from subordinates, excepting in registering his letters and orders. His post is essentially judicial, and all his decisions must be pronounced by himself. If he had the power of visiting the schools, for the purpose of inquiring into their condition, he could not carry into effect the intention with which it would be given, or, if he did, it would be followed with very inconvenient results. No individual could inspect more than three schools per day, and at this rate the whole number in the state could not be examined in less than ten years by the same person. To withdraw the superintendent for six months from his office, for any purpose, would throw upon him such an accumulation of business as would leave him in arrear for the residue of the year. In the mean time the interests of the schools would materially suffer, for want of the necessary authority to put controversies at rest. These controversies might be carried into the civil courts, but great expenses are usually incurred, and in the majority of cases, litigation in the courts, for the very reason that it involves pecuniary loss to some of the parties, is fatal to the harmony of the district, in which it occurs, long after the controversy itself is disposed of by a judicial decision.

The welfare of the common schools, therefore, imperiously requires that the superintendent should not be disturbed in the discharge of this part of his duty, by any arrangement incompatible with it.

The existing mode of disposing of disputed questions arising under the common school laws, has proved convenient in practice. If it has any defect, it is, that the superintendent has no power by law to enforce the execution of his own decisions. They are, it is true, generally submitted to without objection; but cases have occurred in which the proper officers have wholly refused to carry them into execution.

Commissioners of Common Schools.

Three persons are appointed under this title at the annual meeting in euch town. Their duties are to regulate the boundaries of the school districts within the towns for which they are chosen, to alter existing districts, and form new ones when it becomes necessary for the convenience of the inhabitants. They receive from the county treasurer, with whom it is deposited, the quota of the revenue of the common school fund, to which the town is entitled, and from the collector of the town the equal amount raised upon its taxable property; and they apportion these sums among the school districts of the town, according to the number of children over five and under sixteen years of age, residing in each district, provided a school has been kept in it three months, by a qualified teacher, during the preceding year, and provided also the school moneys received in that year, have been applied to the compensation of such teacher. They receive the annual reports of the trustees of the school districts, and from them prepare a consolidated report, setting forth certain particulars specified in the statute to be transmitted to the superintendent.

These officers receive one dollar a day for their services. If they neglect their duty they are fined the sum of ten dollars.

Inspectors of Common Schools.

to a teacher for a summer school, and at the expiration of the term, annulled it upon the ground that he was incompetent to teach a winter school, which is usually attended by a larger proportion of older scholars. This distinction is wholly unauthorized by law, and whenever an opportunity has offered, it has been condemned in pointed terms. It is no hardship to adopt, in all cases, the highest standard of requirement. School districts, it is true, are often of very small pecuniary ability; but in order to entitle a school district to a share of the income of the common school fund, the statute demands only that a qualified teacher shall be annually employed for three months. It does not even require that a school shall be kept by any teacher for a longer period. There is no school district, which is not capable of complying with this rule, even if a teacher of undoubted qualifications were in all cases to be required. Inspectors should, therefore, aim to advance the standard of requirement for teachers as much as possible. Without their aid opinion may do something, but it is in their power, by setting up a higher rule of qualification, and enforcing a strict conformity to it in every case, to elevate the character of the common schools, to a grade which would leave little else to be desired. As will be seen in another part of this report, ample provision has recently been made by law for the education of teachers, and the inspectors may, in the manner above suggested, become in an eminent degree instrumental in securing employment for them.

There is another part of their duty of equal importance in its consequences, if it is faithfully and efficiently discharged. They are authorized to give "their advice and direction," as to the course of studies to be pursued" in the common schools. This is a power involving in its exercise the greatest responsibility: and although it might order in which the particular studies chosen by some other authority be limited by a narrow construction of the law, to a right to direct the should be pursued, it can hardly be taken, when viewed in connection with the other provisions of the statute in relation to the inspectors, in so restricted a sense. Indeed the phrase "course of studies" in its technical acceptation, must be understood as comprehending a particular series of subjects, and the particular order in which they are to be studied. Certain it is, that the inspectors have in some towns taken upon themselves to direct the studies to be pursued in the common schools in their jurisdiction; and in one case an application was made to the Superintendent to define the limits of their authority, both with respect to the course of studies and the selection of school books; the inspectors having in the case referred to given their direction to the teacher on both these points. The matter was not brought before him in the shape of an appeal, and no decision was pronounced upon it; but with the consideration he had given to it, he was at the time strongly inclined to a construction of the law in favor of the right of the indiction, as to the particular subjects which should be taught. With spectors to direct the teachers of common schools within their jurisregard to the right of the inspectors to direct what class books shall be studied in the common schools, he would have entertained but little doubt. This is manifestly a larger power than that of determining what subjects of study shall be taught. To direct a particular class book to be used, not only prescribes the subject of which it treats, but includes a specification of the extent to which it shall be studied, and in some degree, also, the mode in which it shall be taught for the man

Three inspectors of common schools are annually chosen in each town. Their duties are to examine all persons offering themselves as candidates for teaching common schools in the town; to visit all the common schools at least once in each year; and they may "give their advice and direction to the trustees and teachers of such schools, as to the government thereof, and the course of studies to be pursued therein."ner in which a subject is treated is often the most essential part of the The commissioners of common schools have, by virtue of their office, the same powers, so that there are always six persons in each town authorized to act as inspectors.

In the examination of a candidate for teaching, if the inspectors are satisfied that he is qualified with respect to moral character, learning and ability, they give him a certificate. He is then a qualified teacher for one year, unless his certificate is previously annulled on a re-examination, which the inspectors may require if they deem it necessary. So long as he holds a certificate dated within one year, he may receive the public money as a compensation in whole or in part for his services. Trustees of school districts may employ a teacher who has not been inspected, or who, on an examination, has not been deemed qualified by the inspectors; but no such teacher can receive any portion of the public money for his wages.

All the examinations must be made at a regular mecting called for the purpose, and attended by at least three inspectors.

treatise, so far as it is a vehicle of instruction. The power of prescribing class books, has not been given in express terms, nor is it perceived that it can be derived by implication from any of the powers delegated by law to the officers concerned in the supervision or management of the common schools. But with respect to subjects of study, the case is entirely different. The language of the law seems to sanction the construction which gives to the inspectors authority to direct what their duties, which includes the examination of teachers, and deterthey shall be; and it is consistent with the other important division of mines their ability to give instruction in particular branches or subjects. The latter being fixed, the examination would have reference to them, and the standard of requirement be settled according to a just

and uniform rule.

The exercise of the authority to direct teachers as to the subjects of study to be taught, is a very delicate and responsible duty; and, if it be wisely executed, it cannot fail to exert a most beneficial influence It must be manifest on the slightest consideration, that the success of upon the common schools. But if the authority of the inspectors were the common school system, so far as concerns the great ends of edu-restricted to the mere examination of teachers, they might make it cation, will depend in a higher degree on the inspectors than on any They might decline to grant a teacher a certificate unless he was qualihighly efficient as an instrument of advancing the standard of education. other class of officers connected with its administration. With them it lies to fix the standard of qualification for teachers, and thus to de-fied to give instruction in the branches or subjects which, in their opin termine the amount of ability, which the latter shail bring to their tasks. ion, ought to be taught in the common schools. Indeed, such is their If the requirements of the inspectors are small, the qualifications of the duty now; and independently of the obligation of performing it fearteachers will, as a general rule, be slender, and to these the standard of lessly and faithfully, there is, as has heen already shown, no hardship education in the town will gradually conform. In practice, the rule in its performance, with respect to any of those who come within the has perhaps been reversed. The inspectors have usually, in granting sphere of their authority. certificates, been influenced by the state of education in the town, and have thus conformed to an existing standard, instead of establishing a In each school district, there are annually chosen three trustees, new one of a higher grade. The superintendent has therefore uniform-whose duty it is, to call special meetings of the inhabitants whenever ly urged upon the inspectors the importance of assuming a high they deem it necessary; to make out all tax lists, when taxes are voted standard of qualification, and of requiring all candidates to be tried by by the inhabitants of the dist. ict to build or repair the schoo'-house; to it. That this duty is not always properly discharged, is not to be dis- provide fuel or to purchase a lot for a school-house; to make out all guised. Inspectors have sometimes given a certificate of qualification | rate bills [tuition bills] from the lists kept by the teachers; to exempt

Trustees of School Districts.

indigent persons from the payment of their proportion of such rate-bills; may be taxed for common school purposes against the wishes of its to have the custody of the district school-house; to contract with and possessors; but as the objects of taxation are extremely limited, no e aploy all teachers, and to provide for the payment of their wages in danger is likely to arise from the abuse of this power. In the case of the manner already explained, under the head of "expenses." school houses, always the greatest object of expenditure, there is a further safeguard: no tax exceeding four hundred dollars can be voted for that object, unless the commissioners of common schools of the town certify that a larger sum is necessary. The tax for purchasing libraries is limited to twenty dollars the first year, and to ten dollars per annum for subsequent additions to it; and all other taxes must, from the nature of the objects, be small in amount.

The trustees of school districts are the immediate representatives of the inhabitants; and as they owe their election to them, they may be considered as controlled by the public opinion of the districts in the discharge of their duty, so far as the law has left them any discretion as to the manner of performing it. They are charged with the management of the principal internal affairs of the district, and as the inhibitants residing within it pay more than three quarters of all the expenses of the school, the law has virtually deposited with them the control of almost all that concerns it. With respect to the formation of school districts, and the regulation of their boundaries, a different prin- There is one particular in which the same praise is not so generally ciple prevails. The commissioners of common schools, in whom this due. It is the case of all others, in which a suitable liberality is most authority is vested, are town officers; they are chosen by the suffra- necessary to accomplish the objects of the system, and in which the ges of all the electors, and though they may be said to be accountable greatest want of it has heretofore been shown. The shool-houses are to all the districts, the voters for town officers being composed substan- usually comfortable, and the physical wants of the scholars are suf tially of the voters in school districts, they cannot be considered as con- ficiently provided for. But with respect to their moral and intellectual trolie by the opinion of any particular district when it is at variance improvement, there is in general a great deficiency. The only material With others, in matters connected with the discharge of their duties. defect of the system is the want of competent teachers. The cause of The same principle prevails with regard to the election of inspectors. the defect is an unwillingness on the part of the inhabitants to pay They also are town officers, and the law has very properly confided the such wages as to secure the services of individuals of suitable qualifiduty of pronouncing upon the qualification of teachers, and directing cations. That much of the prevailing apathy on this subject is owing the course of studies to be pursued in the common schools, to individ- to the want of attention to its importance, will hardly be denied. Our uals who, from the manner in which they are chosen, are not directly common school system has been but a few years in operation, and it is accountable to the inhabitants of any particular district. To return to only recently that it can be considered as having gained a solid foundtrustees of school districts. Although the law has given them certain ation. In building up and bringing to perfection its external organpowers, the successful exercise of some of those powers must depend on ization, the internal condition of the schools has been in some degree its accordance with the wishes of the inhabitants. Thus the trustees neglected. have the absolute right of employing all teachers. But if they were to engage an individual, who for any reason was obnoxious to the inhabitants, the latter might refuse to send their children to school, and thus subject the trustees to some embarrasment in providing for the payment of his wages. They might, it is true, pay him the public money; but as this would soon be exhausted, they would be obliged to collect the residue of those persons who sent their children to school, and the greater part of the burden would fall upon the trustees themselves, and the few who should favor their views. Under the Prussian system this result could not happen, as all parents are required by law to send their children to school. The spirit of our common school system is to refer almost all matters relating to the districts, which are of an internal or domestic character, to the inhabitants themselves; and from the organization of the districts, the powers of the trustees are necessarily exercised, so far as any discretion is admissible, in subordination to the opinion of the district. But where the law has prescribed positive rules for their government, those rules are, of course, to be obeyed, even though such obedience were to conflict with the wishes of the inhabitants.

The effect of these provisions with respect to taxation in school districts in most cases, is, that the inhabitants tax themselves liberally for all the authorized objects referred to.

It is proper to add in this place that, at the annual meeting of the inhabitants of each district, a collector and a clerk are chosen together with the trustees.

The duty of the collector is to collect and pay over to the trustees the amount of all tax-lists and rate-bills delivered to him for the purpose. The trustees may, before delivering to him any warrant for the collection of moneys, require him to give a bond, in double the amount of the sum to be collected, conditioned for the faithful execution of his duties.

The duty of the clerk is to keep a record of all the proceedings of the district, to give notice of the time and place for all meetings of the inhabitants, and to keep and preserve all books, &c. belonging to his office. Under a law passed at the last session of the legislature, authorizing the inhabitants of school districts to purchase district libraries, a librarian may also be chosen at the annual meeting.

Public attention has, within the last eight years, been more strongly attracted to this part of the system, and in many districts correct views begin to prevail with regard to the impolicy of expending money unprofi ably upon incompetent teachers. To the exertions of individuals to correct erroneous impressions on this subject, the countenance and co-operation of the legislature have been superadded. By an act passed in the year 1834, the Regents of the University were authorized to appropriate a portion of the income of the literature fund to the education of teachers. This authority was promptly exercised, as will be hereafter seen, and the plan adopted by the regents has been carried into execution. So long as the wages of teachers were extremely low, men of talents would not devote themselves to the business of teaching, nor could they afford to fit themselves for it by a regular course of preparation. The rate of compensation for teachers is gradually advancing; in some parts of the state good wages are paid, and many individuals are preparing themselves for teaching as a permanent vocation. As they find employment, the demand for them will increase: for as the benefits of instruction by a well trained teacher become apparent, the influence of the example will extend to neighboring districts; and these causes acting reciprocally upon each other, cannot fail to produce important effects.

The legislature has done all that can be accomplished by legislation to promote the cause of common school education, excepting by a resort to compulsory enactments. The spirit of our institutions is adverse to measures of this description. The success of the common school system has been mainly accomplished by arguments addressed to the reason and the interests of the people. Without a radical change of policy, the improvements, of which it is susceptible, can only be introduced through the influence of the same motives. The superintendent has heretofore expressed the belief, that nothing was wanting but a full view of the subject on the part of the inhabitants of school districts, to bring into the schools a better grade of teachers. He has seen nothing to shake his confidence in this opinion, although it must be admitted that the change for the better on which it is founded, proceeds by very slow degrees. When the measures adopted by the regents of the university shall have been carried into full effect, a more rapid and general In addition to the right of annually choosing officers for their respect-improvement may reasonably be anticipated. These measures will ive districts, the inhabitants have power by a majority of votes to de- now be briefly considered. signate a site for the district school-house, and to lay taxes on the taxable property of the district to purchase a district library, and a suitable book case, purchase or lease a site for a school-house, to build, hire, or purchase such school-house, to keep it in repair, and to furn sh it with necessary fuel and appendages. By the construction given to this part of the statute by the superintendent, the term "appendages' is limited to a few simple articles, which are indispensable to the comfort and health of the pupils, such as a broom, a water-pail, a stove, a wood-house, &c. The inhabitants have no power to tax themselves, excepting for these enumerated objects, and whenever it is desired to raise money for any other purpose, it must be done by voluntary contribution.

Inhabitants of School Districts.

The standard of qualification for voters is so low, that scarcely any individual is excluded from the exercise of the right of suffrage in respect to matters concerning the school district in which he resides. If he has been assessed in the town to work on the highway during the year, or the preceding year, he may vote at school-district meetings for any authorized object. He has a voice in the choice of district officers, and though wholly destitute of property himself, he may contribute to lay a tax on the property of the district. In some cases, therefore, property

Education of Common School Teachers.

In pursuance of the provisions of the act before referred to, bearing date the 2d May, 1834, and authorizing the regents of the university to apply a part of the income of the literature fund to the education of common school teachers, a plan was reported to the regents for the purpose of carrying into effect the intention of the act on the 8th of January, 1835, and adopted at a subsequent meeting of the board. The outlines of the plan are briefly as follows:

An academy was selected in each of the eight senate districts, and a department engrafted upon it for the education of teachers. To support these departments, each academy received from the literature fund a sufficient sum to procure the following articles of apparatus, &c.. An Orrery.

A Numeral Frame, and Geometrical Solids.
A pair of Globes.

A moveable Planisphere.
A Tide Dial.

An Optical apparatus.
The Mechanical Powers.
A Hydrostatic apparatus.

An Ailas.

A Telescope.

A Quadrant.

institutions would be more likely to secure the object in view; and on the other, that it might be as effectually and more readily accomplished through the organized aca lemics. By the act of 13th April, 1827, the avowed object of which was to promote the education of teachers," the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars was added to the capital of the literature fund, the income of which is appropriated to the support of the academies subject to the visitation of the regents of the university. Thus, although the plan of engrafting upon the academies departments for the preparation of teachers may not have been contemplated at that time, yet this measure is to be regarded only as a more complete development of the design of the legislature in pass

In addition to this provision, the sum of $191 dollars was appropriated to enlarge the library of each of the academies in which a departing the act referred to. ment was established. These expenditures were intended merely to put the departments in operation. For their support, each department is to receive annually, to pay the salary of a tutor, the further sum of $400, from the literature fund, which in addition to the means of the academies, was deemed adequate to the object.

School District Libraries.

By an act passed at the last session of the legislature, the inhabitants of school districts were authorized to vote a tax, not exceeding twenty

The students in the departments are required to be thoroughly in-dollars, to purchase a library for their common use, and such additional structed in the following branches or subjects:

1. The English language.

2. Writing and drawing.

3. Arithmetic, mental and written, and book-keeping.

4. Geography and General History combined.

5. The History of the United States.

6. Geometry, Trigonometry, Mensuration, and Surveying.

7. Natural Philosophy, and the elements of Astronomy.

7. Chemistry and Mineralogy.

9. The constitution of the United States, and the constitution of the State of New-York.

10. Select parts of the Revised Statutes, and the duties of public officers.

11. Moral and Intellectual Philosophy. 12. The principles of teaching.

To these subjects it is understood to be in contemplation of the regents to add Algebra.

sum as should be deemed necessary to procure a book case. They were also authorized to vote a further tax, not exceeding ten dollars in any one year, to make additions to the library. As has been already stated, they were empowered by the same act to choose at the annual meeting of the district, a librarian, whose duty it shall be to take charge of the library, and have the care and custody of it under such regulations as the inhabitants of the district should prescribe.

By the act of 1838, fifty-five thousand dollars of the income of the United States deposit fund is appropriated, for three years, to the purchase of district libraries among the several districts, on condition that the districts raise as much more.

The law does not direct in what manner books for district libraries shall be selected. This, therefore, is a right, which the inhabitants of school districts may exercise by giving their directions to the trustees. But if they give no direction, the trustees must, from the necessity of the case, purchase such books as they may think best suited to promote the intellectual improvement of the district.

The term of study is three years, but only eight months in each year The law is also silent as to the kinds of books to be selected; but it are devoted to instruction. There is a vacation of four months in win- is manifest that its intention would not be answered by purchasing ter, to enable the students, many of whom will, it is supposed, need class books for the use of the children in school. This would be a missuch a resource, to teach a district school, and thus earn something to application of the public money. "As a general principle I would support them in completing their course of preparation. At the end of recommend, that in the selection of books all sectarian and controverthe term each student is to be examined publicly, and if he passes a sat-sial subjects should be excluded. It is for the inhabitants of the district isfactory examination in all the prescribed subjects of study, he is to re-to choose the works to be purchased, and it must depend much on their ceive a diploma under the seal of the academy. discretion in the execution of this trust, whether all the benefits in conThe departments were organized in the summer of 1835, and in seve-templation of the law will be secured. A liberal regard must be paid ral of the academies they are already in successful operation. For the to opinions, even though they have their foundation in prejudice." purpose of securing entire uniformity in the course of study and the re- The importance of making judicious selections of books for district sults, the principals of the academies were invited to meet a committee libraries cannot be too highly appreciated. The Superintendent has of the regents of the university in the city of Albany, on the 1st of heretofore had occasion to remark, that the primary object of their inSeptember last, and settle some preliminary arrangements. The meet- stitution, was to disseminate works suited to the intellectual improveing was attended by seven of the eight gentlemen, who were several ment of the great body of the people, rather than to throw into school days in session, the extent to which instruction in each branch of study districts, for the use of the young, books of a merely juvenile character; should be carried was agreed on, and a comparison of opinions was and that by collecting a large amount of useful information, where it made on every question connected with the management of the depart- will be easily accessible, the influence of these establishments can hardments under their direction. The course has commenced on a uniformly fail to be in the highest degree salutary to those who have finished plan in all, and it will be carried out in such a manner as to secure their common school education, as well as those who have not. The uniform results. The influence of a large number of individuals tho- object in view will probably be best answered by having books suitaroughly trained to the business of teaching, cannot, if they find employ-ble for all ages above 10 or 12 years, though the proportion for those ment, be otherwise than beneficial, and it may do more than all other of mature age ought to be by far the greatest. Frequent application causes combined to bring about a salutary reform in the only particular having been made to the superintendent for a list of books suitable for in which the common school system can be considered materially de-a library, he ventures to name a series which he thinks may be advanfective. If the liberal provisions of the legislature are not met with a cor- tageously selected for the districts. This series has been selected and responding liberality on the part of the people of the state, the measures published in the city of New York, under the direction of the American adopted by the regents of the university will be fruitless. The individu- Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, and arrangements will als who shall have prepared themselves for the business of teaching, probably be made by the publishers to place in the several counties of must abandon it unless it yield them a fair remuneration for their servi- the State, a sufficient number of volumes to supply the anticipated deCes. But on the other hand, if sounder views on this subject should be mands of the districts. This is the only publication of the kind of found to prevail; if the inhabitants of school districts will but see their which the Superintendent is advised. The series consists of books jutrue interest in employing well trained teachers, our common schools diciously selected, and embracing a variety of subjects of the general will soon bear, in their intellectual condition, an honorable relation to description heretofore designated by the Superintendent, and containing the other parts of the system, and exhibit in all its internal details, the matter suited to persons of almost all ages. The series comprises fifty same order and perfection which prevail in its organization. The volumes, and, including the case in which they are packed, is furnished provisions of the law have been ample, and it remains only to give at twenty dollars. an impulse to that effective public opinion which, when once moved, is ture to bring about the results to which it is directed. To this end the attention of all the friends of education should he turned. The people have the principal control of the system, and their opinions must be influenced. Discussion in almost any shape may promote the object. It attracts the attention of individuals and the public; and even though it may not always point to the true remedy, when it has exposed a defect, it can hardly fail to draw out the views of others and shed light on the subject.

In passing the law, under which departments for the education of teachers have been established, the legislature has merely provided for the more complete execution of a design long entertained, so far as respects the employment of the academies for the purpose. The propriety of founding separate institutions upon the model of the seminaries for teachers in Prussia, was for several years a subject of public discussion in this State. It was contended on the one hand, that such

It is in the power of every district in the State to have a good library. The amount to be received by the districts for the purchase of a library will average about twenty cents for each child over 5 and under 16 years of age. A district having but 30 children between those ages, (which is a very small number, the average throughout the State being about 55 to a district,) will receive, during the next three years about $18, or $6 per annum. This sum will purchase about fifty volumes. If the district were at the same time to raise on its taxable property, as the inhabitants have the authority to do, an equal sum, it would, at the end of three years, find itself in possession of 100 volumes. The influence of this general diffusion of books may be greater than can well be imagined. The present generation may have pased away, before all the good effects of the plan shall have been experienced; but the objeet in view will be fully attained, if those who are to succeed us shall realize its success in a higher intellectual condition of society, a wider dissemination of knowledge, and a better preparation of the great body

of the people for the important social and political duties which devolve | manner required by law, it is assessed upon the persons residing in the

property, excepting the single case in which fuel is furnished in kind. expense of this part of the system is defrayed by a tax on the And if in respect to the compensation of teachers, taxable property may in some cases appear to be unduly favored, it often happens in this case, that it contributes largely to the expenses of the common schools, without deriving any direct benefit from them. A man of wealth may never have sent a child to school in the district in which he resides, and furnish it with fuel. It is not designed by presenting this view of and yet his property is taxed to build a school house, keep it in repair, the subject, to impugn the justice of the rule. On the contrary, it is beproperty has in securing, through the moral and intellectual improvelieved to be perfectly just on account of the interest which every man of neder and tranquillity, without which the tenure of his possessions would ment of those who surround him, a substantial basis for that public orbe uncertain and precarious.

1. The compensation of teachers. The sum of two hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars is annually distributed to the school districts from the common school fund, and is appropriated to the compen-institution as is practicable. sation of teachers, who have been inspected by the proper authority, and received a certificate of qualification. The board of supervisors in each county are required to cause to be levied, by tax, on each town, a sum equal to that which such town receives from the common school fund as its quota of the annual income. The sum thus levied, is also appropriated to the payment of the wages of teachers qualified accord-sevenths of the entire compensation of the teachers, and furnish their ing to law. The inhabitants of each town have authority to vote, at their annual town meeting, an additional sum, not exceeding the amount directed to be raised therein by the supervisors; or in other words, not exceeding its quota of the income of the common school fund. Thus each town is annually taxed to an amount, equal to the sum it receives from the common school fund, and it may by its own voluntary act, be taxed twice that amount.

An Atlas.

A Telescope.

A Quadrant.

institutions would be more likely to secure the object in view; and on the other, that it might be as effectually and more readily accomplished through the organized aca lemics. By the act of 13th April, 1827, the avowed object of which was "to promote the education of teachers," the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars was added to the capital of the literature fund, the income of which is appropriated to the support of the academies subject to the visitation of the regents of the university. Thus, although the plan of engrafting upon the academies departments for the preparation of teachers may not have been contemplated at that time, yet this measure is to be regarded only as a more complete development of the design of the legislature in pass

In addition to this provision, the sum of $191 dollars was appropriated to enlarge the library of each of the academies in which a departing the act referred to. ment was established. These expenditures were intended merely to put the departments in operation. For their support, each department is to receive annually, to pay the salary of a tutor, the further sum of $400, from the literature fund, which in addition to the means of the academies, was deemed adequate to the object.

School District Libraries.

By an act passed at the last session of the legislature, the inhabitants of school districts were authorized to vote a tax, not exceeding twenty

'The students in the departments are required to be thoroughly in-dollars, to purchase a library for their common use, and such additional structed in the following branches or subjects:

1. The English language.

2. Writing and drawing.

3. Arithmetic, mental and written, and book-keeping.

4. Geography and General History combined.

5. The History of the United States.

6. Geometry, Trigonometry, Mensuration, and Surveying.

7. Natural Philosophy, and the clements of Astronomy.

7. Chemistry and Mineralogy.

9. The constitution of the United States, and the constitution of the State of New-York.

10. Select parts of the Revised Statutes, and the duties of public officers.

11. Moral and Intellectual Philosophy.

12. The principles of teaching.

To these subjects it is understood to be in contemplation of the gents to add Algebra.

sum as should be deemed necessary to procure a book case. They were also authorized to vote a further tax, not exceeding ten dollars in any one year, to make additions to the library. As has been already stated, they were empowered by the same act to choose at the annual meeting of the district, a librarian, whose duty it shall be to take charge of the library, and have the care and custody of it under such regulations as the inhabitants of the district should prescribe.

By the act of 1838, fifty-five thousand dollars of the income of the United States deposit fund is appropriated, for three years, to the purchase of district libraries among the several districts, on condition that the districts raise as much more.

The law does not direct in what manner books for district libraries shall be selected. This, therefore, is a right, which the inhabitants of school districts may exercise by giving their directions to the trustees. But if they give no direction, the trustees must, from the necessity of re-the case, purchase such books as they may think best suited to promote the intellectual improvement of the district.

The law is also silent as to the kinds of books to be selected; but it

The term of study is three years, but only eight months in each year are devoted to instruction. There is a vacation of four months in win-is manifest that its intention would not be answered by purchasing ter, to enable the students, many of whom will, it is supposed, need class books for the use of the children in school. This would be a missuch a resource, to teach a district school, and thus earn something to application of the public money. "As a general principle I would support them in completing their course of preparation. At the end of recommend, that in the selection of books all sectarian and controverthe term each student is to be examined publicly, and if he passes a sat- sial subjects should be excluded. It is for the inhabitants of the district isfactory examination in all the prescribed subjects of study, he is to re-to choose the works to be purchased, and it must depend much on their ceive a diploma under the seal of the academy. discretion in the execution of this trust, whether all the benefits in conThe departments were organized in the summer of 1835, and in seve-templation of the law will be secured. A liberal regard must be paid ral of the academies they are already in successful operation. For the to opinions, even though they have their foundation in prejudice." purpose of securing entire uniformity in the course of study and the re- The importance of making judicious selections of books for district sults, the principals of the academies were invited to meet a committee libraries cannot be too highly appreciated. The Superintendent has of the regents of the university in the city of Albany, on the 1st of heretofore had occasion to remark, that the primary object of their inSeptember last, and settle some preliminary arrangements. The meet-stitution, was to disseminate works suited to the intellectual improveing was attended by seven of the eight gentlemen, who were several ment of the great body of the people, rather than to throw into school days in session, the extent to which instruction in each branch of study districts, for the use of the young, books of a merely juvenile character; should be carried was agreed on, and a comparison of opinions was and that by collecting a large amount of useful information, where it made on every question connected with the management of the depart-will be easily accessible, the influence of these establishments can hardmen's under their direction. The course has commenced on a uniformly fail to be in the highest degree salutary to those who have finished plan in all, and it will be carried out in such a manner as to secure their common school education, as well as those who have not. The uniform results. The influence of a large number of individuals tho- object in view will probably be best answered by having books suitaroughly trained to the business of teaching, cannot, if they find employ-ble for all ages above 10 or 12 years, though the proportion for those ment, be otherwise than beneficial, and it may do more than all other of mature age ought to be by far the greatest. Frequent application causes combined to bring about a salutary reform in the only particular having been made to the superintendent for a list of books suitable for in which the common school system can be considered materially de-a library, he ventures to name a series which he thinks may be advanfective. If the liberal provisions of the legislature are not met with a corresponding liberality on the part of the people of the state, the measures adopted by the regents of the university will be fruitless. The individuals who shall have prepared themselves for the business of teaching, must abandon it unless it yield them a fair remuneration for their serviBut on the other hand, if sounder views on this subject should be found to prevail; if the inhabitants of school districts will but see their true interest in employing well trained teachers, our common schools will soon bear, in their intellectual condition, an honorable relation to the other parts of the system, and exhibit in all its internal details, the same order and perfection which prevail in its organization. The provisions of the law have been a nple, and it remains only to give an impulse to that effective public opinion which, when once moved, is It is in the power of every district in the State to have a good library. sure to bring about the results to which it is directed. To this end the The amount to be received by the districts for the purchase of a library attention of all the friends of education should be turned. The people will average about twenty cents for each child over 5 and under 16 have the principal control of the system, and their opinions must be in-years of age. A district having but 30 children between those ages, fluenced. Discussion in almost any shape may promote the object. It attracts the attention of individuals and the public; and even though it may not always point to the true remedy, when it has exposed a defect, it can hardly fail to draw out the views of others and shed light on the subject.

tageously selected for the districts. This series has been selected and published in the city of New York, under the direction of the American Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, and arrangements will probably be made by the publishers to place in the several counties of the State, a sufficient number of volumes to supply the anticipated demands of the districts. This is the only publication of the kind of which the Superintendent is advised. The series consists of books judiciously selected, and embracing a variety of subjects of the general description heretofore designated by the Superintendent, and containing matter suited to persons of almost all ages. The series comprises fifty volumes, and, including the case in which they are packed, is furnished at twenty dollars.

(which is a very small number, the average throughout the State being about 55 to a district,) will receive, during the next three years about $18, or $6 per annum. This sum will purchase about fifty volumes. It the district were at the same time to raise on its taxable property, as the inhabitants have the authority to do, an equal sum, it would, at the In passing the law, under which departments for the education of end of three years, find itself in possession of 100 volumes. The inteachers have been established, the legislature has merely provided for fluence of this general diffusion of books may be greater than can well the more complete execution of a design long entertained, so far as re- be imagined. The present generation may have pased away, before spects the employment of the academies for the purpose. The propri- all the good effects of the plan shall have been experienced; but the obety of founding separate institutions upon the model of the seminaries ject in view will be fully attained, if those who are to succeed us shall for teachers in Prussia, was for several years a subject of public dis- realize its success in a higher intellectual condition of society, a wider It was contended on the one hand, that such dissemination of knowledge, and a better preparation of the great body cussion in this State.