Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-07-12
AMONG THE TEACHERS
An Interesting Paper Read BY Dr.. Blaisdel on
English in the Higher Edu-
GATOR"

MoRG ANTOwN, ". VA, July 1O.-ln-
stitute opened with music and prayer by
DR.. Purinton Of the University. The dis
cussion Of Prof Elliott's paper on ''SOme
Requisites Of State Education" was open
ed by D. W. Shields, who urged more care
Of the State in the preparation of teachers
in the primary schools, and some measures
to hold their pupils from dropping out Of
school in the lower grades. T. Z. Hodgens
asked for more care in the moral training,
and T. @. Miller on a more perfect sys-
lemizing in the primary schools. In the
general discussion State Superintendent
Morgan urged a more complete unihcahon
of the school work of West Virginia. Prof.
Prof Purinton on Religious Training"
Prof Anderson on Religion as connected
with Morals Prof. Srau5 on THE
Teachers Work as Related to Citizenship,
and School Legislotion,n and Prof Wade
on the Teachers Work in the Influencing
of the various conditions Of Society"
After recess the discussion OF Prof.
Myers paper Of yesterday was taken up
and considered the liyeliest talking yet
heard in the Institute.
Prof. Myers stated he did not wish to
descrY the classics, and seemed to have
been misunderstood on yesterday, but
that he thought in this practical age We
bad too much of that education which |
could not be used in the practical affairs
ofEfs. The demand Of the times was for
an education that will help him to do
something that will assist him in earning
mis- bread and butter The education OF
the child should not unfit him for the call
ing in which he might be placed to make
him a good and profitable citizen.
DR.. Turner followed with an able argu-
ment in favor Of classical work, and the
work Of al the better class OF modern col
leges, stating that IN the last few years all
had so modified their curriculum that the
boy could shape his course for any special
vocation.
Several others followed, and showed the
teachers to have thought carefully on the
new educational topics.
Oaly as members have been enrolled,
although many have been present who
have not given their names to the Secre-
thry.
After music this afternoon DR.. Blais-
dell, of Wheeling, read paper on English
in the Higher Education. He said:
SYNOPSIS OF DR. BLAIsDELL's PAPER.
The study Of the English Language and
literature should occupy the central place
the place Of h0nor-in every scheme Of
higher education for men and women who
speak Euglish-snd this primacy for two
chief reasons. Fret, the knowledge OBJ
taired from this study is of most worth in
the practical affairs Of life. Second, the
right study Of the English may be made
he instrument Of the highest culture of
the mind. A grand object in studying d
language is to use il as a tool for convey
ing and receiving thought, yet there are
many college graduates who cannot read a
single page of Latin OF Greek without pre-
viously coming It, The two great instru-
ments Of study are History and Compare
son. Before We can employ the historical
method inteligently we must get q clear
conception of the continuity OF the Eng
| Hsh. IL is substantially the same for more
than twelve centuries. The language of
/ Alfred the Great aud that OF Queen Vic
toria il substantially the same. In Old
English. therefore, we find the right key
TO the understanding Of modern English,
and those who viii not in this key, will
never open the lock with all their fumb-
/ ling. Old English is synthetic with an
/ elaborate system Of infection. Modern
| English is analytic and almost infection
| less This change is the result of natural
causes. We understand what is by know
inc what has been. An interesting illus
tration OF the historical method was
given by showing why feet was the plural
offoot. The second instrument of careful
study, comparison was clearly set forth by
the use OF suitable illustrations. But the
best way to study Eoglish is to take its
literature. Study the masterpieces in
their original forms, with the
very spelling and punctuation OF
the authors. Study each work
in the most perfect way, each
SCI tsnce, line, word. Look mp every al
lusiOn, illustration, figure. Study every
thought, opinion, argument. Make your
self acquainted with the authors life.
Take some entire work, no mere extract. A
work of genius must be studied as a whole
no YOU can give bat short time 10 an au-
thor. take some entire work. The Egg
lish was introduced as a teaching medium
IN Eogland in time Ct Richard II 1895.
We shall soon see our boys as familiar
with Chaucer, Shakespeare and Bacon, ga
the boys Of Athens were with Homer,
Plato and Socrates. The paper closed
with an opposite quotation ola beautiful
passage from TenuysOn.
The paper was followed in discussion by
Dr. PuIinton, who ably spoke, first Of the
worthiuess, second Of the necessity and
third the methods Of teaching, ably sec
ondiug the thought Ct Dr. B., urging
especial attention In this State to the sub
iect. and urged especially the practical
part Of the course, not only in the college
life. but through the whole school life.
Prof Reyolds, Of the University, followed
in the general discussion, claiming more
was obtained in the study Of English than
In anything a man can study.