Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1873-06-14
THE TEACHERS INSTITUTE,

at Guildhall. The attendance of
teachers is large for the county, the
number being about forty, all ladies.
We also notice the Superintendent
Of the towns giving undivided atten-
ton to the ihsructions, and participat-
ing in the exercises, The session
opened on Monday last and win close
tomorrow (Friday) afternoon. On
Monday evening, lecture was deliv-
cred by DR.. J. II. French, Secretary
of the Board of Education. His SUBJ
ject was Teachers Institutes" He
explained the objec: of holding the
institutes in the various counties as
they are now held, the benefit which
it was hoped would be derived from
them, remarking upon the subject of
Education and the condition of our
common schools generally.
At the close of DIR. French's lecture
a short address was made by Mr.. G..
B. Stetson, of Lewiston, Me-, explain
ing the best method OF teaching
Spelling and Arithmetic. The day
sessions have been devoted to the in
structions of the class of teachers, in
the best manner of imparting instruc-
ton in the various branches taught
in common schools of Vermont, also
in Music aud Drawing. In the exer-
cises DR.. French has himself spoken
upon the manner of teaching and
learning Geography, giving many val
liable suggestions and showing new
ingenious methods Of illustrating the
subject by means at the command of
nearly every teacher, and in so simple
and plain way as to render branch
of study, naturally dry and uninterest'
ing, entertaining even to the young
est classes.
Mr.. Stetson has taken up the
branches Of Arithmetic very shortly,
aud Drawing more at length and
given many practical suggestions,
which if needed by his hearers, and
the teachers in particular, will be Of
much benefit to the cause of Educa
ton in this County. He has also at
some length dwelt upon the subject
Of Compositions; his remarks upon
this branch are to be especially COM
mended. The Importance of early
training in composition cannot be
overrated and yet it is most neglect
ed of any Of the legitimate common
school studies. The subject of Read
ing and Spelling has been ably han
died by Miss II. L. D. Potter, hersel
an experienced teacher and an accom-
p,ished clocutionist. The subject ha:
been made one of the most interesting
and instructive features of the session
The interest in reading having beer
much augmented by the illustrations
of good reading, given day and even
ing by Miss Potter, her efforts in
this direction having met with univer
sal appreciation and praise. Mis-
Gibson has acceptably instructed il
the best manner Of teaching the chill
dren music in the common schools
aud Mr.. Stockwell has illustrated tn,
Spencerian style of Penmanship will
many good suggestions as to the man
ner of giving lessons in Pennmanship
Tuesday evening was occupied b.
Mr.. Stetson; he lectured on drawing
urging the necessity of more gene
raj knowledge Of the art among thu
artisans and laboring men in tn
land, and recommending the immedi
ate formation of classes in drawing il
each Of the schools in the County
He also recommended and dwelt a
some length upon the necessity @
making our common school education
more practical and less literary, say
ing that, 10 far as possible, he woul
exclude Fl ON the schools cverythin
not Of use in the practical business c
life.
Dr. II. A. Cutting of Lunenburg DE-
liyercd his Lecture upon the wonder
OF the Microscope, on Wedncsda
evening, which was very entertainin,
and instructive to AL who aad tn
pleasure of listening to it. He la
procured q chart or painting represent
ing the appearance of various object
too minute to be visible to the make
eye, rs seen with Microscope, whic
more fully shows the wondrous di
coveries made by the aid of that il
Str ument than any words can te
them.
DR.. }. H. French is to lecture thi
Thu sday, evening, the subject h.
not cen announced. The exercis,