Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-04-18

The TEACHERS lNSTITUTE.-The fine hall
Of the High School building was well filled
Wednesday p m, with an intelligent and in
terested audience An address was delivered
/ by Prof f. H. IIigley. of Middlebury Col
lege, on The Level Head, - or in other
words on balance of character The points
which 90 to make up well balanced char
aeter were well set forth, and the address
contained much that was sensible and
worthy Of consideration by young and old.
1t was illustrated by numerous anecdotes,
humorous and otherwise. and was listened
to with close attention
Mis- Potter then gave some readings.
commencing with n. p. Willis "Leper,
which she read in what seemed to Us some
what too strained and theatrical style for
the best effect Tennyson's "Bugle Song
followed. The lady Is a yentriloquist, and
it was difficult to believe that the echoes
which came back 50 naturally, really came
from the reader voice. The effect was very
striking. "The Dying Trooper" was next
read, with almost painful power, and held
the audience almost breathless. Miss Pot
ter next read Trowbridge's Evening at the
Farm, with echoes and limitations Of the
calling Of the cattle, etc, and closed with
Mrs. o 'Hooligan's letter, read by request.
The programme for the Institute Thurs
day morning consisted of instruction in
penmanship, by Mr.. Stockwell, Of Water
bury who clearly explains the new Spencer
ian writing-books adopted by the Board Of
Education. Mr.. Stetson followed, in an
interesting lesson in drawing, showing the
difference between perspective and ortho-
graphic drawing, or between working and
business drawing. lie then made some ex-
cellent and practical remarks concerning
methods ofteaching composition, and urged
the instruction of scholars in writing notes,
letters and business documents. The morn
ing hour closed with exercis, $ in reading,
by Miss Potter.
The afternoon session opened with sing
ing by twenty-five pupils, aged between
eight and twelve, from the intermediate
schools. They sang we'll, and showed sur
prising quickness in reading and writing
music. This exhibition Of the proficiency
Of Mrs. Armstrong pupils was listened to
with much satisfaction, and demon strated
the wisdom and success Of introducing
music into our public schools
Prof. Goodrich made some brief remarks. ,
concerning the Importance of teaching
botany, effectively, in common schools.
Then Mr.. Stockwell gave another lesson
in penmanship, after which Mr.. Stetson
made some admirable general Suggestions to |
teachers.
Miss Potter commenced her concluding
exercise on reading by a pronunciation of |
words and sentences in concert. She illus
trated the subject of pitch at length making |
during the course of her lesson many sallies
of wit and humor. She, likewise interpol- |
ated some sensible advice about health and |
dress. Miss P. is evidently in love with her |
vocation talks freshly and has original ideas
concerning elocution, as can be seen by a |
perusal Of her popular Manual Of Read
ing" She protested against the excessive
use of calisthenies and showed to what an
injurious extent it could be carried and |
closed her hour by spirited recitation of
- Sheridan Ride" We are glad to hear
that She may give a public reading before
she returns to New York
Secretary French made the closing ad-
dress after which the Institute dissolved.
About seventy-fve teachers have be en-
present at the session, which is greater at
tendance than has been had for five years.
They were an unusally fine class of teachers
and seemed to take a deep interest in the
proceeding, of the Institute from first to
last. Two of them, Mrs. Ellen |. Scott, of
this city, and Miss Kate L. Collins of Col
chester, after tho rough examination, re
ceiyed State certificates, to teach for five
years.