The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-07-13
Educational Association Of Virginia.
p FOURTH DAY. if. G
SPECIAL telegram 20 the Dispatch.

srAuNToN, VA, July 12.-The morning ses-
sion was opened with prayer by Rev. Mr..
Wheat, Of Staunton. Professor w. A. Shep-
ard, of Randolph Macon College, from the
committee "to report which Of the natural
sciences it win be best TO Introduce into our
system of male-schoel Instruction. read an
| admirable paper. The report admits that
the classics should have the first place, but
ably argues that natuTui sciences should not
be neglected, but that onc Of them should
| have place, and should not be permitted to
| be jostIed out Of it. The report reviews the
| advantages and disadvantages Of the several
natural sciences, and concludes that the best
Of them, for our primary and secondary
schools are zoology and botany. The
Professor would prefer both, but the latter
| rather than the former. He would also have
Junior course OF natural philosophy to sue
| cecd that on fgtany. Phereport was clearly
written and gracefully read, and was listened
to with close attention. =
1 Mr.. r. Carne, Superintendent OF Public
Schools In Alexandria, Thought that there
should be more natural science taught in the
lower schools for the benefit t-of those boys'
who never go TO college. He recommended
Mitchelrs Physical Geography.
Professor PIKE Powers gave his experience
| in studying and teaching botany, showing
| its great fascination and advantages. He
cordially indorsed and commended the posi-
tons and recommendations of. the report.
| In the absence Of Professor George +.
| Holmes, of the University Of Virginia. and
Mr. Hugh Craig, Of Petersburg, their joint
PAPER on 2, Instruction, higher and lower, in
English /" was read BY Mr.. D. NJ. Blackford.
Mr.. Craig wrote Oh methods of instruction,
! and Professor Holmes gave an elaborate and
critical review of tie more recent publica-
| Itions. Professor Holmes pays the following
| high tribute to a Virginia teacler: " A much
| more significant testimony may be found in
| the patient but yet incomplete and unher-
aided Iabors of Professor e. H. Toy,
graduate Of the, University of Virginia, and
now professor in the Theological Seminary
at Greenville, s. c., on the. etymoiogies OF
the English vocabulary. Those who are ae-
o,,aintei with the enthusiastic zeal, untiring
| perseverance, and varied learning OF Profes-
sor Toy, and with the concentration Oh MS
studies ON this arduous but Instructive
branch OF learning, expect to receive much
| instruction and satisfaction from the ezectl-
,ion Of his designs.Y Tllis, paper viii be OF
high value TO teachers Of English.
The subject being opened for discussion,
Mr.. A. o. English wanted TO know how 10
teach English grammar. He objected to hay
ing iia'' gentIemeu dodge tbiJ question. Mr..
Abbott thought that Latin grammar WAS
the best to teach English. Professor Hart
wanted to know what Is right. If we have no
grammar, he wanted Us TO stop searci'ins
for it, il. DR.. Kirkpatrick wanted those gentle
men " no are always saying that tye have no
English grammar to. GO to work alid MAKE
one for us. III they will moi; do TINS theh ny
| wanted them tcg icta us lhaye peace on tifS
iancssion, ,andhos Die constantly ayowiug thas
theory so popular with our boys and girls
that ours Is q. graniilarlessi language. DIR.
English insisted tliat English co. comes TAR more
from the old fAnslo-Saxon than from tne
! latin, ,and ithae our grammar should 10
based on Anglo axon rathcr than on Latin.
Mr. Biackfard reeommended Blnshams
English grammar. t,,,fr9 q ~
j Professor sJoynesS said that be was faliy
tperstiaded thaswe have no suitable book on
English grammar, but he did not believe that
ours IL q granmariess langli and he hopea
soon 10 i,aii and do bsmage tos"the comips
t.man',aw,o shall give tis Engikh grammar.
Ha earnestly coanbahed the idea that we
should, learn the English through The Latin,
and insisted that We si,.. nd teach both Ehs'
gish and Ercnch before Latin.
Nr.p A bbet. would have Professor joyness
| order exactly reversed. He would teach sss la
lin. thea French, and then Ensitsn. ho
| earnestly iiasted, on bis yieWs.
II Professor harris would begin With Ens.
,,sh then take French, then Latin, ard would
tlen eesactly yeeerse NE orde', stalt'yips d
tin, French, and English. -.
Professors JoyHes and Hart aceepted lhs
nosjtion Or profcsof Harris. ! y f
professor Powers said that if BY st,,dyinss
English iirst tGc geatlcfaeIa msate the ners
dement's and not hs' aseess VIII
.h.sn. otherwise be ,li,lsre isl, them p..
K;,k,,,iries tboMglia that 8 the eotaiag slaae
cossIus NJ ~ soo'ssss 1sik,