The Press., 1896-03-05

those interested in the schools of this and
 adjoining towns was held at the Congre-
 gational church Friday. The morning
 science work in the public schools, with
 an instructive address on that subject by ] G. P. Phenix of Willimantic, who urged
 the need of this branch, and made point
 ed distinction between the scientific teach
 ing of the truth and the teaching of scien- tif1c truth. He also overruled the cur
 rent objection that the work is already crowded and no addition can be made to
 the school curriculum, by the argument
 that science need not necessarily be side issue, but is of the most material benefit
 when it becomes part of each study and is allowed to simplify and unify other subjects; that by this method we have
 powerful agent against the word knowl-
 edge, so superficial and useless in real life; and that only by such teaching can the children learn to appreciate relations and gain a practical and ideal knowledge. The same subject was continued by A. P. Somes of Danielson, with the advice to eliminate such portions of the common
 branches as are valueless to the pupils in
 actual life, and thus gain time for this
 more essential science work; perhaps not as a separate study, but correlated with others Time could also be greatly econ- omized by more diligent preparation on the part of the teacher, who should enter the class room with complete knowledge of the subject in hand and clear idea of the method as it should be presented. MT. SOmes is also of the opinion that the par- ents objection to this innovation will be silenced by the interest and enthusiasm of the child himself. The remainder of the morning was given to discussion and examination of science apparatus. The afternoon session opened with talk up- on Drawing" by Miss Dunn, who has the supervision of that work in the Williman- tic schools. Miss Dunn, in very pleas ing manner, interested the teachers in this subject as q means toward the gen. eral development of the child and ex- plained the line of work suited to each grade from kindergarten to art school, urging the necessity for considering draw ing a mode of expression which shall help in each line of development in the child, and that interest therein must be aroused in connection with other branches, to the exclusion of none. MT. Somes in his talk on "Geography," said that mere locality teaching puts nothing in the subject which is true geography, and that only by the study of the earth as the home of man, and the effects of the country on it's in- habitants, can we acquire any lasting ben- eft from the pursuit of this branch. The interest should commence with school life, and the child should be taught from the first year to observe the works of na- ture and devices to initiate her handi-
 work. W. A. Warren of Collinsville, whose duty has been most faithfully exc cuted at his post of examiner of the schools of this county, gave report of that work, addressing first the citizens present. In the town of Stafford exists a most peculiar condition of affairs. Here two extremes have met. Here are the
 best schools in the county and here are the poorest schools in the county. Out lying schools are crippled for want of ma- terial, and there is crying need of gen. eral supervision to relieve the existing disjOinted state of affairs. Turning next to the teachers, MT. Warren exhorted them to more direct purpose and aim; also utmost caution against routine; like wise self improvement from day 10 day, sure to resultin in pecuniary as well as men, tai advancement, and that they shall not allow the good impressions of the moment to flee with the day, but rather strength en them to the mutual benefit of teachers and pupils, so that they may learn to weigh the relations of knowledge and dis cern what is of value to each child to be trained for citizenship, and the faithful performance of duty in the home, society, as voters and rearers of children. The portion of the talk addressed to school visitors was somewhat spirited, spiced now and then with pointers from and to not inattentive audience, and confined mainly to arguments for and against school consolidation, namely the employ ment of an active school superintendent. The evening was given to an able address by G. P. Phenix on "The Advisability of Improving, the Teaching of Public Schools" and a chart demonstration of the condition of the schools of Holland county Mir. PheniX was only too firmly seconded by the chart in his opinion of the need, not only of better school super vision, but also of teachers trained for the work, figures revealing the fact that a large number of our teachers have not graduated from high schools, and of the 137 teachers in the county only twenty have had normal training.
 That Freemasonry is popular in Staf- ford was attested last evening at the new hotel, the Stafford Springs House, where a large number of the elite of the town assembled. for a banquet. The married men brought their wives, the unmarried men their-well, their lady friends, and those who were less fortunate came alone. Promptly at 9.80 o'clock, to the inspiring strains of Bissett's orchestra, the march to the dining room began. After the blessing of Deity had been invoked by A. N Nichols, chaplain of Ionic Lodge, the merry party, 125 in number seated them selves around the generous table of Land lord Fowle, to enjoy together one of those dinners which are always satisfying, and have state reputation. The remaining hours were passed in dancing and in so- cial intercourse. Both old and young were happy. It was pleasing sight to see those with hair flecked with gray re- newing their youth, keeping time to the enlivening music, and going through the intricate changes of the may dance with out Q break. It was late-yes, Very late when the final strains of the orchestra were heard and the pleasures of the even- ing were at an end. This is the manner in which the first annual banquet of Ionic Lodge, No. no, A. F. X A. M., was ob- served-an event long to be remembered -one of the social events of the season. The following were present: Hon. E. c. Pinney and Mrs. Pinney, MT. and Mrs. E. H. Pinney, MT. and Mrs. W. H. Cooley, MT. and Mrs. J. J. Ellis, Miss Maude El- lis, MT. and Mrs. c. F. Harwood, MT. and Mrs R. G. Beebe, Messrs. Adolph and Louis Rawitsel, Rev. A. J. and Mrs. Mcleod, Rev. T. 0. and Mrs. Druley, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Leach, MT. and Mrs J. M. Lord, MT. and Mrs. A. N. Nichols, MT. and Mrs. W. P. Bidwell, Mr. and Mrs. w. H, Webster, MT. and Mrs. A. c. Eaton, MT and Mrs Hiram Rathbun, MT