The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1868-07-24
rae Teache,.s, Institute.

1Ae Te0CAefS 1nStatWte.
We intended to have noticed the meeting
Of the Teachers Institute" last week; but
it was too late for our issue, before we were
able, from the press Of other matter, to write
out even an imperfect sketch of the proceed
ings. And even now we must fall far short
of doing Justice to the proceedings, or Of
speaking of the proficiency of the teachers,
and the labor and ability of the Superinten-
dent in manner which either Deserve
The season at which the Institute met was
so busy time, "being in the midst of har-
vest" as to forbid full attendance. Never
theless the turn out was good, and the large
sprinkling of beauty, which everywhere met
the eye (of course this is not intended to in
clude the masculine gender,) wasanything but
unattractiye, but was not all the attraction
which surrounded the meeting of the county,
The manner in which male and female teach
ers acquitted themselves in the various andcri
tical examinations, and in solving the various
problems submitted to them, was rare proof
Of the utility Of the Institution, as well as
of the ability and untiring assiduity with
which the Superintendent has applied him
self to the duties of his position, and the
success with which he is qualifying teachers
for the responsible duties which daily devolve
upon them. The only assistance afforded the
Superintendent during the session, was the
attendance of Mr.. M. A. Newell, of the Nor
NAL School, one day, and that of Mr.. G. G..
Curtis, of the Oakland School, two days
With these exceptions, the Rev. T. s. G.
Smith, County Superintendent, managed the
whole affair unaided. Not being able to be
a regular attendant upon its sessions, we are
not able to give in detail the exercises, so that
we must content ourselves by informing the
reader, that they did not differ materially
from those Of former years. Among the sub-
jects of general discussion, was photography,
Orthoepy, Arithmetic, Geography, Grammar,
&c. These discussions added no little to the
interest of the exercises, as well as to the i'm
-provement of the teachers themselves. One
Of the interesting features of the proceeding
was the lecture ofMrs Curtis, ON Astronomy.
he was very lucid and satisfactory in his ex-
positions oftae subject, and by his plain and
practical reasoning and Illustrations, rendered
hislccture more valuable to the audience than
are lectures of thissort generally. The read
ing was generally above the average, and
much of it was admirable, many of the
seachers being excellent readers. In spelling
they appeared equally proficient, as the Sc
we're tests applied well established. Ofthe one
hundred words of thr most difficult character
selected, about ninety per cent. were spelled
without difficulty. In this contest Miss Eliza
J, Rodham proved the victor, and was award
ed Websters Unabridged Dictionary, as q
prize. This system Of awarding, prizes for
excellence in reading, writing, spelling, &C.,
is well calculated to increase the ambition of
teachers, and at the same time do more to
qualify them to discharge their duties as
teachers, than most other plans which could
be adopted. This county, we believe, is the
first to hold an INSTITUTED under the new law,
and 1t would be source of great qualification
If her teachers should take the lead in prof.
cheney as well. The whole affair passed off
pleasantly and probably, and much credit is
due the teachers for the manner in which
they acquitted themselves, and to the able and
energetic Superintendent for the skill and
success with which he has directed their
steps. 81 i, -s.f