The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-07-08
Report of the Examining .Commit-
tee mt CastIeton Seminary. June
16th. ISeJ

Report of the Examining Commit.
tee ut CastIeton Seminary. June
26th, 1873.
From such brief and partial inspection
as the "Committee' appointed to visit the
school on behalf of the trustees, has been
able to make, they take pleasure in saying
that they find the school in most excellent
condition, completely organized high
toned. cheerful, interesting, in many re-
spects indicating Improvements to keep
abreast of the age; and, judging from
what they saw and heard, they infer, that
in those departments and pursuits of study
not specially visited by them, the work of
instruction has been thoroughly and well
performed. The " Committee would
have no hesitency in offering criticism
were it required. We are not unaware
that examination exercises are often made
to order - stereotyped -- but, though no
doubt to some extent, specially prepared in
this instance, we saw good reason to be-
lieve they were not wholly, nor to any very
to comprehend the lessons. and TO appre-
ciate the value of learning by attention to,
and interest in, the subjects under consid-
Grafton. There was good degree of self
reliance, coupled with freedom from tex
tual trammels and props.
Independence of the textbook, and
thorough abandon to the subject on the
part of the teacher, lead directly and sure
ly to independence and freedom of thought
and comprehensive, fearless criticism on
the part of the pupil. As the child. in or
der to walk alone, must leave its chair and
leading-strings. and venture out on its mus
Gle, so the student, if he would develop his
mind, must assert mental sclf-reiance and
freedom.
The work of the seminary seems to be
with young class of minds-youngcr than
III the Normal School-and 50 necessarily
in large measure, PREPARATORY getting
ready for IA higher and larger course of
study. No doubt the teachers feel this,
at times, to be a little rksome, and would
be glad to take their pupils further ON and
higher up, in the great grand field of learn
ing. But we think Mr.. and Mrs. Will
liams, and each one of the teachers. de-
serve much credit and praise for their pa
tient and complete surrender to the situa-
ton and the work,-a work which, though
it may appear small. measured quantita-
lively, is yet immense and of nappreciable
worth in respect to quality. We gladly
endorse and commend the methods and
manners of the teachers, as cminently
fitted, of themselves, to cultivate and i'm
prove the tastes habits, and characters of
those who are from day to day in personal
contact with them. This culture alone.
setting aside the mental discipline and
knowledge acquired, is worthy of great
praise. We need more high-schools and
academies for the culture they afford.
Especially is thisLtrue here in this beauti-
full valley among our Green Mountains
Beautiful should the minds and lives of our
Vermont sons and daughters be to cores
pond with what is without and around us.
The Committee DESIRES without dispair-
ing In any manner or degree the merits and
value OF instruction given in Otherand older
branches of study, to commend especially
the increased attention given to elocution
and reading. We could not fail to note
the success which has crowned the work of
the teacher or teachers who have been en-
ployed in this department. Evidently it is
Just here, in this primary knowledge of our
own English tongue that the foundations OF
a good education and of correct English or
classical culture must be laid.
We trust this study and drill will he con-
tinued, and become general.
In respect to the particular management
or supervision of the school we have not
the data to warrant complete judgment
Those of lis who are acquainted with the
students of the school do know, however.
that the personal influence and s0licitous
care of Mr.. and Mr.. Williams over their
scholars, not only compare favorably with
these qualities and features in other acade-
mics, but have been actually and positively
beneficial to the pupils under their charge,
and it is preslmeablc certainly, that an in
stitution which receives, as it were, the
whole motherly and fatherly care of two
such persons rs Mr. and Mrs. Williams,
whose whole lives have been special train
ing for their work cannot he very far
wrong or in any serious respect failure.
Students ut boarding schools are prone to
complain of treatment rs unjust or oppres-
sive which is so only from their own point
of view.
We do not know that there is any cause
of complaint in this institution. Appar-
emily mutual love and harmony reign and
abound.
There has been, and perhaps is still, a
want of appreciation of the school on the
part of the public. 1t may have been not
without cause and justification. But cruel
as public opinion or prejudice sometimes
is 1t should give way to reason and truth (;
, and will sooner or later do so. We must
have patience, learn to labor and to wait
, There are signs that the old "Sem," as its
{ alumni delight to call II, is TO come into
! higher prominence. is to exert new and
; more commanding influence. The citizens
of Castleton have eXerted themselves COM
: mendably the efficient President of the
+ Board of Trustees, and Mr. and Mrs. Viii
liams have done much to render both the
Academy and the Normal School efficient
and widely useful,
citation of its opportunity il will foster and
, encourage both the Normal and Academi-
: cal departments ms training schools for oui
: future teachers, thereby prompting and
} stimulating the highest degree OF attain
Q ment as proper preparation to teach.
: We know the tendency is in large mea
4 sure to forsake the academies for the loca
s high school, and not few Of the larger
!, towns in the state have made great efforts
V to improve this school, 4ff
b Perhaps this will continue to operate, az
G il has done, to some extent adversely to tn,
c support of the voluntary academy. Blu
|. not until our state gets some way ahead o
s our old district school system, will tn
= time come that we can properly give NJ
IS our academies. ,es.t i.if
II All of which is respectfully submitted OF
# the pad Of the Committee.