Delaware gazette and state journal., 1895-12-12
TnE KENT INSTITUTE At SMYRNA.
Special cerrospdenonce of Gazette and journal

Smyrna, Dec. s. A bright, cool
bracing day greeted the opening of the
2lst annual session of the Kent County
Teachers Institute. The teachers have
about all arrived.
The session was called TO order yes.
terday morning and after prayer by the
Rev. Adam Stengle, an address of wei,
come was made by John II. Hoflecker,
president of the Town Council, and Of
the Board of School Commissioners
In behalf of the citizens of the town he
gave them cordial welcome and the
freedom Of the city. The response
was made by County Superintendent
q. Q. Tindal, in which he said he was
led to bring the institute 10 Smyrna
by the encouragement which he receiv-
ed at tho hands of its citizens.
The session was organized with John
Is. Hutton of Magnolia, as secretary
and Miss Susie A. Fisher as assistant.
Prof Charles II. LeFevre of Smyrna,
Miss Lizzie +. Lamb of Leipsic and
Frof. NJ. L. Hydorn of Frederica were
made committee on resolutions: Miss
Clara Ford of Hartley, Miss Eva SwIn-
ney of Smyrna and Prof. S. II. Cham
bers of Cheswold committee on ne
crology.
The first speaker TO address the nsti
tute was DIR. George NJ. phillips.
principal of the Pennsylvania State
Normal School at West Chester, who
took as his subject, Hints on Arith-
metic. y He urged special attention
70 the fundamental principles of arith-
metic, There is too much heedleasness
on tho part Of teachers in this tlirec.
non. From statistics it is found that
10 per cent Of the children of this
country leave our public schools before
they get the essentials of this import-
ant branch of study.
n, O. G. Smith Of Media, superin-
tendcnt Of public schools of Delaware
county, Pa, addressed the Institute
on topography. = He advised a prac-
ticaI study Of mathematical, dcscrip-
I'VE and commercial geography, by
taxing il up in sections rather than
teaching IL az a whole Especially did
ne emphasize this in review of States,
whrr" instead Of taking up each State
separately, outside of the cities, rivers,
Nc., II was almost in common with
its nelghbor State. By taking up States
IN sections according to clil4atc, agri-
| culture, &c., the mode of teaching
| would be more effective.
| The rest Of the morning session was
devoted 10 an address by DIR. Phillips
on " Day in the Quincy Schools"
Ills description Of the New England
schools were full of many points useful
to teachers,
In the afternoon Superintendent
Smith discussed A Teachers Mis-
sion. The speaker grew very earnest
IN his suggestions to tho American
teachers Of to-day the inculcattnr
OF principles of morality and good
manners.
The closing addresses of DIR. PhiIlins
were of giltedged order. His first "a.
marks were made on "IIow the World
is Governed, giving especial atten.
tion to the conservative government
Of England, virtually in the power
of the Prime Minister as in comparison
to our republican form Of ruling.
Dr. Phillips closing remarks ON
Vacation Glimpscs If E,ronean
Schonls, proved graphic description
OF the quaint England towns Win
their pleasing scenery; the little his.
toric schoolhouscs where wore trainel
some of England's noted men: hie
] ''''' W ''ti"tl'Iu upon avon, tllp nlC-
tnresque home of William Sha ies
peare,. and the lowly church where
worships England's Grand Old Man ),
Hon. II. w !. Ham Of Geornia. at.
tracted large audience at the Onera
House at night by his subject: "iTbe
Snollygoster in Politics. II was full
of wit and humor, with enough GOOD,
hard, common sense back Of ii 10
make it exceedingly effective. Music
was furnished by local talent quartet.
composed of W. o. Hofecker. the Rev,
G. W DAME, ,lr., l.. NJ. Price and /.
Ed. Itoffecker and sweet solo MA
rendered by Miss Miriam Sheppard.
Smyrna, Dec, 6, At Yesterdays Is sos.
sion of the Kent County Institute
Prof II. S. Goldey Of Wilmington tool;
charge Of the singing. Prof. Byron
W. King of Pittshurg made an excel
lent address, on Literature. - II was
enhanced by numerous admirable selec
tions.
An excellent talk on "Hints in
Teaching Elementary Geography" was
given by Mrs. Emma V, Thomas, prin.
ripal of the lowering School of Phila.
deIphia. by the use Of charts, draw.
ings and various designs, she showed
how ideas were Impressed upon tin
rhlld's mind AM how map Language
could be made aGh an interesting
study.
An interesting discourse on "Read
ing" by Miss Lillian Wallace, super
ntcndent Of the Twenty third and
Federal streets schools clf Philadelphia,
followed.
In the afternoon Dyibn ". King re