The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-02-14
THE INSTITUTE.
A Report of the Program of a Most Interest
ing and Instructive Session.

day. Friday and Saturday, Of last week, the
morning and afternoon sessions being held IN
Central Hall school building and the sessions
at night in Odd Fellows Hall. Prot. james
A. DifIenbaugh may well feel proud OF the
great success attending it. Few men couli
have been able to summon here, or anywhere
such an array of talent, and few men can 50
arrange and manage an entertainment oil so
great magnitude and scope as to produce such
harmony and such results. Although the
roads were rough and the weather frigid, yet
l47 out of l52 teachers employed in tins
county were present at the opening session.
| Such a manifestation of interest has never
before been shown, and this, coupled with the
large audiences ofour best citizens who crowd
| ed the meetings, suggest that general awak-
ening of our people in educational matters, IS
one of the good results attending the lnstl-
tute. We are not surprised at this enthusiasm
and interest, because the Examiner had Sc
lected with superior skill and wisdom just the
proper persons to aid him. He managed
| every detail. except the music, which he
placed in the hands of Miss Ida Lockard, and
his anticipations were fully realized Miss
/ Lockard and her assistants well merit the
appreciation so generally bestowed upon
| them. The instrumental solos of Messrs.
| Charles Woods and John Roger on the violin,
and George MorelOck on clarlonet; and the
vocal solos of Misses Maria Mikesell, Ida
Diffenbaugh and May Forest, and of E. Gehr
Smith and Mr.. Kews, made the entertain
ments delightful, and the quartetts in which
Messrs. Lassell and Nelson and Miss Maggie
Lockard assisted contributed much to the
pleasure of the exercises.
The Institute opened with prayer by the
Rev. DIR. Ward, the venerable President OF
Westminster Theological Seminary, and the
opening address was made by the Hon. Henry
Vanderford Neither of these gentlemen
need an introduction in this community.
Both are appreciated and honored. Mr..
Vanderlord made an admirable address, rich
in thought and words and full of pleasant
humor Mr.. John c. Nutting, one of our
oldest teachers, responded most happily, using
the simple, yet iorcible eloquence which
characterizes all his speeches. He wildly
contrasted the old methods of teaching with
the much improved methods Of today, and
paid a well deserved compliment upon the
present management
During the several sessions of the Institute
the following besides those mentioned, were
the principal features: Prof. George l..
Smith, OF the State Normal School, gave a
lesson on Teaching Drawing, which was full
of interest and instruction. Mr.. Smith clear
ly and forcibly presented his subject, and
made numerous illustrations, and gave many
recently introduced in our schools. DR..
Lewis, President of Western Maryland Col
lege, as is his custom, made n scholarly ad-
dress, in which he endeavored to impress upon
the teachers the importance of having III view
the objective point in training a child, and
spoke of the relations between the public
schools and the college as being intimate and
decided. Prof James w. Reese, of the same
institution, whose great culture is recognized
O.. L 4. |,
one of his mastery efforts. His grand
thoughts, clothed in the purest and choicest
language, seemed to elevate all into the lofty
sphere in which he placed us in the magnif
cent idea he pictured, and made feel that
after all our work is not mere drudgery, but
deserves the recognition of every citizen as
worthy of their sympathy aud esteem.
Prof. Richard II. Alvey, of the Maryland
Agricultural College, read paper on English
in the Public Schools. 1t was well written,
replete with suggestions to teachers, and
highly instructive, and gave evidence Of
remarkable ability for so young man.
Major Henry Z. Alvord, of the same insti-
tuition, made lengthy address, in which he
spoke of the plans, purposes and benefits Of
the college to the State. He explained its
management and its methods of instruction,
which must, if properly encouraged, prove of
I
Mrs. NJ. A. Newell, of Baltimore, Secretary
ofthe State Teachers Reading Circle, read n
paper in which she presented in a most
| charming way the purposes and claims OF the
Reading Circle. Mrs Newell deserved the
approval which seemed to follow every line
OF her beautiful essay, rich in feeling and full
| of suggestion of benefit TO the teacher.
Prof. Williams, of Johns Hopkins Univer-
sity, gave two talks on Geology, which were
| interesting and full of instruction. This sub
! iect scarcely excites the slightest attention
| from the people generally, and few penetrate
! into the depths Of the earth and learn of its
mysteries. In fact, scarcely any think to
examine and study the beauties of nature on
its surface, but the easy yet scholarly manner
in which the Professor presented the matter
held the audience in closest attention and
won their most enthusiastic approval.
Prof L. B. Prettyman, State Superintend-
ent of Public Instruction of Maryland, was
most heartily received by our teachers and
the community generally upon this his first
visit to this county. His courteous manner
and pleasant bearing won the admiration OF
of all, and his addresses, showing great
learning, were kindly received by well merited
applause.
School, teacher of elocution and physical
training, was perhaps the most accomplished
visitor during the Institute. Her perfect
recitations and her presentation Of the Del
sarte and Swedish systems of physical culture
filled the large audience with the widest
enthusiasm. Herrendition ofthe Erl King il
German gave evidence of the highest culture
and her position and grace of gesture and the
facial expression portraying wildly the severa
emotions of father and child were wonderful
Her various movements taught by these
! .nf nd srroaaf,,1 4,
prove h,r mastery over her art.
The q, 7test enthusiasm, however, wa:
caused by tie presence of Prof Houck, o
Pennsylvania, the Deputy Superintendent o
Public instruction in that State, who, in hi:
, various speeches, so happily blended humol
and pathos, witty sayings and wise instruction
that he secured marked attention. holding
his audience spell bound from the moment hi
rose TO speak until amid the most tumultucu:
applause he took his seat He was perhaps
the most popular stranger who ever visited
, our city.
We would like to give extracts from all tn
speeches, all replete with valuable instruction
! eloquence and wealth Of learning, but tim
, and space forbid. The speakers were eacl
: introduced by the examiner in his usual an
graceful manner and in language suitable t
. the occasion and appropriate and compli
mentary to the orator. Prof Diffenbaug
certainly deserves the thanks of this commu
; nifty and of the teachers for this grand intel
lectual treat. He richly deserves the grea
compliment paid him by Mrs. Newell, i
, which she said $50 much credit is due Nj
Diffenbaugh, who combines good iudgmer
and high culture in high degree, and {
whom it has been said, as it was said of GolC
: smith, he touches nothing that he does nj
adorn."
hIiddleburg Items.
4 Harvey, little son of Frank Johnson, VIII
cut a severe cash in his hand between III
thumb and index finger, is very much bette