Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-02-11

The mex; discussion was on How to
teach English" Pro-. Gooirich said le
understood the sq ect On which ne was tc
open the discussion was. How can know
-e1Z.s 1f English Literature be best obtain
cd ? 1t cannot be got by reading essays OF
books about English literature, or by use
of the bundles of well-selected scraps Of
prose and poetry, which We call Readers
some representative author, say poem oil
Milton. or play of Shakespeare. and
studies il thoroughly and critically, with ref
erence to all the surroundings, can one
begin to know English. By such study OF
representative writers. by periods, from our
day back to Chaucer. accompanying the
study OF the authors with some study OF
| English History of the corresponding
periods. good work may be done, and
something may be learned of English Lit
erature; but there lriH always remain much
to be learned. There must be, OF course. a
| genuine interest in Literature. One who is
not moved by great thing, in literature,
Lacks one important qualification for a sue
cessiul teacher.
Mr.. Pollens said be understood the ques-
ton u be, How can we best teach the scholar
TO use the English language? How can the
| pupil acquire such command Of his vernac-
ular that he can use it as purely and etfec-
lively a. it is used by some? knowledge of
the rules OF speech does not appear to be
enough. We continually hear persons who
are able 10 analyze and parse any sentence,
numbering English in their talk. How
shall We accustom our pupils to express
themselves IN the best manner
Prof Goodrich said that much of what he
had said in answer to another question, held
good in answer to this. The study of good
Literature is most effective aid in the Gull
tiyation of good style. We are 50 largely
the creatures of habit, and are so liable to
form faulty habits of speech, that We coz
tinually say the things we would not He
had not known more than five persons who
used the English language correctly. Much
OF this Is due to early training. Ii has been
said in answer to the question how to edu-
cate a girl that YOU must educate her grand
mother. This is true OF our speech. The
child will speak the kind of English that is
used by those who bring him up. Give the
boy good examples at home, and he will
speak his mother tongue as he ought. IL
don't like the term yernacular." said Prof
6. the language of the house-slave-it
Is our mother tongue We speak and the
child will use it as his parents do; or as
his hired nurses do if he is brought up by
SUCH
Mr.. Fuller quoted President Brown, of
Hamilton, formerly of Dartmouth, as say
ing that the best way to acquire good
style of expression was by familiar acquain-
lance with the best authors.
Mr.. Hopkins endorsed the suggestion
that children must be well taught at home;
and mentioned some of the methods used by
him. in his school. to correct faulty habits.
Among these are requirement of COM
position weekly from every boy, practice in
reporting the Sunday sermon. copying Sc
lections from good authors. and frequent
correction of blunders of speech.
PROFESSOR PERKINS ADDRESS,
which followed, was an earnest plea to
teachers to include instruction in Natural
History in their daily course of instruc-
ton. L; should be taught from Nature
from the leaves and flowers and insects and
animals. The study should be made a
science of observation. So taught. with
due preparation on the part of the teacher,
and some enthusiasm in the subject, it may
be made most delightful recreation and
most improving study. 1t was his love of
Nature that made Agassiz so effective and
admirable as teacher. He prayeth well
who lovetb well. both man and bird and
beast" Mr.. Perkins alluded to methods of
instruction 4; to use of the blackboard to
textbooks, TO be used BY teachers more
than by the scholar and to the prevalent
Ignorance Of tie construction and habits of
most familiar insects and animals. taking in
illustration of this the common toad, and
mentioning divers curious things about
him, not ismiliarly known by most persons
as that his tongue is attached to the front
OF his mouth. and its end, when at rest. is
down his throat; that he has no ribs.
and breathes not by inhalation, but bv
gulping down the air. Mr.. Perkins vas
animated. interesting, and at home in his
subject, and was spplauded ct the close.
Tm STANDING COMMITTEES.
President Conant announced the follow.
ing Committees
On Business-L. Pollsn,, j. D. BARLEY,