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Education in Pennsylvania.

4th of October next; at which reports are expected on the following important subjects-committees having been assigned for that purpose.

1. A system of Education for Tennessee. 2. Financial plans for the support of schools. 3. School Houses, Furniture and Apparatus. 4. The study of Latin and Greek Prosody. 5. Text Books and preparation for Colleges. 6. Pronunciation of Latin and Greek Languages.— 7. Educational Statistics. 8. History of Legislative action in Tennessee on Education. 9. Increased attention to moral and religious instruction in schools. 10. Normal Schools. 11. Study of music in schools.

It was also resolved-and we have nowhere seen evidence of more practical wisdom in relation to these meetings for the promotion of education than in this measure,—'That each member of the Institute be requested to give a concise history of his school at the next annual meeting, so far as relates to the mode of instruction and government.' The Institute, though it had not yet been formed two months, numbered fortyfive efficient members-of course we cannot expect less than fortyfive of these invaluable histories of schools. When we read this part of their proceedings, we blushed for the 'American Institute of Instruction,' which has now been in operation eight years without having for once adopted so practical a measure, although it has been sometimes feebly attempted.

ALABAMA.

From this great State, we have had nothing recent, except a catalogue of the officers and students of the university of Alabama for the year 1837, and the valedictory address of President Woods.-The average yearly number of students in that Institution, for the last seven years, has been about 110.

THE VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI, IN GENERAL.

This valley, twelve years ago, did not contain-so we are informedany female seminary, deserving the name of a seminary; nor is it known that any one now in operation has been in existence over nine years.— Yet in the year 1836, sixteen female seminaries were in successful operation in the whole valley, and preparations were making for the establishment of eight more.

PENNSYLVANIA.

Besides the inaugural address of Prof. Cunningham, mentioned in our last, we have had nothing recent from Pennsylvania, except a discourse on the Formation and Development of American Mind, delivered before the Literary Societies of Lafayette College, at Easton, September 20, by Robert J. Breckinridge, A. M.; several communications from

Common Schools in New York.

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Mr Josiah Holbrook; and the articles on Education which have appeared, from time to time, in the papers, especially the 'Sunday School Journal,' and the Episcopal Recorder.' We are glad to see these papers laboring to keep alive the subject of education in that great State, and hope their example will be followed by many others.

American Sunday School Union.-From Philadelphia, we learn that 33 new works were issued by the American Sunday School Union, during the past year; 22 of which were original. The whole number of volumes printed in this year, was 890,662, besides infant school lessons, pamphlets, journals, &c., 84,600, making about 62,000,000 pages. The publications disposed of by the Society in the course of the year, amountTM ed to no less than $75,456 71. The publications distributed gratuitously to the poor, amounted to $3,455 71. New schools established over 500. Children in Factories.-The Select Committee of the Pennsylvania Legislature on this subject, have reported a bill entitled "An Act for the preservation of the health and morals of children employed in manufactories." The bill provides that children who are not able to read and write, shall be sent to school three months in each and every year, while they are employed in factories; that no child of a less age than ten years shall be employed in a factory, and that none under sixteen years of age shall labor more than ten hours per day. Penalties are imposed on parents and guardians, and also on employers, for any evasion or violation of the law.

Drawing Cards.-Mr Josiah Holbrook has prepared for families and elementary schools, a series of DRAWING CARDS, which are at this moment exciting considerable attention in Philadelphia and elsewhere.— They are published by W. Marshall & Co. We have not seen them, but they are highly recommended by teachers and other friends of education. Mr Alden, Principal of the Young Ladies High School in Philadelphia, thus says of them: These contain thirtysix finely executed drawings in outline, consisting of geometrical lines and figures, the more common implements of the trades, household utensils, animals, &c. &c. These cards are neatly put up in boxes, with a description, in few words, of their object and utility. By permitting children, both at school and at home, to make drawings and written descriptions of these and numerous other objects in nature and art, their feelings are interested; their hands, eyes and intellects improved, and their minds constantly stored with new ideas. They are thus protected from ignorance and vice, and prepared for respectability and usefulness.

NEW YORK.

Superintendent's Report.-From the State of New York, we have, 1. The Annual Report of the Superintendent of Common Schools.—

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Report on the Use of the Bible in Schools.

This, as usual, is an interesting document; but we find, on recurring to our February number, that many of its leading statistical items were there inserted. We find, however, one important item of information in this Report, which we have not seen in the Reports of previous years. We allude to an article entitled 'Extracts from the Reports of Academies relative to Teachers' Departments.' The following is a very brief summary of these reports for 1837.

The first column shows the whole number of pupils at the time of the report; and the second, the whole number instructed during the year 1837.

School Libraries.-From Rev. Wm. P. Page, we have received, what seems to us to be a revised edition of his letter to the Hon. Willard H. Smith, President of the Livingston County Education Society, on 'Common Schools; the necessity of their improvement, and School Libraries,' the first edition of which has already been made the basis of an article on school libraries in our last volume. The pamphlet of Mr Page is extended, in this edition, to 52 pages; and is in other respects very much improved. It is interesting and valuable.

Barnard's Report.-An application was made, during the late sitting of the New York Legislature, by Wm. G. Griffin and others, praying for the enactment a law prohibiting the practice of praying, singing, reading the Bible, and other religious exercises in such schools academies and seminaries of education, as receive aid from the public treasury. Mr Barnard, Chairman of a Committee on the subject, reported against it; and the report was sustained by a majority of 121 to 1. The report of Mr Barnard is a most masterly defence of the customs, in school, which it was the object of the petitioners to remove or destroy; and for the sake of many honest individuals—some of whom are not opposed to religion itself—we wish we had room for it in our journal; nor are we sure that we shall not, ere long, find room for at least a part of it.

The Knickerbocker.-This popular periodical is contributing its mite to the cause of Education. The number for January contains a Cry and prayer against imprisoning small children,' by W. H. Simmons, Esq,

Teachers' Seminary in Maine.

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which has some good thoughts on physical education; and both this and the subsequent numbers contain many articles which bear with more or less force on the general subject of education.

Anatomy and Physiology.-Several noble efforts have been made during the last winter in New York, Albany, Troy and Brooklyn, to render these important subjects accessible to the public. A course of popular lectures on Anatomy has been given in New York, and several courses on Physiology; and a popular course on Anatomy in Troy, by Dr Armsby, has been very favorably received. It was attended by 138 persons, many of whom were among the most distinguished of the citi

zens.

Vocal Music in Schools.-This, in some parts of the State, is receiving considerable attention. In Troy, they have received aid from Prof. Webb, of Boston.

NEW JERSEY.

A State Convention on Education at Trenton, has recommended to the State Legislature to repeal the existing school law at once; and as a first step to something truly valuable, to prepare the people for a sound school system. In this view, they recommend the appointment of a Minister of Public Instruction, whose immediate business shall be to travel about the State, and address the people, in their assemblies on the subject of Common School Education. We believe these recominendations of the Convention are sound and judicious.

MAINE.

Gorham Academy and Teacher's Seminary.—This consists of three departments, in addition to a department of Languages; called Primary, General, and the Higher and Teachers' Department. To complete a fall course of studies in the Teachers' Department requires three years. We learn from the catalogue of the Seminary, that the number of the students is yearly increasing, and that it is at present 149 males, and 116 females; but how great a part of them are making preparations to become teachers, we are not told. The price of tuition in the teachers' department is five dollars a term of eleven weeks; but the whole expenses of a young lady for a term, including board, room rent, washing, fuel, light and tuition, are only $25, or $100 a year. The course of instruction and education appears-on paper at least-to be thorough.— There are six principal instructers, and three assistants. Prof. Packard's address, at the dedication of the Teachers' Seminary last September, is a masterly production, and richly deserves the attention of those into whose hands it may fall. He dwells largely on the necessity of an increased attention to physical education, as well as to moral and religious culture.

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Movements in Georgia.

NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Teachers' Seminary at Plymouth.—The number of students reported as connected with this Seminary, is 200, of whom 110 are males, and 90 females. Of these, about 60 are furnished with board in houses erected for the purpose, and under the eye of their instructers. A considerable number board in the family of Mr S. R. Hall, the Principal. The utmost attention appears to be paid to their moral character, and to their health. A very extended course of Lectures on Teaching is given in the institution; and we learn, with great pleasure, from the catalogue, that one of the regular studies of the junior year, in both the male and female departments, is human physiology. On this subject, courses of lectures, more or less extended, are also given.

CONNECTICUT.

Mrs Sigourney.-This gifted lady has become the author or compiler of a school book, which she calls "The Girl's Reading Book." It has 243 pages, and is published by J. Orville Taylor, of New York. It consists of articles chiefly, as we suppose, from her own pen, written on various occasions, both in prose and poetry. We regard the work as adapted to the wants of the numerous class of persons for whom it is intended, and hope it may be widely circulated.

American Lyceum. -The Eighth Anniversary of the American Lyceum will be held at Hartford, on Tuesday, the 1st of May next. Lyceums and other literary societies are invited by the Corresponding Secretary, Mr Dwight, to send delegates; and the friends of education, generally, are invited to attend. It is hoped and believed that the session will be one of great interest. Several valuable Essays, Lectures, and other contributions, have already been promised, and a number of important questions are to be prepared for discussion.

norance.

Ignorance and Crime.-Every year's observation of facts serves to confirm the doctrine that crime depends, in a greater or less degree, on igWe learn from the Report of the Prison Discipline Society, that of 57 criminals committed last year to the Connecticut State Prison, 14 could neither read nor write, and 16 could read, but not write; which, together, would be more than one half the whole number.

GEORGIA.

The movements in Georgia, were adverted to in one of our late numbers. According to the statements of the public papers, it would seem that a Common School system has been adopted by the Legislature of that State, by which five hundred thousand dollars, heretofore set apart as a Poor School and Academic fund, together with one third part of the surplus revenue, is constituted a fund to be devoted to the support of Common Schools.