Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-11-20

Brattleboro. An enlightened and advanced
people, she thought, ought TO accept the
claw unto ITSELF" But IL not, something can
be done TO head of the army OF victims an
nually falling before this destroyer. She
would ask the teacher Of little ones TO talk
to the children about alcohol as a poison
tell story to impress the fact upon their
minds. The W. o. T. U. asks that this sub
jeot be taught systematically and thoroughly
Different text books we're recommended.
This subject was continued by Miss Barry,
who would instruct classes in the uses and
abuses Of alcohol by simple apparatus; show
how II may be preservativeNof animal tissue,
and thus arrest digestion that II produces
fatty degeneration Of the heart and so is dan
gerous.
Mrs. Davidson Of Newfane recommended
Health Primers, and that, IL no text books
on Physiology are used 10 school, this subject
may be introduced orally. She showed how
maps may be made by every teacher to illus
trete the evil effects Of alcohol on the stom-
aoh.
A recess was followed by talk by Prof
Mason, who is now giving a course of writing
lessons in the Brattleboro schools Regretting
the absence of Prof Webster, advertised on
the program, he proceeded to show by the
use OF crayon and board, the first principles
Of Penmanship-a profitable and interesting
exercise 10 all who would know how to right
ly instruct others. Many practical sugges-
tions we're made 10 teachers, all OF whom
should be able TO teach penmanship.
The excellent music given by the orchestra
added no little TO the pleasure Of the audi
ence at the evening sessions. Friday even
ing Misses Howe and Brasor, accompanied
on the piano by Mr.. Lucien Howe delighted
their hearers by their rendering of the duet
H. % A a
audience we're gathered to hear Superin-
tendent Geo. A. Littleheld of Newport, II l.
His theme was Reading and Language"
The subject, he remarked, is a wide one, en-
bracing all branches and professions. Any
teacher discharging his duty will make every
study language lesson. An intelligent in
structor will encourage the child to talk, and
will carefully correct improper language after
the child has finished speaking. The speak
er spoke highly OF the kindergarten as pri.
mary department, and would encourage writ
ing in all departments Of study. Let there
be written spelling; give sentences from the
best authors translate them analyze them.
Grammar is the rugged frame, the spinal
column Of the sentence clothed with rhet-
oric 1t is made beautiful. Cultivate the tones
Of the child by encouraging reading aloud
let the voice be tuned and developed by cal
isthenics and physical exercises. II, as Long
fellow says, The human voice Is the organ
Of the SOUL" then cultivated tones are a
priceless possession. Pope says, Half our
knowledge we must snatch" and in these
days much literature must be read. Lists Of
good books in the hands Of good teachers
will be Of inestimable value and, after all
our devices the teacher is the school. As q
class, teachers are not sufficiently read in
books Never cease to elevate the child by
putting into his hand the moral In the soci-
ETY. of books we can choose our own com
pany, but the boosted freedom Of the press
may and does contamnate the youths mind
The speaker, in very pleasant, forcible way,
emphasized his theory of what may be done
in schools, by presenting specimens Of com
position work done by pupils OF all ages in
the schools in Newport, Il. l.
Saturday. Proceedings.
Saturday mornings session opened with de-
votional exercises by Rev. @. H. Merrill.
Miss Palmer, teacher of drawing, made an
earnest plea for practical drawing. Teachers
do not seem to understand its importance,
and it is apt to be looked upon as an artistic
study. 1t is one OF the best aids in cultivat-
ing the perceptive faculties By talking OF
surface decorations, wall papers, ETC., the
pupil will be encouraged to form simple, orig
inAl constructions. Business men should be
aroused to the fact that we send abroad for
special designers, while precious material is
being wasted at home. Workmen who can
work from drawings receive more pay than
others, and working drawing is being taught
successfully in our schools of to-day.
Principal Hall Of Hinsdale, N. H., speak
ing upon Advanced Reading, said that two
things must be kept in mind-the correct
rendering and the grasping of the thought.
The business man needs TO read understand
ingly in the few moments which he can give.
The speaker would make reading study of
authors the piece itself becomes more inter.
esting by q knowledge Of the circumstances
under which it was written. Study the der-
vation of words and all illusions made. With
a class Of six pupils he showed his own meth
cd of conducting q reading class-a method
which commended itself to ALL
Rev. S. W. Dixie gave his Primary Lesson
in Sociology" based upon the study of a
country village. By the use OF maps he
showed the highways of the village, the rela-
tive position Of the churches, school houses
business and governmental building, showing
each to be q part of the whole system. The
highways he likened to the veins and arteries
of society; the churches to the heart and
lungs AZ the source of life and the purifiers
the homes 10 the organs connected by the
nerves, while the business portions showed
economic relations, and the people engaged
in getting living represented the science of
political economy. Thus he mapped the
complexity of society, an organism each part
of which was closely related to the others,
and treated separately of the function OF
each, especially of the school and home.
Upon these depend the reorganization of So
ciety. The family represents the springs
the schools, churches and business centres
the reservoirs. Keep the springs pure and
the reservoirs will be undefled.
Saturday afternoon, Principal Shaw OF West
Brattleboro gave thoroughly practical ad-
dress to younger teachers upon their duties
and difficulties. Some one has said, at is
impossible to bring up children by recipe
which is largely true, as the same rule will
not apply to all but few recognize the fact.
Let US study individuRlities, and govern by
keeping interested. Instruction is the great
burden Of the teachers work and let us Ia
Dor especially in behalf of the dull pupil.
Such slow intellects often become the staunch
supporters Of communities; give them oppor-
tunities to do their best. Give to the umid
ones sympathy and kindness for If hurt,
they retire within themselves. Be always a
friend TO the pupil-patient with faults, and
encouraging TO nobler things.
Principal Bingham then resumed the sub
ject of Arithmetic, in the proper method of
teaching which 80 many teachers are interest
ed. Beginning at Percentage, he passed
through the various principles, explaining in
his characteristic and forcible way.
Recess was followed by short talk upon
Physical Exercises by Principal Hall, with an
interesting exercise in gymnastics by his classs
OF pupils.