VALUABLE SCHOOL BOOKS, PUBLISHED BY E. C. BIDDLE, no. 6 SOUTH 5th ST., PHILADELPHIA. FOR COMMON SCHOOLS. CLASSICAL ANTIQUITIES-From the OUTLINES OF SACRED HISTORY-From the creation of the world to the destruction of Jerusa-German of Eschenburg. With large additions by pro lem; with questions for examination. New edition, i fessor Fiske, of Amherst college. Fourth edition, with enlarged and improved. Illustrated with 34 wood en- copper plate and wood engravings, illustrating more than 300 different objects. 343 pp. 8 vo. gravings. 269 pp, 18mo. Extract from the last annual report of the Superintendent of Common Schools in the city and county of New-York:-Col. W. L. Stone. * "But there are several other books wanted in these schools, (under the care of the Public School Society,) among which is a good compend of sacred history The officers of the district schools of the 14th ward. have adopted "Outlines of Sacred History," an abridg. rent of great excellence." This work embraces five distinct treatise, viz: 1 classical geography and topography, 2. classical chronology, 3. Greek and Roman Mythology, 4. Greek Antiquities, 5 Roman Antiquities. each treatise being sufficiently full for all the common wants of the scholar, and on some points more full than any other work hitherto used in our seminaries. It furnishes also, on the principal subjects, references to other sources of information, a peculiarity which greatly enhances its value both to pupil and teacher. PEALE'S GRAPHICS-Drawing reduced to FOR SCHOOL LIBRARIES-The Christian its most simple principles, introductory to writing, and to all the arts useful and ornamental, by R. Peale, Philosopher, or the connexion of science and philosoprofessor of graphics in the Central High School of Philphy with religion. Illustrated with engravings. By adelphia.-In 6 parts,-sold separately. New edition: 1homas Dick, L. L. D. New edition. In consequence of the progress of the arts and sciences since the last 2 parts now published. The first two parts contain a complete course of elementary drawing. These books edition of this work was written, the author, in the have met with the highest commendation from teach-present edition, has carefully revised every portion of ers and artists of eminence, and are extensively used the volume and made additions to its several departments, amounting to more than one-fifth of its previous in the public schools of Philadelphia. bulk. DICK ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF SOciety, by the diffusion of knowledge. DICK ON THE MENTAL ILLUMINAtion and moral improvement of mankind. DICK'S CELESTIAL SCENERY, or the wonders of the planetary system displayed. DICK'S SIDEREAL HEAVENS, and other the character of the deity, &c. CONTROLLERS' COPY SLIPS-Large hand text hand, round hand, and introduction to running hand. Each copy is pasted on a separate piece of binders' board, which form has been found economical to schools. Used in the public schools of Philadelphia. FOR ACADEMIES AND CLASSICAL SCHOOLS. OSWALD'S ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY of the English language. Re-subjects connected with astronomy, as illustrative of vised and improved, and especially adapted to the pur; pose of teaching English composition in schools and This work academies, by J. M. Keagy. 523 pp. 12mo. contains more than 29,000 words of the English language, classed under their respective roots, which are arranged in alphabetical order: also, the prefixes and affixes of our language classified, and their meaning illustrated by more than 1600 words. The above work is used as a text-book in the High schools and Public Grammar schools of Philadel phia. JOHNSON'S MOFFAT'S NATURAL PHILOSOPHY-A System of Natural Philosophy designed for the use of schools and academies, on the basis of J. M. Moffat, comprising mechanics, hydrosta tics, bydraulics, pnewmatics, accoustics, pyronomies, optics, electricity, galvanism and magnetism. With emendations, notes, questions for examination, &c. &c., by professor W. R. Johnson-473 pp 12mo. JOHNSON'S MOFFAT'S CHEMISTRYAn elementary treatise on chemistry, together with treatises on metallurgy, mineralogy, chrystallography, geology, oryctology, and meteorology; designed for the use of schools and academics, on the basis of Mr. J. M. Moffat. With additions, emendations, notes, referenees, questions for examinations, &c. &c. By professor W. R. Johnson. 478 pp., 12mo. The Controlers of the Public Schools of Philadelphia, March 8th, 1842, authorized the introduction of the above work by Prof. Johnson, into the grammar schools of the district. LINEAR DRAWING BOOK-Designed for the use of schools and practical purposes. By S. Smith, Professor of Drawing in St. Mary's College, Baltimore. DRAWING BOOK OF FLOWERS AND FRUIT-By Mrs. Ann Hill, author of the em bellishments to 'Flora's Dictionary,' &c. &c. This work contains a series of studies and lessons progressing from the drawing of the outlines of leaves, to the more delicate and different portions of the art,the co oring of flowers and fruit, and grouping them in harmonious order. It will bear comparison with the best English works on flower painting. FRENCH LESSONS FOR BEGINNERS108 pp. 18mo. The style of this little reading book is simple, the sentences short, and containing tew idioms, inversions or difficulties. DICK'S PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONor an illustration of the moral laws of the universe. DICK'S PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE state. DICK'S ESSAY ON THE SINS AND EVILS of Covetousness, and the happy effects which would flow from a spirit of Christian Beneficence. All the above works of Dr. Dick, are 12mo. volumes, neatly bound in sheep-suitable for school libraries. TREGO'S PENNSYLVANIA-Being an account of the history, Geographical features, soil, climate, geology, botany, zoology, population, education, government, finances, productions, trades, rail-roads and canals, &c., &c., of the state; with a separate description of each county. Illustrated by a map of the state, and by numerous engravings. By C. B. Trego, member of the House of Rep. of Penn.. late assistant State geologist, member of the Am. Philos. Soc., &c., &c. 394 pp. 12mo. selections AMERICAN ORATORY-Or from the speeches of eminent Americans, compiled by a member of the Philadelphia Bar. 531 pp. 8 vo. SPEECHES OF PHILLIPS, CURRAN, Grattan and Emmet-selected by a member of the Phil adelphia Bar. 649 pp. 8vo. CELEBRATED SPEECHES OF CHATham, Burke, and Erskine, &c.-Selected by a member of the Philadelphia Bar. 540 pp. 8 vo. SELECT SPEECHES OF HUSKISSON and Wyndham-Edited by Robert Walsh.-With a biographical and critical introduction by the editor. 616 pp. 8 vo. FOR TEACHERS' LIBRARIES-Manual of Classical Literature, from the German of Eschenburg, with large additions by professor Fiske of Amherst college, Fourth edition, eighth thousand-illustrated by 20 finely executed copper-plates, and by wood cuts, representing more than 400 different objects. 718 PP. 8vo. Used as a text-book in Harvard University, and in many colleges throughout the Union. THE COMMON SCHOOL JOURNAL OF the State of Pennsylvania, professor J. S. Hart, principal of the High school of Philadelphia, editor. Issued monthly, in numbers of 32 pp. 8 vo., at one dollar per annum, payable in advance. ADAPTED TO TEACHING!-PRICE FIFTY CENTS! MORSE'S SCHOOL GEOGRAPHY, ILLUSTRATED WITH CEROGRAPHIC MAP 8. AMONG its prominent characteristics are the following: 1. The Arrangement is such that the Map, Questions on the Map, and description of each country, are on the same page, or on pages directly opposite, enabling the pupil to refer readily from one to the other, without the inconvenience of two books, or even the necessity of turning the leaf. 2 The Maps are more numerous, and generally on a larger scale, than in any other School Geography. 3. The Exercises on the Map are so framed as to present a connected view of the great features of each country. 4. The Descriptions are in a series of short paragraphs, written in concise style, and confined to the most interesting and characteristic matter. 5. The correct Pronunciation of difficult names is indicated by dividing into syllables, accenting, &c. 6. The General and Comparative views at the end of the volume are on the plan first introduced by the author in 1820, and since adopted in many other School Geographies. They are regarded as well fitted to exercise and strengthen the judgment. 7. The new art of Cerography is applied for the first time to the illustration of a work of this kind, and enables the publishers to sell it at a very low price. The whole work is the result of long and careful study, and is intended to impress upon the mind of the student such outlines of geography as will form the best foundation for farther and extensive acquisitions. Confident of the superiority of MORSE'S SCHOOL GEOGRAPHY over every other work of the kind, the publishers respectfully inform editors, teachers, and superintendents of schools, that they may obtain gratuitously a copy of the work for examination from the principal booksellers throughout the United States. The typography of the work, and its peculiar adaptation to teaching, together with its extreme cheapness, can hardly fail to command for it a general, if not a universal adoption in the schools of our country. NEW-YORK: HARPER & BROTHERS, 82 CLIFF-STREET. VOL. V. DISTRICT SCHOOL JOURNAL, OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK. TERMS ALBANY, OCTOBER, 1844. FOR THE ENLARGED JOURNAL. For one copy, in all cases, (per annum,)... 50 cts. "one hundred copies, each, ....... ........ 31 44 NOTICES. ALBANY. School Celebration in New Scotland, at the Union Church, Oct. 1. Albany City Celebration of the District Schools, Oct. 18. Teachers' Convention for Albany County and vicinity, will be held at Albany on the 19th of October. Town Superintendents are requested to exert themselves to secure a general attendance of the Teachers. Addresses will be delivered by T. H. Palmer, Esq. of Vermont, the author of the Teachers' Manual, and Dr. Potter of Union College. OFFICIAL. No. 7. STATE OF NEW-YORK-SECRETARY'S OFFICE. NORMAL SCHOOL. TO COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS OF COMMON Preparations being in progress for the establishment of a Normal School in the city of Albany, under the law of the last session, it is deemed proper to call the attention of the county superintendents to the subject, and to apprise them of the services which will be expected of The third term of the Teachers' Institute will them in the premises. Without being able, at the open at Pike on Monday the 7th day of October, present time, to ascertain the exact amount which and continue two weeks. Mr. Fowle, a distin-it will be necessary to expend for apparatus, and guished lecturer from Boston, will be present. ALLEGANY. for securing the services of competent teachers, it is believed by the Executive Committee, that the means at their disposal, will enable them to maintain at the school, free of expense to the pupil for board and tuition, at least one hundred and twenty-eight scholars. In lieu of board, however, an equivalent in money will be paid, of seventy-five cents or a dollar per week, as the funds shall warrant. As the funds to sustain the school belong to the people of the state, A School Celebration will be held at Troy, on it is just that this bounty should be equally disthe 16th of October. SARATOGA. A County Convention of Town Superintendents, and a Celebration of the Schools of Milton and Ballston Spa, will be held on the 15th of October at the Court-House at Ballston. SENECA. tributed. Perhaps no rule more equitable can be devised, than to apportion the pupils among the several counties, on the ratio of the representation in the House of Assembly. And it is believed, that the several boards of supervisors, County Institute will open at Waterloo on the with the proper information before them, will 15th Oct. constitute an unexceptionable tribunal to make the proper selection or selections for their respective counties. SUFFOLK. A County Convention of Town Superintendents, Teachers and friends of Education, will be held on the 2d Oct. at Riverhead. COUNTY APPOINTMENTS OF T. H. PALMER, ESQ. Broome co. at Binghamton, late in October. It is to be presumed that no one will apply for admission as a pupil into the Normal School, who does not intend to pursue the business of teaching as a profession. Indeed, the great and only object of the school will be, to communicate in the best manner, both the science and the art of teaching; and it would therefore, be, to a great extent, the loss of the time of the pupil who should afterwards pursue any other occupation. It is required of each county superintendent, that he should possess himself of the necessary information, either from his own knowledge, or by communication or correspondence with the town superintendents, and other intelligent individuals, to enable him to present to the supervisors, the names of all the worthy and well qualified applicants of his county, whether male or female; if males, of the age of eighteen years or over; if females, of the age of sixteen years or over. Where the county, however, is entitled to but one pupil, it is desirable that such pupil should be a male, so that there may be at least one male pupil from each county in the state. similar local institutions, all the improvements with which their minds may have been stored. And it is in the hope that these local institutions will be continued and multiplied throughout the state, that it has been deemed desirable to secure the attendance upon the Normal School of one male pupil, at least, from each county, who might afterwards become a member of the teacher's institute of his county, for the purpose and with the view of introducing the system and the principles adopted at the state institution. It is not to be understood, however, that the number of pupils in the Normal School will be limited to one hundred and twenty-eight. Additional numbers of well qualified pupils, from any part of the state, will be received to as great an extent as may consist with the accommodation of the institution, on such reasonable terms of tuition as may be deemed expedient by the Executive Committee. Reasonable notice will be given of the time when the school will be ready for the reception of pupils. The county superintendents will present to the supervisors, the names of none, who would not, in respect to moral character and literary acquirements, be entitled to receive a certificate as a teacher of common schools. It is not the design or province of a Normal School, to communicate to its pupils the elementary departments of knowledge; but to perfect them in those departments, and above all, to mould their habits and discipline their minds in the art of teaching. For this purpose model classes will be provided, of all the grades which are ordinarily presented in our common schools; which classes the pupils will be required alternately to teach, under the supervision of the principal. In selecting names to be presented to the supervisors, the merit, alone, of the applicants should be regarded. The general intellectual and scientific acquirements, the purity of moral character, the amenity of disposition, and the capacity to communicate instruction, (aptitudinem docendi,) should be the only passports. Neither sect, nor creed, nor party, nor poverty, nor riches, nor connexions should have the least influence in the selection. HE, by whom we are all to be judged is "no respecter of persons :" and any less perfect rule, any other standard than men-hundreds of new and visionary bubbles, will be tal qualities and acquirements, would involve favoritism and partiality, and should be sedulously avoided. Such is the general outline of the plan in view. The establishment, by law, of a Normal School in this state, is a novelty which, like all proposed changes or improvements, is doubtless, destined to encounter prejudice and opposition. Mankind are so often imposed upon by quacks and impostors, who are stimulated alone or chiefly by theoretical impulses or by pecuniary or personal interest, that it is not strange that suspicion and incredulity should be awakened on every proposed alteration in the management of human affairs. Experience, to every observing mind, has established the fact that ninetynine in the hundred of the assumed inventions, discoveries and changes which are trumpeted to the world as improvements, have derived their origin from the visionary brain of the theorist, or the pecuniary aspirations of the artful and interested. We ought, then, to expect, as a matter of course, that he who has been often cheated will be suspicious; and that those who have witnessed the exposure and explosion of strongly inclined to suspect that every new scheme is visionary. It has been the fate, in all ages, of every useful improvement to share this suspicion. Whoever can recollect back for thirty or forty years, will remember with what protracted doubt and suspicion, the present im. If one hundred and twenty-eight pupils carefully selected, and with all the desired qualifi. cations, can be properly and thoroughly trained at the proposed Normal School, in the best sys-proved plough was able to supersede the old intem of teaching, they will be able, on returning to their respective counties, not only to reduce this system to practice, but to communicate to a very great extent to teacher's institutes and other strument with its wrought-iron share and coulter, and its wooden mould-board. It is only by repeated demonstrations of utility that changes, of any description, in the ordinary routine of life, can be established. If the contemplated Normal School shall be properly organized and judiciously conducted, it will, in a short time, obviate doubt and silence opposition. But any serious mistake in the commencement, would be fatal to its future progress: and every improve. ment in the education of the young, which may have been anticipated from such an institution, would thus be indefinitely postponed. These schools were first established in Prussia; and since that period have been gradually adopted by nearly every nation in Europe. Like all human improvements, their progress has been slow but sure. vigorous state. Medical writers also designate Let a child of five or six years old be familiar- As the word Normal is not of common occurrence in ordinary books, it may be well to spend a moment upon its etymology and meaning. It comes from the Latin Normalis, and that adjec-pen, then, that the same child, according to the tive from the latin noun Norma,—a term used by the best Roman authors to designate a fundamental rule, pattern, standard, or model, as the following extracts will show : "Natura norma legis est." CICERO. "Nature is the rule of law." "M. CURIUS, exactissima norma Romanæ frugalitatis." PLINY. ordinary method of instruction, must undergo a painful drilling of from three to six months to fix in his memory a recollection of the twenty-six letters of the alphabet? The answer is, that the first is the teaching of nature, or the normal method, and the last is its antagonist; the first is the wise plan of the Creator-the latter the despotic rule of the dark ages. Every human be "M. CURIUS, the most exact pattern of Roman fru- ing, possessed of ordinary endowments, is born gality." "si volet usus Quem penes Arbitrium est et jus et norma loquendi." HORACE. "If custom wills, which is the arbiter the right and the standard of speaking." "Vitam ad certam rationis normam dirigens." CICERO. "Directing life to the true standard of reason." "Demosthenes norma oratoris et regula." with the innate desire to learn and to know: hence, the inquisitiveness of children is universally proverbial. To cultivate and to gratify this propensity-to attract and not to repel-is the business of the educator. If a child could be inspired, by his preceptor, with the same desire to know the letters of the alphabet, as he entertains to become acquainted with his playmates and to discriminate the flowers--if he could be made to appreciate the beauty and the fragrance of that knowledge to which the alphabet is the key, he would master each letter with the same pleasure and alacrity that he exhibits in learning | the face of a new companion, or in cultivating an That this, to a acquaintance with the rose. great extent, can be accomplished, there is no reasonable doubt. Every department of know. ledge can be made interesting to the pupil, in the hands of an accomplished teacher: and in the same proportion that it becomes interesting, will its acquisition be rendered expeditious and easy. The old method of dull routine, compelling the pupil to commit to memory, without explanation, the abstruse rules of some favorite textbook,-requiring him, for instance, to repeat, as an explanation of the rule of proportion, direct or inverse that "where more requires more, or less requires less," it is one "And to thy divine standard (the mind) conforms itself." way, but that "where more requires less, or PLINY. "Demosthenes, the standard and rule of an orator." Both the Spaniards and Italians adopted the Latin noun norma into their languages; and this word is now used by each of those nations to mean a fundamental rule, pattern or standard,* and sometimes also, as it was by the Romans, to mean a square or rule by which material objects are measured. The English, as well as the French and Germans, instead of the noun, adopted the adjective normal from normalis: and it is used by English authors as descriptive of any rule, pattern or standard which is conformable to the laws of nature. When, for instance, writers on animal or vegetable physiology speak of the normal state of an animal or a plant, they mean its natural, healthful and * In the beautiful ode to Solitude of the Spanish, Poet, Juan Melendez Valdes, the following line occurs "Ia su divina norma se compasa." |