Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1879-08-13
The Teachers Association

The second day, Wednesday, Aug
oh, was tho great day OF the meeting
here. about ia teachers being present
Charles u, Putney OF ~ Johashury
opened the discussion upon 1.-THE
Methods Of Elementary Classical IN
slruelIou," stating with great clear
ness hls views regarding tho beat
course to pursue with beginners, and
the proper steps through which to
lead them TO the most successful re-
suits lilo would give them the best
teaehers at the outset. They can bet
ter afford second aud third rate 10
s,ruction further on, aud especially
would have them begin at once to put
English into Latin. He would fur
thermore let the pupil be taught to
put his thoughts into Latin, to think
In Latin, if that Is the language In
hand. Mr.. Putuey's suggestions were
eminenily practical, aud he was in
the man heartily endorsed by em'n'
snt teachers present, Principal Green
Of the Dread Institute, Worcester,
said there is no such thing ~ an Eng
lish boy thinking in Latin or any 9th
er language. Our thoughts fly MS
lightning in our mother tongue, and
wo cannot help ourselves, "La'in
and Greek Grammars, how to be
Used In Secondary and Collegiate In
struction," was the next topic taken
up, and Judge Barrett was tho first
speaker. lie regards the present
methods rs faulty, in that too much
prominence is given 10 grammars,
which mado the subject Of incessant
drill and memorization through q long
course extending over years, and re-
sulting in the confusion and disgust
Of the students. His criticisms OF
modern Latin grammais were severe
Prot. Goodrich Of Burlington agreed
with Judge Barrett in that which he
had written and said upon this sub
iect, aud he had taken the occa
sion heretofore to tell him so, never
theless, he thought there was much
good in grammars, as repositories OF
facts tor the students use. He thought
Dr.. Freeman was justified in the re-
mark that during the last forty years
there had been as great an advance in
philology as III science, and if this be
true a properly arranged grammar Of
to-day, rightly used, ought to be o
very important aid in the study OF q
language. President Hubert asked
Judge Barrett what process he used in
c.llege. The Judge replied that hi'
elias, had one at first, but it was sto'
len. The president asked what teach
ers are to do who are constantly en-
barrassed by these things. The Judge
replied that he could not tell; he die
not belong to the modern hippodrome
These sallies created considerable
amusement, Principal G. G. BoyntoI
af Townshend, read paper on :Ru
raj Schools and their Relation to Higt
Schools and Academies" He thinks
the rural schools of the State are fa
below a reasonable standard, and arr
not improving. They do not contain
within Themselves an element OF adj
vancement, and help must come from
high schools and academies. 1t is th'
universal law that the higher mus
raise the lower, and he thinks thu
higher schools fail to realize the rela
tons they sustain TO the rural schools
Committees were appointed. ln tn
afternoon Prof ]. S. Spaulding, o
Barre, gave review of the history o
the association, the causes which lee
to its formation and the progress o
the rcformatory educational measure
in the State. The discussion OF tn
morning was briefly resumed, Rev
Mr.. Austin of Meriden, N H.; Judg
Barrett and President Hurlbert takin!
part. Hon. Edward Conant, Stat
Superintendent of Education, spoke a
length upon the general interest o
education in the State. In the eve
ming Prot. Marshall gave his interest
ing lecture on the Yellowstone Nation
al Park, sided by the calcium light, t
a crowded house, Thursday mornin
the institute wound up its business
time for the members to take the l
o'clock train for their several homes.
No excursion on the lake this sun