EDUCATIONAL INTELLIGENCE.

RHODE ISLAND INSTITUTE OF INSTRUCTION.

PAWTUCKET, Oct. 10, 1866.

The Rhode Island Institute of Instruction assembled in the Lecture Room of the M. E. Church, at half-past ten o'clock, A. M. The exercises of the Institute were opened by the singing, under the direction of Mr. William E. Tolman, of the hymn, "Joy to the world, the Lord is come."

Devotional exercises were then conducted by Revs. Messrs. Church and Horton. Rev. Dr. Blodgett, having been unexpectedly called away, the address of welcome was given by Rev. Mr. Church, of Pawtucket.

The President of the Institute, Mr. T. W. Bicknell, of Barrington, replied to the address of welcome in a few well chosen remarks, in the course of which he referred to the Institute held here four years ago, as one of superior interest, and expressed the hope that the one now commenced might be an equally interesting and profitable gathering of the teachers of the State. Rhode Island should take the lead of the Union in educational affairs, and, to aid in this work, the Normal School must be resurrected and the teachers were the ones to do it. A truant law, the necessity thereof, and the means of obtaining one, were also spoken of.

On motion of Dr. Chapin, Mr. P. E. Tillinghast, of Pawtucket, was elected Secretary pro tem.

At eleven o'clock, Dr. Lowell Mason gave a very interesting and practical lecture upon the best methods of teaching the art of Vocal Music. He illustrated, in particular, the fact that telling a thing merely, is not teaching it.

Dr. Mason was followed, at twelve o'clock, by Prof. F. S. Jewell, of the State Normal School, Albany, N. Y., who gave a class exercise in spelling, illustrating in a very happy manner, the best methods of teaching this very important, but too much neglected branch of education.

The great utility of the system set forth by the Professor, resulted from the fact that it was based on a close analytical of the principles on which a child's mind operates while conning its spelling lesson.

Dr. Chapin closed the exercises of the morning with a few earnest and pertinent remarks on the lectures delivered.

Adjourned to two and a half o'clock, P. M.

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.

The Institute was called to order by the President and the roll called by the Secretary pro tem, a very large number of teachers answering to their names.

The first exercise of the afternoon was a class exercise on the subject of Writing, by Mr. Bowler, who represented Prof. Dunton, of Boston. He was listened to with much interest.

At three o'clock, Mr. J. F. Claflin, Principal of the High School, Worcester, gave an exercise in Arithmetic. A volunteer class of some fifteen or twenty was formed with whom he discussed in a very thorough manner, the subject of Compound Numbers. The exercise was preeminently a spirited and wide awake one.

At three and a half o'clock, Prof. Jewell gave a colloquial lecture on the subject of Grammar and Analysis. The object aimed at was to unfold the simplest, and hence the best way of teaching the art of using the English language correctly, and rarely does a lecturer succeed better in fulfilling his promises than did Prof. Jewell.

The hour, half-past four, had arrived for the lecture by President Sears, of Brown University, who now proceeded to speak of true uses of History, and the best methods of its study by teachers, as well for their own personal growth and culture, as for practical use. The close attention bestowed by the large audience, testified their appreciation of the value of the lecture.

At the close of the lecture the Institute adjourned to Thursday morning, at a quarter past nine o'clock.

THURSDAY MORNING, OCT. 11.

The Institute assembled at a quarter past nine o'clock, the President, T. W. Bicknell, in the chair. Devotional exercises were conducted by Rev. C. H. Spaulding, of the Second Baptist Church of this place, the singing being led by Dr. Mason. The Secretary's report was read and approved.

Dr. Mason, at half-past nine, gave the opening exercise on Vocal Music, dwelling particularly on the subject of Rhythm.

At ten o'clock, Mr. J. F. Claflin read a paper on Declamation. Mr. C. spoke of the value of the art of public speaking and then of the character and use of some of the elements that make up the perfect orator, closing with hints of the best manner of developing the same.

Mr. Claflin was followed, at eleven o'clock, by Prof. Jewell, on the subject of Geography. This was a close exercise, conducted with great skill and vivacity, affording a fine model for those who fail occasionally to interest their pupils.

The following gentlemen were appointed a Committee on Resolutions, viz.: W. A. Mowry, of Providence, J. W. R. Marsh, of Newport, I. F. Cady, of Warren, J. H. Tefft, of South Kingstown, and J. T. Gorton, of West Greenwich. Adjourned to two o'clock, P. M.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

The session of the afternoon was called to order by the Presdent, when it was found that the attendance of teachers had largely increased. The exercises were opened with a short singing exercise under the direction of Mr. P. E. Tillinghast. At two and a half o'clock, Mr. Bowler gave a second class exercise on Writing, carrying forward and developing the system expounded yesterday.

Mr. G. N. Bigelow, of Framingham, Mass., followed at three o'clock with an exercise on Reading. The special points treated were those of articulation and pronunciation.

At the close of the exercise on reading, Mr. Bigelow gave a short exercise on Fractions, giving the clearest and most satisfactory methods of teaching this much abused but valuable and interesting branch of mathemathics.

The Institute here took a recess of five minutes.

At four o'clock, Prof. S. S. Greene, of Brown University, delivered a lecture on Geometry. The speaker gave a clear and methodical exposition of the principles of the science, together with the true analytic method of teaching the same. Adjourned to eight o'clock, P. M.

EVENING SESSION.

A large audience assembled in the church to listen to Dr. Charles Jewett, of Worcester, Mass., on the subject of temperance. The Doctor opened his lecture with the query, "Shall king alcohol rule?" and then proceeded to show why he should not, and how teachers especially, were enabled to render good service in the war. Adjourned to Friday at nine o'clock, A. M.

FRIDAY MORNING, OCT. 12.

The Institute assembled punctually at nine o'clock, with the President in the chair. Devotional cxercises were conducted by Rev. G. H. Miner, of Central Falls. The singing was led by Dr. Mason.

The Secretary's report was read and adopted.

At nine and a quarter o'clock, Dr. Mason gave a lecture upon Music, its principles, its uses, and the proper method of teaching it. The lecture was succeeded by a class exercise in which were brought out and explained some of the elementery principles. Mr. Bigelow, at ten o'clock, took the Institute in charge for a lesson in Notation, which was received with much favor.

At eleven o'clock, Dr. Trine, of Providence, read an essay on Health, its laws, the importance of preserving it, and the proper means therefor. He followed the lecture with a large variety of exercises in light gymnastics, and also those with dumb bells, rods and rings.

Adjourned to two o'clock, P. M.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

The Institute was called to order by the President, when Prof. Jewell called the attention of the Institute to the subject of Grammar and Analysis, carrying forward and extending more fully the system and methods taken up yesterday. The exercise was one of marked value for the logical accuteness with which the analysis was conducted, as well as for the graphic illustration of the subject, both oral and by diagram.

A short intermission here took place, when Prof. Mark Bailey, of Yale College, gave a familiar lecture on the subject of Elocution. After a few general remarks on the nature, value and uses of Elocution, the speaker said that we must follow, in our work of teaching this branch, something of the splendid system of analysis urged by Prof. Jewell, if we would succeed. Of course we cannot express what we do not feel or appreciate. We must understand what the ideas are which we attempt to express orally, otherwise we cannot tell how to distribute the lights and shades of vocal expression. Hence our emotional nature must be developed, our imaginations quickened and our tastes corrected.

Several of the more important faults in elocution which are commonly found in all school rooms, were here mentioned, and some general rules given for their correction. It was necessary first of all to know what elocution was, and he defined it to be the vocal expression of ideas with the speaking tones, instead of the singing. Indeed most of our poor speaking grows out of the fact that the words are sung instead of spoken. The Professor closed a very interesting and profitable lecture of an hour and a half, with a recitation of "The Main Truck, or a Leap for Life," which was delivered with admirable effect.

The committee on resolutions, through William A. Mowry, chairman, reported the following preambles and resolutions. They were seconded by Prof. Greene, in

a few earnest and well chosen remarks, and after short, but spirited and effective speeches by Prof. Jewell, Dr. Chapin and Mr. Mowry, they were unanimously adopted by a standing vote:

Whereas, Important improvements have been made and are making in the great science of instruction and the entire art of teaching, and rapid changes, are occurring in all parts of our common country relating to subjects and methods of instruction, classification, discipline and other kindred school matters; and

Whereas, It has been found absolutely necessary that professional schools should be maintained to sustain each of the important professions; that the bar cannot dispense with law schools; the pulpit cannot sustain itself without Theological Seminaries; the improvements in medicine could not be made generally available without medical schools, where men of the highest ability and power shall impart instruction to those who shall use it, or again impart it to others; and

Whereas, It is painfully apparent that with all the excellencies in the system and the present condition of our schools, our State is manifestly suffering from the lack of professional instruction for teachers, and that it will be impossible to keep pace with the improvements and advancement made by other States, without such instruction for teachers; therefore

Resolved, That the teachers of Rhode Island, in convention assembled, probably in larger numbers than in any previous assembly, desire to express their decided conviction that the highest interests of the State imperatively demand the re-establishment of a State Normal School and their earnest desire that the General Assembly, at their next session, take measures to establish on a permanent and liberal basis a State Normal School, and place it under the care of the most competent and able teachers.

And, whereas, the last eight years have demonstrated that to sustain Institutes for Instruction through the State is too great a burden to be borne by this association; that the expense of properly conducting them is beyond its means; that the draft upon the time of a few teachers to sustain them is unreasonable; that a higher type of instruction is needed by the teachers, and that it is properly the duty of the State to furnish this instruction; therefore

Resolved, That while we as teachers are desirous of doing all possible to elevate the professon, we yet feel constrained to petition the Hon. General Assembly to authorize the School Commissioner to hold two Normal Institutes of one week each, the one in the autumn and the other in the spring of each year, and that an appropriation be made snfficient to defray the expenses of the same.

Mr. Mowry, for the Committee on Resolutions, further roported the following resolution which was unanimously adopted:

Resolved, That the thanks of this Institute are specially due to the local committee of arrangements, Messrs. Alvin C. Robbins, W. E. Tolman and P. E. Tillinghast, for their laborious, but unwearied efforts in completing the necessary arrangements for this meeting. That we desire to express our warmest and heartiest thanks to the people of Pawtucket and vicinity, for their kind and very liberal hospitality in so bountifully entertaining the large number of teachers in attendance. That we hereby express our thanks to the various Railroad Corporations that have furnished free return tickets to teachers; to the Methodist and Baptist Churches for the free use of their houses; and to Rev. Barnas Sears, D. D., Dr. Lowell Mason, Prof. Frederick S. Jewell, Geo. N. Bigelow Esq., Prof. Mark Bailey, Prof. S. S. Greene, Dr. Charles Jewett, J. F. Claflin, Esq., Wm. Bowler, Esq.; and Dr. J. G. Trine, for their able and valuable lectures and class exercises. Adjourned to seven and a half o'clock, P. M.

FRIDAY EVENING.

The exercises of the evening consisted of reading scriptures and prayer by Rev. W. A. Mowry, of Cranston; Selections of Music by Prof. Tourjee, of Providence; and a lecture on Normal Schools by Prof. Jewell.

The lecturer showed in a very clear and able manner, the nature, necessity and

practical value of Normal Schools, and their importance as the foundation of a thorough educational system of a State or Nation. The means for securing the education of teachers were divided into three classes.

1. Academic, including the ordinary courses of instruction passed over by common schools, high schools, academies and colleges.

2. Mixed, including those schools purely academic in character, upon which some Normal methods have been engrafted, for the purpose of securing State or other aid, as in the case of mixed schools in New York, which receive from the Board of Regents $18,000 annually. These schools accomplish but little more than the purely academic in fitting teachers for their work.

3. The pure Normal. These schools have a specific object in view-the thorough practical training of teachers in respect to the best methods of instruction and discipline. They hold the same relation to the educational system as do law and medical schools to the professions of law and medicine, and are absolutely necessary for its efficiency and complete success. The legitimate work of this class of Normal Schools can be done by no other agency, and is intended through academic course of education. Every State needs one or more schools of this last class, otherwise the completeness, harmony and symmetry of the teacher's preparation is destroyed.

The lecturer then addressed practical and congratulary remarks to the teachers of Rhode Island, and expressed the hope and conviction that the Normal School of Rhode Island might soon be restored to its former position of usefulness and power, to complete the excellent school system of the State.

After the lecture, on motion of W. A. Mowry, a committee on "The Normal School" was appointed, consisting of two gentlemen from each county, to act in connection with the committee appointed by the Board of Directors of the Institute. The President named the following gentlemen as the committee:

Providence County.-Rev. John Boyden, Woonsocket, Thomas K. King, Esq., Pawtucket.

Newport County.-Chas. E. Hammett, Jr., Esq., and William Powell, Esq., of Newport.

Bristol County.-Rev. Dr. Shepard, Bristol, Hon. Thomas G. Turner, Warren. Kent County.-Hon. G. W. Greene, Warwick, Hon. B Lapham, Warwick. Washington County.-Hon. E. R. Potter, Kingston, R. G. Hazard, Esq., Peace Dale. The committee appointed by the Board of Directors consists of Hon. J. B. Chapin, Commissioner Public Schools; Dr. Barnas Sears, President Brown University, Prof. S. S. Greene, of Brown University, D. W. Hoyt, Esq., Providence High School, T. W. Bicknell, Esq., President Rhode Island Institute of Instruction.

After a few appropriate remarks by the President, and the singing of America by the congregation, the benediction was pronounced by Rev. Prof. Jewell, and the session of the Institute was adjourned, sine die.

THOMAS W. BICKNELL, President.

THOMAS B. STOCKWELL, Recording Secretary.

CHARMING AS THE NEWEST NOVEL.-"The new edition of Webster's Quarto Dictionary is a monument of literary labor, which will attract the attention of the learned, the world over. It is as charming as the newest novel. I turn over page after page, and know not when to close it. I hope that the day is not far distant, when every school in our State will have a copy."