News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1884-03-27

prepare the pupil for the expression OF
thoughts in writing, IL Wouiu seem lna'
the art of spelling should De learned Ell
tirolv in thst method. Considerable at
tention has been given to correct reading,
and great mains has been taken in some
instances in teaching the young TO avold
tha DIM nrosy. monotonous. mechahlcaI
stvle and TO adopt that which is easy;
naturaI and conversational, ana TO reau
in a clear round. full tone OF voice. CIV
ino Darticular attention TO correcG pro-
nSSn.intion distinct articulation and nat
,,roJ oxnroseion. Abstracts of interest
ing historical or biographical lessons
ba1a in some instances, been written IN
school from memory, and at other times
DuDiIs have been required TO STATE orally
all that could be remembered OF read
ing lesson.
In the study of arithmetic, teachers
have labored with greater assloulGy 10
nrenare chair scholars for the ready APP
nIication of the rules and principles to
the actual transactions of life than they
have to render them skillful in the solu-
tion of nroblems that might illustrate
onlv theories, and would not be likely to
occnr even once, in the actual expert
ence of a long life. Fitness for business
has seemed to be the aim, and the meth
ed nursued is we'll calculated to effect
This object. Geography, history and
grammar have been taught in nearly all
of the schools. while algebra, book-keep-
ing and civil government have been
prominent studies in most OF the winter
schools.
And now that science has come to our
aid and taught us many new truths IN re-
gard to the philosophy OF life and right
living. and that through the influence OF
temperance workers ana the good sense
OF the people generally, the Legislature
of our State has been induced to make
provision for the teaching of physiology
and hygiene i'm our common schools, and
for instruction as to the physical effects
of the use of narcotics and intoxicants
on the human system, we shall soon see
the good seed springing up everywhere.
Aud in this enlightened age, with the
golden precepts of the bible, the scien-
tific truths taught BY Lhs school, and in
the moral lessons OF the paipit and press,
and with the spur to Intellectual vigor
gained i'm our churches, schools temper
ance unions and lodges by correct diet
and temperate habits; what an amount
of positive happiness. OF superb ENJOY
ment we may yet realize. In deciding
upon the course to be pursued in the dis
trict school, one has only to enter any
well regulated household and observe
the manner IN which parents commence
to teach their children when very young
the kind of employment which will be
likely to engage their attention in ma
turer wears. So accustomed do the little
girls become to the use of the needle and
crochet hook, the broom and buster, that
they WELD them in after years with an
ease and grace truly charming, and the
little girl of six and eight years of age
is often seen performing her tasks. not
upon any lilliputian instrument, but upon
the grand piano, while it is no uncom-
mon thing to find seated at the table
with papa and mamma the youngest of
the household pets holding in her chubby
little hands the logomachy cards. each
member vying with the others in giving
instruction to the little ones. One often
sees the young lad running his water
wheel in the brook near by, or construct
ing mimic ship, steam engine. or an
air balloon, to the great delight. OF both
father and mother.
Upon entering the Normal School or
Academy one learns that exercises In
speaking or writing compositions are
provided for, and that in these high
schools, exercises in reading, recitation
and debates are held regularly once
week." and that all these may become
easy and natural to the young student.
The teachers have recommended and
encouraged their pupils in everything
that goes to complete good common
sense education, adapted to all the de-
mands of social and practical life, and in
their efforts they have not neglected
written exercises i'll composition, re-
curing as that exercise does, practical
application of almost all other studies
and reading.
In all of the twenty-one schools during
the past year the number OF compost
tions written and read, as recently ascer-
tanned, is 1881. and that number does not
include the entire list. During portion
of the year the scholars i'll the village
school, in the intermediate and Primary
departments, met with the upper school
Friday afternoons. when they took part
in the literary exercises, of which no
record was made. At otker times they
had roCitauiOns and S1yn Positions IN their
own school rooms. Ihe students in the
higher department, had lyceums, papers
and essays, and a commendable degree OF
interest and enthusiasm was manifested.
In nearly all of the winter schools dur
ing the latter part of the term the pupils
became very much interested in lyceums
or present on one of these occasions re-
marked that it was as good as play to
sit and listen, and watch the play of the
countenances of these juvenile citizens,
including young ladies and young girls,
as one after another rose to speak upon
the question, the warm, rich blood
mantling the cheek and lighting up the
eye as new thoughts flashed into their
minds and gave them new courage. If
as much Importance is to be attached to
| these exercises as some of the best edu-
Gators claim, and justly, too, judging
from the class of exercises observed at
the close of high schools and on COM
mencement days, then these teachers are
entitled TO great credit for giving new
impetus to the work, and in starting their
pupils in the right direction.
The following is list of those engaged
| in teaching in Stowe the past year !:
Misses Augusta Boomhower, Joanna E.
Mcmahon, Carrie b. Slayton. Carrie E.
Huse, Carnie A. Slayton, Maggie A. Nc
Mahon, Mary E. Moody, Jessie F. Sal
| lies, Lillian A. Barrows, Emma E. Cut
| Ter, Ellen NJ. Stiles, Ida Isham, Josie
E. Fuller, Cora NJ. Vaughn, Gertie A.
| Gale, Jennie l.. Wade, Elsie E. Adams,
VeImer E. Clair, Ida NJ. Colburn, Mertie
q. Melvin, Nellie Mower, l.. z. Brown.