Schools in Brantford.-By a correspondent of the Huron Signal. We visited the principal school erected in 1850, by the town, at an expense of £1,000. The building is of brick, two stories in height above the basement, and contains three large school rooms, beside rooms for recitation, for the reception of outer clothing, &c. The seats are so planned that but two children sit together, and all the arrangements are well calculated to promote the comfort, health, and advancement of the children. The play grounds for the girls, as well as their school rooms, are entirely separate from those of the boys. The whole of the rooms are furnished with tablet lessons, maps, blackboards, astronomical apparatus, &c. The play grounds and more particularly the public entrance are tastefully planted with trees, and the whole affair is an example to the province. The average number of pupils is over 300, taught by five teachers. We have space to refer to but one more of the educational establishments of Brantford.-A benevolent lady has erected a large brick house for a boarding school, in which she provides for the education of about 40 children. Those who are able, pay a trifle for their board and education, others receive board and education free, and some receive even their clothing in addition.

Huntingdon School Examination.-On the 22nd ult., the quarterly examination of the pupils attending MissVantassell's school at Huntingdon took place. The School numbers over 50 pupils. A large number of the parents and friends of the children were present, as well as several gentlemen from the town who take a lively interest in the cause of education. The school room was tastefully decorated for the occasion, by the scholars, with festoons, evergreens, flags bearing appropriate devices, which gave it a very fine appearance. During the afternoon the children sung several appropriate hymns, and no one could have listened to their sweet voices, and scanned their happy faces as they chaunted their rhymes, without feeling delighted. The pupils were examined in Grammar, Arithmetic, Natural Philosophy, Animal and Vegetable Physiology, &c., and in each of these departments the pupils displayed high attainments. Dr. Hope being requested to examine on Animal and Vegetable Physiology, asked a few questions on this subject, and the answers given to them would have done credit to pupils attending Schools of much higher pretensions. After the examination was concluded, the Local Superintendent was called to the chair. The chairman gave a short address, in which he expressed himself highly satisfied with the proficiency which the scholars had made since the last examination. Dr. Hope being called upon to address the audience, said,-He had great pleasure in being present at this examination. He felt agreeably disappointed, at the proficiency of the scholars, as well as at the superior system pursued by the teacher in imparting instruction; but he had no idea that the children attending this school were so far advanced in the different branches of education; it was astonishing, the knowledge displayed here to-day in reference to the subject of Animal and Vegetable Physiology, a study which was heretofore principally confined to physicians, and those who acquired a knowledge of the higher branches of education, but he was happy to see that these useful studies were engaging the attention of our Common Schools; and it afforded him great pleasure to state, that the Common Schools of Canada, would now compare with any of the same class, in the United States, in regard to the instruction, as well as the system adopted for imparting that instruction. [For the remainder of Dr. Hope's remarks, See page 152.] James Ketcheson, Esq., then addressed the audience:-He expressed the pleasure he felt, in witnessing the proceedings to-day. He could not let this opportunity pass (as many of the parents of the children were present) without impressing on their attention, the necessity of engrafting religious principles combined with sound morality on the knowledge the children obtain at school. He was willing to admit that the teacher could do much in this respect, yet their instructions could never supersede that duty which is incumbent upon parents, for the influence of a parent was quite different from that of a public teacher; right-hearted parents have an access to the hearts of children, which it is not possible for any other person to possess; there are invisible avenues by which alone they can enter, and which it is hopeless for any other to attempt. Mr. Henry Ostrom made a few very appropriate remarks in reference to education, in which he contrasted the advantages now enjoyed for obtaining education, with the disadvantages they laboured under a few years back, and concluded by expressing himself highly gratified with the examination. After the proceedings were concluded, the Ladies furnished refreshments, and we need hardly say that full justice was done by all present, to the good things so abundantly provided.-Hastings Chronicle

Belleville School Examination.-On the 8th inst., the examination of the pupils attending Mr. Newbery's School took place. This School numbers about 219, the average attendance being about 184. A large number of the friends and parents of the children, as well as several gentlemen who take an interest in education, were present. The children were examined in Natural Philosophy, Grammar, Arithmetic, Animal and

Vegetable Phisiology, &c., and in each of these departments of study the pupils displayed very high attainments for a common school, and considering the large number that receive instruction, the whole examination was highly creditable. After the examination was closed, John Turnbull, Esq., being called upon to address the audience, said he had great pleasure in witnessing the proceedings of to-day. The orderly manner in which the children conducted themselves, as well as their respectable appearance, was a very pleasant feature in the day's proceedings. He expressed himself highly satisfied with the attainments manifested by the children, which could not be otherwise than pleasing to the parents and all interested in the cause of education, as well as creditable to the children; he hoped that they would aim at making higher attainments. After Mr. Turnbull had taken his seat, Rev. Mr. Hudson rose, and said, that as he had always taken a deep interest in the cause of education, it was particularly gratifying to him to be present at this examination. Mr. Burdon made a few very happy remarks, in which he expressed himself highly pleased with the attainments of the pupils. Mr. Davy on being called upon made a few appropriate remarks, more especially directed to the children; he said he hoped they would improve the peculiar advantages they now possess of obtaining a good education, superior to their fathers, and that they would make good use of their time, as youth was the season for improvement. Dr. Hope being called upon to express his opinion in regard to the examination, said he was highly satisfied with what he had witnessed to-day. He dwelt at some length on the advantages of the present common school system as compared with the old rate bill. [For Dr. Hope's further remarks, See page 152.] After this the Rev. W. Gregg addressed the children on the advantages of education, as well as the importance of engrafting religious instruction on the lessons learned at this school He showed them the necessity of obtaining a knowledge of God's word, as alone calculated to make wise unto salvation, which should be made the chief concern of all present. We are happy to be able to state that the Examinations at each of the Common Schools have given great satisfaction.-Ibid

BRITISH AND FOREIGN

MONTHLY SUMMARY.

The Committee of Privy Council for Education have recently issued circulars to the inspectors of schools directing them to aid, by every means in their power, the system proposed by the department of practical art for causing elementary drawing to become a part of national education. It is intended to teach the very simplest elements of drawing in all schools willing to bear a small proportion of the necessary expenses, and then to admit the qualified scholars to study in a central drawing school in every town...... The Criminal statistics for all England, for the year 1851, are now before the public. Ten years ago the tables returned 30,000 offenders: the report for 1851, with all the increase of population to be reckoned, returns something over 27,000 criminals of all grades. In the intervening years, 1841, gives the highest number above thirty one thousand: 1845 gives the lowest-a little over twenty-four thonsand. It is remarked that where work was abounded crime was decreased-that is, in the manufac turing districts. In the purely agricultural districts there has also been a decrease, except in the eastern counties-Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Lincoln. Wherever there has been an increase of commitments, it has not been on any particular class of crimes, but has extended to each. Of the seventy criminals who were last year sentenced to death, only ten were executed. Female offenders generally reckon, with regard to males, as a friction less than one in four; but in cases of poisoning there were last year forty-one females for thirty-three males. Stockport is quoted as showing the consequences of non-education. It is not more discreditable than its neighbours in the report of 1851; but the riots there this year have set the statisticians calculating, and they find that, out of a population of 85,000, only three hundred and fifty were at school in the whole borough.

ner,

The official statistics of the French departments prove that the average duration of human life is from six to eight years longer in the districts which are the most advanced in respect to education. In like manthe inhabitants are most healthy in those departments where agriculture is most improved, manufactures most extended, and commerce most active... ...The Milan Gazette of the 14th publishes a notification by Count Strasoldo, Imperial Lieutenant of Lombardy, announcing that this year the two universities of Pavia and Padua will be opened without restriction, as they were before the events of 1843. Pupils may be received in the lyceums of Lembardo-Venetian provinces without any restriction respecting the legal domicile..... The death of the Duke of Wellington leaves the office of Chancellor of the University of Oxford vacant. The Earl of Derby has been elected, though Lords Rosse, Mahon, the Duke of Newcastle and others were mentioned in connection with the office. .......Last week the Duke of Northumberland laid the foundation stone of the Borough Schools at Alnwick, with great ceremony and

state....... Two professorships of Practical Art in woven fabric and me tals have recently been established at Marlborough House, with a view of directing the studies of the pupils in classes, affording assistance to manufacturers and workinen who may seek it, and giving information to the public by lectures, &c., on the examples collected in the museum...... Mr Macgillivary, the eminent naturalist and professor of Natural History in the University of Aberdeen is dead....... The Plymouth Public Free School has been reported by the Inspector of Schools for the British and Foreign School Society, as fit for a model School for the West of England.......A paper published at Malino, Sweden, says that Madame Jenny Lind Goldschmidt has deposited in the hands of trustees four hundred thousand rixthalers for the purpose of founding girls' schools in Sweden.

The Brooklyn Board of Education, at their last meeting, adopted a resolution, directing all the school houses under their jurisdiction to be ventilated, by keeping the doors and windows open during recess. Ventilation is too much neglected in public buildings generally, and we should be glad to see the example of the Brooklyn authorities followed elsewhere.

The free evening schools throughout the city, by direction of the Board of Education have been opened, and will continue open for the term of fourteen weeks. The rules of the Board prohibit the reception in these schools of any pupils whose daily avocations admit of their attendance upon the public or ward schools, and no corporeal punishment is allowed...... The new York Teachers' Association have issued an Educational periodical entitled "The New York Teacher," under the direction of twelve corresponding editors, and one resident editor, Mr. T. W. Valentine, Albany. This publication is designed to supply the place of the "District School Journal," discontinued for want of funds.

Literary and Scientific Entelligence.

MONTHLY SUMMARY.

At the opening of the British Association at Belfast, Colonel Sabine delivered an address on the objects and proceedings of the association, taking a view more particularly of the progress of science during the past year. He adverted to the subjects noticed by the council in their request to the general committee, in reference to the communications between the parliamentary committee and the government. One of the most important subjects for consideration at the present meeting, he said would be the necessity of again urging on the government the formation of a station in the southern hemisphere for astronomical observations. Among other topics of public interests to which he alluded was the probable advantage to science of having it directly represented in parliament. To that plan he decidedly objected, as scientific men ought not to have their attention disturbed by political controversy. The address, which occupied an hour and a half in delivery, was listened to with great attention, and was much cheered. A large number of highly interesting papers on science and political economy were read in the different sections during the week, and the meetings passed off with great eclat. Dr. Hamilton, in the Zoological section, read "Remarks on some of the marine birds which produce guano on the coasts of Peru and Bolivia, with reference to the Lobos Islands." This paper excited much interest, both on account of the recent question as to the sovereignty of the Lobos Islands, and on account of the importance of an increased supply of guano. After much matter of historical and geographical interest, the author gave his reasons for expressing his belief that large deposits of guano might still be found if the government would undertake the search, as yet there remained a large portion of the Pacific unexplored, principally that lying between Valparaiso and the Isthmus of Panama................... The Scientific Association of France commenced its annual Congress a week or two ago at Toulouse. The proceedings though interesting are of less public importance than those of the British Association......... The Liverpool Free Public Library and Museum was opened October 18. The museum will not be opened for some months. From 9,000 to 10,000 volumes have been received into the library shelves, and the librarian and his assistants are busy in preparing the catalogue. The workmen are busily engaged in fitting up the glass cases for the reception of Lord Derby's museum. The large cases are to be arranged round the room, and the smaller ones down the centre. In one of the rooms the model of Liverpool is to be placed The Derby museum contains 661 specimens of mammalia, mounted, and 607 in skin; 11,131 birds mounted, 7,700 in skin, making a total of 20,049 specimens, exclusive of a large collection of eggs, a considerable number of rep

tiles, fish &c.... Mr. Monckton Milnes, M.P., quaintly observed, at the opening of the Manchester Free Library, that four hundred years had elapsed since the invention of printing, yet books were not in circulation all over the globe; while the use of tobacco had become universal within fifty years of its introduction.... The Directors of the New Crystal Palace have, it is said, set apart £10,000 for the sculptural and architectural decorations of the edifice now rising from the grounds at Sydenham....A congress of shorthand writers has just been held at Munich.... The French Government are about collecting and publishing all the popular poems of France.....A. W. Pugin, the celebrated architect is dead. Her Majesty has granted £100 per annum to his widow in consideration of her husband's eminent abilities....... At a meeting of the N. Y. Historical Society, the librarian read a communication from John G. Shea, Esq., concerning the discovery and first exploration of the Mississippi river. It is supposed the first white men who ever saw the "great father of waters," were Cebaza De Naca, and the three survivors of Narvaez's band, who traversed the continent from Florida to California, in the year 1537. A few years later came the expeditions of De Soto, the monk De Niza, and Muscosa, by whom a great portion of the country West of the Mississippi was explored. In 1639, the Jesuit missionaries in Canada heard of the great river, and in 1641, they planted the cross at the outlet of Lake Superior. In 1673, Jollyet and Marquette were sent out to explore the river, and ascertain whether it ran to California, and opened a way to China. Marquette wrote a journal of his voyage and drew a map, which is now deposited in the library of St. Mary's College at Quebec. The Jesuits never published Marquette's journal, but Thevenot issued an edition of it, omitting any notice of the object of the expedition.....At the annual sitting of the French Academy, the prize for poetry, a gold medal worth 2000fr., was awarded to Madame Louise Collet, on the theme of The Colony of Mettray,' where the reform of convicts by classified labour is attempted. The prize of 2000fr. for eloquence was awarded to M. Paradol, of the Normal school, for a Eulogium on Bernardin St. Pierre. The first Montyon prize for history was awarded to M. Emile de Bonne chose, to whose work On the Four Conquests of England, reference has been made. The Gobert historical prizes, founded by Baron Gobert, were awarded, the first to M. Thierry, for his work on the Merovingian Kings;' the second to M. Henri Martin, for the recent volumes of his History of France.' Among the other prizes the most noticeable were, to M. Barnard, for his translation of Hegels's 'Lectures on Esthetics,' and to M. Jules Barni, for an Analytical Examination of the Philosophy of Kant.' M. Boulay-Paty received 2000fr. for his collection of poetry entitled 'Sonnets,' and M. Jasmin an extraordinary prize of 3000fr. for poetry in the Provençal dialect. The report on the prizes for virtue was read by M. Vitet, the first of 3000fr. being awarded to a poor woman, aged 70, at Velencinnes, who had for forty years devoted herself to the support of her old mistress who had fallen into poverty. The sitting was concluded by the reading of Madame Collet's prize poem. The Report, by M. Villemain, Perpetual Secretary of the Academy, read previously to the announcement of the prizes, was a masterly piece of eloquence, and criticism, eliciting the warm applause of the distinguished audience. A brief analysis of the works honoured with prizes was given in the Report.

Wonders of the Universe.-What mere assertion will make any one believe that in one second of time, in one beat of a pendulum of a clock a ray of light travels over 192,000 miles, and would therefore perform the tour of the world in about the same time that it requires to wink with our eyelids, and in much less than a swift runner occupies in taking a single stride? What mortal can be made to believe, without demonstration, that the sun is almost a million times larger than this earth ?-and that although so remote from us, a cannon ball shot directly towards it, and maintaining its full speed, would be twenty years in reaching it, yet it affects the earth by its attraction in an appreciable instant of time? But what are these to the astonishing truths which modern optical inquiries have disclosed, which teaches us that every point of a medium through which a ray of light passes, is affected with a succession of periodical movements, regularly recurring at equal intervals, no less than five hundred millions of millions of miles in a single second? That it is by such movements communicated to the nerves of our eyes that we see-nay, more, that it is the difference in the frequency of their recurrence which affects us with the sense of the diversity of colour. That, for instance, in acquiring the sensations of reddess, our eyes are affected four hundred and eighty-two millions of millions of times; and of violet, seven hundred and seven millions of millions of times per second! These are, nevertheless, conclusions to which any one may most certainly arrive who will be at the trouble of examining the chain of reasoning by which they have been obtained.-[Sir John Herschell.

Gigantic Telescope at Wandsworth.-There is at present in course of construction on Wandsworth-common, a singular-looking structture, consisting of a plain tower with a long tube slung by its side, surrounded by a wooden boarding to keep off intruders. This large tube encloses a new monster telescope on the a chromatic principle in process of

construction, under the superintendence of Mr W. Gravatt, F. R. S., for the Rev Mr. Craig, vicar of Leamington. The site, consisting of two acres, has been liberally presented by Earl Spencer in perpetuity, or so long as the telescope shall be maintained. The central tower, consisting of brick, is 64 feet in height, 15 feet in diameter, and weighs 220 tons.every precaution has been taken in the construction of this building to prevent the slightest vibration, but if any disappointment in this respect should arise, (which however, Mr. Gravatt does not anticipate,) additional weight can be obtained by loading the several floors, and the most perfect steadiness will be thus ensured. By the side of this sustaining, tower hangs the telescope. The length of the main tube, which is shaped somewhat like a cigar, is 76 feet, but with an eye piece at the narrow end and a dewcap at the other, the total length in use will be 85 feet. The design of the dewcap is to prevent obscuration by the condensation of moisture, which takes place during the night, when the instrument is most in use. Its exterior is of bright metal, the interior is painted black. The focal distance will vary from 76 to 85 feet. The tube at its greatest circumference measures 13 feet, and this part is about 24 feet from the object glass. The determination of this point was the result of repeated experiments and minute and careful calculations. It was essential to the object in view that there should not be the slightest vibration in the instrument. Mr. Gravatt, reasoning from analogy, applied the principle of harmonic progression to the perfecting of an instrument for extending the range of vision, and thus aiding astronomic research. By his improvements the vibration at one end of the tube 18 neutralized by that at the other, and the result is that the utmost steadiness and precision is attained. The manner in which these object-glasses are fitted into the tube is a marvel of artistic invention. By means of twelve screws, numbered according to the hours of the day, they can be set in an instant to any angle the observer may require, by his merely calling out the number of the screw to be touched. The objectglasses also move round in grooves to wherever it may be considered that a more distinct view can be gained. The tube rests upon a light wooden framework, with iron wheels attached, and is fitted to a circular iron railway at a distance of fifty-two feet from the centre of the tower. The chain by which it is lowered is capable of sustaining a weight of thirteen tons, though the weight of the tube is only three. Notwithstanding the immense size of the instrument, the machinery is such, that it can move either in azimuth, or up to an altitude of eighty degrees, with as much ease and rapidity as an ordinary telescope, and, from the nature of the mechanical arrangements, with far greater certainty as to the results. The slightest force applied to wheel on the iron rail causes the instrument to move horizon tally round the central tower, while a wheel at the right hand of the observer by a beautiful adaption of mechanical powers, enables him to elevate or depress the object-glass with the greatest precision and facility. So easy, in fact, is the control over the instrument in this respect, that a very slight touch on the wheel lifts ten cwt. It may be observed, also, that there cannot be the slightest flexure in the tube; no error or deflection arising from that cause can occur, while the ease wtih which it can be directed towards any point of the heavens will enable the observer to make profitable use of any patch of clear sky, however transient it may be. The great value of this need not be pointed out to those accustomed to making astronomical observations. With respect to the magnifying power of this novel instrument, it is only necessary to state that, though the focus is not so perfect as it will be shortly, it has already separated the nebula in the same way as Lord Rosse's It has also separated some of the double stars in the Great Bear, and shown distinctly a clear distance of 50 or 60 degrees between them, with several other stars occupying the intervening space Ordinary readers will better understand the extraordinary magnifying power of the telescope when we inform them that by it a quarter-inch letter can be read at the distance of half a mile. The preparations for this really national work have been progressing for the last two years under the superintendence of M. Gravatt.

Parliamentary Literati.-A Correspondent of the Athenæum furnishes a detailed list of what he designates "the representatives of the literary interest in the Legislature:"-" Mr. Disraeli has hereditary pretentions to lead the literary interest in the Lower House, and I do not think that there could be any 'opposition' to his claim of being the first Novelist at present in the House of Commous...... The only other M. P. whom I can find avowedly contributing to the Fiction interest is Mr Grantley Berkley,--whose novel of 'BerkleyCastle,'" and its consequences, might furnish a chapter to Curiosities of Literature.'...... Lord John Russell, as author of Don Carlos,' is the only Dramatist in the Lower House, and he ranks also amongst Essayists, Biographers, and Historians, by his various publications...... Lord Mahon and Colonel Mure are at the head of the Historical and Critical M. P.'s; and I perceive the name of Mr. MacGregor, Mr. Torrence, M'Cullagh, and Sir John Walsh, as authors of historical writings...... Under the head of Poets, I observe Lords Maidstone and John Manners, and Mr. Mockton Milnes...... The 'Tra

vellers' are more numerously represented in the Lower House of Parliament than most other departments of Literature:-Amongst Urquhart, and Mr. Whiteside; and I think that Sir George Staunton and Mr. George Thompson may be classed with the Travellers...... In the department of Political Philosophy,' I find Mr. Gladstone, Sir W. Molesworth, Mr. J. W. Fox, and Colonel Thompson ..... Mr. Cornwall Lewis, Mr. Roebuck, Mr. George Smythe, and Mr. Mackinnon, appear amongst the general Essayists...... Mr. Walter, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Wakely may be ranked with the Editorial interest; and I may add that Mr. Butt-the new M. P. for Harwich-besides being the reputed author of a three-volume novel, was for some years the Editor of The Dublin University Magazine...... The Biographers are represented by Mr. Grattan, author of a five-volume work on his celebrated father The Phamphleteer department is represented

by legion; and I pass it bye with the remark that Lord Overstone in the Upper, and Mr. Cobden in the Lower House, are at its head by the importance of their publications...... Turning to the Lords, the Bishop of St David's (Dr. Thirlwall) is clearly at the head of the Historians in that assembly,-Lord Brougham, of Political Philosophy and Belles Lettres,and Lord Campbell of the Biographers...... The Novelists are represented by Lords Normanby and Londesborough...... The Editorial interest' of the Peers is of a different kind from that of the Lower House,-and is represented by the Earl of Malmesbury, the Marquis of Londonderry, and Lords Holland and Braybrooke...... Lord St. Leonard's work on 'Powers' shows that he has other than cr-officio right to be placed at the head of living English writers on law ....The Duke of Argyll, by his treatise on the Church History of Scotland, has added to the literary works of the Campbells.....The Marquis of Ormonde has published a richly illustrated narrative of a residence in Sicily. In Physical Science, the Earl of Rosse, not merely as P. R. S, but by his accomplishments, distances all competitors in either House......There is only one autobiographer in the Legislature, Lord Cloncurry. The Acted Drama, since the removal of Mr. Shiel, Sir N. Talfourd, and Sir Bulwer Lytton from the Lower House, has no other representative in the Legislature than the Earl of Glengall...... Lord Strangford represents the Poets of the Peers;-and of the Belles-Letters interest in the Upper House, the Earls of Carlisle and Ellesmere are efficient supporters...... In the interest of the Fine Arts we may rank 'Athenian Aberdeen '-and as a musical composer, the Lords have Lord Westmoreland...... A more original author neither House could boast of than the late venerable writer of The Wellington Dispatches.'.....I have not the means of ascertaining the number on the Bench of Bishops ranking with the literary interest; but foremost among them, besides the Bishops of Exeter and of St. David's (named ante), are, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Archbishop of Dublin, and the Bishops of London and Oxford. I may add, that the number of Peers is only about two-thirds that of the Lower House,-but on the other hand, the Peers enjoy much more leisure.

Effect of the Earth's Rotation on Locomotion. -Mr. Uriah Clarke, of Leicester, has called our attention to an article in the Mechanic's Magazine by himself on the influence of the earth's rotation on locomotion. It is well known that as the earth revolves on its axis once in twenty-four hours, from west to east, the velocity of any point on its surface is greater near the equator and less from it in the ratio of the cosine of the latitude.Mr. Clarke says:-"Some rather important conclusions in relation to railway travelling arise out of the view now taken. The difference between the rotative velocity of the earth in surface motion at London and at Liverpool is about twenty-eight miles per hour; and this amount of lateral movement has to be gained or lost, as respects the locomotive in each journey, according to the direction we are travelling in from one place to the other; and in proportion to the speed will be the pressure against the side of the rails, which at the high velocity, will give the engine a tendency to climb the right hand rail in each direction. Could the journey be performed in two hours between London and Liverpool, this lateral movement or rotative velocity of the locomotive would have to be increased or diminished at the rate of nearly one quarter of a mile per minute, and that entirely by side pressure on the rail, which is not sufficient to cause the engine to leave the line, would be quite sufficient to produce violent and dangerous oscillation. It may be observed, in conclusion, that as the cause above alluded to will be inoperative while we travel along the parallels of latitude, it clearly follows that a higher degree of speed may be attained with safety on a railway running east and west than on one which runs north and south." There is no doubt of the tendency Mr. Clarke speaks of on the right-hand rail, but we do not think it will be found to be so dangerous as he says. It will be greatest on the Great Northern and Berwick lines and least on the Great Western.[ Herapath.

Skill of Insect Builders.-Reaumur states that twenty years he endeavoured, without success, to discover the materials employed by wasps in forming the blue, gray, papery substance, so much used in the

structure of their nests. One day, however he saw a female wasp alight on the sash of the window, and it struck him while watching her gnawing away the wood with her mandibles, that it was from such materials as these she formed the substance which had so long puzzled him. He saw her detach from the wood a bundle of fibres, about the tenth of an inch in length, and finer than a hair, and as she did not swallow them, but gathered them into a mass with her her feet, he had no doubt but that his opinion was correct. In a short time he saw her shift to another part of the window, and carry with her the fibres which she had collected, and to which she continued to add. He then caught her and began to examine her bundle, and found that it was neither yet moistened nor rolled into a ball, as is always done before used by the wasp in her building. He also noticed that before detaching the fibres, she bruisea them into a kind of lint with her mandibles. All this he imitated with his penknife, bruising and paring the same wood till it resembled the fibres collected by the wasp; and so he discovered how wasps manufactured their aper; for these fibres are kneaded together into a kind of paste, and when she has formed a round ball of them she spreads it out into a leaf nearly as thin as tissue paper, and this she accomplishes by moving backwards, and levelling it with her mandibles, her tongue, and her teeth. And so the wasp forms paper, placing layer upon layer, fifteen sheets deep, and thus preventing the earth from falling down into her nest.

"Lloyd's List" a Century Ago.-The oldest published Lloyd's List in existence bears date 1745, and is in possession of the committee of Lloyd's, being somewhat more than a century old. We are thus enabled to draw a tolerable accurate comparison between the shipping operations of the middle of last century and the middle of the present century. The old Lloyd's List appears to have been the last that was published once in the week. It is printed on a narrow slip of paper, about a foot in length; and, besides containing the price of bullion and the stocks, gives the rates of exchange on foreign countries; these are on the one side. On the reverse is what was then termed "the Marine List," which gives a list of 23 arrivals and 12 departures at English ports, with 34 ships at anchor in the Downs. There are also notices of four arrivals in Irish and foreign ports, with advice of three British ships taken by the enemy's privateers. Turning from this document, which gives a week's news, to one of the year 1800, published daily, we find that it contains on an average notices of 75 ships. This was in time of war; and, in comparing numbers, we find the ships noticed as ten to one against the previous date. Following up the comparison, we turn to a Lloyd's List, for 1850; one of the fullest of these covered 15 pages in the arrivals and loss books for one day, giving the names of about 160 vessels-being six times the number of those in 1800, and as numerous as the list of one entire year in the previous century. -Dickens's Household Words.

The New Suspension Bridge.-We give below, the proportions and other statistics of the Suspension Bridge, about to be built over the present one at the Falls. The Bridge will form a single span of 800 feet in length. It is to serve as a connecting link between the rail-roads of Canada and the State of New York, and to accommodate the common travel of the two countries. It is established by ample experience, that good iron wire, if properly united into cables or ropes, is the best material for the support of loads and concussions, in virtue of its great absolute cohesion, which amount to from 90,000 to 120,000 lbs. per quarter inch, according to quality. The Bridge will form a straight hollow beam of 20 feet wide and 18 deep, composed of top, bottom and sides. The upper floor, which supports the railroad, is 24 feet wide between the railings, and suspended to two wire cables, assisted by stays. The lower floor is 19 feet wide and 15 high in the clear, connected with the upper one by vertical trusses, forming sides, and suspended on two other cables, which have 10 feet more deflection than the upper ones.

The anchorage will be formed by sinking 8 shafts into the rock, 25 feet deep. The bottom of each shaft will be enlarged for the reception of cast iron anchor plates, of 6 feet square.-These chambers will have a prismatical section, which, when filled with solid masonry, cannot be drawn up without lifting the whole rock to a considerable extent.

Saddles of cast iron will support the cables on the top of the towers. They will consist of two parts-the lower one stationery, and the upper one moveable, resting upon wrought iron rollers. The saddles will have to support a pressure of 600 tons, whenever the Bridge is loaded with a train of maximum weight. The Towers are to be 60 feet high, 15 feet square at the base and at the top. The compact, hard limestone, used in the masonry of the towers, will bear a pressure of 500 tons upon every foot square.

Weight of timber..

WEIGHT OF BRIDGE.

Wrought iron and suspenders.

Castings

Rails.

Cables between Towers..

lbs.

910,130

113,120

44,332

56,750 535,400

2,678,622

WEIGHT OF RAIL ROAD TRAINS.

October, 1852.

One locomotive.. Twenty-seven double freight cars, each 25 feet long, and of 15 tons each, gross weight.

Making a total gross weight of 430 tons, which will fall upon the cables when the whole bridge is covered by a train of cars from end to end: add to this 15 per cent increase of pressure as the result of a speed of 5 miles per hour, which is a very large allowance..

Add weight of superstructure..

Total aggregate maximum weight..

TONS.

25

405

61

782

1,273

The tensions of the cables, which result from a weight of 1,273 tons, and an average deflection of 59 feet, is 2,240 tons. Since this assumed maximum tension can but rarely occur, it is considered ample to allow four times the strength to meet this tension-that is 3,960 tons.-But assuming 2,000 tons as a tension to which the cables may be subjected, five times the strength to meet it is allowed, and an ultimate strength of 10,000 tons provided for. For this purpose, 15,000 wires of No. 10 will be required. At each end of the upper floor the upper cables will be assisted by 18 wire rope stays, and their strength will be equivalent to 1,440 wires; these deducted, leave the number of these wires in four superior cables, 13,560 -the number of wires in one cable, 3,390-diameter of cable, 9 inches.

The railroad bridge will be elevated 18 feet on the Canadian, and 28 on the American side, above the present surface of the bank, and above the present structure. It will be the longest railroad bridge, between the points of support, in the world.-St. Catharines' Journal.

Postage on the Journal Discontinued.

As the Journal of Education has been constituted by His EXCELLENCY the official medium of communication from the Educational Department for Upper Canada, on all matters relating to the School Law, &c., we are happy to announce that, by an arrangement which has been made with the Honorable the Post Master General, in future no postage will be charged upon any of the numbers of the Journal passing through the Post Office.

Examination of Common School Teachers. THE BOARD OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION for the United Counties of York, Ontario, and Peel, hereby give notice, that an Examination of Common School Teachers, and others desirous of becoming such will take place in the Court House, CITY OF TORONTO, at BRAMPTON, at DUFFIN'S CREEK, at NEWMARKET, and at RICHMOND HILL, on Tuesday, the 21st of December next, at 9 o'clock in the forenoon.

All Teachers presenting themselves for Examination, will be required to select the particular Class in which they propose to pass; and previous to being admitted for Examination, must furnish to the Examining Committee satisfactory proof of good moral character: such proof to consist of the Certificate of the Clergyman, whose ministration the Candidate has attended, and in cases where the party has taught a Common School, the Certificates of the Trustees of said School. Each Candidate will be expected to attend the Examination in his own School Circuit, if possible

The Certificates already given to Frst Class Teachers will be disallowed after the 31st December next, and new ones issued on the approved examination of the said Teachers at the above places.

The Board will meet at the Court House, Toronto, on Tuesday, the 28th December, at 10, A. M., for the purpose of viewing the Reports of the several Examining Committees, licensing of Teachers, and for other business.

Physical Training in Schools in a series of Gymnastic Exercises, illustrated by upwards of 100 engravings of the different positions of the Gymnast, with an introductory (illustrated) sketch of the Athletic Games of Antiquity. 8vo. pamphlet, pp. 32. Price Common School Teacher's Register, large folio, 5 sheets, designed for one year......

The Ten Commandments, The Lord's Prayer, and the General Rules for Schools-the three sheets

The Growth and Prospects of Canada-Two Lectures by the Rev. A. Lillie—in a pamphlet, pp. 48...

The Journal of Education for Upper Canada. Published monthly. Per annum..

TORONTO: Printed and Published by THOMAS HUGH BENTLEY. TERMS: For a single copy, 5s. per annum; not less than 8 copies, 4s. 44d. each, on $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 terms. 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.

I. AN ACT to make certain provisions with regard to Common Schools in Upper Canada for a limited peried,...

161 162

II. Letters of a German on English Education,... III. Short Memoirs of Eminent Men. No. 4. Herodotus-the Fatler of History, IV. MISCELLANEOUS.-1. Memory (Poetry). 2. Character and Capabilities of our Canadian School System. 3. Influence of a Newspaper 4. Growth of the English Language. 5. Condensed Chronology. 6. That is a Boy I can trust,.....

V. EDITORIAL. 1. Circular to Clerks of Counties; and 2, to Loca. Superintendents of Schools in Upper Canada, transmitting copies of the Chief Superintendent's Annual Report, &c., for distribution.

VI. The Teaching Power-Schools at Home, .

164

166

168

169

VII. The Classification, Recitations, and Government of Schools,

169

170

IX. Integrity in Business, exemplified by the House of Baring Brothers, X. First Commencement of the Queen's University in Ireland,

170

VIII. Sketch of the Honorable Daniel Webster,

XI. Wonderful Trees described,.....

XII. An Element in Successful Teaching,..

XIII. Co-operation with the Teacher,...

XIV. EDUCATIONAL INTELLIGENCE.-1. Canada Monthly Summary. 2. Victoria College. 3. Colleges in Canada. 4. Nova Scotia-Acadia College. 5. British and Foreign Monthly Summary. 6. Education in Scotland. 7. Anecdote of the Emperor of Russia. 8. Schools for Seamen. 9. United States Monthly Summary, .....

XV. LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE.-1 Monthly Summary. 2. A Silk Newspaper. 3. Recent interesting Orations in Edinburgh. 4. Editions of Uncle Tom's Cabin. 5. Iminersity of the Universe. 6. Singular Geological Fact. 7. Cleopatra's Needle,

XVI. Advertisements,

AN ACT

THEREAS it is expedient to make some further provision for the improvement of Common Schools in Upper Canada, and to modify and extend some of the provisions of the Act thirteenth and fourteenth Victoria, chapter forty-eight, intituled, An Act for the better establish

ch. 48 cited.

13 and 14 Vict. ment and maintenance of Common Schools in Upper Canada; Be it therefore enacted by the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada, constituted and assembled by virtue of and under the authority of an Act passed in the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and intituled, An Act to re-unite the Provinces of Upper and Lower Canada, and for the Government of Canada, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That the Board of School Trustees in each City, Town and Incorporated Village, shall, in addition to the powers with which they are now legally invested, possess and exercise, as far as they shall judge expedient, in regard to each such City, Town and Incorporated Village, all the powers with which the Trustees of each School Section are or may be invested by law in regard to each such School Section.

Powers of City, Town and Village Trustees extended.

No. 11.

No rate per capita shall be m posed upon children.

Trustees to provide Register and Visitors' Book.

mar School.

Personal responsibility of Trus

tees.

II. And be it enacted, That no rate shall be imposed upon the inhabitants of any School Section according to the whole number of children, or of the number of children of legal school age, residing in such section: Provided, that the Trustees of each School Section shall see that each School under their charge is, at all times, duly provided with a Register and Visitors' Book, in the form prepared according to law: Provided, secondly, that the Trus- Union with Gramtees of each School Section shall have authority to take such steps as they may judge expedient to unite their schools with any public Grammar School, which shall be situated within or adjacent to the limits of their School Section: Provided, thirdly, that the Trustees of each School Section shall be personally responsible for the amount of any School moneys which shall be forfeited and lost to such School Section during the period of their continuance in office, in consequence of their neglect of duty; and the amount thus forfeited or lost shall be col- Application of lected and applied in the manner provided by the fines on Trustees. ninth section of the said Act, thirteenth and fourteenth Victoria, chapter forty-eight, for the collection and application of the fines imposed by the said section: Provided, fourthly, that the Trustees of each School Section, shall, each personally forfeit the sum of one pound five shillings for each and every week that they shall neglect, after the fifteenth of January in each year, to prepare and forward to their local Superintendent of Schools, their School Report, as required by law, for the year ending the thirty-first December immediately preceding; and which sum or sums thus forfeited, How applied. shall be sued for by such local Superintendent, and collected and applied in the manner provided by the proviso of this section, immediately preceding: Provided, fifthly, that no agree