pastor of that church, where he continued for twenty-three years, until he died. During the official life of her husband at at Washington, Mrs. Hutter's personal and mental attractions placed her high in social position, and when he entered the ministry she became an efficient helper in his work.

During the war of the Rebellion she frequently went to the front, rendering valuable service to the wounded and suffering. She was the first woman to go to Gettysburg after the great fight, receiving permission from President Lincoln and going in a special car. She took a con

spicuous part in the great Sanitary Fair, held in Philadelphia in 1861, and is credited with having collected $250,000 for that purpose. Among her many friends were Presidents Lincoln and Grant, Secretary Stanton, Governor Curtin, and other prominent men.

In 1867 she was appointed lady inspector of the Soldiers' Orphan Schools by Governor Geary, the only lady up to that time to receive such a commission. She continued to be inspector until 1886, when Mr. John Norris made his so-called investigation, and she was removed from office, along with Rev. J. W. Sayers. The magnificent vindication of Dr. Higbee, Mrs. Hutter, and Mr. Sayers, from the charge of mismanagement and neglect of these schools, is a matter of recent history.

Her greatest life work was the founding of the Northern Home for Friendless Children, in 1853, at Twenty-third and Brown streets, Philadelphia. Her tender devotion to that institution continued for forty-two years, until her death.

She was its first and only President, and through her energy the Home was soon filled with friendless children, who were kindly cared for until they graduated into self-sustaining fields of usefulness. Some of the inmates passed to West Point and Annapolis through Mrs. Hutter's influence, and are to-day holding places of distinction in the army and navy. Others are high in business and professional life. After the war a large number of soldiers' orphans were received and cared for by this Home in such a manner as to receive the commendation of the State Legislature, as well as the city of Philadelphia.

Few women had more devoted and grateful friends than Mrs. Hutter. She was the last of her immediate family, her brother, Colonel Jacob A. Shindel, City

February last. The funeral services were held at her late residence, 615 Race street, Philadelphia. They were conducted by Rev. Dr. W. M. Baum, of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, and were very largely attended. A delegation of little children from the Home was present and sang a number of hymns. The following graduates of the Soldiers' Orphan Schools acted as a guard of honor: Seward W. Jones, Elmer E. Brown, Frank W. Smith, Albert Contrier, Albert Wherry, S. G. B. Kinsloe, John D. Konold, and Edward T. Taylor.

OUR SCHOOLS.

IVE women teachers were sent from

report upon secondary schools for girls and instiutions for the training of women. Their reports have been published by Macmillan, and are well worth careful reading. The authors, says the Philadelphia Ledger, were chosen as representatives of the best training of expert teachers in England, and were therefore fully alive to the differences and the advantages and disadvantages of the American schools and those of that country. Each took a special subject and made a report on it, and together they enable us to see just how our schools look in the eyes of English teachers.

Some of the matters described are of course familiar enough here-for instance, that we have no national school system, such as exists abroad; but that education is a matter left altogether to the States, though there is a certain amount of uniformity in our schools, less perhaps than that enforced by central authority in Great Britain, France, Germany, and Switzerland.

One of these watchful observers lays stress on the systematic cultivation of the spirit of nationality fostered by national holidays, and on the admirable order and discipline that result from the freedom of behavior in school hours. Co-education is said to give girls more dignity, quiet, and self-possession, and to boys a wholesome restraint in their manners. The splendid provision made for our public schools in buildings and equipment, of course, calls forth praise from these watchful observers. The private schools in this country are reported to educate

about one-twelfth of the school population, and to be as good as any in the world. In our primary schools history of the United States is taught much better than English history in schools of the same grade abroad. American schools make more use of oral work; blackboards, maps, pictures, models, scientific collections, are necessities in America, luxuries in England. School libraries, laboratories, studios, gymnasiums, are found here and not abroad. The American pupils have more self-reliance, and a greater love of knowledge for its own sake rather than for the prizes which are made such an important part of all English school work.

One of the ladies who made this inspection thinks that not sufficient attention is given here to the development of the individual talents of a particular boy or girl, and that although ample provision is made for indoor gymnastics in girls' schools, there is almost complete neglect of out-door games and recreations.

The training of teachers naturally receives much attention in these useful little reports, especially so because England and America have both made great advances in the last few years, yet each country has gone to work in its own way, ignoring and neglecting hitherto any comparison with the methods of the other. Both have much to learn from each other, and a careful reading of the reports on this subject by Miss Bramwell and Miss Hughes ought to go a great way towards a better understanding of the needs of our own normal schools.

PERPETUAL BENEFACTION.

THE Young Men's Christian Association of Philadelphia has just received a magnificent gift, which opens to it the possibilities of enlarged usefulness and the organizing of new and valuable features of work. Mr. E. P. Dwight, a wellknown business man of the city, who has been for some years President of the Chester Steel Casting Company, and also connected with the Church of the Epiphany as a vestryman, has just conveyed to the Trustees of the Association his valuable farm, known as the "Dwight Place," situated within half a mile of Downingtown, Pa., and containing 465 A considerable part of the estate is rich land under cultivation, but there

acres.

are some three hundred acres of natural park or timber land. The place has a frontage of about three-quarters of a mile on the Brandywine creek, is supplied with water of exceptional purity, and has upon it at present three farm houses. A part of the estate terminates in a high bluff, overlooking the stream below and forming a picturesque feature of the landscape. It is on the main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and is accessible from the city to wheelmen, being a pleasant three hours' ride on the Lancaster pike. Thirty thousand dollars is a low estimate of the value of the property. This place Mr. Dwight has had in mind for more than a year to devote to some permanent and valuable work for boys and young men if he could find a suitable body of trustees to take charge of it. His intimate acquaintance with the work of the Christian Association has finally led him to present the property, free of debt, to the trustees, who have agreed to accept and use it in connection with the work in Philadelphia.

Its usefulness will probably be extended to all the associations of New York, Pennsylvania and the Eastern cities and also in co-operation with the churches of the city in their work for boys. So far as outlined at present, the following uses for the property are contemplated: It will first be made a camping ground and summer resort for the young men of the Association and the boys of their Junior Departments, as well as the Boys' Brigades of the churches. For such pur

poses it is an ideal spot. Then the Association will probably erect cottages and halls, so that the young men of the city can spend their vacations there under safe and pleasant surroundings at a very cheap rate. cheap rate. There will also be founded a Summer Institute for the training of Association secretaries, gymnasium instructors and workers-such an institute as the western associations find at Lake Geneva or the associations of New England in North Lubec, Maine. They are largely attended by Association men and their friends, and afford a pleasant resort to thousands. as well as practical instruction to large numbers desirous of entering the work. In time, with accumulation of means, it is probable that there will be added some permanent institute or school for the practical and literary instruction of deserving boys and young men, to be open throughout the year.

DISTRIBUTION OF THE STATE
APPROPRIATION.

BY law the warrants for appropriations for

common school purposes are issued in amounts designated by the State Treasurer, and whenever he notifies the Superintendent of Public Instruction in writing that there are sufficient funds in the State Treasury to pay the same. As soon as notice to this effect is received at the Department of Public Instruction, the warrants will be issued to the several School Districts in the order in which their annual reports have been received and filed. The appropriation that will be paid during the current year to all Districts whose schools have been kept open according to law, was made by the Legislature of 1893, and amounts to five and a half million dollars. The law requires that the distribution of this fund be made upon the basis of the number of resident taxables, as ascertained at the triennial assessment of the year 1892. Hence the amount that any district will receive will be the same as last year, except in townships from which new school districts were formed by the creation of boroughs, townships, or independent districts. Hence in the following districts there will be a change from last year, the amount to which the district is entitled being annexed after the name of the district, as follows:

Allegheny Chartiers Twp., $2,442.20; Patton, $1,024.60; Versailles Twp., $859.69. Beaver-Logstown, $402.58. Blair-Logan, $6,251.91.

Cambria-Barr, $704.08; Carroll, $1,012.34; Conemaugh Twp., $574.48; Stony Creek, $714.59; Susquehanna, $910.75; Upper Yoder, $1,040.36.

Chester-London Grove, $1,367.66; New Garden, $2,017.91.

Clinton-Allison, $419.24.

Delaware-Clifton Heights, $1,412.12; Upper Darby, $2,231.15; Ridley Twp., $2,167.60.

Fayette-Henry Clay, $1,001.66; Spring Hill, $1,491.84.

Huntingdon-Logan, $439.40. Indiana-Banks, $1,300.76. Jefferson-Winslow, $3,324.67. Lackawanna-Dickson City, $1,948.91; Lackawanna, $5,273.34; Old Forge, $2,898.75. Lancaster-Sadsbury, $1,081.92. Lehigh-Salisbury, $4,882.99. Northampton- Palmer, $2,722.49; Plainfield, $2,736.63.

Somerset-Addison,

$966.14.

$1,040.74; Paint,

Tioga-Liberty Twp., $1,242.35.
Washington-Allen, $696.19.
York-York Twp., $2,667.55.

Since the school appropriation requires for its payment half the revenue of the

Commonwealth, the State Treasurer will probably not get through with all the payments before the latter part of November; and the amount which the Superintendent of Public Instruction is permitted to send out during each week is determined by the funds at the disposal of the State Treasurer. The necessary delay in sending out the warrants is not due to any fault of the School Department.

SUPERINTENDENTS COMMISSIONED.

MISS AGNES KERR, of Tionesta, has been appointed to the office of County Superintendent of Forest County for the unexpired term of George W. Kerr, deceased. Miss Kerr was commissioned May 24, 1895.

Mr. H. H. Weber has been elected to the office of Superintendent of Schools for Borough of Middletown, Dauphin County, and has been commissioned.

Mr. James C. Houser was commissioned Superintendent of Schools of the borough of Danville, Montour county, June 8th, 1895. Salary, $1,233.33.

NORMAL SCHOOL DIPLOMAS.

THE decision of the question as to whether the two years of teaching by a graduate of a State Normal School in Pennsylvania before the Normal diploma can issue must be in Pennsylvania or may be in another State, will be of interest to many persons. The graduate must teach these two years in Pennsylvania. The following is the decision of Deputy Attorney-General Elkin :

Harrisburg, June 19, 1895.

HON. N. C. SCHAEFFER,

Sir: This Department is in receipt of your communication of the 14th inst., asking whether a second diploma, in the nature of certificate of competence in the practice of teaching, under the Act of May 20, 1857 (P. L. 586), should be granted to graduates of our State Normal Schools who, subsequent to graduation, have successfully taught two years in the common schools of another State.

This is a new question, and, so far as I am informed, has not been raised before, although the Normal School system has been in existence for more than thirty years. The Act of 1857 is entitled "An Act to provide for the due training of teachers for the common schools of the State." In section 10 of this act it is provided "That no certificate of competence in the practice of teaching shall be issued to the regular graduate of any of said Normal Schools, till after the expiration of two years from the date of graduation, and of two full annual

terms of actual teaching in the district or districts in which such graduate taught.' This provision does not expressly say that the two years of actual teaching must be in Pennsylvania, but it is the fair and reasonable interpretation of the entire act. The title is a part of the act, and must be construed with the rest of it so that the whole may stand together. Our laws can have no extra-territorial force. The Legislature of Pennsylvania cannot say what the teachers in the State of New York must do, but it can provide for the requirements of teachers in the common schools of this State. The Act of 1866 (P. L. 73 and 74) provides, inter alia:

"For each student, over seventeen years of age, who shall sign a written declaration, in the form prescribed by the superintendent of schools, that said student intends to teach in the common schools of the state, there shall be paid the sum of fifty cents per week towards the expenses of said student.

to each student, who during the school year, commencing on the first Monday of June, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, shall have graduated at any of the Normal Schools of the State, and who shall sign an agreement binding said student to teach in the common schools of the State two full years, there shall be paid the sum of fifty dollars."

From this and other legislation on the subject it clearly appears that our Normal School system is predicated upon the idea of training teachers for the common schools of Pennsylvania. For this purpose fifty cents per week are appropriated to every Normal School student who signifies his intention of teaching in our common schools, and fifty dollars are paid to every graduate who agrees to teach in the common schools of the State for a period of two years after graduation. The Commonwealth has appropriated a large sum of money for the support of the Normal School system, for the express purpose of training teachers for their work in her common schools. It is but just, then, that she should expect in return some service from the students thus aided. If those students go into other states to teach, Pennsylvania receives no direct benefit, although she has contributed liberally to their support. Of course, it is not within the power of the Legislature to prevent graduates of our Normal Schools from going into other States to teach; but it can say, by so doing they forfeit the advantages which the law confers upon those teachers who give their services to our own common schools.

I am of the opinion, therefore, that you should not accept the testimonial of the superintendent or school board of another State as evidence of the successful teaching required in the 10th Section of the Act of 1857. Very respectfully yours,

JNO. P. ELKIN, Deputy Attorney-General.

ITEMS FROM REPORTS.

ADAMS-Supt. Thoman: With the close of the public schools, select schools have been organized at Abbottstown, Littlestown, East Berlin, York Springs, Arendtsville, and Bendersville. These are all well attended. The School Board of McSherrytown contemplates the erection of a new school building, which is greatly needed, owing to the increase of population during the last ten years, making it the second largest town in the county.

BEAVER Supt. Hillman : During March and April fourteen examinations were held for common school graduation. Eighty-six pupils were recommended by their teachers and examined; of this number twenty-seven were successful and received certificates of graduation. The schools of Beaver observed Arbor Day. Primary school, No. 1, under the care of Miss Sarah French, arranged to plant a tree on the school grounds. All the other schools, including the High School, were invited to witness the ceremony. The County Superintendent addressed the teachers and pupils, commending their interest in the beauty and usefulness of trees.

BEDFORD-Supt. Potts: Commencements were the feature of the month's work; crowded houses at Bedford, Saxton, Hyndman, Everett, and Woodbury. The year's work has never been equalled in attendance and interest manifested.

BLAIR-Supt. Wertz: A large number of our teachers are attending different Normal Schools of the state. Schools for the benefit of teachers have been opened at Martinsburg, Roaring Spring, and Williamsburg. Each school is well attended. A growing interest in education is noticeable throughout the county.

BUCKS-Supt. Slotter: Northampton enlarged the grounds at one of the school houses. The annual meeting of the School Directors' Association, held May 25th, was well attended, twenty-eight districts being represented. Thirty districts reported on the work of the schools for the term, all of which were most encouraging. The Directors of Perkasie borough are arranging to build two more rooms, to be ready for use at the opening of the schools next September. The Bensalem Directors adopted a course of study for their schools.

CHESTER-Supt. Walton: The local institute at Strafford emphasized another important step. The people were in favor of a consolidation of school facilities, and the School Board decided to transport the children from a growing district to the graded schools at Strafford. We are watching this experiment in Chester county with an unusual degree of interest.

Clearfield-Supt. Youngman: Du Bois is building an addition to the 4th Ward school-house to contain four rooms, and in the 3d Ward a large new house of six rooms, -the first at a cost of $8,000, the second

$16,000. There is a prospect of many new schools for the coming year.

FOREST-Supt. Agnes Kerr: During this month the educational interests of the county suffered a sad and severe loss in the death of Geo. W. Kerr, our beloved Superintendent. Up to within two weeks of his death he had been in his usual good health. Oh, how robust and strong he was! Though everything possible was done for him, he passed peacefully away on May 10th, at the age of forty-two. His magnetic good-nature endeared him to everybody. To be displeased at anything he said or did, it was necessary to keep away from him-so great was his power to charm and win. He was a born leader of men; a man of excellent judgment; and probably exerted a greater influence in his county during the last ten years than any other man. As a politician, he was open and frank; as an educator, able and sensible. How the children loved him! His last work was a written list of the utterances of Christ on the cross, which he prepared for his Sundayschool class and sent with a friend, he having been taken ill before the hour of meeting. (Written by a friend.)

JUNIATA-Supt. Marshall: The Directors of Beale have purchased new furniture for the Pine Grove school house. This makes it possible for me to report that every house in Juniata is now supplied with patent furniture. Our schools closed with satisfactory results. Quite a number of our teachers are attending school for their own improvement. The spring term of Mifflin Academy, Prof. J. H. Dysinger principal, opened with a good attendance, Prof. Dysinger deserves praise for his success in raising this almost lifeless institution to the high position it now occupies. The Tuscarora Academy, with Miss May Rodney as principal, is doing a good work for the cause of education in Juniata county. The Tuscarora Board has contracted for the building of a new brick school-house and the repairing of two. LEBANON-Supt. Snoke: Commencement exercises were held at Myerstown, Annville, and Cornwall; total number of graduates, thirty. The classes were addressed by Prof. E. W. Chubb, A. S. Light, Esq., and Rev. Warren Johnson. The graduates acquitted themselves creditably.

MIFFLIN-Supt. Cooper: The month of May furnishes but little to report concerning the progress of schools. Preparations for our summer school are being made. Prof. W. W. Deatrick, of Kutztown, will be one of our instructors; he is an earnest scholar and will do good work for our teachers. We hope to have a full attendance of teachers and others. The Reedsville School Board is debating the propriety of building a new school-house; it is certain that more room is needed.

NORTHAMPTON-Supt. Hoch: Taking all things into consideration, we had a very successful school year. As a result of the

examinations a number of graduates received the common school diploma. I examined the gradnating classes of the grammar schools of Pen Argyl, East Bangor and Chapmans, and assisted in the final examinations of the Bangor High School. The classes reflected great credit upon their teachers. I visited the East Stroudsburg aud Kutztown Normal Schools, spending two days at each place. Both schools are crowded with students and are doing excellent work.

NORTHUMBERLAND

- Supt. Shipman: Chillisquaque township has been divided, thus forming one new school district. The School Board of Shamokin has chosen a site for a new school house to be built of brick. The new four-room house to be built in Dalmatia Independent district will be constructed with all the modern improvements in ventilation and heating. The year's work has ended with results gratifying alike to patrons, teachers, and school officers.

PERRY-Supt. Arnold: The principal events of the month were the Commencement exercises of our High Schools. At Millerstown a class of seven was graduated; at Liverpool, five; at Marysville, seven; at Newport, four; and at Duncannon, eight. Very interesting addresses were made by Dr. N. C. Schaeffer at Liverpool, and Dep. Supt. Henry Houck at Newport. Great interest was manifested in these exercises, and they reflected much credit upon the schools of the towns in which they were held. A number of school houses will be erected this year in difierent parts of the county.

PIKE-Supt. Sawyer: The Matamoras and Milford graded schools will each send out a class of graduates this spring. Blooming Grove and Shohola districts will continue their usual plan of holding school during the warm weather; this brings their term to an end about January 11th, or earlier.

SOMERSET Supt. Berkey: The school year closed by this report has been a very satisfactory one. The full benefit of free text-books and supplies has been made manifest in the increased attendance of pupils and the more effective work done in the schools. The grading of all the schools has been fully accomplished.

UNION-Supt. Johnson: Commencement exercises were held by the Cowan Grammar School and the Lewisburg and Mifflinsburg High Schools, the total number of graduates being thirty-six. The exercises throughout were highly satisfactory. I take pleasure in saying that none of the above schools have in any way retrograded. Thus the good work goes on.

BRADDOCK-Supt. Keefer: On Tuesday evening, May 28th, our High School graduated a class of ten, three boys and seven girls. The patrons of the school were very highly pleased with the exercises. Rev. J. A. Burnett, of Wilkinsburg, preached the Baccalaureate sermon on the Sunday