COLLEGES OR OTHER INSTITUTIONS AT WHICH THE PRINCIPALS OF NEW YORK ACADEMIES WERE EDUCATED.

The Regent's Report of 1863 (referring to 1862), introduced a statement of the Colleges or other institutions at which the Principals of Academies were educated, and this has been continued down to the present time. A summary of these returns for the whole period would have interest if they could be made complete; but from the large number of names returned without mentioning the place of graduation, in former years, we have deemed it sufficient to present a summary for the last five years; still incomplete but instructive so far as it goes.

In 1817, Jonathan Ware, of Albany, addressed a memorial to the Senate, relating to an improved mode of teaching the languages, which was referred to the Regents for examination. Their committee, after making inquiries, and observing the result in different examinations in French classes, reported, that in their opinion, "the system of teaching practiced by him is superior to the ordinary course pursued in the generality of schools in this State. The method adopted by Mr. Ware resembles that of Dufief: it consists in teaching the proper names of things, and short familiar sentences in the first instances, and leaves grammatical instruction until the pupil is proficient in the art of speaking and understanding the language. This is the natural course, and its advantages are illustrated by the examinations referred to."

They had however no pecuniary patronage to bestow for rewarding individuals for discovering new and successful modes of instruction, however meritorious, and therefore simply reported as above.

Upon the 11th of April 1817, the Senate committee reported to the effect, that it appeared that Mr. Ware's method was a new and valuable improvement in the education of youth, and they recommended him as deserving of encouragement and patronage.'

About the year 1834, as the question of instruction of common School Teachers by Academies came up for discussion, we find Regent's Reports beginning to embrace articles and extracts from returns made by academies, in which " Methods of Teaching" forın an important part. This information does not admit of condensation or classification, and our limits do not allow of its admission in these pages. But to the student of educational history we would commend the Regents' Reports for many years following the date above mentioned, as well worthy of his careful examination, and feel confident in assuring him that he will be well rewarded by the study. Average Attendance in the several Terms of the Year.

* Academic and preparatory students.

Number of Students Gratuitously Instructed.

Students pursuing Classical Studies, preparing for College, and

entering College.

Entering
College

YEARS.

Frequency of Certain Exercises in Academies.

COMPOSITION.

DECLAMATION.

Daily. 3 dys. 1 wk. 10 dys. 2 wks. 3 wks. 4 wks. Daily. I wk. 10 dys. 2 wks. 3 wks. 4 wks.

NUMBER OF TERMS, AND WEEKS OF VACATION.

From an early period, there has been a class of information reported which could not well be summarised for any given year, much less for a series of years. We deem it sufficient to present these conditions as they existed at intervals of ten years, so far as they can be shown from reports.

Number of Academic Terms and Weeks of Vacation in a Year.

TEXT-BOOKS USED IN ACADEMIES.1

In 1835, there was begun a series of reports upon the Text-books used in Academies, and these have since been continued through a period of nearly fifty years. Before 1858, the total number of

The Regents, by a resolution adopted February 27, 1827, decided that they did not consider it proper as a corporate body, to express any opinion on the merits of books prepared for the use of Common Schools. This rule has since been invariably followed with respect to text-books used in Academies and Colleges; but as to books for reference and library use, the Regents have published extended lists of such as deserved confidence,

SUBJECTS AND AUTHORS.

Academies using the several books were reported without specifying the institutions where used. From 1858 to 1869, inclusive, the studies and the text-books used in the several Academies were given in detail. From 1870 to 1880, inclusive, the total number using each text-book, without further specification were given, and from 1881 to 1884 those only that had been used in at least ten Academies, within four years were reported. Having made extensive tabulations for many years, commencing with 1835, we found that these tables would occupy much more space than their interest might justify, and therefore we present only the series for ten years ending in 1882-3, as published in the report of 1884.

Summary of text books reported as used in the several Academies during the last ten years (omitting those not used in at least ten Academies within four years past).

1877-8.

1878-9.

1879-80.

1880-1.