Page images
PDF
EPUB

attend the circuit of the Teachers' Institutes of the State, held under the direction of the Secretary of the Board of Education. Mr. Russell's department in the institutes is that of lecturer and instructor in reading and elocution. Part of the year he devotes, as formerly, to the instruction of classes in elocution, at several of our New England colleges and professional seminaries.

The principal services which Mr. Russell has rendered by his personal exertions in the field of education, have been those of editorial labor, the direction of seminaries for teachers, and the instruction of classes at Teachers' Institutes. As a practical teacher, however, he has been extensively engaged, as a lecturer and teacher in elocution, in seminaries of various grades. A number of his earlier years were spent in the usual forms of academic supervision and instruction. His modes of teaching, when so situated, he has developed in his course of grammatical exercises adapted to his edition of Adams' Latin Grammar, in his Grammar of Composition, and in his Exercises on Words. His methods in elocution, adapted to the successive stages of instruction, are embodied in his series of reading manuals and other text-books, which have been extensively used in our schools and colleges and professional seminaries, and have effectually contributed to the advancement of a branch of education previously much neglected.

[ocr errors]

A subject to which Mr. Russell has devoted much attention and which he has frequently brought forward at the meetings of teachers, is one of common interest to all who devote themselves to teaching as a business for life, the importance of placing the occupation on the footing of a recognized profession. After his address on this subject, before the New Hampshire State Association of Teachers, a committee was appointed to report upon it; and a resolution was subsequently passed by that body, that admission to membership in the Association. should thenceforth take place by professional examination and certifi cate. We hope that Mr. Russell, before withdrawing from the field of active labor in education, will enjoy the satisfaction of seeing his wishes regarding the distinct recognition of teaching as a profession, amply fulfilled throughout our country, and the profession crowded with practitioners, trained and qualified to the highest pitch of his expectations.

A list of these and his other publications we have annexed to this sketch of his professional life. It is but justice, however, to Mr. R. to state, with reference to their large apparent number, that his works were not published for pecuniary purposes, but were mostly prepared at the solicitation of his numerous classes of teachers, for their immediate use. A few of them unexpectedly obtained a wide circulation; but most of them have been serviceable rather as pioneers than otherwise.

TEXT-BOOKS; AND WORKS RELATING TO EDUCATION. By William Russell.

Suggestions on Education: relating particularly to the Method of Instruction commonly adopted in Geography, History, Grammar, Logic, and the Classics. New Haven: A. II. Maltby & Co. 1823.

A Grammar of Composition: including a practical review of the principles of Rhetoric, a series of exercises in Rhetorical Analysis, and six introductory courses of Composition. New Haven : A. H. Maltby & Co. 1823.

Adam's Latin Grammar, abridged and arranged in a course of Practical Lessons, adapted to the capacity of Young Learners. To which are added Rules of Pronunciation in reading Latin. New Haven A. H. Maltby & Co. 1824.

Am. Journal of Education. Vols. I. II. III. Boston: 1826,-7,-8. A Manual of Mutual Instruction: consisting of Mr. Fowle's Directions for introducing in common schools the improved system adopted in the Monitorial School, Boston. With an Appendix, containing some considerations in favor of the Monitorial Method, and a sketch of its progress, embracing a view of its adaptation to instruction in academies, preparatory seminaries, and colleges. Boston: Wait, Green & Co. 1826.

The Library of Education. Vol. I. "Some Thoughts concerning Education," by John Locke; and a "Treatise of Education," by John Milton; with an Appendix, containing Locke's Memoranda on Study. Boston: Gray & Bowen. 1830.

Journal of Instruction. [Semi-monthly periodical.] Phila. : 1831. Lessons in Enunciation: comprising a course of Elementary Exercises, and a statement of Common Errors in Articulation, with the rules of correct usage in Pronouncing. To which is added an Appendix, containing Rules and Exercises on the mode of Enunciation required for Public Reading and Speaking. Boston: Melvin Lord. 1830.

Rudiments of Gesture, comprising illustrations of common Faults in Attitude and Action. To which is added an Appendix, designed for practical exercises in Declamation, consisting of a Debate on the Character of Julius Cæsar, by James Sheridan Knowles. Boston: G. W. Palmer & Co. 1838.

Exercises in Elocution, exemplifying the rules and principles of the art of Reading. Boston: Jenks & Palmer. 1841.

The American Elocutionist: comprising "Lessons in Enunciation," "Exercises in Elocution," and "Rudiments of Gesture." With a selection of New Pieces for practice in Reading and Declamation; and engraved Illustrations in Attitude and Action. Designed for Colleges, Professional Institutions, Academies, and Common Schools. Boston: Jenks, Palmer & Co. 1844.

Primer, or First Steps in Spelling and Reading. Designed as introductory to the Spelling Book, and forming Part I. of a series of Books for Elementary Schools. Boston: Tappan & Dennet. 1844.

Spelling-Book: or, Second Course of Lessons in Spelling and

Reading. Designed as a sequel to the author's Primer, and an introduction to the other parts of his Elementary and Common School Series. Boston: Tappan & Dennet. 1844.

Primary Reader: a selection of easy Reading Lessons, with introductory exercises in Articulation, for Young Classes. Designed to follow the Spelling-book, and forming Part IV. of Russell's Elementary Series. Boston: Tappan & Whittemore. 1844.

Sequel to the Primary Reader of Russell's Elementary Series. Designed to precede Russell's and Goldsbury's Common-School Series. Boston: Tappan & Whittemore. 1844.

Introduction to the Primary Reader of Russell's Elementary Series. Designed to accompany the Spelling-book. Boston: Tappan, Whittemore & Mason. 1845.

Introduction to the American Common School Reader and Speaker; comprising Selections in Prose and Verse: with Elementary Rules and Exercises in Pronunciation. By William Russell and John Goldsbury, authors of the above-mentioned Reader. Boston: Chas. Tappan. 1845.

The American Common School Reader and Speaker: a Selection of Pieces in prose and verse, with Rules for Reading and Speaking. By John Goldsbury and William Russell. Boston: Tappan & Whittemore. 1845.

Introduction to the Young Ladies' Elocutionary Reader: containing a Selection of Reading Lessons, together with the Rudiments of Elocution, adapted to Female Readers. By William and Anna U. Russell, authors of the above-mentioned Reader. Boston: James Munroe & Co. 1845.

The Young Ladies' Elocutionary Reader: containing a Selection of Reading Lessons, by Anna U. Russell, with introductory Rules and Exercises in Elocution, adapted to Female Readers, by William Russell. Boston: James Munroe & Co. 1845.

Elements of Musical Articulation, by William Russell. With Illustrations in Vocal Music, by Lowell Mason, Prof. Boston Academy of Music. Boston: Wilkins, Carter & Co. 1845.

Lessons at Home in Spelling and Reading. Parts I. and II. Boston: Wm. D. Ticknor & Co. 1846.

Orthophony; or the Cultivation of the Voice in Elocution: A Manual of Elementary Exercises, adapted to Dr. Rush's "Philosophy of the Human Voice," and the system of vocal culture introduced by Mr. James E. Murdock. Designed as an introduction to Russell's "American Elocutionist." Compiled by William Russell. With a Supplement on Purity of Tone, by G. J. Webb, Prof. Boston Academy of Music. Boston: Ticknor, Reed & Fields. 1845.

Harper's New-York Class-Book. Comprising Outlines of the Geography and History of New-York; Biographical Notices of Eminent Individuals; Sketches of Scenery and Natural History; and Accounts of Public Institutions. Arranged as a Reading Book for Schools. By William Russell. New York: Harper & Bros. 1847. No. 8.-[VOL. III, Nc. 1.]—10.

New Spelling Book; or, Second Course of Lessons in Spelling and Reading. Designed as a Sequel to the Author's Primer, and an Introduction to the other parts of his Elementary and Common School Series. Enlarged edition. Boston: Tappan & Whittemore. 1852.

Pulpit Elocution: Comprising Remarks on the Effect of Manner in Public Discourse; the Elements of Elocution, applied to the Reading of the Scriptures, Hymns, and Sermons; with Observations, on the Principles of Gesture, and a Selection of Exercises in Reading and Speaking. By William Russell. With an Introduction by Edwards A. Park, D. D., Prof. in Andover Theol. Sem'y; and Rev. Edward N. Kirk, Pastor of Mt. Vernon Church, Boston. Andover: W. F. Draper & Brother. 1852.

The University Speaker: A Collection of Pieces designed for College Exercises in Declamation and Recitation. With Suggestions on the appropriate Elocution of particular passages. Boston and Cambridge: James Munroe & Co. 1852.

Suggestions on Teachers' Institutes. Manchester, N. H.: William H. Fisk. 1852.

A Manual of Instruction in Reading. Prepared for the use of Teachers' Institutes. Andover, Mass.: Warren F. Draper. 1852.

An Address on the Infant-School System of Education, and the extent to which it may be advantageously applied to all Primary Schools. Delivered in the Representatives' Hall, Boston, Aug. 21, 1830, before the Convention which formed the Am. Ins. of Instruction.

An Address on Associations of Teachers. Delivered at a Meeting held in Dorchester, on Wednesday, 8th Sept., 1830, for the purpose of forming an Association of Teachers, for Norfolk County, Mass.

A Lecture on Reading and Declamation. Delivered before the American Institute of Instruction, at Worcester, Mass., Aug., 1837. A Lecture on Elocution, introductory to a course of Readings and Recitations. Delivered at the Temple, Boston, 1838.

A Lecture on the Education of Females. Delivered at the close of the Autumn Term of Abbot Female Academy, Andover, Mass., Nov. 21, 1843.

A Lecture on Female Education. Delivered before the Am. Institute of Instruction, at Portland, Me., 2d Sept., 1844.

Hints to Teachers on Instruction in Reading. Educational Tract No. 5, in the series issued by Hon. Henry Barnard, State Commissioner of Schools, R. I., 1846.

Duties of Teachers. An Address before the Associate Alumni of Merrimack Normal Inst., at their First Annual Meeting, Sept. 4, 1850. Address at the Dedication and Opening of the New England Normal Institute, Lancaster, Mass., Wednesday, May 11, 1853.

Encouragements to Teachers. An Address before the Associate Alumni of Merrimack Normal Institute, at the Fourth Anniversary of the Association, Wednesday, 31st Aug., 1853.

Exercises on Words. Designed as a Course of Practice on the Rudiments of Grammar and Rhetoric. Boston: Whittemore, Niles, & Hall. 1856.

XII. AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE.

THE brilliant meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science recently held at Albany, having increased the general interest felt throughout the country in the progress of American science, we propose to offer a few remarks on the history, objects, and advantages of this institution.

The first of these annual scientific conventions was held at Dresden, in Germany, in 1822; and they were afterwards repeated at Berlin, Heidleberg, and Frankfort. Those meetings gathered the leading men of science, not only from every part of Germany, but also from all parts of Europe, to the number of four hundred and upwards; bringing into a gratifying personal acquaintance many of the most celebrated philosophers of the day, who had before known each other only through the medium of their writings, or by the celebrity of their names. The meeting at Berlin, for example, in 1828, assembled under the express patronage of the king of Prussia, consisted of four hundred and sixty-seven distinguished savans, from the various states of Europe, including England, France, Holland, and Russia. The meeting was opened by a discourse from the illustrious Humboldt, President, in which he stated the object of the convocation, and pointed out the advantages of such a union of the friends of science, from different parts of the world, and its influence on the propagation and discovery of useful truths.

It was natural that the spirit caught at this meeting by the foreign delegates, should, on their return home, be widely diffused over their respective countries. Accordingly, in 1832, the British Association for the Advancement of Science was formed, which has been continued to the present time, and has become a central point, where the scattered rays of new-discovered truths in the arts and sciences are brought to a focus, whence they radiate to all parts of the earth.

The germ of the American Association was first developed in the Association of American Geologists, formed in Philadelphia, in 1840, a title which, in 1842, was changed to that of the Association of American Geologists and Naturalists; and, in order to be still more comprehensive, this title was again changed in 1845 to the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

« ՆախորդըՇարունակել »