Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-11-17
The concluding exercises of the afternoon

ed in by Prof Allen, johnson. 5;etsou,
Watt, Parkman, and others.
The first hour Of The forenoon Wednesday
WIS occupied by Mr.. Stetson in presentation
Of some Of the leading things to be observed
in reading, enumeration, articulation. accent,
infection emphasis and nodulation. Exer-
cises in vocal gymnastics were given, such
as could be practiced by the whole school in
concert. 1t was shown how the correct ac-
cent of all words might be secured. Special
attention was called to the rhetorical pause
for indicating emphasis; this is usually to be
preferred to greater stress of voice.
Arithmetic next taken UP by Professor
Allen, who first indicated how much Of Arith-
metic should be taught in the public schools,
and what part should be rejected. He would
teach the Properties Of Numbers, Notation
and Enumeration, the four fundamental rules,
something of Compound Numbers and Reduc
ton, emitting all the useless tables and use
less portions eff tahles-those never used in
busincss-Fractions, Percentage
Interest, Discount, Loss and Gain, and Men
suration. These portions of Arithmetic are
used in business and should be thoroughly
taught the portions not used should not be
taught, as now, to the exclusion of other
things which are not of use.
Prof. Woodnan row gave his second eXer-
else in drawing. lie worked with lines pre-
senting !, Uniform motion; 9, Right lines; 8,
Even lines; /, Parallel Lines: 5, Equidis-
| T Poi t;n.o
s. Drawing; ., Simple Geometrical Figures
He insisted that the left hand should be train
cd with the right hand.
The forenoon exercises closed with spell
ling
In the afternoon the subject of writing was
presented hy Prof Watt, Of the CONNER
cial College.
Prof. Allen took up Primary Grammar, re-
viewing the points ne gave yesterday and add
ing others. As before stated, he would make
this work OF application, in both spoken
and written form and not philosophical study
of our language.
The afternoon exercises closed with pre-
scntation of Primary Geography by Prof.
Allen. He would first give the pupils u
definite idea OF droctlon-the points Of the
compass; second an idea of distance by ac-
tual measurement; third, general view of
the local landscape, including hills, valleys,
waters, and products; fout;h he would pro-
coed TO take up what they had seen by topics,
making collections OF natural productions
and classifying the same. Spelling should he
fguvht in fanu...tiap md vvvitiup
IN the evening NJ. Sse;son gave lecture
on the bread and butter side of education,
or the bearing OF education upon productive
labor. He said ho was hopeful enough to be
looking forward to the Millennium, but thought
it would be characterized not only by spirtu
al but by material prosperity. The education
Of the school room should be such as is de-
manded by practical life outside of the school
ROOM In this matter we shouldloo forward
instead of backward. Our civilization is
changing and revolutionary, and our schools
should be of the same character. He called
attention 10 the agricultural side of the ques-
ton. Whether the boys will be retained up
on the old farms will be determined by how
the work will be done upon them. Our faith
ers in the early settlement of the State eX
hibited pluck and muscle. Under our mode of
agriculture the land has deteriorated and rem
lered unproductlve, and homesteads deserted.
Pluck and muscle won't restore these lands.
What will? The common school ought to
answer the question. He showed the great
| change which has taken place in the manufac-
| TN Df q II nj n Nv M
the competition now existing in all articles
Of consumption and use, and argued that
skilled and intelligent labor is needed and is
called for to meet the change in our civii-
cation. Our common schools utterly ignore
these things He next proceeded to recon-
mend the course of study to be pursued.
The common schools should not undertake
to teach anything exclusively but thorough
ly. The natural sciences have been kept
from the schools by devoting too much time
to studies that are entirely useless and not
needed in practical life. Everything that
will not stand the test of common sense should
be kicked out of the school room. He would
teach botany and chemistry to those who in
tend to become farmers; to mechanics, free
hand drawing based upon geometry. The
proper cultivation of the hand and the eye
will be found essential in the great struggle
for bread and butter. Mr. Stetson concluded
his lecture, which was cmincntly practical
and suggestive, by urging the Importance OF
q proper education of children in all those
branches which will fit them for the duties of
lif, or1 ba demands Of ho tip,oc
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For nice shoe brushes and boot blackings,
go to Partridge's Drug Store.
Col L,all Lee. lok.l at1..I h.a1.