mation and discussion upon them, and his object had consequently been accomplished. It was immediately moved by several ladies at once, that the resolutions be adopted, and they were accordingly adopted by a large majority.

The following resolutions were presented and adopted:

Resolved, That the co-operation of parents with teachers is necessary to the successful discipline of schools.

Resolved, That the wages of female teachers are not what their qualifications demand, or what they should be in comparison with those of the males.

EXAMINATION OF TEACHERS.

philanthropic services they have rendered dur ing the session, in the plan and routine of teaching, the means requisite for preserving order ́in school, the divisions of time and arrangement of classes, and of impressing the principles of morality on the youthful mind and exciting it to the pursuit of knowledge and virtue.

Resolved, That the clergy, in their able and appropriate addresses before the Institute, and in their hearty co-operation with us in sustaining it, are entitled to our highest regard, as the patrons of education generally.

The large and attentive audience rose while the members of the Institute sung a parting hymn, mingled as it was with the most unfeign. ed and friendly expressions of attachment from every countenance, their tears bespeaking the true sentiments of the heart, and deeply affecting the audience which had assembled to witness the parting scene. The Institute and congregation were dismissed with a feeling and appropriate benediction by the Rev. Mr. Burtis, when the parting salutation and separation ensued. HERKIMER

COUNTY CONVENTION OF TOWN SUPERINTENDENTS

OF COMMON SCHOOLS.

Agreeably to public notice, the Town Superintendents of Common Schools, for the county of Herkimer, assembled in Convention at Washington Hall, in the village of Little Falls, at 11 o'clock A. M. on Friday, the 14th day of June, 1844; WM. BROOKS, Jr. Esq., President; STEPHEN BOWEN, JEFFERSON TILLINGHAST, Vice-Presidents; JEREMIAH OSTRANDER, Secre tary.

During the last three days of the Institute the County Supt. examined about 100 teachers, to most of whom he gave certificates for the towns in which they resided, declining to give county -certificates to those whose schools he had not visited and satisfied himself of their ability to teach. He gave county certificates to several whose literary qualifications he knew, and whose success in teaching was such as to entitle them to that distinction. He devoted half a day to each class which he examined, and the Institute was divided into six classes for that purpose. The Institute closed its session on Wednesday, April 10th, and the occasion of separation of its members was one of unusual interest. They had felt that for two weeks, they had been laboring in a common cause, and their minds had become deeply impressed with the responsibilities and duties of their vocation. They acknowledged that many new facts and principles had been set before them during the session, and with feelings of deep regret they rose up from the intellectual banquet which had been spread before them, and of which they had partaken so largely and agreeably. Mr McKoon delivered the concluding lecture at half past ten o'clock, in which he illustrated the duties of the teacher, especially in reference to order in his employment, kindness in his intercourse with his scholars, the proper character of his miscel-house in the county, would be found a useful laneous, moral and religious instruction. He addressed an appropriate exhortation to the members of the Institute to aim at excellence in their profession, and concluded with an affect ing valedictory on their separation.

After the address of Mr McKoon, resolutions were offered and adopted, the first of which, at the special request of several individuals who were present, has been somewhat altered in its style, and an additional sentiment introduced.

Resolved, That we, the members of the Institute, heartily approve of such temporary Normal Schools as the one just closed for the first time in Chenango Co., and that we feel deeply indebted to D. R. Randall, Co. Supt., for the valuable instructions which the Institute has afforded, and that we recommend a continuation of such schools to be held annually at such time and place as the Co. Supt. shall think proper.

Resolved, That we tender our sincere and heartfelt thanks to Mr. Mc Koon, for his able and instructive lectures on Natural Philosophy, Chemistry and Astronmy, and also for his arduous labor and care, during the entire session. Resolved, That we tender our thanks to the achers of the Institute for the gratuitous and

The President, on taking the chair, briedy and appropriately addressed the convention. In conformity to the rules of proceedings, the business of the day was opened by prayer by the Rev. Mr. Dennis.

The County Superintendent said, it had occurred to him, that a code of rules briefly indicating the principal duties of scholars, printed in large and fair type, and hung up in each school

monitor to both teachers and pupils. Such had
already been adopted in many of the best regu-
lated schools in the country, and with the leave
of the convention he would then submit a code
which he had drawn up for that purpose.
Mr. Henry then read as follows:
EXCELSIOR.

Rules for this School.

1. I MUST BE REGULAR IN MY ATTENDANCE. This rule requires me to attend the school every day it is kept, and in good season in the morning and in the afternoon.

2. I MUST PRACTISE CLEANLINESS. This rule requires me to be neat in person. My face and hands, my clothes, books and papers must always be clean. I must not mark with chalk or charcoal upon the walls, either within or without the school-house. I must not scribble upon my writing books, reading books, nor upon the desk or table. I must keep my writing books free from blots. I must clean my shoes or boots before entering the schoolhouse. I must not spit upon the floor. I must keep the school-house yard and out-buildings clean. I must not cut the desks, seats, or any part of the school-house or out-buildings with knife.

3. I MUST SUPPORT GOOD ORDER.

MONTGOMERY

TION.

The association assembled at Fonda on the 22d of March.

This rule requires that I shall make no un- PROCEEDINGS OF ITS COMMON SCHOOL ASSOCIAnecessary noise with my feet, with the door, or in any other way on going in or on coming out of the school-house-on getting my place in the class, or my seat from the class. I must make no noise with my lips while reading to myself. I must not whisper to others in study hours.

4. I MUST BE INDUSTRIOUS.

This rule requires me to fix my thoughts upon my lesson, and to keep them steadily upon it, until I have learned it well. It forbids me to sit looking carelessly about the school-room, neg. lecting my lesson and setting a bad example for

others.

5. I MUST UNDERSTAND MY LESSONS THO

ROUGHLY.

Prayer by Mr Yates.

[We have been compelled to abridge the proceedings of this interesting meeting. They occupy more than a page of the Fonda Sentinel, and are deeply interesting to the friends of edu cation.]

stated the objects of the meeting to be the adopMr. Moulton, the County Superintendent, tion of measures for the improvement of our common schools and also the formation of a This rule forbids me to use any word in conpermanent county association of town supeversation without knowing distinctly what par rintendents, teachers, and friends of education. ticular thing I intend to represent by it. It for all the town superintendents except from Root, The secretary called the names of delegates; bids me to read any word in a book without answered to their names, also 3 teachers from knowing clearly and distinctly what the author meant to represent by it. In grammar, in arith-1 from Minden, 1 from Canajoharie, 4 from Amsterdam, from Mohawk, 3 from Palatine, metic, in geography, and in every other study, Root, 3 from Glen, and 5 from Florida. it forbids me to assert anything before I can give the right reason for making the assertion. This is the most important rule for acquiring knowledge, and it is the rule which has been the most neglected. I must not be guilty of such neglect.

6. I MUST BE OBEDIENT.

This rule requires me to believe that my parents and teachers know the things that I ought to do, and the way in which they ought to be done, better than I do. I cannot, therefore, be a good child or a good scholar unless my obedience to my parents and teachers be prompt and

cheerful.

7. I MUST DO TO OTHERS AS I WOULD HAVE

OTHERS DO TO ME.

This rule requires me to be just, true and kind. I must never do any act to another that under the same circumstances I would not wil. lingly have done to me. This is the most perfect rule for regulating our actions towards each other, and no person can be either good or honorable who does not strive to observe this rule.

8. I MUST ALWAYS SPEAK THE TRUTH. This rule forbids me ever to misrepresent or Conceal anything which others have a right to know. It requires me, on all occasions, to speak according to fact, or not speak at all. It is base, cowardly and wicked to lie, and every child who desires to be either honored or happy must love and speak the truth.

9. I MUST NEVER PUT OFF TILL TO-MORROW WHAT CAN BE DONE TO-DAY.

10.

I MUST READ THESE RULES EVERY DAY,
AND TRY TO KEEP THEM ALL.

These rules were unanimously approved, and recommended to be placed in the manner proposed in every school-house in the county.

Mr. Henry next submitted a report upon Text-Books.

This was long, able and interesting, and cordially and unanimously approved and adopted. After resolving to hold another convention previous to the winter schools, the convention adjourned.

Old Herkimer will not easily be excelled in efforts to secure and diffuse the blessings of education. Her motto is "orward."

Amsterdam-town superintendent, H. M.
Mohawk-S. Van
Dewey; No. of schools, 15.
Allen; 12. Palatine-A. Hees; 10. St. Johns-
ville-Jno. Nellis; 8. Minden-U. Potter; 15.
Canajoharie-Winther Reagles; 21. Root-Dr.
Snow; 13. Charleston-F. Hoag; 12. Glen-
E. Jenkin; 10. Florida-J. R. Herrick; 12.

After the adoption of a constitution, each of the town superintendents made a report of the schools under his superintendence. Mr. Sprague, the County Superintendent of Fulton, gave some account of the plans adopted in that county.

The committee appointed to report relative eligibility for teaching, submitted the following: to recommending a grade of studies requisite to

In addition to a correct knowledge of orthography, the art of reading, and writing, Grammar, mental and written Arithmetic, Natural Philosophy, History, Composition and Declamation, teachers are recommended to prepare themselves, as soon as possible, for teaching the following branches, viz: Astronomy, Geometry, Algebra, Science of Government, Chemistry,, diments of Vocal Music. Linear Drawing, the use of Globes, and the ru

Mr. E. Jenkins, chairman of committee on resolutions, reported the following, which were adopted.

REPORT:

The committee appointed to draft resolutions for the consideration of the association, believ ing that it is essential to the success of the common school enterprise, that parents should take a deep interest in the mental and moral culture. lowing resolutions. of their children, beg leave to submit the fol

Resolved, That as a means of awakening and commend that parents read the volumes of the keeping alive such interest, we earnestly reDistrict School Journal, and also a work entitled the School and Schoolmaster."

That they frequently examine their children as to the progress they make in the acquisition of knowledge.

That they often visit the schools.

That they encourage and sustain the teacher. That in their visits and intercourse as neighbors they make the education of their children

primary subject of conversation and discussion. John Drake, President; J. G. K. Truair, V. That the irregular attendance of pupils at President; A. P. Strong and J. S. Pattengill, school is highly detrimental to their interests, Secretaries. and to the interests of the school which they attend, and that it is the duty of parents and guardians to correct this evil, by seeing that children under their charge are prompt and regular in their attendance at school.

That teachers frequently visit the parents and patrons of the school, and make it their business to be eloquent in the cause of education; evincing in truth that "the Schoolmaster is abroad."

That those who are alarmed at the expense necessarily incurred in sustaining well regulated schools, would find a much better cause of alarm in the enormous expenses entailed upon the community by the evils of ignorance.

That teachers may be greatly benefited by visiting each others' schools, and becoming acquainted with the different modes of instruction and of discipline pursued in each; and that this association accordingly recommend this practice as generally and as frequently as is consistent with other duties.

By Dr. Potter; Resolved, That we, the members of this association, tender to Mr. Moulton, the superintendent of this county, our warmest sympathies, and promise him our ardent support and co-operation in the discharge of the subsequent duties of his office.

JOHN FREY, President.

M. FREEMAN, Secretary.
OTSEGO.

On motion, the convention received the following gentlemen as substitutes for the towns not represented by their respective town superintendents, viz: Messrs. L. S. Chatfield, E. N. Barber, Wm. D. Stocker, L. S. Bundy, L. S. Bowen and Wm. Pattengill.

Mr. Bowdish, from the committee on teachers' institutes, read and submitted a report and resolutions, from which we extract as follows:

The committee on a teachers' institute desire to report, that in every stage of their investigations they have found themselves interested and admonished, but must confine themselves to the importance, feasibility and fitness of this measure.

A slight survey of the actual condition of our common schools, will force the mortifying con clusion that a lamentable deficiency exists, after all that has been done by public munificence for their elevation and efficiency; and that although teaching a common school, common school edu cation, and the district school-house, are associations which have clustered around us from the nursery up to manhood, yet some of the best among us, some of the most acute and critical in their observations upon causes and their practical results, seem to be just emerging from a region of shadows and appearances into one of realities and tangible forms; and standing in our present responsible position, the past presents a scene of mortification and regret, the future of expectation and hope. Although there are many ingredients in this scene of mortifica

THIS important county is also aroused to the consideration of the great cause of our country-tion and regret,it is the opinion of your commituniversal and thorough education-and nobly leads on the work of reform.

The convention sat two days, and its reported proceedings manifest that devotion to duty, which promises the most beneficent results. We regret that we can only give paragraphs, where we would gladly publish every detail.

tee that a want of well qualified teachers,constitutes a very important part. We intend by this remark, no reflection on a class of individuals who have expended a vast amount of mental and physical exertion, without enjoying a proportionate share of public attention, or receiving a fair compensation for their vexatious, though important, toils: we believe in many instances they have done the best they could under existing circumstances: nor would we indulge or enfactions and exertions which have been made for courage a spirit of unthankfulness, for the benetheir advantage and improvement.

[From the Freeman's Journal.] OTSEGO COUNTY COMMON SCHOOL CONVENTION. The town superintendents of common schools of the several towns of Otsego county, assembled It is now an opinion that prevails extensively, in convention, pursuant to adjournment, at the perhaps universally-that the profession of teachChristian Church, in the village of Laurens, on ing should be as respectable as any in society; Tuesday the 11th of June, 1844, at 10 o'clock and that this estimate must be placed upon it, A. M., and was called to order by Mr. Lewis before all the advantages contemplated can be R. Palmer, county superintendent, on whose secured. It is also acknowledged that the feelmotion it was temporarily organized, by the ap-ings and opinions of men, are governed to a conpointment of HERVEY WILBER, Esq., of West ford, Chairman, and Mr. JOHN S. PATTENGILL, of New-Lisbon, Secretary.

On calling the list of superintendents, the following persons answered to their names: COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT-L. R. Palmer, Cooperstown.

TOWN SUPERINTENDENTS-Butternuts. J. G. K. Truair; Burlington, L. D. Brown; CherryValley, L. H. Robinson; Decatur, Amos Bourne; Edmeston, Wm. H. Brown; Hartwick, Wm. S. Bowdish; Laurens, A. P. Strong; Middlefield, L. H. Bowen; Maryland, D. H. Sevier; New Lisbon, John S. Pattengill; Otego, David B. Shepherd; Oneonta, Andrew G. Shaw; Pittsfield, O. Adams; Plainfield, R. Huntley; Unailla, J. S. Palmer; Westford, Hervey Wilber.

siderable extent by appearances and names. From these two axioms we may see, that the respectability of teaching will be graduated by the character of the institution where instructors are taught. And will any person pretend to say that a mere appendage to a seminary or an acade my can be as respectable in the eyes of the people, as original, independent institutions having their own professors, presidents and buildings, apparatus, &c. Your committee deem it impossible in the nature of things.

Your committee respectfully suggest that young persons who are preparing to teach, will not be as well instructed in the theory or practice of teaching in the above appendages, as they would be in a teacher's institution. It is believed, without intending any disrespect to those who

have the charge of academies and seminaries, their work, but where is their appropriate effthat professors cannot feel the same interest in ciency. Let each of these persons be thoroughtheir lectures and instructions to pupils of a sub-ly educated in the branches of science to be ordinate department, as would be felt by the professors of a teachers' institute, where instructions and lectures on school-keeping would be their sole and constant business.

taught, and let them be made familiar with the best methods of imparting instruction, and what an influence might in this way be brought to bear upon the public mind; what an inconceivably happy result might be produced upon the thousands of young persons and children who are soon to wield the destinies of this section of our mighty nation. We venture to predict that in the short reversion of a single year the schools of this county would put on a character and assume an efficiency perfectly astonishing to the most enthusiastic and sanguine of all our people. Therefore, Resolved, That the subject of edu

Lastly, the method of teaching in an academy or college and in common schools, is so very dissimilar; the state of mind to be reached and the object to be secured so peculiar to each, that it is certainly possible that an individual may be abundantly qualified to fill the professorship of a college or a seminary, and still be essentially deficient in the chair of, a teachers' institute. Your committee know of several young gentlemen of respectable parentage as well as intelleccating teachers for common schools, demands tual culture, who spent several weeks in an aca- the serious and immediate attention of this condemic school not long since, and then went out vention. as school teachers, but were under the mortifying necessity of returning to their homes before they had completed the term for which they contract ed. It requires no far reaching mind to perceive that if these young men had so been instructed as to be "apt to teach," that a far different, more honorable and less perplexing result might have been obtained. Some whom we have examined, will solve a problem in algebra and pass well in astronomy, &c., and yet cannot tell the sound of bor x or ch, and are equally wanting in the elementary branches of science.

Last session of our state legislature was sig. nalized for the unanimous passage of a bill for the organization of a regular Normal School for the education of teachers. This last measure has been adopted as an experiment, and if successful, is designed as a beginning, for subsequent repetition. Your committee rejoice that the good work is begun. As to the departments, they are so exceedingly sparse, that they must, to the great body of teachers, be remote, so exceedingly remote, that but a small fraction of them can possibly enjoy their advantages, and the only remedy now left us is to look back to our high schools and academies generally, and try to throw around them such guards and obtain such assurances as shall give us some relief from the anxiety which has so long distressed us-to engage spiritedly in teachers' drills, call out teachers' meetings, and organize educational associations, until something more satisfactory can be obtained.

And Whereas, There is no certain prospect that this important object can be obtained from the seminaries now among us,

Therefore, Resolved, That this convention, take immediate steps for the organization of a Teachers' Institute for the county of Otsego. All of which is respectfully submitted.

On motion of Mr. Chatfield, the report was laid on the table for further consideration; and the convention adjourned to 7 o'clock in the evening.

EVENING SESSION.

Mr. Pierce, of Rome, Oneida co., by vitation, occupied the evening session by an address upon the moral, intellectual and physical culture of man. He treated this important and comprehensive subject with much ability, and evinced a thorough acquaintance with every branch of educational reform. Mr. P. gave a very graphic description of the condition and wants of our common schools, and an able and comprehensive view of a system of popular education adapted to the preparation of the citizen for the discharge of his various and complicated duties arising from the social condition and peculiar institutions of this country.

On motion, the convention proceeded to the consideration of the reports in their order.

The report on l'eachers' Institutes, was taken up. and the resolutions considered separately They were discussed at length, by Messrs. Chatfield, Bowdish. L. R. Palmer, Truair, Gillam, L. D. Brown and Wilber; and the report and the first resolution, were adopted.

The question being on the adoption of the second resolution, Mr. Truair moved to strike out the second resolution and the preamble accompanying it, and adopt the following as a substitute:

The interest which has existed among legislators upon the subject of general education, is still alive. Past enactments made for it upon the petition and sometimes upon the suggestion of the people, authorize us to conclude that they may be approached again. Your committee would suggest, in view of the magnitude of the object intended to be secured, the proper educa- Resolved, That in view of the success which tion of the entire mass of the rising generation, has attended the establishment of voluntary that the appropriation for the education of tea- Teachers' Institutes, and the efficient aid thus chers be increased to something like the public rendered in the thorough preparation of teachdemand for it. and that instead of having here ers, this convention take immediate steps for and there a mere appendage to a seminary, or the organization of a Teachers' Institute for the one normal school, that there be an indepen-county of Otsego.

dent seminary to educate teachers in every The preamble and resolution were stricken county of our state; and thus let the sentiment out and the substitute was adopted.

of the Hon J. A. Dix be reduced to a reality, After many discussions of the leading meanamely, “it is advisable to establish separate se-sures of educational reform, and the adoption of minaries for the education of teachers." There are, during the year, 440 individuals employed as teachers in the commen schools of this single county. Here are your materials, and there is

many admirable resolutions,-On motion of Mr. Pattengill, it was Resolved, that the convention adjourn to meet at Cooperstown on the Tuesday after the second Monday of April, 1845.

important and so prominent a feature of the system, that it has given its name to all this class of institutions. The term normal school, as now used, comprehends indeed, this "model appendage," but more especially, it indicates a seminary where pupils are taught, theoreticalExtracts from the Report of the committee of the ly and practically, the art of communicating Assembly of this State, on colleges, academies knowledge, and of governing a school; where, and common schools, of which the Hon. Mr. in short, are acquired the rules of practice and HULBURD was chairman, in regard to the dis- the principles of guidance and direction in the vatribution of the Literature Fund, and the esta-rious departments of common school education. blishment of a Normal School.

"5. The senior class, in the teachers' seminaThe term "Normal School," though now com.ry should be employed, under the immediate inmonly used to denote a training place for teach- struction of their professors, as instructors in ers, primarily signifies, a model school;" that the model school. is, a school conducted on a plan deserving imitation by other schools. A model school, in this sense, is an essential part of any well arranged institution for educating teachers. It is the experimental room where the future teacher learns by observation, the best methods of conducting an elementary school, and under the eye of his teacher, is taught to practise and perfect himself in those best methods. Although the model school is, by some, regarded merely as an incidental appendage to the principal school; yet in Prussia, where seminaries to qualify teachers have been longest and most successfully in operation, the model or normal school is so