Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-07-11
Western Normal school.


Up in Franklin County, beautifully situated on
the Sandy river, in a sandy country, among the
hills in sight of Mount Blue and Saddleback, and
on the road to Rangely Lakes, is Pennington vii
lage-rich and prosperous, Boosting of her good
society, general intelligence and good schools
Well she may feel proud of her schools for she
has Little Blue. under its old master. Mr.. Abbott,
its new High School building and its Normal
School
We might speak in detail of many other pretty
things and sights in and around Pennington vii
lage, and of the carriage road from Augusta TO
that place, but our object was to attend the gradu
alton exercises Of the Normal School, July 9Th.
Principal Rounds had thrown out entirely the
idea OF graduating essays, ard confined the whole
exercises to examinations and object lessons, con-
Quoted by members of the graduating class-some
conducting the examinations others object lessons
in teaching. The work good. Geometry
well and quickly handled, Chemistry had
practical experiments at the table; Botany, flow
ers for analysis and other lessons their own par
ticular work, the main object being to test the
scholar in regard to his ability TO present the mat
ter to learners.
The classe, in psychology and dilactics were OF
marked interest to the visitors, Mr.. Rounds bav
ing charge of these studies and making a special
~ OF them, added much to the attiactiveness OF
the occasion. The didactics showed the gradual
ing class in strong light.
The crowd was very large and much more than
the accommodations of the building would allow.
Ie. the interest that would bring such a crowd to-
gether must have been tlattering to the faculty.
Governor Common and staff, together with the
Trustees and the wives of each of the party
made conspicuous part of the audience. The
Governor takes deep interest in our educati ona
affairs We speak for education new impetus
with such supporters as Governor Conner and
Superintendent Corthell.
The address of Rev. DR.. Mayo of Springfield
Mass, IN the evening, upon Normal Schools and
Woman Graduates, was delivered to q crowded
audience in the Congregational oh urch. The ad-
dress was full of sparkling thoughts, nterspersed
with sly hits upon Maine for pushing her teach
ers, or rather her teachers pushing everywhere
and the advancement made 10 Maine in the cause
Of education.
AT the close, the Governor, 10 well-fttinp re-
marks, awarded the diplomas after viii ch Mr.
Rounds introduced Tanetaro Megata, the COM
missioner of education from Japan to this coun-
try. lie spoke briefly Of the recent advancement
in education in Japan, and the pleasure he felt in
our work.
Principal Rounds spoke earnestly to his class
upon past relations and the need of contnu ing to
work in the future.
The programme for Friday appeared good, and
no doubt was OF interest to the school and. alumni
as 1t was their meeting entirely.
DIR. Angler of Everett, Mass added much TO
the interest of the occasion by his sharp question
ing His lecture in the evening was upon En-
thusiasm."
The whole affair was a credit to the State This
school, with the Eastern one, are doing work for
education that needs the support of the State and
the good will of all. W.
Augusta, July 7.