The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1875-11-19

short but carefully prepared essay OF
"Pedagogics," which was repIete Will
good sense, and was listened to witt
much interest.
Mr.. F. H. Tufts, of Findlay. was then
introduced, and delivered very in,
teresting lecture on Analysis, = ilIustra
ting his subject by diagrams. Several
difficult sentences were given By the
spectators, which were placed on the
board and analyzed. After the usual
criticism the Institute adjourned until
] o'clock, p. NJ,
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The Institute was called to order at [
o'clock, and the Chair appointed as
Committee on Resolutions, Messrs. F.
| Ii. Tufts, Zealand Gilbert and Miss NJ.
A. CaverIy.
Mr.. WIN. A. Platt then gave an excel
lent lecture on "Arithmetic," combining
himself almost exclusively to Decimals,
which he elucidated and explained very
satisfactorily. This lecture called forth
considerable discussion, which was par
ticipated in by several teachers.
Miss Amanda V. Thomas was then an
nounced on Reading" Miss L. read
from manuscript, and acquitted herself
very we'll. She criticised very sharply
the fact that in the country there is too
little attention paid to providing suita-
ble books for children. She quoted one
instance, within her knowledge, where a
family of seven were each provided with
a Bible and hymn-book, which COM
prised almost the entire family library.
She thought it was not strange that
there were SO few acquired taste for
reading, or became good readers. WhIle
Miss T.'s article showed careful prepara-
ton and much thought, her manner of
delivering it was not above criticism.
In this respect her practice was hardly
as good as her preaching. Her III ethod
of teaching reading has evide ntly been
arrived at after much experience and
thought upon the subject.
Mr.. G. T. Palmer, Superintendent Of
the Findlay Union Schools, was then
announced on the subject of County
Schools" From the manner in which
the lecturer handled the subject it was
evident that he knew whereof he spoke
With very little ceremony he went down
to the root of the subject and gave the
teachers the benefit of close observation
and experience upon the subject. At
the close, quite an interesting and profit,
able discussion arose which was par
ticipated in by Miss Thomas, Mr. Tufts
and others.
Mr.. E. H. DeWolfe, Superintendent
of the Vanlue schools, was then intro
duced, and gave an illustration of his
method of "Oral Instruction in Gram
mar" He introduced a class of small
scholars, which had been five weeks un
der his instruction, and which showed
much proficiency in Distinguishing the
different parts of speech and their rela-
ton to each other. A rather difficult
test sentence was placed on the board by
Prof. Tufts, which did not appear to
disconcert the class in the least.
The Committee on Resolutions then
submitted the following, which was, on
motion, unanimously adopted, viz:
thanks to the good people of Vanlue for
their kind hospitality.
ResOlUed, That we feel under obliga-
tions to the Board of Education for the
use of their building in holding our In
stitute.
ReSOLred, That we heartily indorse the
action of our Executive Committee in
providing for this meeting, and hope
they will arrange for like meetings in
other parts of our county.
The President then announced that
twenty minutes yet remained, and on
invitation, Mr.. Major Bright, DR.. w. p
Wilson, and Others, made remarks indie
ative of the pleasure they had derived
from the exercises of the day, and trust
ing that this woulI not be their last
meeting in Vanlue. The subject of Com
pulsory Education was touched upon,
and both the above named gentlemen
expressed themselves strongly in favor
of some law for that purpose.
On mo'ion, the Institute adjourned,
sine die
Taken all in all the occasion was
pleasant a. well As a profitable one.
The audience, considering the weather,
was a large one, and the people of the
town and vicinity We're untiring in their
efforts to make those in attendance feel
at home. The only regret We heard ex-
pressed was the almost universal one
that there had unr been two days session
instead of one. We are glad to note in
this connection that the people of Van
lue are fully awake to the Importance of
their educational interests. They have
modernized aud enlarged their school
building, making four comfortable, we'll
lighted rooms. They have three depart
ments in successful operation, with good
attendance, and report commendable
progress.