The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1885-12-29


GREETING his inability to be present,
and promising to be with the friends
at least in spirit. The necessity for
an answer to the letter was obviated
by the pleasing information that the
Rev. gentleman had anticipated him
self by arriving on yesterdays
steamer, and was present, body and
spirit, during the afternoon.
MUSIC IN SCHOOLS.
This question was opened by an
able paper on the subject by band
master Berger.
Mr.. Atwater observed that it is
his custom to have musical exercises
every morning; and on Friday
afternoon, the time is devoted to
music. The Board of Education
had assisted by paying half the
price of an organ. The balance
had been realized from proceeds of
concert, and he had found
musical exercises to be very inspir-
ing and useful.
Mr.. ii. S. Townsend said lie had
taken q great deal of interest in the
introduction of musical exercises,
and had arranged for 10 minutes of
such exercises in every department
of his school. He taught music
himself by note, using the tonic
sol ia notation as preliminary eX-
ercise for the learning of the ordi-
nary staff notation. He relied for
the most part, in the first stages, on
the capacity of the pupils to learn
by the ear. Any person who will
give the subject fair trial will be
surprised to find how few pupils fail
to learn music. lie agreed with
Mr.. Berger in giving due promi-
nencc to rote singing, especially
among beginners.
Mr.. Berger said that, in Germany,
no notes are learned in the common
schools. Note music is taught :, Il
the select schools. H!e had proved
.n. advantages of teaching music
by ear in the schools in Honolulu.
He thought the Board of Education
should be asked to provide one book
to be used in all the schools of the
Kingdom. Singing, he held, was
for after life as well as for school
days. And how is it to be made to
answer the purpose without learn
ing the songs taught in the schools?
The discussion was further carried
on by Messrs. Atwater and Oleson.
Rev. C. M. Hyde read a short
paper on the Marking System from
the Yale College Courier, in which
the whole system was ridiculed and
condemned in scathing terms.
Mrs. j. M. Whitney read paper
OH the propriety of Introducing
physiology and hygiene into the
public schools, and especially with
reference to the effects of alcoholic
and narcotic stimulants and, on be-
half of the Woman's Christian Tenn
perance Union, asked the convcn-
tion to join with the Union in
petitioning the Board of Education
for the introduction of standard
text books on these subjects.
Mr.. Scott was in favor of intro
ducing some work on the subject,
but he held strong sentiments in
opposition to any work of Steele's.
He was prejudiced against Steele's
system of teaching all about any
science Sin fourteen weeks He
was highly in favor of something of
the kind being done, but he could
not subscribe to the use of the par
ticular text books recommended by
the w. C.. II. u. He said the attain
able is often lost by aiming at the
unattainable.
Mr.. Oleson supported the theory
of inculcating principles of total
abstinence in the minds of young
children. He had come from within
stones throw of Neal Dow's
house, and he had opportunities of
knowing something about the anti
alcohol campaign. With respect to
Steele's works, he approved of some
of them. others he thought were
poor stock. While on the subject
of school books, he thought the time
had come for us to consider the duty
of facing the necessity Of providing
school books specially adapted to
the wants of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
Professor Merritt said he held the
doctrine of total abstinence in its
most radical form, and while he
could not endorse the larger work,
he would certainly wish to see the
two smaller books recommended by
the w. G. Il. U. in the hands of
every child In the world