USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1884-1889 > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32
John B. and Martha B. [in Quincy. William Hall and Rebekah S. Died Walter L. and Josephine I. Charles I. and Rebecca B.
71
-
1
28
Internal Hemorrhage,
9,
Allen B. Litchfield,
James and Margaret. Robert and Susan.
William and Betsey.
Perez S. and Hannah Wade.
1
79
Paralytic Shock,
March 1,
5,
Seth S. Bartlett,
86
--
Heart Disease,
George and Abbie W.
Lewis and Hannah.
27,
William Howland,
Senile Debility,
Abraham and Betsey.
Tubercular Meningitis,
Robert and Lizzie W.
Edward and Hannah G. Howard.
CAUSE OF DEATH.
NAMES OF PARENTS, ETC.
Nellie W. Howland,
8
8,
Fayette M. and Martha W.
Winslow W. and Mary A. Prince and Lucy. Lemuel and Lucy.
Laban and Abigail.
0-100 9
Old Age and Bronchitis,
DEATHS-Continued.
AGE.
CAUSE OF DEATH.
DATE.
NAMES.
Years.
Months.
Days.
1883.
April
3,
Lucy J. Freeman,
46
10
17
Recorded in Lynn,
5,
Charles Doten Finney,
8
13
10,
May Williams,
15,
Patrick Dolan,
76
1
1
66
16,
Thomas Bearce,
77
1
13
Heart Disease,
66
17,
Henry Ellsworth Wood,
12
9
24
Scarletina,
20,
Anna L. Holmes,
22
20
29
Peritonitis,
66
24,
Lucy W. Churchill, Louis C. Howard,
77
2
10
26,
26,
Cynthia D. Barnes,
88
11
7
Old Age,
May
2,
Edwin C. Austin,
32
2
2 Consumption,
5,
Stephen Faunce,
64
8
8
Hemorrhage of Lungs, .
16
10,
Harriet T. Carver, - Cash,
74
3
24
General Disease,
66
12,
45
1
1
61
2
23
Bronchitis,
19,
1
3
14
Meningitis,
22,
William H. Morey,
91
8
66
22,
Albert Henry Cromwell,
19
4
2
66
26,
Frederick Samuel Mahler, Diana Vaughan,
86
6
1 Sick from Birth,
Frederick Mahler,
21
6
9 Drowned,
30,
Patrick Malone,
55
11
6 Recorded in Kingston,
30,
Sarah K. Bartlett,
39
9
20
| Phthisis Pulmonalis,
Ichabod and Sarah H. Bearse. Died Elkanah and Jennie S. Frederick L. and Fannie E. James and Rosanna.
Ichabod and Jerusha.
Ichabod and Mercy D. [Abington. John F. and Laura A. Died in South
72
William and Susan Nye.
Daniel L. and Ada F. [Lynn. Lemueland Abigail Simmons. Died in Isaac L. and Mary A. Died in Lynn. Stephen and Betsey. Died in Lynn.
Gideon E. and Selina. [beth, N. J.
11,
1
3
5
Unknown,
Drowning,
13,
John Edgar Morrison, Hannah W. McGlaughlin, Lillie May Cash,
John and Janette E. Died in Eliza- Abraham and Patience Dunham. Died Ensign S. and Olive L. [in Boston. Cornelius and Jerusha. Died in
Charles and Mary. [Neponset.
Frederick and Violet.
66
27, 28, 30.
John Andrew Denney,
8
27
Scarlet Fever,
5
4
Old Age,
Caleb and Deborah.
Patrick T. and Margaret A. Jacob and Elizabeth. Michael and Mary. Died in Kingston. Isaac and Sarah C.
NAMES OF PARENTS, ETC.
[in Lynn.
Chronic Bronchitis,
Premature Birth,
-
14
Catarrhal Pneumonia,
Rheumatism and Exhaustion,
9
22
Affection of Brain,
Old Age, Pulmonary Consumption,
June 2, 7,
Thomas B. Sears, Charles A. Snow, Maltiah Howard,
74
10
14 27
4
8
76
6
20
66
Harriet, Locke,
75
66
July 7, 7. 8, 9, 10, 66 11,
20, 30, Mary Elizabeth Stevens, Louis T. Bartlett, Eber W. Hall, Catharine B. Morton, Winthrop L. Warren.
71 13
65
11
13
77
1
1
24 6
Cholera Infantum, Feeble from Birth, Hemorrhagic Diathesis,
13,
Daniel F. Goddard, Charles E. Brown,
1
8
-
66
19, 20,
Nancy Merrill,
82
6
25
Old Age,
66
20,
Paul Karle, Matilda Boudrot,
1
3
7
Scarlet Fever,
28, 1,
Harmony P. Holmes,
58
3
28
Peritonitis,
Aug.
],
Charles Whitten,
76
11
25
2,
Phebe Davee,
79
9
1
General Debility,
7,
William Callahan,
29
10
8
Fracture of Spine,
8, 8, 11,
Lucy Nelson Hathaway,
61
11
26
Died suddenly,
66
11,
Charles Cushing,
75
2
24
Heart Disease,
66
11,
Branch Hodges,
8
21
Cholera Morbus,
Cholera Infantum,
Jolın Rogan, Nellie O'Donneli,
1
1
Marasmus,
Marks and Bridget Madigan.
66
20,
Harriet May Richmond,
6
19
Cholera Infantum,
26,
Aline Frye Cole, Lucretia Lucas.
71
Dropsy,
66
28,
Frederick A. and Carrie M. Died in
[Brockton.
30,
Frances Gertrude Weston,
60
-
·
31,
Calvin Lucas,
78
8
Diarrhea,
Sept. 1,
John Moore,
41
-
-
Valvular Disease of Heart,
Thomas and Susan. Philip M. and Rebecca T. Maltiah and Lydia. Joseph and Lydia. Ernest Henry and Mary Elizabeth. Henry K. and Eliza B. Died in Eber and Elizabeth. [Brockton. Lemuel and Sarah Brown, RussellA and CarrieM. Died in Boston John George and Charlotte Sophia. Obed A. and Julia E.
Daniel and Mary. Died in Chelmsford. Geo. W. and Hannah M. Died in San- Joseph and Nancy Hackett. [dusky, O. Thomas and Mary M.
Melim and Sabine. Aiza and Marcia Keith.
Abraham and Sarah.
Ephraim and Phebe Finney.
Thomas and Ellen. Died in Kingston. William and Betsey Card. [Boston.
Almira Weston, Job T. Cole,
84
8
Old Age.
72
6
15
Bright's Disease of Kidneys,
Samuel and Sally. Died in South Ebenezer and Abigail Sherman.
Brackley. Benjamin F. and Bettie N.
12, 15, 16,
Ellen O'Keefe,
56
--
Apoplexy,
-
6
8
Consumption,
John A. and Isabella N.
Albert F. and Frances J. E.
·
28,
Ethel Frances Parsons,
2
Recorded in Brockton,
Dropsy,
Heart Disease, Lymphadenoma, Internal Injury, Brain Disease,
8 Old Age, Recorded in Brockton, Heart Disease, Exhaustion, -
Charlotte Sophia Steidle,
Chester A. Hinckley,
1
4
55
8
1
Paralysis, Inanition,
-
11
i
Convulsions,
Old Age,
-
4
Joseph J. and Jennie. Died in South Frederick and Mary. [Abington.
73
Malachi and Winifred.
14,
2
24
DEATHS-Continued.
AGE.
DATE.
NAMES.
Years.
Months.
Days.
1883.
[to head, Found dead. Probably from injury
Sept.
3,
Harvey Shaw Raymond.
67
9
25
5,
Samuel H. Davee,
65
1
5 Heart Disease,
66
Thomas Galligan,
1
5
16 Disease of Brain,
8,
Selina H. Cash,
31
3
17 Consumption,
10,
Betsey Foster Barnes.
94
1
Isaac and Rhoda Davie.
12,
Mary B. Morton,
65
10
16 Pneumonia,
13,
Frank W. Shaw,
14
Sick from Birth,
66
15,
Carrie B. Holmes,
28
30 Phthisis,
¥
15,
Jennie H. Benson,
26
Congestion of Lungs,
18,
Annie Franklin Laman,
4
10
21 Diphtheria,
66
20,
Addie Congdon,
33
8
Internal Hemorrhage,
66
23,
Maggie Bodel,
70
5
12
Paresis,
28,
Samuel Talbot,
88
2
14 Old Age,
Oct.
5, Marcia T. Griffin,
74
9
29 Recorded in Rockland,
6,
Lemuel R. Wood,
64
5
5
Apoplexy.
6,
Henry K. Holmes,
5
8 Obstruction of Bowels,
1
Premature Birth,
i,
Almeda M. Pierce,
37
23
Consumption,
16
10,
Mary Ann McGill,
82
Exhaustion,
11,
Tisdale S. White,
74
-
81
21
Old Age,
19,
Gertrude Atwood,
2
3
21
Convulsions,
20, Rebeccah Burrill,
22
- Consumption,
83
2
21 Malignant Disease,
NAMES OF PARENTS, ETC.
George and Priscilla. Samuel C. and Mercy. Died in Malden. Thomas and Delia.
Thomas B. and Amelia Nickerson.
William and Elizabeth F. Dunham.
Weston A. and Annie F.
Henry and Nancy B. Whiting. [son, N.H. Samuel S.and Betsey D. Died in Madi- Charles W . and Mary B. Died in East
74
.
20,
James C. Frawley,
.22
6
1
George W. and Paulena.
1
Accidental Strangulation, 7
John and Mary Ann.
Job and Saralı. Died in Taunton. George and Mary. Jonathan and Hannah Harvey. Died Eliab and Persis. Lin Rockland.
Curtis and Sue T.
Thomas H. Died in South Boston.
7,
Alice Atwood,
-
1
Premature Birth,
Thomas H. Died in South Boston. Moses N. and Deboralı H.
Daniel and Jane Carlin.
John and Saralı. Died in Boston.
17,
David Warren,
David and Sally. Died in Somerville. Anthony and Susan T. [Hyannis.
Samuel and Louisa Swift. Died in Daniel and Sally Churchill.
66
21, Sally C. Weston,
-
Plithisis Pulmonalis,
Patrick and Hannah. [Boston.
24,
Joseph Ryder,
Frank Atwood,
Heart Disease,
CAUSE OF DEATH.
2 Old Age,
Oct. | Benjamin Harvey, Perry M. Rickard,
21, 25, 28,
Ruth J. Turner,
Bartlett Ellis,
27
4
13
Meningitis,
19 Cholera Infantum,
10,
John Vito. Fred Albert Erickson, Sylvanus D. Chase, Goddard,
Adoniram Judson Holmes,
68
3
6 Inflammation of Bowels,
15, 16,
Henry Morey,
-
5
1
Spasm,
17,
Arthur Lewis White, George Francis Ellis,
51
1
1
Congestion of Lungs,
66
17,
Mary Jane Mayo,
72
9
5
Apoplexy,
22,
Mary P. Bradford,
58
9
5
66
28,
Sarah Thomas,
85
11
12
Old Age,
Dec.
2,
Lemuel Leach,
78
8
11
Enlargement of Heart,
66
6,
Lemuel B. Faunce,
72
3
18
Unknown,
6,
Helena Willis Leach,
4
4
6
Consumption,
7,-
Mary E. Pierce,
75
Exhaustion,
10,
Lydia T. Rogers,
78
6
18
General Debility,
11,
Amelia Wiese,
53
1
Valvular Disease of Heart,
11,
Arabella W. Goodwin,
19
-
1
Phthisis Pulmonalis,
17,
Joshua Wright,
73
4
17
19,
William Ryan,
73
1
Paralysis,
22,.
Thomas C Atwood,
68
8
-
23,
Mary Oliver Faunce,
72
3
Typhoid Fever,
66
23,
Maria Muti,
1
4
22
Hydrocephalus,
25,
Angeline Dunham,
43
11
-
27,
-
Ichabod Dean,
83
3
23
Consumption,
28,
Edward N. Westgate,
20
2
-
Phthisis.
Richard and Sarah R. Elijah and Lucy. [in Duxbury. Joseph and Alathea Freeman. Died Nathaniel and Jane.
John and Annie. Consider and Hannah. Frank and Fannie. Joseph and Esther. [delphia.
William and Mary.
Died in Phila- Paschal and Sarah A.
Bartlettand Hannah J. [Charlestown.
Thomas and Jane Hodgkins. Died in Charles and Bethia Delano. Died in Ephraim and Sarah Everson. [Kingston. Thomas and Mercy Holmes.
Lemuel and Susanna.
Solomon and Ellen.
75
Phineas and Helena. Died in Boston, James and Mary F. Kendrick.
Perez and Lydia Pool.
[clair, N. J.
Ezra S. and Susan S. Died in Mont- Joseph and Lucy. Timothy and Mary. William and Temperance. (ington,D.C. Nath'l and Sally Harlow. Died in Wash- Dominico and Artemigia.
Truman and Mercy Bartlett. Died in Ichabod and Eleanor. [So. Boston. Edward W. and Emma M.
2
73 50 76 88
9
4
4
2
7
Diabetes, Jecorded in Duxbury, Inflammation of Liver,
Nov. 2, 6, 9,
77
2
Old Age,
· 2 Premature Birth,
11,
50 7
19 Softening of Brain,
46
17,
29,
Henrietta 11. Weston,
68
5
15 Heart Disease,
Burning,
6
} Cerebral Apoplexy, 21 25
Old Age,
Probably Apoplexy,
Phthisis Pulmonalis,
76
SUMMARY.
The following are the statistics of births, marriages and deaths registered in Plymouth for the year ending December 31, 1883 :
BIRTHS.
Number of births registered in 1883 140
Females. 72
Males 68
The parentage of the children is as follows :
Both parents American 96
British Provinces 9
Germany . 4
England
2
66 Sweden
2
¥ Scotland 1
Mixed, one parent American 18
other nationalities 4
Unknown
4
MARRIAGES.
Number of marriages registered in 1883
90
Both parties born in United States
British Privinces 4
66 66 Germany
4
86
Norway
1
66
Western Islands 1
64
Mixed, one American 15
other nationalities 1
3
77
DEATHS.
Number of deaths registered in Plymouth in 1883, one hun- dred and forty-nine, thirty-eight of which occurred out of town and were brought to Plymouth for burial.
Males . 76
Females 73
Born in United States 134
Ireland 7
British Provinces 3
Italy 2
Germany
1
England 1
Unknown
1
CURTIS DAVIE, Town Clerk.
p
ANNUAL REPORT
-OF THE-
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
---- AND ---
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
FOR THE YEAR
11883.00
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
FREDERICK N. KNAPP, CHARLES B. STODDARD, JAMES D. THURBER, NATHANIEL MORTON, PHEBE R. CLIFFORD, CHARLES I. LITCHFIELD.
CHAIRMAN-FREDERICK N. KNAPP. SECRETARY-PHEBE R. CLIFFORD.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS-T. D. ADAMS.
SCHOOL REPORT
For the Year Ending December 31, 1883.
The condition of the schools has improved during the past year. The establishment of a new Grammar School in the north part of the Town has proved a great relief to the other two Central Grammar Schools, as well as a great accommodation to the inhabitants of the northern section. The building which has been put up for this school is well located, lighted, and venti- lated ; and the cost of its erection was less than the sum appropriated for it.
For several years the High School has labored under a serious disadvantage, in being obliged to have its Com- position work attended to by a person outside the school-room. This arrangement was made, because it was impossible for three teachers to attend to all the other branches as demanded by a High School course, and give time to the Composition work also. Moreover, as the present accommodations in the High School build- ing furnished no place for a third assistant, and there was constantly a hope that a new building would be erected, with more class rooms, this outside help was,
6
82
year by year, unwillingly continued, as a temporary relief. But the defects of this arrangement are so obvious, and the need of an additional assistant is so clearly seen, if we would do our duty to the scholars of that school, that we feel called upon to delay action no longer.
To this end, another recitation room must be pro- vided, and if the Town does not make an appropriation for a new building, or for remodelling and enlarging the present one, so as to suitably accommodate the schools now there, we shall request that an appropriation of one thousand dollars be made for adding a new recitation room, and for securing an additional air space in the High School room.
The additional assistant thus provided for would not only take charge of the Composition work, but would also give regular instruction in Rhetoric and in Dec- lamation. In other branches, also, where the classes are now so large as to render thorough teaching almost impossible, (some of them numbering over fifty pupils,) the new assistant could divide the classes, to the decided benefit of the scholars.
Each year the value of Music and of Drawing in the schools is made more evident. On the part of the schol- ars, there is a marked and an increasing interest in both these branches.
In June last, a Superintendent of Schools was appointed, Mr. T. D. Adams, to supply the place made vacant by the resignation of Mr. Burton.
83
*
The report of Mr. Adams, as Superintendent, is appended.
The place of assistant in the High School, made vacant by the resignation of Miss Bartlett, is filled by Miss Bean, a teacher of large experience.
The new " Course of Study " for the High School, introduced last year, seems so far to work well; with a third assistant, it can be so altered as to embrace Rhetoric and Declamation, and to give more time to " Practical Science and Inventions " and to " News of the Day."
This course was merely on trial last year, but it has now been adopted by the Committee. Its peculiar advantage over the old course consists in giving an opportunity for a more thorough study of Arithmetic, and for its practical application ; as also for the study of those sciences which refer to practical arts and trades. The course is designed, in one of its divisions, to meet the wants of those who desire a broader education, but cannot give the time for pursuing a four years' course. It is also designed to meet the needs of those scholars who are looking forward to entering upon some trade or business.
The programme of studies was printed in full in last year's report; we will merely state again that the English Course and the Classical each covers four years, while the Short Practical Course is completed in two years. Any pupil who honorably finishes any one of these courses will be considered a graduate of the High School, and will be entitled to a diploma designating the course pursued.
84
We recommend that $20,500 be raised for schools for the current year, with $1,000 for additional accom- modations in the High School-house.
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
RECEIPTS.
Appropriation $19,500 00
Appropriation for special repairs
1,000 00
Massachusetts School Fund
232 24
Dog Fund
303 70
Sale of books
1,509 01
Sundries
23 00
-$22,567 95
EXPENDITURES.
Teachers, superintendence, and music ... $15,882 00 Books and apparatus, and express charges, 2,086 48 Repairs and supplies, including $1,000 for special repairs. 2,545 88
Fuel.
960 42
Care of buildings
685 11
Tuition at Wareham
20 00
Truant officer. 120 00
Transportation of scholars to Ellisville. .
32 00
Rent of school-room
153 87
Horse hire
69 25
Travelling expenses 18 88
Printing .
121 70
Rent of Davis and Lyceum Halls
59 00
Incidentals 59 11
$22,813 70
Overdrawn.
$245 75
.
85
*
AMOUNT AUTHORIZED.
For new Grammar School-house. $4,000 00
EXPENDITURES.
Cost of land.
$500 00
Cost of building, grading, and furniture, 3,225 39
$3,725 39
Undrawn $274 61
FREDERICK N. KNAPP,
CHARLES B. STODDARD,
JAMES D. THURBER,
NATHANIEL MORTON,
PHEBE R. CLIFFORD,
CHARLES H. LITCHFIELD,
School Committee.
86
·
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF PLYMOUTH :
In submitting a report of the public schools in this Town, I do not forget that my experience here is limited to about five months of service.
While the time has been sufficiently long for gaining an acquaintance with the schools, it has not been so long that I have become prejudiced by any opinion which may have been expressed. I have rather avoided float- ing opinion, preferring to form my own conclusions from facts which would naturally come to my notice.
A few things, at the outset, may be assumed ; and first, that every wise community desires the best school system which it can have. If we go into the prairies of the West, where cities spring up as by magic, we find a demand for the best; they are anxious to pay for the best, and they tax themselves for the best. In some of our New England communities, where the real age of the town is about co-equal with that of the railroad pass- ing through it, we find the same imperious demand. Many towns and cities in this state owe a marvelous
CORRIGENDA.
Having had no opportunity of reading and correcting the proof sheets of the following report, I here insert corrections of sundry words which ought to conform with my manuscript :
In line 10, page 87, for descendents, read descendants. In line 21, page 90, for educationalists, read educationists. In line 17, page 95, for gems, read germs.
T. D. ADAMS.
.
.
F
.
1
t
87
prosperity to their generous response to such demands. They have learned the important fact, that the best investment of money is in taxes well expended for * public education. Where this interest leads, other forms of prosperity are sure to follow.
Plymouth is a town of sacred memories. The free school was among the thoughts of her brave settlers who dared everything for the cause of God and humanity. Surely, it were not an unreasonable ambition that their descendents should demand and secure the best, and thus keep in line with historic renown. Where nature has done so much, where art has done something, where the muse has written such a story, the world has a right to look for a center of wealth and refinement growing out of educational facilities. Again, it may be assumed that no community has a system of education which cannot be improved ; that a forethoughtful people will be ready to learn the faults of their system and to hear sugges- tions for its improvement. Standing upon these assump- tions, I choose to speak freely what seems to me the truth, leaving the results to take care of themselves.
It is with unfeigned pleasure that I express my thanks for uniform courtesy received at the hands of this Board. The complicated work of public education has been discussed with a degree of fairness and intelligence worthy of all praise. It is not to be supposed that in such concerns, every proposition will receive instanta- neous assent. It is only through the careful considera- tion of differences that real progress can be made, Į
88
have been pleased with the readiness of the Board to provide for the common wants of the school-room. The result is a fair supply of the simpler, but much needed aids in school work ; maps in geography, blocks and other apparatus for teaching reading, number and form. These are among the tools of the trade and a good teacher is readily known by a skillful use of them. A few pro- fessional books have also been purchased, by direction of the Board, for the special use of teachers. These are distributed and cannot fail to do good. Never before were the prerequisites of high qualifications and profes- sional knowledge so positive as now.
The present incumbent of this office desires only the reasonable conditions of success. These conditions, it is for the interest of all to grant ; without them, neither a successful Superintendency, nor a truly successful school system is a possible thing. There should be no blind adherence to any policy or experiment which does not work for the greatest common good. It is only a liberal policy which can bring good results. Education is now so reduced to a science that nothing can be trusted to luck. A good school system will cost something any- where. The question for the people here, as elsewhere, is, do they want it enough to pay for it ? Nothing fixes the reputation of a community more surely than its response to this question.
I now offer a few thoughts upon some of the branches legally required in common schools.
89
READING.
This requires great skill in the teacher. The meth- ods in the elementary work of reading, the word and the phonetic combined, are quite generally understood. The process of learning to read is not very long with the average child ; and when the work is done, the method is of very little consequence.
The second stage of the work is more difficult, and it is here that many teachers fail. They do not know the principles of the art. There are two kinds of reading to be taught. The first is taking into the mind the thought of the author as expressed on the printed page ; this is called sight-reading, thought-reading, or "reading to one's self."
Its importance cannot be exaggerated, for it is by this process that the greater part of knowledge is to come, both to the young and to the adult mind.
To read and gather thoughts with rapidity is an acquirement of great value. To this end scarcely any- thing is a greater help than supplementary reading.
Teachers are urged to devote one-half the time given to the branch, to this kind of reading. This is nothing new ; it was practised years and years ago in many ex- cellent schools. But when, a short time since, it was urged as a general method of instruction, it was thought that it would be attended with considerable expense, and that it would furnish a large field for the author and pub- lisher. The work can be far more simply, cheaply and just as effectually done,
90
For grammar and intermediate schools, the good fam- ily newspaper,-like those published weekly in our town,-can be made to serve a good purpose in this work. The skillful teacher will understand how to use it. As it passes from hand to hand, every pupil reading a short paragraph, while all the rest are required to listen, a dou- ble object is gained, since it is not a small thing in edu- cation to become a good listener. Another means of aiding in this work is in the home. The Sunday-schools are now generally furnished with excellent reading mat- ter for children. It is always noticeable that those chil- dren who attend the Sunday-school and take home appropriate books find very little difficulty in learning to read.
The second kind of reading is, the giving out of the thought to the hearer,-oral reading ; and I believe that to be the best which so gives it to the listener that it re- quires the least effort on his part to understand it. This kind of reading requires training of the vocal organs. It is sometimes called elocutionary drill. We have a class of educationalists who affect to despise this kind of work ; who warn us against sacrificing sense to sound. The truth is that correct elocution sacrifices nothing which ought to be preserved. It simply helps convey the thought. It is precisely this, -- which the e-loquor means,- to speak out. To speak out what ? The author's mean- ing, of course. To say that training the vocal organs does not help make a good reader, is to deny, not only the experience of the greatest orators of the world, but to deny our own experience as to the value of practice in
j
91
other things. We cannot afford to set a premium on stupidity of manners in a public speaker ; for the time will never come when the human ear will not be pleased with the well trained voice in its expression of thought. So long as public bodies are to be addressed, and American youth are preparing to address them, we cannot afford to discard the grand old extracts from Webster and Everett, and require our pupils to sit down to the milk-sop of " Jack and the Bean-Stalk." This vocal training should be continued through all the years of educational life. In every school, as high as a grammar grade, there should be the fixed hour for platform work, in which the pupils may speak extracts from the best masters of our language, and learn to deliver their own prepared thoughts with what skill and grace they can command, before the audi- ence of the school.
WRITING.
This is surely one of the useful arts. A great degree of attention is given to it in all the schools of the town. The success is marked. There is room for discussion as to the value of writing from copies for any length of time. The tendency of such practice is to obliterate all differ- ences in handwriting. Nature has set up her own visible distinctions among us. These are seen in face, figure, countenance, expression, voice, and handwriting; the last not least. It were a misfortune for one person to look just like another. This difference in handwriting is a wondrous provision of nature in view of the sanctity of written obligations, Like other marks of identity, it
92
has, thousands of times, gone into the court of justice as the sole element to settle a dispute. This means of evi- dence should not be destroyed, if it were possible. But, that we cannot easily outwit nature in this matter is seen in the fact that, as soon as the pupil graduates from the school he falls back upon some ideal of his own, which soon becomes distinctive in spite of previous training.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.