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Notices of Books and Papers.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

THE PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION.

We have just received from David M'Clure, Esq., of Philadelphia, a copy of an elegantly printed octavo volume, of 363 pages, entitled, 'A Brief System of the Philosophical Principles upon which the System of Education for the Girard College of Orphans is founded.' Prefixed to the work are also about fifty pages of correlative, or explanatory matter. We are exceedingly interested in the work; and when we have perused it more thoroughly, we intend to give our readers an account of it. We will only say now, that it is evidently the result of much thought, and of profound and thorough investigation; as must be admitted by all who examine it, even if they should not agree with Mr M. in every one of his positions.

THE EDUCATOR.

We have seen the third and fourth number of a new paper, with the above title, published at Easton, in Pennsylvania; and conducted by Pres. Junkin, and Prof. Cunningham, of the Lafayette College. The numbers which we saw appear to inculcate just and enlarged views; and to breathe a liberal spirit. The mechanical execution of the paper is superior to that of any paper of the kind now published, except the Common School Assistant.

We ought to add that the paper is issued every second week, in numbers of eight pages quarto size, at one dollar a year, if paid in advance, or one dollar twenty five cents, if payment is deferred.

REMARKS ON TEACHING PENMANSHIP.

We have seen a neat little pamphlet, just issued from the press of Perkins & Marvin of this city, entitled, 'Remarks on Teaching Penmanship,' by Mr B. F. Foster, whose reputation as a teacher and author on Writing and Book-keeping, are well known. It is designed as an introduction to a set of large and small hand copies, which, we understand Mr F. is preparing to publish. We should be glad to make liberal extracts from this pamphlet, but have not room in the present number.

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AMERICAN

ANNALS OF EDUCATION.

OCTOBER, 1838.

COLUMBIA FEMALE INSTITUTE.

'MOTHERS and schoolmasters,' says Dr. Rush,' plant the seeds of nearly all the good and evil that exist in our world; its reformation must therefore be begun in nurseries and schools.' We have long believed so; and this should be a sufficient reply to the question so often asked, why we devote so much of our time to writing for these two classes of citizens. Half, or almost half the adult world are mothers. Is it not therefore a matter of consequence how they are educated who educate the world? True, the occupation of a schoolmaster is highly dignified. 'Next to mothers,' as Dr. Rush also informs us, the schoolmaster is the most important member of civil society.' But in putting him next to mothers, he obviously gives to the mother the first place.

It is in the spirit of these sentiments that we often dwell so largely on the education and influence of females both in the family and elsewhere. It was in this view that we gave so much, space to this subject in our last number, especially to the address of Dr. Wylie. In the same view, and not to compliment a particular institution-one in which we cannot possibly have any personal concern or interest-we now present a brief account of the Columbia Female Institute. We are sure the account will be highly gratifying to many a western and southwestern citizen, besides Dr. Wylie ; as well as to many a friend of female education this side of the mountains. Philanthropy is not bounded by rivers or mountains; or by state or national limits.

The Columbia Female Institute was established nearly three years ago. A general idea of the building may be obtained from the engraving on the opposite page. It is a noble Gothic structure, 120 feet in length, and three stories high, with spires

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and towers; and is now nearly completed. When completed it will contain not only the Hall of the Institute, and a room for the Preparatory School, but room for the accommodation of the Rector's family and of the tutoresses, and for the necessary employments connected therewith-parlors, sitting rooms, store rooms, offices for the directors, dormitories, &c. In short, the building is designed to accommodate a large boarding. school, though there are to be students admitted, in considerable numbers, who are not boarders.

Until recently the Institute was conducted by Mrs Howe, and a competent number of female assistants. In September last, the Rev. Franklin G. Smith, formerly the conductor of a Female school, in Lynchburg, Virginia, assisted by his wife and six other females as teachers in the various departments, and by Dr. Otey, the Bishop of Tennessee as a lecturer on various subjects as appropriate to the male as to the female instructer.

The Institute is in three departments. 1. A Preparatory or Pestalozzian School, for beginners, in which are taught spelling, reading, writing and the elements of arithmetic, grammar and geography. 2. A Junior department, for orthography, orthoepy, defining, reading, writing, grammar, arithmetic, geography, history of the United States, Jewish, Grecian and Roman antiquities, mythology, and an introduction to rhetoric, mental philosophy and ancient history. 3. A Senior department, where a course of instruction is given, equally liberal, as appears, to that which is given to the young ladies, at Ipswich, Bradford, Wethersfield, Oberlin and elsewhere. For those who are properly and strictly boarders in the institution there is also a course of Sunday lessons.

Music is to receive particular attention in this institution, of which Mrs Smith is the teacher or professor. Vocal music is to be practised every hour. Instrumental music on the organ, harp, piano and guitar, is given, at regular lessons, to those who desire it. The same is true of drawing and painting. All the pupils are to be instructed in needlework, and in domestic

economy.

The Institute is furnished with an extensive chemical and philosophical apparatus, and with a library; and lectures are given on the use of the physical sciences. The school begins on the first of September and is divided into two sessions of five months each.

In regard to the general views of those who are to give character to the females of this region,* the following remarks from the first annual catalogue' will give us some idea.

* Columbia is about 40 miles southward of Nashville, Tennessee, in a high and healthy region of country.

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