, 1872-12-27


Caused by Kerosene Explosion.
Special Despatch to The Chicago Tribune.
SPRINGFIELD, ILL.,, Dec. 2G.-Tho attendance at
the State Teachers Association today WAS not
go large as anticipated, but the zeal in tue
cause of education WAS mono the less intense,
and it 1xiu be found that the good effects accom-
plished by these annual reunions, and the inter
change Of views and opinions upon questions
which affect the wcll-being and Development Of
our common school system, will be very much
enhanced by this, the thirteenth annual Assoc;.I-
tion. It is beloved however, that the experience
gathered from the large list Of ab-
sentees will teach tho Association to
select some other timo in the year
than the Christmas holidays at which to hold
their meeting. It was little short Of folly to ex
pect men to leave comfortable homes, and wives,
and little ones, at this season Of the year, and
come to Springfield, and engage in the discussion
OF questions Of such importance as those which
have been brought before tho Association.
Teachers, like scholars, want tho holidays for
recreation.
SECOND DAY, DEC. 26,
In accordance with the Constitution, the Asso-
cintion met in sections. The High Schools Sec
ton' ar around which tho greater STARE
opened it's work by paper from Professor AIor-
rinaan upon Modern Languages in the High
Schools, which contained strong argument for
changing tie order Of ti1no in which modern and
ancient languages ere taught, claiming that, in
order to attain any proficiency in tho former, q
beginning must bo mado in early youth, on &C.
count of tho greater facility of pronunciation,
and that the latter contained no literature fitted
for the young.
Professor Albert stetson, the next speaker
according to programme, being absent, Nlr. J. G.
Chamberlain took up the subject, giving his
views Of the languages to be taught,
instruction should be given, which views differed
somewhat FROM those Of the preceding speaker,
and called outa general expression Of conflicting
opinions from different memborB with which
the eubject was dropped.
Professor Thomas II. Clark then took the
floor in behalf Of Reference Libraries, touching
upon the necessity OF proper books for the sake
OF reference and others for profitable reading,
d want not supplied in his estimation by tho
III. E.. A. eastman continued the dis
cussion by relating his experiences in
collecting such libraries, and stating
aaS oa Eaa aemes tie
kind, in his opinion, wns deserving Of censure.
Still more was said By 1Tr. E. P. Frost and
other gentlemen, to the Bamo otfect st tho
conclusion Of which the section adjourned for
dinner.
The exercises in tho intermediate Section wero
commenced by treatise upon the teaching Of
Zoology In the intarmediate school. from Mr;
H.
this WAS useful branch and ono that should
be studied. and ut tie same time gavo some hints
in regard to tho manner Of teaching it, amou,
which the system of classification formed IN i'm
portant part. The teacher's need Of understand
fng what he WAS to toach was also alluded to-
Mr. J. H. Freeman then closed the discussion.
The next hour was devoted to the subject Of
Eagsh c9%postion NJ in the latsTedi9te P;5 School
Chicago, who gave short account OF the method
OF teaching this study as approved by himself.
the substance of which consisted in the use OF
short elIiptical eeutencog Which the scholars arc
REQUIRED to fill out and exercises of like kind.
showing the use Of words and the ideas express
ed by them.
MI. George Colyin closed the discussion. and
tho session Of the intermediate Department VAS
The Primary Section. which met at the Same
time With the other. fared worst of all ID the
matter Of absences, in consequence Of which
Mr. J. Mahory, contrary to the programme, was
"WRat Can Il Done with Natural sciences in
tho Primary School," title which covered ro~
marks which yero listened to With great interest
bY Ill present. although in some Instances the
connection between subject matter and subject
was somewhat difficult to grasp.
After this speaker cnno an essay uDon 1fan-
uers and Morals in tho Primary School" by
Mias Gertrude K. Case. of Normal. who drew
narn11eis and introdnce1 illustrations showing
ffhat in this department esnccinl1v there ahonii
bo narticular attention mid to thoge mattars-
since c. smaller children initiate more " readily than
larger ones md lean to evil rather than good,
Again, owing to another absence, NJ, C. r.
snow was conpollcd to close discussion which
he was also called upon to open; and then, for
lack OF other BUSINESS, the session adjourned,
Tho afternoon session was G general enc. and
furnished the most entertainne exercisa Of tho
div.
First came the treatment of the question. "Ts
tho Tancher's Profession a Means Of Se1f-CnI-
ture bec1,n by Professor Edwin C. Hewitt and
further pnrsued bv Messrs. s. II. White and F.
4. Tanner. Tic conclusion seemingly arrived
al vas that it might be- a means Of itself
h,t mt a suficiant mo TINT the teacher ahnni
labor. should have purpose and an interest in
tho M,or35 vhich he mnat oira Tia enare tma r. ~
work ont& md further the dcsirahilty % Of aeeiS.
iuc outside compauionship, of exercisinr q Judi
ctns eeloction in hje reading and in fact nf
doing ali those thinrs which 81 men are obirc1 to
do in other professions to accomplish the same
result.
"NIicroscopy Was treated BIZ Mr. Q. s. Yes
cott. of Chicnro. and Prof. q 4. Forbes. Tho
n--t - -....1..... .F...