Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-03-16
MfddleburY.

mencing the 9th inst The exercises
were opened with an address by Prof. NJ.
B. Buckham of Massachusetts, on the
subject, "What constitutes good Teach
er." His ideas were worthy Of consider
alton by all teachers, and his standard of
qualifications was quite multifarious. He
thought that the position of teacher was
a responsible one, and should not be occu-
pied by any one who had not carefully
considered the sacredness of the Office he
was to fill, and the effect his labors would
have on the character and actions of his
pupils.
Tuesday morning the exercises were
opened ny Prof. Buckham with some gen.
ersl remarks upon the object of the In
stitutes. Miss Flora T. Parsons of Roches-
ter, N. Y, gave instruction in elementary
training and object lessons. W. T. Ross
of Castleton, gave instruction in elocu-
ton.
The attendance was rather small in the
forenoon, owing to the state of the roads
and sidewalks. In the afternoon much
larger number came in and the Institute
was fairly organized.
In the evening Prof. Buckham adj
dressed a good audience on the topic,
s'How to Educate Girls" The speaker
believed that girls should be educated to
be the wife of the lawyer, the doctor, the
minister, the merchant, or the farmer
that she should be taught other things
than French, Italian, drawing and music.
The heart should be educated, the moral
and physical should not be neglected. In
short he would have our girls educated to
fill any sphere in life with ability and
grace.
Wednesday Prof. Buckham gave in.
struction in several branches and school
management. Miss Parsons in object
teaching and primary branches, and Mr..
Ross in elocution.
In the evening Prof. Buckham lectured
on the topic, "The Claims of the public on
its teachers" He thought the patrons of
school had a right to claim the entire
time and attention of a teacher. He
should be person of spotless integrity,
and his example should be studious while
teaching, and competent to give thorough
and critical instruction.
Thursday the exercises of the Institute
were conducted by the same persons as on
the preceding days, and in the afternoon
the pupils of Mr.. Mussey from Essex,
gave rich treat to full house by an ex-
hibition of gymnastics. The class acquit-
ted itself most splendidly, and a vote of
thanks was given to Mr.. Mussey and his
class for the performance. The examine
ton of teachers for State Certificates be-
gan in the afternoon under the supervi-
sion of DIR. French, Secretary of the Board
of Education, assisted by Prof. S. T. AL
len and A. j. Sanborn, Principal of the
Middlebury Graded School Eleven teach
ers entered upon the roll of examination.
In the evening DR.. French lectured to
full house, on the subject Town sys-
| tenn of school and the obstacles. in the way
of true advancement in our public |
schools" He thought that the labor end
less under town than under the present
system. There would be better teachers
and they would be more permanent than
now. There is much more interest in
large school than in small one. The
houses would be better and we should get
rid of the miserable apologies of school
houses in which schools are now taught.
1t would equalize taxation, an2 the rich
would help educate the poor.
Friday Prof Buckham gave instruction
in several branches. His labors in the
Institute were very practical and drew
the careful attention of the large number
of teachers who were present. Miss Par
sons lessons to children were very good,
and served to enliven the exercises of the
Institute. The examination of the teach
ers was completed and nine who were ex-
amined received stated certificates as fol-
lows Robert N. Bailey, Edgar L. Walk
er, Laura A. Goodrich, Fannie E. Shaw,
s. Jennie Shaw, Mary A. B. Hackett, Alta
A. Elitharp, Carrie E. Richardson, Emma
n. Pierce.
The Institute was well attended con-
sidering the state of the roads. A large
number of teachers were present from
surrounding towns. These Institutes are
source of great benefit to the State.
They serve to elevate and keep up the
standard of education to high point. I
Our farmers are always deeply interested
in raising good sheep, cattle and herses,
and County and State societies are found {
to aid in the work. No one finds any l
fault in this. The study of soils is made
speciality by very many sound, practi- {
cal men, and chemistry and philosophy
are called in to aid in the analyzation of
soils, and show the peculiar adaptation of 6
the several kinds to the different crops to
be raised. All this is praiseworthy. But 6
how necessary in connection with all this,
that we bring up the standard of edu-
cation in our common schools to high
point and have our children thoroughly
educated, and in this education I include
the moral and physical, as well as the
mental A sickly mind in sickly body |.
is poor sight indeed, while highly Gull ,
tiyated intellect in broken down, shat
tered constitution, fails to command the
power and influence that would follow a
strong and well developed manhood. A
educated mind, with a
warm christian heart, in sound body,
rnakaa mn fha mon nation of sunh 10
q nation of power. It thinks while it
acts, and it acts as it loves-such nation
would Of necessity stamp its own charac.
ter upon the world. Law and institution !
framed by such a people will most surely =
overthrow despotism, dissipate ignorance ]
and superstition, reform the heart and I
lie of peonle. and shed a halo of LIGHT