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

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

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 los. 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.

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.

WANTED, & 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, 2 in. Chairman, B. C. S. Trustees, Peterboro.

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,

petent to instruct in Classics, Mathematics, and all the branches of an English Education. Address R. W. S., Box No. 28, Dundas Post Office, All letters to be prepaid.

W Provincial Normal School, a situation in a Common School, or as

ANTED by a Teacher who has been nine months at the

an Assistant in some higher Institution. Salary at least £80, per annum. Address J. H., Ennisville Post Office, U. C.

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. All 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, Toronto.

CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER.

....

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I. Modern Systems of Education and their Founders, II. Lord Rosse's Discoveries of Starry Firmaments, III. YOUTH'S Department.-1. The Child's Dream (Poetry.) 2. Observe 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 (Poctry.) 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.

VI. Statistics of Education and Home Missions in Eugland,

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162

164

160

168 171

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 "meal-mob" -riots upon that scoro 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,

1851.

No. 11.

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 tho 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 whero 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 earnestly 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 Eugnxa 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

class, was systematically extended to all the others in progression ; and, what is most important with scholastic improvement, moral improvement, not less, in consequence of the system, is said to have kept pace. For the assistant teachers, being invested with authority, not because of their standing in the school, retained their influence at all times, and it was their business to interpose whenever their interference was necessary. Such interference prevented all

that tyranny and ill-usage, from which so much of the evil connected with boarding-schools arises; and al! that mischief in which some boys are engaged by a mischievous disposition, more by mere wantonness, and a still greater number by the example of their companions. The boys were thus rendered inoffensive towards others, and among themselves; and this gentle preventive discipline made them, in its sure consequences, contented and happy. A boy was appointed over each class to marshal them when they went to church or walked out, and to see that they duly performed the operations of combing and washing themselves. Ten boys were appointed daily to clean the school-rooms, and wait upon the others at their meals. Twice a week during the hot season, and once a-week during the monsoon season, they were marched by an usher to the tank, and there they bathed by classes. As to any purposes of instruction, the master and ushers were now virtually superseded. They attended the school so as to maintain the abservance of the rules; though even this was scarcely necessary under Dr. Bell's vigilant superintendence, who now made the school the great pleasure as well as the great business of his life. Their duty was, not to teach, but to look after the various departments of the institution, to see that the daily tasks were performed, to take care of the boys in and out of school, and to mark any irregularity or neglect either in them or the teachers. The master's principal business regarded now the economy of the institution: he had charge both of the daily disbursements and monthly expenditure under the treasurer. The precise date of that experiment which led to the general introduction of boy-teachers cannot be ascertained; but that these teachers had been introduced in 1791, or early in the ensuing year, is certain. In private letters, written to his friends in Europe, Dr. Bell relates the progress of his improvements step by step, and the impressions made upon his own mind by the complete success of his exertions in a favourite pursuit. These letters show also how soon he became aware of the importance of the system which he was developing and bringing to maturity."

Dr. Bell had of course, to contend against the opposition of masters and ushers, with whose interests the new system seemed to be inconsistent. But such opposition was but a rope of sand contrasted with the decision of his character with whom they had to deal. The measures he took to counteract it were as various as the kinds of annoyance resorted to, and at length succeeded in establishing reform. It was not done, however, without involving the resignation of the schoolmaster, who declared himself incapable of undergoing the fatigues involved in his duties. On Dr. Bell inquiring what duties he meant, he replied "Almost every duty." He was asked also "What fatigues ?" and he replied, "The fatigues of the mind." Such is the state of too many professors of education: they desired only mechanical employment, and a routine of tasks, involving no thought, and inducing none in their unfortunate pupils. That this mental indolence has in a great part been now corrected, is due to Dr. Bell's perseverance and sagacity. The boy Frisken proved a capital coadjutor to the doctor; though only eleven years of age, he taught all the younger classes, amounting to a third of the whole school. The education at the asylum, under Dr. Bell's superintendence, was so complete as far as it went, and the character of the boys so good, that applications were made for them from all quarters. Of one of those boys, named Smith, an interesting account is given, for which, however, our readers must consult the work itself; where they will find recorded the scientific accomplishments of the celebrated Tippoo Sultan.

Attached as Dr. Bell was to India, still he was haunted occasionally by a desire to return home. The state of his health required change of air. For this purpose he went to Pondicherry, to Tanjore, and to Trichinopoly, but still his health declined.Nevertheless, long after he had obtained leave to return, he still lingered on the scene of his labors. At length, however, leaving the superintendence of the Orphan Asylum to the care of Mr. Kerr, he prepared to return to England.

Previous to quitting India, Dr. Bell took care to embody the re

sult of his labors and experiments in a final and authentic account of his new system of education, and this report was accepted as a record of the institution which he had established. Soon after his return to Europe, he published his report, with additions, under the title of "An Experiment in Education, made at the male Asylum at Madras, suggesting a system by which a school or family may teach itself under the superintendence of the master or parent." He spared no pains in rendering the report, perfect in all its parts; and thus laid before the public a clear description of the system, together with most abundant testimony to its success in the only eg tablishment where it had been tried.

"The system" was introduced into the school of St. Botolph's, Algate, in 1798, and the second practical experiment was made in the schools at Kendal, by Dr. Briggs, in the following year; an incidental trial was successfully made in the Blue Coat school, and Dr. Bell also attempted to introduce the system into Edinburgh; but was met by insuperable obstacles.

The advantages of the methods which he recommended were nltimately acknowledged, and the system was adopted pretty generally in England; but a similar project having been put on foot by Joseph Lancaster, a controversy arose, which eventually led to the forma tion of two societies, namely the National Society and the British and Foreign School Society. This period of Dr. Bell's life manifests great activity. He went from place to place, still engaged on his apostolic errand, diffusing the blessing of education wherever he could. There is, however, appointed an end to all earthly labor; and, in September of the year 1830, indications of declining health became apparent. Ultimately he lost the power of articulation, and was obliged to communicate his wishes by means of a slate and pencil; still his mind remained vigorous. Having during his active life accumulated a great amount of wealth, his money now became a burthen to him. After changing his mind again and again as to its disposal, he at length suddenly transferred £120,000 to trustees in St. Andrew's, Scotland, for a projected college. One twelth of the amount he had placed in the hands of trustees; (£10,000) he subsequently gave to the Royal Naval School, and five other twelfths he transferred to the towns of Edinburgh, Leith, Glasgow, Aberbeen, and Inverness. His estates in Scotland, producing about £400 per annum, he made over to trustees for the purpose of promoting and encouraging the education of youth in Cupar Fife. His princely donation to St. Andrew's proved most unfortunate; it involved him in disputes with the trustees, terminating only with his death, which took place at Cheltenham, England, on the 27th of January, 1832, in the 79th year of his age. His remains were removed to London on the 9th of February, and interred in Westminster Abbey on the 14th; the highest dignitaries and other eminent persons attending as mourners. ments of his character were, a strong mind, with great perseverance, a rigorous sense of order, and a great stock of worldly prudence.

The ele

LORD ROSSE'S DISCOVERIES OF STARRY FIRMAMENts.—As professor Nichol very truly remarks, "investigation regarding such aggregations is virtually a branch of etomic and molecular inquiry," with stars in place of atoms-mighty spheres in place of "dust" "the firmament above" instead of "the firmament beneath." In fact, the astronomer, in sweeping with his telescopic eye, the "blue depths of ether," is as it were some Lilliputian inhabitant of an atom prying into the autumnal structure of some Brobdignagian world of sawdust, organized into spiral and other elementary forms, of life, it may be, something like our own. The infinite height appears in short like the infinite depth, and we knowing not precisely where we stand between the two immensities of depth and height? The shapes evolved by the wonderful telescope of Lord Rosse are, many of them, absolutely fantastical; wonder and awe are mingled with almost ridiculous feelings in contemplating the strange apparitions-strange monstrosities we had almost called them -that are pictured on the black ground of the illustrations. One aggregation looms forth out of the darkness like the skeleton face of some tremendous mammoth or other monstrous denizen of ancient times, with two small fiery eyes, however, gazing out of its great hollow orbits. Another consists of a central uncleus, with arms of stars radiating forth in all directions, like a starfish, or like the scattering fire sparks of some pyrotechnic wheel revolving. A third resembles a great wisp of straw, or twist or coil of ropes--a fourth a cork-screw or other spiral seen on end-a fifth a crab--ą

sixth a dum-bell-many of them scroll or scrolls of some thin texture seen edgewise, and so on. It is even a suggestion of the author's that some of the spiral and armed wheels may be revolving yet in the vast ocean of space in which they are engulphed. Thus has the telescope traced the "binding" influences of the Pleiades, loosened the bands of "Orion"-erst the chief nebulous hazy wonders, once and for all revealing its separate stars and thus, in brief, has this wondrous instrument "unrolled the heavens as scroll." Yet even these astonishing results are as nothing to the fact that those fantastic shapes which it has revealed in the depths of this lambo of creation, are not shapes merely of the present time-that thousands of years have passed since the light that showed them left the starry firmaments only now revealed-that the telescope, in short, in reflecting these astonishing shapes, deliver to the eye of mind turned inward on the long stored records of a universal and eternal memory of the past, than to a mere eye of sense looking outward on the things of passing time !—The Builder.

Oh, stay by my couch to-night, Mother,

And sing me some beautiful song:
For I fain would dream as I dreamed last night,
For my eyes would gaze at that wondrous sight,
Amid the archanel throng!

I dreamed that I roamed last night, Mother,
Afar in some beautiful land:

Bright spirits of light in their shining plumes,
Where sunlight no longer that land illumes,
There hovered in shining bands!

Bright forms, on dazzling wings, Mother,
Went by on their flashing round;
And trembled the cords of their golden lyres,
And anthems of praise from the heavenly choirs
Through the star-lit courts resound.

And happier forms were there, Mother,

Than bloom in this time bound sphere:

And the joyful acclaim of that blood-washed throng
As they chanted the strains of the heavenly song,
There fell on my raptured ear.

And sweet sister Emma was there, Mother,
As fair as an angel of light;

She stood in the ranks of that angel throng,
And chanted the notes of the seraphim's song-

A cherub serenely bright!

And she sang the song we sung, Mother,
Together that lonesome night:

Her voice was as sweet as a seraph's tongue,
That high in the arches of glory rung,
Enrobed in celestial white!

I thought of the long, long night, Mother,
We sat by her dying bed;

And I saw the tear in your mournful eye,

As dying, "Sweet Mother, good bye-good bye;
I'll meet you in Heaven," she said.

Oh, there was no misery there, Mother,
Away in that beautiful land:

Nor sun with its blazing flame was there,
Nor angry howl of the wintry air

Envenomed its zephyrs bland.

She quitted the blazing ranks, Mother,
And quick to me hastening sped;

And the shining curls of her golden hair
Were kissed by the gales of that redolent air,
As sweetly, dear Mother, she said.

"Oh come to these love-lit realms, Anna,
And strike on an angel's lyre;

Come, bask in the beams of a nightless home,
Through its changeless bowers we'll sweetly roam,
And join in the heavenly choir."

Oh, stay by my couch to-night, Mother,
And sing me some beautiful song;

For I fain would dream as I dreamed last night,
And my eye would gaze on that wondrous sight,
High 'midst the archangel throng!

OBSERVE CHILDREN.-Nothing, perhaps, would conduce so much to the knowledge of the human mind, as a close attention to the actions and thoughts of very young children; and yet no branch in the history of human nature is more neglected. The pleasant and extravagant notions of the infantile mind amuse for the instant, and are immediately forgotton, whereas they merit to be registered

with the utmost care: for it is here and here alone, that we can discover the nature and character of first principles. An attention to the commencement and development of their ideas would correct many of our speculative notions, and confute most of the sentiments of abstract philosophers, respecting what they so confidently advance concerning these first principles.—Reid.

BE KIND TO YOUR MOTHER.

Filial kindness is always beautiful. There is not a more touching picture in the Bible, than that of Ruth, while answering the intreaties of her mother-in-law, Naomi, to return unto her own people. 'Whither thou goest, I will go, and where thou lodgest, I will lodge-thy people shall be my peopie, and thy God my where thou diest, I will die, and there will I be buried.'

God;

'I will never marry a man who does not treat his mother well,' said a lively friend to us once. And why not?' we queried. 'If he is unkind to her, to whom he is so deeply indebted,' she replied, 'what need one expect from him, to whom he owes comparatively nothing? There was sound philosophy in this remark. Most of our truly great men have been noted for the kindness-yea, reverence, even with which they have treated their mothers. Washington revered his; Roger Sherman treated his with the most marked attention; and it was one of the famous Judge Story's last requests, that he might be buried beside his mother, in Mount Auburn. But filial respect and love is not often rewarded as in the following instance :

Gustavus III., King of Sweden, passing one morning through a village, in the neighbourhood of the castle, observed a young peasant girl of interesting appearance drawing water at a fountain at the wayside. He went up to her, and asked her for a draught. Without delay, she lifted up her pitcher, and, with artless simplicity, put it to the lips of the monarch. Having satisfied his thirst, and courteously thanked his benefactress, he said, 'My girl, if you would accompany me to Stockholın, I would endeavour to fix you in a more agreeable situation.'

'Ah, Sir,' replied the girl, 'I cannot accept your proposal. I am not anxious to rise above the state of life in which the Providence of God has placed me; but if I were, I could not for an instant hesitate.'

And why?' rejoined the King, somewhat surprised. 'Because,' answered the girl, colouring, my mother is poor and sickly, and has no one but me to assist or comfort her under her many afflictions; and no earthly bribe could induce me to leave her, or to neglect the duties which affection requires from me.' 'Where is your mother? asked the monarch.

'In that little cabin,' replied the girl, pointing to a wretched hovel beside her.

The King, whose feelings were interested in favour of his companion, went in, and beheld stretched on a bedstead, whose only covering was a little straw, an aged female, weighed down with years and sinking under infirmities. Moved at the sight, the monarch addressed her:

'I am sorry, my poor woman, to find you in so destitute and afflicted a condition.'

'Alas, Sir, answered the venerable sufferer, 'I should be indeed to be pitied, had I not that kind and attentive girl, who labours to support me, and omits nothing she thinks can afford me relief. May a gracious God remember it for her good,' she added, wiping away a tear.

Never, perhaps, was Gustavus more sensible than at that moment, of the pleasure of possessing an exalted station; and putting a purse into the hand of the young villager, he could only say, 'Continue to take good care of your mother; I shall soon enable you to do so more effectually. Good bye, my amiable girl-you may depend on the promise of your King,'

On his return to Stockholm, Gustavus settled a pension for life on her mother, with the reversion to her daughter, at her death. N. Y. Home Journal.

THE RUM BON-FIRE.-One day, when the Marshal in Portland poured a quantity of liquor into the streets, the boys got some matches and set fire to it, and it burned blue. Thus they had a rum bon-fire. Well, it was better that the boys should burn the rum, than that the rum should burn the boys.