The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-03-28
WEST LIBERTYNORMALs SCHOOL
{ WEST LIBERTY, W. Va, -.
" March %, 1871

Thursday and Friday, 2Sd and Oath
inst, were days Of unusual interest to
our otherwise quiet community. The
State Normal School, situated at
this place, closed its regular term on
those days with public examination
of the different classes. 1t has never
been our privilege to attend an examina-
ton with which we were better pleased.
The first day was taken up mainly with
the classes in mathematics, and right
well did the members Of the same aequit
themselves, showing by their lucid an
swers and explanations that they
were not only well acquainted with the
subject matter taught in the textbook,
but that they also had been taught to
think for themselves. We cannot say
that all the questions propounded were
answered correctly-this would have
been conclusive evidence Of special
preparation for the occasion-but
enough were answered to snow there
had been close application on the part
of the pupil and thorough drill on the
part of the teacher. The answers,
also, in most cases, were clear and
prompt, and not. of that parrot
like stvle which is the result Of
stuffing for the occasion. The second
day was principally occupied by the
classes in Latin, history and physical
geography, all of which acquitted them
Selves creditably. Want Of time and
space forbids particularhing all the
classes. All did well, and especially
did the class in physical geography and
history give evidence of knowledge Of
those branches never obtained by the
superficial student The entire exer-
cises were interspersed with excellent
music, both vocal and instrumental,
which added much to the enjoyment OF
the occasion. The music was an exam
ination of the pupils Of the Musical
Department of the Institution, under
the supervision o. our accomplished
music teacher, Miss EmmaJ. Maxwell.
The number in attendance in that De
partnent shows that the services Of
Miss Maxwell are appreciated 10y the
community, and the progress of the
class and the excellent music furnished
on the occasion show that she well de-
serves all the popularity she has earned.
But the climax Of the occasion was
the lecture delivered on the evening oil
the Dist, by Prof Andrew Burt, of Pitts
burgh, Pa, on the suhject-"The great
thought of the Age" We were pre-
pared TOR good lecture, from what we
previously knew Of Mr. Burt by repu
tation. The chapel of the school build
ing in which the lecture was delivered
was crowded, and for nearly an hour
and half he held the undivided atteu-
! ton Of the audience, showering forth
rich gems of truth and thought. He
traced the general course Of knowledge
from the suppression of the academy OF
Hypathia at Alexandria, in Egypt, ON
through the thousand years in which
the intellect OF all Europe slept show.
ing its various tendencies and character.
istics, with. a short summary Of the
great thought ofthe different ages. lie
showed conclusively that although the
education of the masses was not the
only thought, but it was the great thought
of the present age, and closed his re-
marks with some excellent advice TO
those preparing themselves for the re.
spousible position oil teachers, and also
some pertinent suggestions to parents.
The exercises throughout were well
attended blythe citizens of the place and
vicinity and by some from distance,
. who had friends attending school, and
an seemed well pleased. The preva.
| lent opinion in our community now is,
that the citizens Of West Liberty and
vicinity are greatly blessed in having a
Normal School in their midst, as truly
they are, and it should be carefully fos-
tered and supported by them. And we
! know from the progress that has al
ready been made that the school has
been well conducted, and judging from
its increasing popularity bright future
awaits it. The school is yet in its in
fancy, a year has not yet elapsed since
its organization, still there have been
about ninety students in all in the diff
ferent departments, sixty-seyen of whom
are Normal students. Indications for
the next term promise a greater increase
in attendance. Great credit is due
Prot. F.. II. Crago and his worthy As
sistant Prof. A. j. Waychoff, for the
able and efficient manner in which the
school has been conducted. Especially
is credit due to the Principal tor the
noble work be has accomplished in or,
gauixing the school and thus bringing 1t
10 its present prosperous condition
| and we think the State will act wisely
if he be retained in his present position
as long as he succeeds as well as ne has
done thus far. Our wish is that he be
retained, and we think we but echo the
wish of all the friends of the school
when we say so. W.