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The State Normal School.The time of holding the commencement of the S:ate Normal School 1ms been changed from October to July. The present senior class consequentlylo*e the short fall term of eight weeks.The annual exercises of the school were inaugurated on Sundav evening at New Britain, by a sermon from the Kev. C. L. Goodcll of that place. The subject was the necessity of educating the heart as well as the head ; it was a discourse of unusualexcellence.On Monday morning the examinations of the several classes began. For these examinations, we were assured, no unusual preparation had been made, and that they were conducted as ordinary recitations. It is perhaps a common compliment to say that they were creditable to both teacher and taught. They were unusually so. The examinations showed a familiarity not only with the text books, hat a lively appreciation of the reasons, the wherefores, and the practical results of the things learned.— This comes from the peculiar training and the manner of teaching. Nothing is taken for gianted. Every subject is carefully analyzed, and the result is not only an acquisition of information on the part of the student, but an ability to impart it.It should be stated that in the building occupied by the Normal School at New Britain is the High School of that town, with a primary department. Each room of the High School has its regular teacher, hut each member of the Senior Class of the Normal School has a class in the High School, to which an hour each day is devoted. This practice is as valuable to the teacher as hospital practice is to a medical student. The students from day to day put into use what they learn. One of the most interesting of the exercises on Tuesday were the “Teaching Exercises.” Theso consisted in recitations by a class from the High School, conducted by one of the Senior Class. This was a demonstration to the visitors of the ability to manage a class and of the style of teaching each had adopted.— These were the most interesting exhibitions possible of the practical workings of the system, and they were very satisfactory. The exercises of the day were enlivened with singing by the scholars.The Senior Class numbers nineteen—a little larger than those of the past three years. In point of promise of usefulness, it is about the average of former classes, which speaks highly for the graduates of this school. The general attendance this term is, however, much smaller than usual, the whole number being only about sixty. It is natural that the summer term should be much smaller than the others, as many are engaged in teaching or other occupations. Doubtless many are debarred, on account of limited means, from taking advantage of this Institution. Many are compelled to spend the summer in earning the means to support them at schoolduring the winter.The importance of this School to the State canhardly be over-estimated. It recognizes the fact that a person may he an excellent scholar and worthless as a teacher; that it is scarcely more important to know what to teach than to know how to teach. Acting upon this, the Normal School institutes a system, which experience has taught to be the best, for training the scholar to clearly and readily impart his information. It also institutes a drill, if we may borrow a military term, which, if the teacher carries it with him, will make his district school well governed, orderly and systematic. It nas come to be understood that system, or organized working, is as important in mental education as it is in physical iraining. The importance, therefore, of scattering through the State an army of competent mental drill masters, who shall early inculcate the best system of education, giving the student from the start habits of orderly acquisition and discipline, can hardly be over-estimated. Thus the student passes from the lower school to the highest in the State, in regular progression, avoiding useless studies and ill habits, making the most of the time, because one system guides him. It is the perfection of an educational plan.The village of New Britain, it is unnecessary to inform our readers, is a charming location for this school. The building is admirably arranged, commodious, well constructed for warmth and ventilation. The general school room, where the examinations were held on Tuesday, is large, airy, very cheerful, hung with pictures, charts, c., and on this occasion was decorated with flowers.The address of Prof. Camp, Tuesday evening, to the graduating class, was earnest and forcible, acd made a deep impression upou those who heard it. It impressed upon the class their duty in elevating the character of the community in which they were placed. Prominent among the qualifications for success, was a profound reverence for the human soul. The teacher should also have a heart lull of sympathy for his pupils. With faith in God and faith in humanity he would have teachers labor cheerfully and hopefully.THE LITERARY SOCIETIES.The addicss before the Barnard and Gallaudet societies of the Normal school was delivered in the Centre church to a large audience, on Tuesday evening, by Hon. J. D. Philbrick. His subject was “Courage,” which was treated in a manner worthy of his well known talent and popular address.— Frederick S. Jewett, Esq., artist and alderman of this city, followed in a pleasantly written poem, spiced with pleasant conceits and amusing hits. There was some complaint, both of the address and poem, that the speakers could not be distinctly heard in remote parts of the church.THE ANNIVERSARY.The eleventh anniversary of the State Normal School at New Biitainoccurred yesterday (Wednesday) the 18th—an event of interest to the “ schoolmasters” and “schoolma’ams” throughout the state. An eclipse and anniversary do not often fall on a lovelier day, and the attendance of friends and past graduates from other parts of the state, and from New York, Philadelphia, and other cities, was quite large. These visitors were well provided for by the hospitable people of New Britain. Among the gentlemen present were Hon. John D. Philbrick, Superintendent of Public Schools in Boston, formerly principal of the Normal School; Rev. Dr. Davis of Westfield, Mass., one of the Massachusetts Board of Education; ex-Govs. Minor and Seymour, and the Board of Trustees.ADDRESS TO THE ALUMNI.At a quarter before eleven, came the annual address to the Alumni, in the Methodist church. Thiswas delivered by Mr. E. D. Bassett, of Philadelphia, after prayer by Itev. Mr. Hill, and the singing of “ The Grave of Washington” by a quartette.— Mr. Basset is a young man, a mulatto, and intellectual in appearance and in fact. While employed about the hotel in Birmingham, (Derby) he attracted the attention of Hon. Wm. B. Wooster, (state senator last year) by his quickness and intelligence, though he was very ignorant in “ book learning.” He put him in the way of obtaining an education, and afterwards sent him to the Normal School, where he graduated about four years ago. He is now principal of the Institute for Colored Youth in Philadelphia.After speaking of the gratification he felt at meeting so many friends as he saw among the alumni, in the places made dear to him by pleasant associations ; of the surprise he felt at being invited to deliver the address, and the diffidence he felt in accepting the invitation, he proceeded with his remarks without announcing any particular subject. We should name his theme, Progress in Education. The address was an hour in length, well delivered, showing evidence of independent thought and extensive reading, with an occasional classic quotation, but somewhat rambling and ambitions in style, intended for literary entertainment rather than for pointed and practical teaching. It was listened to with attention, and gave very general satisfaction.THE GRADUATING EXERCISES.At 2 o’clock i*. m. the Centre Church was densely •rowded with “Normals,” visitors and friends. The following was theOKDEIt OF EXERCISER.1. Introductory Prayer—by Kev. Mr. 1’errin, ot Centre Cburcb.2 Music—“Ode on Educalion.”—Words by Mrs. Louise J. K. Chapman—Music by JamesCi. Harnett.8 The Puritan Element ol Character— Charles 8. Dudley, North Ouillord.4 Self Sacrifice—Esther L. Hitchcock, New Haveu.6. Mary Lyon—Helen Handle, Norwalk.0. Afusic— Quartette, “Integer Vita.”7. character the Result of Education—Anson F. Fowler, North Guillord.S. The Separate and Combined Influence ot the ThreeNorth Granby.11. Musis—Judgment Chorus; “Icflammatus.55 From “Stabat Mater.” Rossini.12. Napoleon Bonaparte-John S. Gaffney, New Britain.1*. The Queens of Hidory—Harriet N. Bartholomew, Granby. ’J? A?^n?ge8 of «olitude-Julia A.Clark, Hartford. 16. I he Influence ot leaching upon the Teacher, withClark.—Musio by C. W. Huntington.19. Benediction, by Kev. Mr. Bond.Without iustanciog each piece, it is but just to say that in originality of thought, distinct delivery, and grace of elocution, the literary efforts of the graduates were worthy of much praise, and superior to the average of college exercises. The elocution of Misses Hitchcock and Lee was particularly good, each word being heard distinctly in every part ofthe church, with little apparent effort to the speakers. The “ poem” of Miss Bassett was a pretty and graceful conceit, of the story of '« The Winds,” smoothly set to rhyme. Miss Clark’s essay was a meritorious and well written production, wo were assured by one ot the professors—it was the only piece we were unable to hear distinctly. Messrs. Dudley, Gaffney and McLean declaimed well—indeed all showed a careful elocutionary training. If the capacity for practical teaching equals their literary acquirements, the class will do honor to the Institution.The music was by the Philharmonic Society, under the direction of Mr. llunfington, and was excellent. A “ responsive chorus” was sung by the Society and the “ Normals,” with pleasing effect, while the distant and unexpected “ farewell” a*, rhe close of the parting song by the graduating class was a pleasant surprise to all.The names of the graduates are :Sara’i K. Aiken, Norwalk ; Anna A Baird, Miltord; .H irriet N Bartholomew. Granby; Mary K. Bassett, New Britain; Mary L. Jatlin llarwiutou; .Julia A.Clark, Hartford; Ebther L Hitchcock, N«w tlaveDj_S|t:y V. L-e, North Granby; Esther C. i'erry. Collinsville; Helen Handle. Norwalk; Alary A.Seniour, Newington; K.ileu E. fMuthworih, Maustleld Center; Maria lalooit, l’ly-moutti.Charles S. Dudley and Anson F. Fowler, North Uuil-loM; John 8 Gaffney, New Britain; Henry A Loveland, Berlin; Calvin B. McLean, Simsbury; Edgar W. Simouds, Collinsville.ADDRESS OF MR. GILLETTE.The following are a few paragraphs, on the position of Teachers, from the address of Hon. Francis Gillette to tbo graduating class, on presenting them with their diplomas :This 18th day of July, 1860, marks an era in the life of each one of you, great in importance and never to be forgotten. Having finished your preparatory course in this Institution, you this day bid adieu to all that you have learned to love und cherish here—to these beloved teachers, to these pleasant homes and hospitalities, and, harder than all else, to one another—and go forth single-handed, to assume the high duties and responsibilities ot public instructors. Pause, now, for a moment, and consider the greatness and grandeur of the work in which you are about to enguge.Some enthusiast once said, “Let me make the songs of a nation and I care not who shall make its laws.” But that person might have said, with tenfold signiticaney, let me teach the children of a nation, and I care not who shall make both its songs and its laws. I am prince and potentate despite all. Let me educate the boys and girls of a people, and I will so mold and stamp them, that my sentiments shall sternly speak in the laws, and breathe softly in the songs which they shall make.— Through them I will pour my thoughts into the ear of the nation, and my voice shall go careering and echoing down the ages, with an authority king-lier than that of kings. Scepterless and throneless though I am, 1 defy the power of Princes and Presidents, and tell them that they rule through me, and are subject to my bidding, as heard in the authoritative utterances of the people, whom I had taught and trained in their childhood. Very possibly, that great model teacher, the late Thomas Arnold of England, is now wielding a more potent influence over that country, through his five thousand pupils, than the Queen mother herself begirt by her countless satellites, and thundering through her army audnavy.You have read the story of the old philosopher, who felt sadly because he could find no place on which to balance his lever to move the globe; but the true teacher actually does more than Archimedes sighed to do, for he takes right hold of the lever that moves the world—the moral world—and his triumph is as much greater than that of Archimedes would have been as mind is superior to matter. He sits at the fountain and commands the very sources of power.The Sculptor chisels the graceful conceptions of his genius upon marble, and trusts to that to carry his name down the ages; but the marble crumbles, and Praxitiles lives on and on, statueless. The Painter translers his beautiful images to canvas, and thinks to float down to posterity on that frail craft; but it is the sport of every wind and wave, and finally, goes down a wreck in the hurrying stream of time, and Apelles lives on and on, pictureless. The Warrior thinks to carve his name on the ages with the sword, and to live in the monument erected to his memory; but that too yields to the obliterating band of Time, and falls in ruins. Caisar lives in history, but his ambitious monuments—where are they fIt is not so with the Teacher; he chisels, paints and carves upon that which is imperishable and immortal, as lasting as eternity itself. Time, war, flood and fire may reek their hurtling fury upon it, and still it lives unscathed and undying, as unharmed as the mountain cliff by the hot kisses of the lightning. He chisels, and paints, and carves for eternity, and although h(? may pass away and be forgotten, his works shall endure forever.Earth has no other employment so franght with destiny as that of educating and training immortal minds. The teacher sows a seed-field whose harvests will be garnered in the other world. lie treads a garden of buds and blossoms, which a careless touch may blast, or an impure breath, even, blight with a killing mildew. He attunes a lyre, whose vibrations will echo and re-echo through uiernity. As he is writing on the soft tablet of the child-spirit, the angels are looking over his shoulder, intensely solicitous to learn its solemn import.Rise, then, Teachers, to the moral grandeur of your position, and allying yourselves with Him who “taught as one having authority,” go forth bearing high the standard of public instruction, resolved to make the schools of our commonwealth all that its Fathers designed them to be—not only the fountains of knowledge, but the bulwarks of religion aud freedom.ALUMNI DINNER AND REUNION.The exercises at the church being over at 5^ o’clock, the Alumni and invited guests, to the number of about one hundred and fifty, sat down to a bountiful and luxurious dinner at the Humphrey House, where “each member of the Alumni Association was expected to do his (or her) duty,”—and did it. That being fairly over, all repaired to the parlors, where sentiments and brief speeches, witty and pleasant, were the order of the evening till 8 o’clock.Then came the annual “Beunion.” The professors, the visitors, the “Normals,” the past graduates, friends of the school and ladies and gentlemen of New Britain generally, from 8 to 11 o’clock, thronged Humphrey Hall and the hotel parlors, engaged in pleasant social intercourse, renewing old acquaintances and forming new ones.Thus ended the anniversary of the Normal School —an institution indispensable to the prosperity and moral and intellectual welfare of this state. The fall term will commence Sept. 19ih, and close Dec. 21st. No charge for tuition to teachers, but a small expense for text books, paper, c.—price of board from $2.50 to $3.00 per week.About Douglas.Democratic candidate No. 2 (Sam Houston was first in the field) reached New Haven Saturday forenoon on his way to Sachem’s Head to spend Sunday. A crowd filled the depot and the little man mounted a chair and made this speech :“ Gentlemen : 1 have taken this chair for the purpose of assuring you of my heartfelt gratification at this spontaneous outburst of kind feel.ng.—I am informed that the train is about leaving. I shall be here on Monday afternoon, on my way to Boston, when I shall have several moments at my disposal, and I will meet you then with great pleasure.”The Times of Saturday gave him this left-handed notice ;A Curiosity.—The following circular is sent to us from a neighboring town. We publish it as one of the curiosities of the day :Office ok the Daily and Weekly Poft, 1_ Hartford, July 11th, 1860. jDear Sir:—Uon. STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS will arrive iu this cny ou Alondav evening next, about 7 o’clock. It is the purpose oi bis iriends to give bim a reception and serenade, in which we should be pleaed to have as many ol our irlendtif tom atljoimng towns, and throughout Hit State, join us an can make it convenient to come into the city. Give puch publicity to thig intormation as will eusuie every one an opportunity ot seeing the “ Little Giant ’ as may detire, a* this will probably be the only opportunity they will have during the campaign. He will leave lor Boston the next day.Yours truly, j. m. Scofield.The “ Little Giant” mu«t feel flattered to find himself exhibited by such an accomplished showman.Tiie Douglas March.—Mr. Douglas left this city, Tuesday noon, accompanied by one of the real Douglasites who has stood up to the rack faithfully, but found no place in the glorification of Monday. At Springfield, though the cars stopped twenty minutes, there was no enthusiasm, no hearty hurrahs and no crowd. A hundred or two workmen from the neighboring shops congregated to stare at the distinguished stranger, and Messrs. Beach, late democratic candidate for governor, Johh Madden, who keeps a famous grog shop, and A. A. Upson, greeted him. At Worcester, where he arrived a few minutes after 3 p. m., a temporary platform had been provided on which Isaac Davis introduced the Senator to the people. Mr. Douglas spoke about eight minutes in the style of his Hartford speech.— A salute was fired and considerable enthusiasm manifested.He arrived at Boston about 5 p. m., and was received by a large crowd with much cheering. An open carnage drawn by four horses conveyed him through several of the principal streets to the Revere House.In the evening he bad a crowded reception at the Revere, the streets were filled aDd a serenade was given about 10 o’clock, when Douglas, introduced by Oliver Stevens, made a speech.tt^“A large meeting was held Monday night, in Union Square,New York,ofgentlemen many of whom have not before acted with the Republican party. Letters were received from Roger S. Baldwin, James O. Putnam, Willis Hall and Trumau Smith, and addresses made by Horace Greeley, Rufus F. Andrews, Daniel Ullmann and others The meeting, a very spirited one, was mainly composed of and managed by those who supported Fillmore in 1856.
Newspaper Details
Connecticut Press
Hartford, Connecticut, US
Sat, Jul 21, 1860
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Raechel G.
USA 22 Jan 2023
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