178 STATE BOARD OF AGKICULTURE. 



the ancients. The results of such study are presented in the class. In 1881 

 there were fifty-six students in tlie course, who met in two divisions. In the 

 previous year Mr. Henry E. Owen, under the direction of the Professor of 

 Botany and Horticulture, taught this class. 



An advanced course of historical lectures will be read to the Seniors during 

 a half term, when the changes in the curriculum now going on are complete. 



The following work, assigned from the Department of English, has been 

 done : 



khet'oric. 



A twelve weeks' course was given to the Freshmen during the summer term 

 of each year, with Day's " Khetorical Praxis" as text-book. Exercises in 

 composition were also required about once a fortnight. These were read by 

 the writers in the presence of the class and were orally criticised by the 

 instructor; and in many cases private instruction upon them was given in 

 addition to the examination and correction of manuscript. The class met 

 every day in two divisions. 



HIGHER ENGLISH. 



The character of this study is described by the Professor of the English 

 Language and Literature. Throughout tlie spring term, 18S2, daily instruc- 

 tion was given to twenty-six students of the Sophomore class, Swinton's 

 *' Studies in English Literature" being the text-book used. 



EHETORICALS. 



Besides the rhetorical work connected with the last two subjects, the follow- 

 ing has been assigned to me. The method of instruction has been described 

 above. 



The Seniors met once a week in the spring term of 1881, each student pre- 

 senting two themes. In the suurnier term of each year two original speeches 

 were delivered by each member of the Sophomore class. Throughout tiie 

 autumn term, 1881, the Sophomores met once a week to present declamations 

 and essays. Three exercises were required of each. The Juniors also met 

 once a w-eek, each student presenting two themes. During the spring term, 

 1883, the Freshmen met every Saturday, in two divisions, for a critical read- 

 ing of selections from Addison. An understanding of the thought and 

 proper elocution were both kept in view. Written abstracts of the essays 

 studied were also prepared. 



Attention is called to the large number of written exercises subjected to 

 critical examination. In one term over three hundred papers were presented. 

 Many of these were returned for a second writing, after which they were 

 examined a second time. This work, together with private consultation con- 

 cerning choice of themes and sources of information, and private individual 

 criticism, involves many hours outside of the class-room. It is believed that 

 it is no exaggeration to say that thus conies additional work not appearing in 

 the scheme of studies, but equivalent to more than two liours of daily class- 

 roonr work. Much of this labor in connection with essays is peculiarly trying 

 and exhaustive, but it is believed that it cannot but result in great good to the 

 student. 



