him several distinguished professors, amongst whom was one of the French language. The health of Abdul Medjid is not so delicate and feeble as to incapacitate him from holding the reins of State. Although his extreme youth, considering the burden which is imposed on him, may create some uneasiness, it has been ascertained that the energy and perseverance which were so remarkable in the character of the father, are, to a certain extent, already visible in that of the son."

FEMALE SEMINARY, STEUBENVILLE, OHIO.

This Seminary embraces two distinct departments. The pupils of each occupy separate school rooms, and are subjected to a somewhat different arrangement and method of management and instruction. Still they are only treated as older and younger children of the same family.

The Preparatory, or Girl's School, comprises none, in general, older than twelve. For reception to this, it is required that the applicant be able to read. It consists of two classes: Introductory, embracing those who are merely reading and spelling, together with receiving oral instruction on various subjects; Primary, who, in addition, are attending to Writing, Arithmetic, Geography, History, English Grammar, and first lessons in Botany, Natural Philosophy, Geometry, &c.

The Principal School, or Young Ladies' Department, consists of all who enter the Seminary over twelve years of age. For admission to this, a pupil must either be of that age, or have passed through all the studies of the Preparatory School. It is divided into three classes: Middle, Junior, and Senior. Into the first, all are admitted who enter this school; and they continue in it, until they are prepared to enter the higher classes. The studies of this class will be, (for those who have not previously attended to them) Reading; Writing; Orthography; Arithmetic; Geography, modern and ancient, with drawing maps; History, ancient and modern, but especially of our own country; English Grammar; Composition; Natural History; Biblical, Roman and Grecian Antiquities; Watts on the mind; Human Physiology; Political Class Book, &c. The studies of the Junior and Senior classes are each designed to occupy a year, and prepare the young lady for graduating with honor to herself and the institution. No one is admitted to them who has not passed a satisfactory examination on the studies which precede, nor, in ordinary cases, until she shall have been for some time a member

of the Seminary. The studies will be Botany; Chemistry; Astronomy; Geometry; Algebra; Rhetoric; Criticism; Intellectual and Moral Philosophy; Logic; Evidences of Christianity; Analogy of Natural and Revealed Religion, &c. In recitations, these regular divisions are not kept separate, but all the pupils are arranged in temporary classes, as may best promote the good of individuals. Text books for the several classes are carefully selected, and but rarely changed.

None will receive a Certificate of having completed the course, or be ranked as a Graduate, without passing satisfactory examinations in the studies of the regular course.

SCHOOL LIBRARY.

Marsh, Capen, Lyon, & Webb, 109, Washington street, Boston, are now publishing, under the sanction of the Massachusettts Board of Education, a collection of original and selected works, entitled The School Library.'

The Library will embrace two series of fifty volumes each; the one to be in 18mo., averaging from 250 to 280 pages per volume; the other in 12mo., each volume containing from 350 to 400 pages. The former, or Juvenile Series, is intended for children of ten or twelve years of age and under; the latter for individuals of that age, and upwards,-in other words, for advanced scholars and their parents.

The Library is to consist of reading, and not school, class, or text books; the design being to furnish youth with suitable works for perusal during their leisure hours; works that will interest, as well as instruct them, and of such a character that they will turn to them with pleasure, when it is desirable to unbend from the studies of the school room.

The plan will embrace every department of Science and Literature, preference being given to works relating to our own Country, and illustrative of the history, institutions, manners, customs, &c., of our own people. Being intended for the whole community, no work of a sectarian or denominational character in religion, or of a partisan character in politics, will be admitted.

The aim will be to clothe the subjects discussed, in a popular garb, that they may prove so attractive, as to lure the child onwards, fix his attention, and induce him, subsequently, to seek information from other and more recondite works, which, if put into his hands

at the onset, would alarm him, and induce a disgust for that which would appear dry and unintelligible, and of course, uninteresting.

The intention is not to provide information for any one class, to the exclusion of others, but to disseminate knowledge among all classes. The Publishers wish the children of the Farmer, the Merchant, the Manufacturer, the Mechanic, the Laborer,-all to profit by the lights of science and literature, that they may be rendered the more virtuous and happy, and become more useful to themselves, to one another, to the community, and mankind at large. To accomplish this desirable end, the Library will embrace so wide a range of subjects, that every child may find something which will prove useful and profitable to him, whatever his situation, circumstances, or pursuits, in after life may be.

The project is one of great extent, and vast importance; and, if properly carried out, must become of inestimable value to the young. Whether the anticipations of the Publishers, with regard to it, will be verified, time must determine; but from the intellectual and moral, theoretical and practical character of those who have engaged to aid in the undertaking, they have good grounds for presuming that much will be accomplished, and that by their united efforts many obstacles, now existing to the mental, moral, and physical improvement of youth, will be removed, or at least be rendered more easily surmountable.

Among the individuals already engaged as writers for one or both Series, may be mentioned-the Hon. Judge Story, Jared Sparks, Esq., Washington Irving, Esq., Rev. Dr Wayland, Professor Benjamin Silliman, Professor Dennison Olmsted, Professor Alonzo Potter, Dr Jacob Bigelow, Dr Robley Dunglison, Dr Elisha Bartlett, Rev. Charles W. Upham, Rev. F. W. P. Greenwood, Rev. Royal Robbins, Rev. Warren Burton, Arthur J. Stansbury, Esq., E. C. Wines, Esq., Robert Rantoul, Jr., Esq., Professor Tucker, and Professor Elton.

Mrs Sarah J. Hale, Mrs E. F. Ellet, Mrs Emma C. Embury, Mrs A. H. Lincoln Phelps, Miss E. Robbins, Miss E. P. Peabody, Miss Mary E. Lee, Miss Caroline Sedgwick.

No work will be admitted into the Library, unless it be approved by every member of the Board of Education; which Board consists of the following individuals, viz., His Excellency Edward Everett, Chairman; His Honor George Hull, Rev. Emerson Davis, Edmund Dwight, Esq., Rev. George Putnam, Robert Rantoul, Jr., Esq., Hon. Charles Hudson, and Hon. George N. Briggs.

The following works, have been printed, and constitute first ten volumes of the 12mo. series, viz.

Life of Columbus, by Washington Irving, a new edition, (revised by the author,) including a Visit to Palos, and other additions, a portrait of the Great Navigator, a Map, and several illustrative engravings.

Paley's Natural Theology, in two volumes, with selections from the Dissertations and Notes of Lord Brougham and Sir Charles Bell, illustrated by numerous wood cuts, and prefaced by a Life of the Author; (with a portrait,) the whole being newly arranged and adapted for The School Library, by Elisha Bartlett, M. D., Professor of the Theory and Practice of Physic and Pathological Anatomy in Dartmouth College.

Lives of eminent individuals, celebrated in American History, in three volumes, with portraits of Robert Fulton, Sebastain Cabot, and Sir Henry Vane, and autographs of most of the individuals.

The Sacred Philosophy of the Seasons, illustrating The Perfections of God in the Phenomena of the Year. In 4 volumes. By the Rev. Henry Duncan, D. D., of Ruthwell, Scotland; with important additions, and some modifications to adapt it to American readers, by the Rev. F. W. P. Greenwood, of Boston.

WHAT OUR FATHERS THOUGHT.

In the year 1679 a Synod of the New England Churches was held at Boston. The interests of religion in many parts of the country had already began visibly to decline. Wars, blights, and disasters at sea had been deemed manifest tokens of the righteous displeasure of Heaven. The questions proposed to the Synod were, "What are the evils that have provoked the Lord to bring his judgments on New England?" and "What is to be done that so these evils may be reformed ?" Among other points in the answer to the first question, it was resolved that "A publick spirit is greatly wanting in the most of men. Hence schools of learning are in a languishing state." In answer to the last, among other points it was resolved, "As an expedient for Reformation, it is good that effectual care should be taken, respecting Schools of Learning. The interests of Religion and good Literature have been wont to Rise and Fall together. We read in [Scripture of Masters and Scholars, and of Schools and Colleges, 1 Chron. xxv. 8. Mal. ii. 12. Acts xix. 9. and xxii. 3. And the most eminent reformers amongst the Lord's People of old, thought it their concern to erect and uphold them.

Was not Samuel (that great Reformer) President of the College at Nayoth, 1 Sam. xix. 18, 19, and is thought to be one of the First Founders of Colleges. Did not Elijah and Elisha restore the Schools erected in the Land of Israel? And Josiah (another great Reformer) shewed respect to the College at Jerusalem, 2 Kings, xxii. 14. Ecclesiastical story informs that a great care was taken by the Apostles and their immediate successors, for the settling of Schools in all places, where the gospel had been preached, that so the Interest of Religion might be preserved, and the Truth propagated to succeeding generations. It is mentioned as one of the greatest mercies that God ever bestowed upon his People Israel, that he raised up their sons for Prophets, Amos ii. 11, which has respect to their Education in Schools of Learning. And we have all cause to bless God, that put it into the hearts of our Fathers to take care concerning this matter. For these churches had been in a state most deplorable, if the Lord had not blessed the College, so as from thence to supply most of the churches, as at this day. When New England was poor, and we were but few in number comparatively, there was a spirit to encourage Learning, and the College was full of Students, whom God hath made Blessings, not only in this but in other Lands; but it is deeply to be lamented that now, when we are become many, and more able than at our Beginnings, that Society and other Inferior Schools are in such a Low and Languishing state. Wherefore as we desire that Reformation and Religion should flourish, it concerns us to endeavour that both the College and all other Schools of Learning in every place be duly inspected and encouraged."

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

AN IMPROVED SYSTEM OF ARITHMETIC, for the use of Schools and Academies. By J. Olney, A. M., author of a Geography and Atlas, National Preceptor, History of the United States, &c. &c. Hartford Cranfield & Robbins. 1839. pp. 312, 12mo.

We have not had leisure to give this work a thorough examination. The following extract from the preface will enable our readers to judge of the author's plan.

"The following treatise has been prepared with great care and