St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1892-06-23

Hardly any other line of school work has
undergone so complete a change. To
meet these demands we must enlarge our
course in physics so as to give more time
to experimental as well as textbook
work; we need also a complete equip
ment of modern apparatus. What we
have was thought amply sufficient
fifteen years ago, but it is quite mad
equate to present needs.
Chemistry has undergone even great
err changes in methods and scope of study
and investigation than physics. The
textbook mas cone to have compare
lively small place in the classroom, the
students securing their knowledge of
fundamental principles, and familiarity
with the clements and their compounds
almost entirely by experiments under the
teachers direction. We therefore need a
chemical room furnished with all neces-
sary appliances for individual work.
After utilizing to its utmost capacity our
present chemical room we have con-
veniences for only four pupils to work at
a time; these are only about one-hfth of
the accommodations required by our
classes. To secure more room would re-
quire an extension of a part of the Acad-
envy building, which is so located that
the enlargement would be quite feasible
had we the means. To meet the require
ments of these departments we h need
an additional $50, 900.
Physical culture has thus far received
little attention, not because we have
ignored its Importance, but because we
have had no means of providing for it.
This important part OF education IS
coming into prominence, and command
ing the attention of educators. The
time cannot be very remote when the
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schools will have as much to do in
determining the decisions of parents as
to where they will send their children as
the courses of study or methods of
instruction. To provide for this depart
ment of work which should at once re-
ceive recognition and support, including
furnishing of gymnasium and competent
instruction, we must ask for another
gift of $50 200.
Therefore to strengthen our teaching
force, to enlarge and equip the depart
nent of physical sciences, and provide
for physical culture, the Academy needs
the revenue of 100000 in addition to
its present sources of income.
Many who appreciated the magnificent
work of him who twenty years ago
placed the Academy upon its present
basis wished it to bear his name: but he,
with characteristic mOdesty, declined to
have it called the Fairbanks Academy.
He was wiser than his counSellorS, for
the time has come land he doubtless
foresaw it when it should be cared for
not by one man, or a few men, but by a
large body of men and women, viz, her
Alumni and Alumne, to whom is as
signed the responsibility, ca, the glad
privilege, of sustaining and charging the
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them. l believe the Alumni, being thus
informed of her need, will rally around
her with all the enthusiasm worthy of
loyal sons and daughters. 1t was an
undying honor to the fathers to rear so
grand an institution; the children will
never allow her work to be curtailed, or
her usefulness to be circumscribed, or the
brightness of her fair name grow dim.
Mr.. Stafford followed with a beau
tiful tribute to Sir Thaddeus Fair
banks. Everyone was touched by
the poem which was undoubtedly
the finest production of the day.
F. A. Dakin, chairman of the semi
centennial committee, was intro
duced as the one to whom no small
part of the success of the day was
due. Mr.. Dakin said the committee,
and not himself, deserved the praise,
and spoke briefly of the general cata-
logue, its inevitable errors and
omissions and the great noun of
labor involved in compiling it.
After more music by the Mahoga-
ny q%uartette, Mr.. Stafford called for
volunteers and Chief Justice Ross
was called out. Judge Ross spoke OF
the early days of the Academy and
of its influence on other schools of
the state. He paid a deserving tri-
butte to the thoroughness of Princi-
pal Colbv's work and related an in
cident % show how deeply he felt the
responsibility of his educational
work.
Prof. James K. Colby of Hanover
followed. Prof. Colby said that af-
ter listening to such feeling tributes
to his honored father he would feign
keep silent. For all that had been
said about his fathers work he was
truly thankful, and hoped the Acade-
my would have a bright future and
take the lead among the fitting
schools of New England. Prof.
Colby also paid a tribute to Hon. H.
c. Ide, who was principal of the
school from 1866 to 1869.
Mr.. Ide was next introduced and
said he occupied a peculiar position
in the Academy's history, an inter
regnum in the career of the institu-
ton. He spoke of the noble work of
its first principal and also alluded
eulogistically to the principals that
followed after he (the speaker con-
cluded his duties.
Col. Franklin Fairbanks enlivened