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


drill and rehearsal every week, principally
conducted by Miss Palmer, whose invalua-
BILE services and marked qualifications for
the successful performance of this task are
appreciated by the whole school.
In closing our notes on the Grammar
school we may say that We have found its
system OF study as comprehensive as could
be desired, and its methods fully up 10 The
times, while the general air which per-
vades the school, and the cordial spirit Of
sympathy and cooperation which exists
between teachers and pupils is as agreeable
to witness as II Is productive OF good re-
suits in the way of steady progress and sat
isiactory achievement. The school at its
close numbers 125 pupils.
THE NIGH SCHOOL.
This school is in charge OF Mr.. b. +.
Bingham, Principal; Miss Mary NJ. Walk
course is four years in length, and the
branches pursued include Arithmetic, Al
zebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Physiolo-
gy, Grammar, Analys and Parsing, Book
keeping, Astronomy, Philosophy, Science
Of Things, Science Of Government, History,
Botany, Physical Geography, Latin, French,
Reading, Spelling, Composition and Rhe-
torical Exercises.
The two classes in Arithmetic, under Mr..
Bingham's instruction, show the same
thoroughness, practical discipline and gen.
orally careful work which have always
characterized tho classes in mathematics
going out 10 the world from Mr.. Bingham's
hands. In the year just closing the First
Division have passed through Compound
Proportion, and we are satisfied that each
member OF the class is perfectly familiar
with every principle thus far gone over.
In review taken at random not many
days since and embracing rules not touch
ed upon since the first of the term, the
definitions and processes in Percentage,
Interest, Banking, Discount, etc., were Civ
en- with a marked readiness which showed
that all of these subjects had been fully
mastered and fixed in the mind. The
Fourth Division have gone through Wal
toms Arithmetic during the year, and as a
result of the years work the whole class
stands to-day possessed of a thorough and
accurate knowledge of higher Arithme-
tic. The uniformity of excellence which
prevails in this class of about 20 pupils, is
a prominent and gratifying feature. A bet
ter test of tle proficiency which has been
attained could hardly he made than was
seen in rapid and general review, with.
out previous preparation, which we wit
messed on Monday afternoon. On this oc-
easion each member Of the class was called
upon for series of definitions and a state
ment Of processes on topics covering, in
general te ..,.,on }whole ground from Per-
centage on n Interest, Partial Pay
ments, Discount, Commission, Eq1ation of
Payments, Ratio, Proportion, Iuf 3F1.fon,
ETC., to Northumberland with scarce an
exception the replies we're prompt, concise
and intelligent. With a groundwork so
well laid there cond he no doub, about the
ability of the class TO solve any given prob
lens, coming under these rules, and to put
the principles involved to actual use in
practical life. We have been glad to OBJ
serve that Mr.. Bingham does not devote
valuable time TO drill upon merely puz-
cling and useless problems designed only
for show, but that the energy Of his Arith-
metic-classes is wholly directed toward ac-
curing practical knowledge OF that sci.
enee.
In the study of Algebra, The Second Di-
vision show satisfactory progress as far as
three unknown quantities, and the Third
Division have completed Robnson's Ele-
mentary Algebra. The last named class, in
particular, show a gratifying readi7ess and
facility in this most pleasing and fascihat-
ing OF the mathematical sciences. Two
pupils, under Mr.. Bingham, have taken
Loomis's Algebra in preparation for a col
lege course. Ever since Mr.. Bingh ms
connection with the school il has been his
aim 10 have every class take an aIgebraic
course as preparation for the study of
higher Arithmetic and the beneficial re-
suits Of this system are plainly to be seen.
Geometry has been in charge of Miss
walker, and under her instruction large
class OF boys and girls have gone through
Hunters Plane Geometry. The attain
ments OF the class in this science are such
as would answer the requirements for ad-
mission to most New England colleges.
The Second Division have given one term
to The study of Bookkeeping with Miss
Howe, taking up the three forms of single
entry and making applications OF each form
10 several examples. In addition to this.
another class have gone step in advance Of
any preceding one, and during the Winter
have taken up, under Mr.. Bingham's ill.,
'truction, the fourth and fiflh forms of ac-
counts, as laid down in the Bryant & STRAIT
on system, and which initiate the pupil
MO the mysteries of Partnership Business.
Double Entry, Commission, Jobbing aud
importing, etc. The specimens of work
shown in this department are highly cred
table.
In Philosophy Mr.. Bingham has made
use OF Steele's Fourteen Weeks, and the |
Rotations which we have heard in this
science have been very satisfactory. The |
upils are not allowed 10 accept the con-
illusions of the textbook without any |
hought of their own, but, on the contrary.
hey are constantly urged and required TO |
use their own reason aud common sense in |
accounting for natural phenomena and in |
ollowing out natural laws. In listening |
o recitalions in this and other classes we |
nave been constantly impressed with the |
act that Mr.. Bingham's strong and marked |
characteristic as teacher lies in his habit |
md faculty of cultivating independent in |
iividual thought in his pupils. 1t is this
bower of thinking for ones self which
makes, not only good students, but strong
men and women, and if an instructor of |
he young leaves it undeveloped his ser.
'ices In nero lip and book teaching are OF |
little comparative worth.
We believe that a careful examination will
how that in no one branch of the Hipb |