
ing with Professor Powell in regard to the
"high dances, and low dances, and round
dances, and square Dances" iii which our
girls sometimes participate to excess, he
dancing was not without advantage to them.
There should be physical as well as mental
education. He was not sure that there
ought not to be more attention paid to the
heels, and little less TO the head. In all
dition to the professors Of all the " ologles,"
omctries," and "manias," many modern
institutions would do we'll to have pro-
fcssor of romping.n These views were
elaborated in a very attractive style By the
learned professor, who then proceeded to
discuss the different branches of popular
female education. lie was rather opposed to
the dcyoting of much attention by young
ladies to higher mathematics, and insisted
upon their being well-grounded in English
literature and the cultivation OF correct
literary taste. They should be taught to
read books-not snatches of books. Having
correct literary taste, woman would be
granted access to the well cf pure English
and unde6led, from which; during a life
time. she can obtain refreshing draughts.
In idle hours to employ her mind, in hours
of distress to comfort her, and at all times
to be Il source Of recreative pleasure.
Rev. DR.. Atkinson followed Professor
Newell, taking the ground that woman was
not coordinate with, but subordinate to man,
and her education should be different.
When woman becomes coordinate with man
she becomes a monster. She only became
d power in the nation in times Of demorah<
zation. Her place was not Ii the cabinets
Of kings or of presidents, but in the family
and in the Church Of God and in each
place the Creator had dScreed that she shall
be subordinate.
DR.. Atkinson noticed at length and ably
the deficiencies in the system of female
education now prevalent. He thought that
there was too much crdmning; and rs con-
sequence 1hamy of our young ladies have
smattering of numerous studies, and are
proficient in none. 1t would be better to
study fewer branches and to study those
branches thoroughly. Secondly, he de-
pl5red the spirit Of emulation created
by the Offering IF prizes, 1t was
dangerous spirit-one that sometimes
destroys for life the happiness of a
young lady: The publicity attending the
exercises of female s5t;,!-aries was spoken
of as a great evil. Public examinations,
exhibitions, and composition readings, the
speaker thought, had an evil tendency when
carried to extremes, az they too frequently
were in these times, though less often in
DUR State than in other sections. In con-
clusion, he urged education in the arts Of
housewitery and the practical duties OF life,
and expressed his hearty approval of the
plan of educating girls at home, under the
influence Of good mothers, under the gul-
dance of competent fathers, and with access
ri n p1n "a
spects to any other plan.
Messrs. Longley, Davies, Hogg, Hart,
Gould, Powell, Winston, Cooke, and W. I.
Davis continued the discussion.
Professor Hart spoke particularly of the
literary culture Of girls. 1t vas specially
with him. For some time past it had been
his custom TO have class for the study OF
English literature under his personal SUI
peryision. Last year they commenced with
Shakespeare, reading several of his plays IN
the presence Of their teacher, and after
wards Milton, Pope, Cowper, Tennyson,
Spencer, and other standard authors. If
the young ladies passed through such Il
course as this it is reasonable TO think that
they have acquired correct literary taste,
and feel disposed to avail themselves Of
any good thing thrown in their way. 4
correct literary taste is the best safeguard
against the corruption caused by trlllng
current literature.
Mr.. Winston, preferriug not TO prolong
the discussion, and in the desire TO give 4
strictly practical turn to the subject, would
suggest to the next committee to consider
some or all of these topics-vlz.:
l. Should not the education of girls be
conducted as far as possible by teachers Of
their own sex?
2. Are collegiate Institutions for young
ladies needful, proper, and practicable