Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-03-23

acter and development Of The nation. Un.
| der the same teacher the Fourth Division
have devoted one term during the year TO
the study Of Gray's Dotany-the analysis
and classification of plants being part of
each days recltation-and Physical Geog.
rsphy has bcen made study for two terms.
with Miss Howe, by the boys OF the Third
Division. Under Mr.. Bingham in the first
part OF the year. and with Miss Howe dur.
ing the last term, the Second Division have
finished Weiss Science of Things.
Each teacher in the High school has had
a class 10 Reading and Spelling through
the year. The spelling has been both oral
and written, with monthly reviews and ex-
aminations. The careful drill in reading
shows excellent results. Composition has
been regular study throughout the year,
with the three higher divisions, under
Miss Walker and Miss Howe, one division
having an exercise OF this kind bsflre the
school each week. The teachers have aim
ed to secure in this study originality of
thought, ease and propriety of expression,
and a careful attention 10 the proper use Of
capitals and marks Of punctuation. In
no previous year has harder work been
done, or greater advancement been made
in this very essential branch, than ia that
just closing. Rhetorical exercises, includ-
ing declarations and select readings.
have been given each Wednesday after-
noon.
The Latin classes are solely under the
charge Of Miss Mary NJ. Walker, and dur
Ing the past year, have been four In num-
Der. The Second Division, in connection
With their drill in the Grammar, which is
OF the most thorough kind, have translated
the Fables and a part OF Roman History.
The Third Division have read three books
OF Cesar, aud it is evident from their reci-
tations that special attention has been paid
to the formation and syntax of Latin sem
fences. The Fourth Division have become
thoroughly cquainted with four orations
Of Cicero, and it is worthy of note, that the
number Of pupils who have read this au-
thor is larger than for several previous
years. There has also been a class in Vir-
gil, in which have been read six Eclogues,
two Georges, aud Two books Of The Eneid,
In connection with this, a thorough knowl-
edge Of the rules Of Prosody has been
gained, and their application in proving
and scanning. Particular attention seems
to have been given in all the classes 10 the
careful translation which aids in the use OF
the best English, and TO the analysis and
parsing. Miss Walker evidently never
loses sight OF the fact that, in the study of
Latin, everything depends upon the care
which is taken in laying asubstantial foun-
dation from the first; aud what is of the
highest importance, in connection with
this, she possesses in an eminent degree
the faculty OF rendering interesting aud at.
tractive what is too often found, in its first
stages, to be dull and dry.
Miss Howe has had one class ia French
during the past year, which, in general
review on Tuesday last, gave evidence OF
unusual thoroughness. The textbooks
used in the class are Fasquelle's Practical
Grammar, Keetel's Conversation, besides
Pyloders First Reader, and LIE petit Rob.
inSon. In addition 10 this, oral exercises
have entered largely into each recitation,
and the course pursued throughout has
been in accordance with The best modern
methods OF instruction. 1t was nartjcu-
larly gratifying to see how completely the
pupils had mastered the idioms of the lam
guage found in the first forty-four lessons
OF Fasquelle, and with what ease tbev
could construct new and difficult sentences.
involving the principles embraced in their
years course of study. This is an oppor-
tunlty for acquiring the first principles Of
the language which should not be neglect.
ed by those who intend later to lake up the
study Of French.
Stale the case when we say, speaking from
our own study and observation, that
our Brsttleboro High school answers. in an
eminently satisfactory manner, the three
tial requirements Of salutarv disci-
pine, conscientious work, and careful
preparation Of boys and girls for The duties
of practical life.
The school closes with IS pupils.
ORNAMENTAL BRANCHES - MUSIC AND
DRAWING.
AS the teaching of both music and
drawing in our schools is OF comparatively
recent introduction, and as the practical ad-
Vahtaees resulting from the expenditure Of
time and money upon them are not in all
cases Iully understood and appreciated,
our notes upon these branches are necessa-
rily made somewhat in detail:-
MUSIC.
vocal music, as a regular branch of study.
was first introduced into the public
SCHOOLS Two years ago, and has been during
TINS ume under the charge of Miss Maria
u COOKE The course of study pursued
mas been that laid down in the Chart Melh
Cd OF Luther Whiting Mason, superintend-
emf OF music in the primary schools of Bos-
ton, supplemented by his irst, second and
thlrd music readers. This system has been
thoroughly studied, and much time given TO
practice, no pains having been
spared on Miss Cookies part to lay a firm
foundation which should serve, not only az
oasis Tor more extended study in the fu-
lure for those who might wish 10 make "a
special branch of music, but which should
oe invaluable TO all in its general results,
For the better comprehension of the differ
eni Keys and scales, Miss Cooke has adopt.
ed the numerical system, which is un-
doubleday the surest and most satisfactory
oil all systems for learning TO read music,
Inc result OF this numeral practice, enter
ing largely into each lesson, is plainly Wis.,
IDLE IN The different classes from the readi-
ness with which the pupils take up new
piece OF music, explaining its signature,
lime, relative value of its notes, rests, etc.,
and from the facility with which they read
1t. Each piece is learned in q particular
way, following out given formula, and as
natural consequence, no pupil has caught