Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-03-02
The Examination at Black River
Academy.

an examination of the several classes, ol
Monday and Tuesday, the goth and 21s
inst. The thirty-sixth year of this inst
tuition has been very successful indeed
1t well holds its place among our first
class Academies and the present Princi
pal has ably maintained the high stand
ard of scholarship to which Mr.. Hyde hat
brought the school during his long ant
successful management. This was proved
| to be the case by the examination jus
closed. -s--r-xaE1 ea z.-.. e o --
| The examination opened on MendaJ
with classes of the department of Natura
Science and Mathematics The first o.
these was class in Natural Philosophy
This recitation was conducted entirely by
the topical method, and showed the result
of thorough drill in the recitation room
This class has been for the past term un
der the charge of Mrs. Howard. # -a.
Following the class in Philosophy came
two classes in Robinson's University
Algebra. The ground embraced by these
classes was from the beginning of the
book as far as Radical Quantities. As in
the case of the previous class the reoita-
tions were principally by topics This
method when properly conducted is ad-
mitted by all to be the best. The student
is taught to think for himself and give in
his own language the thought of the
author studied. The explanation of prob
lens from the blackboard was also very
creditable to both students and their
teachers This examination was conduct
ed by the Preceptress.
The class in Bryant & Stratton's Book
keeping was next examined, principally
by questions This exercise was conduct.
ed by Mrs. Howard The members OF
the class without exception proved, by
their comprehensive and clear manner of
recitation, that the work in the class room
had been thoroughly done. 1t was diff
cult to decide which came the nearest to
perfection, bat we were specially pleased
with the recitations of Mr.. L M. Griffin
OF Osdensburgh. N. Y. and Miss Fisher
of CuttingsVille. VT. r
The topical method of examination was
resumed by the class in Eaton's High
School Arithmetic, under the charge of
the Principal. Each student discussed
the subject assigned in such way as to
show a thorough knowledge of this branch
of mathematics. The explanation of
problems was interesting, proving, as it
did, that the reason for each operation
was we'll understood by the student AS
was true of the former class we eould see
but little if any difference in the reoita-
tiops, but Mr. George Brown of Plymouth
acquitted himself very ereditably indeed,
Guyot's series of Biographies is now in
use at this academy. His system of map
drawing is one of the best. The first ex-
tion of Mrs. Howard's class in geography.
The text books are especially adapted TO
the topical method. The members of the
class were able readily TO put on the
blackboard maps of the several counties
in the examination.
Second in the afternoon came the class
in Loomis' Solid Geometry, which was
much the best exercise of the day. Usual
ly this branch of Mathematics seems un.
to those who are not especially
acquainted with the Science but in the
opinion of all present the students COM
posing this class are never excelled in
proficiency by those of any Academy or
College. The examination comprised the
work Of two termg, or the ten books con-
Loomis' Plain and Solid Geom-
etry. Each student was able to commence
at the beginning, demonstrate any propo-
sition or give any definition or theorem
in either of the ten books. This class has
been under the instruction of the Princi-
pal.
Following the class in Geometry came
an exercise in elocution, consisting of
reading, both siugly and in concert. Mr..
5iffiu has succeeded in bringing this class
to that degree of excellence which every
student ought to have. Good readers are
rare in our Academies, and our common
school teachers are more deficient in this
than in anything else.
The class in Rhetoric was not examined.
The Principal under whose charge it has
been, stated that it had been the custom
in the 9lass room, first to learn the theory
and then to apply it to practice. The ad-
vantages of this manner of instruction
wers well shown in the excellent reoita-
ions which were made by every member
If the class without exception. The es-
'ays, dialogues, ETC., which had been COM
posed during the term were shown to the
committee and other visitors.
They not only exhibited talent and care
n their composition, but were models of
,eatness and beauty of penmanship
Those Of Miss Hattie M. Smith of Ludlow,
ire worthy Of particular oommendation.
The first class in English Grammar was
during the last hour of the
Ifternoon. This was as a whole very
reditable recitation, although some of
he members Of the class should have
'iven their answers to the questions asked
hem more clearly and distinctly. The
xeroise in parsing by the same class,
,losed the work Of Monday. This also
would have been improved by greater
'ase and readiness of recitation. How
'ver, most of the class did we'll.
The elases in the department of Ancient
md Modern Languages were examined
N Tuesday. The first of those was one
n Caesars Commentaries on the Gallo
Var. Mr.. Giffins practical manner of in
truction was here again shown. The
lear pronunciations, correct translation
nd excellent way in which the words
7ere parsed, rendered the recitation very