Educational Entelligence.

CANADA.

Eastern District Common Schools, 1849.-Compiled from the Report of the District to the Chief Superintendent of Schools: No. of Schools, 161; average time open by qualified teachers, 9 months each amount paid Teachers, £4,643 Is. 44d.: No. of Pupils, 7,082-of boys, 3,951-of girls, 3,131; average attendance of pupils in Summer, 4,508-of boys, 2,576-of girls, 1,932; in winter, 4,347-of boys, 2,576of girls. 1,771; No. of children of school age, 13,831; Common School Libraries. 1; Vols. therein, 36; Sunday School do., 11; Vols. therein 1,235 Public do., 1; Vols. therein, 100; total libraries, 13: total Vols. therein, 1,371: School visits by Supt., 170; by Clergymen, 113; by Councillors, 63; by Magistrates, 142; other visits, 264; total visits, 752; No. of Academies and District Grammar Schools, 2; pupils therein, 30; Private Schools, total Educational Establishments, 163; total pupils therein, 7,112. The Superintendent observes, that "many of the Schools, from causes which you may well understand, are in a very low state, still the number of good schools is rapidly on the increase; and the people are beginning to appreciate the talents of a Normal Scholar or an able Teacher. Let me here state, as beyond all doubt, that although we may have alterations and changes in school matters, nothing short of the Free School system will truly uplift the country; and this would, I am confident, do it in a few years. The time for this great work is now come and I hope it will not be lost by any false step or more useless experiment. You will be happy to learn that I have sent a reply to the Government Circular strongly in favour of your late Circular, and more especially the system of Free Schools."

Town of Cornwall Common Schools, 1849.-Compiled from the Report of the Board of Trustees to the Chief Superintendent:-No. of Schools, 6; average time open by qualified Teachers, 10 months each; amount paid Teachers, £183 Cs. 34d; No of Pupils, 304-of boys, 154of girls, 15); Average attendance of pupils in Summer, 188-of boys, 93-of girls, 95; in winter, 165-of boys, 95-of girls, 70; No. of Children of School age, 356; Common School Libraries, -; Sunday School do., 3; Vols. therein, 200; Public Libraries, -; School visits by Supt, 11 by Clergymen, 96; by Councillors, 5; by Magistrates, 1; other visits, 13; total visits, 126. No Superior or Private Schools reported. The Superintendent states,-" Agreeable to your Circular of the 19th of December, last, it has been deemed advisable for the present, to continue the School Trustees of last year; and to adopt the present system of managing the Schools."

Town of Prescott Common Schools, 1849.-Compiled from the Report of the Board of Trustees to the Chief Superintendent:-No. of Schools, 4; average time open by qualified Teachers, 8 months each; amount paid Teachers, £176 8s. 04d.; No. of Pupils 259-of boys, 167— of girls, 92: Average attendance of pupils in Sunmer, 226-of boys, 144 -of girls, 82; in winter, 238-of boys, 153-of girls 85; No. of Children of School age, 450; Common School Libraries, ; Sunday Schools do. ; Public Libraries, 1; Vols. therein, 200; School visits by Supt., ; by Clergymen, 10; by Councillors, - by Magistrates, --; other visits 4; total visits, 25. No Superior Schools reported. Private Schools, 13: Pupils therein, 50; total Educational Establishments, 7; total Pupils therein, 309.

Town of Picton Common Schools, 1849.-Compiled from the Report of the Board of Trustees to the Chief Superintendent :-No. of Schools, 4; average time open by qualified teachers, 10 months each; amount paid teachers, £76 8s. 6d.; No. of Pupils, 265-of boys, 140-of girls, 125; Average attendance of Pupils in Summer, 114-of boys, 54 of girls, 60; in winter, 146-of boys, 76-of girls, 70; No. of Children of School age, 493; Common School Libraries, do., 1: Vols. therein, 200; Public Libraries, Supt., ; by Clergymen, 4; by Councillors,

-

; Sunday School

; School visits by ; by Magistrates,

2 other visits, 13; total visits, 19: No. of Academies and District Grammar Schools, 2: Pupils therein, 28; Private Schools, 5; Pupils therein, 209; total Educational Establishments, 11; total Pupils therein, 502.

Wellington District Common Schools, 1849.-Compiled from the Report of the District to the Chief Superintendent:-No. of Schools, 113; average time open by qualified Teachers, months each; amount paid Teachers. £3,68 4s. 1d.; No. of Pupils 6,975-of boys, 3,985-of girls, 2,990; Average attendance of Pupils in Summer, 2,943-of boys, 1,636 of girls, 1,307; in winter, 3,762-of boys, 2,278--of girls, 1,490; No. of Children of School age, 12,547; Common School Libraries, 2: Vols. therein, 583. No other libraries reported. School visits

by Supt., 89 by Clergymen, 267: by Councillors, 49; by Magis trites, 38; other visits, 292; total visits, 735; Academies and District Grammar Schools, 2; Pupils therein, 40; Private Schools, 6; Pupils therein, 168; total Educational Establishments, 121; total Pupils therein, 7,183. The Superintendent observes :-"As the great advantage attending Free Schools is every day becoming more apparent (as an instance, in the village of Preston, the school having increased from 25 to 110 on becoming free) it might deserve consideration whether Trustees should not be imperatively required to tax the Section to the extent of at least twice the amount of the School Grant."

London District Common Schools, 1849.-Compiled from the Report of the District to the Chief Superintendent:-No. of Schools, 220: average time open by qualified Teachers, 8 months each; amount paid Teachers, £5,538 9s. 104d.; No. of Pupils: 9,263-of boys, 4,840-of girls, 4,423; Average attendance of Pupils in Summer, 4,096-of boys, 2,345-of girls, 1,751; in winter, 4,477-of boys, 2,649-of girls, 1,828; No. of Children of School age, 16,547; Common School Libraries - Sunday School do., 36; Vols. therein, 3,179; Public Libraries, --School visits by Supt., 194; by Clergymen, 95; by Councillors, 62: by Magistrates, 49; other visits, 377; total visits, 777; Academies and District Grammar Schools, 3; Pupils therein, 45; Private Schools, 2; Pupils therein, 30; total Educational Establishments, 225; total Pupils therein, 9,338. The Superintendent remarks :—“I regard the Normal School as one of the most potent agencies we have for the improvement of the Schools. The increased number of valuable Teachers sent forth from the Institution-the enlightenment of the public mind as to the advantages of education are two powerful agencies for the advancement of our schools which are in successful progression: and I hope the abolition of the present system of Rate-bill and the substitution of something better will soon form a third. As to the School Act of last Session, if I may venture to announce the feelings of the Trustees and others officially interested, I would say that it is not regarded very favourably. My own opinion is, that a less sweeping alteration of the late Act, yet so as to have made its provisions harmonize with the new Municipal Institutions, would have been enough. This being the last official Report, which I am likely to have the honour to transmit in connexion with the Schools of the county, I will add, that I can look back over nearly five years of official experience and observe a decided improvement in the Schools of this county and in the public mind in reference to them. For instance the numerous local disputes which were once so destructive to the progress of the schools are now comparatively hushed. No one is now heard to contend against the ordinary taxation in support of the Schools. Better supplies of the National Books are provided: and a greater number of well-informed and useful Teachers are at work. Of course, I must refer to the old exception, that much, very much remains to be done; but it is at least gratifying to observe that there has been an advancement upon the right side. And perhaps I may be permitted, upon this occasion, to express my high opinion of the ability with which the Educational interests of the Province at large have been presided over; and to acknowledge the attention with which my official communications with the Department have been received."

Town of Port Hope Common Schools, 1849.-Compiled from the Report of the Board of Trustees to the Chief Superintendent :-No. of Schools, 4 Time open by qualified Teachers, 12 months each; amount paid Teachers, £211 138. 4d.; No. of Pupils, 195-of boys, 142of girls, 53: Average attendance of Pupils in Summer, 113--of boys, 74 --of girls, 39; in winter, 127--of boys, 86--of girls, 41; No. of Children of School age, 492. No Libraries of any kind reported. School visits by Supt., 16. No other School visits reported. No Superior Schools reported. No. of Private Schools, 4; No. of Pupils therein, 70: total Educational Establishments, 8; total Pupils therein, 265. The Superintendent remarks, "I am happy to say that the Schools are considerably improved. The Board of Trustees are still acting; and as far as I know, the Teachers, Town Council, and parties interested in the Educational interests of Port Hope are desirous that the Board be continued."

Town of St. Catharines Common Schools, 1849.—Compiled from the Report of the Board of Trustees to the Chief Superintendent:No. of Schools. 6: Time open by qualified Teacher, 9 months each; amount paid Teachers, £326 10s. 6d.; No. of Pupils, 437-of boys, 261of girls, 176; Average attendance of Pupils in Summer, 229--of boys, 142 of girls, 87; in winter, 169--of boys, 98--of girls, 62; No. of Children of School age, 889. None but six Sunday School Libraries reported; No. of Volumes 600. School visits by Supt., 17; by Clergymen, 6; by Councillors, -- by Magistrates, 5; other visits, 30 total visite, 58. Academies, 1; Pupils therein, 40: Private Schools, 10; Pupils therein, 300; total Educational Establishments, 17; total Pupils therein, 777,

Common School Examinations.-We learn from the local papers of the very gratifying Examinations which have lately been held of the following Schools :-

Grantham, S. Section, No. 1.--Mr. T. Keys, lately of the Normal School, Teacher. J. G. Stevenson, Esq., Township Superintendent, in the Chair. The Trustees, the parents, and a number of ladies and gentlemen present as spectators. The branches in which the classes were examined, were Reading, Spelling, Writing, English Grammar, Geography, Arithmetic, Book-Keeping, and the rudiments of general history, in all of which the Examination was highly creditable both to teacher and pupils, and gratifying to all present. After the Examination, Mr. Stevenson delivered an appropriate address; the Trustees and parents of the pupils then expressed their entire satisfaction with the progress that the pupils had made, and with the system followed by Mr. Keys, their teacher.

Willoughby, S. Section, No. 7, Mr. R. Morrison, Teacher. The Examination commenced at 10 o'clock, A. M. The pupils answered with much readiness the different questions in Geography, English Grammar, Arithmetic, &c. At half-past 3 o'clock P. M., the examination closed, and the company retired until 7 in the evening, when a great many additional spectators assembled. The teacher having made a few remarks the pupils recited many short pieces, together with several dialogues, which were performed in a manner very pleasing to all present. Many appropriate, and well selected pieces of music were sung during the evening.

Grimsby, S. Section, No. 11.-Present to the Teacher.—An interesting correspondent writing to the Mail says:-When I arrived in sight of "Science Hall," 1 found carriages lining both sides of the way. On entering I found the place filled with pupils, ladies and gentlemen. The examinations on Physiology and Natural Philosophy were highly creditable. The same character, I am told, distinguished the examinations in Grammar, Arithmetic, and Geography. During the exercises the audience was gratified with Music, from a juvenile choir connected with the school, which had been taught by Mr. Roberts. Pieces of Composition were read by the females; and declamatory pieces by the boys. After the exercises, the Teacher called upon the Superintendent, Dr. Wolverton, to address the school. In his remarks, Dr. Wolverton noticed the great progress the school had made since he last visited it. He admired the zeal, and energy which had characterized the Teacher, the Trustees and supporters of the school. Mr. Roberts in his remarks contrasted the present active system of education with the old one. The writer then addressed the school, and showed the security of an educated community against error. Infidelity itself was harmless amidst a morally and religiously instructed people. At the close, one of the Trustees, J. P. Bridgman, Esq., came forward with a large, well-finished Bible-cost $7-purchased by the supporters of the school, to present to the esteemed Teacher. The entire examination, with but one exception, bore a serious character; in fact such a one I never witnessed. The hidden fountain of many hearts both of parents and children was opened. Parents were moved from two causes,-1st, on seeing their children acquit themselves so nobly, and 2nd, from the thought of having soon to part with one who has laboured so indefatigably and successfully for their offspring. Children wept, because the relation which had existed so happily between them, and their affectionate instructress, was soon to be sundered. Thus ended an interesting examination.

Dumfries West, S. Section, No. 25.-Mr. Alex. McClelland, Teacher. Before the Superintendent, Trustees and others. There were 64 pupils present-24 more than last year. They were examined in the qual branches. The Superintendent, Mr. Allan, briefly addressed the Teacher and the Scholars, s'ating that the examination was highly creditable to the scholars, and to the skill and ability of the Teacher.

Guelph, S. Sections, No. 2 and No. 8.—Mr. Blake and Mr. Hough, Teachers. The late examinations in these schools, conducted by the Superintendent, were very satisfactory indeed.

Bytown. Miss Fraser's Select School.-Judging from the happy faces of the children- the pleased and grateful manner of the parents -the dignified, confident demeanour of the feachers, and the approving emiles of the observers,-the happy effects of the impulse given to female education in this place by the mild persuasive systematic course adopted in the school were evident. The children went through their examination with much credit. We observed among those present, the Superintendent of Common Schools, several Clergymen, and Gentlemen.— [B. Packet, 30th March.

County of Middlesex Teachers' Association.-A meeting of Teachers for the purpose of forming an association, was held pursuant to requisition, in the new school-house of London, on Saturday the 6th inst. Mr. Nicholas Wilson was called to the chair, and Mr. Peter Murtagh appointed Secretary. Mr. Robert Wilson addressed the meeting on the importance and utility of Teachers' Associations; he pointed out their

beneficial influence on Common School Education in a lucid manner, and concluded by moving the adoption of the following resolution :-"That it is expedient to form a Teachers' Association for the County of Middlesex, and that the Teachers present at this meeting should originate the same." A constitution having been submitted and adopted, the following officers were appointed:-Mr. R Wilson, President; Mr. D. Y. Hoit, VicePresident; Mr. T. Ferguson, Recording Secretary; Mr. P. Murtagh, Corresponding Secretary; Mr. Watters, Librarian and a Committee of fifteen. The following Resolutions were then adopted :-1. "That the present School Act is too prolix, too intricate and too incomprehensible for the management of school affairs, and that, in the opinion of this Association, an amended School Bill is urgently required." 2. "That this Association forthwith petition the Legislature, praying that a clause be introduced into the proposed amendment to the present School Act, to the effect that none but practical Teachers be legally qualified to fill the office of Superintendent of Schools for Towns or Counties." 3. "That Teachers' salaries should be paid quarterly and that the Government appropriation should be available in the beginning of the second quarter of every year.” 4. That Schools supported entirely by property taxation would be better attended and much more effective than those supported by rate-bill." 5. "That this Association considers it the duty of Township Councils to erect or cause to be erected near every School-house a comfortable residence for the accommodation of the Teachers." 3. "That the Journal of Education is entitled to the warmest support of every friend of popular instruction, and that Teachers should by every neans in their power extend its circulation, and thereby promote its greater utility." [7. Thanks to local Editors.] 8. Copy of proceedings to be forwarded to local papers "and also to the Editor of the Journal of Education, with a request that they insert the same in their journals." 9. "That the Association do now adjourn until the 11th of May next, to meet again in the same place at the hour of 12 o'clock."

The assembly broke up after the committee of management had selected the following members to prepare Essays to be read at the adjourned: meeting, viz:-"The Importance of Linear Drawing as a branch of Common School Instruction"-Mr. R. Wilson. Vocal Music, its utility in Schools"-Miss M. Haigh. "Mnemotechay, or the Art of Memory”— Mr. T. Ferguson. "The Proper Management and Government of Schools" Mr. Lancaster.-[Condensed from Report transmitted.

Worthy of Imitation.-J. A. Carman, Esq., the munificent founder of the Dundas Seminary in Matilda, has written to the Rev. A. Dick, Superintendent of Common Schools for that Township, stating that he will place in that gentleman's hands, next January, a prize of £12 10s. to be awarded as follows:-To the Teacher of the best and most efficiently managed School in the Township, £; to the Trustees of the same, in apparatus, £2; to the Teacher of the second best, do. do. £4; to the Trustees of the same, in apparatus, £l 10s. The time which said Teachers shall have taught in this Township, in the year 1850, shall not be less than eight months; and the Trustees shall not be entitled to the award, unless their school shall have been taught six months, in the year 1850, by the Teacher who may receive the award. The prize to be annual, provided the experiment proves satisfactory. Geo. Brouse, Esq., has also promised a similar prize on the same conditions. Wm. Elliot, Esq., has further pledged himself to give a prize of the same amount to the writer of the "The most best essay (who must also be a Teacher in the Township,) on effective and best method of teaching Common Schools." In communicating these encouragements to exertion to the Trustees and Teachers of the Townships, Mr Dick adds, "You will also receive the Journal of Education for the present year, through the liberality of Jacob Brouse, Esq., Townreeve, and George Brouse, Esq., Councillor. It will remain the property of the several School Sections, each receiving one number monthly, and ought to be carefully preserved.-You may expect a visit and lecture from me in the month of July." At the close of the gratifying examination of the Dundas Grammar School, of which Mr. Dick is Principal, Mr. Albert Carman, a pupil, delivered a very elegant address "On Education," which has been published.

Chief Superintendent at Niagara.-On Monday evening the Chief Superintendent of Education delivered a most interesting Lecture in the Court House, before the Mechanics' Institute and others, on the subject of General History. He spoke upwards of two hours extemporaneously. We have heard expressions of regret that the Doctor's engagements did not permit him to carry out his original intention of giving three successive lectures on the same subject.-[Mail, 27th March.

Richmond Hill Grammar School.-A meeting has been held on the 23rd ult., to promote the establishment of a Grammar School at Richmond Hill. A site has been granted and part of the money subscribed.

We are happy to learn that at the College at Chambly, measures are about to be adopted to ensure scientific Agricultural education. A

farm of 54 acres attached to the College, will be cultivated on the best principles, and Agricultural Chemistry will be carefully studied. This arrangement, we understand, is to take effect on the 1st of May next.[Montreal Gazette.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Students in the British Universities.-Returns were lately presented to Parliament respecting the number of students entered annually in the books of each College or Hall within the Universities of Cambridge and Dublin, during the last five years. At Oxford University the number entered in 1845 was 438; in 1846, 410, in 1847, 406; 1848, 411; and in 1849, 440. At Cambridge the number entered were-in 1844, 533; in 1845, 527; in 1846, 560 in 1847, 515; in 1848, 499. At Trinity College, Dublin, the numbers were, in the five years ending the 2th of July last, 1845, 366; 1846, 358; 1847, 371; 1848, 333; and in 1849,327.

Lord Brougham has been re-elected President of University College, London.

Sheriff Gordon has been elected Lord Rector of the University of Aberdeen, by a majority of seventy-two over Thomas Carlyle.

Munificent.-Mr. Beaufoy, a large distiller, has, at his sole expense, erected in Lambeth, at a cost of upwards of £3000, a building, covering an area of 1230 scuare yards, calculated to afford ample room for the instruction of 1000 children.

Retrograde.-Several of the best institutions for education, established by Ibrahim Pacła, have been deprived of the funds appropriated to their support, and several of the professors from abroad have been obliged to leave.-[Cor. N. Y. Comnercial Advertiser.

Education in New South Wales..-From Jenkin's "Exploring Expeditions" just published & Auburn, N. Y.-A most commendable interest is manifested in the establishment of Schools, Colleges and literary Societies; and the Government has liberally extended to them its fostering care, As early as 1817, one-eighth of the revenue of the Colony was set apart for educational purposes. Large tracts of land were also given to female orphan Schools, and a portion, consisting of 50 or 100 acres allotted to each orphan. Schools were likewise founded for the civilization and education of the natives. In 1838, the number of scholars attending the public Schools, to the support of which Government contributed over £12,000, was nearly 4,000; and there were upwards of 1,800 scholars attending private Schools. There were three Collegiate Institutions at the same time, which were well attended: King's School at Paramatta, and Sydney College, and Australian College a. Sydney.

UNITED STATES.

Agricultural College,-State of New-York. The select committee of the Assembly appointed to consider the subject of establishing an Agricultural College and Experimental Farm, made a report accompanied by a Bill for the establishment of such an Institution. The Bill provides for a college, with a farm attached, to be under the care of fifteen trustees, one from each judical district of the State; the trustees to meet in June next, and organize, locate the college, buy and stock the farm, erect the buildings, fix on a course of studies, plan of labour, terms of admission, &c. The Bill authorizes the State Comptroller to borrow $100,000 for the purposes of the college. The cost of the establishment of the college, including the purchase of a farm of 600 acres, is computed at $93,000--the farm to be cultivated by the labour of the scholars, who are to be employed four hours a-day in practical agriculture, in all its various branches. The branches of education to be pursued at the school are natural philosophy, practical chemistry, particularly as applicable to the analysis of soils and marures; geology and mineralogy, botany and horticulture, mathematics, engineering, and practical surveying, the principles of rural cultivation, and the veterinary art. The annual expense for each scholar admitted, to be $100, which will include tuition, board, washing, fuel, and lights.

Schools in Baltimore.-The whole number of schools now in operation in the city of Baltimore is twenty-nine. The whole number of scholars attending these during the past pear was 6,763, and the whole number of teachers 107, of whom 32 were males and 75 females. penditure during the past year amounted to $59,608 53, being $2,154 04 less than the expenditures of the previous year.

The ex

Free Schools in Louisiana.-The free school law of Louisiana is working well. The State is divided into 692 districts; 618 have schools, attended by 22,000 children. The fund is only half as large as it should be, and the Governor recommends its increase.

Education in Wisconsin.-Wisconsin has the basis of a munificent school-fund. It consists of a domain equal to 2231 square miles, there being 1,500 towns one mile square, in each of which is devoted to this object and besides this, 7814 sections were given by Congress, at the admission of the State into the Union, making in all, 1,460,000 acres, which is valued at $170 per acre, giving a fund of $2,482,000. In addition. to this, all property that may accrue to the State by escheat or forfeiture, and the money received for fines, are to be added to the fund. The constitution requires that each town shall raise annually by tax for the support of common schools, a sum not less than half the amount received from the fund. It is thought the amount for distribution in 1851 will be about $106,878, and that the number of children will be this year about 100,000; which will average more than $1 a scholar. Teachers' Institutes have beer. established in every county in the State, with one exception. There were 25 organized counties and 316 towns, in which there are 1430 school districts, and in 50 towns not reported, 350 districts. The teaching averages 9.93 months. The average wages of teachers is $15.23 for males, and $6.92 for females. The valuation of school houses is $75,810.75--number of brick 26, stone 26, frame 294, log 359. The highest valuation of any house is $5,000, and the lowest 75 cents. Number of select and private schools 94, and of incorporated academies 2.--[Newark Advertizer. Normal School in Michigan.-The State of Michigan has appropriated twenty-five sections of salt lands for the establishment and endowment of a Normal School, to be located at Ypsilanti. These lands the Detroit Tribune says are very valuable, and will readily command a market. The School is to commence about the first of November next. Each county will be permitted to send every year three times as many students as they have representatives in the Legislature. This school will be the first of the kind established west of the State of New-York.

Literary and Scientific Entelligence.

Curious Book.A work has lately made its appearance in London which may be ranked among the curiosities of literature. It is entitled " Biographical Bibliography, or a Dictionary of 26,000 works, ancient and modern. relating to the History of the Public and Private Life of celebrated men of all Times and of all Nations, from the Beginning of the World to our Days." It is dedicated to Alexander Von Humboldt, as the "Premier connétable of scientific Europe." This work is the fruit of twelve years' labour, the exploration of twenty great libraries, and of 10,000 catalogues It is a tall quarto, of nearly 800 pages. If "Hisfavourably received, the author intends to bring out as a sequel torical Biography, to contain all the monographs relating to the people and countries of the universe."

A Book written in Human Blood.-At a late sale in Paris a characteristic souvenir of the Reign of Terror was exposed and sold for £62 10s. It consisted of a manuscript copy of the "Contrat Social," written in aristocratic blcod, and bound in human skin!-the product of the tannery once established in the Palace of Meudon, and a present to the Mayor of that place from the workmen.

The Library of the Vatican, was commenced fourteen hundred years ago. It contains 40,000 manuscripts, among which are some by Pliny, St. Thomas, St. Charles, Barromeo, and many Hebrew, Syriac, Arabian and Armenian Bibles. The whole of the immense buildings forming the Vatican, are filled with statues found beneath the ruins of ancient Rome, with paintings by the masters, and with curious medals and antiquities of almost every description. When it is known that there have been exhumed more than 70,000 statues from the ruined temples and palaces of ancient Rome, the reader can form some idea of the richness of the Vatican. The Vatican will ever be held in veneraRaffaelle and Michael tion by the student, the artist, and the scholar. Angelo are enthroned there, and their throne will be as durable as the love of beauty and genius in the hearts of their worshippers.

Origin of the Ottoman Empire.-Towards the close of the 13th century, that is to say, at the very moment when the election of a Swiss Knight to the Germanic throne was laying the foundations of the Imperial house of Austria-events of equal singularity were preparing the seat of the rival Cæsars for the progeny of a Turkish freebooter. The Asiatic Continent, from its central highlands to the shores of the Mediterranean, had been utterly convulsed by the tremendous irruptions of ZENGIS KHAN; and in the course of the subsequent commotions, a Turkoman Chief, named ORTOGRAL from the banks of the Oxus, found himself wanA service dering on the hills of Anatolia, at the head of 400 families. which he accidentally rendered to a native prince, was acknowledged by a grant of land; and the estate was soon expanded into a respectable territory by the talents which had originally acquired it. The inheritance of ORTOGRAL devolved in 1289, upon his son, OSMAN, or OTHMAN, who, at the death, in 1999, of his patron, the SULTAN of Iconium, no longer

hesitated to proclaim his independent sovereignty. Such was the origin of the house of Othman. The name is a vernacular epithet of the royal vulture, and signifies a "bone-breaker."—" Turkey and Christendom." in a late Edinburgh Review.

A Lunar Daguerreotype of the Moon's suface has at length been obtained; although hitherto, scientific men deemed it impossible to obtain one. Five have recently been taken by Mr. 3. D. Humphrey, of Canandaigua, N. Y., with a half-size American camera, on a medium plate. The first was obtained by an exposure of two minutes, the camera remaining permanent. During this short interval the Earth had moved forward so rapidly, that the figure of the moon was elongated to an oval shape. On the fourth picture, obtained in three seconds, the representation was strikingly clear and distinct. The figure was round, and the representation so perfect that its appearance under a microscope resembled the full moon as seen through a telescope. These pictures, which were exhibited at the American Cambridge Scientific Association, Dec. 1849, conclusively show that lunar light possesses the chemical principle, or force, in a high degree; and it is to this source that we may reasonably attribute its supposed action in producing phosphorescence and other changes in animal or vegetable substances.

Velocity of Light determined by Actual Experiment.—A very ingenious method of determining the velocity of light has lately been contrived by a French philosopher, M. Fizeau : Two telescopes are placed some miles apart, but so that the image of the object glass of each is formed in the focus of the other. A glass at an angle of 45° in the first telescope, sends the light, admitted through the side of the telescope, towards the second, where it is reflected directly back from a mirror placed in the focus, to be viewed at the first telescope. A disc with 720 teeth was placed in front of the first telescope so as to close and admit the passage of the light alternately. This disc is moved by clock work. It is evident that, when the ray escaping by the aperture returns after reflection to find a tooth in front of the object glass, no light will be seen. The first eclipse took place when the disc was revolving at the rate of 12 6-10ths revolutions per second with a double velocity, the point again shone out, was eclipsed with a triple rapidity, reappeared with a quadruple one and so on. The result agrees remarkably with the velocity assigned by astronomical observation, being 192,000 miles per second.

Ancient Monuments in the Island of Nicaragua, Central America. -The Hon. E. G. Squier has lately furnished to the American Ethnological Society a most interesting account of ancient monuments discovered by him in the Islands of Nicaragua. He says "they are very different from those discovered by Mr. Stephens at Copan. Instead of the heavy and incongruous mass of ornament with which those were loaded, most of these are simple and severe, and though not always elaborately finished, are cut with great freedom and skill. There is no attempt at drapery in any of the figures. Some are erect, some seated, and others are in crouching or reclining postures. One which our men called "Gordo," "the fat," might pass for one of Hogarth's beerdrinkers petrified. He is seated, or rather thrown back in his seat, with an air of the most intense abdominal satisfaction. The material, in every case, is a black basalt. The figures are supposed to represent deities of the Aztec Pantheon, and bear a striking resemblance to the symbolical heads in the ancient Mexican ritual. These monuments, like those of Copan, do not seem to have been originally placed upon the teocalli, but erected around their bases. These teocalli are composed wholly of stones, but uncemented and in their rough state.

Imitative Galvanism.-To imitate the combination requisite to produce galvanic action: use a solution of ferrocyanate of potash, a compound of iron, nitrogen, carbon, and potash, with a little alkali for one side; a solution of the red ferrocyanate for the other side, and connect the two with a solution of chloride of sodium, or common salt.

How Chronometers are tried at Greenwich.-They are ranged round "the Chronometer Room" the first or second week in January, and each is daily compared with an astronomical clock, and its rate carefully noted. This is continued until the middle of July, during which time the temperature of the room is considerably varied: the windows are opened during six or seven weeks of the coldest period, and for about the same time the heat is raised 80 or 90° by fires, which are attended at intervals of two hours night and day. For an extreme trial, an iron tray is provided for such chronometers as are to be rested over the stove, the mean temperature being about 100 Fahrenheit, and for the cold, they are placed outside a window on the north side of the building.

An Incident in Artic Navigation.-As extraordinary public interest is now being felt in the fate of the heroic Franklin, an extract from a recent paper in the United Service Journal, illustrative of the extreme danger of that sort of navigation in which it is to be feared, like the ill-fated President, the Erebus and Terror have mysteriously perished, may be interesting: "While the Hecla was struggling with accumulated perils, the Fury was continually grazed, and sometimes heeled over by a degree of pressure, which those unacquainted with

Artic Navigation would be unable to conceive. A heavy floe, some miles in length, drove fast down upon the ships; in a few minutes it came in contact at the rate of 1 miles an hour, with a point of land ice, breaking it up with a tremendous crash, and forcing countless masses, each being estimated at many tons in weight, to the height of fifty or sixty feet, from whence they rolled down on the inner or land side, and were quickly succeeded by a fresh supply. Thus threatened by the danger of being crushed and overwhelmed by these stupendous and gigantic masses of ice hurled as in the classic fiction of the war of Titans and threatened with instant anhialation under the uplifted and violently convulsed mountains of ice, the crews remained quiet spectators of the terrific struggle; being within five or six hundred yards of she spot where nature was playing this gigantic and fea rful game." Both ships, however, escaped.

Opening of the Britania Tubular Bridge.--On the 5thof March the opening took place of the great Britania tubular bridge across the Menai strains. A train with 700 passengers passed through it, and it was tried with laden wagons of 300 tons in the centre of each span, The utmost deflection produced was 4-10ths of an inch, which was not so much as would be produced by half an hour of sunshine, it being also believed that it could bear a deflection of 13 inches. The occasion was one of great excitement and rejoicing, and the structure will now constitute one of the greatest wonders of modern science.

Equestrian Statue of Frederick the Great-The papers announce that the colossal equestrian Bronze statue of the great Frederick, the marvellous production of M. Rauch, will be raised and uncovered, on the 15th of October next, the birthday of his present Majesty. This vast work of art, which, with the exception of the horse and its immortal rider, are still incomplete, will equa', it is said if it does not exceed, all others, ancient or modern, in majesty ard dignity of conception, in characteristic fidelity of portraiture, and in the wonderful variety and yet complete harmony of its component parts. The whole, taken from its base to the summit of the mighty soldier's Fat, will exceed forty-seven feet in height, of which the crowning equestrian statue will occupy nearly eighteen feet.

Ancient Antiquities.-Nineveh was 15 miles, by 9, and 40 round, with walls 100 feet high, and thick enough for 3 chariots abreast. Babylon was 60 miles within the walls, which were 75 feet thick, and 300 high, with 100 brazen gates.

The temple at Diana, at Ephesus, was 429 feet high to support the roof. It was two hundred years in building.

The largest of the pyramids is 471 feet high, and 653 feet on the sides; its base covers, 11 acres. The stones are about 30 feet in length, and the layers, are 208. 360.000 men were employed in its 'erection. The labyrinth of Egypt contains 300 chambers and 12 balls. Thebes, in Egypt, presents ruins 27 miles round. It had 100 gates. Carthage was 25 miles in circumference.

Athens was 25 miles round, and contained 250,000 citizens, and 400,000 slaves.

The temple of Delphos was so rich in donations, that it was plundered of £100,000 sterling, and Nero carried from it 200 statues. The walls of Rome were thireen miles in length.

Vicissitudes of Watt, the Inventor of the Steam Engine.-A young man wanting to sell spectacles in London, petitious the Corporation to allow him to open a little shop, without paying the fees of freedom, and he is refused. He goes to Glasgow, and the corporation refused him there. He makes acquaintance with some members of the University, who find him very intelligent, and permit him to open his shop within their walls. He does not sell spectacles and magic lanterns enough to occupy all his time; he occupies himself at intervals in taking asunder and re-making all the machines he can come at. He finds there are books on machines, written fn foreign languages; he borrows a dictionary, and learns the languages to read those books. The University people wonder at him, and are fond of dropping into his little room in the evening, to tell him what they are doing, and to look at queer instruments he constructs. A machine in the University collection wants repairing, and he is employed. He makes it a new machine. The steam-engine is constructed; and the giant mind of Watt stands out before the world-the author of the industrial supremacy of this country the herald of a new force of civilization. But was Watt educated? Where was he educated? At his own workshop, and in the best manWatt learned Latin when he wanted it for his business. He learned French and German; but these things were tools, not ends. He used them to promote his engineering plans as he used lathes and levers. [Sir. R. Kane's Inaugural Address.

ner.

Miniature Steam-Engine. We have this week had shown to us, under a glass shade of the size of a lady's thimble, a steam-engine that might have served for a cotton mill in Lillipnt. The whole machinery, fly-wheel included, stands upon a twopenny piece; yet so exact and skilful is the workmanship, that when a steam-pipe is applied (for there is no boiler), the engine is immediately set in motion, and works with admirable precision. Gateshead Observe.

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Editorial Notices, &c.

For an account of the SEMI-ANNUAL EXAMINATION OF THE NORMAL AND MODEL SCHOOLS, we refer to the pages 54 and 55 of this Journal; and on page 58 we insert the questions proposed to the candidates for the GOVERNOR-GENERAL's Prizes for proficiency in the Science of Agriculture. In all respects this examination is the most satisfactory we have yet witnessed since the establishment of the Normal School, as gratifying as former examinations have been. Those who attended the elementary part of the Normal School examination, and the examination of nearly 300 children in the Model School (the school of practice for Students in the Normal School) had the opportunity of witnessing the utter groundlessness of the imputation made by some uninformed or hostile persons, that due attention is not paid to the first elements of a Common School Education whereas those are the subjects to which the highest importance is attached, and on which the most anxious attention is bestowed. Nor are Teachers-in-training introduced to any of the higher branches of English Education until they have been thoroughly grounded in the more elementary branches. It should also be remembered that more than three-fourths of these students have been actual School-teachers before coming to the Normal School; and a very large proportion of them had received first class or general certificates of qualification as teachers, which they presented on applying for admission to the Institution. It may likewise be remarked that the mode of instruction in the Norma! School is by oral lectures, not book-teaching; that Students learn to investigate subjects, and not to go over so many pages of a book-to think, to compare, to reason, not to load the memory-to master principles, not chapters to be trained, not crammed.

But it is not to be supposed that all who have been trained in the Normal School will be able teachers. It will be seen by the account of the concluding proceedings of the Examination, that all the Teachers in attendance have not received pecuniary aid or even a certificate on leaving,-though they have been exemplary in their conduct, and permitted to attend the lectures and exercises of the Institution. And there will be found like discrimination in the certificates given to others. Several students, after one or more month's trial, have been dismissed for want of the requisite capacity or diligence, and have gone forth as teachers; and we have known attacks made upon the Normal School by persons who ought to have known better, on account of the deficiencies of these persons who professed to have come from the Normal School, but who had no certificate of approbation, much less of qualification, from the authorities of that Institution.

The testimonies however from Counties where approved Teachers from the Normal School have been employed, are numerous, and ample to place the Institution above the attacks referred to; while competent judges who have witnessed the examinations, and attended some of the daily exercises in both the Normal and Model Schools (all of which are at all times open to visitors from any part of the Province) have expressed but one opinion as to the practical and thorough character of the system of instruction pursued in those important establishments.

GOOD EXAMPLE-JOURNAL OF EDUCATION. We refer with much pleasure and satisfaction to the disinterested generosity of Messrs. Carman and Elliot, and the Messrs. J. & G. Brouse of Matilda, recorded among our items of Educational Intelligence on the 61st page. Such noble efforts to raise the standard and elevate the character of our Common Schools and of the profession of schoolteaching; as also to promote the circulation of valuable information on educational subjects among the School Sections of the Township, deserves especial notice and commendation. In addition to the Prizes of Messrs. Carman and Elliot, the Messrs. Brouse have ordered, through the Township Superintendent, (the Rev. Mr. Dick), a copy of the current year's volume of the Journal of Education,

for each of the Schools in the Township which they represent in the County Council,-to be paid for out of the remuneration which they have received while in attendance at the Municipal Council as Reeve and Deputy Reeve. We cordially thank the gentlemen referred to for their valuable and spontaneous co-operation in the promotion of the great work of popular education and social advancement in which we are mutually engaged, and cannot too warmly recommend their admirable example to all others who wish to see Canada, at no distant day, occupy a proud pre-eminence in the universal education of her people, and the general intelligence and morality of her sons.

It is however a matter of surprise and regret to remark, that so few School Teachers have availed themselves of the Journal of Education, although so prominent an object and feature of it has been to elevate the position and advance the interests of the Teacher. By the diffusion of educational information and a growing estimate of its value and importance in any School Section, no person is so directly benefitted, in a pecuniary point of view, as the Teacher; and therefore no one is more deeply concerted than himself to procure and circulate a Journal of Education. If, however, the Teacher prefers a political to an Educational Journal, and has not spirit and zeal enough to use any of the means which all experi ence has pointed out to advance the interests of his profession, he cannot complain that those among whom he lives are alike indifferent to it. If a man will not endeavour to help himself, he will look in vain for help from others.

On the other hand, we have been gratified with many happy examples of the extent to which Teachers have been benefitted themselves, and the interests of education advanced in their Sections, by their exertions in obtaining and promoting the circulation of the Journal of Education. Our only object in voluntarily and gratuitously assuming the labour and responsibility of issuing this Journal, is to advance the most important and general, yet most neglected interest of the country; and thankful and encouraged should we feel, and happy would it be for the people and youth of the land, did the spirit of the Councillors, and Messrs. Carman and Elliot of Matilda, and of some Teachers and Trustees whom we could name, animate the Councillors, Teachers and Trustees in every Township of Upper Canada..

Since writing the foregoing, the Municipal Council of South Crosby has ordered a copy of the Journal of Education for each School Section in that Township.

CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER,

I. Agricultural Education in Upper Canada

II. MISCELLANEOUS. 1 Glækboards. 2. Questions for a Young Man. 3. Powerf Knowlege 1. Child's Way to Heaven (Poetry ] 5. Education in Great Britain and U. S. 6. Teachers' Institutes. 7. Religion an Element of Greatness. 8. British Colonial Empire Normal School Examination-Notices of the Toronto Press IV. EDITORIAL. 1. Agriculural Education, U. C 2. Teachers' Insti tutes-Circular, with Instructions for holding them in U. C. 3. Normal 8 hool Iusruction-Revised Terms of Admission tỏ the Norma Ecool, Teronto. 4 Examination Paper for the Governor Genera,s Prizes 5. Remarkable Mechanical Talent. 6. Distribution of N. Y. State Literature Fund

3 United States

V. EDUCATIONAL INTELLIGENCE-1. Canada 2. British and Foreign.
VI. LITERARY and SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE
VII. EDITORIAL NOTICES

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS-To the 29th of April, inclusive.

Rev. T. J. Hodgskin (3), Scobie & Balfour (8), Ottawa District Council (13), J. E. Pell, Rev. P. Jones (2), G. McKay, C. W. Ferguson (3), Rev. J. Armour, Rev. S. Rose, Rev. W. H. Poole (3), S. Newcomb, B. Hayter, Esq. (2), J. S. Howard, Esq., R. Dickson, Rev. G. Kennedy, Rev. J. Elliott, T. Keys, T. J. Robertson, Esq., H. Y. Hind, Esq., J. Gilchrist, E. Ketcheson, E-q., W. Watson, Rev. A. Dick (in part for 24 copies), R. Lunn (2), D. B. Brown (2), Rev. J. Lyburtus (3), J. McKay, N. Eastman, J. Hawkins, Rev. T. Williams.

Back Numbers supplied to all new subscribers.

** The 1st and 2nd Vols. neatly stitched may be obtained upon application. Price. 5s. per Volume. Single Nos. 7d. All Communications to be addressed to Mr. HODGINS, Education Office, Toronto.

Toronto: Printed and Published by THOMAS H. BENTLEY, at 5s per annum, and may be obtained from A. GREEN, SCOBIE & BALFOUR, and A. H. ARMOUR & Co., Toronto; R. D. WADSWORTH, General Agent for Canada: J. McCoy, Montreal; and D. M. DEWEY, Arcade Hall, Rochester, N. Y.