The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-07-14
A Week from Homc-D % n G NJ and
either Inssitnae Ysslers=-7,As pic.nic Of

| PlTTSTtTASTA COUNTY, VA, July ~, 10 80.
The Teachers Institute Of this county wa
In session several days of this week at Cha
than. Rev. George W. Dame, the count
| supsrintendent Of schools, presided, AM
Professor J. T. Averett. OF Danville, actedu
secretary. About thirty teachers we're pre-
! sent, more than onc-balr Of whom wer
ladies', and st times many visitors attended
! The teachers generally were plainly-dressed
unprctcutious people, and their coun,enance
! expressed that they had done the work
/ one year honestly and were willing to en-
counter the laborS Of another.
! The opening address Of the freSlden
seemed TO have been suggested by The recen
, CONTROVERSY between "CiviS" and "Scru
tator," aud expressed briefly some Of the ar
guments Tor the necessity and efficiency 0
! the public school system of Virginia. Blu
! n waySldc remark Of the address on the sub
!. irc. ot dlncinS as part OF a system of calls
themes. gave rise 10 lively discussion
which noted for you. Being called upor
to explain more fully the remark made in tn,
address, Rev. MIR. Dame said that he haC
forbidden, and would continue 10 forbid. thu
practice OF dancing at the public schools
lie had done SO, and would do so, il
difference to public sentiment. But if such
Christian gentlemen as the late John Word
could supervise and direct the exercise, he
did rot think it Uhe dancinc) would be OBJ
jcctionabc. In further Explanation Of his
views he remarked that dancing would be q
very relres hing exercise after confinement in
school, and would contribute TO love oil
music and to a very desirable ease and grace
tune>s of department. and that he did not
think the sentiments Of the Christian world
we're against dancing, for it was the custom
of many pious people to have their children
tl,l.ht dancing, and III the public schools OF
mauv cities it was practiced as part OF q
system Of calisthenics. He would dstin-
rui>h between dancing as school exercise
and dancing us practiced elSew hcre--ior in
stance. in The ballroom. Ballroom dancing
be condemned.
Rev. Sir. Matthews thought that dancing
tpi-sit be used as Il part OF i system OF IN
struction in cracciunesS. Ahstracily con-
>iGc:ed, there could be no BARN in certain
movements Of the body, even II accompanied
by music. Bat rs form Of dissipation, or
which az church officer he might be called
upon TO take cogniZgrc". he had very de-
cited views about it--riewS. however, Whlch
it might not be pertinent TO introduce INTO
the discussion of q teachers institute.
Rev. Mr.. Lampkiu (Mr. Lampkin, OF. the
Lc.l>lature,) said that there are other ways
Of teaching gracefulne>s that are free from
that liability to abuse to which dancing Is
subject. Considered in the abstract, there
certainty could be no harm in moving the
feet and leg, this way or that in harmony
with sweet mu-ic. Mr. Lampkln went
through some OF the movements to the edl-
tiration and delight OF his audience.l But
the abuses Of such practices may lead 10 pre-
sent and eternal death. This he said very
cmphalcally.
Rev. Mr.. Petty remarked very warmly that
the idea of Introducing dancing into the pub
he schools was a novel one. indeed lis in
PRODUCTION would kill the puoiic-school sys-
TEN and bury il beyond the hope of resur-
rectou. To teach dancing TO children anu
10 con Tenn 1t in grown people was prepoS-
ferrous. II would be simply creating and
stimulating in children f0ndueSs tor prac.
ticp which the Christian world feels 1t so I'M
porlant TO condemn in grown people ana 10
suppress. Pubic sentiment was opposed 10
il now, and we ought not to expect oF desire
I change in pubic sentiment on this su'Ject.
Mr.. e. \. Weed made some Jocuar re-
marks about the dancing spoken OF IN the
scriptures, which were much appIauded.
Rev. Mr.. Dame closed the discussion by
rcmarking that although he did not believe
MS opiuions were at variance WIN those OF
many Christian people, yet he had ordered
that dancing should not be permitted 1T the
public schools, and there need be 10 alarm
about the matter. He should enforce the
order.
Mr.. w. ID. Tucker presented an essay on
the manner of teaching to read. The essay
had regard 10 the accommodation Of the words.
the understanding Of the thoughts and feel
iuy. Of a writ r, and the utterauce OF those
Thoughts aud feelings. In connection WIN
the discussion of the essay, Mr.. Il. VI. fuck,
OF the Danvlllc public school. explained 10
the expressed satisfaction of Mr.. Lalnpkin
the benefits Of regular practice IN "concert
reading"
The essay on Discipline, by Mr.. Joseph
Nenlbe, expressed the opinion thai teachers
should govern children us God governs men,
bv iuchanging. kiuducsS and iGicNlDe and
pa>>lonlcS> justice.
Mr.. Tuck's views conceded with those OF
Mr.. Nennblc. Mr.. Tuck gave many Interest,"
inm illustrations of The winning and rcprlilng
WAYS Of teachers.
Mr.. Matthew's. in reply TO remark ct Mr.
Hines. that he (Mr. Hines kept the rod con-
crtled. but not forgotten. a.ked MI. Hines II
his pupils were not after all governed more
oy fear OF the rod than by his kindness ana
Mr. Hines rejoincd by asking Mr.. Matthews
whether men were brought 10 turn from SIN
br fear of God or by love Of God.
The old-'ashioued mc'hod OF teaching the
alphabet was exhibited hy Mr.. Hines, and
humorously discussed by Mr.. Tuck. MIR.
Tuck is disciple of Mr.. Blnford, ana Mt
Bipford's methods are familiar to your read
er>.
Pressing engagements prevented me from
hearing Mr.. +. X. Murray, formerly OF
Richmond, now of the Danville public
school, in the exhibition of his method of
teaching frac,ious. 1t is spoken of by every
body in the highest terms.
A picnic party under the auspices OF
Committee of Arrangements went up from
Danyllle to Otter creek, IN Campbell, on FRI
dav morning. They went up, but didn't
/" 20 up The whole company, including
few friends who were taken in-not taken
in at the way stations, numbered over
four hundred, and occupied SIX coaches and
a bagguye-car. A peculiarly OF the pro-
graune was that there was no programme
and the Committee or Arrangements had so
arranged everything that there seemed to be
no arrangements, and yet there were no dis
arrangements.
The only mishap Of the day was the sprain'
inp of the ankle of Master Tomme MeekS al
jumping match. There were some Mss
hGps, but they were not mshaps and, i
soIue of the boys were MSS taken, think
saw some who were Miss taking. In fac
and in tjue. ali were so engaged In making
others tappy-I believe some were cen
pugcd that they did DOT know how happy
they themselves were'till the affair was al
over and they had time to think about.it.
The planters wherever | have been th'