"In listening to your expressions of respect and regard for the very small service which it has fallen to my lot to assist in performing, my heart swells with the liveliest emotions. If I have been instrumental in obtaining an appropriation from the State for the benefit of this institution, the mere knowledge of the fact would be a sufficient reward, But now I feel more than rewarded in the expressions of your gratitude, and doubly so in receiving at your hands this beautiful ring. Be assured, that this is a memento which I shall treasure till the last sand in my hour glass of time. I shall value it more than money, and keep it as that which money cannot buy. It shall be to me as one of my household gods. I will hand it down to my children and children's children as a certificate of your approbation.

I beg you, Sir, and the members of this noble institution, to accept my unfeigned thanks for this kindly expression and this splendid token of your sincerity. It is my earnest wish that you may, each and all, here receive those blessings and gifts which are more valuable than gold and precious stones. I look upon the cause of education to which you are devoting your attention and talents in relation to our Republican institution, as the Alpha and Omega of all other causes. It has afforded me pleasure to be in the humblest manner instrumental in obtaining the small grant of One thousand Dollars. I wish it had been ten times as large, for I feel that no institution better deserves legislative patronage and encouragement.

But be not discouraged. The good old Commonwealth of Connecticut must and will unloose the purse strings and provide liberally for all your wants, and in return, I am sure, she will be most amply compensated by the fruits which ye shall produce for her benefit.

I assure you that in whatever capacity I am called upon to act with regard to education, it shall always receive my earnest and hearty support; and I pledge you that no opportunity for doing a good act for the benefit of the Connecticut State Normal School shall ever be disregarded or pass unimproved. "

LEARN FROM EVERY ONE.

Sir Walter Scott gives us to understand, that he never met with any man, let his calling be what it might, even the most stupid fellow that ever rubbed down a horse, from whom he could not, by a few moments conversation, learn something which he did not know before, and which was valuable to him. This will account for the fact that he seemed to have an intuitive knowledge of every thing.

Resident Editor's Department.

WHAT IS DOING FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF SCHOOLS IN CONNECTICUT.

We need not remind our readers, that Mr. George Sherwood, the efficient Agent of the State Teachers' Association, is in the field. We have no doubt that his visits in different parts of the State will be productive of much good.

The following communication is the result of observations recently made in Litchfield County. Though there is rather more shading in the picture than suits our taste, the artist is not in fault, but the subject. Still we do not despair of old Litchfield County. We hope to have a great Institute there this Autumn.

"We have taken occasional opportunities to speak of the condition of the schools of Litchfield County, and had hoped that the worst features had been disclosed; but a recent visit in its north and northwestern range of towns, has convinced us that there are other parts of the County which seem threatened with an intellectual dearth.

There is occasionally to be found a district where the energy and liberality of the people have prompted them to take a bold stand in favor of progress.

One of this character is located in a retired part of the town of Cornwall, where they have in process of erection a school house, which is in the hands of an efficient building committee, who feel desirous of having every arrangement made which is necessary for the comfort and convenience of the pupils, and the best interests of the district. The cost of the building will probably be from 1000 to $1500; and it will accommodate thirty or forty pupils.

There are two or three other individual instances of betokened interest; but with few exceptions, the schools in this section of the County are in a deplorable condition. Not only are they out of the line of progress, but in many cases are sinking lower and lower.

In some instances, the supporting hand of the parents is almost entirely withdrawn from the public school. The people are generally willing to have a school kept a part of the year, but suppose if they can get a cheap teacher, that will suffice, and the school will take care pf itself.

In a growing village on the line of the Housatonic Rail-Road, a dis

trict has recently deen divided, a new school house erected-destitute, at least, of some of the requisites of a good school, and a teacher employed at the expense of $1.75 per week, without board. In this village there are four district school houses within a few minutes walk of each other, and the village possesses every facility that could be asked, for a good system of graded schools.

In the town of Sharon, where is found one of the most beautiful villages of Connecticut, support is given to several academies and private schools; but no fostering arm is thrown around the public schools; thus, much money is uselessly employed in educating the few while the mass are left unprovided for.

It is earnestly hoped that Litchfield County will soon wake up in reference to her educational interests, and that her intelligent citizens, at least, in every locality, will inquire whether the district schools are keeping pace with the other improvements that are going on around them." G. S.

NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.

A very spirited meeting of this Association was held in Manchester the 11th of May. The Committee on School Terms and Vacations reported by Mr. Richards, recommending the taking of speedy measures to secure a greater uniformity in these, with the Annual Commencement of Dartmouth College as a basis of the same. The Committee on Sehool Supervision reported by Mr. Tenney, in favor of employing a Superintendent for each town.

The action respecting the establishment of a State Normal School, shows that the teachers of the Granite State are behind those of no other State in spirit and enterprise. Mr. Richards reported in favor of such an institution. After an animated discussion of the subject, on motion of Mr. J. Tenney of Manchester, the following resolutions were passed unanimously:

1. Resolved, That it is expedient that a State Normal School of the general character reported by the committee, Mr. Richards, be created forthwith.

2. Resolved, That the State Teachers' Association will raise and pay for the support of a competent Board of Instruction of such a Normal School, the sum of $2500 per year, for the term of five years, provided the State Legislature will make an appropriation for this purpose of a similar amount; and, provided further, that the entire management of such school shall be placed in a Board of Trustees, one half of whom

shall be selected by the State Board of Education, and the other half shall be chosen by the State Teachers' Association.

3. Resolved, That the next Legislature be memorialized to make an appropriation adequate to defray one half of the expense of suitable buildings, fixtures, and apparatus, for such a school, provided any city, town, or village, eligibly situated, shall raise and pay the other half of the cost of such buildings, fixtures, and appurtenances; and provided, further, that such buildings, &c., shall be wholly controlled by the Board of Management of the Normal School.

4. Resolved, That a Committee of Ten be appointed from each County, forthwith, on the part of this Association, to carry these resolutions into effect.

The following gentlemen, the foremost teachers in the State, were appointed on the Committee:

Rockingham Co.-Horace Webster.
Strafford Co.-Henry E. Sawyer.
Carroll Co.-Benj. M. Mason.
Belknap Co.-King S. Hall.
Merrimack Co.-Geo. S. Barnes.

Hillsboro' Co.-Jonathan Tenney.
Cheshire Co.-Asahel H. Bennett.
Sullivan Co.-Cyrus S. Richards.

Grafton Co.-Edwin D. Sanborn.
Coos Co.-Daniel A. Bowe.

Of this Committee, Mr. Tenney was appointed Chairman. We shall look with interest for the results.

BOOKS FOR A TEACHER'S LIBRARY.

We receive frequent communications requesting information as to the best books to purchase for a teacher's library. It is one of the encoura, ging signs of the progress of the art of teaching, that such information is sought. All progressive, growing teachers, read on the subject of education. They seek such books and periodicals as contain the best methods of teaching. It is to be regretted that the stock of such publications in our tongue, is as yet quite limited. We find quite a full catalogue of educational and other works which a teacher should possess, contained in the "Teacher and Parent," a most excellent book for teachers, by Charles Northend, A. M., late Superintendent of the School of Danvers. It is published by A. S. Barnes & Co., New York.

Teachers would do well therefore, in commencing a library, to procure this volume first; not only because it is one of the best, if not the very best, for a young teacher, but because it tells what other books the teacher should procure, and where to find them. The publishers, on the receipt of $1, will send a copy of the above work, by mail, postage paid, to any parent or teacher in the United States.

EDUCATIONAL MEETINGS.

The Annual Meeting of the AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF INSTRUCTION, will be held in the city of Bath, Me., on the 22d, 23d, and 24th of August.

The Vermont State Teachers' Association, will meet at St. Albans, on the 21st, 22d, and 23d August.

CONNECTICUT TEACHER'S ASSOCIATION.

The Directors of the Connecticut Teachers' Association, at their recent meeting, Voted, that the next Semi-Annual Meeting, be held in Bridgeport, on Monday and Tuesday, the 15th and 16th of October. A full programme will be published in the next number of the Journal. J. W. TUCK, Sec.

New Britain, July 21, 1855.

The American Association for the Advancement of Education, will meet in the city of New York on the 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st August. Addresses by Messrs. Barnard, Bache, Potter, Felton, Proudfit, Tappan, Maury, Huntington, Anderson, and others.

To most of these gatherings, the fare on steamboats and rail roads will be half price.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

THE AMERICAN SPEAKER: being a Collection of pieces in Prose, Poetry, and Dialogue; By Charles Northend, A. M. Published by A. S. Barnes & Co., New York.

This work is valuable as an occasional reading book in families and schools, and especially is it adapted to the wants of such pupils as wish to find a pleasing collection for declamation.

It contains a variety for all, boys and girls, young and old.

Among the pieces are to be found

Introductory Addresses for Exhibitions.

A Valedictory Address.

The Doctor and his Patient.

A way to "Raise the Wind ;" and numerous others, serious, laughable, comic, and witty.

G. S.