192

DISTRICT SCHOOL JOURNAL,

only balm of consolation which can bring relief to their wounded spirits!

Since the above was in type, a mutual friend has addressed us the following feeling and just tribute to the character and virtues of the deceased:

It becomes our painful duty to announce the death of FRANCIS DWIGHT, Esq., of this city, which occurred yesterday morning.

itself to the encouragement and patronage of every friend to the interests of the rising generation. The conception of its projector, ORSON BARNES, Esq., the late superintendent of the western section of Onondaga county, has been skilfully and faithfully carried out by the engraver, Mr. J. HALL, of this city: And we hazard little This afflicting event has fallen so unexpectedly upon in saying that a more effective and powerful us, that we can searcely realize that our friend has left us for ever. We would not part with him without appeal to the moral sense and expanding intela sad tribute to his virtues, and a lament, which, alas! is unavailing, that he should have been taken from us lects of children, has seldom been presented. Its in the prime of manhood and in the midst of his useful- prominent object is to trace by skilfully arranged ness. Mr. DWIGHT possessed a mind of no common order; endowed with the highest natural gifts, and en- groups, portraiture and scenery, the progress riched with the choicest stores of classical and elegant from youth to manhood and mature age, of indiliterature, to which was added a piety, fervent and sincere, and a kindliness and benevolence which made viduals setting out from the same point, as chilhim "never weary in well doing." To the cause of Common School education, the pages of the Journal of dren, but gradually diverging into different paths, which he was the editor, will attest his zealous devotion, and his usefulness in his self-imposed task will be represented first by "wisdom's path," and sucreadily acknowledged by all who know the extent and cessively by those of falsehood, theft, intempervariety of his labors as editor and superintendent. His many virtues have endeared him so closely to all who ance and passion. The annexed description of knew him, that each mourns his loss as that of a bro-the engraving, drawn up at our request, by a little ther, and the writer, who loved him well, feels that he pays but a slight tribute to his worth in this hasty notice of his decease.

The State loses in him a most eloquent and effective advocate and promoter of the system by which her future destinies are to be controlled-society a brilliant ornament-and in the fireside circle from which he has been withdrawn for ever, he leaves a void which can never be filled; and did the friends whom his death has bereaved, "mourn without hope," their affliction would be greater than they could bear. It is humbly believed, for their consolation, that his blameless life and earnest Christian faith, will ensure him his reward. I

[From the Albany Citizen, of Dec. 16.] We were pained yesterday to hear of the death of our esteemed fellow citizen, FRANCIS DWIGHT, Esq. His illness was of short duration, he baving enjoyed his usual health up to Thursday of the last week, when he was attacked with a bilious complaint. He expired yesterday morning at his residence on Clinton Square.

girl under ten years of age, not only presents
a very faithful idea of the work, but serves to
show the hold which it is capable of taking on
the minds of the young:

2. Another has a piece of cake in his right hand. It may be that he intends to share it amongst them. He may be a generous boy, and it is most probable that he is. There is nothing particular among the rest of the group.

3. They have become older. One sits in a sloping stone with the Bible in his hands. Another looks like a clergyman and stands y his

Mr. DWIGHT's loss will be severely felt, not only by the family and friends he leaves behind him, but also by the cause of common school edu-side. They are reading passages in the Bible. cation, to the interests of which he devoted his time and talents zealously. He was for some years our county superintendent of common schools, and, up to the time of his decease, was the able editor of the District School Journal.

[From the Albany Knickerbocker.]

It is with sorrow we record the death of FRANCIS DWIGHT, Esq., our late able and efficient school superintendent, and at the time of his death, editor of the District School Journal, and secretary of the Board of School Commissioners, and a member of the Executive Committee of the State Normal School. In the death of Mr. DWIGHT our system of common school education has lost a devoted friend. He died yesterday at his residence in Clinton Square.

BARNES' PICTORIAL MORAL INSTRUCTOR.

Ir affords us unfeigned pleasure to direct the attention of the teachers and officers of school districts generally, to this admirable chart, which needs only to be seen and examined, to commend

They have another book also. Anothe man
stands by with a map in his hands. A caple of
books and a globe are by their side, and aere is,
in the distance, a church, and another wilding,
which is a school-house.

4. Another group represents two me, one of
whom has a paper with geometrical figres on it,
which he is showing to the other wh holds a
book in his hand. Another man is reachg busily.

5. The next group represents a clergyman writing in his memorandum book, prhaps-and two botanists, gathering flowers. One has a paper in one hand and a bouquet the other hand. His companion is stoopingo gather a flower. Near them is a roll of per and two books, one of which is open.

6. The next person is a geologis with a stone looking like a picture on his arm, nd another is eyeing with a microscope some c'ious insect on a stone. Some insects, also on a tone, lie near, with books, stones and shells. nother person is viewing the stars with a telesce. In the distance there is a church, and huge building which I cannot describe, but perips it is a school

house.

7. Near by there are two dish men talking

and reasoning
each
h other
very cheerfully
One has a cane and the other a book. Both seem
elderly Far off is a church, and some bushes
are near there. Two old men sit by on a couple
of seats and seem very happy. They are talking
and sit under the shade of a fine tree, and one has
a book in his hand.

8. The eighth and last group represents two men praying, at the end of their existence, probably; while the radiant and heavenly light of religion casts its glittering rays upon their happy faces. "Wisdom's ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace."

II. LYING LIPS ARE AN ABOMINATION UNTO ion un THE LORD.

r

1. There is the same group of children as in the first row, in the same posture, and with the same faces. But these children have evidently resolved to tell lies and be naughty.

2. The next consists of a couple of men, one of whom is whispering in the other's ears. Perhaps he is telling him a lie. The other looks as if he did not quite believe what his comrade is telling him. All around is a gloomy, hilly place...

4. Near him stands a forlorn looking man with his knees patched and his clothes out at the elbows. Poor man! he is but too much an emblem of the drunkard. Close by is a miserable'd drunkard nearly buried in snow. His rum bottle stands near him. He has probably been intoxi-b cated, and when he set out to return home with his bottle, both he and his bottle were frozen. He is nearly naked. Near him lies a man with his head in a frozen brook. He is perhaps dead; gone to account for his sins at the bar of God. He is cut off in the midst of his sins. Poor, unhappy man!

5. Here comes a red nosed gentleman, limping along on crutches. He has a countenance full of trouble. He is attacked with lameness, gout and rheumatism, all together, perhaps. Last of allus is a nearly naked man in the delirium tremens; apparitions of hideous, satanic creatures appear to him. Snakes twine around his arms, and he steps in serpent's mouths. These men's deaths are untimely, and come suddenly while they are in the midst of their sins. They have "woe and they have "sorrow"!

دو

3. Near by stands a man who is telling some IV. LET HIM THAT STOLE STEAL NO MORE. monstrous story to another man, who stands 1. The first group represents the same children gaping opposite to him. He holds up his hands as in the other rows. The eldest is pointing to and seems to say "I wish I could believe what an orchard in the distance, where six boys are you say, sir!" Two men are behind him, who stealing fruit. One boy receives a hat full of seem to be plotting something between them. apples which another hands down to him, while Perhaps it is murder! Neither look like decent a third assists a fourth to scramble down the side or creditable persons. of the wall, and a fifth in the tree assists a sixth to climb up.

4. The next is a couple of men, one of whom, with a patched and dirty suit of clothes, marches 2. Close by are six men. Three are dividing off with his face expressive of sulky feelings.some spoil amongst them which is perhaps stolen, The next is a man with his hands in his pockets, while the fourth is picking a pocket of one of the in the same condition as the other. He looks at men and handing the money to a fifth who stands his comrade with an expression of dislike, and with open hands to receive it. The sixth, with seems to say "O! I wish I could give you a an innocent countenance, is picking the pocket of knocking, I'm sure you deserve it well." Two the man who is receiving the money! Four men desolate looking fellows: one's clothes patched, are walking towards a prison door, tied together with yellow cloth put in his blue pantaloons, by a rope, and with their hands fettered. Before with his hands behind his back; the other depart them and apart from them, strides a man with his ing as if he had no friends in the world. These hands and arms also fettered. Another prisoner men are afraid of each other; they cannot believe is farther into the prison with his hands and arms each other, and keep apart by a sort of instinct, fettered. In the distance there is a great many which tells them that they cannot agree together. large buildings. 5. The last are two men, one of whom has a black cloth on his misshapen head; and the other steals off as if ashamed of himself. He has no coat nor hat. These people's end is an untimely one, and they probably do not go to that happier land which is above.

III. WHO HATH WOE? WHO HATH SORROW? 1. The same group of children is here repre-a sented as in the other rows. These children have perhaps bought rum or brandy when they had a few cents to spend, and drank it.

V. THE WAY OF THE TRANSGRESSOR IS HARD.

1. In this row the same group of six boys is represented. The eldest is pointing to a house in the distance with a man standing in the piazza. Close by are two boys fighting, and another boy is dragging off a little girl. Before him stands boy who seems to say "Won't you fight me, bub?"

2. The next group represents six men playing cards at a card table. One of them holds out his 2. The next group represents six men drinking hands with a sad face while another coolly counts rum or wine at a table. They are growing in-out of it the money he has won. Another tosses toxicated very fast, and will probably leave that away his cards in despair. A fourth leans upon little table perfectly intoxicated. Two are drink-the table looking at a fifth, who is carefully scruing, two are about to drink, and one is pouring out a tumbler full. The sixth is talking. In the distance is a house with "Porter" written upon it. Three men linger near it. They probably sell rum or brandy there.

3. Close by dashes a man in delirium tremens, bare footed, bare headed and bare armed. He tears his thin hair from his head in madness. He is fast going towards a house on which is written Alms-House!!!

tinizing a card; and the sixth looks at the table as if he had there lost his little all. The next scene represents two men fighting. One has probably given the other some trifling insult, and it grew to an appointment in the field. Each has a pistol pointed at the other's head. Near there is a man shooting himself. Two men are being hung in the distance; and a third is in delirium tremens again. Tremendous dragons with fiery tongues assail him; snakes threaten him, while

he, nearly naked, screams and shrieks with fright and horror. These men began with vice and wickedness, and witness their terrible end. The blackness of darkness appears in full view, and they will probably soon be immersed in it. How different, how very different, is their end from that of the righteous; and how beautiful is virtue compared with vice; and how happy is the end of the pious, compared with that of the wicked! L. A. R.

exceptions, schools whose proud pre-eminence the march of improvement has not surpassed-after which it is even now toiling, and which no reform would be likely to improve. Others there were in the pupilage of healthful being, at least but the mass held only an idiotic visibility, and were alike the infamy of legislature, and the disgrace of the people.

Such were our common schools, but such they are no longer. A change has come over them. And this change, though incipient, is full of cheerThe current volume of the Journal will be ing promise, and incentive to elevated hopes. It completed under the editorial supervision of the is visible in the improved architecture and tastesubscriber; at the expiration of which period such ful appendages of our school-houses. It is visible in the altered mien, the superior intelligence, and arrangements will be entered into for its continu-gentlemanly bearing of the teachers. It is visible ance, as circumstances may seem to require. In in the Gazettes and Journals which chronicle the the mean time we claim the indulgence of corres-doings of educational committees, and teem with pondents and others for all omissions or apparent neglect of their favors, under the immediate pressure of the melancholy dispensation which has deprived us of the co-operation of our late

associate.

S. S. RANDALL.

Its march is indicated by the increase of "Teat essays on the topics and methods of instruction.cher's Institutes" and "Normal Schools." [ speaks out in "teacher's drills" and "school celerising of popular interest; in the exercises of the brations" in the "district libraries;" in the upschool-rooms, and in the increasing knowledge of of our youth. It is delightful to see a lad on leaving his winter school, solve problems in algebra and mechanics with a piece of chalk on a board, dur

Sufficient returns have not yet been received from the County Superintendents, in reference to the proposed change of place for holding the An-ing the recesses of labor; or to hear him discoursing to his fellows, from a sheaf of wheat, on the nual State Convention on the third Tuesday of science of government, the principles of ethics, or April next (instead of Wednesday, as erroneously the histories of Rome and Greece. Nor can it be stated in our last number,) to enable us defini-less pleasing to hear the sweet voice of girlhood reading from Milton, or Cowper, or Campbell, tively to announce the result, this month. We with fine discrimination and cultivated taste. And

hope to be able to do so in our next.

these are the ripening fruits of our common schools, such as till lately they yielded in a vastly

COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS OF COMMON diminished ratio. And they are not like the gol

SCHOOLS.

den apple, which decided the fabulous contest bethe annual products of these nurseries of our between rival goddesses; they are real fruit; and loved and promising youth.

F. DWIGHT, Esq.-The utility of this class of officers, has unfortunately been drawn into premature and somewhat angry discussion. From the Now, when were these harvests first gathered result, however, the friends of general education in an increasing proportion? Under whose intelhave nothing to fear. Prone as the age is to spe-ligent and judicious supervision have they been culate, and forego all the lessons of history and ripened for the granary? Before the appointment experience in the pursuit of selfish and party ob- of county superintendents, were not the vast prejects, there is yet intelligence and honesty enough ponderance of our common schools as barren as in the master spirits of the arena to justify the an African desert? where only here and there an conviction, that "truth is mighty and will pre-oasis contrasts with surrounding desolation. And vail." It may, indeed, have many a fearful strug-as the office of county superintendent is the centre gle to pass through, and to measure swords full of all the important changes which have been often with the fiercest of opposing spirits; but the made in the common school system for one-third final issue is not a matter of doubt. So with this of a century, the utility of the office seems to foldiscussion-it may truly be protracted, but it will low as a matter of course. not be fatal. On the contrary, it will evolve a multitude of facts, illustrative of the importance ofracter of the county superintendents generally, is Another fact in the premises, is, that the chathis class of agents, and confirmatory of the wis-such as to merit the highest praise, and inspire dom of their appointment. sanguine hopes of continued success. I refer to One obvious and already admitted fact is, that their annual reports, their published letters and simultaneously with the appointment of county lectures-their speeches in convention, and their superintendents, commenced the onward improve-methods of operation. I am pleased with their ment of our common schools. During all their previous existence, both under legal regulations, and no regulations at all, these seminaries of the people were little more than opake bodies, equally devoid of inherent and reflected light. Or, to use another figure, they were "wells without water,"stroyed, though for such a calamity I am not preor, "clouds without rain," to which nothing less could be "reserved" than "the blackness of darkness for ever." They existed, and this is their only commendation, for they existed only in driveling nonage. I cheerfully own there were

intelligence, their liberality, their patriotism, their high toned moral feelings; their indefatigable efforts to realize the spirit of their commission. Who would deem lightly of the usefulness of such men? They may be removed and their office de

pared. I do not even fear it. I confide in the good sense of our people. They are not made of the right kind of stuff, to kindle the fire of martyrdom around the benefactors of the up-coming age; nor, with suicidal hand, to strike through

their own interest at these "hewers of wood and cating what he knows, and his theory of governdrawers of water," in the temple of universal edu-ing. cation.

There is not the least difficulty in ascertaining To this character of county superintendents how much a teacher knows, in the very act of asthere are flagrant exceptions. I am sorry that it certaining how he would communicate his knowis so, but so it is. There are among them-there ledge. For what he knows how to communicate, have been at least, men, who possess every quali- he must certainly possess; and if he has not the fication of unfitness for their office; whose only skill to communicate a thing, it is of little conseefforts have been to degrade the teacher, revolu-quence to his pupils whether he knows it or not. tionize well-organized districts, and lay the axe at A thousand licenses in his pocket will not make the root of every hope and promise of improve-him a useful teacher. ment; and whose only exhibition of moral principle or feeling has been a mindless and heartless brutality. Others, less injurious and less infamous, have done nothing but draw their salaries drones in the hive, from which they have been, or will be stung out. Et alii aliter. But these exceptions are comparatively few-much fewer than the wisest and best experienced in human affairs could have anticipated; while the body of county superintendents, as an educational association, may proudly compare with any other society of educationists in any age or clime on the face of the globe.

Other facts might be adduced and discussed, but these are sufficient for my purpose; and I shall, in closing, only just glance at an intimation sometimes thrown out, that the county superintendents should always be selected from teachers who have followed the profession five years.

I am glad, indeed, that the character of this profession is rising, and that any intelligent part of the community is beginning to regard the teachers as something more than ciphers. They have been defamed and be-nothinged long enough. The world owes them a large reversion of smiles and sunshine, and it is high time there should be a day of settlement. But I do not like the plan.

It does not follow, of course, that because a candi

It seems to me, that next to health and piety in a teacher, the primary qualifications are love of the profession, sound common sense, skill to goWithout these, all vern, and aptness to teach. the mere intellectual qualifications-I mean intellectual lumber in the world, will be of little service; while with them, any want of the latter may be soon supplied, either at the Normal school or elsewhere.

Few things give me more pleasure than to see your great state "going ahead" with her common schools. The present is a proud era in the history of New-York. I trust you will not falter; but that your path, like that of the just, will be brighter and brighter to the perfect day.

I was not a little mortified at the misapprehensions of one of your teachers, a Miss Arnold, I think, of Manchester, though I was greatly rejoiced to learn that the teachers in the region with rior to those in Connecticut and elsewhere in New which she is most acquainted, are so greatly supeEngland. She says, "we as teachers feel that his denunciations [mine] are rather severe." Now it happens that what she calls my wholesale denunciations were not intended for the longitude of western New-York. From her calling me "the learned Dr." and from some other parts of her communication, I am also inclined to believe she takes me to be but superficially acquainted with of a Schoolmaster," she would have found me to common schools. Had she read my "Confessions be a common schoolmaster by profession, though I once studied medicine, and was for a few years practising physician. But I studied medicine, singular as the assertion may seem, to qualify myself to be a constant schoolmaster. It is well known, that a quarter of a century ago, Normal schools among us were unknown.

date has taught school five years, or even fifty, he is therefore qualified-and better qualified than any one who has not taught school that time, for the office of county superintendent. Other things being equal, the teacher should be preferred, it is true; but then, when the balance of these other things is against him to a marked extent, to the same extent should the preference be against him. There are teachers, and excellent ones too, who have had long and successful experience, who are not qualified for the duties of county superintendent; and many persons are fully qualified for Your correspondent asks, "What teacher of them, who have never taught school at all! I ap-common sense would expect to teach the sublime peal to facts. Of the incumbents of this office, art of reading by such a mechanical process," alwho are the most efficient and useful? Have not luding to what I represented to be the common all the other professions, constitutionally eligible, mode among us, I am at a loss to determine." contributed as nobly to the elevation of our schools Now I have not room, or time to enter "learned* in this department, as that of teaching? I depre- ly" upon a discussion of the nature of common cate exclusiveness and privileged classes. Is the sense, but your correspondent ought to know, that candidate qualified? This is the only proper common sense in New Holland and New Zealand, question, and let the field for his selection have is a very different thing, or at least produces very only geographical limits. I. R. different results from what it does in New England and New York.

- MR. HENRY'S ADDRESS.

WE shall offer no apology, nor will our readers deem one necessary, for devoting so large a portion of the present number of our paper to the excellent Address delivered by Mr. HENRY before the Board of Supervisors at their late annual meeting. It is on a subject of general and absorbing interest, and cannot, we think, fail to command a wide perusal and general admiration.

to any which have been performed in any particular locality. I flatter myself, however, that whoever will impartially examine the present general condition of the Common Schools in this county, and compare it with that they exhibited four years since, will find that many great and desirable changes have been already made. There are now more comfortable School-Houses, better furnished with apparatus and general conveniences-a greater number of well qualified Teachers-a better selection of Text Books-more perfect order generally maintained in the schools cleanliness more strictly observed greater proficiency in the studies pursued-more methodical and scientific modes of instruction-better manners, and a higher state of morals, than have ever before existed in the Common Schools of this county since my acquaintance with them.

During the past four years, Mr. HENRY has discharged the arduous and responsible duties of County Superintendent of Common Schools, with a more regular attendance of pupils-general fidelity and distinguished ability, and his retirement is looked upon, by all clases of our citizens, as a serious loss to the cause of Education.-Mohawk Courier.

The hour assigned for the election of a County Superintendent of Common Schools having arrived, Mr. HENRY rose and said:

Mr. Chairman, and Gentlemen

of the Board of Supervisors:

Nor is improvement confined to the schools alone. The inhabitants of the districts, generally, feel a deeper conviction of the importance of education-have juster and more comprehensive views upon that subject--manifest an increased interest in the prosperity of the schools--are more vigilant in securing the services of competent Teachers, and more readily incur the expenditures necessary to the support of the schools. It is not claimed that these desirable results are solely or even chiefly owing to my labors; they are principally to be attributed to the cordial and efficient manner in which school officers, teachers and the inhabitants generally, have performed their duties in relation to the schools, and aided me in introducing measures of reform.

It is now four years since, by the action of your predecessors, I was appointed as County Superintendent of Common Schools in this county. By years of observation, I had been convinced of the necessity of reforming our Common School system, and almost from the commencement of my residence in this county in 1835, I endeavored by Lectures Addresses and Essays in the Newspapers of the day, to awaken the public mind to the importance of this subject. At the time of my first appointment, as is known to many members of this Board, I had but recently returned from a year's residence in an Asylum for the In- The relations which have subsisted between sane, and my health, both of body and' of mind, the Common School Teachers of this county and was by no means firmly established. My physi- myself, for four years past, have been most cordial cians had recommended me to take regular and and intimate. Though in the great majority of continued exercise on foot and in the open air, instances they are young persons, they have almost and the performance of the duties of this office without exception, been characterized by an earnafforded me ample opportunity for complying with est desire to know thoroughly and to perform Their humble, unobtrusive, the advice of my medical counsel. I have made well their duties. my visits to the schools, during four years past, and too often, inadequately paid labors, are to give mostly on foot, walking m any hundreds of miles.direction to the thoughts and tell upon the lives It is probably chiefly owing to these exercises and characters of many successive generations. the pure and exhilarating air of our hill and forest When we consider the results produced, the imporregion-the uniform kindness and generous hos-tance of the Teacher's profession can scarcely be pitality with which I have every where been recei-over estimated; and I should feel that I had failed in ved, that for two years past, with very slight ex- the performance of duty to myself, and to the not, upon this occeptions, I have enjoyed sounder and more unin- Teachers of this county, did terruped health than at any former period of my casion, cordially commend them to the favorable life. Under such circumstances, it is impossible consideration of the gentlemen composing this that I should not feel profound and lasting grati- Board, and to all sincere friends of popular edutude to the citizens of this county for the confi- cation. dence they have reposed in me, and for their frank, cordial and continued support in the performance of my official duties.

During the two terms I have held this office, I have unreservedly devoted my humble abilities to the performance of its various duties, sparing neither time nor expense--and I think I may truly say, that the success of the cause, and not pecuniary compensation, has been the chief object of my solicitude.

It is due, also, to the Principals and Tutors of the Academies in this county, that I publicly acknowledge my numerous obligations to them. From their well-stored minds and ample experience, I have always derived aid and instruction, while they have actively and uniformly co-operated in every well considered measure for improving the Common Schools of the County. relations which have subsisted between the Academies and the Common Schools have always been of the most intimate and friendly character. May such relations be perpetual.

The

What success has attended my labors, those who have witnessed them can best determine. I have received many highly gratifying testimonials, The imperative duty of educating, or forming both from within and without the State, placing aright the character of the young, is solemnly enan estimate upon my humble services far above joined upon us in every page of our country's histhe value which I can set upon them. These tes-tory. The unanimous voice of the sages, patriots timonials, however, refer to general services in and heroes, whose united action gave us the glo behalf of the great cause of education, rather than rious heritage of free institutions, bids us eve