Boston Post from Boston, Massachusetts • Page 8

BORTON POST, WEDNESDAY APRIL 13, PROFITLESS METHODS GENERAL WALKER ON THE STUDY OF ARITHMETIC Adtlross ISoforo the School Committeo ou the Nectl of a ClmnBe the Methods ia Use in Our Public Schools. General Francis A. address ou the of before the school board last night was received with great attention, and, ia conjunction with the report of the com- niittee on examinations, apparently produced a deep impression. Crowley deprecated any hostile criticism of the present system now in use in the city schools, anil hoped hat General Walker would modify certain parts of his remarks so that bis address might not be con- armed by the public in the light of an attack on the board, but the general maintained an r.iininons silence, 'llie business was substantially as follows. The committee on accounts made its report for the fiscal year of 188U-7, which showed otal amount of appropriations, total expenditure, 58: balance unexpended, $50 The resignations of G.

Brown, third assistant, Sherwiu and E. Harrington, third assistant, Warren school, were accepted. Messrs. John ML Porter, Henry Channing, D. Fallon, Dr.

R. D. Elliot and Dr. W. A.

Dunn were apwinted a committee on the annual school festival. The following nominations of teachers were confirmed: Minna B. Noyes, assistant, Charlestown high; Genevieve C. Roach, third assistant, Eliot Nellie S. Henry, third assistant, Gaston Ami E.

Weston, second assistant, Har- wooil; Inez Drake, fourth assistant, Mt. Vernon Mary P. Howland, third assistant, $itoughton The following teachers, probation, were confinned Mary A. Merritt, fourth assistant, Gibson Gertrude Halloday, third assistant. $lierwin; Alice M.

Raymond, third assistant, "Warren school. Lena LoV. Dutton, Mather school, and Katharine A. Burns, Wells school, were confirmed as teachers at the schools. Mr.

Crowley, chairman of the committee ou presented a report embodying the following recomiuend.ations lessons iu arithimtic shouUl be given out only in exceptional ciiscs. inensnnition of the tiapczoid and the traiieziuni, of the prism, j.ynuiiid, cone wild sphere; compound cube root and its applications, equation of payments, exchange, fouipound proportion, compound partnership and the, metric system should not be iucluded iu the required course. exercises iu fractions, commissions, iliacounts ami proportions should be confined to tmall Tuunbers and to simple subjects and the main throughout being to H'cnrc tboroimluiess, aceuraey and a reasonable cJegrm; of facility in idain ciplieriug. and in ex- illustrative of arithmetical principles all xerciscs arc to lie avoided iu a intelligent and Htteiitivo eldld of age conceded would find any coiisideridilc ultv in making the statement wliich is pn liininary to the performance of the properly arithmetical 'Wneu arithmetiiail work Is put into the form of practical or illustrative probleiua. it must be for tbe purpose of interesting ami aiding: the child to the pcrfonnance of the arithmeticnl operations nd unite a view to their common utility.

oral arithmetic no racing should he permitted, but the dictalioii should be of moderate average of time devoted to arith- laetic throughout the nriniiiry and grammar course should be three and one-half hours week; ami in the third primarv grade, not more than two hours, and iu the first and second primary grades not'more than three and a luvlf hours weok. examinations for promotions from primary to grammar schools shall be as simple as possible and strictly comprised within the limit of hour on each subject. The report having been aeeepted. General Francis A. IValker moved that it be laid? on the table and be printed, and addressed the board as follows Air.

President and I moved, winter, the resolution which has become the subject of the reiiort of the committeo ou examinations this evening. it was without any of taking part In the inquiry proposed. Bat the course of public since that time, and my own appointment to the couimittee on examinations, have seemed to require something he said by me regarding those feaiures of the study of arithmetic in our common scliools. to which has been taken, and which the committee, through their chairman, have unanimously recomniemled should be reformed in part or reformed altogether. And first, it may be said that if there be any reason whatsoever for uclieving that the course in arithmetic can be simplified and shorieued, the matter ia not one of slight importance.

The cry of overwork frequently comes from the pupils, parents and physicians who are undoubtedly sincere, even if mistaken in this view; while, if we I'cject the jilea of overwork, ami cimclude that tlie amount of study required of our children Is, as an aggregate, not too largo, we still Imve to encounter the almost niianiinous complaint of teachers that studies are, set (lown iu the ottlcial courses hicli they have not time to teach as they ought to lie taught, many going so far as to say that it would be better that some of these sulijccts should not be broached at all if tliey are not to be dealt with more thoroughly and systematically than is possible at present with the time alloweil. If, then, the couRC In arithmetic can be abridged, without injury on that side of our public schools, we know very well what to do with the time so released. It may be ajipliedi in the of the school board, either iin relieving the pnpils from the general strain of their work or in allowing the further cultivation of natural science, in additional practice in the art of ohserviitioii, or in inakiiig way for the new mechanical and industrial exercises denuuiiled liy so large a class of our citizens. Let me not be understood as disparaging the importance of the proper study of aritnmetic in our public schools. No one luis a liigher appreciation of the vital, practical importance of having our children taught to perform ordiruiry arithmetical operations with absolute accuracy and with a good degree of facility.

Indeed, it is one of the gravest accusations brought against our public schools, us at present administered, that the ohl-fashioned readiness and correctness of has been, to a large degree, sacrificed by the methods which it is now proposed to reform. A false arithmetic has grown up, and has largely crowded out of place that true arithmetic which is nothing but the ait of numbers. point there will be a more fitting occasion to advert further ou. The question to the amount of uritlimetical study at present desirable cannot be understood without reference to the courses of study iu our schools a geucratiou ago. At tluit time, with the whole week, except- lug only Saturday afternoon, at the ilisposal of the teacher, the studies in the district school were few and simple.

Reading, wrltuigand arithmetic, a little grammar ami a little political geograpJiy made up substatifmlly the course of study. In this condition there was not only no reason to Bcrntiuize carefully the amount ot time for arithmetic, but that study was naturally and eriy looked to tor a considerable piart ui the uieii- tal training of the child. Increasingly, within the last thirty, twenty and teu years, new studies in great variety have introduced into our school courses, sotue of which are better suited for the purposes of intellectual training than arithmetic itself. Reverting to the course of study iu the nrlinary and grammar schools of Boston, I do not hesitate to say that some of the new subjects of study, if properly pursued, will not only educate to an active exercise ot the power of ob.servatioii; will not only cultivate the power of generalization; will not only afford excellent practice of rea.soiiing in general, but will also serve to create the habit ot coutiuuoiis attention well us, or even bettor than, mathomaticH. Certainly the attention given by a class of iutercHted children in the study of natural history, under a good teacher, is far closer and much more truly educational than the attention given by pupils who are driven reluctantly through an arid waste of raatheinatics.

I reach tlie conclusion. then, that not only Hie Imperative upon the time of our pupils, but the character of the subjects of study, new to this age, justifies and requires that the study of arithmetic re.stricled to that amount which is needed to give facility and accuracy in ordinary uritlimeticiu operations, with a view to the use to which this power is tq be put, either practical life, or in subsequent and higher studios. Tlieamountot time now expended the study of arithmetic by the revised course as tollows: la the primary class iJ, 3 hours 30 minutes per week; class 2, 4 honrs; class 4 hours 30 mimues. Gnunmar school, class 6, 4 hours 30 per week; class 4 hours 30 minutes; class 4, 5 hours; class 3, hours; clas.s 2, 4 hours 30 minutes; ciass 1, 4 hours. Durintx tho second half of the last yoar, two hours and a half additional per week are devoted to the study of book-keeping; but to this I sliall not advert.

It appears, therefore, that nearly four ana one- half hours a week, or almost exactly one-filth ot the entire school time, are devoted to the study of arithmetic, on tlie average, ilnring the nine years of school life, according to the prescribed courses. But it also appears, from the results of an investigation made last winter at the instance of this committee, that this allowance of time is, in many cases, exceeded, iu some cases exceeded considerably. during school hours, while it also appears tlmt in thirty-six school di8trlct.s home lessons are, to a extent, assigned in arithmetic. It Is in the belief that our pupils could acuuire all needed facilitv and accuracy in uuraerlcal operations iu less tliau the time now devoted to arith- raetio. tliat the committee have included in their report tvvo proposition.s—one, that homo lessons in arithmetic shall be given out in exceptional cases only; another, to estiihhsh the rnaxiuium time to be devoted to the studv of iriHiuiitic in anyjear of the entire school course at three and one-half hours imr week.

It Is mv lai belief tlmt this reduction umv nltimately proceed even furtlier to advantage, and that the ivenige child tould quire as much accunicy and facility in this regard as would be desired, it piopeiU instructed in pie numerical operations tor three a week the homceopathists THEY CELEBRATE AN ANNIVERSARY IN HALL Served by Pretty Hour All Around Codinau on Hommopathy and Its through a term of fivo years. At the present time the results in accuracy, if not in facility, of arithmetical work leave very much to be desired, Scarcely has the cliild becu taugh to count as high as ten when he is put at teclinical iipplicutioiis of arithmetic, to money coins, to divisions ot time, space, and these technical apiilk-ations are increased in number and in difficulty through the succes-sive years ot the. gnimmar school, until for a large amount of 80 ariflimetii- the pupil gets coinparatively little practice in the art of numbers. I am far from saying that the pupils of our sehools should not aoqtiire a certain amount ot useful information. The most familiar of lengths, vreights, measures ami coiiw may properly bo given them, and they may advantageously be practised in simple operations thereunder.

But this whole matter of the technical applications of arithuietic should be treated iu a highly conservative spirit. Of late years there has been some reform in this jxirticular, and a few of the monstrosities of the old eurriculum, notably our ancient enemy, duodecimals, have been thrown overboard. But there still remains many things, us tauglit in our schools, which occupy time which could better be devoted to the study of other subjects; or. at least, to a irreater degree of practice in simple operations. The report of the committee on examinations contains propo.si- tions for a very exten.slve retrenchment on this side.

Compound interest, compound proportion, compound partnership, cube root and its applications. equation lof payments, exchange, and tlio mensuration of the trapezoid and trapezium of the pri.sm, piyramid, cone and sphere are proposed to be dropped trom the course in the grainmar school. If these subjects are to he studied, it should be in the high school. Anotlier chanare in thi.s direction is in tlie proposition to remove from the grammar school tlie stuuy of the metric svstem. The committee holieve that.

In the present state of our laws and commercial usages, tlie metric system i.s a proper for extended study in higli schools onlv. Tiic introduction of this subject so wiiicly iu'fo the public schools of the United States has been due. not to an appreciation of tlie practical advantages of this instruction to the exist aig bodv of pmiil.s, but to a projiagumia for the of legislation on the luirt of Congress and the l.egialatures of the States, looking to the general adoption of the metric system. The committee object to having the children of Boston used anv longer as an agency for pmmotlng tlmt object, iiowever in itself desirable. Not one child in a hundred, or in tliree hundred, who has left the schools of Ma.ssnchusetts during the last ten years, to go to work, l.a> ever once had occu sioii to use the metric system for any pr.acti cal pnrpo.se.

Every by the time lie Iciives the grainmar should he taught to use small sums infallihly. iu multiplication and divi-sion, and to mid columns of llgures as hmg us an ordinary hook or bank deposit book, alnio.st beyond the po.ssibility of ever committing an error. Tiiis nearly everv cliild of ordinary brightnei.s can be brought to do; ami that in a small part of the tune now devoted to the so-called study of arithmetic. ITii'ortunatcIy, on this matter of inaccuracy ill the use of figures, resulting from the maniif.r in which arithinelic is now taught in our schools, tae evidence is ovcrwheluiiiig in character and amount. Our technical schools receive pupils from the high scliools who, while they understand difficult theorems, arid are masters of complicated algebraic formulae, make mistakes In the simplest arithmetical operations.

If the high scliools arc blamed for this, the masters justify themsehes by alleging that pupils come to a high school teai'hcr said to me withiti two being able to add or multiply, to and divide, or even to count with accuracv. The graimnar school ina.ster.«, if appealed to. are obliged to admit the deflcieiicics of their graduates, hut they ask, what better can be expected wlien only a small fraction, often a conteimitiblv small fraction, ot the time nominally devoteii to tJie study of arithmetic can he given to numerical operation consistently with bringing their pnpils up to the bar duly loaded and primed for examinations in countless teclinical applications of arithmetical rules, and consi.stently with giving them that flexibility for the purposes of arithmetical gymnastics which the practical and illustrative problems of the text liooUs rconire. But it is not alone the teachere of the high scliools who have occasion to complain of the way in which the study of arithmetic is conducted under the prevailing' The employere of those boys and girls who leave the grammar school to'go to work have rccasion to coinjilain, and do complain bitterlv, of tlie deficiencies of our instruction on tliis side. After very extensive iu- ouiries, conducted through the past year, I do not rind it DO.ssible to entertain a doubt thru the old- lashloried facilitv and accuracy iu ciphering.have been laigelv sacfilicod to the numerous teclinical applicatuins and diliiciilt logical puzzles which have been introduced into the instruction in ar.thinetic, and that our children leave the schools verv ill prepared, in this resiieot, for tlie practical work of life.

The cliarge I make agirinsl the existing course of study is that it is largely made up of wliicli are not exercises in arilhnietic at all, or principally, but are exercises iu logic; and, secondly, tliat as exercises in logic, these are cither useless or mischievous. Tne class of exercises that are here in mind wall be easily apprehended. They afe those here an example, or so-called practical problem, is given in figures and wonls which are to be reduced 10 tlie form of figures and algebraic sign.s; and thercuiion the perfoniiauce of the indicated muiiencal operations will yield the required result. It would, perhaps, bo going too far to say tliat such examples should in no case be given; but it iiiav be unhesitatingly asserted that wherever the which Is preliminary to the performance of purely arithmetical operations involves a great deal of trouble, time and tlionght. while the mere ciphering which follows is done easily in a minute, as a matter of course, such exercises are not exercises in uritlirnetic, but iu logic.

Secondly, if such exercises, of any considerable degree of difficulty, are to be si at all for the pupils in our public schools, they slionld be pre.soribed as exercises ia logic, Of the art of reasoning; they lie taken from books prepared by eminent teachers of tlie science of mind, who are qiialitled to decide as to the degree of ilifliculty in logical exercises which is suitable to the childof this or that age and the exercises so preseriticd should be conducted by persons themselves trained and quaHfled to teach the art of reasuiiliig. To smuggle exercises of this character into instruction given in the name ot arilhnietic Is an abuse. By it has been created a bastard arithmetic which fails to perform the true fimction of that study in our piuilic to produce accuracy and a reasonable degree of facility in iiiiuiericul operations, while wasting the time of the pupils, jier- plexhig their minds, worrying their tempers, raste frig their nerves, arid, in ca.xe of total or jntrtlal in fanure, uiinece-ssarily and unrighteously shocking and impairing their self-respect and scholarly am bitioii. Tiie speaJcer re.ad aJistracts from letters received from NV illiam professor of psycliology iu Harvard Uijiversity Professor George II. Ilowison, professor liilosopliy in tlie University of Gulifornia; G.

Stanley Hall, professor of gogics in the Johms Hopkins University, and Dr, Noah Porter, late president of Yale College, and still profes.sor of mental and moral science in that institution. The letters were all in answer to eomnninicatious addressed to the writei-s by General Walker, asking their opinion in regard to the subject upon which ho was speaking, and in the mam they all agreed with him that logical aualysi.s should not enter into the study of arithmetic as taught iu the common schools to young pupils. In other words, that the faculty should not be forced. The motion to table prevailed. On motion of Mr.

Crowley, the president of the board a.s instructed to appear before the Legislature and remonstrate against the proposed act in amendment of 1, chapter 9, of tlie Acts of 1880, striking out the words the main the object being to prevent truants from school being seat to the penal imuitutiiBns down the harbor. In the Gloucester court, yesterday, Henry Tollard, who it Is alleged deliberately shot Haskell, at IXsex River, waived examination and was held in until to dav. Tlie celebrated last evening with agreeable success the fiftieth anniversary of the introduction of horamopathv into New England. The affair w.as a a band concert, a meeting and a dance in aid of the Boston University School of Medicine, in the 8 ucce.s 9 it attained it fulfilled the most sanguine hopes of it.s projectors. Nearly five thousand tickets were sold, and fully that number of jieople seemed to crowd the floors of tlie two great halls in the Jlechau- Building.

The stream of people began to flow in at about the adverti.scd hour of opening, 5 o'clock, and there was already a respectable number enjoying at the various tables by 0 but the greate.st attendance was between 8 and 10, when both the great drill hall and the hall wlfere the tables were spread seemed alive with men and omen. The entertainment was of a varied character to suit every taste, and those who early, as well as the later could scarcely resist staying till the close. The large hall was filled with booth.s, where the ladies of the diff erent towns dispensed good dinners to tlieir friends under the modest name of There wei-e twenty-three of the.se booths, all of them presided over by distinguished matrons and all served by pretty girls. At the East Boston table, which met one on the right on entering the hall, Mrs. N.

M. Jewett was the matron and Mrs. Jonas H. French and Dr. C.

A. Rollins were her assistants. The background was hung with elegant tapestries, and the table was decorated with two tall piano lamiw with bright scarlet shades, and a mass of beautiful Easter lilies. Governor Ames, General Dalton and other members of the staff and Mayor dined here, to the great elation of the ladies in charge. Next on the right came the table, over which E.

D. Langs presided, with Mrs. George IL Richards and Jlns. Sarah Libbey for iissistant.s. General Corse was marshal at th'is table, and Mrs.

Church, the pretty and vivacious of the trener-al committee on refre.shments, was active in bringing diners to take iheir tea from the pretty "Winchester giris who served it. Mrs. Samuel Little turned out the tea at the prettily decorated Koxbuiy tables, with Mrs. W. F.

Jackson for her assistant, Tire Canton booth was tastefully oruameuted with American flags, and Mr.s. Frank M. Ame.s presided over it chiirining grace. Mrs, E. R.

Eager was her Mr. Oakes Ames was the marshal, and Mrs. Fred Ames lent her agreeable presence during a portion of the evening. The Brookline people had two large tables in the centre of the hall, decorated with onuiges and latu'el leaves. Mrs.

Clapp was the matron and there was a long list of assistant matrons. The Chelsea was in the form of a letter bringing the iicoplo agreeably together displ.a> ing to advantage the handsome decorations, Mrs. Francis Low was the m.atron. Mrs. K.

R. Meredith presided over several pretty Bo.ston tables on the left at the west end of the hall, having Mrs, F. W. Payne for her assistant. Mrs.

Andrew 8. March as the inutiuu of the NewVon tabki Mrs. Henry E. Cobb her assistant. Another Boston table had Mrs.

ML It. While for matron Mrs, Edward Maynz for assistant, and over the Cambridge table Mrs. Ole Bull presided with three Mrs. I). G.

had a crowd of Boston alwavs at her table, and Mrs, II. 8cndder was the popular matron of the Newton Centre booth, Tne student.s’ table was especially well patronized because of the pretty girls who served it, the delicate viands they served the manv friends who ere attracted by the enterprising students. E. B. Parker was the matron of this table and Mm, Otislufts was her a.s.sistant.

Mrs. J. Ilomer Pierce was tlie matron of the Dortihester table, with Mrs. Frank E. Brigham and Mm.

E. $. Barnes fur assistants. From the gallery of the mam liau the tioor ire.sented a brilliant spectacle. The electric ights sparkled from tho pillars upon festoons of bunting, upon tables loaded with nretty china and and oiuamented with flowers and ujam the bright costumes of the young and the rich robes of the older women.

Even the men contributed to the brilliauee of the effect, for across their white shirt fronts they wore, according to tlicir official rank, of old gold, royal puiqile, cardinal or blue. The old gold was worn by Captain Newell A. Thompson, the chief marshal, and by liis chief of staff, Colonel Augustus iSamiwoii. The purple was oiu by the assistant marshals, the cardinal by the sixty aids, and the blue by the table marshal.s.^ The jssistaut niamhals were Lientenant-Colonel Thomas R. Mathews, Lieutenant William WL Kellett, Captain James P.

Fro.st, Lieutenant Batcheller IJeuteuant Geoige A. Keeler, ilrs. E. F. Pratt was chief of the committee on refreshments.

In tht gallery gentlemen enjiiyed tlie unusual privilege of buying their cigarettes from pretty young women, embowered midst Japanese parasols and pretty screens and flowers. wa.s the Chinese-English iiiKcriptkm ou this attractive bovver, and smoking was actually allowed in one of the rooms leading off from the gallery. Germania Band occupied the eastern end of the main hull in the early part of the evening, but later moved to the phat form of the great drill-hall, where the daucing was to take place. This hall contained four booths, from two of which the nicest confectionery xvas from one flowers and from the fourth by young women as pretty as they were well dressed. Mrs.

Ilerbert C. was the uiatrou of this department. This hall was only thudy peopled until about when the baud, under Mr. Carl direction, gave a promenade concert, of fine selections. Wliile this was goiiq on, people sauntered about and exchangee preetiiig.s.

Ex-Governor Rice and Colonel Gillespie chatted enthusiasticallv with General Corse, the Governor made himself ally agreeable, Colonel Codman spoke some of l.I,.. txixi-) pathy through the genius of its gretit founder, and predicted for it continuing and enlarging success in the future. Some of the young people conld themselves the pleasure of a waltz wliue tue promenade concert was in progre.ss, awaited with impatience the bogmning oi tne regular programme at about 11 clock, ne merry-makhig continued until well into tne morning, and eveiybody seemed to leav'o thorougkly well satisfied with the eveumg pleasure. The executive coiuinittee iu charge of the a ff.air was composed of H. C.

Clapp, Charles II. h. C. Rtch- ardson, C. IT.

Farnsworth, H. L. Walter Wesselhoeft, J. Wilkinson Clapp and D. G.

Wood vine. OBITUARY. ROBERT A. Robert Vinal, one of the olde.st residents of and some years ago well known in the flour and grain trade in Boston, died at his homo on Prospect Hill, Somerville, at the corner of Walnut and Aldersey street, yesterday afternoon. Mr.

Vinal h.ad been iu poor health for some time, but continued about as usual until a fortnight ago, when he became confined to his bed. Ills trouble w.as Bright disease of tlie kidneys. Mr. Vinal was a native of Boston, horn on M.arch 10, 1821, so that ho wa.s 00 years old. He was the son of Deaceu Robert Vinal, who was a prominent business man of Boston in his and was also one of the earliest settlers in Somerville.

Upon reaching his majority, Mr. Robert Vin.al took the supervision or his grist mill at North Chelsea, now Revere. Here he remained several yeais, and a portion of the time he held the position of town clerk and treasurer. In 1851 he returned to and entered thep-ain business with his brother Quiney A. on Lewis wharf, Boston.

Ihis business wa.s continued successfully until 1803, when he retired from active business and devoted his time to his real estate, of which he had a great deal. Mr. Vinal h.ad held many offices of trust, among them that of assistant internal revenue collector for the district, which includes Somerville. For a number of years previous lo the of the city he was a member of tbe board of selectmen, and held a position on the last board. He was a member of the first 8omerviJle Mystic water board, and for two years or represented the city in the Legislatuns.

A'inal always took a lively interest in fire departments. In the old times he was con- jiected with the old Hand Enpne Company, and in l85UjWas chief engineer of the department, which position he iield three yeara. Since then, altliough not being connected with the department, he has taken a lively interest in its affairs. He held the position of treasurer ot the Veteran Association at the time of his death. Hook and ladder company No.

1 of is named in honor of him. He was a member of Abbot Lidge, F. and A. M. Somerville Kuyul Chapter, ()asis Lodge, I.

G. G. and the ('entrai Club. He was also president of the Union Hall Company, who own Masonic block in I'uion square. Mr.

mal IcuvcH widow, cue son und threo dauirhters. 'J'hree brothers and four sisters are also living. for the funeral have not yet been perfected, but it will not take place until the tirat of uext week. The house of Kobert A. Vinal hook and ladder company No.

1 was dramtd in motimiug last evening out of respect to ills memorv BISHOP ALFRED LEE. The Rev, Lee, D.D., of the Protestant Episcopal Churcli of Delaware and primate of tho church in America, died at his homo at VTilmiugton, yesterd.ay, of typhoid fever, after an illness of about two months. Ho was in his eightieth year, and iu June would have reached the fiftieth amiivei-sary of his ordination. He was the American member of the committeo on tlie revision of the New Testament, and the author of a number of religious vvorks. OTHER DEATHS.

E. F. Tainter died at his residence on street, N'ewtonville, yesterday, long illness. He wa.s horn in Leominster and was 78 yeare of ape. He w.as a pioneer in the express business, starting the line from Watertown and Newton to Boston, and continuing the business for many years.

Mr. and Mrs. Tainter celebrated the fiftieth anniveraary of their marriagu 1883. Mra. Tainter died Feb.

I88(i. x- tt Mr. John H. Fox of East Jaffrey, N. IL, died suddenly at his Boston residence ou lumbus avenue Monday.

He was the president of the Burton Car of thi.s city. He was graduated iit Appleton ad- eniy, New Ipswicli, NL H. at Dartmouth College, class of 1878, and at the Albany Law School. He leaves a widow and one The death is announced at Paris of JLml proprietor of Le Mouiteur, at tlie age of 58 years. PREFERRED TO PRISON.

All Allegetl Forger Makes an Attempt to FNul Mis l.ife with Uautlanum. Captain Daw.son of Station I was riding on a Shuwimit aveime car yesterday morning when he saw Charles L. who is wanted several charges of forgery, walking along Groton st reet. Tho captain at once jumped off the car, tslid, as he Jid so, Merrick saw him and ran. Captain Dawson chased him down (he avenue, and then into a house ou Milford street, where he captured him.

Merrick asked him to let him go into a room to get something. Captain Dawson granted his re- (piest, but he remained so long iu the room that the captain became suspicious and went into the room to see what he was doing. he stepped iu Merrick was in the act of taking a vial of luudaimm, 'aptain knock id the drug from his hand before Merrick succeeding in any of the ixiisou. He H'as brought to police lieadquart era, turned over to Inspector and waa arraigned in the Mimicipnl Court. COMPANY.

Buy and other prominent people talked with each otlp-r and presented their ladies. At about 7 there was a short period of in the hall know as picture Colonel (filarles R. Codman presided, and nearly every seat in the hall was taken. Colonel Codman, in liLs opening speech, said that hoimeopathists believe that the profession i.s to recognize the fact that cures and in refns ing to so it deprived the sick of the use of profe.ssional means which experienco showed gave the best cluince of cure. Whether hoinieopathy w'as right would seem to be not at all a question of theory, but a the baldest fact.

Gbservatiou and experience alone can determine it. A law hail been deduced fnjm observed facts, -whbdi was the only scientific method of deducing anything. Even the admissions of the old practitionera are to their theoiw, hut they will have to coucede still more iu the near future. Colonel Cortmau was frequently in- ternipted by applause, and the in- when he Selden H. Talcott, M.D., of Middletown, N.

to deliver the address of the evening. Dr. Talcott described at some length the development of homoeo- E. J. GfiGHBIST Silks and Velvets.

960 yards Striped and Checked Summer Silks, in black and white effects, ali pure Silk, at 25c. a yard. They are inches wide, and cost a great deal more money to import. No samples given of this lot Black Satin Rhadames, 20 inches, particularly good value, at 75c. and S7c.

Colored Satin Rhadames, 20 inches wide, heavy quality, and certainly the best value for 1.00 ever shown Boston. Fancy Stripe combination suits, in choice colorings, at 75c. a yard. IN DEESS GOODS, we merely invite your inspection of our assortment of choice seasonable fabrics, and guarantee you the lowest prices named anywhere. 5 and 7 WINTER ST.

THE COPBT8. UNITED STATES DlgTlUCT 12. elson J. Baldassari Bosco, Rosa Russo and Gaetano Russo were jointly indicted for counterfeiting silver dollara iu Chelsea, Rosa separately for passing a counterfeit dollar to Cheever Newhall, and the other tw'O were jointly Indicted for pjissing a counterfeit dollar to William T. Morley of Chelsea.

All are on trial together. Unfinished. O. A. Galvin for the United M.

0. Adams defendants. 13. acon J. No.

Rice, administratrix, vs. New England Axtcident Aid Soiuety. The plaintiff was the wife of Thomas G. Rice, sues to recover upon a policy of $5000 issued upon his life by tbe defendant company. The defence is that the policy became void Iiv non-payment of assessments by the wad Rice, Kesmned verdict for plaintiff, $.5305 83.

S. J. Thomas and C. P. Samp.son fur plaintiff; Ely and C.

G. Keyes for defendant. No. Perkins vs. John T.

(lood- man. 'I'liis is a under the bastardy act. J. A. Bennett for complainant; T.

J. Barry for defendant. In order; ts Heinenway. vs. Kasteru Railroatl.

vs. Boston. vs. B. L.

K. R. Co. vs. Waril.

vs. B. L. RAilroad Co. vs.

I.ittle. 4, vs. N. Y. N.

E. Railroad Co. appealed from Judge of b.ate. 30.50—Kienian vs. Town ot Saugus.

vs. Connelly. vs. Richardson. vs.

of Dedham. vs. Boston. vs. Emerson.

v.s. Dockrav. vs. Boston. Second lodoeit No, M.

Murphy vs. City of Chelsea. An action of to recover $4000 for injuries sustained on Feb. 8, 886, by falling upon the sidewalk, through a defect of an accumulation of ice and snow. 8he broke her leg and arm and injured herself.

Rtisumed and jury out, P. B. Kiernan for plaintiff; Frank Kimball for defendant. No. P.

Rice va. George M. Iluse. Plaintiff sue.s to recover damages for breach of contract tif warranty in the sale of a horse. Plaintiff alleges that he traded an in a house for a horse, wagon, harness, the horse being waiTanted sound and kind; that upon getting the horse home it fell down and was unable to i-ise again.

Gu trial. S. J. Thomas and (N C. for plaintiff; 8.

K. Hamilton and E. A. Uptou for defendant. order; vs.

Huse. vs. Stanchfleld. 2121-Augusta vs. Bostou A Albany Rivilroad.

vs. same. vs. Mead- vs. same.

1 7.50—Brockway vs. same. vs. same. vs.

vs. Smith. vs. Tayior. vs.

Hilliard. vs. McGuigau. 4347 vs. N.

Y. N. E. K. R.

vs. Winnisimmet Co. 4511 vs. Kouiuls. vs.

vs. Til ini J. In order: 7 4 vs. N. E.

Mutual Aid Society, Dole. vs. Coiikey. ts Wood. vs.

White, vs. Garney. vs. Cole. vs.

Baker. vs. Whitteiiiore. vs. Simpson.

vs. Gregory. vs. Duffy. vs.

Bostou. THE EA8T Vote uii Assessment to A it ion alJLaml. The 8toekholder.s of the East Boston Company met in response to a special call yesterday, over twotliuxls of the being represented. The action as entirely uiianiuions to take steps laying out the property to fit it tfcriniual for the railroads eeiitriiig iti Boston. In connection with the M.uverick 1-and Company it has 700 acres of land, dering on deep water, especially adapted for this purpose.

The stockholders voted an assessment of per share, amoi.nting to $250,000, whlcli gives them a fund of $232,000 with which to additional harbor front at Jeffries Point, Esist Boston, and to complete impruvemonts in docJis and wharves. IJy this new departure of the company, the stockhohiers having in the main sold out to fifty of the active husiness men of Boston, tho comjiany will he enabled to immediately present to the railways a thorough scheme for tenninaJ facilities, one of the best iu any Atlantiu ports. GROWTH or THE EQUITABLE SOCIETY, Tire statement ot tbe Equitable Life Assurance Society, recently publisiied, that, on tlie 1st ot January last, tlic company bad become one of tlie largest and strongest iiiBtitii- tions of its kind in the orld. Its progress during the first quarter of the present year has been unparalleled, and it now reports butstanding insurance. of and an increase of .87,000,000 in new hnsiiicss for the quarter over tlie corresponding quarter of last year.

It wrote $111.000,000 of new Insurance last year, and at the jiresent rate of improvement it will write during tbe preaent year 140 000 000 Y. Times. The Dirt Must fio Pearliue is used for wasMfig cieaulng. R. J.

GILCHRIST WHITE GOODS, JPin'chased htj ns last Wednesdaii in New iorh at the LrAJUflLhl AUCTIOX SALE of White Goods ever held in America. The Priees, as will he secti from quotations ive tjive, were loiisltj low, and as the Goods, with onhj two exceptions, are jwrfeet in every respect, our eu.stomers will reap the benefit of the LOfr PliiCES WHICH ASTONISH EVERYBOBY, Plain Nainsook, soft finish, sold by everhody at 15c. Our price lOe. Plain Nainsook, the regular price being 20c. Our price Pi Plain Nainsook, about the same that is sold everywhere at 25c.

Our price loe, Victoria Lawn, fine Quality, formerly 25c. Our price 17c, Lace Scrim, 30 inches wide, in several a yard. This Scrim will probably not reach Boston till Thursday afternoon. Finest Quality of Lace Scrim for Curtains, 45 inches wide, at tOe, Lace Piques and Plaid Lace Lawns, in fine Quality, worth 20c. Our price l-2c.

Plaid Nainsooks, soft finish, regular width, Plaid Nainsooks, in extra quality, at 8c. and Pi Plaid 'White Lawns, In handsome styles, with colored printed figures, formerlv 20c. Our price 10c, These are slightly imperfect. Lace checks and Stripes, in a regular 25c. quality.

Our price 12 l-2e. These were damaged by machinery in process of manufacture, but are in good length for aprons. BLEACHED DAMASK, 64 INCHES WIDE, FIVE ELEGANT PATTERNS, WORTH 75c. Our price now ote. R.

J. GILCHRIST 5 and 7 Winter Street. 2390 yards quality GENUINE SCOTCH BOURETTE or TUFTED STRIPE ZEPHYRS, in this latest designs and colorings, at positively lialf price. They are 30 inches wide and are retailing everywhere at 45c. and but we have marked all tbe styles, irrespective of cost, to a yard.

There are some very choice mourning styles among them. Remember, they are the best Scotch Chambray goods imported. We are showing a choice line of best quality FRENCH SATINES.at 87 P2r- Oriental Lace Edgings at former price 10c. Oriental Lace Edgings at former price 15c. Oriental Lace Edgings at former price 23c.

Oriental Lace Flouncings, 45 inches wide, at 50c. Great bargain. Cream Spanish Lace Fichus, large size, six patterns, at 87 former prices were $1-00 to $1-50. Cream Spanish Lace Fichus, the very best quality of Guipure, at 50c former price $1.25 to $2. Made-up Oriental Lace Fichus and Collars in a great variety of styles, at 25 and former prices.were 75c.

to $2.00. English Point Limerick Lace Handkerchiefs, 75c. and $1. being much less than former prices. R.

J. GILCHRIST 5 and 7 Winter Street. CIVIL County). IIAMSIONI), .1. The fonrt that the juries tvould he Friday, and that week waived cases would be heard.

The court will adjotirn for the term Friday, April 22. lu the of vs. Carr et al. the jury is still out. No.

vs. Ntnbut. Ihia is a writ of eutrv. Charles Neihut, iu consideration of marrluKe, deeded to Anna Kouch a certain piece of property in Lawrence. After marriage Neibnt to his children, M'ho are the demandants iu this ease, the same property.

Thfe demandants allege that the firat was cbtained by framl, and th.at said Neihut, who is aGevmau and can neither read, write nor speak English, not know the purport tif wliat he was signing. hen the case had been partially put in, the court, with of the counsel, tirdei-ed a verdict for tenant. Bell for mandants; Colonel John P. f-orleuant. SCFEUIOK 12.

nowlton No. P. Marble, admini.strator. vs. Bosttm A Lowell railroad.

Finished aud verflict for defendants. No, B. Loverly vs. Mary C. Robbins.

Judgment for plaintiff for $10 25. A hill for protessional senices rendered defendant for procuring a pension. The feudant claims that the cJiaive.s are exorbitant and refuses to pay the bill. F. Fqre and li.

B. Coverly for plaintiff; Lilley Pevey and George W. Poor for Tlie juries will be exen.sed to come at Cambridge on Mond.ay morning next. The court will take uji on eduesday jury-waived cases and go on till the same aie disposed of. 'Ike firiit ten cases oii the Cambridge list will be in order at Cambridge on Monday next at 9:30 ME8.SR.S.

R. J. .5 and 7 Winter street, liave recently purcliiisediu New York a large lot of white tliey are offering ut tionully low figure.s. Among the lines of goods shown are plain Nainsooks, 5 ictoria lawns, luce seriins, iace piques, plaid white lawns, laoe checks and stripes, daniusk, genuine Seotcli iiourette, French satins, Oriental lace edgings anil flouncings, lace flchu.s, Lnglieli point Limerick lace handkerchiefs and other articles m- teresting to ladies. The figures at which these goods are sold are exceedingly low and are veritable NEATLY TRAPPED BY AN OFFICER.

A Burglar Drops 8300 Wortli of Silverware, Keturns It, Is Cauglit. Patrolman Doyle of Station 11 w.as walking alojig hia beat on Geneva avenue, Dorchester, about 3:30 yestenlay moraing. when he saw a man sneaking across a field caiTying a large bundle. He thought the man was trying to avoid him, aud so he gave chase. His commands to stop only hiistened the movements.

Then tho officer drew his revolver and commenced firing, but the fugitive was not bit anti luade his escape. Officer Doyle returned to the place where the man had his bag, and ou opening it found a nice collection of silverware. There was a complete service of solid silver, besides a large number of forks, spoons, cake baskets, nngs, etc. It was a richer find than he had anticipated. Then he tried to iind out house had been entei'ed.

'Phe initiaiS I. M. on some of the property led to the discovery that the house of Mr. Ivera at the corner of 'Washingtoa and Columbia streets, had been entered and robbed of more than $300 worth of silver. Patrolman Doyle thought that the fellow might returuforthe puipose of finding tlie hag which he had thrown away, and which might have escaped the officer's notice, bor that reason he kept a sharp lookout, and at about the man skulking behind a fence in that neighborhood.

Ihe officer concealed himself, aud in a few minutes fellow walked into the ambush. At the. station he gave the name of John Goldsmith. JjUter in the day he was taken to police head- qiiartera for identification. He he had never before been arrested.

Inspector Skelton, however, showed him his picture in the gallery, taken at the time of his arrest, in 1876, for several burglaries iu New' Hampshire. that time he received a of tea years in the State prison. THE STATE INFANT ASYLUM. Annual Meeting of the llecurd of the Elected. The annual meeting of the Massachusetts Infaut Asylum was held ye-stere day afternoou at tho irnitarian building, 25 Beacon street.

'The report showed that the total receipts for the year were $29,063 50, while the current expenses were 55. and tho general fund was $45,122 07. 'riie report stated that 175 cliildreu had been under the cave of the asylum during the year, seventeen of whom have died. Some have been discharged in the usual way, aud tliere are now eighty under the charge of the asylum, twenty-one remaining at the asylum and fifty-nine being out to board. It may be interesting to know from whence these children came.

Ihe physicimi said that thirty-six were received from the State, thirty came with their mothers a.s nurses, wliile twenty-three admitted on private applications. The following; board ot directors were electetl for the year: Miss (5. Adam, Thoma.s C. Ainory, John Andrew, Mrs. John C.

Bancroft, 8amuel Cabot, MiasAmio F. Cury. Mrs. James B. Cuse, Tucker Daland.

Mrs. J. J. Dixwell, Mrs, Dwight tester, Mrs D. 8.

N. F. HaMowell, Mrs. Hcnrv L. Higginsou, Henry F.

Mrs. F. A. Kcnn'edv, Alibott Lawrence i.owell, Mrs. F.

G. Mav. Mrs. Edward Motley, Mary R. uiitn.

Mrs. liiirle.s L. Edward S. Fhil- brick Uexaudcr Porter, illiam lutnam, Miss Maria A. Revere, Mrs.

G. Howland Shaw, Miss.Vmiie H. Thwiiig, L. are, Charles Ware, Mrs. A.

Davis MVld, Mrs. G. MJieeler, Francis Williauia, Mrs. W. C.

A meeting of the board of directors waa called after the regular meeting had adjourned and Mr. F. Andrew was electetl president. Uharhis Ware secretary, and Edward S. Pbilbrick, treasurer, THE WEATHER.

INDICATIONS. WA.sniso'fOK, April twenty-four hours commenciug 7 a. m. Wethiesday, April Maine, New Hampsliire and Vermont, fair vreather, slowly rising tempeiature, variable winds, shifting to easterly. For the rast of New England and eastern New York, fair weather, a sliglit rise in temperature, winda generally east to THE WEATHER IN BOSTON.

bserver fuce 8kkvice. U. S. 1JOSTO.X, April 12, 1887. CITY NOTES.

Tlie body of George H. Bronuer, a lad of 3 years, who was drowned Feb. 9 by falling into Stony Brook, was found yesterday in the Charles River basin, near the Back Bay Park. Margaret Powers, late of Boston, in her will tiled in the Suffolk county Probate Court, bequeaths each to the Roman Catholic Cathedral and St. Roman Catholic Church ou Harrison avenue.

ITie Boston Gaslight Company has reduced price for gas to $1 40 per thousand ieet. When the company iiegau business the price was Iu 1805 it was 25. July, 1881, it has been 50, Die Appalachian Mountain Club will hold its eighty-third corporate meeting at the Massachusetts institute of Technology this afternoon at 3 The following are to be tbe speakers: Mr. Henry Brooks on New 3Ictiiod of Making Topographical Professor E. 8.

Morsep on iu The members of the clul are to make a visit to Kingston on the last April and ascend Hill, where the May! flowers grow in profusion, aud probably will be ii full bloom by the time of the excursion. The Metropolitan railroad otficials have decideil to give East Boston facilities for night travel such as are now enjoyed by Roxbury, South Boston, Cambridge and Charlestown, and on Monday next! an car will be put on between Lenox street and the-East Boston ferry, to connect with another car on the other side. The regular monthly meeting of the New England Public Scliool Music Association will be held at the national normal music sclutol, Wesleyan huilding, Bromfleld street, on Saturday, April 10. The nrograinme wilj consist of a business meeting, followed by an address by Fletcher Gsgood, late of the Boston I'niversitj School of Oratory, on as Related tu Joseph T. Ryan, well known in City Hall circles, is reported ill at his residence at tho Highlands.

Mr. Ryan was a member of the common council of and At tlie 150th corporate meeting of the Bostonian Scientific Society last evening. Dr. S. land, who recently made such a learned urgm ment to prove the existence of the sea serpent, considered the subject of and Other of Disposing of the Mr, Storer discussed afterwards the ol It was illustrated by terns.

CHECK INTEMPERANCE. Tho of has become etereotyped phrase upon the lips of men; but spirit which will induce them to take up arms against this evil has not yet created an army ot sufficient power to keep the enemy ut bay, Thii is not a warfare of extermination; the beautiful viueyards of the orld are uot to be destroyed cause men do wrong, any more than the ludiaiu must be exterminated because some of them ari savages. This warfare should be a brave fight iu behalf of law and order and again.st excess. Our Atuerioau people, the descendants oi the Puritans, with their sense of the of and love of temperance iu all have been overtaken by this enemy of drunkciiucssi both from above and The love of idlenesi aud luxury in the class which has lulieritcd wealth in America and the untaught from Ireland both fall together into this pit for swine. It concerns the lovers of order, and far more the lovers of their fcl- low-men, to take heed of this evil and if! causes, and to combat it with seriousness and witU efficient large nieetimi to considci this subject and the ways ami means to preVein tlie growth of iutemperanee will be hold at tlis Tremout Temple on tiie evening of the 2Uth.

Tim public is freely Itarometer Hew Point. Relative HiimiiUty .0 7.0«) A.M. 40.0 25.0 54.0 8 Clear 3.00 P.M. 10.00 P. M.

30.282130.3*21 40.0 I 40.U 20.0 .0 50.0 700 12 I CPud dally bar 30.30i): Maximum Mean daily 40.0; Mean daUv dew 27.0 1 Max. vel. of ean rel. humMity. (JO.O; PreclpltaUon 47.0 37.0 .00 Olj) WE OWN The formula used in the dlgtlllation of Whiskey umler the brands O.

Taylor Old and O. Taylor Pure Rye (our firm name is on label ar.d over the cork of each bottle) we. offer public through the Prug and Grocery trade of lliM country. The price is reasonable, and tlie quality is no( excelled by any other brands of similar spirits. CHESTER H.

ORAVE.S Boston, Mass. UabruuOsd cases shipped ou request..