The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-07-18

his cousin in Texas, and as all Of the families
| in Virginia we're afirst families Gn lineal
descent from Pocahontas), and oil OF the
| families in the other southern States are Kin
to these. the papers are widely circulated,
and it is regarded very high honor for a.
pupil thus to t'get his name in the papers
| He commended this system Of rewards and
| prizes as very economical and very effective.
At this point 1t was suggested by men,.
Der that although this discussion was one.
| of great interest, as much time had been
spent on it rs justice TO other topics would
allow, aud the Association then passed to
| consider other reports.
Professor Webster then read report pre-
pared by Mr.. c. d. Mccoy. Of the Deaf,
Dumb. aud Blind Institute of Staunton, on
"The Best Practical Method Of Teaching
the Elements Of English Grammar
The report speaks Of the difficulty Of writ
ing on the question, since it has been often
asserted on the floor of the Convention that
we have no English grammar. 1t would
have no textbook at first, but would have
the pupil daily taught to speak correctly,
then to write correctly, classify words, and
then study Systematical construction.
The report would have textbooks intro
duccd in the latter stages, but would not
follow them slaviShly; the success depend
ing far more on the teacher than on the
book.
Professor Webster earnestly enforced the
general views Of the report.
Mr.. II. l.. Davies, another member Of the
COMMITTEES, then read a paper taking views
i'm the main according with the previous re-
port, but insisting that none of the more re-
cent grammsrs are quite equal TO that OF
Roswell G.. Smith.
Professor I. X. Price was then called on
| TO read the part OF his paper omitted last
night, and did so to the very great delight
of his auditors. He gave a detailed state
| mcnt of his methods Of teaching English,
which seemed TO give great satisfaction 10 the
| teachers. and to be in accord with the views
| of the several professors Of English present.
| tIe insisted that force and correctness OF
| expression arc not dependent upon the study
! OF technical gram mar; that it is nota Sclencc.
| but an art and that it can be gained only
| bv reading good books and bearing good
! takers. We ought not to try to educate our
pupils into cloquence or even grandilo-
qucncc. but to write simple letters and cS-
says. The power Of making Il clear state
meut be deemed the highest triumph OF good
| education. The highest aim Of culture is
| refined simplicity. He recommended dicta-
| ton exercises, the manner of lctter-writng,
| a scientific work on rhetoric, and then origi-
| mai composition. He thought that the length
Of time required for such course is not
| fair objection. since each and every part Is
beneficial even to those who cannot 90
through the whole.
He insisted that there should be reid
| jus,ment Of our work, and requirement OF
English studies every day frOma child's first
entrance into school unit! the coleyian's
graduation; for whether he become preacher
or plollghman there is no pupil that will not
become happier, wiser, and better Tor all the
knowledge he can get OF his mother tongue.
| After announcements concerning the pro-
posed excursion to Hampton to-morroW al
ternoon and other matters, the Association
adj burned.
| Night Session.
| A thunderstorm, with some hail and q
heavy rain, came up late this evening. The
rain continued, with little Intervals until
after the time tor the me citing OF tbseAssocla.
| ton, so that but small audience assembled.
! Ii was therefore determined, with Or. Cutry's
consent, to make his address the special order
for ~ VI. tomorrow, and to devote the eve
ming to such business rs might be presented.
DR.. Little, of Alexandria, opened with
prayer.
Mr.. William F. Davis, Of Petersburg,
called attention TO the fact that this is not
| really the n'nth but the tenth annual meeting
Of the Association. He gave some interest
ing facts in reference 10 its formation, amid
| the dark times Of 1868, by the lamented
| Lcavenworth, ID. Lee Powell, and others.
| He was thercupon requested to prepare and
| read before the body at its next meeting
history Of lis origin and early years.
| Dr William II RutlDpr WAS then invited
| TO present paper W hich he bad prepared on
Moral Instruction in Schools lie stated
the question arising is threefOld -tchdt,
,rhere. and ho,c TO teach morality. He ably
| al gucu that mans moral nature is his high
est part. and really includes all the rest, and
| that therefore all teaching should have direct
| reference 10 its development. 1t should be
lauch hit in the family, and IN the church GER
tanly, but in the schools also.
| For intellectual power, unless guided by il
clear appreciation OF right and wrong, and
sustained by will, is potent only for evil
1t should be taught Systematically and apart
from any direct religious Instruction, with
which it is usually coniGunded. He illus
tratcd his theme by citing the systems Of
| education employed among the Jews, Spar
tans, and Others of the unclcnts, and the
Germans in modern times; and in coLclu-
sion, intima'ed Il purpose to dcvelope more
fully on some future occasion the details OF
Il plan for systematic moral instruction in
schools OF all grades.
A telegram from NJ. A. Newell, State SUI
perintendent of Public Instruction of Mary
land, was read, conveying the greetings OF
the Teachers Convention of that State, now
in session in Baltimore, and announcing
that delegation from their body would be
here tomorrow. The Association appointed
a committee of reception to wait On the
Marylanders Us soon as they arrive and en-
tend to them a hearty and hospitable well
come.
The delegation has had fresh additions to-
day, and snow probably larger than at any
nrn,inI1S SnSsinn-- rnrtainly IL we incluln the