Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-07-07

Somebody has classified boys as LIST classical
boys, ID mathematical boys snd Sd good-for-
nothing boys don't believe there sre good
for nothing boys.
To my mind the best test Of an educated man
may be found in his having attained habit Of
close discrimination. That ability which ena-
bles the mind to receive and accurately weigh
evidence. to know when point is proven. Let
it be delicate shade Of meaning which shall
distinguish one word from smother, or that shall
be able TO seize upon the salient points Of diff
ference which in botany, mineralogy, or zoology
cbsrscterize species, whether the evidence
presented be in reference to point Of law, or a
theological doctrine, or princpleln mechsnios-
And 70 nv mind any system Of education which
in any niyen case shall have attained to such a
result is in so far success
Within the past few years a pretty nefce "AF-
fare has been going Oh between tne Two syS
tens of education, the classical and the sclent-nc'
snd the result is q treaty Of peace with ciyislon
of territory. It's to science we must look ior
the means Of advancing the arts Of peace IN the
engines Of defense in time Of war. To the ne
elect Of scientific culture, France. according 10
St Clair Dsyille, owes her fearful defeat 81 ,he
hands Of Prussia To science must We LOOK lor
the solution of the theories and problems now
pressing themselves upon the race. IL IS NOT
true that science is fsithless, skeptcal, goddess
II it does away with faith where many believe
faith alone can suffice. on the other hand, II Is
often faiths strongeSt ally. S;ieoce appeals st
once TO observation, the first fsculty developed
in the child, and yet unhappily the least cult
waited. Occasionally among these humble ploi-
ders HughMiller will arise in spite Of ultoTard
circumstances. But how many rare fossil has
been smashed under the careless hammer Of the
ousrryman, who might have thrown light upon
many a geological problem. How many curious
freaks has nature displayed under the eyes Of
our farmers, the careful observation Of which
would have anticipated the deductions Of science
by centuries How many pearls Of knowledge
are re treading daily beneath our feet, which
after Us some more careful observer shall by
nicl,:n- III, secure immortality to himself, and
/ blessing to the race The present system o.
| education brushes out the spirit Of enlightened
ipoujry. A teacher 10 . large college wished TO
| teach science to the Freshman clsss and rot 70
the Senior. for their three years Of disc'p.iue
untitled them for instruction and o5serva-i0n-
/ Science beside being useful SIS q general eiuca-
l tor is useful in the common Affairs OF lie, anu
would prevent the occurrence OF many fatal &C
eidepts Because science is disciplinary and
useful il should be introduced into common
schools. Teachers should be not merely hear
ers Of lessons but teachers. They should
/ eiuce. not fill up. Ee sure what they teach ,s
correct. They should trest each subject hlsiorl-
cally. at least naturally Nothing can exceed
the importance OF experiment aa1 practical
demonstration.
After setting forth IN most perspissous
manner the benefits which would be derived
from scientific study in all departments ofeiu-
cation and making strong appeal for place
for the natural sciences in cur common schools,
the speaker closed as follows:
VIII not our acquaintance With, and
obedience 70 physical laws, provide u5
with more wholesome food, prevent this
premature decay, and more than anything
else tend 70 10 away with the many
foolish and hurtful things which characterize
our social life, And in conclusion shall We not
with Milton declare the reforming Of edlcs-
tion TO be q" one Of the greatest and noaics- O..
designs that can be thought on, ihappy too If
not TOO long ne-Iectng II we shall not be cont
psllel with him 20 add '' And for the want
whereof this nsti3a perishes'
We regret that cu- space viii not allow Us 70
give fuller abstract Ct this admirable address,
which was listened to with the closest attention
by tue aulience and heartily sFpauded at the
close
At the conclusion Of the adire,s Prof Folaas
invited discussion On the subject Of Prof Col
Ier's dife5urse snds mos. animated one follow
ed, which was participated in by Profs. Poleas
and Collier, Messrs. Leayenworth, Sauborn AID
others. The meeting was one Of the mos, AL
mated, instructive ard entertaining ever he'd by
the Association Adjourned until Saturday
morning at l-2o'eloek. "a.
SATURDAY MORNING.
A large Number Of tea-bers assembled ia the
chapel Of the College Stree, Congregational
Church at 9 o'clock a. ne, and the exercises
were opened wi,h singing ry the auiielcs- At
the conclusion OF the singing, Prof Poileas
called upon Prof Collier to continue his inter
ssting remarks upon the Introduction Of the
natural sciences into cur common schools, and
requested that he favor the audience With Al
object lesson. and be ready 60 answer questions
from the teachers present. Prof Collier con-
piled and deliberately set forth the iap1rtsace Of
the " natural method in thorough ezplaua-
ton All illustration Of the manner AMI the
spirit in which objao. lessons should be conicc-
iei, answering many queries, satisfactorily, and
giving the association much practical instruc-
ton. A loag sui auimatel discussion fcl.9rli,
participated IN b many Of the geatie-el psls-
eut, and proving very valuable 20 the members
Of the ASSOCIATION. Prof Collier sail two hours
per week ought, AZ first, 70 be allowed % tae
sciences in our schools, and DR.. French said. in
suswer to inquiry, tina; that time could easily be
allowed flr them. Many good things were said
ami many valuable suggestions made, aal it Is
to te hoped thss Prof Collier viii be induced 20
again address the association On this subject at
their next semi-annasl meeting
TAe next exercise In order was the discussion
Of the topic School Amussments, or How To
Make School Attractive" opened by Mr.. F. D.
Mussey o. the FREE Pass .SD TINES
Mr.. Mussey spoke at some length on this i'm
qoTiant subject, beginning with a laughable &C.
count Of his experience IN his hrst school. Sc
we're discipline ani good order are not always
ooncomitsnts. The presence Of one Ia 4 scboo.
does not necessarily imply the presence Of the
other. Il is not fair O. judge the disciplinary
condition Of q school by the number OF its rules
1t Is not the quantity Of discipline in the school
that Is the important point. but the quality. Ia
masking school pleasant for the scholars, almost
All depends upon the character Of the teacher
If the teacher Is naturally disposed to LOOK upon
the bright side Of life, and to make his school
attractive, 4 th5ussnl ways for achieving that
end viii suggest themselves. \ young teacher
should be chosen not young in years, but young
in faeGng-heart young. One sble 10 sympa-
thize VITA, AMI understand young scholars. Mr..
Mussey made many valuable suggestions In re-
gard TO the character Of school amusemenjs.
which il IS NEST desirable th4t teachers should
employ TO make school attractive. OF al the
different methods spoken Of for rendering the
school a pleasant aud attractive place for the
young pupil, and ST the same time combining
profit with pleasure. the speaker gave the prefer
ence TO school gymnastics. He would not dwell
AT length on as reasons for this, as be bod for
two years, in every vay in his power, by theory
and by practice, urged upon the attention Of the
teachers and people Of the State the Importance
Of paying more attention TO physical education.
Air. Mussey is well qualified to give ins,ruc-
ton upon this subject, and he made many strong
points sni gave good information, while his
humorous manner OF putting things, snd his
many witty remarks, created much merr.nsnt
in the audience, and proved hin amply able TO
practice all that be preached.
Eiward Consut, Principal Of the State Normal
School at Randolph, followed. Tie said il was
necessary to make the school attractive in order
that scholars may study with more spirit and
interest, and he suggested many ways for anus
ing pupils and At the same time instruct
ing them, among which be nsmei gymnastics,
singing, msp exercises and mathematical ezsr-
cises
Mr.. SanbOrn fully endorsed Mr. Mussey lie
hSd with great success introduced gymnastics
INTO his own school at Miidlebury, combined
with object teaching sud singing. Mr.. Ssuborn
spoke IN most earnest ami effective manner,
and closed BY complimenting Mr.. Mussey in high