New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-12
NOTES ON EDUCATION.

Some time ago it was stated IN these columns that
n novel experiment was about to be tried IN Tue
Nebraska Institute for the Deaf and DUMB NJ
Omaha The seu-deaf children OK the nstitntioh
were TO be taught to hear by the use OF tho auai-
obona tRecent reports show that the experiment
has been n complete success. This method consists
mainly of object teaching and an exaggerated plain
pronunciation of words by the teacher. whose pu-
pills gradually become accustomed to the SOUNDS OF
words used to designate various objects; sno 10
time they succeed IN hearing and pronouncipg
these words themselves Now that this interesting
experiment. has succeeded, there Is no reason why
II should not be tried in other similar insttutens
Professor Pointer Of Roanoke College. Virginia
has published an address recently delivered oy
him on The Modern Languages versus the Ancien'
Languages" He expresses substantially the same
views as to the inutility of the ancient languages
as were contained In the recent address OF Chares
Francis Adams. jr lie says that the position
which no has taken represents arapidIy gIo"iins
sentiment in Roanoke College, and prooaply Also
in other Southern colleges
The first annual catalogue of the Rose foiytech.
mic Institute, Te-re Haute Ind, indicates 'ha' a.
no distant day it will take its place among tho most
important educa tional institutions of the country
Its existence is due to the munifcence OF the late
Chauncey Rose who endowed 1t with nearly $oOO-
OOO 1t is provided with an able corps OF INSTRUCT
crs and the most approved apparatus.
The present high standard of popular education
In Germany recalls the fact that 1t is not 90 long
since education was at o very low ebo IN tnau
country. Many years ago there was an eiectlon Oh
Q schoolmaster IN little hamlet OF siiesis Rhere
were five candidates No. /, cobbler, thirty years
of ace. saus reaa three lines of handwriting with
tolernble ease, correctly cred three questions
on the Greed and few Others on the Catechism
made four mistakes in three lines OF dictation, and
failed ANONYMOUSLY in arithmetic. No. z, weav-
or OF forty, also sang. rscited correctly rom the
Catechism made five mistakes in three lines VI
dlctation, and was able to do only easy sums. No.
8, tailor Of sixty, sang could only write three
words, read with extreme difficulty, and knew
nothing whatever of the mysteries even OF simple
addition. No. 4, tinker Of fifty, sang divinely ;
but unfortunately, he did not know his Catechism
mado ton mistakes In three lines of dictaton, and
had not mastered multiplication or Subtraction.
No. s, . sergeant, age forty-fve, who had lost a
leg in the Swedish wars could also sing. and knew
tho Cstechism we'll and the Creed fairly; but. al
though he was tolerably good oven ut a division
sum- he made eight mistakes in three lines OF die
tation The appointment was tbereupon given TO
the honest weaver; it beng very properly deter
mined that apart from other consioeratlons, tne
his habits the tailor too DID, and the arithmetcal
soldier too likely to fill bis pupils heads with all
kinds Of adventurous notions
Speaking of she normal schools of tins State. The
albany Evening Journal says: 1.-TWO things ought
evidently to be done. The students at normal
schools, whose aIsducation is paid for by the
State with the understanding that they are To
teach should teach or return the cost Of their edu
cation; and the appropriation for the support of
teachers, classes in the academies of the State
shoald be materially increased to furnish added
and needed facilities for moro carefu and extended
instruction TO those who are preparing TO- and who
actually do, teach"
The Wheeling Intellisencer is not at all satirfsd
with tine prevailing methods Of education. Man
cannot live 1t says, "by literary education
alone He mnst do something which the world
wants dono, and for which it is willing to pay
living compensation If the signs of the times be
not misleading there is going to be growing de
mand for men and women who combine the edu-
Gated hand with the educated head. who know
how to perform some useful kind Of manual labor,
superior intelligence giving superior value to what
they do. Those who know the Ebest most econom-
ical most expeditions and. IN many branches the
most artistic way to produce certain article will
be In greatest demand at the best wages The
scientific spirit of the age demands skilled hands to
apply its discoveries and inventions; 1T il now EN-.
bxrrassed for the want OF them IL is now Obliged
to do the best It can, 20 take up artisans without
special training who do their best 10 follow III
siructions. But this not enough. Men and women
must be educated TO the Work, ana the Tree ID easier
bent when it is a twlg."
The Salt Lake City Tribune makes this breezy COM
ment ON the recent commencement exercises OF
Harvard University: Harvard this yea turns
cut 1s5 Bachelors OF Art, and Bachelor OF
Agriculture. The proportion is not good inasmuch
as the Ba chelors OF Art know nothing about art;
there Is not one Of them who could By any art In
the world make living; and, further inasmuch
as the greatest problem that is now presented Ia
mankind is how to increase and cheaper the food
amply of tbis world so that by ordinary labor the
workingman may feed his wife and children
Whether the Bachelor of Agriculture knows any
more tnan the others Is very doubtful; but an
indication OF the direction which his mind is taking
his title is significant. We may never hear from
him again; but II by his work he shall by and by
discover q new and cheap fertilizer, or explore
chemistry until he comes upon the materials which
will give to mankind q more wholesome biscuit foI
breakfast, his life will not De In vain"
An alumnus of Harvard University writes to tn,
Boston Herald to say that, in his opinion, Harvard
ia vet very far from being ideal university. The
defects he instances ale lack of enthusiasm in
teachers and students. lack of thoroughness, a
comparatively poor system Of examinations and the
feeling of perfect security the part Of the corps
of instructors But he takes much OF tie sting from
his criticism by admitting that all other American
colleges are bad or w0rse.
In Greece the proportion Of iliterates is very
high. In Thebes and Arcadia only per cent OF
the inhabitants can read and write.
petition is being generally signed in Baltimore
asking tho school board TO appoint colored teachers
for the public schools of that city,