sale. Gradually this capital increased to $2,000,000, which was finally regarded as sufficient for the maintenance of public schools. Previously, instruction had maintained a high degree of success, and Mr. Barnard is certainly able to glorify his country, when he states that at the commencement of the present century, the great problem of modern times was solved, by procuring for every child born or resident in the State, not only the opportunity of learning in books the knowledge of the Divine word, but also the necessary light for properly accomplishing in later life the duties of a head in the family and the functions of public life.' However," continues M. LeRoy, "the richness of the school endowment having freed both cities and private persons from paying taxes for their support, remissness was not slow to introduce itself in the studies; the schools remained stationary; and the communities became more and more indifferent toward an organization which maintained itself without their participation. The press and the Legislature finally aroused themselves, and marked the true cause of the evil. Fortunately, attention is awakened, and the conclusions of the last report of Mr. Barnard, that indefatigable apostle of progress, lead us to hope that sage and energetic measures, both in that which concerns the instruction of teachers, and in that which relates to the general administration, the intervention of towns, the fusion of private corporations with district committees, &c., will soon put an end to a state of things which threatened with decay one of the most civilized and fortunately endowed States of the New World."

The references which are made, in the paragraphs above quoted, to the distinguished gentleman who until lately has filled the office of Superintendent of Common Schools in this State, are not the only compliments which are paid to his self-denying zeal in the cause of popular education. The readers of the Common School Journal will require no apology if we conclude this article with another paragraph from M. LeRoy, which indicates, as other things have done, that the name of Mr. Barnard is not less known and honored in countries beyond the sea, than it is in the length and breadth of our own land.

"A worthy emulant of Mr. Mann, was Mr. Barnard, member of the Connecticut Legislature, and Secretary of the Board of Education, created in that State in 1838, after the example of Massachusetts. But it is not only in Connecticut that the intelligent and indefatigable zeal of this distinguisded administrator has been applied, who seems even at the present day to fear robbing a single moment of time from the selfsacrificing work, the progress of which is confounded with the history of his life. Called at the end of four years, to realize in Rhode Island

the progress of which he had taken the initiative in a neighboring State, he found the opportunity of doing even more service, since peculiar circumstances belonging to the religious situation of that State, had prevented the development of public instruction.

"It is with reason that Dr. Wimmer bestows on Mr. Barnard the title of veritable reformer of Popular Instruction; and we may add with him, that the name of this excellent man will continue to be venerated by the generations of the future." An allusion is then made to Mr. Barnard's recall to Connecticut, and Mr. LeRoy thus continues; "It is since that time, especially, that he has given character to his zeal, and that he has published useful works on all the questions of which he had been obliged to undertake the solution. His annual reports,

his studies on the Normal Schools of Europe and America, his educational journal, his excellent work on School Architecture, (of which a copy was given to every district in the State of New York, and to every township in other States, by public appropriation,) his distant journies, undertaken to acquire a knowledge of the best methods, and to see them put in practice by the authors themselves; finally, his direct action on instructors themselves, by discourses, counsels, and frequent visits-all this combination of labors, studies and, observations, shows conclusively that he has not left a single point, however incidental it may be, without uniting it to the entirety of his system; and shows also that much benefit may be expected from the examination of institutions reformed, founded, or sustained by such men."

G.

Resident Editor's Department.

WHAT IS DOING FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF SCHOOLS IN CONNEC-
TICUT.
WATERBURY.

This flourishing city, very enterprising in matters of business, has been rather slow in making sufficiently liberal provision for an efficient and thorough system of Public Schools. We are happy to learn from Prof. Charles F. Dowd, the able Principal of the High School, and Superintendent of the schools of the city, that some encouraging movements have been made. A six cent tax has been laid which raises about $7,200. Two school-houses are in process of erection, and are to be completed before the first of December.

Prof. Dowd has commenced the publication of a weekly bulletin, of the attendance, conduct, scholarship and standing of each member of the High School, a copy of which is sent to each parent. The effect promises to be very beneficial. It reaches the right spot.

Another step of progress, and one of vast importance, we state in the language of Prof. D.

"Our Teachers' meetings are having an effect to bring the system somewhat into harmony. We meet every Saturday, and have a regular normal school exercise during the afternoon, commencing as our regular schools, at 9 o'clock, (the bell being rung as usual,) and closing at 12 o'clock. We have a moral lesson, and three regular lessons given out and recited or examined each week, embracing the three great subjects of school study."

The effect of these exercises must be very beneficial. The spirit of progress is evidently at work in Waterbury. If further evidence were needed to prove this, we might state the very significant and interesting fact that the schools of the city were all dismissed to allow the teachers to attend the Teachers' Institute at Cheshire, and that nearly twenty teachers with Prof. Dowd at their head, were in attendance through the whole week. This example of wise liberality on the part of the Committee of Waterbury, stands out in contrast with the shortsighted policy of another city, where a teacher was not permitted last Spring to be absent for a day to attend the State Teachers' Association at Hartford, without furnishing a substitute.

GUILFORD WAKING UP.

We have just received a printed copy of the Annual Report of the school visitors of the first society. It is not a voluminous report, but it is printed, and all the inhabitants will stand a chance to see what it is. We earnestly recommend the printing of all such reports. In this report we find the following statement :

"Some of our citizens recently heard in this place an address on the subject of education in Common Schools, made by George Sherwood, Esq., Agent of the State Teachers' Association. The impression from that address was salutary."

Appended to the report, we find it recorded that "at the Annual Meeting of the First School Society of Guilford, held October 8th, 1855, it was

Voted, That twenty dollars be appropriated from the funds of this

Society, to defray the expense of lectures in this Society on the subject of education, the present season."

This action is probably the result of the address of Mr. Sherwood. Guilford ought to have a system of graded schools. Let her citizens look into the subject, and such a system will be the result.

OLD SAYBROOK.

In June 1854, we gave notice that the spirit of progress had reached this respectable old town, and that the need of a better provision for the education of the rising generation was beginning to be felt. Wa are now happy to announce that some of the fruits of the seeds planted in past years, are beginning to come to maturity. An esteemed correspondent writes as follows:-"You will be interested to learn that a new and nicely arranged school-house, with pleasant surroundings, has lately been completed in the Point district, where I have been teaching since I left the Normal School."

The house, I think, cost about one thousand dollars. The location is good, commanding a fine view of the Sound, and retired from the main road. Thus, you will perceive, the "Sunny Side" is beginning to shine out in Old Saybrook, and I trust that a brightening picture will still be hers."

MIDDLEFIELD-SCHOOL HOUSE DEDICATION.

We have previously stated that three new school houses were in process of erection in Middlefield. On Tuesday the 20th November, the one in the north district was formally and appropriately dedicated to the cause of public instruction. The house was well filled and the exercises consisted of addresses from CHARLES NORTHIEND, of New Britain, Rev. Messrs. SILVERTHORN, DICKINSON and DYER, and DAVID LYMAN, Esq., of Middlefield, and Mr. JAMES O. SMITH, of Westfield, accompanied by some excellent singing. JOHN B. SMITH, Esq., an active member of the building committee, presided, most acceptably, on this occasion, and the various exercises were listened to with much apparent interest, and all seemed to rejoice in this new addition to the number of good school houses.

"The house is thirty-six feet long, twenty-six feet wide, and about fourteen high from the floor to the ceiling. Its main room is about twenty-five feet square, with good broad black-wall preparations all

around the room, for the use of the teachers and scholars in all the lessons. It is supplied with maps of a superior order. The seats are constructed of cherry, varnished, together with the Hartford castings; and are so graded as to be suitable for all ages. A beautiful caloric, ventilating stove is fitted up, capable of introducing a good supply of fresh air sufficiently heated. And you will see, at once, the ventilation is excellent, when you are informed it has two flues, six by twelve inches across, leading into one twelve inches by twelve, with one of Emerson's ventilators on the top. There are two registers in each flue; one near the floor, and the other not far from the ceiling. There is also a room for recitations, ten feet by twelve, containing black wall on two sides; and a case occupying one entire side, for library and all the various apparatus used in the illustration of the natural sciences. On the back part of the house, there is an entry on each side of the recitation room, one for each sex, seven feet by twelve, provided with hat-hooks, sinks, a foot-mat, and a mirror. The windows are hung with weights and pulleys. And, that nothing may be wanting, it is soon to be furnished with green window-blinds, a clock and thermometer. In the out-grounds there is every convenience for water, wood, exercises, &c."

The building is an ornament and an honor to the district, and reflects much credit upon the gentlemen who have had charge of its erection. It is attractive in its appearance, and all its internal finish and arrangements are pleasant and convenient, forming a striking contrast with the building, which has, for so many years, served the wants of the district. The location is exceedingly fine. Standing on an eminence, it commands an extensive and beautifully diversified prospect. We wish our young friends, who may attend school in this house, much happiness. May they not forget that their obligations are increased by their improved advantages for acquiring knowledge; and may their well-ordered lives, their diligent habits and progress in learning, testify to their appreciation of what has been done for them.

To P. M. AUGUR, Esq., a member of the building committee, is the district under the strongest obligations. It is to his persevering and indefatigable efforts, more than to those of any other, that we have the pleasure of alluding to this new indication of progress. The rising generation, and the whole community, will have abundant reason to thank him and his associates, for their labors of love.

In two adjoining districts, houses are nearly completed, and will be ready for occupation previous to January. Middlefield is doing nobly for her own interests, and nobly for the good of a common cause.