The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1881-03-29

GUS In spelling. Her plan is to give up the
spelling book in primary grades and make the
spelling lesson consist of words used in other
lessons Of the day.
Rev. Mr.. Garvin seconded the suggestions
made and added some points of interest.
The discussion was continued by Profs.
Smith, Hassell, Catlin, Howell, DR.. Holmes,
Judge Knowles and others. At its close Miss
Cox, a graduate of the Iowa state normal
schools.
AFTERNOON.
First on the programme was the discussion
of Miss Cox's paper.
Prot. Hassell opened the discussion by ad-
vocating the establishment of normal classes
in connection with the high schools of the ter
ritory.
Prof. Smith argued that these classes should
be considered the nucleus of the normal
schools proper which the territory will soon
need and can support. Also, that each uni
versity should support a chair of didactics.
Mr.. Anderson suggested that summer nor
NAL schools, from two to six weeks in dura-
ton, would best do the work in Montana.
Miss Hodges, of Deer Lodge, made an
apple the subject of a very interesting object
lesson. Her vivacity in p~ronouncing and
speaking and her excellent system account
tor her marked success in primary work.
Miss Crossman had put on the board an
outline of drawing course, which is excel
lent.
Miss Shot opened the discussion and was
followed by Prof. E. B. Howell, MIR. Fegtiy,
Prof. Smith, Mrs. Todd and others.
The most interesting discussion of the In
stitute was upon the question: els the Quincy
method new and is it practical?" 1t was
opened in the affirmative by Prof. Smith. He
claimed, not that the principle of the method
is new, but that in application to the Norfolk
county school it was new, and would be new
if applied t o three-fourths OF the
schools over the country. 1t is
well known that Prof. Smith considers
the system practical and he argues for more
Of its spirit in every school. Prof. Hassell
thinks it q compilation of some methods long
GcStcu III lllc CCllIIdt dDu WtSlcIl SlhtcS. Ii
the description of the Quincy school before
the revolution is true, it was indeed in a de-
plorable condition. Some of the ideas of
the method, (for it is no system,) are not
practical; TO do away with text books en-
tirely is to place upon the shoulders ofteach-
ers a burden which is too great for them to
carry. Miss Crossmau and Prof. Catlin
strengthened Mr.. Howell's side Of the ques-
ton. Prof. Hassell commended that few teach
ers can do best work with a text Look, but
that each can gain from the method some
suggestions which are practical. The Quincy
system as a name is now a synonym for Nat
which is freshest and best in school work..
Mr.. Carr thinks the idea of obtaining an
education without individual study is as alb
surd as a plan to get rich without labor.
Mr.. Anderson thinks it would not do to
adopt a system which would kill off teachers,
since the life of a teacher is now only-years.
Judge Knowles remembers that some fea-
lures of this new method were in use twenty
five years ago.
Prot. F. W. Read believes in the Quincy
method. Books are not thrown aside except
in primary departments, but the success OF
the method is not in its details but in its spir.
it, which is right.
EyGNING.
The cIoslng exercises of the institute were
held in the NJ. E. church, which affords the
most pleasant and convenient audience room
in the city. After a quartette. Supt Harden
brook introduced the lecturer of the evening,
Prot. F. W. Reed, of Helena. We give all
incomplete analysis of the lecture. which was
not less finished and thoughtful than any we
have listened to this week.
OUR HERITAGE.
In the past man has heen subject to mind
and matter. Here on American soil both are
mans slaves; we have a heritage %bequeathed
lis by the past-this heritage is liberty We
owe it to no one age or movement, but to the
entire past, for the history of the universe is a
unit Shakespeare's genius has something tC
do with the building OF the Utah Il Northern
railroad, and Daniels prayer withthe Sunday
law of Montana. American civilization is q
elimination; to all preceding history We owe
that freedom from the tyranny of circum,
stances which is the genius of the age. The
history of the Saxons is the history Of beasts
France in the 18th century was a nation o
beggars; to-day Ireland stretches out eager
hands for freedom, while for III tlc mountain.
yield their treasures, and the paths of the con.
tinent drop iatness. Neither nature normint
can hold us in subjecrion; liberty, to lis anC
in our age. means that it is the right Of eacl
one to take his destiny in his own hands
every MAJ may be and OWL himself.
There is over us no fright divine" of kings
no tyranny of money power; when money
said slavery is right" and free thought sale