periodicals devoted exclusively to the cause of popular education. The establishment of some similar publication, or the employment of one or all these, existing in neighboring states, to be circulated in every district in our own state, would be eminently advantageous in awakening, enlightening and elevating public sentiment in relation to the whole subject. For it cannot be too often repeated that the encouragement, and co-operation of parents and the friends of education, are vitally essential to the improvement and success of any system of instruction. Let it not be supposed that the trustees mean by the term parents, only fathers. They mean what the term imports, both fathers and mothers. The zealous and active co-operation of mothers is necessarily required. They guard the mountain spring of influence. The neat and cleanly appearance, manners and punctuality of the children, and the preparation of the lesson at home, mainly depend on them. Their individual and associated efforts, if well directed and continued, can effect a mighty revolution in our public schools for good. Let the mothers in a township become acquainted with the subject of education, of what a good teacher and good school ought to be, and of the true situation of the places where their little children are compelled to spend the greater part of the day, and the fathers and voters generally will know it and be prepared to act on the subject at the next district and township meetings. The efforts of associated females in other states has wrought powerfully in aid of public instruction. Let not the mothers and daughters of New Jersey be second to those of any other state in this "labor of love." Let it never be forgotten by us all, and especially the Legislature, who, by their enactments, give a current to the course of public instruction, that education implies a deep and thorough moral training, as well as intellectual improvement. Knowledge of every kind is said to be calculated to soften the mind and tends to link man with his fellows, and of itself ought to prevent the commission of crime; but, yet it is true that "high mental attainments are no adequate security against moral debasement." Many men, conspicuous in other days, and distinguished by wit, taste, learning, and knowledge, were no less distinguished by lawless passions and the disregard of all moral and social virtue.Lofty attainments are tremendous engines for the working out of good or evil. If not based on correct and safe principles, and accompanied by correct counsel, they become most terrible to work iniquity." parents, husbands and wives, citizens and all who are in authority, are addressed and counselled. Their duties, their influence on others, their means of doing good, and their just responsibility, are pointed out with such simplicity and clearness, that to hear, to regard, and to obey, seem perfectly easy, and disobedience entirely inexcusable. Every philosophical code of ethics which has been submitted to the judgment of enlightened men, has been valuable only so far as it conformed to the precepts of the pure morality of the Bible. Let, then, the moral principles and rules of action of the Bible be sedulously taught in the public schools. MISSOURI. We extract, with deep pleasure, the following glowing appeal to the Legislature of Missouri, from the address of John H. Lathrop, President of the State University. We rejoice that education has so able and devoted an advocate in the far west, and trust that the publication of a large edition of the address, by order of the Legislature of Missouri, is an indication that his efforts in this sacred cause will be sustained by the guardians of the common weal.-ED. The subject, too, makes a strong appeal to na. tional pride, in view of its bearing on our ulti mate rank in the brotherhood of nations. Knowledge is national power. The time is at hand, and now is, when mere brute force may be considered an insignificant item in the sum of national greatness. We need but cast our eyes over the map of the world, and over the record of passing events, to be convincel that the nation which is first in intelligence is first in power. The way is open for our own country to win high honors in this intellectual race. If she diligently avail herself of the advantages of her position, and wisely use the means of progress within her grasp, she will be called upon to share the first honors, even with that country which we proudly claim as our father land. There is no man so humble that he may not bear a part in his national progress, and it should be the pride of every man, whether his station be public or private, to contribute the unit of his individual mind, the springs of his individual influence, to swell the tide of intellect which is bearing his country onward to this magnificent, this glorious result. And gentlemen, allow me to come a step now? nearer to your business and your bosoms," In this connection, the trustees are impelled while I open to you the inquiry, what part is to suggest that the legislature, in any revision of MISSOURI destined to bear in the accomplishthe system, ought to recommend the introduction ment of this magnificent, this glorious result? of the Bible as a text book in our public schools. What golden contributions is she preparing to This suggestion is not made with a view of giv. pour into the overflowing treasury of the naing preference to any system of religious faith, tional intellect? What is the relative position or of introducing any sectarian instruction; but which she is to hold in this confederacy of resimply for the purpose of laying at the founda- publics? Is it in your minds that she shall have tion of all instruction, the pure and lofty morali-a place in the first rank in respectability and ty of the Bible, so that the axioms of its morality shall be taught at the commencement of any instruction and never intermitted. It contains a system of morality unsurpassed and unequalled. Its moral instructions concern that almost infinite variety of conduct in men which is exhibited all the relations they sustain. Children and influence? If so, forget not that knowledge is power. And while you are looking gratefully, not to say proudly, on the elements of prosperity which a bounteous Providence has scattered in profusion around you-on your broad domain itself an empire; on your virgin soil rich in the accumulated mould of ages; on the untold mi a systematic gradation, from the primary to the most elevated English school; and enables all the teachers to devote their talents and energies to great advantage, and with strikingly marked success. neral deposits beneath, inviting the hand of man to remove them from the vaults and safes of nature's primeval, and still scarce open treasury; on the great arteries of trade, rolling through your very body, the life giving tide, in unmeasured volume; on the very central position you In no particular is the successful operation of occupy on the map of your expanding country; the system more apparent, than in the sudden on your genial climate; and last, though not springing up in our midst of so large a number of least, on your descent-and who among you is substantial and spacious school houses. Many not proud of his blood-looking I say on these of them are most elegibly situated, surrounded elements of greatness: remember that all these by public squares and streets, affording a free are but the physical material, out of which a circulation of air, and giving ample opportunity creative intelligence, with plastic hand, must for the physical exercise of the pupils. The fashion the very body of your character, and citizens of many of the districts have evinced a breathe into it, by a divine inspiration, what-most commendable zeal, (and through their ever of life, beauty and power, it may present building committees have applied themselves to the eye of the world. well to the task,) in erecting, furnishing and fitting up, suitable and convenient houses. Most of them are well adapted to ventilation, and the seats properly arranged and rendered comfortable by proper construction. The just conception then, of the high destiny which is before us as a State, the firm resolve to be faithful to the endowments of Heaven in volve, as a necessary consequence, the intellectual culture of our citizens. Without the high intelligence, the informing mind, the animating soul, our unrivalled physical advantages, one and all, will be enduring monuments, bearing in living characters the common inscription, "Man is the only growth that dwindles here." But with a just appreciation of the advantages of our position, and a disposition to make them all subservient to the great object of the universal and liberal culture of the popular mind, we have it in our power, as we advance to the maturity of our political strength, to present to the world a model Commonwealth, in all that respects the intellectual, the moral, and the social advancement of man. FREE SCHOOLS. [From the Report of 1. F. Mack, Superintendent of the Rochester city schools-made Jan. 2, 1843.] Every thing pertaining to school houses and the grounds attached, should be rendered as at tractive and inviting as possible. They should be furnished with suitable blinds or curtains, and surrounded with shade trees to render them cool and pleasant in summer; and great care skould be taken in that season that they be properly ventilated; and in winter, that they be suitably heated and rendered comfortable in every part; not, as is often the case, heated at times to such a degree as to render a transit from the school room to the open air, as great a change as "a sudden leap from the extremes of the torrid to the frigid zones," thereby endangering the healths, and even lives of the children; but an equilibrium of temperature, seldom or never rising above or falling below 60 degrees, should be carefully maintained. Admitting the principle that universal intelligence and virtue, are the safeguards of our republic, and that the property of the country should be taxed to disseminate them, yet there are some who object to the system of Free Whole number of children attending the public and the ordinary private schools of the city the year previous to the adoption of the present system, as has been shown, was 2,355. Ave-Schools, on the ground that they impose an unrage attendance less than 2,000. The annual expense of which was $19,792, a fraction over $10 per scholar. equal and an unjust burden on those who have no children to be benefitted or if they have, choose to educate them abroad, or in private The number attending the public schools alone schools, and consequently derive no benefit from the past year, as will be seen in the appendix, is the money they are compelled to pay. But is it 3,454. Amount expen led for the payment of so? Is there a citizen in this city, whose cirteachers, fuel and other contingent expenses of cumstances would be as good without as with a the school is $12,828.80, including salary of Su- system of efficient and universal education?— perintendent. It is proper here to observe, that Would it be as well for any one, if a large prothe expenses consequent upon fitting up and fur- portion of the children of this city were to grow nishing now houses, (in many instances paid out up without the restraint which intelligence and of the school fund of the district as contingent moral precept impose? Viewed only in referexpenses,) have materially contributed to in-ence to the present time, and through the mecrease the aggregate sum expended the past season; and have rendered the expenses of the schools essentially greater in proportion to the number of scholars attending the past, than will be necessary the future season. dium of self-interest, the annual tax for the support of the schools of this city, is to its citizens a good investment, and is but a "light premium," viewed in prospect, for the permanency and protection of the property which is made to contribute. The principle adopted by the Board, in the organization of the city into large districts, (once There is still another, and a more enlarged deemed by some of our citizens of doubtful poli-view, which, in my opinion, every American cy,) I am happy to say is, in its application, of citizen is bound to take of this matter. Parents the greatest utility. or not-land-holders or not-we all have a vital interest in the welfare, and in the intelligence of the rising generation. They must soon fill all the offices of city and state, and wield the desti nies of our common country, when we are in declining years. Whether the children of our Collecting under one roof a large number of scholars, affords the only opportunity to separate the sexes and classify them, according to age and advancement. It promotes economy, through a proper and judicious division of labor, establishes land are prepared by proper intellectual and moral culture or not, "time, with its ceaseless, noiseless step, will soon bring them upon the stage of active life." No man can seriously reflect, and feel indifferent to the education of the children and youth of our land. For, if ever this country, with its heaven-born institutions crumbles into ruins, it will be through the ignorance, and consequent prostration of the morals of the people. Free public schools, in a city like ours, are of priceless value. If our public men, and those of influence and wealth, would devote more of their time to this subject, and less to the miserable strifes and contentions of political warfare; they would be instruments of vastly more good in their day and generation. The system has succeeded, thus far, beyond the reasonable expectations of its most ardent friends. To make it productive of the greatest possible amount of good, requires the hearty co-operation of citizens, trustees, teachers, and Board of Education. Parents, in a special manner should lend their influence and co-operation, to sustain these noble institutions. They should frequently visit the schools-not, however, to censure and rebuke the teacher, and interfere with the needed and wholesome restraint there imposed upon the child, rendered necessary, perhaps, through parental neglect, but to encourage and sustain the teacher, thereby showing, by the best of evidence, that a deep interest is felt in the progress and prosperity of their children. Shall we hear the objection to our public schools that there the children of the vicious and degraded are assembled, endangering the habits and manners of our children by their own vicious habits-be it so—are not the children of some of the most elevated families vicious also "High born vice is more contagious by very many times, and infinitely more hopeless, than the vices of the poor." My experience and observation have taught me, that it is easier to reclaim ten vicious from the lower walks of life, than one, who has been educated at the school of fashionable vice. Against the former our children are armed for defence. There are few private schools or seminaries in our country that have not among their pupils those who exercise corrupting influences far more to be feared or dreaded than the most degrading examples of the poor. Nor is genius or talent the offspring of cast or condition. But as the richest diamond is often found the deepest buried in its native rubbish, so the most brilliant intellect is often discoverable among the children of the most humble and obscure, (and sometimes even the most degraded) families of our land. Such need but the refining, polishing hand of the skilful teacher to give them the impress of divinity. Should the Board be charged with extravagant expenditure for the support of the schools, it will be seen that most, if not all, of the towns of New-England, having greatly the advantage in experience, maturity of plan, and preparation, are expending much more in proportion to the number educated. Indeed with all the disadvantages attending the infancy of our system, and the want, in some districts of suitable buildings the past year, our schools have given instruction at a proportionately less expense than those, of any town in New-England from which I have been able to obtain a report. JUVENILE TRAINING-SCHOOL OF THE This is the only attempt which I witnessed to carry the training system" of the infant-school into the juvenile day-schools of Great Britain. The endeavor is made, under this system, not only to inculcate good principles, but also to form good habits-not only to teach, but to train. A child entering from the infant school is prepared for the instruction and discipline of this; his education goes on in the same way and with the same spirit here as in the former school. Other children, entering at six, may have possibly bad habits to eradicate. Experience has proved, however, that they may be trained with the others, only at a greater cost of time and labor. In this system, as in the corresponding infant school system, the play-ground is the "uncovered school," and the moral training goes on in it; hence the pupils must necessarily be under the superintendence of the master, who notices their aberrations without interfering, unless when absolutely necessary, and makes a school-room lesson of their conduct. The effective character of this training is proved by the fact that one hundred and eighty children of the lower classes of Glasgow were in the daily habit, for five months, of frequenting the play ground of the school, without any injury to the borders planted with flowers, shrubs and fruits. The course of instruction in the juvenile training-school is to be considered still in a great degree experimental, but the results already obtained are of the most encouraging character. INTELLECTUAL AND MORAL EDUCATION.-The system discards, in a great degree, all use of books, and substitutes the lively oral method employed in the German schools. It requires the master to be thoroughly acquainted with the subject he teaches, in order to be able to communicate them in the manner exactly suited to the different capacities of the pupils, which he is expected to study. The efficacy of such a school depen is almost entirely upon the character of the master, and during my visit, this truth was fully impressed, by seeing it under the charge of the head mas ter, and again under that of an assistant, and by comparing it with the infant school. There is no teaching so difficult to many instructors as that by the natural method. For, brought up in stiff and artificial habits, they cannot break themselves into those required, and descend to the level of their pupils. I saw, however, quite enough to convince me that this was a great improvement upon the old system of Scottish schools. The questioning, conversation between the teacher an i pupils, singing, and other exercises of the gallery, go on with more spirit when considerable numbers are present than when few are there, and hence are particularly valuable in schools which require instruction to be given by one teacher to many pupils. Advantage is taken in the arrangement of the school-room to keep such printed moral precepts and attractive representations before the eyes of the children as it may be desired to impress on their memory, care being taken to change the objects from time to time, that too great fami larity may not blunt the sense of curiosity or interest. Order and neatness are inculcated by the proper arrangement of every article of school-furniture, and by that of their own hats and cloaks. dred and eighty scholars, from the manufacturing classes of Glasgow, have been in the habit of using the play ground for more than an hour and a quarter every day for two years and a half, without damage to the flowers or fruits which it contains. Great attention is paid to neatness in the play-ground, that the habits inculcated in the school may be carried out here. It affords, also, opportunities of exemplifying lessons on cruelty to animals, on truth, justice, kindness, and other virtues.-[Report on Edu cation in Europe. COMMON SCHOOL CELEBRATION AT MEDINA. VOCAL MUSIC is not used solely for cultivating the ear or taste, but for producing its appropriate moral effects from the character of the songs, and as an important auxiliary to order and discipline, substituting harmony for noise during changes of position, and promoting regularity. EMULATION.-The system of changing places in the class is not approved as a principle, yet a modification of it is nevertheless in use. It would require very careful experiment under the actual circumstances of the pupils and teachers of any school, to prove that this mode can be dispensed with. I agree entirely as to the necessity for greatly modifying it, and as to the principle that the motive of emulation is an infePursuant to public notice previously given, rior one. In the present condition of society, the scholars and teachers of the Common Schools however, I do not believe that emulation in in several of the school districts in the town of schools can be entirely dispensed with, if we Ridgeway, viz. District No. 1-District No. 2 would have the youth in them prepared for ac--District No. 5-District No. 10-District No. tive life. Men are esteemed by their fellows in 12-District No. 16-District No. 18-and Disproportion to their intellectual and moral qua- trict No. 20, met in the village of Medina, on lities, and though society is not formally graded Saturday the 4th inst. by placing individuals in the precise order of these qualities, yet every one is aware that some men have greater influence than others, because of higher intellectual and moral attainments; and the desire to stand high in the estimation of others is, at present, one of the strongest, though certainly not the purest, motives to exertion. Self-emulation is a much more noble and safe guide to action, and no doubt may, under judicious management, be rendered a very powerful stimulus. The principle of discipline laid down in this school, not to use things which you desire a child should love, as a punishment, is an excellent one, and I regretted to see the practice, in some cases, going counter to it. Corporal chastisement has not been resorted to for two and a half years. The weather was mild, the day fair, and the sleighing good, the teachers and scholars from the above mentioned Districts, accompanied by their parents, came into the village, with their banners in fine style, and in large numbers, in fact, appearing like an "army with banners." At about 10 o'clock they formed a procession at the village district school house, and marched to the Presbyterian meeting house, preceded by bands of music, (making a most beautiful appearance,) where the exercises of the day were commenced with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Prudden, after which an able and very appropriate address was delivered by E. R. Reynolds, Esq. Deputy Superintendent of Common Schools, in this county, to an audience of not less than a thousand persons. Mr. Reynolds was followed by Col. S. M. Burroughs, to whose remarks, as well as the address, the audience listened with great attention and satisfaction. The exercises were closed with a benediction. It was a most pleasing exhibition, meeting with the approval of, and highly gratifying to all present. Good order prevailed throughout the day. WM. C. TANNER, Pres't. MORAL AND PHYSICAL TRAINING.-As already stated, the play-ground, or "uncovered school room," is considered the place in which moral training is to be accomplished, where the principles taught in the school may be carried into practice so as to become habits. Accordingly, the play-ground is not merely fitted up with the means of exercise, but it is planted, in part, with flowers and fruit, accessible to all, but which are to be enjoyed under the injunction, "smell, see, but touch not." It has been, and is, in part, to this day, the reproach of England ts published on the 1st of each month-Office New Mr. DENIO, Sec'y. District School Journal. State Hall. TERMS. and the United States, that public property is For a single copy for one year, ...... $0.50 Six copies to one address, for one year each, 0 33 100 copies to one address, for one year each, 0 25 PAYABLE ALWAYS IN ADVANCE. All letters relative to the Journal must be post-paid those containing subscriptions will be sent free on ap. plication to the Postmasters, who are respectfully requested to act as Agents. The lawful postage on the District School Journal, to any place within the state, is but one cent. The postmasters will on application forward 50 cents in silver, by letter, without charge. We respectfully request all who are satisfied with the manner in which the Journal is edited, to take some DISTRICT SCHOOL JOURNAL, OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK. VOL. IV. ALBANY, MAY, 1843. No. 2. OFFICIAL. boarding or temporarily remaining with their friends or connexions, merely or chiefly for the purpose of attending the school-in whatexpense of their board may be defrayed, and such children hired out to service or labor in the district, and who attend school only incidentally State of N. Work-Secretary's Office. soever way, whether by labor or otherwise, the DEPARTMENT OF COMMON SCHOOLS. ADMISSION OF NON-RESIDENT CHILD- and at the option of their employers,-has not REN INTO SCHOOLS. Trustees of school districts are frequently called upon to exercise a sound discretion in reference to the admission or exclusion of the children of non-residents of their district, into the district school. They are in no case bound to receive such children; and when their admission operates in any respect prejudicially to the interest of the school, or the convenient accommodation, or proper tuition of the pupils of the district, it is unquestionably their duty to refuse them admission. If they are received, the trustees may prescribe the terms and conditions, and these should be made known to their parents or guardians immediately on their admission. They cannot be permitted to participate in the public money belonging to the district, in reduction of their tuition bills unless by unanimous consent, or in the absence of any objection on the part of the inhabitants sending to school. If they come into the district to board, and are sent to school by the person with whom they board, such person is primarily responsible for their tuition: unless he apprise the teacher or the trustees, that he does not intend to become so responsible, so that the latter may be enabled to ascertain seasonably, to whom to look for payment. been sufficiently adverted to by trustees or inhabitants of districts generally. S. YOUNG, Albany, March 27, 1843. Sup't. AN ACT The People of the State of New-York represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows: SECTION 1. The offices of commissioners and inspectors of common schools are hereby abolished. 66 § 2. There shall hereafter be annually elected in each of the towns of this state, at the same time and in the same manner that other town officer are chosen, an officer to be denomi nated Town Superintendent of Common Schools," who in addition to the powers and duties hereinafter conferred and imposed, shall perform all the duties, and be subject to all the restrictions and liabilities now by law imposed upon commissioners and inspectors of common schools, except as otherwise herein provided. It shall be his duty, within ten days after his election, to execute to the supervisor of his town and file with the town clerk, a bond with one or more sufficient sureties, to be approved of by These principles are, however, exclusively said supervisor by endorsement over his signa. applicable to the case of non-resident children ture on said bond, in the penalty of double the sent to the school from their residence without amount of school money which his town rethe district, or coming to board in the district,ceived from all sources during the year precewith the view, or for the purpose of attending ding that for which he shall have been elected, school. Children of non-resident parents hired conditioned for the faithful application and legal out to service or labor of any kind, in the dis- disbursement of all the school money coming trict, are entitled to be regarded in all respects into his hands. In case such bond shall not be as actual residents, for the time being: as com- executed and filed within the time herein preposing part of the family of their employers. scribed, the office of such town superintendent They are, if in the district on the last day of shall be deemed vacant, and such or other vaDecember, to be enumerated for the purpose of cancy shall be filled in the same manner as va. drawing public money: they are entitled to par-cancies in the office of commissioners of comticipate equally with the children of inhabitants in such money: and the person with whom they live is responsible for their rate bills. The distinction, although in many respects a very important one, between the children of non-resident parents coming into the district and either mon schools are now by law directed to be filled. Such town superintendent shall be entitled to a compensation of one dollar and twenty-five cents for every day necessarily spent in the discharge of the duties of his office, to be audited and allowed as other town charges. |