der his illustrations tangible to the capacities of all should intimate in what particulars such supe-
ages.
The morning exercises were commenced by singing, riority consists. From this task I shall not
accompanied by a band of musicians, composed of shrink. In few words, I should say it consists in
scholars who have been under his instruction within a more philosophical preparation for their du-
the course of his teaching in this district, this being ties, and in a more thorough knowledge of the
the close of the fifth winter term kept by him. After principles of the branches to be taught. Teach
which, his school was exercised in Orthography-his
2d and 3d class in Grammar-a juvenile class in Arith- ing was formerly entered upon by most aspirants
metic, through division and problems solved on the to office, without reflection as to the nature of
black-board, much to the gratification and satisfaction the responsibilities assumed, or a clear percep
of all present. Then came exercises by the whole tion of the importance of being specially fur.
school on the historical chart. A class in Philosophynished for one of the most delicate and difficult
and Algebra were exercised, that evinced a knowledge
of those important branches, which did honor to them-
selves and to their teacher.

The afternoon exercises commenced before a crowd

offices-that of operating upon the human intellect. It is true that very many in former times entered upon the responsibilities of teaching, as they "let themselves out" to perform manual labor, having a view, almost entirely, to the recompense; and apparently without the least sus.

ed house by singing appropriate pieces, and "music
from the band." Secondly, Grammar by his first class,
and Arithmetic by his juvenile class, followed by As
tronomy in short, and Geography and map drawing on
slates and the black-board from memory. The answers
were readily given and the maps drawn with a des-picion that higher qualifications were necessary
patch, readiness and correctness, seldom equalled or for the one employment more than for the others.
witnessed. Then came hard solutions in mental Arith- They could, perhaps, follow the formal letter of
metic (Colburn's) by the whole school, which were
wrought in the mind with astonishing rapidity and little of the why and the wherefore, and they
a book upon a given branch, but they knew but
correctness-followed by the solutions of problems
(with which the scholars were not acquainted,) in the knew still less of the most successful methods of
different rules of arithmetic, which were performed reaching and interesting the minds of the pupils,
with readiness, and the principles on which they were and exciting in them the spirit of inquiry. It
done clearly elucidated. When some cheering pieces
were performed by his master singers, with musical is very much to be doubted whether one in a
accompaniments. In conclusion, came his several score of the common class of the teachers twen-
reading classes, singly and in concert, with property-five years ago, had any higher ideas of an edu-
loudness and correct modulation of voice. Correct
answers were given to questions on the subjects of cation, than the storing up in the memory of a
their pieces and the rules and principles of correct collection of facts-which would constitute, as
reading and elocution. When specimens of improve- far as it went, a certain amount of knowledge.
ment in penmanship and drawing were exhibited, from They seemed, at least, never to have dreamed
which some of those gentlemen who keep writing that truly educating a mind consists first in in-
schools, and gull an unsuspecting community, would
do well to take lessons in practical penmanship. Ap- spiring it with a thirst for improvement-
propriate remarks were made by teachers and friends growth-enlargement; and then in disciplining
of education, who were present. Mr. Arnold made its powers so far, that with the ordinary means
some happy remarks in conclusion. A number of gen- it could go on to improve itself. They seemed
tlemen and ladies, so essential to add zest on such oc-
casions, were present from other towns. Among whom
not to consider that much more depends upon
I noticed Mr. Chase, and in company with him, Mr. the formation of correct habits of study-of rea-
French, town superintendent of Tully. The afternoon soning and of invention, than upon the amount
exercises were closed by singing, in a masterly style, of knowledge which can be imparted in a given
some of their best pieces, and music from the band.
The exercises of the evening-compositions and decla- time.
mation-were no less interesting than the previous ex-
hibitions of the day. The whole school, though wearied in which any developments of the spirit of in-
I dare say many of us remember the manner
by the fatigues of the day and a crowded house, apquiry were wont to be treated in our schoolboy

peared buoyant and happy.

To solace the weary-to allay the sensations of a
vibrating nerve-to smooth a trickling chill and quiet
a palpitating heart, a piece from his choir, followed
by a few sweet strains and voluptuous swells from the
band were all that was necessary, when the composi-
tions came off in their original simplicity and beauty,
and declamation without hesitancy or stammering.
Mr. Arnold with his usual courtesy, very generously
omitted a part of his evening exercises, to give other
teachers an opportunity to call on their schools for
singing, declamation, &c., among whom were Mr. Gif.
ford, Mr. Van Brocklin, with other noted teachers and
schools. The whole concluded with singing by request
a second time, "The Old Granite State."

For the spirited manner in which Mr. Arnold has
conducted his school-for his indefatigable zeal-un-
remitting assiduity-unbounded patience and untiring
application and introduction of the most approved
modern style of teaching-he was presented with a
"dress coat," in addition to $17 per month for five
months, and a liberal remuneration for teaching a
writing school of some fifty scholars.
Yours, &c.,
AN OBSERVER.

Pompey, April, 1845.

days. I may never forget the passage I first made through the Rule of Three, and the manner in which my manifold perplexities respecting "direct and inverse" proportion were solved. "Sir." said I, after puzzling a long time over

more requiring more, and less requiring less"-" will you tell me why I sometimes mul. tiply the second and third terms together, and divide by the first-and at other times multiply the first and second, and divide by the third?" Why because 'more requires more' and sometimes it requires less-to be sure. Havn't you read the rule, my boy?" "Yes sir, I can re'Why, peat the rule, but I don't understand it." " it is because more requires more and less requires less'!" "But why sir, do I multiply as the rule says ?"" "Why, because more requires more and less requires less, '-see, the rule says so." "I know the rule says so, but I wished to understand why- -" "Why? why?" looking at me as if idiocy itself trembled before him-" why? why because the rule says so don't you see it?-More requires more and less requires less;"-and in the midst of this in. explicable combination of more and less, I shrunk away to my seat, to follow the rule because "it said so," and when I had wrought out all the

problems and got the answers without compre-
hending a single step in the process, I was told
that I was a very good scholar,—and to be sure
I did not go unrewarded; for at the examina-
tion a few weeks after, the visitors were told
that I had been through the Rule of Three; and
as proof of my proficiency, I was called upon to
recite the very rule, which I did, not failing to
lay all suitable emphasis upon 66
more requiring
more and less requiring less."

We hope that this "call" will be answered by a general assembling of Teachers from every part of the State. Great good must result from the deliberate and intelligent action of those who are practically acquainted with the difficulties which often embarrass the best schools, and who are so deeply interested in the progress of the great cause of education.-ED.

TEACHERS' STATE CONVENTION.

At a regular meeting of the Albany County Teacher's Association, held on the 29th of March last, a resolution was introduced and passed unan. imously, that in their opinion the time has arrived when a Teachers' State Convention is desirable.

A committee of five was appointed for the purpose of corresponding with teachers, and other friends of education, in order to ascertain the feeling with regard to such a meeting; and to take such measures as may appear the most desirable for holding the same, provided our friends should agree with us that it is called for. The committee accordingly issued a circular, and sent it throughout the State. Returns have been received from several counties, in which we have the views of teacher's institutes, associations &c.; and all are unanimously in favor of the call for a

convention.

At a meeting of the committee, held in this city on the 7th inst., it was resolved unanimously,

that a call be issued for a Teachers' State Convention-that the meeting be held at Syracuse, on Wednesday the 30th day of July next, at 10 o'clock A. M., and continued the following day.

OFFICIAL.

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

Albany, July 1, 1845. The CLERKs of the several school districts are hereby requested, on or before the 15th of July inst., to furnish the Town Superintendent of the town in which the school-house of their district is located, a written statement showing the number of scholars in their district whose parents have been exempted by the Trustees, from the payment of teachers' wages, and the upon the district, during the year ending on the aggregate amount of such exemptions charged 1st inst.

The TOWN SUPERINTENDENTS of the several the requisite information from the clerks of the towns will, as soon as they shall have received several school districts as above specified, transmit an abstract thereof, showing the aggregate result of such statements to the COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT of the county or section to which their towns respectively belong; and such COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS are hereby directed to make and forward to this department, by mail, on or before the first day of September next, an abstract of such statements so received from the Town Superintendents respectively, containing the aggregate result and sum total in each town in his county or section, specifying the towns, of the number of scholars, whose parents were so exempted, and the total amount chargeable to the several districts, in separate columns.

The Superintendent respectfully urges on the several officers charged with the execution of this circular, the importance of promptitude and accuracy in furnishing the desired information in season to enable it to reach the Depart ment by the time specified. If there are any districts in which the Trustees have failed to conform to the provisions of the statute in regard to the exemption of such children of indigent parents, within their jurisdiction, the District Clerk or Town Superintendent will please report the number of such district and the names of the defaulting Trustees.

N. S. BENTON, Supt. Com. Schools. TO THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS. The committee would respectfully call upon all pies of the Annual Report of the Superintendent A box containing the requisite number of cofriendly to our objects, to contribute their influ- for the present year, to supply each of the School ence to promote the interests of the proposed District Libraries under your supervision respecmeeting. This convention is looked for with tively, and also of blank reports fo the several great interest from all parts of the State, and un- Town Superintendents, h's been forwarded to less we greatly mistake, it will be large, and full the County Clerk of your County, subject to of interest, and the result tell well for the cause. All teachers, public and private, and others inter- your order. You will please immediately take ested in this great and good work, are cordially tribution to the Town Superintendents, for decharge of the same, and make the necessary disinvited to meet with us, and lend their aid. Sev-livery to the Librarians of the several Districts, eral addresses will be delivered, and discussions without unnecessary delay, taking receipts from held on the most important educational subjects. such Town Superintendents containing an unThus an opportunity will offer by which we may dertaking to place the books in the possession of become acquainted-and by an interchange of the several Librarians within thirty days from views, the wisdom and experience of the practical educator become the common property of all.

In behalf of the committee:

J. W. BULKLEY, Chairman

ALBANY, June 13, 1845. [Editors throughout the State friendly to the cause, will confer a favor by publishing this card.]

the date of such receipt. The Department will
expect the County Superintendent personally to
see to such delivery, in every case where such
written undertaking is not entered into by the
Town Superintendent.
N. 8. BENTON,
Superintendent Common Schools.

DISTRICT SCHOOL JOURNAL,

VOL. VI.

OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK.

ALBANY, AUGUST, 1845.

A. BASSETT, Esq., of Rushville, has been duly appointed County Superintendent of Yates county, in place of Thales Lindsley, whose offi. cial term has expired.

OFFICIAL.

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

TO TOWN SUPERINTENDENTS.

No. 5.

though no pupil shall be entitled to`such certifi cate who shall not remain in the school one entire term, and no certificate except one of full qualifications shall be given:

AND WHEREAS it is desirable that the continuance of pupils in said school, to the exclusion of others, shall not be necessarily protracted, therefore

Resolved, That the committee will recognize in the disposition of particular cases which may arise, the following principles:

1. That pupils ought to be so well instructed before entering the Normal school, that two terms of training in said school, shall be suffi cient to entitle them to a certificate of full qualification.

2. That where counties send as state pupils, persons not thus adequately prepared, a period longer than two terms will probably be neces

sary.

3. That it shall be the duty of the principal and teachers in the Normal school, to transmit to the executive committee at their last meeting, before the close of each term, the names of pu pils who in their estimation are not likely to become competent teachers of common schools, that their connection with the Normal school may cease, and their places be supplied from their respective counties.

By the existing school law it is provided that in the erection or alteration of any school district, "the Trustees of any District to be affected thereby may apply to the Supervisor and Town Clerk to be associated with the Town Superintendent." No provision, however, has been made for notifying Trustees of any contemplated alterations in their district; and it is obvious that without such notice, they cannot avail themselves of the privilege intended to be secured to them by the above quoted section. The spirit of the law, therefore, manifestly requires that whenever any alteration is proposed to be made in a school district, whether by the erection of a new district or otherwise, notice, either verbal or written, of the application or intention should be given to the Trustees, or one of them, either by the Town Superin- 4. That the term of continuance in the Normal tendent, or by the applicants for such alteration, school, to which each pupil shall be entitled, is in order to give them an opportunity to associate a question which the committee reserve for their the Supervisor and Town Clerk with the Super-exclusive decision; that the committee are anxintendent, in case they desire to do so. Any ious to expedite the passage of pupils through omission to comply with this regulation, after its publication, will be regarded as a sufficient ground for setting aside any proceeding had in contravention of the same, for this reason alone, independent of its merits.

N. S. BENTON, Supt. Common Schools. NORMAL SCHOOL. WHEREAS a question has arisen, as to the length of time the state pupils in the Normal School have a right to retain their place in said school:

WHEREAS, by a circular containing regulations, issued by the committee, bearing date Dec. 16th, 1844, it was announced, that the pupils' title to recommendation or certificate as a well qualified teacher, on leaving the school, shall depend on his moral character and literary attainments, Rand not on the length of time spent in the school,

the school as rapidly as the public welfare will allow, and that in these measures an impartial regard will be had to the rights and interests of all the counties and all the teachers' of the state.

it

The summer term of this institution is now drawing to a close. In order that all concerned may act understandingly as to the next term, is thought proper to give below a list of the vacancies so far as ascertained, which may be filled by the appointment of other pupils.

A few further suggestions may also be made: 1. It is proper, to remind the various superintendents, that it is very desirable they should act promptly in the selection of candidates for the next term, in order that those selected may have sufficient time to prepare themselves to leave home, and enter the school at its opening on the 15th of October. The success of the school has been seriously impeded hereto

fore by the tardy entrance of a portion of the pu.v.; Schoharie, two v.; Seneca, one s. ; St. Lawpils.

and 21st of June. The meeting was organized
at half past 10 o'clock, A. M. On motion of Mr.
Rockafellow, county superintendent G. Leavens,
Esq., of Rushford, was chosen President, and
Truman Cole, Esq., superintendent of Centre-
ville, Vice-President. On motion of Mr. Bart-
lett, A. Washburn, superintendent of Rushford,
was chosen Secretary.

Mr. Leavens took the chair and submitted a
few remarks in relation to the object of the con-
vention. On motion of Mr. Rockafellow a com-
mittee of three' were appointed to prepare busi-
ness for the meeting. Messrs. Rockafellow,
Wm. Blanchard of Centreville, and Dr. D. W.
Chase, superintendent of Eagle, were appointed
said committee. Some miscellaneous business
was then transacted, and the meeting took a re-
cess until 1 o'clock, P. M.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

On motion of Mr. Bartlett, the chairman of said committee reported the following resolutions, which were separately discussed and adopted:

Resolved, That it is the duty of town superintendents to visit the schools of their respective towns, at least twice during each term. Remarks by Messrs. Rockafellow, and Hassett, su perintendents of Portage.

ity and superiority over the old system of small districts, should be promptly urged by every friend of education.

Remarks by Messrs. Laning, Bartlett, Rockafellow, Washburn, Stewart, Blanchard, Peck, and others.

Resolved, That the system of free public schools, as adopted in the city of Rochester, and elsewhere, is decidedly preferable to the system generally adopted throughout this State.

Resolved, That the thanks of this convention are hereby tendered to its officers for the able and impartial manner in which they have presided over its deliberations. G. LEAVENS, Pres't. T. COLE, Vice Pres't.

A. WASHBURN, Sec'y. Rushford, June 21, 1845. The convention, though not so liberally attended as could have been desired, was nevertheless fraught with a deep interest. An extraordinary spirit of activity, of zeal and harmony, seemed to prevail through all its deliberations, and it is reasonable to presume it will add another new impetus to the many already given to the cause of popular education in our county. A. WASHBurn.

At a meeting of the Town Superintendents of Resolved. That it is deemed advisable for town common schools in the southern district of Allesuperintendents to accompany the county super-gany County, held at Angelica on the 19th of intendent in his visitations to the schools under June last, R. H. Spencer, Esq., was called to the their charge. Remarks by Messrs. Hassett, chair, M. H. Wygant chosen secretary, and the Bartlett, superintendent of N. Hudson, Laning, following proceedings were had: Bishop, and Washburn, all of Rushford.

The object of the meeting being stated by Mr. Resolved, That so far as it can consistently be Spencer, a letter was read from Dr. Alonzo Potdone, teachers and employers should be previter, stating his inability to make a tour through ously notified of the time of such visitations. Favored by Rockafellow, Kennedy of Cuba, Hassett, Dr. McCall of Rushford, and Dr. Chase; opposed by Blanchard and Bartlett.

the county, lecturing on the subject of common schools, as he had given us reason to expect he would have done. Messrs. Reed, Barney, and Wygant were then appointed a committee to pre

resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting, which committee reported the following, which were adopted:

Resolved, That there is an inexcusable apathy manifested on the part of parents, to the condition and progress of their schools; and that we regard frequent visits to the school-room, as tending to encourage and create energy in both teacher and pupil.

Resolved, That a committee be appointed-pare
consisting of one from each town in the Northern
District of this county, to be designated a "Stan-
ding Committee on Text Books"-whose busi-
ness it shall be to examine the different new
works that are from time to time prepared by
different authors for the use of common schools
and that on or before the first day of January
in each year, said committee be requested to
present to the county superintendent a written
report of the result of their investigations
which report shall be further presented by the
officer whenever called for by a convention of the
superintendents of this district. Remarks by
Messrs. Rockafellow, Peck, Washburn, and
Walker. The following gentlemen constitute

said committee:

Resolved, That we regard public lectures, examinations, and celebrations, at which the children and teachers of different districts congregate, as productive of the best results to society, and the interests of Education.

Resolved, That Mr. Spencer be requested to invite Mr. Paige, of Albany, or any other competent person, to deliver a course of public lectures on the subject of education, in this part of the county during the present summer.

Allen, Rescum Dexter; Burns, Dr. C., D. Robinson; Birdsall, Wm. Matthews; Caneadea, Resolved, That we consider teaching a profesDr. Gilmore; Centreville, J. W. Earle; Eagle,sion; and the individual who engages in its sa Dr. D. W. Chase; Grove, Wm. L. Lowell; Gran- cred duties without so considering it, undergoing ger, Wm. M. Smith; Hume, Mr. Cowen; Nuna thorough discipline preparatory thereto, and da, Eliphal Maynard; N. Hudson, Charles C. while so engaged, devoting his whole time and Smith; Ossian, Wm. Lemon; Portage, Charles Bennett; Pike, Dr. Abbott; Rushford, D. W. energy to the work, is unworthy the confidence of

Leavens.

Resolved, That in our villages and densely populated neighborhoods where the system of consolidated districts and union schools can safely be carried into practical operation, its great util.

parents or school officers.

Resolved, That "Education" means something more than mere cultivation of the memory or intellect; it means to draw out all the faculties, physical and moral as well as intellectual; and that Nature should be studied as well as books.