The Rutland weekly globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-07-11
Report OF the Examining Commit
tee at CastIetOn Seminary, June
1Rth. IS3Y

HNilNOl VII bNllull VI NlN NiuSNNNS' ifAH bNNii ]
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 he
leve they were not wholly, nor to any very
large extent. so. The students appeared
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 self-reiancc and
freedom.
The work of the seminary seems to be
with young class of minds-youngcr than
IN the Normal SchOOl-and so necessarily
in large measure, preparatory-a getting
ready for higher and larger course of
study. No doubt the teachers feel this,
at times, to be little irksome, and would
be glad to take their pupils further on and
higher up, in the great grand field of learn
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 quantta-
lively, is yet immense and of inapprccable
worth in respect to quality. We gladly
endorse and commend the methods and
manners of the teachers, as eminently
fitted, of themselves, to cultivate and inn
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 an(
academies for the culture they afford
Especially is thisItrue here in this beauti
full valley among our Green Mountains
Beautiful should the minds and lives of on
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 ant
value of instruction given in otheran olde
branches of study, to commend especially
the increased attention given to elocutiol
and reading. We could not fail to not
the success which has crowned the work o
the teacher or teachers who have been EN-
ployed in this department. Evidently it i
just here in this primary knowledge of on
own English tongue that the foundations O
IL HOOt anu Vi NOlItNl llHHllEll u
classical culture must be laid.
, We trust this study and drill will be con
tinued, and become general.
In respect to the particular management
or supervision of the school we have no
l the data to warrant complete judgment
' Those of us who are acquainted with tn
: students of the school do know, however
that the personal influence and solicitor
: care of Mr.. and Mr.. Williams over thci
scholars, not only compare faYOrably wit
/ these qualities and features in other acad(
: mics, but have been actually and pOsitivel
beneficial to the pupils under their charge
and 1t is presumeablc, certainly, that an il
= stitution which receives, as it were, I'll
whole mothcrly and fatherly care of tw
such persons as Mr.. and Mrs. Williams
s whose whole lives have been a special trail
C ing for their work cannot be very fl
!. wrong or in any serious respect failure
Students at neutrality-suspicious. are prone
j. complain of treatment as unjust or opprc
siye which is so only from their own poii
Il of view.
i We do not know that there is any eau
p" of complaint in this institution. Appa
emily mutual love and harmony reign an
j. abound.
4. There has been, and perhaps is still.
u want of appreciation of the school on Il
!" part of the public 1t may have been II
p without cause and justification. But cru
as public opinion or prejudice sometm
is, 1t should give way to reason and trutl
and will sooner or later do so. We mt
sc have patience, learn to labor and to wa
ed There are signs that the old "Sem," as
alumni delight to call it, is to come in
Ia higher prominence, is to exert new a
more commanding influence. The citizc
IL of Castleton have eXerted themselves co
ar mendably the efficient President of I
25 Board of Trustees, and Mr.. and Mrs. W
n liams have done much to render both
~, Academy and the Normal School eflici,
'ru and widely useful.
'as If our State ever arises to true app
nut citation of its opportunity it will foster a
40 encourage both the Normal and Acadel
no cal departments as training schools for
i'e future teachers, thereby prompting
stimulating the highest degree of ats
ment as proper preparation to teach.
oer We know the tendency is in large m
ii. sure to forsake the academies for the 10
po' high school, and not few of the lar
Oh towns in the state have made great eifC
fly to improve this school.
asst Perhaps this will continue to operate
~ II has done, to some extent adversely to
'hu support of the voluntary academy.
Inn not until our state gets some way ahead
our old district school system, will
time come that we can properly give
49,, our academies.
IVY All of which is respectfully submitted
the the part of the Committee.
A. N. adams