THE REPORTS

of the State of New-York, for the year ending on the first day of July, 1843.

$655,699 44 $562,772 79 $98, 470 65 162,326 151,540 117,035 74,244 35, 281 11,289 3, 147 954 34, 105 $956 20

* Estimated,

DISTRICT SCHOOL JOURNAL.

"COMMON SCHOOL BILL." "An act for the establishment and maintenance of Common Schools in Upper Canada." This bill consists of seventy-one sections, and provides for the appointment of county and town superintendents, vesting in them similar general powers, and imposing similar important duties to those of our own admirable system.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION.

A large number of 'Dr. Sewall's Pathology of Drunkenness' has already been distributed among the District Schools, and as it is anticipated that benevolent individuals will secure their general diffusion throughout the schools of the several Counties, it is important that the authority on which the truthfulness of these "speaking pictures" rests, should be known. This consideration and the great importance of temperance principles to the young, will make the follow

ing notices of this work interesting and useful:

The most important variation, as regards the Understanding that "Doctor Sewall's Pathology of office of county superintendent, is the requiring Drunkenness" is about to be republished, I cordially that officer to give bonds, inasmuch as he reagree to the republication in this work of the testimonial I gave some years ago, to its utility and faithfulceives and distributes the public money throughness. I can also add to that testimonial, the expression of my opinion, that temperate drinking, as defined by the town superintendents, on the reports of Doctor Sewall, has a tendency to alter the condition of their districts being found correct. the mucus membrane of the stomach, and give origin to that state of it which is represented in Doctor Sewall's Plate No. II. JOHN C. WARREN.

The Canada Bill, is not, however, a servile copy; if it adopts and sanctions the leading provisions of our system, it proposes others of almost equal importance, as will be seen in the following sections:

57. And be it enacted, that it shall and may be lawful for the Court of Wardens of any County in Upper Canada aforesaid, if they deem it proper so to do, to raise and levy by county rate, a sum not exceeding in any year two hundred pounds, and to appropriate and expend the same for the maintenance of one or more County Model Schools within such County, and to constitute by a Bye-Law or Bye-Laws to that effect any Township, Town or City School or Schools within the County, to be, for any term not less than one year, such County Model School or Schools; provided always that by such Bye-law there shall be appropriated from the County Rates for the payment of Teachers and the purchase of books and apparatus, for each school during every year for which the same shall continue to be a County Model School, a sum not less than forty pounds.

63. And be it enacted, that at every such County Model School gratuitous instruction shall be afforded to all Teachers of Common Schools within the County wherein such Model School may be established, during such periods and under such regulations as the County Superintendent may from time to time direct.

Boston, December 2, 1943.

Finding that it is the intention of the New-York State Temperance Society to republish Dr. Sewall's Pathology of Drunkenness, with the Prints of the Human Stomach, for the benefit of the Common Schools in our State, I am happy to repeat my hearty recommendation of this great and good work, and to add, that it is my full conviction that the pernicious practice of even temperate drinking, as set forth by Doctor Sewall, cannot be too severely reprobated. By whomsoever this is practised, it will be found to be the beginning of that sad derangement of the mucus membrane, represented in Plate II. which will sooner or later lead to the most disastrous results.

New-York, December 5, 1843.

also

VALENTINE MOTT.

The New-York State Temperance Society having desired an additional expression of opinion from me on the subject of Doct. Sewall's plates, being his Pathology of Drunkenness, this is to certify that since my original communication to the learned Professor, and my letter of March 11, 1843, to E. C. Delavan, Esq., 1 have seen no reason to modify or retract senti ments advanced on these occasions. On the contrary, I now renew them with a pleasure increased at the progress of the cause they are intended to support, and at the admirable improvement this cause has made in the condition of individuals and of families.

That a reformation was needed in the customs of so

greater extension.

W. E. HORNER, M. D.

Thus Upper Canada as well as Pennsylvania,ciety in regard to the inebriating drinks, no one ought New-Hampshire and New-Jersey have, during is, has done incalculable good, must be apparent to to doubt; and that this reformation, limited as it yet the last year, called in various ways for the every sincere inquirer into its present state. A wide circulation of Doctor Sewell's valuable Plates, by inadoption of the main features of the New-York fusing a just dread and abhorrence of intoxication into system of thorough supervision. In Ohio, Illi-tured, will of course, by the influence of example, dethe minds of all having their understandings now manois and Kentucky, educational movements, an. ter the rising generation from the dangerous practice of even temperate drinking, as thus defined and illusnounce that they will no longer neglect the great-trated; and I shall therefore be glad to witness their est interest of the State-the right education of its sons. And did the friends of education need confirmation of their confidence in the results of our system, similar evidence might be found in every middle, eastern and western state. But it is not necessary to go abroad for the proof, it may be found at our own doors, and should it in any case fail, it will only be in those rare instances in which the supervisors have "I know of no admonition against the habitual or the occasional use of alcoholic poison, so striking and entrusted the important duties of superinten-impressive as the plates of Dr. Sewall; and I shall be dence, to incompetent or unworthy hands.

NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS.
The re-publication of the School Law and the
Regulations of the Department, has temporari-
ly excluded many valuable communications.

Philadelphia Dec. 6. 1843. plied all the schools in Ballston) remarked previous to Col. Young, the State Superintendent (who has supthe discussion relative to them:

"I am satisfied that the colored plates of Dr. Sewall, depicted the transitions of the human stomach, from health to the last stages of alcoholic disease, will make a deeper and more lasting impression on the minds of reflecting individuals and even on the thoughtless and ignorant, than any other work that has been published." And since the discussion:

much pleased to see them furnished to every school district in the State."

Says Father Mathew:-"The dissection of the bu man stomach (Dr. Sewall's,) are calculated to make a deep impression, and deter men from the use of strong drinks. Many who have resisted every other argument, have been influenced by the inspection of these dissec tions to become teetotallers."

DISTRICT SCHOOL JOURNAL,

VOL. IV.

OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK.

ALBANY, MARCH, 1844.

OFFICIAL.

STATE OF NEW-YORK-SECRETARY'S OFFICE.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMON SCHOOLS.

TAXATION OF REAL ESTATE SITUA-
TED PARTLY IN TWO OR MORE DIS-
TRICTS.

No. 12.

liability of property to taxation, in the class of cases under consideration, not recognized by the statute, viz: intersection by the boundary line of the district, at the time of the formation of the district instead of at the time of making out the tax list. The language of the statute, in this respect, seems to me to be clear and explicit: "In making out a tax list, the trustees of school districts shall apportion the same on all the taxable inhabitants of the district, or corporations holding property therein, according to the valuations of possessed by them, at the time of making out such the taxable property which shall be owned or list, within such district, or partly within such district and partly in an adjoining dis rict.”

The owner and occupant of a farm therefore, situated partly in two adjoining districts, is taxable in the district where he actually resides, for the whole farm, providing he occupies or improves the whole, as one farm, either by himself, his agents, or servants. So if the owner of a farm situated wholly in one district, purchases a piece of land adjoining his farm, in another, and occupies the whole as one farm, it is taxable only in the district where such owner resides.

If, however, there is a tenant on that portion of the farm situated in a different district from that of the owner's residence, such tenant is taxable in the district where he resides for so much of the property as he rents or leases.

The principles of law applicable to the taxation fer school district purposes of real estate intersected by the boundary line between two districts, are these: Each inhabitant of a school district is taxable, under § 19 of the Act of 1841, (No. 107, Laws, &c., relating to Common Schools) in the district where he actually resides "according to the valuations of the taxable property which shall be owned or posssssed by him, at the time of making out such list, within such district, or partly within such district and partly in an adjoining district." This principle has been repeatedly recognized and asserted; and the only difficulty consists in its practical application to a class of cases supposed to come within the purview of a series of decisions made by Superintendents FLAGG and Dix, confining its operation to the period of the organization of the district. At page 24 of the volume of Common School Decisions," Mr. FLAGG says, "The principle is, that where a line between two districts runs through a man's farm, he shall be taxed for the This rule of taxation, in no respect interferes, whole of his farm, in the district where his house as has frequently been supposed, and as seems stands, or where he resides." And he observes to be inferred from the tenor of the above named that on this point the law is clear, and that such decisions of Messrs. Flagg and Dix, and the has been the construction given it. "The same boundaries of the respective districts. They reprinciple." he adds, "governs in the town assess- main unaltered and unaffected; so that if that ments;" the provision of law in this respect being portion of a farm situated in a district other than that where the line between two towns divides that of the owner's residence, should again be any occupied lot or farm, the same shall be tax-sold to an inhabitant of the district in which it is ed in the town where the occupant lives, provided situated, it would again become taxable in that he or she lives on the lot." At page 69, howev- district. The rule is one simply of taxation; er, of the same volume, he lays down the rule in the following terms: Where a person purchased a lot in an adjoining district, along side of his farm, it was decided that he was taxable for the lot purchased, in the district where it was situated. If his farm had been intersected by the district line when the Commissioners formed it, then he would have been assessed for his whole farm in the district where his house was situated, but the lot purchased is a distinct lot, and the lines of districts cannot be changed by individual purchases." The same doctrine is asserted in a subsequent decision made by Gen. Dix, at page 128 of the volume referred to. These two decisions have been repeatedly over-ruled both by my predecessor and myself; upon the ground that they establish a criterion by which to determine the

and no more interferes with the territorial or ganization of districts, than does the corresponding principle applicable to town assessments, with the boundary lines of towns or counties. It is based upon the injustice and inexpediency of requiring an inhabitant of one district to contribute to the expense of supporting the schools in another, merely because a part of his farm extends beyond the boundary line of his district; and operating as it does, equally in every district, furnishes a guide to trustees in the assessment of taxes, which relieves them from much embarrassment and labor, otherwise unavoidable, in determining as to the relative value of detached portions of the same farm situated on either side of the boundary line of their districts.

This brief explanation of the principles appli

cable to this class of cases, will, it is believed,
satisfy the doubts of many officers and inhabi
tants of districts, in reference to the construction
of the provision under consideration.
S. YOUNG,

Superintendent Common Schools.

QUALIFICATIONS OF VOTERS AT

DISTRICT MEETINGS.

REMARKS ON SEMINARIES FOR TEACHERS.

BY T. H. GALLAUDET.

No important result can be attained with regard to the accomplishment of any object which affects the temporal or eternal well-being of our species, without enlisting an entire devotedness to it of intelligence, zeal, fidelity, industry, integrity, and practical exertion. What is it, that has furnished us with able divines, lawyers, and physicians? The undiviled consecration of the talents and efforts of intelligent and upright indi. viduals to these professions. How have these talents been matured, and these efforts been

In addition to the qualifications necessary to entitle an inhabitant of a school district to vote at elections and town meetings, he must possess some one or more of the following qualifications to entitle him to vote at a school district meet-trained, to their beneficial results? By a diligent ing, viz: 1. He must be the owner or occupant of real property within the district, subject to taxation:

or

2. He must own personal property liable to taxation in the district, exceeding fifty dollars in value, over and above such as is exempt from

execution: or

3. He must have paid a rate bill for teachers' wages in the district, within one year preceding:

or

4. He must have paid a district tax within two years preceding the time of offering his vote.

The possession of either of these qualifications in addition to the qualifications entitling to a vote at town meetings and elections, will entitle an inhabitant of a school district to a vote at a

district meeting. But some one or more of them is indispensable; and no person, although he may be a legal voter at town meetings and elections, is entitled to vote at school district meetings, unless he possesses, in addition thereto, one or more of these qualifications. He must have some pecuniary interest in the common schools, either by being taxable in the district, for district purposes, to some amount, for real or personal property, or by having paid a tax or rate bill for such purposes. Payment of, or liability to a highway tax, is not sufficient. It must be a tax for district purposes.

course of preparation, and a long discipline in the school of experience. We have our theolo gical, law, and medical institutions, in which our young men are fitted for the pursuits of these respective professions, by deriving benefit from the various sources of information which libraries, lectures, and experiments afford. Unaided by such auxiliaries, genius, however brilliant; invention, however prolific; observation, how. ever acute; ingenuity, however ready; and perseverance, however indefatigable, have to grope their way, through a long and tiresome process, to the attainment of results which a little acquaintance with the labors of others in the same track of effort, would render a thousand times more easy, rapid, and delightful. Experience is the store house of knowledge. Now why should not this experience be resorted to as an auxiliary in the education of youth? Why not make this department of human exertion, a profession, as well as those of divinity, law, and medicine? Why not have an Institution for the training up of Instructers for the sphere of labor, as well as institutions to prepare young men for the duties of the divine, the lawyer, or the physician? the consideration of the public? Does not the Can a subject of more interest present itself to future improvement of our species, to which the philanthropist and the Christian look forward with such delightful anticipation, depend on the plans which are adopted for the development and cultivation of the intellectual and moral powers of man? Must not these plans begin with infancy and childhood? Do not the attainments of the pupil depend upon the talents, the fidelity, and the integrity of those by whom he is taught? How will he learn to think. to speak, to read, and to write with accuracy, unless his instructers are able to teach him? Shall their ability depend upon their individual experience and attainments? Are you satisfied with a divine, a lawyer, or a

Aliens not naturalized, or who are not entitled to vote at town meetings or elections, may nevertheless vote at school district meetings, provided they are "entitled by law to hold land in this State," and actually own or hire real property in the district subject to taxation for school purposes." To entitle aliens to hold land in this State, they must have filed in the office of the Secretary of State a certificate, setting forth their intention to become citizens, and that they have taken the incipient steps required by the laws of the United States to obtain naturaliza-physician, who has qualified himself, or pretendtion.

S. YOUNG,

Superintendent Common Schools.

PRONUNCIATION.-The difficulty of applying rules to the pronunciation of our language may be illustrated in two lines, where the combina tion of the letters ough, is pronounced in no less than seven different ways, viz: as o, eif, of, up, ow, oo, and ock:

Though the tough cough and hiccough plough me through,

O'er life's dark lough my course I still pursue.

ed to do so, for his profession, by solitary, unaided, unadvised, untaught, inexperienced efforts? You do not do this. Why not, then, require in the instructers of youth, to whom you commit the training up of your offspring, an adequate preparation for their most important and responsible employment?

But this preparatory discipline is considered indispensable, not only for the learned professions, but for the ordinary occupations of life. A term of years is required to fulfil the duties of an apprenticeship to any of the mechanical trades. An artisan does not venture to solicit the patronage of the public till he has undergone this appren

I am told that the Patent office at Washington is thronged with models of machines, intended to facilitate the various processes of mechanical labor; and I read, in our public prints, of the deep interest which is felt in any of those happy discocomfort, and luxuries of man, at an easier and a cheaper rate; and I hear those eulogized as the benefactors of our race, whose genius invents, and whose patient application carries into effect any project for winnowing some sheaves of wheat a little quicker, or spinning some threads of cotton a little sooner, or propeiling a boat a little

this while, how comparatively few improvements are made in the process of educating the youthful mind; and in training it for usefulness in this life, and for happiness in the life to come!

ticeship. This training under the instruction of experienced masters, is deemed of still more importance in what are termed the liberal arts, such as painting, sculpture, and engraving. To foster them, academies are formed; models are collected; lectures are delivered; and the young novi-veries that are made to provide for the wants, and tiate is willing to devote years of patient and assiduous labor, to fit himself for success in his profession. We hear, too, cf what is termed a regularly-bred merchant; and the drilling of the counter and the counting-house is considered indispensable to prepare one for all the complicated transactions of trade and commerce. And if men are to be trained to arms, academies are estab-faster, than has heretofore been done; and, all lishel, at which experience, ingenuity, and science are put in requisition, to qualify the young and inexperienced for military exploits. In fact there is scarce any pursuit connected with the business of life, but what men have en leavcred to render successful, by a process predicated on well known principles of human nature; by making it, in the first place, a distinct profession or calling; then, by yielding to those who have long been engaged in it, the deference which their experience justly demands; and finally, by compelling those who would wish to adopt it, to devote themselves to it, and to pass through all the preparatory steps which are necessary for the consummation of their acquaintance both with its theory and practice. In this way only we hope to form good mechanics, painters, engravers, sculpters, farmers, merchants, physicians, and lawyers.

Perhaps some of my illustrations may be considered of too humble a kind. But my subject is a very practical one, and I intend to treat it in a practical way. Permit me, then, to inquire of my readers, when they wish to get a shoe made, to whom they apply? Do they not take considerable pains to find a first-rate workman; one who has learned his trade well, and who can execute his work in the best manner? And when our wives and daughters want a new bonnet, or a new dress, will they not make a great many inquiries, and take not a few steps, and consume no small portion of very valuable time, to ascertain the important fact, who is the most skilful and tasteful milliner and scamtress within their reach; and are they not willing to undergo many inconveniences, ani to wait til their patience is almost exhauste, an 1 their wants very clamorous, in order to obtain the precious satisfaction of having the work done by hands whose skill and ingenuity have been long tested, and on whose experience and judgment in adjusting colors, and qualities, and proportions, and symmetry, and shape, they can safely rely?

Is a shoe, or a bonnet, to be put in competition with an immortal mind!

In your very articles of dress, to clothe a frail, perishable body, that is soon to become the prey of corruption, will you be so scrupulcus in the choice of those whom you employ to make them; and yet feel no solicitude in requiring of those to whom is entrusted the formation of the habits, and thoughts and feelings of a soul that is to live forever, a preparation for their most responsible task; an apprenticeship to their important call ing; a devotedness to a pursuit which involves all that can affect the tenderest sympathies of a kind parent-the most arlent hopes of a true patrict-the most expanded views of a sincere philanthropist the most benevolent wishes of a devout Christian.

Is human ingenuity and skill to be on the alert in almost every other field of enterprise but this? How can we reconcile our apathy on this subject with the duties which we owe to our children, to our country, and to our God?

Let the same provision, then, be made for giving success to this department of effort that is so literally made for all others. Let an institution be established in every state, for the express purpose of training up young men for the profession of instructers of youth in the common branches of English education. Let it be so well endowed, by the liberality of the public, or of individuals, as to have two or three professors, men of talents and habits adapted to the pursuit, who should devote their lives to the object of the "Theory and Practice of the Education of Youth," and who should prepare and deliver, and print, a course of lectures on the subject.

Let the institution be furnished with a library, which shall contain all the works, theoretical and practical, in all languages, that can be obtained on the subject of education, and also with all the apparatus that modern ingenuity has devised for this purpose; such as maps, charts, globes, orreries, &c.

Let there be connected with the institution, a school, smaller or larger, as circumstances might dictate, in which the thecries of the professors might be reduced to practice, and from which daily experience would derive a thousand useful instructions.

To such an institution let young men resort who are ready to devote themselves to the business of instructers of youth. Let them attend a regular course of lectures on the subject of education; read the best works; take their turns in the instruction of the experimental school, and after thus becoming qualified for their office, leave the institution with a suitable certificate or diploma, recommending them to the confidence of the public.

I have scarcely room to allude to the advantages which would result from such a plan. It would direct the attention, and concentrate the efforts, and inspire the zeal of many worthy and intelligent minds to one important object. They would excite each other in this new career of doing good. Every year would produce a valuable accession to the mass of experience that would be constantly accumulating at such a store-house of knowledge. The business of instructing youth would be reduced to a system which would embrace the best and the readiest mode of conducting it. This system would be gradually diffused through