St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-11-04

Schools" He thought this subject
might profitably be brought before
teachers. Some teachers are apt to
get into ruts, and nothing will so stir
them up and incite them to adopt new
methods as visiting the schools of 9th
er teachers. We frequently judge the
work of our fellow teachers by ouI
own but by comparing our methods
with those in other schools we ascertain
whether we are advancing or behind
them in the matter of instruction
Visit not only schools that are better
than ours, but those that are inferior
that we may see both good effects and
bad ones. To get the most benefit
from school visiting it is better to have
some need in view to visit for the
purpose of finding fault is an unwor-
thy motive. The main point in the
essay was that this matter of school
visiting is really necessary to the full
est success of the teacher, and should
be so considered by both committee
and teacher.
THE EVENING LECTURE.
In the evening at the town hall, Rev.
II. 7. Fuller delivered an interesting
lecture on German Schools In his
preliminary remarks he traced the
formation of popular and elementary
education in Europe, which was not
really accomplished until IS70-so that
genuine common school education in
Europe is only about eleven years old.
The parochial system of education is
losing ground there, and will soon he
an element of little moment. France
was a little in advance of England in
the matter of universal education; and
Italy is the only country in Eu-
rope in which elementary education
is free as it is in our own country.
The public schools in Germany, said
the speaker, are superior in thorough
ness to the private schools; and in
S'hNi il vi
is ahead of any other natiOn-except
i'll female education, in which America
takes the lead. He referred to the
various classes of schools, from the
private kindergarten to the univer-
sites, giving brief outline of the
methods in each. The matter of edu-
dation in Germany is under the direct
control of the government, and the
Emperor, through his minister of
education, Supervises the whole system.
All professors, directors and teachers
in general are subject to government
regulations, and no textbooks can be
introduced without the approval of the
government. Compulsory education
applies to children between six and
fourteen years. Every child must pay
something each year for his schooling,
unless on account of extreme poverty
the price expected is RENTED by
authority. The schools are divided
according to the religious preferences
Of the pupils, and religious instruction
is given for some hours every week.
The school furniture and appliances
were spoken of and especially the mat
ter of light, regarding which the au-
thOrities insist that it he admitted on
the left side of the room. Boys and
girls are not educated together as in
this country. Women are never put
i'll charge of schools, but are sometimes
found i'll the position of assistant. Mr.
Fuller dwelt at some length on the
thorough methods of primary and
secondary instruction, giving the audi
ence good idea of what German
school expects of its pupils in the way
of work. The student is required to
do earnest, faithful work, and lack of
attention is met with severe discipline.
Especially is the curriculum in the
normal schools, where wOuld-be teach
ers are instructed, replete with labor
for number of years; and those who
are able to stand the strain are thus
fitted for their lifewOrk with an excel
lence which cannot be surpassed.
Mr.. Fuller regards the German sys-
TEN of education as almost perfect, but
does not see how the same general
methods could be adopted in the Uni
ted States. Our surroundings and our
culture, as country, are so varied,
and the demands of our society so
different in character, that it is not
possible for us to conduct Il national
system of education as in Germany.
We can work by states, but not ma
tiOnally. If we cannot follow in detail
the example of Germany i'll this direc-
ton, we can afford to adopt so much
of her system as is possible.
We have given but an outline of Mr..
Fuller's lecture. He gave much atten-
ton while in Europe to this subject,
and the teachers of Caledonia county
cannot but profit from what they
learned on Thursday evening about
educational methods in Germany and
elsewhere.
Fridays Session.
On Friday morning Miss Laura (.
Markham, principal of our Union
conducted class exercise in
common arithmetic. The room was
full to overlooking, and considerable
interest was manifested in this part of
the programme. 1t was not intended
as an exhibition of what the class could
w "huCi SPONiii iiiuiNciiOh'; '"O 'S "
sample of everyday school work. The
result was very satisfactory 10 all pres
ent. The class gave evidence of hav-
ing a thorough, faithful instructor;
and we can afford to feel gratiiied that
our schools are doing such excellent
work.
Rev. L. w. Morey, of Lyndon, spoke
the "MOral Element in
Education" The purpose of education,
he said, is to train men and women to-
be true men and women. Language is