much and varied observation, that much of the happiness and of the success of the school will depend on the cultivation, on the part of parents, of senti ments of affectionate respect for the teacher, in the minds of their children. It serves to place the teacher in the proper attitude before his pupils, as one worthy of their love and their confidence, it opens to him their hearts, and gives to his suggestions their due weight and their legitimate influence

then would they frequently consult the teacher in re-
gard to the character and extent of their mutual ef-
forts for the good of their children. And could teach-
ers be aroused to the thought, that, for the time they
are in the place of the parent, with all the responsi-
bilities of the parent upon them, could they be as-
sured that they enjoy the respect and confidence of
the parents of their pupils, then would they wish to
take counsel with them, as to the most effectual
methods of accomplishing, by mutual co-operation,
the great work which both parties should have at
heart. In this way, there would be a mutual good
understanding, and a harmonious concert of effort
between parents and teachers. Parents would make
that home preparation, which is most important in
itself, and most desirable to teachers, best adapted to
render their labors pleasant and successful, and teach-
ers would carry on the work commenced by parents
to its more full accomplishment, and by the united
efforts of both, our schools would be elevated and
improved. Through the salutary influences of an-
lightened homes, and the judicious instructions of
efficient and advanced schools, the generations, as
they rise, would attain a high degree of social, in-
tellectual and moral development.

From the Monthly Religious Magazine.
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE.

Various other topics have fallen within the range of my vision, as I have looked at this subject, and have seemed to be more or less intimately connected with it. But the length, to which my lecture has already extended, admonishes me to draw to a close. in closing, I would say, that the more I have thought upon this subject of "Home Preparation for School," the more deeply have I felt its importance. It has seemed to me to touch upon one of the greatest wants of the times, in regard to the full education of the rising generation. Much has already been done for the elevation and improvement of our schools. The Board of Education, in its various influences-the able and devoted Secretary of that Board, by collecting and diffusing information, by giving hints, offering suggestions, and forming plans-Normal Schools, by training our teachers to a more thorough preparation for their work-Teacher's Institutes and Associations, by bringing those together who are engaged in this important work-these all have done, and are doing much for the perfection of our common school sys-be published in a few days; and from that we shall The first full report of the Smithsonian Institute will tem. But that all these instrumentalities may accomplish their whole work, there should be added to them the powerful influence of appropriate and thorough home preparation for school. Until this is added, our schools will not become what, in their highest elevation, they might be-what they ought to be. Individual teachers may, it is true, by their culiar faculty of interesting the young, counteract the injurious influences of parental neglect. But if we take an enlarged view of the general condition of our schools, we shall perceive, at once, that they must be essentially affected either for good or for evil as parents attend to or neglect proper home preparation. But, says some parent, you seem disposed to throw a heavy burden upon us, as though we could easily and without difficulty accomplish all that in this re

pe.

find how much has been going on, in a quiet way, to carry out its ample design. In the meantime it may be interesting to give a general account of it—such as have gathered from the partial reports already published, and from conversation with the Secretary and

other

persons.

.6

The sum left in trust to the United States by Mr. Smithson, to promote the increase and diffusion of five hundred thousand dollars; lying unemployed for knowledge among men," amounted to a fraction over upwards of eight years, the interest amounted to half as much more; so that on the passage of the Act of August 10, 1846, seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars were at the disposal of the government. And now the question is, what has been done with it? spect might be desired. I answer, that I have zeal by the friends of each, all of them worthy of the Three different objects were advocated with equal thrown no burden upon parents. I have simply en- munificent foundation. First, a national Literary Indeavored to point out the duties, which, in the re sponsible relation they sus ain, naturally devolve upon the best that could be collected, with every apparatus stitution, of the highest order, comprising a Library them. I was for years a teacher, and knew by try to make accomplished scholars. Next, a great school ing experience the vexations and hindrances in of science and art, with scientific apparatus, a made school, arising from the want of proper home pre- um of curiosities and specimens, practical lectures, paration, I am now a parent, and have learned, by and a gallery of fine arts. And lastly, (what seems almost equally trying experience, the difficulty of securing all that home preparation, which I had before the simplest interpretation of Smithson's words,) a thought necessary. And as I have compared former foundation on a munificent and generous scale, to and later experiences, I have felt that parents and stimulate research, reward discovery, to bring out in teachers are too much estranged from each other. the form of memoirs or treatises the highest results They look at opposite sides of the picture. In seeking to carry out their respective views, they sometimes, even with the best intentions, thwart each other's efforts. I have thought that parents are sometimes disposed to put too much upon teachers, and that teachers sometimes expect too much of parents. Could parents be awakened to a deep sense of their own solemn responsibilities, in regard to the right training of their children, and to a proper estimate of the value of a good education, then would they regard he teacher as a friend and fellow-laborer in the accomplishment of an important work, then would they do all in their power to render the labors of the teacher as pleasant and as efficient as possible;

of the scientific labors of our country, and trace the progress of knowledge in every department, bringing it in the best shape within reach of all who are desirous to know. This last is the plan urged with great enthusiasm and energy by Prof Henry, the Secretary.

Combining the several objects proposed, Congress requires that a building shall be furnished, to contain accommodations for them all. For this, the accumu

* It is often said that that sum was lost, by being invested in worthless stocks; but incorrectly, because, 1. Money loses its identity when deposited in the Treasury, becoming part of the national credit, and perishing only with that; and 2. The United States will recover the whole or part of the corresponding sum, which was invested in that stock.›

lated interest, (or one-third the entire sum,) is appro- printed in the handsome quarto form of philosophical priated. It is now rapidly going upon the open space transactions elsewhere, and illustrated with wood cuts south of the markets; in an admirable situation for most exquisitely designed and engraved. The illusbeauty of effect-not perhaps the most convenient for trations will be furnished, and one thousand copies practical purposes. The design is the later Norman, printed at the expense of the Institution. A copy or, as it may with more strict propriety be called the will be presented to every college and important sciLombard style, as it prevailed in Germany, Norman-entific body in the country, and to all similar institudy, and in Southern Europe, in the twelfth century. tions throughout the world, with a request for similar It comprises a centre building, with two wings, con- works in exchange. The author will then be remunected with the main buildings by low ranges and a nerated, perhaps by a premium or donation, and by cloister The entire front is 421 feet, and the extreme permission to print an edition for his own benefit, depth in the centre, including the carriage porch, 153 using the types and engravings free of expense. This feet. The height of the principal tower is 145, feet, may serve as an example Another is a treatise or and that of the main building, to the summit of the memoir on the potato-rot, professing to be the fruit of battlement, 58 feet. The design includes all the ac- original investigation, and of much practical value. commodations demanded by the charter, to wit: a After being examined by Prof. Henry it will be put in museum, 200 feet by 50; a library, 90 feet by 50; a the hands of some of the first chemists in the coun gallery of art, in the form of a T, 120 feet long; two try, and their scientific reputation must answer for its lecture rooms, one of which is capable of containing merit, before it will be accepted and printed. from 800 to 1000 persons, and the other is connected with the chemical laboratory; a committee room for the Board of Regents; a Secretary's room; a room for the effects of Mr. Smithson; a painter's room, &c. The two wings, for the Library and Laboratory, will be ready in a few months; the entire building, in about four years. The style is studiously irregular, being a mass or pile of connected structures, each fitted to its own particular purpose, and having no symmetry to mar by additions that may be necessary hereafter The Library is calculated for 100,000 volumes, but can be indefinitely enlarged; and so with the museum gallery. The sum seems a large one to expend in building, and so it is, consi ering the original donation. As a national affair, into which it is destined I trust to grow, with the Smithsonian for one department, it is just right, not at all lavish; costing one-fourth as much as the unfinished Treasury, onetenth the Capitol, or about as much as twelve hours'

war.

It is a part of the Secretary's design also, to prepare a series of treatises on the different branches of scienre. natural, moral, and æsthetical, showing the actual position and periodical advance of each department of knowledge. Lectures have been already delivered here, under his direction, by Dr. Scoresby and Prof. Nichol. A part also of the scientific apparatus at his command will be employed in surveys and explorations in various parts of the country, and memorials will be distributed to men of science and practical knowledge in various places, so as to gather, from their observations, the greatest possible available fund of information. A glance will show the immense unexplored field of research which this will lay open; in magnetic, astronomical and meteorological observations, in aboriginal antiquities and civilization, laws of climate and health, causes of local or seasonal diseases, &c.

I have just alluded to the grand ideal American Institute, (not that which a few years ago assumed the The report of the building Committee, (with a full name,) of which the Smithsonian Institution is at preaccount of the structure, and some curious experi- sent both the visible beginning and the comprehenments to test the quality of the material,) shows the sive germ It would be interesting to sec how much extreme fidelity and labor with which every step has is done already towards it in the national structures been taken. The same Committee have in charge, and establishments already existing here, and what also, the publication of the first elaborate work under new features must be developed hereafter, as this bethe auspices of the Institution. It is a treatise enti-ginning creates wants by degrees, which it is incomtled "Hints on Public Architecture," to contain views petent to supply. of the principal public buildings in the country, a selection of the plans proposed for the Institution, and a full description, with illustrative plates, of the one adopted; together with a great amount of interesting, practical information as to everything connected withi material, finish, cost, style, &c., of public buildings. As a sample of the style of the work, the illustrations are estimated to cost two thousand dollars.

From the Journal of Education of Upper Canada. BOARDS OF EDUCATION—THEIR ORIGIN, CONSTITUTION, AND OBJECTS.

As imperfect and erroneous notions appear to exist Next for the more quiet labors of the Secretary-relative to the appropriate functions of Boards of Educaless conspicuous, but quite as important. After de- tion, it will be useful, and we trust acceptable, to give ducting $20,000 appropriated for the beginning of the some account of their origin, constitution and objects library, $4,000 for scientific apparatus, and other sums in connexion with a system of public elementary infor salaries and the like, he has for his main purp se struction. In this connexion they are of American orithe control of perhaps six or eight thousand dollars a gin; and from the United States have been incorporated year, which, when the building is finished, will be into the Common School system of Upper Canada.nealy doubled At present he vishes to publish We refer not here to such a body as the University of nothing in the name of the Institution, but what has France-which stands at the head of the entire system substamal value, as original investigation and disco- of University, Collegiate and Primary instructionvery. Accordingly out of the multitude of memoirs presided over by a ouncil of six, each Councillor poured upon his hands, on all variety of subjects, and having charge of one or more divisions of public inof every degree of ability, he has at present adopted struction, and over which Council presides a Grand only one This is a work on the "Indian Mounds," Master, or Minister of Public Instruct on; or as the and other antiquities of the western valley, pronounc- Ministry of Public Instruction in Prussia, which has ed by the New York Ethnological Society to be by far been separated from that of the State since 1817, and the most complete, elaborate, and able work, ever which is divided into several sections, having the written on that subject. It will make a large volume, oversight and the direction of the whole system of

THE FIGURE NINE.

A learn

Education in the kingdom, from the primary Schools would surely be indicted and fined The remedy up to the Universit es. In both these countries, each sec- was so certain and effectual, and the desire for education or division of public instruction has a head, and tion so general, that in very few instances have the the whole system is administered by in ividual heads requirements of the law been disregarded; in most of departments. Nor do we refer to such a Board as instances they have been exceeded. But still, the the Commissioners of National Education for Ireland. system was not a safe, or even county, it was only a For though their functions are limited to primary in-system. The ordinary courts of law were the struction, they alone constit te the machinery of ele- only School authorities beyond the town committees. mentary instruction in that country. In both Prussia Each town had no higher standard for Schools than and France, the provinces, regencies and parishes, that furnished by itself. The Schools had therefore the departments, arrondissements and communes, remained stationary for more than half a century, co-operate in the elementary School system as do our and were falling behind the wants of the age, when, District Councils and School Sections; but in Ireland to supply some extent the desideratum of a central the local Municipal bodies have nothing to do with and general system by the diffusion of useful knowthe School system; the social state of the country ledge, a Board of Education was established. unfits it for such Municipal co-operation; and the Board alone educates, determines the rank and scale of salaries to teachers, appoints the School Inspectors, publishes the School books, and controls all the School However many nines may be added together or by houses aided by the Parliamentary grants. The sys- whatever number or numbers it may be multiplied, tem is simple, central, magnificent, powerful; its the line of figures for the sum or product may be School publications are unrivalled, as its principles added together, and it will consist of one or more are Christian and catholic; but it is necessarily ex-nines. For instance, twice 9 are 18; the 1 and 8 are pensive the current expenses of Officers, salaried nine; 4 times 9 are 36; and 3 and 6 are 9. Commissioner, Secretaries, Clerks, &c., being up- er finds some amusement in increasing the amount, wards of £6000 sterling per annum, independent of as if he expected some variation might be found, but the expenses (£7000 sterling per annum) of the Nor-when he gets to 11 times 9, he finds the product is mal and Model Schools, and about £400 per annum only 99, two nines. And at the next step higher, viz: over and above the receipts, expended in the publi- 12 times 9, he obtains only 108, or one 9. cation of books; and its mode of administration is Then he may be shown the fact that nine digits, 1, foreign to the local institutions, circumstances and 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, amount to a large number of habits of the people of this country. The Board was nines, namely, 5 nines are 45; and he be taught not created to execute a law, but to be a law; it was that if, instead of adding a line up, he will multiply established and existed fifteen years under the autho- the middle figure by the last figure, namely, 5 times rity of the royal despatch, not to administer a pre- 9, he will find the value of the whole most readily; scribed system defined by law, but to create a sys- and this upon a principle of taking averages, which tem; and it is the sole, absolute moving power of he will have occasion to resort to in higher departthat system. The powers exercised by local patrons ments of the science. are given, not by statute, but by the Board itself, and He may then be directed to notice the effect of addcan be modified at its pleasure. The Board expends ing together two lines formed of the nine digits, but the Parliamentary grants upon terms of its own pre-in reversed order. For instance :scribing; nor is a sixpence given to a Teacher not on its own list, nor an Inspector of Schools employed except by its own appointment, nor is there any local School authority except by its own creation. It can hardly be expected that the local Councils in Upper Canada would be willing to relinquish the powers which they possess in our School system to a central Board appointed by the Crown-like that in Dublin, and designed for a state of society like that of Ireland.

The Boards of Education of which we propose to speak are those which have become a part of the Common School system from which we have chiefly borrowed, and which have not as yet deducted a farthing from the School Fund of any country. The first of these Boards was created in the State of Massachusetts in 1837-an example which has been followed by the State of Maine, while the States of Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Vermont, have followed, the New-York State model in having a State Commissioner or Superintendent.

The system of Common Schools in these States is peculiar. For more than a century each town or township of six miles square has been required by the law of the State to have a School or Schools of a certain rank so many months in the year, according to the population-and for the support of these Schools every inhabitant was made liable according to his property. In case of the requirements of the law being neglected, the dissatisfied inhabitants desiring education for their children could complain to the Grand Jury of their county, and the delinquents

123456789
987654321

111111110

may

There is something striking to the eye in such a product, for the wonderful number recurs in nine ones; and it may serve to induce thinking. Or let the one line be substracted from the other in this way:

987654321
123456789

864197532

In this result the odd and even numbers become curiously arranged; the whole of the nine digits are there, as in the upper lines; there is no surplus or epetition; there is only one figure of a kind; of course they amount to five nines

Would the pupil wish to see a sum in multiplication, the product of which shall contain several figures alike? Tell him to set down all the digits except 8, and if he would like the product to be all ones, let the line be multiplied by one nine:

12345679

9

11111111

And here again is the faithful number for the product present nine ones.

If the product of twos would please him, let him let him multiply the line with two nines or 18, and so on with 27, 36, &c., until by multiplying by 9, or

81, he will have a product of all nines, and 9 of has written it on the broad and attractive page of Nathem:

12345679

81

12345679

12345679

12345679 98765432

The pupil may try the intermediate numbers to produce threes, fours, sixes, sevens, and eights.There will be found nine of each, and the figures of each product added together will be of equal value to each respective multiplier.

If the number 9 be multiplied eight places in a line by two and the other digits, up to nine inclusive, the whole line of results will be ranged alike, from left to right, and from right to left; that is from a to a, reading the figures in either direction:

9 9 999 999
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

a18 27 36 45 54 63 72 81a And the first figure in each couple, for either end, is in simple rotation from one to eight.--Ross' Ment. Cal.

PROFESSOR AGASSIZ.

ture. And the more thoroughly they become initiated into the great truths and mysteries of this page, the more effectually will they be armed against the shafts of infidelity and the alluring sophistries of a too confident and world-wise philosophy. The greater too, will be their admiration and the more earnest their adoration of its Divine Author. Humility the offspring of true wisdom, will elevate them by elevating and enlarging their conceptions of the Deity. They are pursuing their enquiries in the true Grove of Academus, and they cannot but return to their College walls with minds laden with rich stores of knowledge, and bodies invigorated by the physical exercise rendered necessary in its attainment. We honor these young men for their choice, and we honor the Institution which is willing to afford them such advantages, and we bid them "God speed" in their onward course.-Iris of Niagara Falls.

THE MOTHER. Scarcely a day passes that we do not hear of the loveliness of women; the affection of a sister, or tho devotedness of a wifo; and it is remembrance of such things that cheers and comforts the dearest hour of life-yet a mother's love far exceeds them in strength, in disinterestedness and purity. The child of her bosom may have forsaken her This distinguished naturalist arrived in town on the and left her--he may have disregarded all her in15th inst., with a geological class from Cambridge.structions and warning, he may have become an The party spent two days examining the formations outcast from society, and none may care for or notice in this vicinity, and of Goat Island particularly. As him, yet his mother changes not, nor is her love this is an excursion for practical instruction in Geolo- weakened, and for him her prayers will ascend! gy, the Professor, on the evening of the 17th, gave Sickness may weary other friends-misfortune drive the class a short but very interesting lecture upon away familiar acquaintances, and poverty leave none Niagara. Professor Agassiz is confident in the belief to lean upon; yet they affect not a mother's love, but that Lake Ontario was once bounded by the Ridge Road, which was formed by the action of its waters, and thinks even, that its waters, at a remote period, washed the base of the Lewiston Ridge. He also confirms the opinion hitherto advanced by Geologists, that the Falls were once at Lewiston, and St Davids, and that they receded, "notching the centuries in the eternal rocks," until they reached their present position. The channel which made the Fall at St. Davids -four miles west of Queenston-left the main channel at the Whirlpool, and had a much less depth of water than the latter channel. At the Whirlpool where the falling water met a stratum of the Medina Limestone, Professor Agassiz thinks the Fall was stationary for a longer period than at any other point between this and Lewiston. He is also of opinion for reasons which he very lucidly explained, that the Falls will never recede much above their present pocition, and of course that all apprehension that Lake Erie will ever be drained is utterly groundless. Un Monday morning the party went to the Whirlpool, and in the afternoon left for the North shore of Lake Superior. After an absense of about seven weeks they will return here to devote another week to this interesting locality. Professor Agassiz is enthusiastic in his admiration of the Great Cataract, and he seems to regard Iris Island as a Geological ELDORADO.

only call into exercise, in a still greater degree, her tenderness and affection. The mother has duties to perform which are weighty and responsible-the lisping infant must be taught how to live-the thoughtless child must be instructed in wisdom's ways-the tempted boy be advised and warned-the dangers and difficulties of life must be pointed out, and lessons of virtue must be impressed on the mind. Her words, acts, faults, frailties and temper are all noticed by those that surround her, and impressions in the nursery exert a more pawerful influence in forming the character than do any other after instruction. If passions are unrestrained--if truth is not adhered to- - * if consistency is not seen-if there be a want of affection or a murmuring at the dispensations of Providence, the youthful mind will receive the impression, and subsequent life will develop it; but if all is purity, sincerity, truth, contentment and love, then will the result be a blessing, and many will rejoice in the example and influence of the pious mother.

A MORAL WELL POINTED.-Sophronius, a wis teacher, would not suffer his grown up sons and daughters to associate with those whose conduct was not pure and upright.

"Dear Father," said the gentle Eulalia to him one day, when he forbade her, in company with her And here we would take the liberty to express our brother, to visit the volatile Lucinda, "you must think unqualified commendation of this, and similar excur- us very childish if you imagine that we would be exsions. This party of young American students cast-posed to danger by it." ing behind them the allurements of vacation, with all The father took in silence a dead coal from the the vigor, inquisitiveness and ambition of youth, un-hearth, and reached it to his daughter. "It will not der an able, accomplished and eloquent teacher, go burn you, my child-take it."

forth to study the great Book of Nature. Leaving She did so, and behold her delicate white hand was the confined atmosphere and the oft-thumbed text- soiled and blacked, and as it chanced, her white books of the study, and the musty tomes of the libra-dress too.

ry, discarding for a time, the ingenious theories, the "We cannot be too careful in handling coals-even bold speculations, the plausible and even accurate if they do not burn, they blacken. So it is with the demonstrations of men, they seek the TRUTH as God company of the vicious."