Fig. 17.

The bags, in this as in all the other bag exercises, except one, should be thrown and not tossed.

No. 30. Same as the last, except the bags are thrown with the left and caught with the right hand.

No. 31. Now the players will stand in two classes again, the classes to be six feet apart, and the players in each party to be six feet from each other. Place six bags on a chair at the head of each class. Upon the word one, two, THREE! the first player in each class seizes a bag and runs with it to the second player, who carries it to the third, who in turn rushes to the fourth, and so on to the foot of the class. But one bag is not allowed to make the journey alone. One at a time, the whole six are hurried onward. Instantly and without any signal they are sent back to the head of the class in the same order. The class which has its six bags on the chair at the head of the class first, counts one in the game.

LOCAL AND PERSONAL.

BRIDGEPORT. Probably no city has done more, for the improvement of school-houses within the last three years, than this. For the largest school a new house was erected last year and it is a building that does credit to the city and the state. There are about twelve rooms, each furnished with single desks and an abundant supply of blackboard. The school is under the general charge of E. F. Strong, Esq.

who has labored many years most acceptably and successfully. We recently spent an hour or two in looking through the several rooms and were highly pleased with the order and neatness so apparent throughout.

A brief call at the schools of Messrs. Peck and Youngs, gave us very favorable impressions. The teachers were kind and faithful, the rooms pleasant, commodious and tidy and the pupils industrious and orderly. Mr. Peck has occupied his present position about two years. Mr. Youngs but a few weeks. No trifle should induce a district to part with a tried and efficient teacher. Too many districts adopt the "penny wise and pound foolish system."

We heard good reports of the schools of Mr. Wilson and Mr. Johnson but had not time to visit them.

HUNTINGTON. At this place we met with many parents, pupils and teachers. There are good school-men here and we hope their patient and persevering efforts will result in improving the schoolhouses. Let it not be forgotten that the school-house is an educator.

BIRMINGHAM. The school-rooms in this busy village have been much improved since our former visit. The several departments appeared to be in good condition and the instructors were earnest and faithful. We listened for a brief time to two recitations which were well conducted, the pupils being interested, prompt and correct. F. Durand, Esq. has been at the head of this school for the last two years.

SOUTH BRITAIN. We met quite an audience in this place indicating a good degree of interest on the part of the people. At the close of the meeting Mr. Clark, the Acting Visitor, gave notice that there would be weekly meetings in the several districts for the purpose of discussing school matters and awakening an interest on the part of parents. We are confident that much good will result from these meetings. The Teachers in and near the village are Messrs. S. B Wheeler, W. C. Sharpe and Tucker.

WOODBURY. The schools of this town are fortunate in having as Acting Visitor, P. M. Trowbridge, Esq., a gentleman of large experience as a teacher and well fitted, by spirit and experience, to do the schools a good service. We had a very large gathering of teachers, parents and pupils. A good union graded school is much needed in this place. The Academy under Mr. Hulse, formerly of Waterbury, is in a flourishing condition, also schools under Mr. Thompson and Rev. Mr. Bacon.

WINDSOR Locks. The School Visitors of this town at the annual

town meeting in October, were appointed a special committee to report upon a plan for the improvement of the schools at a future meeting. A special town meeting was called for this purpose on the 12th of December, when a full report was made by Rev. S. H. Allen, chairman of the committee. The report exhibited the present condition of the schools and recommended the consolidation of the districts and the establishment of a system of graded schools for the whole town. After the reading of the report, the superintendent of common schools, who had been invited to be present, was requested to address the meeting on the subject of graded schools. His address was followed by remarks from several gentlemen of the place and a vote was passed adopting the plan recommended by the committee and consolidating the two districts into one. If the visitors now go forward and classify the schools, and the spirit manifested at the town meeting is developed in judicious action, this place may have a system of schools, that will afford excellent opportunities for education to children of all ages and attainments.

BARKHAMSTED. The Acting School Visitors of this place, Rev. J. E. Elliott and Bradley D. Lee Esq. have taken hold of the work of the improvement of the schools in good earnest. Mr. Elliott has already commenced a series of educational meetings which are held in the different districts and addressed by himself and others; we had the pleasure of being present at a full meeting in Hitchcockville on the evening of the 18th December.-C.

PUTNAM. A very pleasant Institute was held at this enterprising place on the two days following Thanksgiving. The people manifested much interest and some sixty teachers were present,-a class of more than ordinary merit. Special credit is due to Dr. Plympton, Rev. Mr. Walker, Mr. Manning and others for their efforts to make the session a pleasant one. Also to Rev. Mr. Burleigh, president of the Windham County Association, for special and well directed preparatory efforts.

We hope soon to learn that the citizens of this place have decided to adopt the consolidation plan and have a union school.

SCHOOL FUND. We promised our readers an article on the origin, &c., of our School Fund. A line from the Hon. S. P. Beers assures us that we shall have it soon. He wishes to make it perfectly accurate as to dates &c, and for this purpose more time is required than he at first supposed.

SPECIAL NOTICE. We send in the present number bills receipted

to all who have paid for 1862. We hope in our next to be able to send to many others who may be able to forward the amount of their snbscription during the present month. While we are willing to wait the convenience of our subscribers we shall be very grateful for prompt payment wherever it may be made without inconvenience.

BOSTON. We tender our thanks to the Hon. JOHN D. PHILBRICK for a copy of the semi-annual report of the Committee on Music,—an interesting document from which we hope to give an extract or two in a future number.

BLACKBOARD AND SLATE WIPERS. We have received from G. S. Woodman & Co. two very neat and useful articles,—one designed for the blackboard and the other for the slate. They are made of Chamois leather and must prove effectual and durable. Address G. S. Woodman & Co.-506 Broadway, New York or 609 Chestnut St. Philadelphia. Messrs. Woodman & Co., keep a "Teachers' Exchange," at which they furnish a variety of useful articles for schools and teachers.

ERROR CORRECTED. Among the list of Vice-Presidents of our State Association in our December Number was the name of J. N. Farmer, Rockville. It should have been J. N. TURNER.

A REVIEW. We recently listened to a review of a class in Philosophy in the New Britain High School, which was conducted in a pleasant and profitable manner. It was made by the members of the class who had the privilege of asking, in turn, questions appropriate to the text passed over in the book. To insure perfect fairness the question was asked by one and the pupil to answer was designated by another. The exercise was continued with much spirit for some fifteen minutes and was highly creditable to teacher and pupils. It will readily be seen that such a plan will arouse the mind and awaken thought. It is certainly worthy of an occasional trial. Teachers need variety in the modes of conducting recitations and reviews and the plan here named may be safely tried.

WINDHAM COUNTY. We learn that a meeting of the Windham County Teachers' Association will be held at Arnold Town (South Woodstock) commencing Friday evening, Jan. 3d, and continuing till noon of the day following.

Our Windham county friends understand how to keep alive and active a true professional spirit.

THE STUDENT AND SCHOOLMATE. Published by Galen, James & Co. Boston, is an excellent monthly for boys and girls. It is always interesting and instructive. Terms one dollar per year.

BOOK NOTICES.

METHOD OF CLASSICAL STUDY:-Illustrated by questions on a few selections from Latin and Greek Authors. By Samuel H. Taylor, LL. D. 12 mo. 154 pp. Boston: Brown & Taggard.

We are glad to see this book and should have been greatly benefited if we could have seen it and studied it many years ago. It is just such a work as will do great good. It teaches the teacher how to teach,-is suggestive at every step. No man within our acquaintance is so well qualified to make such a book as Mr. Taylor and he has well performed his part. We cordially commend the book.

THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY. This work fully sustains its excellent reputation and each number comes laden with interesting matter. The following are the principal subjects in the January No.: Methods of Study in Natural History, Agnes of Sorrento, The True Heroine, Jefferson and Slavery, A Story of to-day, James Fenimore Cooper, Light Literature, Pilgrimage to old Boston, Fremont's Hundred days in Missouri, Old Age.

The subscription price is $3.00 but on the receipt of this sum we will send it with our Journal to any address.

THE CONTINENTAL MONTHLY. This is a new periodical, devoted to Literature and Natural Policy, published in Boston by J. R. Gilmore; New York, George P. Putnam. The first number is an excellent one. The subjects are:

The Situation, Is Progress a truth? The Edwards Family, The Green Corn Dance, Rosin the Bow, The Graveyard at Princeton, Among the Pines, The Lesson of War, Sphinx and Edipus, Song of Freedom, What to do with the Darkies, &c.

Our readers will find Sphinx and Edipus in our 'present number. We will send the Continental and our Journal to any address on the receipt of $3.00

SHERWOOD'S SPELLING Book, for the use of written Spelling in Schools. This is a well designed blank book for written exercise in spelling. The paper is good, and the ruling appropriate. It may be profitably used by all who are old enough to write their spelling lessons. It will prove a help and incentive to good spelling. It may be had of GEORGE Sherwood, Chicago, or of F. C. BROWNELL, 25 Howard St. New York,-and we may add that these gentlemen are able, ready and willing to furnish every article for school use on reasonable terms. They not only know what teachers want but they hold themselves ready to supply these