INTELLIGENCE.

EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY.

THE following list of the course of studies, and of the names of the professors in the above institution, is taken from the University advertisement of September Jast:

EDINBURGH ASYLUM FOR THE BLIND.

Yesterday week being the anniversary of the foundation of this excellent cha rity, the pupils, male and female, were examined in the Great Basket Room of the Asylum, in Nicolson street, in presence of several of the directors, and a crowded assemblage of the friends of the institution, of whom the great majority were ladies.

The directors not anticipating such a meeting, had not made arrangements for raising the seats, so that only those who were placed near the top of the room, had the good fortune to witness the exhibition, which commenced at twelve o'clock, and concluded about three.

The pupils were examined in their knowledge of the scriptures, in spelling, grammar, writing, reading, arithmetic, geography, and astronomy; in almost all of which they displayed a woderful proficiency. One of the male pupils, J. Mc. L. who has been in the institution from its commencement in the year 1793, displayed an extraordinary memory, in repeating large portions of the New Testament, with most of which he seemed intimately acquainted, and could repeat almost every part of it upon the book, chapter, and verse being mentioned, and quoted the chapter and verse of whatever passage was repeated to him.

The examination commenced by recitations of various passages of the scrip. tures, which were in general delivered with good emphasis and accurate pronunciation.

Several of the pupils showed great dexterity in writing with what they call the string alphabet, which consists of making particular knots representing the letters of the alphabet, on small pieces of twine. One of the pupils, wrote in this manner the words Fear God and honor the king' in three and a half minutes. In a competition for the prize of 5s. in this class, the 121st psalm had been given, and the specimen which obtained the prize, was declared by the teacher to be both beautifully written, and without a single error in spelling.

In the geography class, several of the pupils displayed great knowledge of the science, particularly a young female, who, upon a large globe constructed for the use of the blind, pointed out any country, island, city,river, lake, or sea, which was requested of her, with the greatest facility, and calculated the latitudes and longitudes of various places with the utmost accuracy. Four of the male pupils were also examined in this class, who all showed considerable acquaintance with the subject; but the latter was declared to be the most proficient. The pupils were examined in this branch by one of their own number, David M'Beath, who is the inventor of the string alphabet. The first lessons in geography which have been given in the establishment, were within the present year; and the teacher of the boys, himself blind, did not receive a lesson till the first week in January. Mr Richardson had been employed to teach both the male and female classes, but soon found M'Beath so apt a scholar, as in the space of a few weeks to entrust him with the whole superintendence of the boys' class.

A beautiful and ingenious map of the solar system, contrived by the secretary, Mr Johnston, was displayed, on which M'Beath showed great dexterity, considering that he had only one previous lesson.

The object of the directors seems to be, to employ the blind in such studies as will enable them to exercise their powers of thinking in a useful and rational manner; and with this view they have been taught to use the mode of writing above described, which seems, from what was produced at the meeting, abundantly easy of acquirement.

There are constantly at work at the asylum about 26 looms. Four weeks ago, a mark was made on the respective webs, and a prize of a sovereign offered to the person who should produce the most cloth, well woven. P. B, who has been long blind, but who, while he enjoyed vision, had been bred a weaver, produced 125 yards of striped Holland, and J. K, a blind boy of 14 years, taught in the asylum, produced 125 yards, and they were of course pronounced the successful competitors; but to the latter much more credit appears due, from his extreme youth, and utter ignorance of the art till he entered the institution.

The whole was concluded with an impressive prayer by the Rev. Dr. Gordon, and two pieces of sacred music, which were executed by the blind, and had an imposing effect.

The work done by the girls, as well as various articles made by the men and boys, were exhibited to the company after the examination.

Upon the whole, this was a most interesting exhibition; and the anxiety shown by the public to witness it on this occasion, will, we have no doubt, cause the directors, before the next annual examination, to make such arrangements as will enable all present to be fully gratified. Caledonian Mercury.

LAW SCHOOL AT NORTHAMPTON.

The law school at Northampton, Massachusetts, has been established for several years, and has enjoyed a very liberal patronage; but until very lately there has been published no particular statement of the course of study pursued at that institution. The public seem to have been too well satisfied of the ability and learning of Messrs. Mills and Howe, its principals, to demand of them any very strict account of their mode of instruction. Within a few weeks, however, these gentlemen have published a sort of prospectus, detailing what seems to us a very excellent and judicious plan of study. As the school is rapidly rising into notice and favor, and as the whole community is interested that those who profess the complicated and difficult science of law, should be sound and ripe scholars in their way, we have been induced to say something of this plan, and the advantages with which we suppose it to be attended.

Lectures of an hour are delivered at this institution three times a week. These lectures are intended to embrace most of the important titles of the law, and to treat in a particular manner of those in which the greatest alterations have been made in our own country, and those which have been less fully discussed by elementary writers. An extensive and valuable law library is open at all times to the pupil; and he is directed in his reading by the particular advice of the principals; regard being always had, in the selection of books, to his capacity and attainments, to the progress he has made in the studies of his profession, and to the time be expects to devote to them. Recitations from these books take place three times a week. This is, perhaps, the most important feature in the plan of instruction pursued at this school. Not only are recitations exceedingly important, as helps to the memory, but they give an opportunity for the removal of mistakes and misapprehensions, and for the explication of those abstruse doctrines, and nice distinctions, which abound in our law, and which are not always apprehended with the same readiness and clearness as self evident propositions. The common law of this country is principally learned from English booksfrom elementary works compiled with great industry, and in many instances, digested with great skill, and from the reports of decisions in English courts of law. These works, besides that they give no information of the changes which we have made in the English law, contain much which it is not important that the pupil should particularly study and remember. So many alterations have been made in the common law by the statutes of this country; so many in some of the states have crept in from mere custom; so much of it has grown obsolete by lapse of time, and so much is inapplicable to our peculiar condition, or incompati. ble with our institutions, that an able and learned guide is indispensable to the student in his researches. He who should undertake to prepare himself for the pursuit of this profession, by the aid of books alone, without observation of the practice in our courts, or inquiry of experienced lawyers, besides having wasted a great deal of time in unnecessary labors, would ind himself, on his entrance into the profession, in a pitiable state of uncertainty and embarrassment.

In addition to these recitations, and to the conversations to which they give rise, upon the subject of their studies, great pains are taken by the principals, one of whom is a judge in one of the Massachusetts courts, and the other an advocate in extensive practice, to state to their pupils the cases which occur on the circuits,

the questions raised, and arguments urged on the trial, and the way in which these are finally settled. This part of the instruction is also of no small importance, as it gives the pupil a certain acquaintance with the ordinary details of practice, and in some sort supplies the want of experience. This familiar way of reporting cotemporary litigations and decisions, interests the mind far more strongly, and leaves a much deeper impression, than the reading of printed reports. Among the multitude of things which we remember, how many are there, whose only hold upon our recollections is, that they happened in our own time, and our own neighborhood.

According to the plan laid down in the prospectus, a discussion of some legal question by the students, takes place every week. Readiness in applying the principles of law, skill, self possession, and fluency in debate, are qualities of great importance to the legal profession. They are as much so to the youngest as to the oldest of its members; and yet they are things of habit, the fruit of frequent exercise. It is as unreasonable to expect them of him who has had no opportunity to improve his natural powers by practice, as it is to expect of a child that he will go alone at the moment of his birth. There is no reason why these acquisitions should not be made a part of a legal education. A good general is not satisfied with merely providing keen and bright weapons for his recruits; he will not push them into battle till they have become dexterous in their use. In short, the school of Messrs. Howe and Mills, combines every advantage which can arise from a term of study in the office of counsellor, with all those of an academic institution. The fine village in which it is situated, the beauty of the surrounding country, and the agreeable manners and cultivated minds of the inhabitants, are of themselves strong recommendations in its favor; and we learn that the principals are about to place it in a still more classic atmosphere, by removing it to a retired part of the town, in the immediate vicinity of the celebrated school of Messrs. Cogswell and Bancroft. N. E. Obs.

GYMNASTIC EXERCISES.

We are happy to understand that a gymnasium has been instituted at Cambridge, under the superintendence of a gentleman from Germany. The result, thus far, is very satisfactory both to the instructers and the students.

In Boston, a meeting has been held, and a committee appointed to take the proper measures for establishing a gymnasium.

LECTURES ON THE CIVIL LAW.

A course of lectures on the Civil Law is commenced at the Atheneum, by Dr. Charles Follen who has lectured on that subject, in several of the German Uni. versities.

IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION.

There are, it is calculated, in the United States, about 3,000,000 children, and all these children are in the common course of things to become the future actors in the affairs of this nation.

EASTON COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA.

A bill has passed the Legislature for the establishment of a college in the borough of Easton, Northampton county. The object of this institution is, the education of youth in the various branches of science and literature, the useful arts, military science, tactics, and engineering, and the learned and foreign lan

guages,' to be called 'La Fayette College.' There is to be forever maintained in this college a professorship of the German language; and as soon as it shall be organised and ready for the reception of pupils, the adjutant general of this commonwealth is required to deliver to the Corporation 100 muskets and bayonets with belts, bayonet scabbards, and cartouch boxes, complete. ́

INDIAN SCHOOLS.

The government pays 13,500 dollars annually, for the support of schools, &c. at 38 stations among various tribes of Indians. Of the schools, 16 were established by the American Board of Foreign missions, 7 by the Baptists, 6 by the United Foreign Missionary Society, 2 by the Moravians, &c. The society of Jesuits have a catholic school among the Indians of Missouri, which receives eight hundred dollars annually. The number of teachers, (including their families,) at all the schools, is 281; number of scholars, 1159.

MECHANICS' INSTITUTIONS IN ENGLAND.

There were in England in the beginning of December, eighty-five or ninety mechanics' institutes, or similar establishments connected with libraries. The celebrated geometrician and astronomer, La Place, had written a letter to the president of the London mechanics' institute, in which he commended them highly.

MECHANICS' INSTITUTIONS IN FRANCE.

Mechanics' institutions are forming in Paris, under the direction of Baron Charles Dupin, and in other cities of France, by some learned professors.

COMMON SCHOOLS IN NORTH CAROLINA.

The Legislature of North Carolina, at its present session, has passed a law which provides a fund for the establishment of Common Schools throughout that state.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN PENNSYLVANIA.

According to the eighth annual report of the Controllers of the Public Schools of the first School District of Pennsylvania, the number of pupils belonging to the Schools of mutual instruction is 3507. viz:

Totals.

342

240

582

262

229

491

300

297

597

176

171

347

339

268

607

203

203

411

87

Exclusive of the alphabet and spelling departments, and writers on slates, there are among these children 1728 in the reading, 899 in the paper writing, and 1474 in the arithmetic classes:-in the latter branch some have advanced to vulgar fractions, and in several schools grammar and geography have been successfully taught. Knitting and other useful needlework forms part of the instruction of the girls, and at one of the schools the platting of straw has recently been beneficially introduced,