Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1878-04-09
TEACHERS INSTITUTE.

er's Institute, which was continued through
last week and concluded on Friday, has been
of most Interesting character.
On Monday morning Mr. j. P. Hess gave
q very practical illustration Of "The Best
Method of Teaching Penmanship," and was
followed by suggestions on methods of teach.
ing writing, BY Messrs. Long, Latimer,
Backus and others. Miss Ida Is. kearney
read most Interesting and entertaining Essay
on "Climate, or Physical Geography" and
the remainder of the morning session was
consumed in discussion. A creditabe paper
on "Drill in Arithmetic" was read in the af.
ternoon, by Mr.. w. W. Cockrill, and re-
marks on Interest, including partial pay
meDts, we're made by Mr.. T. NJ. Beall, after
which the remainder of the days session was
probably occupied with other matters.
An illustration of his method of drilling
in common fractions was given by Mr.. c. N.
Miller, on Tuesday morning, after which the
time assigned Mr.. b. W. Cooke in the pro-
gramme Chat gentleman excusing himself)
was consumed in very interesting discuss
sion of decimal fractions by Mr.. Light.
ner and others. An excellent Essay on
professional Teaching, aud the Professional
Teacher was read by Mr.. Jno. q. Knott,
and discussion of the question Of drilling
beginners on elementary sounds, ensued.
MIR. W. z. Craighill illustrated his method
Of square and cube roots on the board in the
afternoon. and Mr.. Backus followed in an IL
lnstratiou, with the globe, of "Mathematical
Geography" the interim until adjournment
being occupied in a general discussion of the
subjects.
W. NJ Deck gave drill in Mensuration
on Wednesday morning, and was followed
By Mr.. T. W. Latimer in an able argument
on its importance. A good essay Cd "The
Best Way of Securing the Cooperation Of
Parents" was delivered by Mr.. E. r. Turner,
aud discussion of the question ensued,
The Rev. Mr.. NJ. Morrill,, of Ssorcr College,
being present, complied with request to
make few remarks. physical Geography"
was well handled By Mr.. Lightner in the af,
tcrDoon, Mr.. Osborn following him With an
essay. a spirited discussion on defamation,
In which Mr.. Lightner took prominent and
most humorous part, took up the remainder
Of the days session.
Thursday morning motion was carried to
invite VIM. L. Wilson. Esq, to deliver an
address before the Institute. The question
"Should Attendance on Schools DO Compul.
sorry 2" was argued afirmstively by Mr. Jno.
r. johnson, and Mr.. Il. J. Williams made
some pointed remarks on the "Best Method
Of Securing Attendance" Mr.. Deck spoke
IN favor OF compulsory attendance, arguing
upon the principle of equal power on the
part of the State to levy school taxes and
compel attendance. Mr.. McFadcn looked
upon the education Of children as a solemn
duty devolving upon parents, and ono that
should not be ignored. MIR. Quigley took
strong grounds in opposition to compulsory
attendance. He regarded the home circle
as an empire, where the father reigned az
emperor, aud no power had the right to step
in aud say that child should be sent here
or there. Mr.. Backus supposed the Legis-
lature would ouly act in concurrence with
the views Of the majority Of the people of
the State. Mr. Latimer did not deem it
worth while to discuss the question at oil, as
II did not appear to be strictly within the
province of the Institute. The course pur-
sued by teachers had great deal to do with
the attendance of pupils. Mr.. Bragonier ar
gued strongly iu favor of such law. The
State exercised the right to 60 into the
household aud take its members from the
Preside to perform military and other duties,
and if it had that right, it had the equal
right to demand that they should be educated.
Ignorance begets vice and vice begets crime
and in the end tho State has to punish
criminals for what is the result of noncdu
cation. He thought it far better that the
State should prevent crime by compelling at
tsndanoe upon schools, that its people may
be enlightened. Mr.. wainwright favored
such law, and advocated his views in elo>
qcent terms. Hoods beautiful poem, Tho
Bridge of Signs" was read in an expressive
manner by Miss o Loughliu, after which
the question, "Should Vocal Music be intro>
duced into our Schools, how and to what ex-
tent was discussed in pleasant manner
by Mcssrs. La,imer, McFaden and others.
The early part of the afternoon session was
taken up with short discourse upon the
Analysts of Sentences" by Mr.. Quiglcy,
and the remainder occupied iu an address by
Mr.. Charles Dayies.
Ar. Davies said that he did not expect to
deliver lecture, but would only sny few
words in regard to what he deemed kindred
nhiects of the Institute As friend Of edu.