Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1869-02-04
'AssOciatiOn at Richrnond

Mr.. Editor: l beg the privilege of no.
tcing in your columns an association
whose semi-annual meeting good fortune
permitted me to attend the other day, in
asmuch as its success should encourage the
formation of similar associations in the
various counties of our State.
In the little village of Richmond, last
Friday, the good people opened their
loors, and believe, also, their hearts, to
multitude of people which no hall OF
church in the village could properly ac-
commodate.
1t was essentially young peoples
gathering, though few grey heads Were
visible among the crowd of healthy young
men and women who represented the
teachers of Chittenden county.
There were also many present besides
teachers who seemed to fully enjoy all the
discussions as TO the manner in which the
young idea. should be trained 10 its right
development, and many who found pleas
ure in living over again the days when
they welded the birchen rod and turned
an honest penny by keeping the district
winter school
Many of the teachers had evidently
much to learn, but az there were those
present who were well able to assist them,
this rendered the meeting only the more
useful
The exercises of the association consist
I'd Of essays, addres sses and short discus
>ions. most of which were well sustained.
In the latter there was much cropping af
ter general rules TO be applied to matter,
left to the common sense of the teacher
who has the Individual ease before him.
but even from these discussions many
very useful hints for young ladies were
obtained.
Some Of those discussions wer", how
ever, highly useful and practical. as, for
instance. that upon The bcst method OF
teaching the English language" and that
npon The hygiene of the schoal-room."
In both Of which Rev. Mr.. Goodrich. the
accomplished superintendent Of Burlng
ton, who was the life of the meeting
throughout, did much TO open the eyes OF
those teachers who "hcar" recitation,
day after day without 50 much - think
ing of the proper cultivation Of either
mind or body.
As | said, the a>-oeittipn represented
the teachers of Chitten1en county, but
Addison county sent several representa-
tive-, ond Mr.. KiIc. of Vcrsennes, gave
a most earnest and instructive address
upon the necessity Of teaching aa nature
indicnteS, by nr-t cultivating the percep-
tive faculties. He cxtolled the system OF
object teaching. and administered most
severe rebulle to the wisdom of Yer
mont for it's neglect OF educational mat
tcrs. 1t was well worthy Of publication.
As might also be said of some of the other
naoors =" which the association listened
The most interesting feature of the meet
ing was. however, the practical "illusira-
tions of object teaching which were
given 10 the association by one of the |
teachers of Burlington, Miss Burke,
graduate of O,wcgo. 1t is to be hoped |
1hese mny be repeated at IT.. State con
al Castleton. !
There were present nt the convention
nearly one hundred and eighty who bad |
taught at some time, and over hundred |
who now belong 10 the pedagogical pro
fcssi1n. Many of Us had formerly sneered
at the utilitv Of auch gatherings, but we
departed fully converted. 1t wa, per
frctly evident that no teacher was present
who had ot.reccived some benefit. The
spirit d. co,ps which such associations
encourage is a sufficient argument in their
favor. if no other could be adduced.
Let the teachers Of Rntlahd and other
be as wide awake and progress
'ive as their uei i-hhors Of Chittcnden
VI.