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!THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

ROYAL NAVAL RESERVE TEA PARTY…

I SCHOOLMASTERS* ASSOCIATION.

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I SCHOOLMASTERS* ASSOCIATION. The quarterly meeting of this Association was held on Saturday last, at the Board Schools, in this town, the President, Mr. Shoosmith, in the chair. There was a large attendance, and the agenda, which embraced numerous important subjects, was discussed with spirit and fervour. The minutes of the last meeting having 1 em read, confirmed, and signed, the President delivered a very able and el- oquent address, more particularly, perhaps, to the younger members, on the benefit that accrue from joining teachers'associations, and affiliating it with the National Union of Elementary Teachers. Mr. Shoosmith said that in undertaking, in part, the guidance of the counsels of the Association, he had accepted a great responsibility. In reviewing his own educational experiences of a quarter of a century, he would offer words of counsel and en- couragement to his younger brethren. He would urge upon all teachers the fact than an association is a powerful agent of helpfulness. It impresses the teacher with a due sense of his responsibilities; enables him with renewed resolves to combat ob- stacles and ignorance and provides him number- less enjoyments, mental and physical. But it aims at more than this-higher benefits and privileges accrue. It provides him friends, real, enduring, and true, engaged in the same service, with con- genial tastes and aims. Its various agencies, such as the provident and benevolent schemes, its de- partmental, deputation, legal, and parliamentary committees, &c., provide positive care for, and pro- tection of, the teacher, throughout his whole life; while the orphanage scheme extends its practical sympathy to his surviving family. Teachers com- bine to promote their common interests; for friendly intercourse; striving by wholesome emulation and generous rivalry to promote the common weal. The material support afforded by association strengthens resolves, and quickens and elevates the more wor- thy aspirations. It urges a man on to success, and to a continuance in well doing. The association stimulates and encourages. It corrects undue in- flation it aids the judgment; it holds the mirror, in which "we may see ourselves as others see us." It originates and sustains enduring friendships suppresses sectarian differences; providing common ground upon which well constituted minds may en- joy communion and fellowship. It educates; it ennobles. No glitter of parade surrounds the teacher. He works in obscurity, the consciousness of rectitude often being his highest reward. The prizes within his reach are few his remuneration is often small. All cannot prove equally gifted, but all can learn to bear each others burdens; all can enlarge their mutual capacities for good; all can avoid strife; and all can learn to act ungrud- gingly, and even generously, in their associated in- tercourse. This is that brotherly love thatvaunteth not itself, and from which springeth the fruits of peace. The teacher's is an inexhaustible field of labour, but by worthy efforts he may win an im- portant and honourable position. None can fore- shadow the ulterior advantages of organizations and of united counsels. By the exceptional abili- ties and gifted powers of a few, wonders have been accomplished, which were, until recently,, utterly impossible. Some ten years since, both the teacher ana his association were isolated units, without co- hesion or concerted plans of action; the latter being as powerless to protect, as to aid individuals. But the National Union of Elementary Teachers arose in its might, and supplied the central machinery for the cohesion of the several agencies. Men of sound judgment and gifted powers arose from the ranks of the humble schoolmaster, and came to the front, exhibiting in public debate such rare quali- ties as convinced even sceptics of high position that the teaching power of the country had proved worthy of warm recognition, even in the political arena. One teacher was deemed worthy by the Metropolitan electors to legislate on the same board with the present Vice-President of the Education Department-Lord Sandon himself. Less shining lights with, however, University and Science de- grees of every grades, from the LL. D. to the Doc. Sc. downwards, gave impetus to the progressive movement. These, by their brilliant legislative qualifications, raised the general tone and quality of the teacher. But this is not all. Twelve thous- and practical teachers are now enabled to express an united opinion on matters affecting their per- sonal interests, or the general welfare of their charge, to the Department, or to Parliament itself. Truly, Union is strength. The Cause of Education, and the direct interests of the teacher, are thus simultaneously advanced, with, as it were, giant strides. Public opinion next patronises the teacher; comments upon, and criticises his work. Education becomes a popular subject in Parliament, and throughout the country, and Educational journals have long since attracted attention by the practical ability of their management; while teachers have emerged from the gloom of their former obscurity to become the observed of all observers; arid, with an improved social status to enjoy a real and palpable consideration of their personal qualities, and of their important work If then, such be the responsibilities, the benefits" the pleasures of association, let the teacher not be weary in well doing. He shall reap if he faint not. Let him fight the good fight, and victory shall be his. A short discussion followed, after which Mr. Evans, St. Dogmells, proposed, and Mr. Griffiths, Cilgerran, seconded "That this Association be at once affiliated with the N. U. E. T., and that the Secretary (Mr. Picton), be requested to take the necessary steps in furtherance of the above object." Mr. Picton said, that as Mr. Evans' proposition enforced all the members to join the N. U. E. T. he would propose as an amendment that those members who do not desire to join, may continue members of this Association. Seconded by Mi- Lewis, Moylgrove. On being put to the vote, the amendment was carried. The discussions on forming branch associations at Newcastle-Emlyn and Newport, the regulations of the Education Department, of the 9th February, 1877, and the action of the attendance committee of the Cardigan Union, were postponed to the next meeting. Six new members were enrolled, and the meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman for his address, and his earnestness in promoting the welfare of the Association. DECISION AND INDECISION. One of the most unfortunate East India Princes, who ever enlisted the sympathy of the British pub- blic, was perhaps, the Rajah, of Coorg, who owing to the ill advice of friends, but more owing to his 3wn indecision, lost his territory and Princedom his palace was sacked, his jewels stripped from his person, he became a prisoner, and was taken under m escort from Coorg to Benares, where he re- named for thirteen years in close confinement de- )rived of most of the luxuries and many of the somforts of life, without a friend on whom he could y his health and constitution enfeebled; in fact so much so, that it was doubtful whether he would Jver again become convalescent. At this stage bv .eave obtained from the East India Company' he visited England, and consulted a number of phys- icians, who did not benefit him. We hear that fi- lally this distinguished Princc consulted Professor Holloway. the celebrated proprietor of Holloway's Ointment and Pills, and that his visits and the consultations he had with the Professor were any- thing but unsuccessful. His Highness was soon restored to excellent health in fact, he quite re- covered from the illness and general debility his thirteen years' exile from his princedom had caused him- Rumour said at the time that he intended to institute proceedings against the East India Com- pany for the recovery of a large amount they were ndebted to him for money he and his ancestors ad- ranced it. It appeared, also, that his highness was ndebted to Professor Holloway for many valuable lints in obtaining a restitution of his rights the Professor is somewhat of a lawyer withal and laving seen both law and justice administered ill parts of the world, from London to the wilds of Vmcnca and more particularly on the European Continent, he advised the Rajah a way of admhi ffifs^wTiadversaries, and, S^'himSlf h g> i1C-i mefures such as the rotessor nimself has exhibited in his successful Xftackf™tSZ°i °r? r,,w h"- tut, lacking these, he lost his Decnniarv rio-hta aedlcSes^n Sf ™ Holloway has established his Herpetic mnn il rf known world, and this mium for a(WW exl^»ding about £ 60,000 per titedVhqf W I same- H is ^rther .ersevor inP^h I C1S1Ve ch;iracter, energy, and lost Iwrv °.vercome the scruples of al- w?rld even the Hindoo, f -i pi.jT- 'Y-creed teaches him that the compounds LOW uSl if n are' were> poison to his soul, i • • l»°way s Ointment and Pills whenever iledicine is Required, and with what success the • e of the distinguished prince above alluded to peaks pla.mly.-London Standard.

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