Page:A history of the Michigan state normal school (now Normal college) at Ypsilanti, Michigan, 1849-1899 (IA historyofmichiga00putniala).pdf/66

 do so, postpone to a second term, (not omit,) some single study of the course. The effect is, to enlarge and prolong, and not to abridge that course. Two objects, mainly, were contemplated, in creating these departments. First, to make the instruction of the normal school consistent with itself, and to adapt it to the necessities of our public school system. In other departments, the course is laid out on a liberal scale—one that encourages the diligent normal student to look forward to an honorable position among the teachers of the State. To those hopes of preferment, an entire ignorance of the Latin and Modern tongues would, in many instances, prove very embarrassing, if not fatal.

Again, the generous character of our system of free education, makes the classical and modern languages, year by year, more prominent branches of study in our Union Schools, and it is held to be neither rational or expedient, that a course of study adequate in other respects to the instruction of teachers for those schools, should be wholly wanting in these.’’

The second object was, ‘‘to secure for normal students the benefit of a class of studies which, as instruments of mental discipline, have confessedly no superiors, if equals, to say nothing of the strong light which they, (especially the Latin) reflect upon the etymology and structure of our own tongue, and upon many most interesting points of general literature. This consideration alone will justify their introduction in the sight of all scholars and persons of liberal views.’

The course in both Latin and German was given briefly, with the statement that it ‘‘will be as extended and varied as the student's attainments and stay in the institution will admit.’’

The question of admission to the school, in spite of the regulations which had been adopted by the Board, still remained as a source of vexation. In February of 1858, a resolution was adopted authorizing the Faculty ‘‘to restrict the attendance upon the institution after the present term, more exclusively to those preparing themselves for teachers.’’ It is probable that more pupils than were anticipated had been allowed to enter the school under the following proviso attached