The Portland daily press., 1886-12-31
President Hyde said that his remarks

President Hyde said that his remarks on
Geography closely resembled those made by
Mr.. Snow at the afternoon meeting, the lee
ture having been prepared before the report
of Mr.. Snow was presented. The filling in
OF outline maps, reading Of books OF travel,
etc., were recommended to stimulate the
scholars interest.
| Arithmetic is more abstruse study than
geography but it may be made Of interest
Let the pupils weigh sticks of wood, meas
ure the school room floor, and find out how
many quarts there are in a pail of water
Fractions treats Of parts-a breaking-and
should not be taught without Illustration to
serve in awakening the interest of the child
Grammar may also be made of interest.
Attention has been divided by Sir William
Hamilton into three parts-that which Is in
voluntary, that which comes from desire, and
that which is controlled by the will. These
three divisions correspond TO the mental
growth of the pupil The first is an act of
the child. given without volition, the second
must be stimulated by the teacher, and 1t
must be borne in mind that the attention of
the child can be secured only for a length of
time proportional to its age and development
Herrin lay the trouble with the old schools,
whose scholars were kept still for four or
five hours with their eyes on their books.
The highest division of attention is rec0g
nized in the colleges, where elective courses
are adopted, so that the student may give his
attention!to what he deems most attractive
lie school, teacher in directing thelattention
comes between the kindergarten and college
grades, but much may be learned from each.
The attentive may be stimulated by ques-
tions aptly put, the. use of the blackboard,
and the writing of abstracts and essays,
when the pupil is sufficiently advanced.
Study by mechanical repetition of fact
as often seen in our schools is hindrance to
the development of attention, A great evil
in the school system of today is the multi
plicity of studies. There should never be
effort to force attention. The good teacher
Will not attempt to make scholars work when
bored, but to instruct without boring them.
To sum up, attention is not a quality ready
made but one which must be wisely directed
and encouraged.
In concluding President Hyde spoke few
words in regard to the culture of the atten-
tiOn, referring to the education of the minds
of the old folks instead of the children.
Many books are read in manner which
leaves no true idea of their contents. A
book should be read with the question in
the mind which is answered in the book.
Reading by topics is good method to in
crease the power of attention, and this value
of lyceums and debating clubs is found in
their tendency to increase the faculty. The
great efforts of great men are the result of
their power of attention. The speaker men,
TONED in illustration of this fact, the habits
and achievements Of many great men.
The lecture was delived in an interesting
style, heightened by the large number of apt
Illustrations. Liberal applause showed the
appreciation of the audience.
Prof Brown read selection from Dick
ens's Hard Times" in an admirable man.
ner and after some announcements by the
president the meeting adjourned.
Tomorrow in addition to the regular pro-
gramme, Professor Robinson will perform
some experiments for the benefit Of the high
school teachers and simple gymnastic move
ments, suitable to the school room, will be
illustrated in the gymnasium.