DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LITERATURE, LATIN AND HISTORY.

A. C. BARROWS, PROFESSOR.

Herewith I have the honor respectfully to submit my report for the year 1889, covering the Departments of History, History of Civilization, Latin, English Literature and preaching.

I. LATIN.

I have instructed a mixed class of freshmen numbering thirty-five the first term and twenty-seven the second term, five hours a week throughout the year. This class began Latin, using as a text-book Ahn-Henn's 'Short Latin Course." The class completed the book, omitting a few less important parts, and has read, besides the exercises, 34 pages of solid Latin. I instructed a sophomore class of nine, all but one ladies, in Latin, four hours each week the first term. We read "Caesar" through the Fourth Book. I did not meet this class the second term, owing to my taking up work in the History of Civilization.

II. HISTORY.

The freshman class in History numbered thirty-three, all gentlemen. We met five times each week during the first term. The History of England was studied as carefully as the time allowed permitted. The text-book used was the " Epochs of English History-Complete." The attention of the class was constantly fixed upon those facts and movements of English History which have been most influential in shaping American ideas and institutions.

The sophomores of the ladies' course pursued the same historic study two hours a week throughout the year. The class numbered fifteen the first and fifteen the second term.

III. HISTORY OF CIVILIZATION.

Through the second term I discussed the History of Civilization with a mixed class of twenty-nine seniors. "Andrews' Institutes of General History" was used as a manual during twelve weeks. A large part of the time

was given to lectures and talks, of which I kept no account. After having thus secured a general view of the world's progress, each student wrote five essays upon the history of some element of civilization. I have given but very little time to the study of barbarian or savage life, and none to the various theories of the origin of human faculties, such as speech, the perception of beauty, etc., etc., as my time was too limited for a full study of the progress of man, after he became truly man.

IV. ENGLISH LITERATURE.

The study of English Literature was continued by the juniors through the year. A mixed class of thirty-nine met me three times each week the first term. The development of English prose from Wycliff to the present time was traced out. "Shaw's New English Literature" was used as a manual of reference. Each student wrote out a series of brief biographies, with notices of the writings and influence of the more significant authors. The class also studied select works of the most famous writers. In the second term a mixed class of thirty studied English poetry four times a week through fourteen weeks. The last weeks of the term were given to American Literature. The method of study this term was the same as that of the first term.

V. PREACHING.

During the first term I preached on Sunday eleven times, but only twice the second term.

VI. ORATIONS.

Though it strictly is an adjunct of the Professorship of Applied Rhetoric, the work of revising and correcting the orations of both juniors and seniors has fallen to me. I have given to this an amount of labor fully equal to one regular exercise a week throughout the year, having in many cases gone through these productions three times. I have also given many students the same aid in the preparation of orations for use in the literary societies and on various public occasions.

FRENCH AND GERMAN.

MISS LILLIE M. GUNN, PROFESSOR.

French is an elective study in the freshman and sophomore years in the ladies' course, and is obligatory in the freshman year of the civil and mechanical engineering courses. The primary object in the study of French is reading, therefore only so much of the grammar is taught as will facilitate fluency of translation.

During the first term, freshman year, attention is given to pronunciation and to exercises both oral and written.

Thorough drill is given in verbs and the student has some practice in translation. In the second term the student will have mastered the most of Part I.

THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN LIBRARIES

The study of German is confined to the junior year and first term senior year. During the first year the student is instructed in the principles of grammar, and gains a knowledge of declension, gender and conjugation so that he may with ease translate ordinary German prose. "Otis' Elementary German" and "Grimm's Maerchen" are used. The third term is devoted to reading Schiller and selections from the best German novelists, while special attention is given to reading at sight.

This short course is not sufficient to give one a mastery of the language nor make him familiar with its literature.

The object in view is that of securing a reading knowledge of German. By the methods pursued, the student gains a practical vocabulary and may, with a little practice, write and speak with correctness.

The classes during the past two years have been enthusiastic and the work successful.

The following table shows the classes taught and the students in each class:

The system of instruction in elocution is that taught in the Emerson College of Oratory, Boston. It is based upon natural laws. The object of the instruction is to secure the health, freedom and grace of the body, purity and volume of voice, and culture of the mind.

The work in physical culture is a course of Delsarte exercises, arranged, modified and enlarged by Dr. Emerson, President of the Emerson College of Oratory. They free and strengthen every part of the body, and in a series of rhythmical exercises promote dignity and grace of carriage.

The methods of eminent instructors for the singing voice, arranged and adapted to the speaking voice, promoting freedom of the throat, and purity and strength of tone.

In rendering, careful attention is given to thought analysis, and leads, by successive steps, to artistic delivery.

Talks on physiology, as related to the study of expression, are given throughout the course.

Public recitals are occasionally given by the students, thus enabling them to gain ease and confidence in appearing before an audience.

DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC.

CORA F. PIKE, INSTRUCTOR.

During the last two years instruction has been given on the pianoforte, pipe organ and violin, in voice culture, harmony, sight-singing and chorus work.

It has been the aim of the department to raise the standard of music throughout the College, to benefit not only the special students, but every member of the institution.

The course of instruction on the piano is in substance the same as in the New England Conservatory of Music, and students may complete the first four grades and enter the fifth grade in that institution without examination. On the organ, special attention is given to the art of accompanying, and to the study of registration and pedal phrasing. In the cultivation of the voice attention is first given to the same timbre and purity of tone throughout the entire compass of the voice, correct management of the breath, vowel formation, distinct articulation and expression. In harmony the attention of the pupil is drawn to the treatment of intervals, chord progressions, modulations, and the writing of chorals. In sight-singing the pupil is taught to think sounds, and thereby sing correctly new music without the aid of an instrument. The system of instruction is similar to that used in the public schools of Boston.

The music for all Chapel services is conducted by the department. A choir of twenty-four selected voices receive instruction for an hour and a half each week. They lead in the singing of hymns, and usually furnish a voluntary each Sabbath; two organ voluntaries are also furnished for this service.

In 1888 there were sixty-five students in the sight-singing classes, and thirty-six private pupils. The Cecilia ladies quartette and the I. A. C glee club was formed in the fall term.

In 1889 the old pianos were sold and four new ones purchased (three upright and one parlor grand); the entire transaction only requiring an appropriation of a trifle over one thousund dollars.

Arrangements were made whereby the Freshmen class might receive instruction in sight-singing free, a privilege taken advantage of by about sixty of the class.

THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN LIBRARIES

The Philomela club was formed for the ladies, and four male voices were selected to form the Q. B. X. quartette. There have been forty-three private pupils under instruction and thirty-seven in the glee clubs.

During the years 1888-9 the department has furnished music for thirteen public exercises of the College, given seven concerts, two readings on the life and works of eminent musicians, with illustrations from their composi tions, and assisted at two concerts given under the auspices of the Lecture Association. The services of Miss Maria Chambers and Mr. F. E. Barrows were secured for a special recital for the private pupils.