The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-09-09
Ranbie

Origin and Growth oil the PonnsVi-
vania school system--A Literary
Rambie.
The county teachers institute con-
vened at the court house yesterday.
At the opening of the morning session
Professor Cogswell gave an interesting
musical exercise. He advocates NJ
particular method, although In ms
work in Binghamton he uses the Nor
nal method, but gives specia! atten-
titn to intonation, advising the teach
ers to take the tone of the children i'll
teaching singing ucing but one tone
at Il, IT.
Miss Buckbee spoke on "Phonics'
during the first period She did not ap-
prove of the extreme phonic fad quite
in vogue JUS now, but considered Il
knowledge of phOnics very necessary
as Ii assists the memory materially.
Superintendent Bovard, of Dunmore,
read valuable paper on the origin
and growth of the Pennsylvania school
system The struggle for free schools
in this state lasted $50 years, culmin-
ating in the memorable act OF 1884
William Penn provided a most elab-
crate scheme for a system OF pubic
schools. Thus at the beginning of our
commonwealth 1t was intended that
education should be a public concern,
a step far in advance of the age.
In 1776 an act was passed providing
that a school or schools should be
established in each county by the leg
islature. Then the struggle began be-
tween those who favored free instruc-
ton and their opposers. The bitter
ness and persistence shown in this
long battle are matters of history. To
! Governor Wolf and Senator Breck, of
Philadelphia, is due the honor of for
warding the great project to sue
cessful end. Under the lead of DR..
| George Smith the act of 1884 was mold
ed into working shape two years later.
LOCAL INSTITUTES.
Professor r. n. Martin, of Moscow,
read an article on Local Institutes
and Summer Schools" The first use of
a local institute is to round off the
sharp, hard corners often noticed In the
| relation of teachers with each other.
The social benefits are great. Next to
the local institute, nothing is OF so
much value 10 the teachers as the
summer school. Subjects necessary to
modern teaching, but not understood
by the teacher, may be studied in this
way. Inspiration, new thought, fresh
interest in their work are gained al
the summer school as nowhere else
Professor Martin gave an interesting
and graphic portrayal of work in the
| summer school.
Professor Green then gave a continu-
alton of his talk on How to Study an
Authors Life" Julia Ward Howe
Laura e. Richards and F. Marion
Crawford were among those mentioned
as illustrating the theory of heredity
Byron was not so much to be blamed
as was his mother for his unfortunate
characteristics. Poe was not born II
Baltimore but Boston, and was the
son of erratic acting parents.
The third point to study is the edu
cation of the author. Contrast Whit
tier with his education, with Holme:
and ongfellow-schooled in college OF
taught by nature. Could Holmes have
written "The Boys" and ether famous
occasional poems had he not had col
lege experience?
ADVANTAGE OF TRAVEL.
| Inc Hlln pOlHl may DS ul
as general facts-travels. Could W,
have had Bayard Taylor's "Viewt
Afoot" without his advantage of travel
The same may be said of Irving in hi
"Alhambra." Robert Browning in hi
Italian studies, Friends" Is anothe
topic to be studied. Tennyson, Miltol
in his Lycidas, which, if people do no
like, their taste should be questioned
| CT \
fortune to be surrounded by goo,
friends, although he believed he wa
to be eternally damned These friend
ships are decidedly important in thei
influence on authors productions.
Loves and Marriages" also hav
, great influence upon the author
works.
Professor Twitmeyer, in the Superio
court room gave continuance OF hi
, instructions in writing. His work
probably the most popular feature Q
: the institute. The teachers are gain
ing much practical advantage fror
these lessons, Notwithstanding the har
work entailed,
: After the half hour of music d.
: Benedict spoke on Attention" In EN-
phasizing the grave possibilities of hat
| IL nc Sdlu lIStl IL Is not GIOuBH u CedS
swearing but words must be cultivate
to take the place of the oaths. Sue
+ cess in eradicating vicious habits mus
r largely depend on introducing some
= thing good to take their place, or ratf
/ er to employ new brain cells in anothC
5 direction.
, MUST GIVE ATTENTION.
: Nothing exists for the mind unleS
d the mind gives attention to it. What
attention? 1t is state. not facult
e of the mind-it is a muscular effort.
I number of practical applications Of tn
: fact was given. With regard to payir
: attention to more than one thing
e once several illustrations We're given
y its possibility but the teachers wel
:. not advised to cultivate such ment
e gymnastics in the children.
e Miss Bessie Craig, who was a prii
e winner at the oratorical contest
Peckville, gave pleasing recitatio
Pecl<ville seems TO be the banner tow
: in the county for the production
pretty girls and Miss Craigs nan
should be added to the roll. She HI
a strong and sweet ringing voice al
7 remarkable dramatic ability for o.
so young.
! Professor Coggswell conducted 4
I IL. IL. ElII