Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-02-18
Notes Of Old Teachers Institutes.

Recently there was published In the
Democrat the list of members OF the
teachers institute of 1S47, the first ever
held in Oxford County, with some brief
reference to later ones. Miss p. N. An
drews, formerly OF Paris Hill, now OF
Roxbury, Mass, gives the Democrat the
extracts below, from the diary of her
mother, Mrs. Charles Andrews OF Paris
Hill. These are what she tiuds regard
ing teachers institutes, for the several
years named. There Is no mention OF
such In 1851 or 1852.
Paris, Sept. 20, 1s47. The people here
are calling these "great days." and what
with the Institute, Courts, &C., (eVery
family, almost, takes more or less board
ers, )the time is to be pretty we'll filed
until December.
October Sd, 1S47. 1t has been glori-
Gus week for old Oxford-"the proudest
day she ever saw" Teachers Institute
commenced last Monday eve'g, by lee
ture from Mr.. Fowle OF Boston, Princi.
pal. Mr.. Fitz of Mass, teacher Of vocal
music. Mr.. Thurston of Charleston,
Maine, Elements of Language, Grammar
&c. Near two hundred teachers of COM
mon schools present, double the number
that any body expected. Public lectures
every evening. The weather has been
so bad that have not been out every
evening, nor attended as much days as
wished to. Mr.. Crosby OF Belfast, the
Secretary of Board Of Education, l
heard. His lecture, as was to be expect
ed from him, would bear every epilhet
of praise. know not as 1t would be too
much to say 1t was perfect, above all
praise. Judge Emery, member of the
Board of Education from this county on
vocal music In our common schools; this
was not the most interesting subject to
me, but 1t was q good lecture. Next
evening listened to Mr.. Farrar of Wa
terford, bachelor, q finished scholar,
and man Of taste, upon Female Educa'
ton. 1t was an excellent thing-just
the thing. He took high ground that
Woman Is Woman, and all education
should be to qualify her to perform her
duties womanly. Last evening l heard
Rev. Mr.. Bates OF Turner. Subject
Duty Of Parents to their Children as
Scholars. Mr.. Fowle and Rev. Mr.. But
Ter of Turner, did not hear.
Oct. 10th, 1S47. Have been in to the
Institute several times the past week
found it in the highest degree interest
ing and useful. The parting remarks OF
Mr.. Fowle to bis pupils, very touching;
they were nearly all in tears, male and
female. heard Mr.. Fowle lecture last
Sabbath evening upon the agreement Of
Geology with Scripture, and better
thing never heard. There Is charm
about his voice and manner OF reading
that makes good thing display all itt
worth. Mr.. Thurston's lecture was an
extempore of great merit.
| The Institute wound up In very hap
py manner, q picnic at Waterhouse't
given BY the citizens to the members Of
the Institute, 1875 In number. Speeches
songs, toasts and sentiments enliveneo
the occasion. All attended, old ant
young, grave and gay, ministers and all
Everything has gone of well and all art
obliged to confess that these teachers OIL
the Institute have taught US many use
full things we knew not. All are highly
gratified with the experiment thus far.
October first, 1s4S. Mr.. Crosby, Score
tary of the Board of Education is here
Institute commenced last week at Soutl
Paris, three miles from this place. They
number 2lO and still increasing There
Ia also high school there, newly set up
numbering It's pupils, which make "Th'
Cape" about full. They are having
fine time, and many from here 20 down
but have no chance.
October 9Th, 1S4S. Mr.. Addition, teach
or OF music at the Institute, sang will
his melodeon, and what 10 better he II
almost caught by the winning ways o.
our favorite, L. Jackson. Catalogue oil
the Institute has 255 names.
Sept. 30th, 1S49. l missed party a.
Judge Emery's the past week. shoulo
have met there, the teachers OF the In
sttute now In session at Norway.
Sept. 22d, 1850. County Institute To-
teaching teachers commenced its snnua
session In this village, last Monday
Messrs. Hawkins, Talbot and Hersey
teachers, all Of Maine. Columbia Monk
my girl attends the Institute, and coca
sionally 20 myself. am we'll pleased
with teachers, &c.
Sept. 20, 1850. Institute closed Frids.
night with grand Levee. l have beef
out three evenings to lectures-thre
afternoons. My girl has attended tht
Institute every day and evening. W.
have had busy time of ia nice tim
at the Institute. Mr.. Thurston, Sect'r
of the Board has been In attendance tn
week past-lectured and taught. Alst
Mr.. Seavey of Hallowell.