The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-02-26

IRVFESSUR w AISUN LECl
sor j. Madison Watson, OF New York, on
Saturday delivered lecture to the teach
ers of the public schools OF Richmond
on the popular subject OF Reading and Elo-
cution, and it's practical relation to every
day schooi-work. the meeting wasSfully
attended by the teachers OF this city, and
also by delegations from the schools OF Pc
tcrsburg, with Mr.. r. E. Hardaway, the
newly-elected superintendent, and By Mr.
Slater, principal OF the schools at Ports
mouth, DC.
The lecturer having been introduced by
Mr.. Peay, Superintendent Of Schools, said I:
It is with no ordinary pleasure and sense OF
responsibility that l address for the first
time an educational assembly of the Old
Dominion. Earnest, liberal, daily instruc-
tors OF youth in Virginia represent nu-
merous and important constituencies in the
republic Of letters. I shall assume that you
will welcome truths and methods relating
to popular instruction, readily test their
merits, and avail yourselves of whatever
advantages they may afford.
The most important OF all educational
topics, language, is older than creation /;
and the division for present consideration,
Dronslciation, is used more than any other
gift OF God, excepting only the breath OF
life. It proclaims with every utterance
either ignorance and vulgarity or intelli-
gence and culture. A talent universally
bestowed, not to be hid in the earth, but
for constant use and gain, it is subject
especially appropriate for the present occa-
sion.
First. He wished to settle the authority
for correct pronunciation. /, as author
and instructor, have no special pronun-
citation, neither have you, as teachers, any
moral or legal right to any but that Of
the dictionaries. Webster's and Worces-
ter's are the recognized authorities in this
country. In their latest editions they re-
cognize the same number Of elementary
sounds, and are almost identical in pronun-
citation.
He next gave some exercises in the pro-
duction OF sounds, directed the attention Of
teachers to the characters which repre-
sent the same, and said that he used in his
books all Of Webster's marked, letters, and
six additional combined consonants to form
a perfect phonic alphabet. These marked
letters arc as easily read as though IN
marked, invariably representing to the pu-
pill correct pronunciation. They are used
in al doubtful words, at least once at each
opening OF his books.
Third. Only five classes OF errors exist in
pronunciation-three IN articulation, one in
syllabication, and one in accent. Numerous
and remarkable words in common use, illus
lrativc OF each class, were given. Refer
ence was then made to the necdful prepare
ton for 4 reading. Neither teacher nor
pupil should attempt to read either prose or
verse without such preparation. This in
wolves knowledge OF the correct Dronun-
citation Of the words and their meaning, and
explanations OF classical, historical, and
other illusions. There are three classes
OF readers-those who merely pronounce
words, those who read understandingly,
and those who read effectively. To read
understandingly is Il necessity, and nothing
less than effective reading should satisfy 4
laudable ambition.
lii concluding the Professor referred to
the nature OF the teachers work. Though
not pecuniarily remunerative, he hoped
that they would continue in it; for in some
respects It's superior to all other yocations,
and in no respect inferior, and ended with
the quotation from Landor:
T" Some there are whose names will liveI
Not in the memory, but the hearts Of men;
Because those hearts they comforted and raised,
And where they saw Gods images cast down,
Lifted them mp again, and blew the dust
From the worn features aud dis1gnred limb"
Felow-teachers, so live and labor that
your life may illustrate truth so simple,
yet sublime.