The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-02-15
~ ? ii
Teachers Institute I'm Botetourt
~ County.

Correspondence OF the Richmond Dfspatch.l
EiEtaJEa JFNGIsTLE, February IL S1Sz6.
r. The Teachers Institute of Botetourt coun-'
ty convened its annual session at Fincastle
on last Tuesday and adjourned to-day. The
meetings were presided over by Rev. G.
Gray, county superintendent of public
schools. Fifty teachers were present, all Of
whom belong to 1Botetourt county,, Inter.
.estiDg fand Instructive as these meetings,
this was rendered particularly so
by, the encouraging presence, lectures, illus
,trations, &C., &C., of DR.. sRuffner and Pro.
lessor Ovens. The sessions were largely
attended by the citizens, Of the tewn and
surrounding country, and an Interest mani.
tested that augurs well for the cause Of edu-
cation in Botetourt. flfasrYo1 >.is;rta,,h ti.
Altar early hour of the first days proceed
ings Professor Ovens read his essay on the
Nature and Objects of Teachers Insti-
tutes."" We must confess that after read
ing the "tsharp criticism" Of your very wor.
thy Christiansburg correspondent we were
prepared for a similar impression, but we
were highly entertained at its reading, and
saw nothing Objectionable in it. After i'm.
pressing upon the teachers the great necessity
Of thorough education in order to pursue
their calling successfully, he admonished
them not to lose sight of the ply sical and
moral training Of those committed to- their
care. /. !. ~ qr.r5y ~ a.f.sf HN'SE ..<<1
. II In illustration Of the system Of I" object
teaching" he cited Christ as the great object
teacher, not of schools for mental but for
moral training. Moreover, he eadeayored
to enthuse the teachers to worthy ambition
by Suggesting to them as their motto the
words OF the great Apostle, who said, 81
-, "A kho p; o;n
grammatical errors,"@ "this is too bad,o
old; friend. What public speaker is free
from such mistakes in ertenlpore addresses
We are all more or less subject to them.
They are generally errors fhabit and not of
ignorance But to return. Essays on the
following. manned subjects were read Female
Education, Grammar, Textbooks, Per.
centage, Pronunciation, Duties of 8 Teacher,
and others. The reading of some of these
essays provoked quite animated discussions.
DR.. Rubner delivered quite an Interesting
lecture on the "Coeducstion of the Sexes"
in which he made some very plausible argu.
ments. The plan certainly looks well on the
diagram. It may not have appeared so open
to all after the removal Of the partition ,cast.
The Doctors lecture on popular education
was most excellent. The many conclusive
arguments he brought to bear on his subject
were well calculated to convince the minds
of the doubling of the necessity Of educa-
ton and the support Of the pubc.school
system. ~. 5, = 81 II. LlEK
Professor Owens was frequently before the
audience, lecturing and illustrating the va.
rious modes of teaching. His elucidation Of
the phonetic system of tea ching children
was very interesting. The many changes in
the manner Of teaching nowadays awaken
memories ofthe systems that have compelled
many of us to wear the sc bloody shirt"-
not Morton's but Downs's; and notwth.
standing we do not forget the smarts and
aches OF those dark days in {" limbo" we are
not always prepared to adopt new things.
But times change, and we mast change with
Other lectures on color, geography. &C.,
were delivered by these gentlemen, and some
very happy remarks made by Professor
Cooke, of Hollins Institute. a- 1.@i s.,
But have not time to say more of this
highly entertaining Institute. ~ 7.1,.j :,
The teachers of Botetourt have every rea.
son to be encouraged in the effort they are
making for the good Of the State. GILPlN.