OUR VISIT TO BROWN COUNTY. Moses-es. In illustration of his point, I will mention that the London Times and other leading London papers, By the invitation of David M. which are all carefully edited, even in Beck, Superintendent of Schools of matters of detail, always print "the Brown County, we were present durCourt of St. James's," and not "the ing the week of the County Institute, Court of St. James" as is the custom commencing Monday, Aug. 13th. in this country; incorrectly, as will ap-It was held in the court-house at pear on a moment's reflection. For Nashville. The exercises were con"St. James's" here stands for "St. tinued through five days, morning, James's Palace," as "St. Paul's stands afternoon and evening. The enrollfor "St. Paul's Cathedral." The Gov-ment was 94, with an average attandernment of Great Britain has nothing ance of 61 4-5, which, we understood to do with St. James. Representatives from the anditor, was the largest atof foreign powers are accredited to the tendance of any institute ever held sovereign whose court is at St. James's [Palace].-Richard Grant White. in the county. The interest during the week was excellent. The superintendent presided in a manner that gave general satisfaction. He adoptA CURIOSITY OF NUMBERS.-The ed a somewhat different plan from multiplication of 987654321 by 45 the one heretofore employed in gives 4444444445. Reversing the conducting the institutes of the order of the digets and multiplying county. Instead of having all the 123456789 by 45 we get a result work done by instructors from equally curious, 5,555,555,505. If abroad, he put forward as many of we take 123456789 as the multipli- the teachers of the county as he cand, and interchanging the figures could. He also employed an inof 45, take 54 as the multiplier, we structor, whose business was to lead obtain another remarkable product, in many of the exercises in the dif6,666,666,667. Returning to the ferent branches and direct in the multiplicand first used, 987654321, exercises generally. The teachers, and taking 54 as the multiplier as a whole, did their work in a very again, we get 53,333,333,334-all creditably manner. They had not threes except the first and last fig-been in the habit of being brought ures, which read together 54, the forward in the institutes, and were, multiplier. Taking the same multi- consequently, somewhat embarrassplicand and using 27, the half of 54, ed, but after a little most of them as the multiplier, we get a product of got rid of their timidity, and acquit26,666,666,67—all sixes except the ted themselves with credit and dignithe first and last figures, which read ty. Good, solid work was done. The together give 27, and using 72 as the system of grading was fully discussmultiplier with 987654321 as the ed and explained. A resolution was multiplicand, we obtain a product of passed at the close of the in71,111,111,112-all ones except the stitute, that every teacher in Brown first and last fiures, which read to-county grade his school at the openeether give 72, the multiplier. ling of the school. This was passed unanimously. The five-grade the whistle of the locomotive will system is adopted in the county. be heard in Nashville. Brown Every teacher has agreed to co-county, with good schools and a operate with the county superintend-railroad, will take her stand in the ent to make the system a complete front rank of the counties of the success in the schools this fall and State. winter. The right spirit seems to prevail. While some of the teach A GENTLEMAN made application for ers seemed to fear opposition from a school in Maine, and presented himsome of the patrons of the schools, self to the board for examination as to yet it was agreed that it is their duty his qualifications. Arithmetical questo respect the law and the school tions were proposed; the teacher stumauthorities, treating opposers with bled and halted, but finally made out courtesy and firmness, explaining to to cypher out the answers. But on them the necessity of obeying the geography he was profoundly stupid. law and the powers that be. Said the committee-man: "Can you "I During the week the institute was locate Boston?" He answered: treated with excellent music, both know all about it, probably just as well vocal and instrumental. The Nash- as you do; have heard of the place ville band is one of the best in the several times, but can't, somehow or State. Their music at the evening other, seem to locate it." With a view gatherings charmed and soothed. to helping him out, the committee-man One of the resolutions passed at said: "It is the capital of some state, the close, without dissent, was one is it not?" "Yes, I believe it is." expressing a sense of the great suc-"What state?" "Well, I know, probcess of the institute. It is our opin-ably as well as you do, what state Boston is the capital of, but you see I ion that the schools of the county haven't got the flow of language to exwill be much benefitted during the press it!" coming fall by the deliberations of the institute. Superintendent Beck We regret to hear of the continued won the confidence and respect of all. ill-health of State Superintendent He promises to make an efficient and Smårt. For some weeks past he has useful school officer. His remarks been unable to attend to the duties at the close of the institute were to of his office. Prof. Smart is held in the point, and in the right spirit. deservedly high repute. His adThe best of spirit characterized all ministration of the high office of the meetings, and especially at State Superintendent has given to the close. Our visit was a very pleas- the State of Indiana much reputaant one to us, and the many kind-tion in an educational point of view. nesses received will not be soon for- Through his indefatigable labors, gotten. The citizens of Nashville Indiana, at the Centennial, stood seem to be highly intelligent and second among the States in the dehospitable. There is only one thing partment of education. We trust the town lacks to bring it into note, that the ill-health of Supt. Smart, and that is a railroad. We think which is the result of his abundant that the day is not for distant when labors, will soon be relieved. Personal and Editorial. will also receive due attention at our leges and high schools. The family hands. The relation of the Chris With this No. we enter upon the tian religion to educate will, likethird year of the TEACHER. We wise, come in for a share of our have great reason for thankfulness attention. Remember, $1 is the for the support and words of cheer price for one year. Inclose it in given us through the past two years. a letter and send it to us, and we We feel now that we have placed our will mail THE TEACHER post paid TEACHER on a solid basis, and for for one year. clubs and otherwise. the time to come we expect to do greater and more useful work in the We clip the following complicause of common school education. mentary notice of our co-laborer We have added eight pages, and from The Republican, published at with this increase of space we will Plymouth, Marshall county. It is be able to present more reading headed "The County Superintendenmatter to our patrons. We shall cy Law:" strive, as heretofore, to fill our pages "We had the pleasure of meeting with interesting and useful matter. Walter S. Smith, on our recent trip. Mr. Smith is now engaged in the Nothing of a light and frivolous charconduct of a Normal at Greenfield. acter has yet been allowed in our He is the former Superintendent of columns, and we mean that nothing| Marion county, and the man who had of this character shall enter. We the grit to prosecute the Superinask our friends to aid us in extend- tendency case through the Supreme Court, finally resulting in the setting ing our circulation, by getting up aside of the unconstitutional amendWe want a ment passed by the Legislature of club in every township in the State. 1875, and putting the law authorizAny teacher, or other persons, send-ing the office of County Superintending us five paid subscribers will ent squarely on its feet. To do this Mr. Smith had to spend about nine receive a copy of the TEACHER months of his time besides his cash for one year for his trouble. We outlay, which amounted to over $200. desire to make the third volume A part of this has been returned to much more interesting than either him, and to-day he is only out his time and $26-no small aggregate for of the preceding ones. We are a poor man, to say nothing of his begetting some of the finest educators ing thrown out of employment. Mr. in the State as contributors. Only Smith is one of the best men on the contributions that pertain to the footstool, and if his fellow teachers great work of teaching, or devolop-in Indiana do not do something handsome in compensation for his incaling in some way the main object we culable good done to the cause of have in view in publishing the education, they will disgrace themTEACHER, will be allowed a place. selves. A most fitting reward would We intend to confine ourselves strict- be to elect him Superintendent of Public Instruction, a position for ly to the sphere of education, as which he has eminent qualifications. represented by the common school, We don't know his politics, but yet we may from time to time have politics should cut no figure in this something to say on the work of col- affair, and if our educational people see the name of Walter S. Smith on They are also of advantage to perany ticket they ought to vote for sons who have been teaching in him." special departments, have been pursuing high school studies, as means of review. And they are beneficial to all in the way of getting new sug We call attention to our leader, "How to Organize a School." We will have an article in the next No. gestions and plans in regard to teachon the subject, "How to Teach a ing and governing schools. School." We want all our readers to be fully informed on all these great practical questions, which are constantly recurring in the school. The young teacher needs much counsel on questions of this sort. There is danger, however, of these schools doing harm, unless the evil tendency is guarded against. Teachers must not conclude that these short "review courses" will take the place of a thorough and complete course in a good normal school. There is no substitute for a thorough mastery of fundamental principles, and this end can never be reached by hasty "reviews." C. L. Hottel is Principal of the High School at Clear Spring, Jack son county. His reputation as Я On the principle that "a half loaf teacher is good, and he bids fair to is better than no bread," these nortake a high rank among the educa-mals are good things; but just in so tors of the State. The school, under that nothing more is needed, they far as they give teachers the idea his administration, is doing excellent work, and the young men and ladies of Jackson county would do well to spend a term or two under the attention of Prof. H. NORMALS. Under this head we copy the following from the August number of the Indiana School Journal: are evil. A thorough normal school course first; a partial normal school course second; a "normal institute" course third. The present term of the College and Normal opened on the 3d. It will continue thirteen weeks, offering an excellent opportunity for all who wish to take the regular, scienNo pains tific, or normal course. student The number of four, five, and six-weeks' normals being held this will be spared to make every year is greater than ever before in feel at home, while he is obtaining this State; nearly every county has all the knowledge and drill possible. one, and some counties have two or All that is asked is to give the Colthree. That these schools have A selves. Come and see for your done a great deal of good and are lege a trial. still doing good, all will agree. very large proportion of those who attend are persons who either could We understand that Prof. Jas. G. not or would not go abroad to school May takes charge of the school at -they are young men and women who have had the school advantages Campbellsburg, Washington county. of their respective neighborhoods, Prof. May is a veteran. He has taught understand the subject matter of the more young ideas how to shoot than text-books reasonably well, but have any other man in Southern Indiana. never given a thought to methods of instruction, and these "normals," Increasing years seem to make but when properly conducted, are of little impression upon his robust. great advantage to such persons. constitution. Long may he live. Teachers, remember that now is We call attention to the publicathe time to set in to make your tion of Van Antwerp, Bragg & Co. schools a success. Get everything Their school books are unsurpassed into good working order at once, by others published. Let teachers and keep it so. Don't delay, wait-and trustees take notice of what we ing for more children to come in, say. Good school books in a school but organize your school at once, is the way to make a good school. and have your daily programme Read their "ad," and you will find made out, and go by it. Promptly just the books you want. call and dismiss your recitations at Remember, the TEACHER is a 32 the time fixed. Be prompt. Be page pamphlet, full of reading matawake. Have the school always in ter highly useful to every teacher. a condition that you will not be No teacher can do well without it. ashamed for visitors to come in. Be Inclose a dollar, and it will be sent careful of little things. Do not to your address, postage paid. neglect the details of your work, but see that everything comes in at Let every teacher be a student. the proper time and place. Follow-Let him be so well prepared in each ing these directions, you are morally lesson that he could take the place certain to succeed. of the pupil and recite well the lesson. It would be useful to try it once in a while. If you do not receive THE TEACHER The Lawrence County Institute, which was in session during the third week of August, was a success. The number in attendance during by the 20th of the month, drop us a the week was very good. The postal card informing us of the fact. We are thankful for the large list of all the other counties do likewise. subscribers from Brown county. Let teachers were in earnest and contributed largely to the success of the Institute. Dr. Jos. O. Stillson gave a lecture each day on "physiology," and Miss Sallie Culbertson an inSend to the President, J. A. Beatstruction in "primary work," and tie, for a catalogue of the college, or Mrs. J. A. Beattie, in "penmanship." for any information concerning it. Mr. E. B. Thornton, the County Superintendent, performed his part of the work in such a manner as to gain the confidence of the teachers of the county. No teacher can succeed well unless he takes and reads a good edu-* cational journal. The schools of Brown county are When notified that any copy of graded. THE TEACHER has not reached the the one adopted. subscriber, another copy will be mailed unless the edition is exhausted. Do not fail to read the advertisement of the Bedford College on the last page of the cover. We will give a fine premium to the one sending us the most subscribers during the year. Read all our "ad's." good. They are |