Convention on Education at Newark. 93 struments of useful instruction, for all our public schools, would be preeminently economical, and calculated to provide for our Commonwealth an enlightened, practical, and permanent system of common education, and one which would be adopted and appreciated by its citizens, we respectfully, but confidently present the subject to the consideration of your honorable body, assured that whatever measures may, in your wisdom, be adopted respecting it, they will be directed by a desire to promote the highest and best interests of those whom you represent.' This memorial is signed by John Sergeant, James Clarke, Thaddeus Stevens, James M. Porter, Charles Chauncey, G. M. Keim, Walter Forward, Joseph R. Chandler, Phineas Jenks, Thomas H. Sill, G. W. Woodward, and John Dickey, the committee appointed at a meeting for the adoption of measures for the advancement of common education, held in Harrisburg, in June last; and they ask, as it seems, the attention and signatures of their fellow citizens to the memorial. CONVENTION ON EDUCATION. We have received from E. W. Sylvester of Lyons, Wayne county, N. Y., a copy of the Lyons Argus, containing an account of a Convention on Education, held at the village of Newark, seven miles west of Lyons, about the first of January, at which many spirited resolutions on the subject of common schools were introduced and discussed, and some of them adopted. Among these, was one respecting the means of producing a spirit of subordination in schools and the love of study, in which the practice of addressing the moral powers of the pupils was particularly enjoined, and that of expelling from the school, by the trustees, those who cannot be restrained either by moral means, or by an appeal to their ambition. Another resolution recommended the following studies, as suitable for common schools, leaving the order in which they should be pursued, to the discretion of the teacher, viz. reading, spelling and defining, arithmetic, mental and written, geography, English grammar, writing, composition, declamation, elements of philosophy, history of the United States. A third resolution recommended a list of books proper to be used in each branch. Another, still, requested all parents and teachers to peruse carefully, some publication devoted to the interests of education. A committee was also appointed to prepare and publish an address to the inhabitants of Wayne county, and the friends of education generally, which also appears in the Argus, and is replete with sound arguments in favor of the improvement of common schools, and of their unspeakable importance. They were also invited to attend an adjourned meeting of the convention, which was to have been held at the same place ;-Newark-on the 20th of January. We sympathize most deeply, with 94 The Massachusetts Schools. these movements in behalf of common schools and common education, especially all those where the moral and physical nature is recognized, as well as the intellect. THE PROVIDENCE SCHOOLS. Our remarks in the last number of this work, on the movement in behalf of schools in Providence, were, as it appears, a little premature. According to the Providence Journal, the prospect has somewhat brightened, of late. Resolutions have passed, in the City Council, by the casting vote of the Mayor, in favor of a Superintendent of Public Schools, at a salary of $1,250, and of a City High School. Several other important resolutions have passed; and we hope the work of reform is not yet finished. STATE OF EDUCATION IN NEW YORK. We learn from the late Message of Gov. Marcy to the New York Legislature, that the whole number of school districts in that State is 10,345. Reports have been received from 9,718. The number of children, of all ages, instructed in the common schools during the last year, is 524,188. The total amount of moneys expended for paying the wages of teachers, is $772,241-including what was derived from the common school and from other town and local funds. The academies are also represented in a condition equally flourishing and satisfactory. The number of students attending upon these institutions, is stated to be over 6,000; a greater number than has attended them at any former period. Gov. M. also suggests the importance of appropriations for the permanent establishment and gradual increase of school district libraries—that more ample provision should be made for the compensation of teachers, and for adequately supplying the demand for those who are competent and well qualified to discharge the duties of their station-and that an increased number of academies be suitably endowed. MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOLS. The abstract of the late school returns for this State makes a volume of 300 pages. All the towns in the State are heard from except Charlemont, Clarksburgh, Florida, Goshen, Harvard, Holland, Lenox, Munroe, Tolland, Wayland, and Woburn. It appears that the number of public schools in the State is 2,918; number of scholars in winter, 141,837; in summer, 122,889; number of persons between 4 and 16 years of age, 177,053; number of teachers, 2,370 males and 3,591 females; average wages paid per month, including board, to males, $25,44; to females, $11,38; amount of money raised by taxes for the support of schools, $465,228 04. The number of academies or private schools, is 854; aggregate of months kept, 5,619; aggregate of scholars, 27,266; paid for tuition, $328,026 75; amount of local funds, $189, 536 24; income from the same, $9,571 79.-Traveller. TEACHERS' MEETING AT IPSWICH. THE Teachers' Association for Essex County held their annual meeting, early in December last, at Ipswich. Besides the usual business of the annual meeting, lectures were given by Mr David Choate of Essex, Mr Batchelder of Lynn, and Messrs M. P. Parish, and D. H. Sanborn of Salem. The lectures are said by the Ipswich Register to have been excellent. POPULAR EDUCATION IN TENNESSEE. From the report of a committee of the Legislature of Tennessee, we learn that ample means are within its control for a full and efficient system, including common schools, academies, and universities. The School Fund amounts to upwards of $1,000,000; and it is now proposed to add to it the portion of the surplus revenue received, which would swell the amount nearly to $2,500,000. Of the proceeds of this sum, the committee propose to appropriate $100,000 annually to common schools, upon the plan which has succeeded so well elsewhere, of a partnership between State munificence and individual enterprise and liberality. The adoption of the New York system is earnesly recommended. The remainder of the income of the fund it is proposed to appropriate to the colleges and academies, with some reference to the education of teachers. There are 3 colleges, 70 academies, and about 1,000 common schools in the State.-Newark Sentinel. NOTICES OF BOOKS. THE INTRODUCTORY DISCOURSE AND THE LECTURES, delivered before the American Institute of Instruction, at Worcester, Massasachusetts, August, 1837. Including the Journal of Proceedings and a List of the Officers. Published under the direction of the Board of Censors. 8vo. pp. 262. Boston. James Munroe & Co. 1838. We have given, in former numbers, a brief account of the lectures and discussions from which the volume before us is derived. The Board of Censors were unable to procure them all for publication; but those which have been received are valuable. The following is a sketch of the contents of the volume. Journal of Proceedings. List of Officers. Annual Report. Introductory Discourse, by Elipha White. Lecture 1, by John Mulligan, on Classical Education. Lect. 2, by Joshua Bates, on Moral Education. Lect. 3, by John L. Russell, on the Study of Natural History. Lect. 4, by Theodore Edson, on Public and Private Schools. Lect. 5, by David Fosdick, Jr., on Elocution. Lect. 6, by Jasper Adams, on College Discipline. Lect. 7, by Charles Brooks, on Teachers' Seminaries. Lect. 9, by R. G. Parker, on Teaching Composition. Lect. 9, by Thomas H. Palmer, on Improvement in Common Schools. Lect. 10, by William Russell, on Reading and Declamation. FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE AMERICAN PHYSIOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Boston. Marsh, Capen & Lyon. 1837. 12mo. pp. 148. Boston. We have already spoken of the existence of a Physiological Society in this city, and described, briefly, its character and objects. This is the Society to whose annual report we now refer. The Report contains, besides a short account of the origin and history of the society, 1. A list of cases of recovery from diseases by adopting the vegetable system of living; 2. Cases of recovery, by the same means, from disease, even in old age; 3. Experiments made by persons in health, and by laborers; 4. Cases of bringing up on the vegetable system ;-added to which are about sixty pages of remarks, most of which have an intimate bearing on the physical and moral education and management of the young. It is the latter part of the pamphlet with which, as friends of education, we have chiefly to do; and this we cannot refrain from commending to every one of our readers. It contains some thoughts which they will hardly find elsewhere; but which they would probably deem very valuable. THE FAMILY NURSE, or Companion of the Frugal Housewife. By Mrs CHILD. Boston. Charles J. Hendee. 1837. From the great popularity of the Frugal Housewife, we think this little volume likely to have an extensive circulation, and to do extensive injury. Not that we question, for one moment, the good intentions of the author, or doubt the value of some parts of the work; but we do believe and know, that much she says will tend to promote and extend that system of family quackery-that dabbling with medicine-which is already nearly universal, and which produces, sooner or later, three times as much disease as it cures. It is, indeed, a work on physical education; but it tends to promote, as we fear, what the late Joseph Emerson was accustomed to call bad education ;-an article already too abundant in the market, as well as too popular. RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ANNALS OF EDUCATION. From the Sunday School Journal. Few periodicals published in this country present higher claims to patronage than the "Annals." The present editor is abundantly qualified for the department he occupies. We have no hesitation in saying, that it is the DUTY of every teacher to make himself acquainted with the contents of the "Annals of Education." From the Norwich Courier. From the Rev T H GALLAUDET, of Hartford. The volumes of the "Annals of Education" contair a store of facts and principles on the subject of education, furnished by the experience of numerous instructers in America and Europe, which renders the work highly valuable to teachers and parents. It also com prises a mass of documents and statistical information, in regard to the state of our own country, which makes it. in our view, important that it should be possessed by every library and public institution in our country. We know of no work which would supply its place as a book of reference on these subjects. T. H. GALLAUDET. It is an unfavorable omen, indeed, for our country, that twelve millions of inhabitants cannot, or rather will not, support one periodical devoted to the interests of education-and yet we are vaunting ourselves as the most enlightened nation of the age. The committee in every school district in the state should take a copy from the From the Professors of the Theological Seminary, An commencement From Rev. S. R. HALL, Principal of the Teachers' Seminary at Andover. It gives me pleasure to have the opportunity of stating my opinion of the "Annals of Education." I have carefully read every number of it, from its commencement, and am frank in saying that, as an educator and teacher, I have derived very essential aid from each one in the discharge of the duties of my vocation. To the instructer, it is invaluable. No teacher ought to be deprived of its aid; and no one, acquainted with its character, will be willing to forego its assistance. S. R. HALL. From the Rev. R. ANDERSON, Secretary of the A. B. C. F. M. I regard Mr. Woodbridge's labors in the department of education as being eminently useful. The Annals of Education" evince the same power of seizing upon facts of substantial and general interest relating to his main subject, which is so conspicuous in his Geography;" and as a summary of such facts, presented in a great variety of connections and aspects, this work appears to me to be unequalled by any other in this country. R. ANDERSON. From Rev. M. WINSLOW, of the Mission Seminary at Ceylon. We have regularly received (at Ceylon) the "Journal" and "Annals of Education," from the commencement of the work; and no periodical production, except the Missionary Herald, has been read in our Mission with greater eagerness or satisfaction. Valuable hints have Been derived from it in the management of our own children, and for the improvement of our plans of na education dover. We have known Mr. W. C. Woodbridge, editor of the" Annals of Education," for a number of years. We most cordially wish success to the work in which he is engaged, and which is vitally important to the interests of Christian education. The necessity of sustaining the "Annals of Education," by a patronage more liberal than it has hitherto enjoyed, is apparent from the fact that it is the only periodical on tus side of the Atlantic, from which teachers and parents can derive adequate information, as to the best methods of giving strength and discipline to the youthful mind. E. PORTER, THOS. H. SKINNER, RALPH EMERSON, MOSES STUART. From the President of Danville College, Kentucky. I regard it [the" Annals of Education"] as the one the most needed, and most calculated for usefulness, of all the swarms that monthly and quarterly issue from the press. The persons whom it is chiefly designed to aid, most need assistance; and their work, if rightly apprehended is, of all, the most important. I acknowledge my own great obligations to your journal for much valuable information, and many excellent hints, and shall be happy to do all in my power to promote its circulation. JOHN C. YOUNG. From Rev. P. LINDSLEY, President of the University of Nashville, Tennessee. My dear sir,-Your communication of the 9th inst is before me. I have learned of the danger, and perused it with the deepest interest, and with painful mortification, as an American, and as a fellow-laborer in the great cause of education. Who, among the advocates of instruction in our land, would not lament the discontinuance of so useful, instructive, and seasonable a publication? It is precisely what our whole country needs, and ought loudly to call for, as indispensable to the cause of education, and, of course, to the well being of our popular institutions. I will do, ex animo, whatever I can to promote the circulation of your jour nal in Tennessee. PHILIP LINDSLEY From Prof. NUTTING, of the Western Reserve College Ohio. I do most ardently hope, that stopping this most valuable work is entirely out of the question, ere this. I have taken and read it from the outset, through all its changes, with great advantage and interest. Nay - in any that I have derived from i |