Rensselaer Union, Volume 2, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 May 1870 — Letter from Terre Haute. [ARTICLE]

Letter from Terre Haute.

, May Ist, 1870. Eihtous Kenshki.akk Union: 1 wish to lull the attention of the renders of the Rensselaer Union to the Normal Kchool nt Torre Haute. This institution Went into operation on the Bth of January with twenty-one students, the larger number of w hom were from Terre Haute and vicinity. The present number enrolled is sixtyone. The following are tho counties represented and the number of students from each: Vigo 27, Dekalb 3, Wayne 3, Clay 2, Jasper 2, Morgan 2, Vermillion 2, Rush 2, Green 2, Miami 1, Marion 1, Putnam 1, Johnson 1. Xnox 1, Floyd 1, and ilia State of Illinois 6. Two teachers have resigned: Prof. Olcott and Kate Sprague. The hisloVy of the school so far has not been all its friends could wish, yet it has not disappointed expectations. I venture to say that no well informed person in Indiana is ignorant of the existence of this Normal School, yet very few have any clearly defined ideas as to what it is to bej nor perceive the benefits that arc likely to grow out of it.— The scope and design of the Normal School can be no better stated than in the words of the President when stating the attniments necessary on the part of a teacher: “lsf? A thorough knowledge of the facts and principles to be taught; for how’ shall the teacher teach what he does not understand? *‘2nd. A knowledge of the powers and capacities of the human soul, the order of their development, their functions and products, gained not from books merely, but from observation; for how shall a teacher cultivate the powers of observation when he knows not the difference between them and the powers of conception and reflection? How cultivate the memory when he knows not the quality of a good memory nor the condition of its culture? Row train the imagination when he knows not the difference between it and the will? llow toueli the sensibilities—the springs of action—when he knows not the difference between them and tho will?”

The analysis of a given subject by which is ascertained the forms of mental action brought into exerciso in producing the science, and from which the order and method ' of presenting it to the mind of the | pupil is determined. I would call 1 the science of teaching and skill in t # 1 the practice of this science, the art ol teaching. Hence, the teacher should possess three attainments: A knowledge of the subjects, ; knowledge of the soul and body of man, and knowledge of the science and art of teaching. Such is an outline comprising rhe entire field of human knowledge, essential to our welfare, that the Normal School is prepared to give. That the faculty is abundantly able to carry out the designs of the institution and j the ideal to be realized can not ad- ! mit of a single doubt. _ j Of President Jones I cannot ' speak in terms of too high praise. ! A man in the prime of life, of rare ; intellectual endowments, a ripo experience, faithful and devoted to his trust, the School can not be otherwise than safe in bis hands.— I think that I express the sentiment of every' student here when I say that Le meets our ideal of a perfect teacher.

Prof. Bosworth is said to have few equals in the State as a teacher of natural science. , Geo. P. Brown, Professor of Mathematics, is too well known to need a word of comment. Julia Newell and Mary Bruce are each mistresses of their particular departments. ‘ Many teachers are under the impression that if they avail themselves of the advantages proffered by the Normal School they will be compelled to teach a certain length of time within the Stale, whether it is practicable for them to do so or npt. This is a mistaken idea; no such pledge is asked or given.

ZIMRI DWIGGINS.

Fulton county has decided to appropriate' $60,000 to aid the completion of the Fort Wayne & Pacific Railroad through that county. It is asserted thst the other counties on the line bf the road through the State, will undoubtedly vote their respective shares, and that work will be begud by the Ist of June. There seems now', little doubt as to its completion, and that at no very remote date. When finished it will furnish the shortest route between New York and Omaha, and is desliued to become one of the great through East and West lines of the Fort Wayne extends it a cordial welcome and will give it, some, by no means insignificant, feeders. —Fort If 'aunt Gazette.