THE

INTRODUCTORY DISCOURSE

AND THE

LECTURES

DELIVERED BEFORE THE

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF INSTRUCTION,

IN

BOSTON, AUGUST, 1835.

INCLUDING THE JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

AND

A LIST OF THE OFFICERS.

PUBLISHED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE BOARD OF CENSORS.

BOSTON:
CHARLES J. HENDEE.
1836.

CONTENTS.

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS.

LIST OF OFFICERS,

ANNUAL REPORT,

INTRODUCTORY LECTURE, by W. H. FURNESS,

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page ix

xiv

xix

1

General meaning of the term education, 3-difficult nature of education
consolatory reflection, 4 - the course of human life a model for schools,

5- the most active influences of nature those in which there is the least

appearance of design — so in the action of mind upon mind in society, 7 —

Example better than precept. Teacher must love what he teaches, 8

- inadequate views of education, 10-motives which should actuate a

teacher, 11.

LECTURE I.

ON THE STUDY OF THE CLASSICS. By A. CROSBY.

nature

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. 15

Difficulty in selecting particular points for illustration, 15-Illustrations

drawn from the art of painting-low state of classic acquisition in this

country, 16- prominent cause of this — inadequate ideas respecting its

various opinions respecting it, 17 — What is a classic? 17-

What is implied in the study of a classic? — first, its meaning must be

fully ascertained, 18-methods of accomplishing this various kinds

of knowledge necessary for this purpose, 20-second, the student must

catch the spirit of the author, 21 illustration from Wytenbach's Greek

studies, 22— by a comparison of the characters of Bentley and Gray, 23 —

third, the student must discover the principles upon which its excellency

depends-advantages of living at the present period of the world — ages

of literature, 24 - literary prospects of our own country, 25- importance

of a correct ideal of absolute excellence, 26-Method of obtaining it, 27-

analytical and synthetical exercises, 28 exercises of the former kind

of the latter, 29-importance of classical studies, 30.

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