acquirements, we continue to think the plan most beneficial and wholesome in its results." We shall hereafter present more copious extracts from the able report of the superintendent, ANDREW J. RICKOFF, Esq.

THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY. Devoted to literature, art, and politics. November, 1857. Boston: Phillips, Sampson & Co., 13 Winter Street.

We have received from the publishers the first number of this new candidate for the public favor. It is not a flashy compend of "light literature," nor a picture book, and therefore may not command the attention of the frivolous, superficial, butterflies of fashion, nor secure the regard of overgrown boys and girls, but if in its future it shall fulfil the promises given and implied in this first number, we are much mistaken in the American mind, if it does not secure an extended patronage, and exert a powerful influence in the realms of literature and art. It comprises in its list of contributors the names of the ablest and most popular writers of the day, such as W. H. Prescott, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Wm. C. Bryant, H. W. Longfellow, John G. Whittier, Mrs. Stowe, Mrs. Gaskell, &c.

For sale by booksellers, periodical dealers and newsmen, at 25 cents a number, and sent by mail, post-paid, to subscribers, by the publishers, Messrs. P. S. & Co., for one year, on the receipt of three dollars.

ADVANTAGES OF COLLEGES. An address delivered before the Philomathean Society of Carroll College, Waukesha, Wis., on July 15th, 1857, by COURTLANDT VanvensSELAER, D. D.

A Found and able address, presenting with clearness and force the benefits resulting to individuals, the community and the State, from the establishment of a good College.

THE AMERICAN EDUCATOR. A practical monthly journal for the Teacher, the Farmer, and the Family. WILLIAM H. BOYD, Proprietor and Publisher, 346 Broadway, New-York. Vol. 1. No. 2. October, 1857.

A new enterprise on a new plan, comprising an educational, an agricultural, and a home department. One feature, "The Spirit of the School Journals," we like very much. It consists of condensed extracts from the most important articles in the various educational journals of the country. The present number contains a likeness of Dr. Norr, a view of Union College, and a view of the Union School Building, Schenectady, N. Y. Price, 50 cents a year.

In my former article, I alluded to the pecuniary benefits arising from a good school-house. Pursuing the plan before my own mind, I shall endeavor in the present article to illustrate its political value.

Every true patriot-every lover of his country-looks with pride upon whatever advances the interests of popular education.

Mr. Canning, in reply to the question-By what means an uninterrupted succession of men, qualified more or less eminently for the performance of united parliamentary and official duties, is secured?—says, "We owe it to our system of Common Schools and Universities." What is true of the schools and universities of England, is eminently true of the schools of America. The perpetuity of our free institutions depends upon the intelligence and virtue of the sovereign people. The masses must be educated; and the higher the degree of intelligence, the more firmly will our Republic be enshrined in their affections. The common school, then, must be the bulwark of our defence against despotism. It is the corner-stone of our national prosperity; for in the common school must the vast majority of our people find their fitting to act the part of free men. The men issuing from these schools will be what the schools are, and it needs no argument to prove that the schools will be what the school-houses are. This must seem as a general rule. It is not to be be denied that a good school-house may contain a very poor school. But the public spirit which will manifest itself in the erection of a good school-house will diminish the probability of such a thing. Nor, on the other hand, would I affirm that no good school was ever taught in a poor house, but as before I would say, the manifest want of a right public spirit will diminish the probability of such a thing.

If we would have our nation controlled by a body of unadorned and unventilated citizens, we need but lie idle as to all progress in educational matters, and leave to the half-qualified and therefore justly half-starved pedagogue as quiet possession of the old rickety school-house as the winds and restless lads will allow. In our nation's infancy, God raised up men of full stature from the log school-houses of our land. As we advance in years and strength and wealth, he demands of us better shops for the elaboration of thought and the moulding of mind. What has been is no criterion for the future. If it were, why allow any advance in mechanic arts, or industrial pursuits, or in architecture.

If our nation be saved from the curse of ignorance and consequent credulity, our educational interests must keep pace with other interests. The log school-house exerted a good healthful influence when and as long as it was equal to the residences of the wealthy-when the homes of the pupils were log cabins-when churches, factories, stores and taverns were but uncouth structures, there might have been a charm even about the old school-house. It is not so much an absolute as a relative value we would contend for. If we would have good, intelligent citizens, they must receive their education in houses always healthful, and in proportion to their surroundings neat and attractive.

PLATTEVILLE, Nov., 1857.

J. L. P.

NATIONAL TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.

Continued from page 155.

PREAMBLE.

To elevate the character and advance the interests of the profession of teaching, and to promote the cause of popular education in the United States, we, whose names are subjoined, agree to adopt the following

GSTITUTION.

ARTICLE I. Name.-This association shall be styled the "National Teachers' Association."

ART. II. Members.-Any gentleman who is regularly occupied in teaching in a public or private elementary school, common school, high school, academy or scientific school, college or university, or who is regularly employed as a private tutor, as the editor of an educational journal, or as a superintendent of schools, shall be eligible to membership.

Applications for admission to membership shall be made, or referred to the Board of Directors, or such committee of their own number as they shall appoint; and all who may be recommended by them, and accepted by a majority vote of the members present, shall be entitled to the privileges of the association, upon paying two dollars and signing this constitution.

Upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors, gentlemen may be elected a

honorary members by a two-thirds vote of the members present, and as such shall have all the rights of regular members except those of voting and holding office.

Ladies engaged in teaching may, on the recommendation of the Board of Directors, become honorary members, and shall thereby possess the right of presenting, in the form of written essays, (to be read by the Secretary or any other member whom they may select,) their views upon the subject assigned for discussion.

Whenever a member of this association shall abandon the profession of teaching, or the business of editing an educational journal, or of superintending schools, he shall cease to be a member.

If one member shall be charged by another with immoral or dishonorable conduct the charge shall be referred to the Board of Directors, or such a committee as they shall appoint, and if the charge shall be sustained by them, and afterwards by twothirds of the members present at a regular meeting of the association, the person so charged shall forfeit his membership.

There shall be an annual fee of one dollar. If any one shall omit paying his fee for four years, his connection with the association shall cease.

A person eligible to membership, may become a life member by paying, at once, ten dollars.

ART. III. Officers.--The officers of this association shall be a President, twelve Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and one Counsellor for each State, District or Territory represented in the association. These officers, all of whom shall be elected by ballot, a majority of the votes cast being necessary for a choice, shall constitute the Board of Directors, and shall have power to appoint such committees from their own number as they shall deem expedient.

The President shall preside at all meetings of the association and of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties, and enjoy such privileges as by custom devolve upon and are enjoyed by, a presiding officer. In his absence, the first VicePresident in order who is present, shall preside; and in the absence of all the VicePresidents, a pro tempore chairman shall be appointed on nomination, the Secretary putting the question.

The Secretary shall keep a full and just record of the proceedings of the association and of the Board of Directors; shall notify each member of the association or board; shall conduct such correspondence as the directors may assign; and shall have his records present at all meetings of the association and of the Board of Directors. In his absence a Secretary pro tempore may be appointed.

The Treasurer shall receive and hold in safe keeping all moneys paid to the Association; shall expend the same in accordance with the votes of the directors or of the association; and shall keep an exact account of his receipts and expenditures, with vouchers for the latter, which account he shall render to the Board of Directors prior to each regular meeting of the association; he shall also present an abstract thereof to the association. The Treasurer shall give such bonds for the faithful discharge of his duties, as may be required by the Board of Directors.

The Counsellors shall have equal power with the other directors in performing the duties belonging to the board.

The Board of Directors shall have power to fill all vacancies in their own body; shall have in charge the general interests of the association; shall make all necessary arrangements for its meetings; and shall do all in their power to render it a useful and honorable institution.

Art. IV. Meetings.--A meeting shall be held in August, 1858, after which the regular meetings shall be held biennially. The place and the precise time of meeting shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors shall hold their regular meetings at the place and two hours

before the time of the assembling of the association, and immediately after the adjournment of the same. Special meetings may be held at such other times and places as the board or the President shall determine.

ART. V. By-Laws.—By-Laws, not inconsistent with this Constitution, may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the association.

ART. VI. Amendments.-This Constitution may be altered or amended at a regular meeting, by the unanimous vote of the members present; or by a two-thirds vote of the members present, providing that the alteration or amendment have been substantially proposed at a previous regular meeting.

On motion of T. W. Valentine, of New-York, a committee of one from each State represented in this convention, was appointed by the chair, to nominate a list of officers, and report at the evening session.

The following were appointed, viz: Wm. Roberts, of Pennsylvania; J. F. Cann, of Georgia; James Cruikshank, of New-York; D. B. Hagar, of Massachusetts; James L. Enos, of Iowa; N. R. Lynch, of Delaware; J. R. Challen, of Indiana; Thomas Granger, of Illinois; Z. Richards, of Dist. Columbia; and J. D. Giddings, of South Carolina. The meeting adjourned at five and a half o'clock.

EVENING SESSION.

The association met at eight o'clock. President Enos in the chair. T. W. Valentine, of New-York, was introduced, and read a very able and Instructive address, prepared by Prof. Wm. Russell, of Massachusetts, who was unable to be present.

This address set forth the importance of this convention to organize an association of professional teachers, that shall be national in its character. 1st. As regards wider and juster views of education, and corresponding methods of instruction. 2d.-From the establishment of a National Society of Teachers we may justly expect great national benefits.

The address was full of practical and suggestive ideas.

James R. Challen, of Indiana, offered the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted:

Resolved, That the thanks of this association be tendered to Prof. William Russell, of Massachusetts, for the able and instructive address with which he has favored us on this occasion.

J. F. Cann, of Georgia, from the committee on nomination of officers, reported the following:

For President.-Z. Richards, of Washington, D. C.

Vice-Presidents.-T. W. Valentine, of New York; D. B. Hagar, of MasBachusetts; Wm. Roberts, of Pennsylvania; J. F. Cann, of Georgia; J. L. Enos, of Iowa; T. C. Taylor, of Delaware; J. R. Challen, of Indiana; B. W. Whelan, of Missouri; P. F. Smith, of South Carolina; D. Wilkins, of Illinois; T. Granger, of Indiana; L. Andrews, of Ohio.

Secretary.-H. C. Hickok, of Pennsylvania.

Treasurer.-T. M. Cann, of Delaware.

Counsellors. Wm. E. Sheldon, E. Abington, Mass.; J. W. Bulkley, Brooklyn, N. Y.; P. A. Cregar, Philadelphia, Penn.; N. R. Lynch, Middle