Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1893-05-26

to the High school, were recognized, and the hope
expressed that in due time it would be- introduced
INTO the lower grades, and the pupils thus come
into the High school equipped for higher and
better class of reading than they can now under
take. Mr.. Horne's plan would be to have this in
struction and oversight as part of the r, guar
school routine, begin when the children are not
more than nine or ten years old. He was not
aware that any system like that he had suggested
was in operation any where; but if It does else
where prevail II is good evidence that the position
taken is of such apparent soundness as To have
warranted others IN holding it and testing it, But
even though It be not in operation elsewhere, that
is no reason why BrattleborO should not make the
experiment, If, in the judgment of her intelligent
citizens and school directors, it appears to be
worthy Of trial.
The Necessary Equipment.
few woris Of suggestion were made as to Inc
equipment Of books needed to carry It out sue
cessfully. Mr.. Horne had found his own work
crippled or inconvenienced by being obliged to
depend mainly on the public library, where usu-
ally not more than two copies of any given work
are to be found; Oftener only one, and these quite
likely to be missing from their place, in the hands
of other readers. The Inconvenience were the
system to be extended to the grammar and inter
mediate grades, would be still greater An easy
solution of this difficulty would be the equipment
of each room with a small library carefully
lected with reference to the age of the children
in the room and containing from one TO half a
dozen copies OF each book, as needed From IS
TO 100 volumes would be ample for any grammar
room, and three or four times that number would
serve for the High school. A complete record
should be made by the teacher of the reading
done by child while under her care, and this
record, it is passed along and added to in
each succeeding grade would be a valuable guide
in the development OF the childs taste for good
literature.
BY a system like this here outlined the faults
and vices of the general reading public might be
largely remedied, and we should help to lay
foundation of much promise in the generations to
follow, for we should gradually teach them, i'm the
words Of another that the great authors are the
good authors, in whom feebleness. or coarseness
or whimsicalities, or meanness, or malice, are
cidental rather than essential When are
reading the master books we need reject little, we
can absorb much, and in our highest and truest
moments we may share their greatness and stand
so to speak, on their level"
An attentive company of about So peo-
pie listened to the paper, and Joined IN the
animated discussion which it called out.
The Brooks House entertainment on the
occasion was admirable. A special supper
and menu card were provided, the service
was excellent, and many words of praise
were said for Mr.. Tyler and and his com
petent assistants and employees. The exec
utive committee reported a prospect that a
series of six meetings, with essays by mem
bers of the club could be arranged for next
season.