hope we are aware that it is asking much, but they are not caucus resolutions-that they will be read.

Resolved, 'That Mr. Hopkins select and assign to each member, such subject as he shall deem suitable and proper, as themes for such essays. Whereupon, Mr. Hopkins selected and assign

WHEREAS, there exists a relation and inti-ed subjects to the several members as follows: mate connexion between ignorance and crime, immorality and misery-Therefore

On town celebrations of common schoolsMr. Brace, of Victor.

On the importance of using black-boards and outline maps-Mr. Jewett, of Richmond. On the mode of teaching reading-Mr. Pearce, of East Bloomfield.

On the mode of teaching spelling-Mr. Rogers, of Canadice.

Resolved, That the moral, intellectual and scientific education of our youth, is an object of the very first importance, eminently worthy the talents and the ambition of the most gifted and influential minds of the country, and is among the highest earthly duties of the citizens of these United States; and that indifference to, or ne glect of this subject is inconsistent with the relay, of Canandaigua, quirements of good citizens, and at variance with the plain manifest obligations of patriots, philanthropists and christians.

AND WHEREAS, the common schools of our country are chiefly to be relied on as the source of this education, affording the only means for the education of the whole people; for at these institutions alone are the entire youth of the land equally privileged. Here all are alike entitled and invited to enter; whereas at private or select schools, few except the heirs of affluence er the children of fortune ever gain admittance, leaving by far the greater number-the rugged sons of toil-the inheritors of comparative poverty, to grow up in ignorance and obscurity, or what is worse, to commence an education in the street, the bar-room, or the gambling house, which is too likely to be carried out at the prison or the penitentiary-Therefore

On vocal music in common schools-Mr. Fin

On the construction of school rooms-Mr. Prescott, of Phelps.

On physical and moral training-Mr. Sprague, of Naples.

On government-Mr. Allen, of Hopewell.
On corporal punishment-Mr. Simmons, of
Bristol.

On the enlargement of school districts-Mr.
Trembley, of South Bristol.

On Union schools, in villages-Mr. Hopkins, County Superintendent.

On teaching small children-Mr. Beebe, of Canandaigua.

On teaching the higher branches-Mr. Powers, of Seneca.

On the necessity of union in feeling and action amongst patrons of common schools-of their duties in sustaining and visiting schools--importance of regularity in the attendance of scholarsResolved That our common schools are enti-Mr. Arnold, of Farmington. tled to the affectionate regard and fostering care) of the wise and good, and ought to receive the liberal patronage and confiding support of the whole community, as the nurseries of the mental, moral, social, ani political character of the nation.

Resolved, That we highly approve of the plan of establishing a Normal School in the city of: Albany, for the education of common school teachers, and look upon it as another step taken towards raising the dignity and worth of the teachers' profession.

Resolved, That we approve of the calling of this convention by Mr. Gilbert Dubois, our county superintendent, and that the manner in which he has thus far discharged his important official duties entitles him to our thanks, and to the favorable consideration of the friends of education throughout the country.

ONTARIO.

On female teachers--Mr. Bostwick, of WestBloomfield.

On the importance of teaching orthography in common schools--Mr. Foster, of Manchester. The following resolution should be school law.

Resolved, That publie examinations at the close of each term, in every district, are eminently calculated to promote the prosperity of common schools, and that we will use our best exertions to bring about an object so desirable.

If the teachers would respond to the following resolution, the Journal could be sustained in its present form-we hope they may do so.

Resolved, That we think it the duty of every teacher to take and read the "District School Journal,"- -we solicit public attention to this work, and hope that every family in our county will be induced to take and faithfully peruse this

Convention of Town Superintendents on the 8th most interesting publication.

of May.

The following plan for awakening the interest! and increasing the usefulness of school officers, is novel and well adapted to secure its object. We hope to receive some account of results for publication hereafter.

On motion of Mr. Hopkins,

Resolved, That each member of this convention write an essay upon some subject connected with common schools, and read the same, before this convention, at some future period, as soon as may be convenient.

On motion of Mr. Beebe,

CORTLAND.

In May, Henry S. Randall, County Superintendent, issued a circular to teachers, which is admirably adapted to make the succeeding summer visitations in the highest degree useful to the schools. It is direct, frank and pertinent, indicating a sound judgment and a devoted spirit. We can give but a few extracts, but hope that they will induce those county officers, who have not been accustomed to prepare in this manner the schools for supervision, to adopt the measure on the opening of the winter campaign.

Every school visited by the County Superinten. dent during the present summer, (and it is his determination, if practicable, to visit every one in the county,) will be examined in reference to the following points, and the results reported to the Superintendent of common schools. Trustees and parents receiving the paper containing this, are earnestly requested to submit it to the perusal of the teachers in the district where they reside :

1. What are the literary qualificatious of the teachers.

2. Aptness to communicate instruction, and adapt it to the comprehension of the pupil.

3. Government and disipline.

every one in each class, who has fully discharged his duty.

13. Cleanliness of House.

14. Cleanliness about the house. 15. Damages done by breaking or cutting the house, seats, desks, out-houses, &c. during the time kept by present teacher.

The Town Superintendents are requested to direct attention to these particulars, in their visits to the schools. HENRY S. RANDALL. Co. Supt Com. Schools. ALLEGANY.

County Convention of Town Superintendents, held at Angelica, 4th June. R. H. Spencer, Chairman; J. J. Rockafellow, Secretary. (The County Superintendents.)

The teacher should punish rarely-inflict corporal punishment still more rarely. He should not keep a rod in sight-and especially, not be in the habit of carrying one in his hand, unless he would give himself the appearance of a tamer of wild animals. He should never threaten, and never break his promises to the pupil. He should appeal to the feelings and the conscience of the erring child-never betraying temper or peevishness-but constantly exhibiting kindness, gentle ness and patience. These will ordinarily beget a corresponding disposition on the part of the pupil. Good order must be maintained, at all hazards. When all other means fail the teacher | 2d. Resolved, That the teacher who only aims is justified in inflicting moderate corporal pan to cultivate the intellect of his pupils, neglects ishment. This should usually be done alone by far the more important part of his duty, and with the pupil, after the close of the school, may be doing community a serious injury: inas. and after kindly admonition. A teacher who much as the mere ability to read does not prepossesses the requisite qualifications for govern- vent crime, but may prompt the individual to its ing a school will rarely be driven to this resort.

The convention discussed many of the great educational topics of the day. Mr. Coe, Member of Assembly, Rev. Mr. Irish, Messrs. Diven, Bartlett, Cady and others, took part in a long, varied, and spirited discussion. The following resolutions are MOST IMPORTANT; may they be heeded.

4. System in teaching,-i.e. a regular organi zation of the school into suitable classes, and undeviating regularity in the time and manner of hearing every recitation and exercise-The time should be justly divided between the seve. ral recitations, giving each pupil his share of the teacher's time and attention. But one thing should be done at a time, which requires the attention of the teacher and while attending to that, the teacher should permit no interruptions by questions or otherwise.

5. List legally kept. If not, a teacher cannot recover wages; and this is no hardship, as the form of a legal list is plainly set forth in the District School Journal.

[We omit Mr. R.'s remarks on the following subjects.]

6. Music.

7. Reading.

8. Definition of words.

9. Books.

10. Classification.

11. Penmanship.

12. Credit Marks. Every teacher is advised to keep a regular account by credit marks with every class in the school-in reading, writing, geography, definitions. arithmetic, &c.

"Head Marks" should not be given, as there is neither propriety nor justice in giving all the credit to two or three scholars in the class, who are older, or who may have had better advantages, or who may actually be able to outstrip their fellows. Credit is due to every one who does all that can be reasonably required of him, and the most backward frequently deserve the most cre lit. Give a credit mark, therefore, to

commission.

[Remarks by Mr. Irish.]

3d. Resolved, That where the moral sentiments are weak, and the appetites and passions strong, the depraved taste will give a bias to the reading which will only corrupt and demoralize: The ability to read is simply a means to purify and elevate, or to pollute and debase.

[Remarks by Messrs. Irish and Coe.]

is defective which does not insure industry and 4th. Resolved, Therefore, That the education integrity.

[Remarks by Dr. Cady.]

The following resolution seemed to contem. plate a blow at the academy, and called out a lengthy debate.

5th. Resolved, That in a Government like ours, all should have a fair start, and no distinc tions should be made in the early education of all the citizens; and this can never be done until the common school is made the best school, and all patronize it.

Mr. Rockafellow thought that the period had not yet arrived, and indeed questioned whether it would ever arrive, when we should be prepar ed to dispense entirely with the academy. He contended that the public school could, should and would soon be elevated to the present standard of the academy, and that the present number of the latter, would consequently be greatly dimin ished, but the remaining academies would neces sarily erect their standard still higher, and thus serve as an important stepping stone from the common school to the college.

Mr. Coe, in reply, said he was fully convinced that we needed no such stepping stone, and he believed that every true friend of education would very soon be of the same opin ion. He

would have the student step from the common school to the college. He would make the public school what the academy now is, and thereby suspend the necessity of the latter. He believed that the period was not distant when the public school would be made to accomplish all that the private school now accomplishes, and thus effectually do away the invidious distinction which at present exists between these two nurseries of intelligence.

Dr. Cady could not fully agree with Mr. Coe, in doing away with our higher institutions; at all events, he conceived that time to be yet quite remote. His arguments were brief, but to the point. Other remarks followed, and the resolution passed unanimously.

We have also received a private letter from Allegany, from which we give an extract, as it throws additional light on the state of the county.

Hunt's Hollow, 7th June, 1844.

WASHINGTON.

Convention of the Superintendents for the South.
ern Section, held at Union village, June 8th;
Mason Martin, of Argyle, in the chair, Wm.
Wright, County Superintendent, secretary.
We have space but for a few resolutions. To
that which alludes to Mr. Palmer, we would ask
particular attention, as every county may receive
the benefit of his services.

Resolved, That, to render supervision useful and economical, it must be thorough and efficient; and that no efficiency can be secured where the amount of labor, or multiplicity of cares, are disproportioned to the number of offi cers charged with the execution of this duty.

Resolved, That, in the opinion of this Convention, the Board of Supervisors of this County acted wisely and economically in appointing two County Superintendents, as a less number would so far impair the efficiency of the system as to render it nearly nugatory.

The resolution might have added that two better officers than the Brothers Wright, could with difficulty be found.

I have just returned from a visiting tour among our National Colleges," and I must boast a little; bear with me one moment, for I must own I am proud of what some of our teachers are doing up here in Allegany, (I wish there were more such,) those who teach instead of merely keeping school. I recollect my friend Resolved, That the office of a teacher of Sprague, of Fulton, last summer gave a very in- common schools, is one of deep and fearful reteresting account of a school in that county. Isponsibilities; and that those teachers who negwill not say he is outdone; but I am quite cer- lect to keep pace with the improvements of the tain he is equalled in more than one school that age-who fail to qualify themselves for the faithI have visited in the last two weeks. Every ful and enlightened discharge of these responsithing in and about the house of these schools, is bilities which they thus voluntarily assume, calculated to animate, instead of depress, the by neglecting to read some of the numerous feelings of the visitor. Flowers and evergreens publications or periodicals of the day devoted in rich luxuriance, bedeck their houses, and little to this subject, are unworthy of the station which misses, and lads too, instead of romping in the they occupy, and ought to be discarded by an streets, and spending their leisure hours in rude intelligent community. and indecorous behavior, as I am sorry to say they have too long been in the habit of doing in many places, are now employed in cultivating flowers and shrubs, in and about their school rooms, and in an occasional botanical and geological excursion in the fields and woods, with their teachers and friends; the ingenious teacher, going into a detail of facts instead of being con. fined wholly to abstracts; calling into requisition that richest of all sources of instruction, conver

sation.

This has been too long overlooked and ne. glected. Said Mr. Webster, "We have taught too much by manuals, too little by direct dis. course with the pupil's mind." I am happy to see this old verbal method of teaching coming into disrepute. Teachers should teach THINGS, instead of mere words. On examining the lists of such schools, I find very few blanks opposite the names of any of the scholars, and when I do, on inquiry, almost always find they are ab. sent from necessity, not from choice.

You will recollect that when in Rochester at Convention, the members all recommended the District School Journal as a powerful auxiliary in forwarding the educational interests of the State. For one, I am disposed to show my sin. cerity by deeds, as well as words-and really hope others will do so too. I now forward you, &c.

R. H. SPENCER.
Co. Supt. Com. Schools for the Northern
Section Allegany Co.

Resolved, That as the "District School Journal" is a correct exponent of the views and sen timents of the great educational pioneers of the age, and furnishes the best, and at the same time the most economical means of becoming acquainted with the past history and present condition of common schools, as well as the modes of teaching, and general management most approved of in them, not only in this, but in foreign countries, we feel that it is a periodical that ought to be in the hands of every teacher of a common school in this state.

Resolved, That the very liberal offer of Thomas H. Palmer, Esq. to deliver gratuitously a course of lectures upon the subject of "the most pressing wants of the schools, and the best method of supplying them," in each of the counties or half counties of the state, to which he may be specially invited by its superintendent, be accepted, and that the County Superintendent of this section of Washington Co., be requested to invite Mr. Palmer to visit us as soon as practicable.

THE ALPHABET.
[Continued from last Number.]

Mr. Gall of Edinburgh, is the author of this plan. For the four letters bd, pq, he uses the following rhyme:

"bright and d left looking upward are found.
p right and q leit pointing down to the ground."

laudet, My First School Book, and Worcester's Primer.

7th. Words are taught first. One word is given to the child for a lesson, and after he examines it attentively, let him pronounce it: he The undersigned, in preparing the various should then select the word from among others; modes here suggested for teaching the alphabet, and when he can do this readily, give him an acknowledges a very liberal use of "The Teachother word and proceed as before. The words er Taught," by Emerson Davis, a work that chosen should be the names of objects familiar ought to be in the hands of every teacher. This to the pupil; when several words, enough to in-explanation is deemed sufficient without the usu clude the whole alphabet, are learned in this al marks of credit, &c. manner, the child should form them into sentenees, by writing them on the black-board or slate, and he may then learn the letters-commencing with those in the first word learned; each word again forms a lesson, and must not be passed over until the letters are thoroughly learned. When the letters of a word are learned, let the child spell the word. Care should be taken that no word or letter, when once learned, is forgotten. If a class be taught according to this or any other plan here suggested, it is recommended that the words or letters be chalked upon the black-board.

Further details in this report, respecting the mode now recommended for teaching the letters, are deemed unnecessary, as full directions are contained in the above mentioned books.

"Tis hard to venture where our betters fail,
Or lend fresh interest to a twice-told tale."

"KNOWLEDGE IS POWER."

THE following admirable and comprehensive enumeration of what has been and may be effect. ed by an early, judicious and enlightened culti vation of the powers and faculties of the human mind, is from the pen of THOMAS DICK, L.L.D., author of "The Christian Philosopher," &c.

The plan of learning words first, and then the letters that form them, has the decided approval of many eminent teachers, and it will, no doubt, in a short time, supercede all others. Teach a As man has a natural desire after knowledge child according to this method and he is interest- and a delight in it, so he is furnished with noble ed from the beginning-he knows what he is faculties and vast capacities of intellect for enaabout, and understands the use of words and let-bling him to acquire and to treasure it up. By ters as fast as he learns them; and what is of the powers of his understanding he has surparamount importance to the child, he learns to veyed the terraqueous globe in all its varieties of think-his mind is not darkened with a cloud of land and water, continents, islands and oceans; (to him) unmeaning characters or sounds. He determined its magnitude,its weight, its figure and is not tasked and drilled for months in commit-raotions; explored its interior recesses, descended ting to memory the names of the letters, merely, without being permitted to know their use. But he is regarded, from the commencement, as an intelligent being and possessing a mind capable of improvement-his course is constantly on-termined the elementary principles of which it is ward, and he will no longer despise the school house, for he finds there amusement; and this amusement is blended with instruction in a most happy manner. Let this plan be adopted and the abcedarian will no longer regard his lesson as an onerous and a useless ask, imposed on I him for no useful purpose whatever, but he will find his lesson his most interesting pastime-a continual feast.

The tender child has been carried pound in a circle while learning the alphabet quite long enough. The time, it may be hoped, has now gone by, when he, umpitied by any one, was doomed to sit on hard benches" for days and months in succession, and not allowed to know more than barely the names of the letters from A down to Z and back again. The motto now is, "Teach him to think."

But to amplify further on this subject would, in the opinion of the undersigned, be an act of supererogation: teachers that are disposed to plod along a century behind the age, will do so in despite of a remonstrance. They have chosen a nut shell for their habitation while teaching: recommendations or arguments directed to them would, therefore, be unavailing. Teachers that are determined to make themselves useful, and who are willing to devote their best energies to teach the tender mind, will, no doubt, give the method now recommended a fair trial, with out further suggestions; if they do this, it is confidently belleved they will adopt it, &c. The following books are suited to this mode of teaching: The Mother's Primer, by Rev. T. H. Gal

into the bottom of its seas, arranged, classified the infinite variety of vegetables, minerals and animals which it contains, analyzed the invisible atmosphere with which it is surrounded, and de

composel, discovered the nature of thunder and arrested the rapid lightnings in their course, ascertained the laws by which the planets are directed in their courses, weighed the masses of distant worlds, determined their size and dis tances, and explore regions of the universe in visible to the unassisted eye, whose distance exceeds all human calculation and comprehension. The sublime sciences of Geometry, Trigonometry, Conic Sections. Fluxions, Algebra and other branches of Mathematics, evince the acuteness and perspicacity of his intellect; and their appli cation to the purposes of Navigation and Geography, and to the determination of the laws of the celestial motions, the periods of their revo lutions, their eclipses, and the distances at which they are placed from our sublunary mansion, demonstrate the vigor and comprehension of those reasoning faculties with which he is endowed.

By means of the instruments and contrivances which his inventive faculty has enabled him to form and construct, he can transport ponderous masses across the ocean, determine the exact position in which he is at any time placed upon its surface, direct his course along pathless deserts and through the billows of the mighty deep-transform a portion of steam into a mechanical power for impelling wagons along roads, and large vessels with great velocity against wind and tide; and can even transport himself through the yielding air beyond the region of the clouds. He can explore the invisible worlds which are contained in a putrid lake, and bring to view their numerous and diversified inhabi

We congratulate the friends of education on the above selection. The deep interest that Col YOUNG has always evinced in the cause of Common Schools, apart from his official station, renders any comment on the propriety of his appointment (by the legislature itself,) totally unnecessary. But as the remaining gentlemen have been selected by the Regents, it may seem proper to say, that the Rev. Dr. Potter is universally known by his writings and personal exertions, to improve the standard of education; that Mr. Hawley comes to his station with the result of many years' experience as a former Superintendent of Common Schools, and also with a faithful and unwearied study of the subjeet as a science,: that the Rev. Mr. Campbell, of this city, was for many years, before he became the pastor of one of the Reformed Dutch Principal of an Academy in the southern district, and that his learning and sound sense are acknowledged by all who know him; and finally, that Mr. Dwight, from his official situa tions, his capacity and his devotion to the cause of education, will also be a useful and efficient member.

tants; and the next moment he can penetrate to regions of the universe immeasurably distant, and contemplate the mountains and the vales, the rocks and the plains which diversified the scenery of distant surrounding worlds. He can extract an invisible substance from a piece of coal, by which he can produce almost in a moment, the most splendid illumination throughout every part of a large and populous city; he can detach the element of fire from the invisible air, and cause the hardest stones, and the heaviest metals to melt like wax under its powerful agency; and he can direct the lightnings of heaven to accomplish his purposes in splitting immense stones into a multitude of fragments. He can cause a splendid city, adorned with lofty columns, palaces and temples, to arise in a spot where nothing was formerly beheld but a vast desert or a putrid marsh, and can make the wilder-churches in this city, an eminent and successful ness and the solitary place to be glad, and the desert to bud and blossom as the rose.' He can communicate his thoughts and sentiments in a few hours to ten hundred thousands of his fellow men-in a few weeks to the whole civilized world; and after his decease he can diffuse important instruction among mankind throughout succeeding generations. In short, he can look back and trace the most memorable events which have happened in the world since time began; he can survey the present aspect of the moral world among all nations; he can penetrate beyond the limits of all that is visible in the immense canopy of heaven, and range amidst the infinity of unknown systems and worlds dispersed throughout the boundless regions of creation; and he can overleap the bounds of time, and expatiate amidst future scenes of beauty and sublimity which "eye hath not seen" throughout the countless ages of eternity."

[From the Albany Argus.]
NORMAL SCHOOL.

Most of our readers are probably aware that an act was passed at the last session of the legislature for the establishment of a Normal School (i. e. for the education of teachers of common schools) to be located in the county of Albany. At the same time, a munificent endowment was provided of ten thousand dollars per annum for the term of five years, to be devoted to the salaries of teachers, the purchase of school furniture and apparatus, and the support, if necessary, of those who may become pupils. The expense of a building will be avoided, as the Common Council of the city of Albany have engaged to furnish a proper one.

The Regents.of the University, to whom the general care and supervision of this institution is entrusted, were directed by the above act, to appoint a board or executive committee of five persons (of whom the Superintendent of Common Schools shall be one,) to whom are committed the care, inanagement and governmeut of the "Normal School." At a meeting of that body, held June 1, 1814, fifteen members being present, the following persons were unanimously appointed as said Board or Executive Committee: The SUPERINTENDENT OF COMMON SCHOOLS, Rev. ALONZO POTTER, D.D., of Union College GIDEON HAWLEY, LL.D.,

Rev. WILLIAM H. CAMPBELL,
FRANCIS DWIGHT, Esq.

While this undertaking (important. highly important as it is in its nature and its probable consequences,) is thus ushered under such auspices before the public, we trust that at the same time the difficulties incident to its successful es tablishment, and the labor absolutely requisite for its management, and which will be gratuitously bestowed, will be considered by all our fellow-citizens with a kindly spirit. Let not an unfounded prejudice mar its beginnings, but let all remember that it is preeminently an institution for the public good, and intended for the benefit of all.

PRIZE ESSAY.

A distinguished philanthropist and patriot has authorized the subscriber to offer a Prize of One Hundred Dollars for the best Essay on "THE USES AND ADVANTAGES OF THE TOWN ORGANIZATION.

By Town Organization is meant-1st. That geographical division of territory into such cir cles or sections as allows all the inhabitants conveniently to assemble for the transaction of local concerns; and 2d. The investment of all the inhabitants residents of such territory, with corporate powers for the transaction in primary assemblies of all ordinary municipal affairs; or, in other words, The Uses and Advantages of the mode of Organization common in New-England, as contrasted with the county and parochial organization adopted in some other parts of the Union, in its effect upon the pecuniary prospects, the useful arts, the character and the general mental advancement and civilization of the people.

All competitors for the PRIZE must transmit their Essays to the subscriber, at the office of the Common School Journal. No. 184 Washington-street, Boston, on or before the first day of October next, each Essay containing some seal or cipher by which its author can be known. Distinguished men will be selected as judges, and the prize will be awarded as early as January 1st, 1845. The copyright of the successful Essay will be the property of its author.

WM. B. FOWLE.