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Intelligence from Ohio.

181

MISCELLANY.

PROGRESS OF EDUCATION AND INSTRUCTION.

AT no period since our connection with the editorial department of the Annals of Education, has there been so much to cheer and encourage us, as at the present time. This we deem the more remarkable from the fact that there is such a wide spread embarrassment in business. If there is any connection between these two things as cause and effectif the derangement of business is turning the public mind to something more useful, more elevating, and more productive of true happiness, individual and national, and if the proper education of the rising generation in the family and in the school, and elsewhere, is becoming, much more than it ever has been, the order of the day, we shall scarcely regret that the embarrassment exists. It may indeed affect the existence of this journal. It may even sink it, after a year or two more of hard struggling with a load of expense which delinquent subscribers ought long ago to have paid; but if thus it must be, why let it go down. If the public mind is but awakened and rightly directed, our object is accomplished. We are fully satisfied, if the good is but done; and by no means tenacious of particular ways and means of doing it.

Among the important documents connected with the subject of education and instruction, which have arrested our attention since the opening of the present year, in addition to those which we have already noticed, are the following.-Many others of minor importance have also, from time to time, been received.

INTELLIGENCE FROM OHIO.

Vocal Music.-We have received a Report on Vocal Music, read at the last Annual meeting of the Western College of Teachers, by T. B. Mason, Professor in the Eclectic Academy of Music, and Professor of Music in Cincinnati College. The writer of this Report zealously labors to prove, 1, that all mankind possess the constitutional endowments requisite for the study of vocal music; 2, that vocal music must be incorporated into our systems of common school education; and 3d, that appropriate means ought to be speedily devised for the accomplishment of so desirable an object.

Education Meeting.-The Convention of Teachers and other friends of education at Columbus, was well attended, and lasted four days, as we mentioned in our last number. Rev. Calvin E. Stowe read his

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Meeting at Columbus.

Report on Education in Europe. Mr William Slocomb, of Marietta, gave a lecture on the defects of common school education, and the appropriate remedies; Mr H. N. Hubbell, Principal of the Ohio Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb, and Dr John Hoge, gave each a lecture on the education of the Deaf and Dumb; and Dr Macauley, of Columbus, one on the Parochial system of Scotland.

Besides many other interesting subjects which came before the convention, the following resolutions were adopted, and most of them freely discussed.

1. That teachers of every grade must be educated, honored and rewarded, before our schools can be placed on that high ground which the cause of education in our republic justly demands.

2. That the practice of having a large number of children crowded together, under the charge of a single teacher, is a serious hindrance to the moral and intellectual improvement of the pupils.

S. That, in the opinion of this Convention, corporal punishment is too often and injudiciously used in school government; and that it should not be resorted to, till after all reasonable, moral means of government have been found inefficient.

4. That, in the opinion of this Convention, the law, passed at the last session of our Legislature, providing for the appointment of a superintendent of common schools, will be productive of the most beneficial results, and that the labors of the superintendent have already greatly increased the public interest on the subject, and advanced the cause of the public schools.

5. That, in the opinion of this body, all the schools in each of our cities and towns, should be under the immediate control of one efficient Board of Managers.

6. That females who devote themselves to the cause of education, occupy one of the most important and appropriate stations for them to occupy, and that in this capacity they may exert an influence as lasting and salutary as the statesman or philanthropist.

7. That this Convention cordially approve of the formation of Lyceums and Mechanics' Institutes, for aiding in the work of mental cultivation-the great object in which we all have a deep and vital interest.

8. That a committee be appointed to report on the importance of the erection, the best mode of internal construction, and the furniture of school houses.

9. That the diversity and frequent change of class books in schools is a serious evil, and ought, as far as possible, to be avoided; that a change of books without very decided reasons to induce the change, is injurious to the school; that frequent and hasty recommendations of books, by men of influence, tend greatly to increase the evils complained of, and

Education in Michigan.

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that they be respectfully requested to be more cautious in giving recommendations without a decided conviction of superior merit,and that a committee be appointed to report at our next meeting, on the effects of the great diversity of school books in our State.

10. That we view with high interest, the onward move of the community at large in the cause of education.

Conscientious Booksellers.-The Common School Advocate, of Cincinnati, after extracting an article from this work in which we had complained of a want of conscientiousness in authors and booksellers, states, that Truman & Smith, of that city, have published, during the last two years, above 500,000 volumes-mostly juvenile and school books-every one of which is of an excellent moral tendency. If this is so, they deserve at least the approbation of their consciences, if not the thanks of their country.

Granville Female Academy.-A catalogue of the Granville Female Seminary, shows the Institution to have had during the last winter term 132 students, and during the summer term 82. Hayward's Physiology, as we are glad to learn, is studied; also vocal music and the Bible.Eightytwo young ladies board with the teachers, constituting one great family; and a part of them dispense with tea, coffee, and other superfluities. They also combine domestic labor with their studies. Connected with the academy is a preparatory school of 77 pupils.

The Blind. It is said that the Legislature of Ohio has authorized the establishment of an institution for the instruction of the Blind, at Columbus. Until the suitable buildings are completed, the pupils will be comfortably boarded in a rented dwelling, under the charge of a careful steward and matron.

MICHIGAN.

Superintendent's Reports.-These, for 1837 and 1838, have been received. Mr John D. Pierce is the Superintendent. The documents, especially that for the present year, are replete with information. The items of the tables embrace the number of school districts in each township in the State, which is at present only about 800; the number which have made reports to the proper authority is still less, only 383; the number of children between the ages of 5 and 17, in each district reported, 18,702; the number in attendance under 5 and over 17, 1,272; the whole number in attendance, 7,118; the length of time a school is kept in each district by a qualified teacher, about 4 1-2 months; the money received by each district from the School Inspectors; the amount received for the use of the district library, &c. It must be obvious, however, from a single glance at these items, and a comparison with the whole population, that they are very imperfect.-One interesting item we have

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Female Education in Illinois.

however, omitted to mention, which is the raising and appropriating of some $13,000 or $14,000, for the building and repairing of school houses during the year.

For the information of those who are not familiar with the common school system of Michigan, it may be proper to present the following brief statement, derived from the Superintendent's Report for 1838.

The last article of the constitution of the State, besides making provision for a Superintendent of Public Instruction, and making provision for a school fund, from the sale of public lands, makes it the duty of the Legislature to provide a system for the organization of common schools; and allows the withholding from any district that does not keep up a school at least three months in each year, its equal proportion of the interest of the public funds, and enjoins it upon the Legislature to provide for the establishment of libraries, one at least in each township; and appropriates the proceeds of all fines for any breach of the penal laws, and all moneys paid for exemption from military duty, to the support of said libraries whenever established.

A law subsequently passed, under this article, requires of the superintendent an inventory of all the lands and property reserved to the State for the purposes of education: requires his views to be given in writing, relative to the further disposition of said property; makes it his duty to prepare a system for common schools, and a plan for a university and its branches; to require of all officers who have charge of school lands, a statement of their condition, location and value; to require of school directors, reports of the state of their respective districts; to embody said reports, and transmit the same to the Legislature; it authorizes the superintendent to hold correspondence with members of literary institutions; to take charge of those lands reserved for education, where no officers have been appointed for the purpose, and preserve them from waste; to receive the proceeds of certain fines in the several counties, and retain them, subject to the direction of the legislature; requires him to give bonds to pay over, on demand, all moneys received by virtue of his office; fixes the amount of his salary and terms of payment, and forbids his holding any other office, or attending to the business of any other profession.

New Paper.-A small monthly journal of public instruction is to be issued at Detroit, at 75 cts. a month. Its object is the elevation of common schools.

ILLINOIS.

Female Education.-The Fourth Annual Report of the Ladies' Association for educating females in Illinois, states that 44 individuals have received aid from the association during the past year, and that there is

Education in Tennessee.

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reason for believing that these efforts are doing great good. The Society, notwithstanding its efforts, takes care to have a balance of $400 or $500 in its treasury; which in these times of embarrasment is sound policy. Connected with the Report, is an Address at the last annual meeting of the Society, at Jacksonville, by Prof. Post. We perceive that Prof. P., in sketching the outlines of what would constitute a good female education, has insisted that every female should be made acquainted with mental philosophy, physiology and hygiene; and the simple principles of chemistry and medicine.

KENTUCKY.

From this State we have heard nothing, except that the Legislature has recently passed a law establishing a system of Education throughout the State; a few words of encouragement in the columns of the Western Messenger, published at Louisville and a few words in regard to the interest taken by Gov. Clark, in this great subject.

TENNESSEE.

Legislative Proceedings.-The State of Tennessee, as if sensible of its great resources, is at last awaking. From the report of a committee of the legislature as published in a Newark paper, we learn that the School Fund amounts to upwards of $1,000,000; and it is now proposed to add to it the portion of the surplus revenue received, which would swell the amount nearly to $2,500,000. Of the proceeds of this sum, the committee propose to appropriate $100,000 annually, to common schools, upon the plan which has succeeded so well elsewhere, of a partnership between State munificence and individual enterprise and liberality. The adoption of the New York system is earnestly recommended. The remainder of the income of the fund it is proposed to appropriate to the colleges and academies, with some reference to the education of teachers. There are 3 colleges, 70 academies, and about 1000 common schools in the State.

Literary Institute at Nashville.-We have also received the 'Proceedings of the Literary Institute and Association of Professional Teachers,' held at Nashville, on the 27th and 28th of December last. This Association it seems had been formed on the 4th of November. Rev. Philip Lindsley, D. D. of Nashville is the President, and Rev. G. Weller, D. D., its Corresponding Secretary. An Address was delivered by Rev. Dr Weller, On the Advantages, to teachers, of Organization ;'and one from Mr Henry Moore, 'On the Reciprocal duties of Parents and Teachers;' in addition to which there were some valuable discussions. Much of the effort of the meeting was, however, expended in preparing for a larger meeting of the Association at Nashville, on the

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