NOTICES.

WORKS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

A Gazetteer of the State of New Hampshire,--by John Farmer and Jacob B. Moore.--Embellished with an accurate Map of the State, and several other Engravings: By Abel Bowen. Concord: 1823. 12mo. pp. 276.

A work like this for every state in the Union, would be a valuable acquisition to every school and every family, as well as to persons engaged in business, and individuals actuated merely by curiosity, or by a desire for useful information. This gazetteer furnishes a fund of intelligence such as most persons have occasion for in their daily occupations or engagements. It seems well adapted to produce in the great body of the population of New-Hampshire, particularly, a taste for historical reading, for statistics, and topography; as well as an attachment to the scenes, the society, and the institutions of their native State.

But it is in schools that its use will produce the best results. The early use of the gazetteer will cherish a spirit of attentive observation, and of useful investi gation; and give a seasonable and practical direction to the mental habits of youth, which cannot fail to produce a manly and intelligent patriotism in the

bosom of manhood.

It has been justly regretted that, whilst many school books furnish so much information in the science of Geography, few afford the means of acquiring the details of local and topographical knowledge which are serviceable to the business of life. So much of the work before us is presented in the gazetteer form, that it is not so well adapted to school use as it might otherwise have been. Still while the whole work will be found very interesting as a reading book for schools, there are upwards of sixty pages of it devoted to a regular topographical sketch of the State; and it is this part of the volume which will be found best adapted to the general purposes of instruction.

As the limits of a notice forbid our indulging in further remarks, we will only express our hope that the State of Massachusetts will soon be furnished with similar volume. The present work seems to be carefully and successfully executed. Its circulation will, we hope, correspond to its merits, and amply remunerate the enterprise and diligence of its compilers. We subjoin its leading topics.

1. A general view of the State of New Hampshire, comprehending the boun daries and area; divisions; face of the country; soil and productions; climate; health and longevity; mountains; lakes and rivers; canals; turnpikes and bridges; geology and mineralogy; government and laws; revenue and expenses; militia; population; manufactures and commerce; literary institutions; education; manners and customs; religion; societies; banks; state house; penetentiary; curiosities; Indians; and history.

II. A general view of the Counties, topographical and historical; with statisti cal tables, exhibiting the number of meeting-houses, school houses, taverns, stores, mills, factories, &c. in each.

III. A general description of Towns, and of all the mountains, lakes, ponds, rivers, &c., comprehending 1. A concise description of the several towns in the state, in relation to their boundaries, divisions, mountains, lakes, ponds, &c 2. The early history of each town; names of the first settlers, and what were their hardships and adventures; instances of longevity, or of great mortality; and short biographical notices of the most distinguished and useful men. cise notice of the formation of the first churches in the several towns; the names of those who have been successively ordained as ministers, and the time of their settlement, removal or death. Also, notices of permanent charitable and other institutions, literary societies, &c.'

3. A con

Friend of Youth; or a new selection of Lessons, in Prose and Verse, for Schools and Families, to imbue the Young with sentiments of Piety, Humanity, and universal Benevolence: By Noah Worcester, D. D. Second edition. Boston: 1823. 12mo. pp. 276.

At a time when science and information are made the leading subjects even in the compilation of books of reading lessons, it would seem very desirable that the grand principles which breath peace and good will into the hearts of men, should have a volume devoted to them.

A moral reading-book was much wanted for the use of schools and families; and the Friend of Youth seems excellently suited to the purpose. It teaches by example, rather than by precept. It contains numerous illustrations, from history, and other sources, of the virtues which it aims to inculcate. That this is the most successful, as well as the most interesting method of instructing the young, is a truth familiar to all attentive parents and teachers.

Much good will probably result in after life to the young reader of this book. He will be trained up in a rooted aversion to the exercise of cruelty in every shape; whether he sees the passions vented on man or beast, on individuals or communities. He will enter on the stage of manhood prepared to co-operate with every benevolent effort public or private, and especially to devote all his influence to the success of those institutions which aim at the extermination of war.

A few questions at the close of each section would have contributed to the moral influence of the work; the intelligent teacher, however, will not omit to put these orally to his pupils.

Discourses on Cold and Warm Bathing; with remarks on the effects of drinking cold water in warm weather.-By John G. Coffin, M. D. A second edition. Boston, 1826. 12mo. pp. 70.

Physical education has few aids more important than that of bathing. But none in so common use has been so perverted or misunderstood. Dr. Coffin's manual will be found a very serviceable guide to individuals who occasionally or customarily resort to this pleasant expedient for renovating the energies of the corporeal system, and confirming and prolonging health.

Bathing requires attention to render it a healthful and beneficial practice; and parents who are desirous of exercising a judicious superintendence over this department of their children's physical improvement will derive much benefit from this treatise.

The season of the year, as well as the republication of Dr. Coffin's tract prompts us to suggest the following question.-Would it not be advantageous, in cities at least, to have a place assigned for the purpose of bathing, where youth might without exposure or risk, enjoy the benefit of this exercise? But little expense would be incurred to procure the requisite accommodations and a careful superintendent.

BOOKS FOR CHILDREN.

The Son of a Genius; a Tale for the use of Youth. By the Author of the History of an Officer's Widow and Family, Clergyman's Widow and Family, &c. Boston. 18mo. pp. 216.

Mrs. Hoffland's powers as a writer for the young have been often and deeply felt by the juvenile reader. In the present instance the sympathies of youth are finely touched, and to a fine moral issue.

The lesson which is read on the evils of instability of purpose, and of a false reliance on genius, is a very impressive one: it abounds with the most forcible and pathetic illustrations. The story cannot be read but with the deepest interest;

and if the tears which it draws from the youthful reader are unaccompanied by good resolutions-no pains certainly have been spared by the writer to produce such a result.

We would not have occupied our readers' time with remarks on a book so well known in some parts of this country, if we had not known that the sale and the cir culation of children's books, is apt-more than any other branch of publishing and bookselling business-to be regulated by local and pecuniary considerations; and that, accordingly, in not a few places, many of the best books for children never find their way into general use.

The Deformed Boy: by the Author of Redwood &c. Boston, 1826. 18mo. pp. 40.

It is a circumstance on which we may congratulate parents and all, indeed, who take an interest in the progress and improvement of the young, that a writer pos sessed of the qualifications of the author of Redwood, has turned her attention to the department of books for children. The literary rank of such works does not hold up to authors the reward of distinguished fame. But there is none of the walks of literature in which a benevolent and accomplished mind may dispense more gratification, or confer more sure and lasting benefits.

The Deformed Boy is a narrative from real life; and, like all other judicious selections from the great volume of truth, has as many charms as the brightest bction. A little more simplicity of thought and plainness of style, in the didactic parts of the book, would be improvements of value. But the story itself is told in an easy and natural way; and the moral impressions it produces, best kind.

are all of the

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Received since our last :

Prospectus of the Polytechnic School, Schenectady, New-York. School Exercises and Advertisement of the La Fayette Female Seminary, Lex. ington, Kentucky.

A friendly correspondent has urged the importance of the maternal department of education, and the propriety of giving it a more definite place in the pages of the journal. We agree with our correspondent in what he has suggested; and if there has been any apparent neglect of a subject of so much importance, it has arisen solely from a desire to take up this department of our work to the best advantage. We wished in the first place to accumulate and furnish facts, which, in this as well as every other subject, we think the safest and the most beneficial method of proceeding. In forming theories we may err, and in attempting to lay down rules we may dogmatise, rather than instruct; but in tracing and stating facts we secure ourselves comparatively from error and injury. Besides, every reflecting mother will have and ought to have, her own views and plans by which to educate her chil dren. What mothers as well as all other instructers need for guidance, is, facts of successful and of unsuccessful experiment. We hoped, when commencing the journal, that parents of experience and of skill would aid us in this way more extensively than they have done. Meantime we have not neglected this department. Many valuable ideas for the guidance of parents have been presented in our articles on infant schools, and in taking notice of children's books we have endeavored to keep the superintending care of mothers always in view.

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In our present number our correspondent will find some interesting thoughts on maternal influence; and among the Questions on Education' are some which cannot fail to suggest many valuable hints to mothers for the physical education of in

fants.

The illness of a contributor, on whom we had placed much reliance in this de partment of our work, has delayed an article more expressly designed to aid the efforts of mothers; and which will form the introduction to a regular series of arti

cles under this head.

[We have been favored with the book published by Mr. Wilderspin of whom mention is made in our first number. The perusal of this interesting little volume must we think afford the highest gratification to the mind of every benevolent person, and especially to the feelings of parents. The experiment of educating infants has been fairly and successfully made in various parts of England, but in none perhaps with more success than in London, and particularly in the Spitalfields school under the care of Mr Wilderspin. We regret that infant schools abroad have been open to the poor only, and that the benefits resulting from this excellent institution have been restricted to one class of the community, while they are so desirable to all.

The amusements of the nursery will sometimes fail to enliven or to please the infant mind; and incessant care will impair the health of the most attentive of mothers. But even with every possible advantage, private superintendence and instruction, though highly desirable and, indeed, indispensable for a part of the day, cannot furnish the excitement, the vivacity, the glow of a numerous assemblage of children nearly of the same age, and whose sympathies whilst they are complete in themselves, furnish their superintendent with the most powerful and the most happy means of direction and control.

The English institutions for infants, as well as the few which have been partially attempted in our own country, though they bear the name of schools,-because one of their objects is instruction,- -are intended chiefly to secure the health and the happiness of their little pupils. The acquisition of knowledge is a subordinate point. The lessons and exercises partake but little of the dulness and formality commonly associated with the idea of school. They em

brace a delightful and varied culture of the mind, addressed strikingly and pleasingly to the senses, and calculated to promote health by a free exercise of the members of the body. The children, in a word, are kept safe from harm, delighted with their associates and their employments, and pleased with the consciousness of improvement: they are trained to every pure and generous and pious feeling, and are brought up in habits of activity and industry. All these advantages are found to result from infant schools; and we should consider it a misfortune, if, in this country, the benefits of these seminaries should not be open to every class.

The Lancasterian schools in their early stage were deemed fit for none but the poor, because the Lancasterian system was first introduced in schools designed for that class of the community. Subsequent experience, however, has proved them to be best adapted for the instruction of all ranks. A similar result will take place, we have no doubt, with infant schools.]

Method of opening the Infant School, Spitalfields, London.

THE children being assembled, they are desired to stand up, and immediately afterwards to kneel down, all close to their seats and as silent as possible: those who are not strong enough to kneel are allowed to sit on the ground. This being done, a child is placed in the centre of the school and repeats the following prayer.

'O God, our heavenly Father, thou art good to us; we would serve thee; we have sinned and done wrong many times. Jesus Christ died on the cross for us. Forgive our sins for Jesus' sake; may the holy spirit change our hearts, and make us to love God; help us to day to be good children and to do what is right. Keep us from wicked thoughts and bad tempers; make us try to learn all that we are taught; keep us in health all the day. would always think of God, and when we die may we go to heaven. God bless our fathers and mothers, and sisters and brothers, and our teachers, and make us obedient and kind for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.'

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The children afterwards repeat the Lord's prayer, and then sing a hymn; immediately after which they proceed to their lessons; which are fixed to what are called lesson-posts. The lesson-post consists of an upright piece of deal, containing a slide to receive the lessons. To each of these posts there is a monitor, who is provided with a piece of cane for a pointer. This post is placed opposite to where his class sits; and every class has a post, up to which their monitor brings the children three or four at a time, according to the number of children he has in his class. We have fourteen classes, and sometimes more, which are regularly numbered, so that