in this Department, may we not fondly hope that the star more skilfully than he who has not; the engraver in which has risen with such brilliancy will increase its splen- metal must be in like manner benefited by early disdor until the blessings of a good and thorough common school cipline of the eye and the hand. To the carver, the education shall be diffused in every portion of the State-joiner, the worker in stone, the carver in wood, the when knowledge shall be as free to all as the breeze which art of drawing is not less useful, while to all those esfans the brow of the child-when virtue and patriotism shall pecially who are to be occupied in producing articles infuse their own elements into every common school in the of ornament and taste, it is almost indispensable.” State and give permanency to those Institutions cherished by every lover of his country with unyielding tenacity. ADDRESS TO THE TEACHERS OF MONROE COUNTY. TOWN SUPERINTENDENTS SHOULD BE EMPOW- Teachers Association, a committee was appointed to It has been suggested, with much propriety, that Town Superintendents of Schools be empowered to administer an oath or affirmation whenever any business appertaining to their office should require it. This privilege would often save much time and trouble to Teachers and School Officers. Under the present law, it is frequently necessary that the Town Superintendent should travel several miles to obtain the oath of those doing such business with him as requires prepare an Address to the Teachers of the County on the importance of sustaining the Association. We extract the following from the address, and request the attention of Teachers and friends of education to the considerations presented: "Literature, the Arts and Sciences are progressing with a rapidity that astounds the most sanguine and wise, and the world seems to be undergoing a mental revolution as unprecedented as it is wonderful. At such a crisis it is not fitting that the Art of Teaching should languish or stand still. On the contrary should not every exertion be made to improve and perfect it, and to elevate the professional character of those engaged in it? It is an art which has perhaps no superior in difficulty, and certainly none in importance, and cannot be acquired in a day. Indeed, a lifetime is often too short to permit the attainment of perfection in it, and a single mind is rarely capable of discovering for itself all the improvements of which it is susceptible. It requires, then, many years experience, and the combined wisdom of many minds to perfect a system of instruction that shall be entitled to the full confidence of society. Hence arises the necessity for the formation of Associations and Teacher's Institutes. pable instructors of public schools, that the advantages of associating with their fellow teachers and interchanging with them thoughts and opinions upon the numerous subjects appertaining to their common calling, were too great to be lost. They readily foresaw the beneficial results that would follow the formation of State and County Associations, provided a majority of the teachers would become members, and attend the meetings of these bodies. Measures were soon taken, and in every county in the state a Teachers' Association was organized. The benefits which arise from these institutions are so numerous and obvious that we can hardly deem it necessary to point them out. It was discovered by the most experienced and ca "The practice of this art exercises the eye and the hand, rendering the one observant and the other exact, while it trains that inward faculty which guides them both. It helps to comprehend whatever is delineated by art or represented by nature. It gradually enlarges the mental grasp, by exercising the mind to judge of distance, size, shape and relation, and cultivates the taste by quickening the perception of the beauty which depends on harmony, proportion and color. It furnishes a safeguard against idleness, by giving a pleasant and innocent occupation for leisure hours. It makes the child quick to comprehend all illustrations upon the black board, and prepares him for his own Uniformity in the method of instruction, all admit to exercise of map-drawing. It should be considered ab- be of great utility, provided it be of great uniformity solutely necessary in a boy's school, as it will be a of excellence. Now uniformity of any kind can only most valuable assistance in almost every occupation be attained by a mutual understanding and agreement, in which men are employed. It aids the mechanic to and that uniformity most to be desired is possible only understand every piece of mechanicism which is fig- when the modes pursued by all are known and the ured, and enables him to represent to others what he best selections from them made. New and improved has himself conceived. It is an essential help to al- methods of governing the school, and of conducting most every one engaged in directing, or practically the affairs of the school room are frequently suggested occupied in doing, the work of life; and it is an ele-to the minds of the experienced teacher, which can gant accomplishment to him whom fortune raises above these necessities. It is indispensable to him who would plan a house, and to him who would execute the plan. It is valuable to the ship builder, and At the annual meetings of the Association Committo the seafaring man; to the husbandman who would tees are appointed, whose duty it is to report upon represent the buildings, inclosures and implements of the various matters pertaining to the entire conduct of his farm, and to the student of Nature who would de-a public school. These reports usually embrace much lineate the plants or animals of the woods or fields. valuable information, and not unfrequently excite anThe smith who has learned to draw, uses the hammer imated and profitable discussion." be of service to none but himself, unless he have an opportunity to communicate them to his co-laborers in the cause of education. DECISIONS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT. double track in one part and a single track in another these circumstances must be taken into consideration. STATE OF NEW-YORK. SECRETARY'S OFFICE, By way of illustration. If there was one mile of railway, in the town of Camillus valued at twenty-five thousand dollars, one half of which was in District This was an application made by Thomas Y. Howe; No. 1, and one half in District No. 2; and in District Jr, Treasurer of the Auburn and Syracuse Railroad No. 1 there was a Depot worth five thousand dollars, Company, and George Geddes, Trustee of School Dis- then the assessment in No. 1 should be fifteen thɔutrict No. 1 Camillus and Salina, in the county of On-sand dollars, and in No. 2 ten thousand dollars. ondaga, for the advice of the Superintendent as to The Trustees of School District No. 1 were correct the mode of assessing Railroad property for school in the manner of assessment and the apportionment taxes. A warrant was issued against the Railroad for one hundred and seventy-eight dollars besides collectors fees, upon a valuation of forty thousand five hundred and fifty-five dollars and eighty cents. The length of the road in the town of Camillus is 669 chains and 33 links the length in the district is 225 chains and 95 links The valuation of the road in the town is one hundred and twenty thousand dollars, and the proportion of the valuation in the district is forty thousand, five hundred and fifty-five dollars and eighty It is admitted that there are no erections in the town belonging to the Railroad company. of valuation CHRISTOPHER MORGAN, Supt. Com. Schools. STATE OF NEW-YORK. SECRETARY'S OFFICE, Department of Common Schools, ALBANY, March 15, 1848. This department is well pleased to be assured that the DISTRICT SCHOOL JOURNAL is more generally read than formerly, and its value more highly appreciated. Still there are several districts in the State whose of ficers neglect, or refuse to take it from the Post Office. Since the State supplies each district with a copy gra be paid out of the Library money, there seems to be tuitously, and authorizes the postage and binding to no excuse for this neglect. The JOURNAL is the legal organ of this department. All laws relating to Common Schools are published In the 4th volume of Paige's Chauncery Reports, in it by authority. Through it this department pro384, the chancellor decided, that Railroad " compa- mulgates decisions in cases in which the law is exnies whose stock or the principal part thereof, is vest-plained, or important principles are settled. In order ed in the lands-necessary for their railways and other to carry out the intention of the State, and secure to fixtures connected therewith are taxable on that portion of their capital as real estate, in the several every district a copy of the Journal, this department towns or wards in which such real estate is situated. to take from the Post Office the copies of the Journal hereby authorizes the several Town Superintendents It was also decided in the same case, that such real refused by any School District, preserve them, cause estate "is to be taxed upon its actual value at the time of the assessment, whether that value is more or less them to be bound, place the bound volume in the District Library, and deduct yearly from such districts than the original cost thereof. so much of their share of the library money as may be necessary to pay the postage and cost of binding. CHRISTOPHER MORGAN, Supt. Com. Schools. In the case of School District No. 3, in the town of Ballston, Mr. Dix, superintendent, says" the assessors should ascertain from the assessment roll of the town, the aggravate value of so much of the real estate of the company as is within the town. They should ascertain whether the proportion of that value in respect to the railway included within their district is equal to the value of the whole of the real estate of the company included within another district in which the length of the railway is the same." The Trustees should first ascertain the aggregate value of the railway and fixtures in the town, and then ascertain and assess the proportionate value of that part of the railway in the district where the tax is to be laid. If there are no fixtures making one part of the road more valuable than another, then each mile of the railway should be estimated as of equal value. If there are erections in one part of the town, or a STATE OF NEW-YORK. Department of Common Schools, It is not probable that I shall consent to the application of Library money to Teachers wages during my continuance in office, whatever may be the extent of the library or apparatus. Very respectfully yours, CHRISTOPHER MORGAN. Sup. Com. Schools. MR. L. W. HALL, Trustee of Dis. No. 4, Salina. EDITOR'S TABLE. TWENTY NINTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NEW TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MANAGERS and judgment, remain almost wholly undeveloped. This results not from any original inferiority of faculties, but from the want of hearing which shuts them sition, through the natural channel, the ear, of a lanout from the commerce of the mind, from the acquiguage perfected by the successive labors of all the higher minds of the race, and the mere possession of which implies much development of ideas, and furnishes a powerful instrument of the thought; from the stores of traditionary knowledge accumulating for uncounted generations, of which that language is the repository; and more, even, than all this, from the emulative play and struggle of thought and intellect, that so powerfully sharpens the faculties and hear. Minds thus isolated from other minds, may be stimulates the mental development of children who compared to the individual plates of a voltaic pilethey require to be put in communication before the electric current of thought can flow. These reports are among the most interesting public documents of the Legislature. No one can read them without having his sympathies most actively excited in behalf of the unfortunate persons for whose benefit these Institutions were ́established and liberally supported by the enlightened and generous policy of our State Government. In no respect do we find public sentiment more fully embodied in legislative enactments, than in the fostering care bestowed upon the Education of the Deaf and Dumb, and the Blind. Parental solicitude too generally prevents that early attendance upon these excellent Institutions necessary to rapid and easy progress in study, especially with the Deaf and "Children who hear when their systematic education Dumb. Mental action is more intense among the blind, and begins, are already possessed of the great instrument consequently their progress is not rendered so slow and dif of thought and communication, language. They ficult as among deaf mutes, who suffer for want of the means have, moreover, acquired a very considerable amount of communication with their parents and friends by the de- of that traditionary knowledge, from which the deaf and dumb are excluded For the latter a language lay; but there is a gradual improvement in this respect, that gives to these Institutions increased promise of usefulness. must be constructed piece by piece, not such a lanThe Teachers and Officers of these Institutions have mer-but one by which they may with comparative slowas is most easy for them to remember and use, ited the utmost confidence and respect for the able manner ness and difficulty, converse with other menin which they have discharged the duties assigned them. teaching the simplest terms of this language, addiThe systems of instruction, and the arrangements for im-tional labor is often required to explain the ideas that parting a correct and practical knowledge of the industrial they represent, to minds accustomed to dwell only pursuits of life, are the fruit of long experience and study, on sensible perceptions. and are well adapted to meet the wants of those whose improvement and comfort they are designed to promote. The greatest possible care is taken to improve the methods of instruction, and increase the facilities for carrying out the high behests of the State in fostering these Institutions. guage In "Hence it is, that several years of study and labor on the part of teacher and pupil, are often required to advance the deaf mute pupil only to the point at which the school education of a child, who hears, is begun. With such an immense advantage in the out: set it would be strange indeed, if the latter did not in general, make greater progress in an equal term of The number of pupils now in attendance at the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb is 225, of whom 160 are the benefiinstruction. ciaries of the State, 16 of the city of New York, and 8 of the State of New Jersey. The expenses of 21 are defrayed by their friends, and the remainder are, for the present academical year, boarded and instructed gratuitously, in anticipation of their filling vacancies in the State list. Of the whole number, 33 are from the city of New York, and 171 from the remaining counties of the State, 12 from other. states, and 8 from the British Provinces. "Very different from this is the condition of the blind child. It is a great, though prevalent mistake, that this class of unfortunates have stronger or even equal claims on public sympathy. Physically, it is true, the deaf and dumb have many advantages, but intellectually the advantages of the blind are immense. To them come the voices of kindred and friends, cheering their material darkness with intellecThe admirable report closes with the following para-tual and moral light Education will doubtless ingraphs, which we quote as furnishing important information in regard to the operations of the human mind when its communication with the material world is partly intercepted as in the case of deaf mutes: crease their comforts, their means of subsistence, but "When we would measure the degree of success attained in the instruction of the deaf and dumb, we must bear in mind the peculiar difficulties, in the way of the early mental development of those unfortunate The Institution for the Blind contains 134 inmates, of children. Placed, for the most part, in the course of Providence, in families ignorant of the mode of com- whom 104 are beneficiaries of the State of New York, 6 of munication with the deaf, by a language addressed to the State of New Jersey, 19 are graduated pupils who supthe eye, the majority of deaf mute children have, be-port themselves by various employments in connection with fore they come to us, no medium of communication, the Institution, and 5 are suppported by their friends. save such instinctive gestures as may suffice to ex- The want of suitable books is mentioned as a serious obplain the simplest wants, to make intelligible the sim-stacle to the progress of the blind. In consequence of this plest movements of the soul, Some of more than embarrassment, their means of self-improvement and entercommon mental activity and blessed with kind and tainment after leaving the Institution, are exceedingly limiattentive companions, have gone farther than this, ted. This subject has received the attention of the Board and established with their associates a dialect of signs, of Managers, and the friends of the blind elsewhere, who rude and scanty indeed, but sufficient for necessary communications, and even for affording some social have made attempts to induce the General Government to enjoyment. Still, as a general rule, the mental pow-remedy the evil by an appropriation for the purpose of mulers of uneducated deaf mutes lie nearly dormant and tiplying books for the use of the blind. the faculties of the mind, particularly the memory In addition to the excellent system of instruction, great at tention is bestowed upon the industrial department of the | this state, the several sums of money hereinafter mentioned, Institution. Experience has fully proven that the blind are not exceeding sixty dollars annually to any one county, from to find their most reliable means of support in manual labor the income of the United States deposite fund, to be expended for the use and benefit of teachers' institutes as hereinaf at some handicraft employment; and that however desira-ter provided. ble to all may be the pleasures of a highly cultivated intellect, the means of earning an honest living are of far greater value to those for the amelioration of whose condition the Institution was established. We find the following suggestions in regard to furnishing permanent employment to the graduates of this Institution, in this able report: §2. Wherever a majority of town superintendents of common schools in any county in this state unite in a recommendation, and file with the county clerk thereof a certificate, signifying their desire that a teachers' institute should be or ganized in such county, for the instruction and improvement of common school teachers for such county, it shall thereup on be the duty of such clerk forthwith to appoint three town superintendents of the county, and notify them of their appointment, to constitute an advisory committee to make necessary arrangements for organizing and managing such institute, and such clerk shall also immediately give such pubteachers of common schools of the county, and to others who and where the teachers may meet and form such institute. may desire to become such, specify ing a time and place when "The conviction that has for years been fixing itself in the minds of the managers, that the great majority of the blind are to earn their own bread by their man-lic notice in such manner as he may deem most proper to the ual labor, in connection with the fact that the isolated blind workman labors under many disadvantages that association with his fellow workmen greatly obviates, has determined the board to apply to your honorable body, at an early day, for such an amendment of their charter as shall enable them to establish, in connection with the Institution, a workshop, where all who are willing to work, may be enabled to support themselves by the proceeds of their industry." A bill appropriating $15,000 for this object is now pending the action of the Legislature and will probably be made a law. OLLENDORFF's new method of learning to read, write and speak the SPANISH LANGUAGE: with an appendix, containing a brief, but comprehensive recapitulation of the rules, as well as of all the verbs, both regular and irregular; so as to render their use easy and familiar to the most ordinary capacity. Together with practical rules for the Spanish pronunciation, and models of social and commercial correspondence. The whole designed for young learners, and persons who are their own instructors. BY M. VELAZQUEZ, and T. SIMONNE, professors of the Spanish and French Languages. New York: D. Appleton & Co., 200 Broadway. Philadelphia: Geo. S. Appleton, 148 Chesnut street. 1848. We are indebted to Messrs. STODDARD & BABCOCK of this City for a copy of this valuable work. Its title page so well presents the design and object of the book that we need not give a description of its contents. The Ollendorff series is not less remarkable for simplicity of arrangement than for natural and philosophical analysis of language. §3. Whenever any institute shall have been organized as herein provided, it shall be the duty of said committee, and they shall have power to secure two or more suitable persons to lecture before such institute upon subjects pertaining to common school teaching and discipline, and various educational subjects which may be deemed calculated to qualify common school teachers, and to improve common schools; and said committee shall keep an accurate account in items, of the necessary expenses of such institute in procuring such lecturers, and otherwise, and shall verify such account by affidavit, and deliver the same to the county treasurer, to be audited by and filed with him when application shall be made to such treasurer, as hereinafter provided. §4. Whenever any county treasurer shall receive satisfactory evidence that not less than fifty or in counties of under thirty thousand population then not less than thirty teachers and individuals intending to become teachers of common schools within one year, shall have been in regular attendance on the instructions and lectures of the institute in the county during at least ten working days, he shall audit and allow the account which shall be presented to him by the the amount so audited and allowed, not exceeding sixty dolcommittee as aforesaid, and shall pay over to said committee lars in any one year, to be disbursed by said committee in paying the expenses incurred by the institute as aforesaid. $5. Every such committee shall annually transmit to the state superintendent of common schools a catalogue of the rames of all persons who shall have attended such institute, with such other statistical information and within such time as may be prescribed by said state superintendent. §6. This act shall take effect immediately. STEREOTYPING, PRINTING MATERIALS & BOOK PRINTING. SYRACUSE, N. Y., WOULD respectfully call the attention of Printers and Publishers to their Establishment, for STEREOTYPING, PRINTING MATERIALS & BOOK PRINTING. They have prepared themselves with all the cessary ma PUBLISHERS, who may be disappointed because no mention is made of books kindly laid upon our table, are inform-chinery and material,-supplied themselves with large fonts of ed that we do not design to call attention to ordinary works in this paper. TEACHERS' INSTITUTE. We do not find the subjoined law in the last volume of the District School Journal, and therefore we give it a place in the present number. The Town Superintendents will observe that the responsibility of taking the incipient measures for this organization of Teachers' Institutes falls upon them —a fact to which their special attention is most respectfully directed. AN ACT for the establishment of Teachers' Institutes. Sec. 1. The Treasurer shall pay, on the warrant of the oomptroller, to the order of the several county treasurers of] new and beautiful Type, expressly for the business, and will execute orders of any size, for Stereotyping Books, Pamphlets, Circulars, Cuts, &c., with accuracy and in a style equal to any establishment in the country. PRINTING MATERIALS. hand, a constant supply of Printing Materials of every description. B. S. & C. have also, completed their arrangement to keep on embracing NEWS, BOOK and Plain and Fancy JOB (metal) TYPE, from Pearl to four line Pica; WOOD TYPE; BRASS RULES of all kinds; LEADS, COMPOSING STICKS, Furniture, Quoins, HOE'S IMPROVED PRESSES,-in short, every article necessary to a complete Printing Office-all of which they will furnish to Printers, or others, as low as can be bought in New York. The patronage of the craft is respectfully solicited. CARDS, of every variety of quality, color and size, supplied at the lowest New York wholesale prices. NORMAL CHART. OF THE Elementary Sounds of the English Language. This Chart was arranged and prepared by D. P. PAGE. Principal of the New York State Normal School, and has received the unqualified approbation of hundreds of Teachers, who have it in daily use in their schools. Mr. Page has been long known to the public as an experienced Educator, and it is believed that in no department have his efforts been crowned with greater success than in that of Elocution. The Chart embodies the results of many years' experience and attention to the subject, and it is confidently expected that it will soon become to be regarded as the Standard, on the matters of which it teaches, in all our schools. No work of so great importance, has probably ever been before the public, that has in so short a time been received with so many marked tokens of favor from Teachers of the highest distinction. Though there are other Charts before the public, of merit, yet it is believed that the Normal Chart, by the pecullar excellence of its analysis, definitions, directions, and general arrangement, will commend itself to the atten tion of all who have in view the best interests of their schools. The Chart is got up in superior style, is 56 inches long and 45 wide, mounted on rollers, cloth backs, and portions of it are distinctly legible at the distance of fifty feet Price Two Dollars The Chart can be obtained of A. S. Barnes & Co, and Hunting FROM S.S. RANDALL. Albany, Jan. 25, 1846. CORNELL'S TERRESTRIAL GLOBE. This Globe by its peculiar construction possesses advantages over others heretofore in use. Many problems of difficult solution for beginners on the common Globe are by this made familiar to the most ordinary capacity. The causes of the change of seasons, and the varied length of days and nights, also the position of the Sun-The l'lane of the Ecliptic, and the inclination of the Earth's axis, are readily understood. Each Globe is accompanied with a Manual giving full directions for its use with solutions of problems &c. An additional recoinmendation is its simplicity of mechanism which renders it but little liable to get out of order or be seriously injured, We will furnish gratis a copy of the Manual to any person who will apply Post Paid. Among the nnmerous testimonials in favor of this Globe we select the following: Collegiate Institute, Rochester, March 1, 1845. I have examined SILAS CORNELL'S Improved Globe, and the small book accompanying it; and it gives me great satisfaction to say, that I consider it all that he represents it: and that I think it better adapted to the use of schools and families than any thing of the kind heretofore in use. C. DEWEY, D. D., M. D., Principal and Prof. of Chemistry and Philosophy. From David Prentice, L. L. D., Professor of t e Greek and Latin TO DR. HAMILTON: Dear Doctor-I cannot permit Mr. CORNELL Nov. 23, 1847. Some of the effects of the Earth's motions are better illustrated Mr. L. W. HALL, Dear Sir-I have examined the "Normal Chart of the Elementary Sounds of the English language, arranged From the Prof. of Mathematics in the University of Michigan, and prepared by David P. l'age, Principal of the State Normal School, and have no hesitation in cordially recommending its introduction into our District Schools. It may wherever deemed advisable be procured under the authority conferred by the latter clause of the 16th section of the Act of 1843, as a portion of the "Scientific Apparatus for the use of Schools," under the conditions specified in that section. Yours, respectfully, S.S. RANDALL, Syracuse, March 4, 1846. I have introduced it into my school, and shall recommend it to the attention os Teachers everywhere. Yours &c., FROM T. W. FIELD. JOSEPH A. ALLEN. NEW-YORK, Aug. 19, 1846. Messrs. HALL & DICKSON: Sirs-The Elementary Chart of Normal sounds, prepared by D. D. Page, Esq., Principal of the State Normal School, is in my opinion, calculated to supply a deficiency that has long been felt in our schools. Students who are exercised upon it, cannot fail to acquire habits of distinct utterance and correct enunciation. The table of the Elementary sounds appears to be arranged on philosophical and correct principles, and the Chart taken as a whole is eminently deserving a place in all our schools. T W. FIELD, Teacher Ward School No. 3, N. Y, City. TEACHER'S INSTITUTES. WORK ON TEACHERS' INSTITUTES: Now A in press and will be issued by the 1st of May Nex, including their origin, progress, and proceedings in the state Clerk of by Mr. CORNELL's Globe than they can be by any other with which I am acquainted. GEORGE P. WILLIAMS. From Horace Web ter, L. L. D., Frofessor of athen-atic and Natural Philosophy in Geneva College. flaving examined an improved construction of a terrestrial Globe, the invention of Mr SILAS CORNELL, of Rochester, I consider it as possessing many decided advantages over those of the common orm, for the purposes of elementary instruction in Astronomy and Geography. It is particularly designed for the use of Common Schools and Academies. For these objects it is much superior to any other with which I am acquainted. I have ordered one of these Globes by the authority of the Trustees, for the Union Schools of this vil lage. BORACE WEBSTER. Geneva College, 26th March, 1845. From Benjamin Hale, D. D., l'resident of Geneva College. From the Professor of Mathematics in Woodward College, Cincinnati, December 26, 1847. Having carefully examined SILAS CORNELL'S Globe, I take pleasure in recommending it to my friends of the Teacher's profession on account of its simplicity of construction, and the ease with which, by means of the accompanying little work, any instructor can explain to his pupils the leading Geographical and Astronomical problems. It possesses several advantages over the Globe in common use, and is well worthy of a place in every school. JOSEPH RAY. The Massachusetts Common School Journal, in a recommendation too long for insertion here, says, "This cheap little af many a day." fair is really one of the happiest inventions that we have seen for 138 Washington St., Boston; Baker, Crane & Day, and Clark & District |