Smyrna times., 1898-12-07

singing of Miss Miriam Sheppard, of
Camden, Delaware. She gave two re-
citals, one before and after the lecture
and was an effort that was particularly
sweet and pleasing to the audience.
Miss Sheppard has sang before a
Smyrna audience on several previous
occasions, but her voice on this even
ing, showed higher culture than ever
before. She was applauded for an en-
core, but owing to throat affection,
would not respond. Mrs. Marion
COverdale furnished the accompani-
ment. Congressman-elect j. III. Hof-
feker presided at the entertainment.
Fridays Session.
Friday, the last day of the Institute,
dawned a beautiful day. With the ex-
ception of the condition of things
under foot, it was lovely weather, and
the people turned out in large num-
bers to witness the closing exercises of
a very interesting week. By nine
o'clock the Opera House began to fill
up rapidly. The invocation was Of
fered by the Rev. j. l.. Estlin, ID. D.,
pastor of the Presbyterian church.
The first speaker introduced was ex-
Supt. o. L. Corson, of the State of
Ohio. He took for his subject: ''Some
Indications of Adaptability to Teach. ,"
Mr.. COrson is a pleasing talker and the
three addresses he made on this day,
struck responsive chord in the hearts
of the teachers. He gave them good,
wholesome advice, and he gave advice
to the parents, which if carried out,
will put the public schools on higher
moral and intellectual plane than they
have ever been before. In his talk on
''Some Indications of Adaptability to
Teach, he gave the teachers some
thing they could take home with them
and reflect about during the coming
school year. At this instance Prof
Welton came in and gave q short talk
on Singing and how it coul9 be taught
IN the schools. Prof. George E. Lit
tie, of Washington, ID. c., was next
introduced, and he no sooner made a
few fiOurishes on the blackboard, than
he at once got the closest attention of
his audience. drawing in the Public
Schools" was his subject and in the
addresses he made during the day, he
showed how skillfull one NAV become
by practice, and how by drawing the
OBJECTS OF nature upon the blackboard
IL was was easier to simplyify it and
hold 1t upon the mind of the pupil.
Prof. Little drew many amusing
sketches and the skill with which he
handled chalk, especially in changing
the expression of the face, was particu-
larly interesting to the audience, and
won for him much applause. The
morning session was closed with a
mastery address by Supt. Corson on
Tact IN the School Room" There
was kernel of truth in every remark
and he gave some sentiments as fol-
lows: Tact can afford to sit still and
smile, while genius and talent are
Talent is something.
tact is everything" "Talent knows
what to do, but tact knows hows to do
it. -" He said tact was not the sixth
sense but exceedingly useful at all
times and under all circumstances.
He emphasized that policy should not
be confused with tact, for policy loses
everything, tact nothing. How essen
tial the teacher possess tact in every
branch of school work.
Prof. Geo. E. Little opened the af-
ternOon session with his entertaining
and amusing caricatures in drawing,
followed by most excellent address by
oupt. COrson ON the "Public Criticism
OF the School Teacher" His talk was
PLAIN and to the point and some
lacts he drove home to the hearts of
the parents and teachers.
The way in beneftting the public
school is to criticize the teacher. When
teacher has gotten above fair criti
clsm, he has Outlived his usefulness.
by that do not mean the criticism of
the magazine which will not permit
reply, but L mean honest and Just crit
Iclsm. The reason we conquered Spain
was because we were more intelligent:
ma the public school is the means that
brought about this magnifcientresult."
he held there was less friction in
schools than in most homes. A bow in
! high school ought to study at least
i've hours out of school, but some par
ents crltlclse teachers because thew
make their children study at home.
Let that parent stop and offer a silent
prayer, that their children are forming
habits that will make man of him.
The great trouble with most children
s, they enter society at the age of
ourteen, which is the best wav TO ruin
heir health. A false criticism is criti-
'lzlng a school on what we have heard
II 1t. We should neves criticise n
chool without first investigating.
Never condemn the teacher in the pres
nee OF the boy, who imagines he is
Vronged without first giving that
eacher chance to explain. Never |
lsten TO the child's story before Won
nterogate the teacher. The very mar |
mt who cannot control his child at |
iome, is the first one to find fault with |
ne teacher for trying to correct him in |
ne school. He closed his remarks in
plea Tor closer relation between the /
'9rents and teachers. The true critic
'hen he finds a mistake, always tries
0 correct that mistake. The church.
ne home and the public school, are the
nree institutions in this country. for
raining the youth of this land to be-
ONE true, noble and christian men.
lie left this picture in the minds of his
carers, as he made an appeal for the
pllftlng of the Public Schools of this
ountry.
Before Prof. Little took up the SUBJ
oct of drawing again, Miss Ethel
cooper, of this town, gave q sweet solo
the accompaniment of Prof. Welton.
llss Cooper has been taking voice
nlture from Mr.. Welton since he has
cen in town, and her effort showed a
larked improvement. At the close of |
rof. Little's discussion on "Drawing
| the Public School, " the Institute ex-
rcises of the week closed with some
leasant remarks from Hon. Wallace
ruce, in which he recited some poems l
lat won the applause of the house.
hich at the time was crowded from
DOR to stage. Upon the invitation of
lie ladies of the Twentieth Century {
lub, the teachers repaired to their $
ub room, where entertainment was
forded them, finishing up with light \
,freshments. I
In the evening, the last entertain
ent of the course was given by a con-
'rt from Lovett's Boston Stars. From S
e time the curtain rose, this comnanv
as met with a round of applause and 2
feature that reflects credit upon them
as, that they were applauded to an
lcore In almost every selection. The d
asterly violin playing of Miss =
ose Garritz, and the sweet solo SING
g OF Miss Mabelle Hill, were the
atures of the evening. Mr.. Frank
the uniqe singing humorist. =
as also amusing to the audience.
an elocutionist, Miss Nickerson was
vt up to the standard. Thus closed n
itute. -"
Prof. J. E. Carroll, Dover: Miss
lrrle Andrews, Brenford and Miss
ara Forde, Smyrna, were appointed