The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-08-07
THE TEAOHERs' INSTITUTE.

Having given a full account of the
Teachers Institute from its beginning tc
Thursday noon, in the HERALD AND Man
of last week, it now remains to continue
the proceedings through the closing exer
cises
THURSDAY AFTERNOON.
The Institute was called to order al
four clock by DIR. Smith the Vice Presi
dent, and as some of the members had
not made their appearance President
| Wilkes advanced his views upon the ex
animation of Teachers for the public
schools. In an elaborate speech, he took
the ground that the oral method was
more satisfactory to him and fairer for
the applicant. Superintendent Dean, of
Bedford county, favored the written
method as recommended by the State
superintendent and endeavored to show
that 1t was entirely successful being, salts
factory to officers, and fair to the appl-
cant. Superintendent Garrett, of Giles,
also favored the written method, combined
however with oral questions, and con-
tended that it was fair and satisfactory,
| as one, who seeks share of the public
fund, should not object to a searching
examination. After this discussion was
ended Prof. FL. II. Smith of Shelbyville,
conducted class recitation in English
| grammar, on his plan, which is somewhat
original. Upon opening the query-box,
| as the discussion was not very animated
and the hour for adjournment having
arrived, a motion to adjourn was lost
and the time for adjournmentiwas extend
| ed twenty minutes After this, the read
ing of the queries proceeded, and the dis
! 1ussion became more interesting. With
| out mentioning all of the queries, as it
would require too much time and space,
| the following seemed to be very ingenious.
| A Chinaman died and left his fortune of
| seventeen elephants to be divided among
his three sons. The first was to receive
| one half of the fortune, the second, two
| thirds as much as the first; and the third.
one third as much as the second. How
much did each son receive? 1t was sup
posed that a reighbor, hearing the young
men at strife about the frightful array
| of fractions that appeared, when they at
tempted to divide seventeen elephants &C
cOrding to the WILL rode over to see what
was the matter, and after thinking a
while about the trouble, he put his own
elephant into the number. thus making it
eighteen, a number that is easily
Invisible without fractions. Each of the
sons was perfectly satisfied when he saw
property, without cutting any of the
elephants to pieces, and the good neigh
Dor rode his own elephant home again
with many thanks from the young China
men. At the expiration of the twenty
minutes, that had been added to the af-
ternoon session, the Institute adjourned
until eight O. clock P. NJ.
NIGHT SESSION.
President Wilkes called the Institute to
order at the appointed hour, after the
audience had been highly entertained
with some vocal and instrumental music
by Madam Esteve.
Having been introduced by the Presi-
dent, Capt. w. R Garrett, of Pulaski,
delivered an excellent address on Edu.
cation, it Ways and Means Introductory
to his remarks, the Captain showed the
pecuniary advantages of education, bring
ing in facts and figures to show how much
money is actually made and saved to
county or State by well organized sys-
TEN of public instruction. An estimate
was made of a student ordinary expen-
ses for year, and this, multiplied by the
number of children to be educated, made
a princely sum, which ought to be kept at
home, instead of being sent abroad. Be-
sides this, judicious system of insrruc-
our own teachers, who would otherwise
have to seek employment elsewhere. or
in other fields of usefulness. UndOubted-
ly, continued the speaker, many of the
comforts and advantages that surround
us are the result of labor. But labor is
always rendered more productive by
education. The Indians probably labor
ed as hard as we do, but leok at the diff
ference of this country under their rule
and now, when education has become
more general. Rising from a considera-
ton of the mere pecuniary advantages of
education, which Captain Garrett consid-
cred as least of all, he proceeded to
demonstrate its happy effects upon the
physical, intellectual, and moral man.
Many ofhis statements were fortified by
choice quotations, in prose and poetry,
from classical authors of ancient and
modern times, thus showing that the
cherished ideas of the most learned
authors, of all ages, are nov in state OF
practical development. One of the most
Impressive features, IN Captain Garrett S
address, vas his picture of an educated
woman as compared with one who has
been allowed to grow up in ignorance.
At the conclusion of this picture, he aptly
quoted from a celebrated author that
woman was not taken from mans feet,
to be trampled upon; nor from his head,
to domineer over him; but from his side,
to be ever nearest, as his most intimate
companion" But how can this be if wo.
man is left in darkness when the light of
learning is being so generally diffuscd?
Could highly intelligent man regard as
his choicest companion woman who is
so ignorant as to be utterly unable to
share his exalted thoughts and converse
ton? The case is plain one. Every
where men are receiving liberal instruc-
ton, and if women are to retain their
| lofty position as mems companions,
they too must be literally educated To
| the private schools, throughout the coun-
try, and particularly to those in Columbia,
| the speaker paid merited compliment.
He said, in substance, that our private
schools had done good service for the
cause of education, at a time when the
State was altogether unable to undertake
it, and at q time when the private schools
from the necessity of the case, were but
poorly rewarded for their lahors. The
progress that is being made in education
al affairs, at the present time, is largely
due to the private schools, and IN this
light, all true citizens owe them debt of
gratitude. When Captain Garrett had
finished his speech, President Wilkes
assured the audience that he was greatly
interested in everything that had been
said, and that he hoped the citizens of
Columbia would show a greater interest
in educational affairs, by encouraging
these deliberations with their approving
! presence
Friday Morning.
The Institute met, pursuant to &djourn-
ment, and was called to order by DR.. VIM.
A. Smith, The following names ap-
peared, as enrolled on the Secretary's
book:
Prof D. A. Mcknight, Buford Station,
Prof A. G. McCorkle, Culleoka Prof
Thos j. Middleton, Bethany, Giles Coun-
ty; Prof, George W. Campbell, Lynnyille,
| Giles County; Prof. Robert C. Church,
Santa Fe; Prof W. g. Paschall, Brent
wood; Prot W. R. Webb, Culleoka; Prof
w. R. Garrett Pulaski; Dr. R. H Whit
| f ED, Nashville Prof. S. H. Bridgeforth,
| Columbia; A. W. Stockell Esq, Colum-
| bia; James H. Wilkes, Esq, Columbia;
Mr.. R. C. Stone Nashville; Pros. J. S.
| Beecher Columbia; DR.. VIM. A. Smith,
Columbia; Prof H. II. Smith, Shelbyville;
Prof. F. H. Smith, Columbia, Prof. o. H.
P. Bennett Columbia; Miss Maggie
March, WINCHESTER; Miss Mary 3. Nc