Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-09-03

| Iuluu chu De WluGneu Huu ilupTOVtu Dy
proper scheme Of education. There is
evidence to show that the eyes and ears
of the race have been improved by
generations of culture. Human beings
come into the world with their senses in
a very rudimentary condition, and attain
their subsequent skill in sense perception
by process of development. The aim
of this culture and the conditions that
must be at hand, were next discussed.
The aim is to make the senses the ready
instruments of the mind, in other words
the formation of habits of observation.
The conditions are proper care Of the
organs and undivided attention on the part
of the class. The exercises recommended
for the attainment of this culture are !:
Object lessons, topical spelling, drawing,
descriptive essays, natural gcience, music,
foreign languages. Students who travel
| in foreign lands soon learn the difference
between knowing language through the
ear and through the eye. Both should be
trained in linguistic study. The speaker
concluded by saying that the sense is an
inborn gift.
| EVENING SESSION.
| The association met at 8 O'Clock
the Rev. O. w. Prettyman in the chair.
The exercises were opened with prayer by
DR.. Hough of Virginia. Austin Merit re-
cited "Mark Twain Interviewed"
DIR. Schaffer lectured on "Education
Among the Greeks and Romans" The
highest compliment ever paid to the pro-
fession of teaching is the famous
acknowledgment of Horace that Greece
though captive subdued her conquerors.
For this conquest was achieved not by
the sword but by brains, not by soldiers
but by teachers. The lecturer then took
his audience to Athens on visit, and
showed why Macauley says Shat no
modern university possessed 50 ,Sccllent
Il system of education.
During thousand years Atlp ns drew
to herself the best intellect OF the world
and after training it,sent it back 10 mould
and fashion society. The esteem in which
teachers were held, the emoluments they
received, the perfection of the text books
which they made,a and the excitement pro-
duced by the advent of new teacher were
next discussed. The Greek teacher came
to Rome and revolutionized society.
Even the ladies must have studied Greek,
for Lucretius says that in his day the
language of lovers was Greek. Slavery
supplied the place of the printing press.
While one dictated, several hundred
wrote and in that way an
edition of several thousand copies
could be issued in few days.
Rome at one time had 25 public libraries,
and the size of these may be inferred
from the fact that there were private
| libraries ranging from $4,000 to 60,000
volumes. The downfall and revival of
classic learning was next depicted. The
| lecturer in conclusion showed the need of
something better than intellectual culture
to secure the perpetuity of our free insti-
| tutions.
| A male choir rendered music for the
evening. Mr.. Merrill's recitations deserve
more than passing note. He has been
studying elocution for several years and
| is now teaching elocution in the Western
Maryland College. He is very natural
and takes his audience along with him to
the scenes he describes, or personates
very finely the characters he takes.
REHoBoTH, Aug. 28.-The association
met at 8 q. M, in the chapel for the last
session, with 4. N. Rawlins, vice presi-
dent, in the chair. The exercises were
opened with prayer by DIR. Schaffer.
The doctor then gave us lecture on
Memory" You have wondered, per-
haps, why he has SO large place on the
programme, but if you could have heard
his three lectures you would have found
an answer to your inquiry.
The teachers association of Delaware
have never had a greater treat than that
given them by DR.. Schaffer. He de-
scribed three kinds of memories, and
showed how they may be improved. He
said there was the portative memory, that
II 10 Or1 fr,.Y,,
Just as it was received. This he touched
upon as the lowest form. By it boy
who had but little knowledge might pass
a first class examination. Thus many of
the honor men at college are never heard
from after they graduate.
The next was the analytical memory,
in which the facts known pass in review,
and what we do not want is dropped out
and we are able to retain just that which
is useful to us. In the preparation of n
sermon or lecture great mass of matter
passes in review before the writer, but
only the salient points are used and re-
| tanned.
The third was the assimilative memory.
| This takes all truth as it comes and assimi-
lates that which is consonant to the indi-
/ yidual This is the source of new thought
and of originality. He conlbatted the
old idea of mental science that nothing
was ever forgotten that was ever known.
A committee was appointed to draft a
new school law to be reported to the next
meeting Of the association.
The committee was: McKendree
Downham, j. II. Whitley of Lewes, and
l. S. Robinson of Georgetown.
The following resolution was passed
Resolued, That the lectures, the essays
and the recitations we have found both
pleasure and profitable. All have been
/ excellent of their kind. We truly tender
our hearty thanks to their authors who have
so largely contributed TO our entertainment
and instruction.
ResoLued, That we highly value tho social
| privileges of these annual gatherings in
cementing old friendships, in forming new
ones, and INF cutivating generally those
| social and kindly faculties OF our better
nature which add so much to our happiness.
ResOtUed, That the exercises, business,
professional and literary of the association
have u direct and important influence i'll
improving the membersand in better quali-
flying them for the special duties OF their
calling: and it is q matter of regret that 50
few comparatively attend them; we there
fore cordially invite sand earnestly urge those
who heretofore have not ayailed themselves
of their advantages to do so.
ReSolUed, That the thanks of tho associH-
tion are due and hereby rendered to the
officers, who hove so efficiently and satis-
factorily discharged the various nnd inn
portunt duties imposed upon them; 10 the
proprietors of the Bright House and the
officers OF the Delaware railroad for tho
| reduced rates accorded the members, and
the courtesies extended them throughout /,
and to the trustees of the chapel for the
free use of their building for holding our
| sessions.
ReS0toed, That this association hereby eX-
tend to State Superintendent Williams
through its secretary, the hearty congrltu-
lations of all its officers and members, con-
cerning his late departure in life, and that
we wish him and his wife many years OF
connubial felicity.
j. ALEXANDER FULTON,
JOHN l.. THOMPSON.
The association adjourned with the
doxology aud benediction by the Rev. A.
d. Davis. Thus ended a very pleasant
session of the teachers association.
Do not think / have written all, for
there were many side plays, much flirting
and some real counting, and n declaration
ON the part of some of the male members
that they Intended to take wife before
the next session.
A Sad bereavement.
Mrs. DR.. j. Russell Jakes, nee Miss
Laura Ferris, died Wednesday night week
at the residence of her father, d. Brainerj
Ferris, near Glasgow, this county, Of
, consumption. Mrs. Jakes was graduate
| of Delaware College, as was also her hus-
f band. They were married on the 4th Of
December last, and amid the good wishes
lie tI,ai,.