Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-02-16
Teachers, Institute at Castleton.

o'clock p. m. The Institute opened with
about forty teachers and superintendent
present. The number, at this writing,
Tuesday evening, has increased to nearly
one hundred. H. R. Buckham, A. M, re-
cent Principal of the High School at
Waterbury, Conn, is the conductor, and
is assisted by Rev. w. T. Ross of this
place. Miss Parsons, an accomplished
teacher, from Albany, N. Y, is also in at
tendence, and lends valuable aid to the
conductor in the discharge of his duties.
u The first public exercises of the insti-
tute took place at the brick church on
Monday evening, at which time Mr..
Buckham delivered lecture Astounding
in suggestions, and replete with interest
and sound instruction to all who are en-
gagged in the cause of education, whether
teacher, pupil, superintendent, committee
or citizen. In commencing, he remarked
that the great want of the times was for
better qualified teachers, and he proposed,
in the hour allotted him, to discuss
the question, "What constitutes good
teacher ?" He discussed the question
moot effectually and to the satisfaction of
every nearer, and, we believe, all present
received hints as to what constitutes a
good teacher that will not soon be for
gotten. Mr.. Buckham is an agreeable
speaker, and is plain, practical, modest,
unassuming man, and understands his
profession right well.
After the lecture remarks were offered
by Rev. Mr.. Stone, of this place, and Rev.
Mr.. Stewart, Superintendent of schools
from Mendon The exercises were inter-
spersed with singing by large choir,
composed mostly of teachers, under the
direction of Mr.. Ross with organ accom-
paniment by Mr.. Williams.
Castleton, Feb. Sth.
The Teachers Institute is progressing
finely and proftably, while numbers as
well as interest is increasing steadily from
day to day. Railroad trains bring fresh
recruits from all directions. One hun
dred and twenty-five names are enrolled
as members, and it is thought that the
members will increase to one hundred and
fifty before the institute closes, which
will be a fair representation of the teach
ing talent of old Rutland county.
The public exercises at the church on
Tuesday evening were conducted in the
order indicated below.
LIST. Music by the choir.
I'd. Reading two recitations, by Mr..
Ross, entitled the "Old Arm Chair" and
'If we knew" They were finely rendered,
his articulation, pronunciation and action
to the words were pronounced correct,
and it is said his instruction before the
class in elocution is valuable.
Rev. J. E. Goodrich of Burlington, was
introduced as the lecturer of the evening,
Mr.. G.. said it was his intention to speak
on the subject of the School room and
the teacher" but at beholding so large an
audience in the spacious church he had
concluded to address the institute on the
Relation of free school to a free State"
His theme was we'll chosen. and was well
adapted to the occasion. He portrayed
i in clear and forcible language the relation
existing between school and State, indi-
eating that he was well advised relative
to the cause he so ably discussed in all its
national, State, county and town relations
one to the other.
/ 4th. Music by the choir.
| 9th. Resolutions introduced by Mr..
Stewart which were laid upon the table
for discussion after the lecture We'd
nesdsy avening, at which time all are an
ticipsting a rich intellectual treat from
Prof Weber of Middlebury College.
Mr.. Buckhsm and his assistants sre
winning for themselves the golden opin-
ions of the teachers and superintendent
who are so fortunate as to be under their
instruction at this educational festival.
Csstleton, Feb. 9th.
Much the largest assembly during the
session of the Teachers Institute con.
vened at the Brick Church in Csstleton,
Wednesday evening to listen to the third
lecture of the series, expecting to hear
Prof. Weber. On his absence an excel
lent substitute was provided in the person
of DR.. French, Secretary of the Board of
Education. In his Introductory remarks
he said it afforded him great pleasure to
see so many of the teachers of Rutland
county present at this, their annual 8.
stitute, and it was truly an encouraging
feature in the progress of the work NJ
education. After noting the contrast he.
tween the old system of two days insti-
tutes and those of the present system of
five days, which 10 made exceedingly
clear and convincing. he entered at once
upon the discussion of his subject. which
was "The Condition of the Common
Schools of Vermont To-day" If the con.
dition OF some of them are as he described
them, their case must be almost hopeless.
The weight of his argument was against
the district system, and most decidedly
and strongly in favor of the town system
of schools as adopted by the last Legisls.
ture of the State; he said there were too
many school districts, too many poor
school houses, too many poor school |
teachers, too many school officers, and al |
together too much employing of relatives
or favorites, without regard to qualifioa-
ton. These hindrances to the success of |
the present plan of common school educa-
ton, with others, were presented and |
were to the point and to the purpose. He
dwelt at some length en- the town system
of supporting and conducting schools, and
we believe, he converted several of his hear
ers to this order of things, and, it is thought,
this will be the question at our next
annual March meeting. The last point
in the lecture was strong and a bold one
in behalf of the Normal Schools. Mr..