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UNITED STATES.

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Items. Mr. Theron Fisk, of, Warsaw, Wyoming County, N. Y., has subscribed two thousand dollars, to constitute two scholarships in the Theological Seminary connected with the University of Rochester. ...The University of Albany has decided to establish a department of Scientific Agriculture. Professor John P. Norton, of Yale College, will lecture on the science, and Professor James K. Hall, on geology. There will be lectures likewise on chemistry and entomology, as connected with agriculture.....The Rev. D. C. Vannorman, A. M., late Principal of the Burlington Ladies' Academy, Hamilton, has been inaugurated Principal of the Rutgers' Female Institute, New York, with appropriate ceremonies.

Regents of the University, New York.-At a meeting of the regents of the University, held in Albany, on the 14th instant, the sum of $22,000 was appropriated to academies for the instruction of common school teachers. The sum allowed is $12,50 for each teacher instructed, and no academy is allowed to draw for more than twenty. The amount of the appropriation is fixed upon the estimate that two academies in each county may avail themselves of the premium. The fact is, however, that from nine counties no applications have been made, and from fourteen other counties only one academy in each has applied, so that the sum expended cannot exceed $21,500, and will not probably exceed $18,000, as it is not likely that every academy selected will have the complement of twenty teachers under instruction. The term of instruction fixed by the statute is four full calendar months in each of two successive years.-[New York Commercial Advertiser.

Wesleyan University, Middleton, Connecticut.-The joint board of trustees and visitors of the Wesleyan University, Middleton, Ct., yesterday with great unanimity elected the Rev. Dr. M'Clintock to the presidency of that institution. Ever since the death of the late incumbent, the truly great and good Dr. Olin, the friends of the University have felt that much of its prosperity depended upon the selection of a competent successor, and with remarkable unanimity their attention seems to have been directed to the reverend gentleman upon whom the choice of the board has fallen, and who is at present editor of the Quarterly Review, published by the Methodist Church. A better selection could not have been made. Dr. M'Clintock is a thorough and profound scholar, possessing great strength and vigor of mind, an independent and original thinker, quick to perceive and skilful to analyse, and has a native force of character which will make its impression in whatever sphere the Doctor moves. He shares largely also in that spirit which shed so beneficial an influence around the character of his predecessor,-an enlightened and genial, but practical piety, which will season all his instructions to the students, while his intercourse with them As well wishers to will always be that of the true Christian gentleman. the University, we shall be glad to learn that Dr. M'Clintock has accepted the presidency thus cordially tendered to him.-[Ibid.

Common School System of New York.-The first report to the Legislature, showing the number and condition of the Schools in the State, was made in 1793, when the number of Schools in 16 out of 23 counties then organized, was 1352 and the number of pupils 59,660. The first appropriation for common schools was made in 1795, and was on a scale of liberality, which shows the just appreciation of the importance of this fundamental interest in the infancy, of our state. The sum appropriated was $50,000 annually for five years. In 1805, our permanent school fund was founded, by the appropriation of 500,000 acres of the vacant lands of the State. The returns from the school districts were incomplete each year, till after 1816. In that year 2,631 districts made reports, in which the number of pupils was 140,106. In 1817, there were 5,000 Schools, and over 200,000 pupils, exclusive of the city and county of New York. In 1820, the number of districts was 5, 118, in which 271,877 children were instructed. In 1821, the Districts were 5,489, and the pupils, 305,549. Since that period, the system having become regular in its operations, the increase in the number of Schools and of children instructed in them, has borne a near proportion to the increase of population, till, by the last report of the Superintendent, the number of Districts is shown to be 11,367, and the children instructed, 794,500. The annual appropriation from the income of the permanent fund, is now $300,000, and from taxes 800,000, of which $1,045,000 is applicable exclusively to the payment of teachers' wages, and the support of schools, and the remaining $55,000 to the purchase of school libraries and apparatus. Since their foundation in 1835, the District Libraries have grown to the amount of 1,500,000 volumes.-[Christian Adv. and Journal.

Evening Schools in the City of New York.-Evening schools, for the gratuitous instruction of apprentices, and other persons, unable to avail themselves of the free public day schools, were opened at twelve different points in the city, on the 13th ult., under the direction of the Board of Education. From the terms of the notice published at the time, we are

unable to say whether more than one school is held in the same building, but we presume that there are now only twelve of these schools. In the winter of 1847–8, when the experiment was first made as an auxiliary to the day schools, six evening schools were opened, and there was an average attendance of 1,224 pupils. The following season the number of these schools was increased to fifteen, and 2,490 pupils attended ; and last winter, we believe, there were twenty schools, with an average attendance of 2,945 pupils. With the rapid increase of our population, it is not likely that the demand for evening tuition can be diminished; and it is therefore possible that if there are only twelve schools open now, their number will be augmented when the winter sets in, and the nights become longer. The number of pupils who registered their names each season was much Jarger than the regular attendance, many merely visiting the school occasionally, being, perhaps, unable from the nature of their avocations, to give con. stant attention. Of the number registered last winter, we are informed that 4,912 were entirely ignorant of arithmetic, and 1,321 were unable to read. A great portion of these illiterate persons were adults. Many of the pupils are Germans, who seek to acquire a knowledge of the English language and in one school, where nearly a hundred of this class of persons resorted, a German teacher was employed as an interpreter. In this respect the schools are valuable, as tending to render our diversified population more homogenous. Much as these evening schools have been frequented, there is still room for an extension of usefulness. There are thousands of persons, youths and adults, who might profitably avail themselves of the privilege of acquiring the rudiments of a good education, who now waste their evenings in vicious pleasures, and trifling amusements. Ignorance is too often the handmaid of idleness and crime, and the further we can banish her from our midst, the better for the highest interests of society. We consider these evening schools a most powerful agency for good, and hope to see them increased and improved so as to draw within the circle of "Never their influence the greatest possible number of uneducated persons. too old to learn," is an admirable motto to encourage aspirations for advancement.-[N. Y. Commercial Advertiser.

Literary and Scientific Entelligence.

Items. A model of the Crystal Palace is exhibited at Munich, by M. Lipp, an artist. Its length is thirty feet; its breadth seven feet, and the height of transept two feet. The number of metal columns is 3,842, and that of the smaller supports 2,141.... The Right Hon. T. B. Macauley has at length completed two more volumes of his "History of England," and they will be published during the autumn.....It is said that Prince Metternich is writing his biography, and a history of the Austrian Court, which is not to be opened until sixty years after his death.....A new archaeological museum is about to be established in the Lateran at Rome, in addition to that existing in the Vatican library..... The coal area in the British Islands, amounts to 12,000 square miles, or about one-tenth of the entire area of the country. The annual product is estimated at 32,000 tons. ....The cable telegraph wire, between Dover and Calais, was laid on the 23rd ult... The statue of an idol in stone, coarsely executed, but supposed to date from the period of the Phoenicians or Carthagenians, was found about a fortnight since among the ruins of the town of the old Arzew, Algeria.....A very fine Roman mosaic has been discovered at Aumale in Algiers. A discovery has also been made in the Roman ruins of ancient Arzew, of a large stone idol and five large tumular stones. They are Phoenician and Carthagenian antiquities..... The Tuscan journals announce the death of the celebrated mathematician and astronomer, Giovani Inghirami..... We learn from Hanover that in the course of a revision of the archives of Celli, a box has been found, containing a collection of important documents from the thirty years war, namely, part of the private correspondence of Duke George, of Brunswick-Luneburg, with drafts of his own epistles, and original letters from Pappenheim, Gustavus Adolphus, and Piccolomini.....Baron Liebig is now making a tour in Ireland, in company with Mr. James Muspratt, Mr. Samuel Lover, Mr. Truchman, and other gentlemen..... Professor Kiss, the sculptor, whose " Amazon" has attracted so much notice at the Exhibition, has received from the King of Prusssia the order of the Red Eagle of the 3rd class.....The Master of the Rolls has given an answer to a memorial presented to him by Lord Mahon and various literary men, praying for the admission of historical writers to the free use of the records. It is an extremely important answer, and is highly favourable..... The great lunatic asylum which has just been erected at Colney Hatch, Middlesex, is said to have 1,045 rooms, 7,845 windows, and 1,470 doors.

An Emerald Mine.-The Overland Chronicle contains the following interesting account of an emerald mine in Egypt :-It appears that the existence of an emerald mine on Mount Zabarah, situate on an isle in the Red Sea, has long been known. It had been worked by the Pacha of Egypt, but the operations had been stopped in the latter years of the reign

of Mehemet Ali. A short time ago, an English company obtained permission to carry on the digging, which promised to yield them immense wealth. Recently their engineer, Mr. R Allan, discovered, at a great depth, traces of a great gallery, bearing about it evidence of extreme antiquity. Here he found ancient instruments and utensils, and a stone with a hieroglyphic inscription on it, in a great measure destroyed. It appears, that in this time, Belzoni, to whom the world is so much indebted for its knowledge of the wonders of Egypt, had given it as his opinion, that this mine had been worked by the ancient Egyptians, and this discovery establishes the soundness of his remark. The configuration of the gallery, and the nature and shape of the tools found in it, it is said, exhibit great skill in the art of engineering. From the inscription on the stone, so far as it can be read, it is believed that the labouring in the mine of Zabarah, had commenced in the reign of the great Sesostris, (living about 1650 before Christ) whom antiquity describes as combining the character of a conqueror with that of a prince of vast enterprise in the arts of peace.

Death of Mr. Richardson, the African Traveller.—It is with deep regret that we have to announce the death of Mr. James Richardson, the enterprising African traveller. This melancholy event took place on the 4th of March last, at a small village called Ungurutua, six days distant from Kouka, the capital of Bornou. Early in January, he and the companions of his mission, Drs. Barth and Overweg, arrived at the immense plain of Damergou, when, after remaining a few days, they separated. Dr. Barth proceeding to Kanu, Dr. Overweg to Guber, and Mr. Richardson taking the direct route to Kouka, by Zinde. There it would seem his strength began to give way, and before he had arrived twelve days' distant from Kouka, he became seriously ill, suffering much from the oppressive heat of the sun. Having reached a large town, called Kangarrua, he halted for three days, and feeling himself rather refreshed, he renewed his journey. After two days more travelling, during which his weakness greatly increased, they arrived at the Waddy Mellaha. Leaving this place on the 3rd of March, they reached in two hours the village of Ungurutua, when Mr. Richardson became so weak that he was unable to proceed. In the evening he took a little food and tried to speak-but became very restless, and left his tent, supported by his servant. He then took some tea, and threw himself again on his bed, but did not sleep. His attendants having made some coffee, he asked for a cup, but had no strength to hold it. He repeated several times, "I have no strength," and after having pronounced the name of his wife, expired, without a struggle, about two hours after midnight. Early in the morning, the body, wrapped in linen, and covered with a carpet, was borne to a grave, which was dug four feet deep, under the shade of a large tree, close to the village, followed by all the principal Sheichs and people of the district. The Sultan of Bornou has given orders that all respect and honour shall be paid to the grave of the ill-fated British traveller.-Malta Times.

Eastern Method of Measuring Time. The people of the East measure time by the length of their shadow. Hence, if you ask a man what o'clock it is, he immediately goes into the sun, stands erect, then, looking where his shadow terminates, he measures his length with his feet, and tells you nearly the time. Thus, the workmen earnestly desire the shadow which indicates the time for leaving their work. A person wishing to leave his toil says, "How long my shadow is in coming." "Why did you not come sooner?" "Because I waited for my shadow." In the seventh chapter of Job we find it written, "As a servant earnestly desireth his shadow."-[Roberts' Illustrations.

Cleopatra's Needle.-The removal to England of one of the obelisks, called Cleopatra's Needle, seems to those who see it in its present state to be scarcely worth the trouble and expense of the undertaking. It is interesting from the associations attached to it, but it will cause disappointment if it is expected to prove an ornament, as it is in a very mutilated state, the edges being broken off, and the hieroglyphics much defaced. The length at present uncovered by the sand is about 35 feet from the apex, with from three to four feet down the sides, and the whole of what is visible is in the same dilapidated condition. It must also be said, that the longer it is left in its present position, the worse it will become from the anxiety of all travellers to possess pieces of it, which the native boys knock off largely to sell. The base of the obelisk is about twenty feet distant from the sea, and the city wall will have to be broken through to remove it. The water is only two feet deep at the distance of 15 feet from the shore, nine feet deep at 20 fathoms, 13 feet at 150 fathoms, 19 at 200 fathoms, and 20 feet deep at 260 fathoms distance. Within 10 or 12 feet of the beach, there are broken rocks and remains of ancient buildings; beyond that, the bottom is sandy. [London Times.

The Cambridge Observatory Boston.-The Observatory is situated on a commanding eminence, called Summer House Hill, the summit of which is about fifty feet above the plain on which are erected the buildings of the University. This height is found to give from the dome an horizon almost uninterrupted to within two or three degrees of altitude.

The grounds appropriated to the use of the Observatory comprise about six and a half acres. It is distant nearly three-fourths of a mile Northwest from University Hall, and three miles and a half in the same direction from the State House in Boston. The wonder and admiration caused by the unexpected apearance of the great Comet in March, 1345, was a great incentive to and, indirectly, one of the principal causes of, the erection of this new celebrated Observatory, although for many years before it had been a favourite project with John Q. Adams, Nathaniel Bowditch, and other distinguished advocates of astronomical science. But few decisive steps were taken, however, until the sudden appe rance of this brilliant Comet, in 1843, when it was found that the instruments in Cambridge were entirely inadequate to make accurate observations on such a body. This roused the public spirited Bostonians to a sense of the importance of an Astronomical Observatory, with instruments of sufficient accuracy to make the necessary observations on the heavenly bodies. Mr. David Sears, of Boston, headed the list by a donation of five hundred dollars for this object, besides giving five thousand dollars for the erection of a suitable tower to contain this instrument. Another gentleman of Boston subscribed one thousand dollars towards the telescope; eight others contributed five hundred dollars each, for the same object; eighteen gentlemen gave two hundred each, and thirty others gave the sum of one hundred dollars each. The American Academy of Arts and Sciences made a donation of three thousand dollars, and the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge gave one thousand. Besides these, the principal Insurance Companies of Boston contributed largely; the American, Merchants', and National Insurance offices, and the Humane Society, gave five hundred each; two other Companies subscribed three hundred; and two others gave, respectively, two hundred and fifty, and two hundred. Thus in a short time an amount was subscribed sufficient for procuring the instrument which has contributed so much to the advancement of astronomy generally, besides reflecting so much honour on the country at large. The site of the Observatory was purchased by the Corporation of Harvard University. The Sears Tower, so called in honor of David Sears, whose generous donation we have already mentioned, is built of brick, on a foundation of granite, laid with cement. It is thirty-two feet square on the outside, while on the inside the corners are gradually brought to a circular form for the better support of the dome, forming a massive arch. This dome, covering the grand equatorial, is a hemisphere of thirty-two feet interior diameter, formed with stout ribs of plank, and covered externally with copper. There is an opening five feet wide, and extending a few degrees beyond the zenith; which is closed by means of weather-proof shutters, and worked by means of an endless chain and toothed wheels. On the lower side of this dome is affixed a grooved iron rail, and on the granite cap of the wall is placed a similar rail; between these grooves are placed eight iron spheres, accurately turned, on which the dome is revolved. The apparatus for moving the wheel consists of toothed wheels, geared to a series of toothed iron plates, fastened to its lower section. By means of this the whole dome, weighing about fourteen tons, can be turned through a whole revolution, by a single person, in thirty-five seconds. In this dome are placed the "Grand Refractor," and one or two smaller instruments. The Comet Seeker, a small instrument of four inches aperture, by Merz, is used from the balconies of the dome. This is the instrument with which the younger Bond has discovered no less than eleven telescopic comets, before intelligence had reached him of their having been seen by any other observer. From these balconies a most extensive and beautiful view meets the eye of the neighboring towns, their numerous hills, spires, &c. On either side of the tower are two wings Of these, the Eastern is used as a dwelling for the Observer; the Western, on which is placed the smaller dome, is used for magnetic and meteorological observations. This wing was erected in the year 1850-1, and adds greatly to the architectural beauty of the Observatory. In this dome is placed the smaller Equatorial, of five feet focal length, and an object glass of four and one-eighth inches, made by Merz, which is a remarkably fine instrument. The “Grand Refractor," justly considered second to none in the world, and is far superior to any one in this country, has already become celebrated in the hands of the skillful and scientific director and his assistant, from the many brilliant discoveries which have been made. Among these we may particularly mention the new ring and satellite of the planet Saturn. It has also enabled the observers to resolve the principal nebulæ, particularly those in the Constellations Orion and Andromeda. The object glass was made at the celebrated manufactory of Merz and Mahler, in Munich, Bavaria, who also were the makers of the celebrated telescope at the Pulkova Observatory, which is of the same size and mounting as that in Cambridge. The same artists made the Washington and Cincinnati Equatorials, besides many others of a smaller size in the United States. The extreme diameter of this object glass is fifteen and a half inches, although the effective diameter is only fourteen and ninety-five hundredths inches: the focal length is twenty-two feet six inches; the total weight nearly three tons; yet the friction is so successfully relieved by the judicious arrangement of wheels and counterpoises, that it could be pointed to any quarter of the heavens

by the finger of a child. A siderial motion is communicated to the telescope by clock work, by which means an object may be constantly kept in the field of view, which essentially aids the observer in delicate examinations of celestial objects. The right ascension is read off by means of an hour circle, eighteen inches diameter, reading to one second of time by a vernier, while the declination circle is twenty six inches in diameter, reading also to one second of time or four seconds of arc. The total cost of the instrument was $19,842. The object glass arrived in Cambridge on the 4th of Dec., 1846, but the tube and mounting did not arrive until the 11th of June following. The instrument was mounted on the 23rd of June, 1847, and on the evening of the same day was first pointed to the heavens. The transit circle is by Sims, of London. The object glass by Merz, is four and one-eighth inches aperture, and sixty-five inches focal length.Besides these, the observatory is furnished with many smaller instruments, and a complete set of meteorological instruments, an astronomical clock, and siderial chronometers. One of the most ingenious contrivances connected with the Observatory is, the "observer's chair." invented by the Director. By means of this chair, the observer can transport himself to any part of the dome without moving from his seat.-Boston Traveller.

Reward of Genius.-A late London publisher of high standing and intimate acquaintance with British authors of the past and present generation, gives the remunerative payments which the most distinguished of them received for certain of their works; and he was at pains to verify the terms:-Fragments of History, by Charles Fox, sold by Lord Holland for $30,000. Fragments of History, by Sir James Macintosh, for $2,500.Lingard's History of England $23,415. Sir Walter Scott's life of Bonaparte was sold, with printed books for $90,000, the net receipts of the first two editions only being not less than $50,000. The life of Wilberforce, by his sons, $20,000. Life of Sheridan, by Moore, $10,000. Life of Hannah More $10,000. Life of Cowper, by Southey, $5,000. Life and times of George IV., by Lady C. Bury, $5,000. Byron's Works $100,000. Lord of the Isles, half share, $7,500. Lalla Rookh, by Moore, $15,000. Rejected Addresses by Mr. Smith, $5,000. Crabbe's Works, republication of them by Murray, $15,000. Wordsworth's Works, re-publication, $5,250. Bulwer's Rienzi, $3,000. Marryat's Novels from $2,500 to $5,000 each. Trollope's Factory Boy $9,000. Hannah More derived $150,000 annually for her copy rights during the latter years of her life. Roundell's Domestic Cookery, $10,000. Nicholas Nickleby, $15,000. Eustace's Classical Tour, $10,000. Sir Robert Inglis obtained for the widow of Bishop Heber, by the sale of his journal only, $25,000. With such facts before us, it is idle to complain that literary talent goes unrewarded. Nor is such ample remuneration confined to the other side of the Atlantic. Irving and Prescott have been rewarded with princely affluence, and a man of Christian moderation would not wish for an income more ample than what would be furnished by the sale of Barnes' notes on the New Testament, to say nothing of other authors equally successfui.

Harpers Large Book Concern.-The book concern, on Pearl street, (connecting in the rear with the principal in Cliff street,) is 45 by 100 feet, and five stories high. Among other improvements to be introduced, will be an apparatus for drying paper by steam, a process hitherto used, we believe, in but one establishment, in Edinburgh, Scotland. There are employed in the establis ment about 400 hands, whose wages exceed $10,000 per month. In the composing rooms are forty hands, who are frequently engaged upon 18 or 20 works at a time. In the stereotype foundry 13 hands are employed, turning out 7000 plates per week. Between 50,000 and 60,000 lus. of metal are consumed yearly in this establishment. In the copper steel-plate printing-room are 6 hands and 8 presses-each of the latter averaging 700 impressions per day. The press room contains 20 Adams' power presses, and 2 hand presses, which are kept constantly running. Each power press averages 5000 impressions per day, 45 hands are employed in working them. Eight new presses are to be put up in the new building. Fifty girls are employed in the sewing rooms, and 100 girls are folding, pressing and drying the sheets.-IN. Y. Jour. of Com. Artificial Lapis Lazuli.—Of all the achievements of inorganic chemistry, the artificial formation of lapis lazuli was the most brilliant and most conclusive. This mineral, as represented to us by nature, is calculated powerfully to arrest our attention by its beautiful azure-blue colour, its remaining unchanged by exposure to air or to fire, and furnishing us with a most valuable pigment (ultra-marine), more precious than gold! Analysis represented it to be composed of silicia, alumina, and soda (three colourless bodies), with sulphur, and a trace of iron. Nothing could be discovered in it of the nature of a pigment, nothing to which its blue colour could be referred, the cause of which was searched for in vain. It might, therefore, have been supposed that the analyst was here altogether at fault, and that, at any rate, its artificial production must be impossible. Nevertheless, this has been accomplished; and simply by combining, in the proper proportions, as determined by analysis, silica, soda, alumina,

iron, and sulphur. Thousands of pounds weight are now manufactu d from these ingredients, and this artificial ultra-marine is as beautiful as t.. natural, while for the price of a single ounce of the latter we may obtain many pounds of the former.-[Liebig.

Editorial and Official Notices, &c.

IRREGULARITY IN THE DELIVERY OF THE JOURNAL.-Repeated complaints having reached us of irregularity in the receipt of the Journal of Education, at various post offices, we beg to assure our correspondents, that every precaution is taken at the office of the publisher of the Journal to ensure correctness in mailing the numbers to subscribers. Since the new postage law came into operation, we have received a few numbers of the Journal from some of the post offices, marked, "not called for," "refused," &c. It is possible the irregularities complained of may have been inincreased of late by reason of the operation of this more prompt and exact system in the post office department. We shall be happy, however, to furnish any missing numbers of the present Volume to any of the subscribers to the Journal who may not have received it regularly. Single numbers of previous Volumes can also be obtained by parties wishing to keep their files complete.

THE ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT, for 1850, ordered by the House of Assembly to be furnished to each School Corporation, local Superintendent, and Municipality, is nearly printed, and will be dispatched to the county clerks in the course of the ensuing month (November.) Those for distribution among the school sections will be addressed to the local Superintendents. The blank forms of School Reports for trustees and local Superintendents, will also be dispatched in the same parcels. Local Superintendents will therefore please apply to the county clerks for the blank reports for themselves, and for the schools under their charge, about the 15th or 20th of next month.

EDUCATIONAL DEPOSITORY.-As the maps, prints and other School requisites recently procured in England, &c. have arrived at the Educational Depository, the various articles ordered by Trustees, Superintendents and others, will be despatched to them without delay, in accordance with the directions received in each instance at the Education Office.

WILLIAM HODGINS,

ARCHITECT AND CIVIL ENGINEER,
KING STREET, TORONTO,

DIRECTLY OPPOSITE THE ARCADE, ST. LAWRENCE HALL,

devoted much attention to the study of SCHOOL

ARCHITECTURE, offers his services to School Authorities throughout the Province, in preparing Designs, with detailed Plans and Specifications of Grammar and Common Schools, and their appendages, so as to meet the requirements of the present improved system of Education.

* Reference kindly permitted to the Chief Superintendent of Schools, and officers of the Educational Department.

a competent Head Master to take charge of the

Union School in this Town-to be opened on the 1st of Januar next. Also, a Second Male Teacher and two Female Teachers for the Liberal salaries will be given.

same.

Applications, accompanied with testimonials of character and qualifications, and stating the amount of salary required, may be addressed to the REV. I. B. HOWARD, Chairman, B. C. S. Trustees, Peterboro.

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TORONTO: Printed and Published by THOMAS HUGH Bentley. TERMS: For a single copy, 5s. per annum; not less than 8 copies, 4s. 41d. each, or $7 for the 8; not less than 12 copies, 4s. 2d. each, or $10 for the 12; 20 copies and upwards, 3s, 9d. each. Back Vols. neatly stitched supplied on the same terins. subscriptions to commence with the January number, and payment in advance must in all cases accompany the order. Single numbers, 74d. each.

All communications to be addressed to Mr. J. George Hodgins,
Education Office, Torente.

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JOURNAL OF EDUCATION

VOL. IV.

FOR

Upper Canada.

TORONTO, NOVEMBER,

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Children. 3. Be kind to your Mother. 4. The Rum Bon-fire. 5. Children's Joys and Sorrows. 6. The Wonderful Formation of an Infant. 7. Energy in a Boy. 8. The Beauty of the Sky, IV. MISCELLANEOUS.-1. The close of the Great Exhibition (Poetry.) 2. The Final Scene in the Great Exhibition. 3. Passing through an Iceberg. 4. The Celtic Race. 5. English and American Pronunciation 6. Early Rising. 7. Reading and Thinking. 8. Time and Purpose, V. EDITORIAL.-1. Circular to Local Superintendents of Common Schools. 2. Circular to County Clerks. 3. Reminiscences of the Progress of Education in New England.

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VI. Statistics of Education and Home Missions in Eugland, VII. The Fall of the Leaf,

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Andrew, the son of Alexander and Margaret Bell, was born in the city of St. Andrews, on the 27th of March, 1753. His father was a barber in that city-a personage of more importance in the age of periwigs, and when considered as a surgeon of the lowest class, than in these times. He had been educated for a better station, but was thus reduced by a complication of misfortunes brought upon him, his son says, in early life by his inexperience and credulity. He was a man of extraordinary abilities; and having acquired no inconsiderable degree of mechanical and practical science, added to his original trade, that of clock and watchmaker; regulated, by observations, the timepiece in the public library of the university, and assisted Dr. Walker, the Professor of Natural Philosophy, in preparing his experiments. His habits and appearances were singular, yet not so as to lessen the respect in which he was held for his talents, probity, and strength of character. Persons are still living who remember him hastening through the street, with a professor's wig, ready dressed, in each hand; his arms at full stretch to prevent their collision. After trimming one professor, he would sit down and breakfast with him, and then away to trim and breakfast with another; his appetite, like his mouth, (and his mind also,) being of remarkable and well-known capacity. He was at one time bailie of the city; and once by his personal influence, after all other means had failed, he quelled what is called a 66 meal-mob" -riots upon that score being then so frequent as to obtain this specific denomination. The house in which he lived, and which was his own, stood in South street, on the east side of the town or parish church, and adjoining it. It consisted of two stories, with an outer staircase, supported by wooden pillars, and a wooden projection into the street. This served for his shop, and there he enjoyed his afternoon lounge. This style of building was formerly common in old Scotch towns; particularly in Edinburgh, Kircaldy, and St. Andrew's. It has now become rare in Scotland; and the specimens of it which were common in the North of England a generation ago, have almost all been replaced in a manner which,

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if it be as much more commodious as it is less picturesque, must be considered a great improvement. Bailie Bell was a proficient at draughts, backgammon, and chess. Such of the students, and of the professors also, as were fond of these games, used to meet at his house, and Andrew, while a mere child, acquired such singular skill in all of them, that the best players were fond of engaging with him. A more remarkable instance of the bailie's versatile talents is, that he engaged with Mr. Wilson, afterwards professor of astronomy at Glasgow, in a scheme for casting types upon some plan of their own. They were employed upon this, his son said, day and night, night and day, in a garret ; and though they did not succeed, yet, after the professor's removal to Glasgow, the wellknown printers, Robert and Andrew Foulis, are said to have been beholden to him for the beauty of their typography. Bailie Bell, having saved a little property, retired from business a short time before the close of his life. Dr. Bell was the second son of the bailie. His first school-experiences are curious, not only as giving indications of his future course in life, but as recording a system which the world has happily now outgrown. He never spoke of the discipline, or rather tyranny, which he witnessed and endured in those years of his life, without indignation. "Oh, it was terrible !" he said, "the remains of feudal severity! I never went to school without trembling. I could not tell whether I should be flogged or not." His father, he used to say, had been driven from the grammar-school by cruelties that would now hardly be believed; yet neither his father nor he were wanting in capacity or diligence. Schools were everywhere conducted in those days upon a system of brutal severity, which never ought to have existed, except where the master happened to be a man of singular humanity. In proof, however, that the severity of Scotch parents was then little less in degree, Dr. Bell instanced the case of a little boy, who, on his return from school, after a merciless flogging, was observed to sit very uneasily the father examined him, and though he saw that a great wound had been made, he merely observed, there was room for more! "But mind," Dr. Bell added, "he did not forget to remonstrate with the master." Between the fear of punishment, and the earnest desire of improvement, his thoughts were so wholly engrossed by his lessons, that the family often said, it was a wonder Andrew did not go east instead of west when he went out of the door; and, indeed, though he did not lose the way, yet when he was going to any particular place, he generally overpassed it, being lost in thought as he went along. What he knew, he knew well, and never forgot; but a want of verbal memory rendered that which, for common capacities, is, however unattractive, the easiest of their tasks at school, to him the most difficult. According to his own account, he never could correctly get by heart a single rule of the Latin syntax, though he perfectly understood the meaning, and was at no loss to apply it. My old master, Dr. Vincent, used to say, "Give me a reason, boy! I would always rather you should give me a reason than a rule." But under a more Busbeian system than that of Westminster had become in my days, and a less reasonable master, this natural defect or peculiarity sufficiently accounts for the fear with which Andrew took his way to school. Notwithstanding this, he made good progress in Latin; Greek, in this country, was seldom or never taught at that time in such schools. "I do not suppose," he said, "the master could have taught it; so we began our Greek alphabet when we went to the university." The inclination which led him to scientific studies was manifested

at this time in the earnestness with which he applied himself to arithmetic. Dissatisfied with the book of arithmetic which was used in the school, he set about composing one for his own improvement, taking, it is said, Mair's for the foundation. Not only his leisure hours were devoted to this object, but much nightly labour also-so early did he acquire that uncomfortable and injurious habit; and, young as he then was, he completed the task so much to his own satisfaction, that when, about ten years afterwards, most of his papers were lost in a shipwreck, he particularly regretted the loss of this.

So early as 1769, Andrew Bell matriculated at the United College. He was the youngest pupil in the mathemetical class, and obtained the prize in that class when still young enough to be called Little Andrew; and, subsequently, "several public and honourable marks of distinguished merit and proficiency." During these years, he held the Glendie bursary as next-of-kin; his mother, (Margaret Robertson,) being descended from the Dean of Cashel of that name, who founded, by his will, a bursary at St. Salvator's, for the benefit of his descendants. The resources derived from this privilege were, however, scanty, and young Bell was compelled to eke them out by teaching. He diligently applied himself to mathematics and natural philosophy,-having for his instructor in the latter, Dr. Wilkie, the author of the "Epigoniad,"

On obtaining twenty-one, Andrew Bell resolved on seeking his fortune in the colonies, and having received some offers from Virginia, embarked for America, first providing himself with honourable testimonials. It was in the year 1774 that he sailed from Glasgow. For the next five years nothing is known. In 1779 he was engaged as private tutor at an annual salary of £200, in the family of Mr. Carter Braxton, a wealthy merchant of West Point, on the Hudson River. Two years later he accompanied the sons of this gentleman to Europe, and devoted himself to their education; and so prudent had he been, that he was now in possession of, or held securities worth not less than 8 or £900, though, unfortunately, few of these securities were realized. He had much trouble with the young men, but fought through all difficulties, until, compelled by a combination of circumstances, he, in 1784, consented to their return. Meantime, he had himself succeeded in getting ordination in the Church of England; and soon after obtained an appointment as preacher to the Episcopal chapel at Leith, with a salary of £70 a year; but this he left in six months, to undertake the education of Lord Conyngham's second son, an engagement, however, in which he was disappointed; and therefore returned to his flock. Ultimately his destination was India. Having taken farewell, by letter, of his Leith friends, and obtained a doctor's degree, he sailed for Madras, and arrived there on the 2nd of June, 1787; and on the 10th of August was appointed chaplain to the 4th regiment, stationed at Arcot. He attempted to add to his means by the delivery of philosophical lectures, in which he was only moderately successful; and on the day on which he concluded his second course, sailed with his apparatus for Bengal and Calcutta, where he remained two months, and then returned to Madras to receive a shower of appointments.

We now approach the grand mission of his life. When the Madras Government desired Captain Dempster to leave Dr. Bell there, instead of carrying him on to Bengal, according to his original destination, it was in comformity to an application from the committee then employed in establishing a Military Male Orphan Asylum in that presidency. The committee made this application, because they looked on him as a person eminently qualified to superintend the education of children. The opinion so justly formed at this time of his peculiar talents, placed him in the way of preferment, and enabled him to lay the foundation of his fortune; and the office to which he was in consequence appointed, called forth those talents in the manner which has signalized his name. Dr. Bell offered his services without salary. The succesive appeals to the public were successful, and application was from time to time forwarded to the Court of Directors to increase their funds. Though the Company at first refused, they had help from other quarters, and the affair went on prosperously, so that they were soon able to provide for 200 boys. Rules were of course appointed; an acting president and select committee were nominated; an annual examination was had; and while Dr. Bell's solicitude increased, the establishment grew into reputation and influence.

It remains to trace the origin and growth of the system of edu

cation, which originated at the Madras asylum, and has since spread its branches over divers lands. The following fact is curious :Dr. Bell was dissatisfied with the want of discipline, and the imperfect instruction in every part of the school; but more particularly with the slow progress of the younger boys, and the unreasonable length of time consumed in teaching them their letters. They were never able to proceed without the constant aid of an usher, and, with that aid, months were wasted before the difficulties of the alphabet were got over. Dr. Bell's temper led him to do all things quickly, and his habits of mind to do them thoroughly, and leave nothing incomplete. He tells us, that from the beginning he looked upon perfect instruction as the main duty of the office with which he had charged himself; yet he was foiled for some time in all the means that he devised for attaining it. Many attempts he made to correct the evil in i's earliest stage, and in all he met with more or less opposition from the master or ushers. Every alteration which he proposed, they considered as implying some reflection on their own capacity or diligence; in proportion as he interfered, they thought themselves disparaged, and were not less displeased than surprised, that instead of holding the office of superintendent as a sinecure, his intention was to devote himself carnestly to the concerns of the asylum, and more especially to the school department. Things were in this state, when, happening on one of his morning rides to pass by a Malabar school, he observed the children seated on the ground, and writing with their fingers in sand, which had for that purpose been strewn before them. He hastened home, repeating to himself as he went, "Eugnxa," "I have discovered it ;" and gave immediate orders to the usher of the lowest classes to teach the alphabet in the same manner, with this difference only from the Malabar mode, that the sand was strewn upon a board. These orders were either disregarded, or so carelessly executed, as if they were thought not worth regarding; and after frequent admonitions, and repeated trials made without either expectation or wish of succeeding, the usher at last declared it was impossible to teach the boys in that way. If he had acted on this occasion in good will, and with merely common ability, Dr. Bell might have cried Eugŋxa a second time. But he was not a man to be turned from his purpose by the obstinacy of others, nor to be baffled in it by their incapacity; baffled, however, he was now sensible that he must be, if he depended for the execution of his plans upon the will and ability of those over whose minds he had no command. He bethought himself of employing a boy, on whose obedience, disposition, and cleverness, he could rely, and giving him charge of the alphabet class. The lad's name was John Frisken. He was the son of a private soldier ; had learned his letters in the asylum, and was then about eight years old. Dr. Bell laid the strongest injunctions upon him to follow his instructions, saying, he should look to him for the success of the simple and easy method which was to be pursued, and hold him responsible for it. What the usher had pronounced to be impossible, this lad succeeded in effecting without any difficulty. The alphabet was now as much better taught, as till then it had been worse, than any other part of the boys' studies; and Frisken, in consequence, was appointed permanent teacher of that class. Though Dr. Bell did not immediately perceive the whole importance of this successful experiment, he proceeded in the course into which he had been, as it were, compelled.-What Frisken had accomplished with the alphabet class, might, in like manner, be done with those next in order, by boys selected, as he had been, for their aptitude to learn and to teach. Accordingly, he appointed boys as assistant teachers to some of the lower classes, giving, however, Frisken the charge of superintending both the assistants and their classes, because of his experience, and the readiness with which he apprehended and executed whatever was required from him. This talent, indeed, the lad possessed in such perfection, that Dr. Bell did not hesitate to throw upon him the entire responsibility of this part of the school. The same improvement was now manifested in these classes as had taken place in teaching the alphabet. This he attributed to the diligence and fidelity with which his little friends, as he used to call them, performed his orders. To then a smile of approbation was no mean reward, and a look of displeasure a sufficient punishment. Even in this stage he felt confident that nothing more was wanting to bring the school into such a state as he had always proposed to himself, than to carry through the whole of the plan upon which he was now proceeding. And this, accordingly, was done. The experiment which from necessity had been tried at first with one

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