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The Baby.

Nae shoon to hide her tiny tae,
Nae stocking on her feet;
Her supple ankles white as snaw,
Or early blossoms sweet.

Her simple dress of sprinkled pink,
Her double, dimpled chin,
Her puckered lip and baumy mou,
With nae one tooth between.

Her een, sae like her mither's een,
Twa gentle liquid things;
Her face is like an angel's face-
We're glad she has no wings.

She is the budding o' our love,
A giftie God gie'd us;

We munna luve the gift ow'r weel,
"Twad be nae blessing thus.

Returned Answers.

with unkindness; with love, and thou shalt have love. Send forth sunshine from thy spirit, and thou shalt never have a clouded day; carry about thee a vindictive spirit, and even in the flowers shall lurk curses. Thou shalt receive ever what thou givest, and that alone." Always is that child in the mountain passes-and every man and woman is that child.

Thrilling Incident.

Ar a temperance meeting in Philadelphia, some years ago, a learned clergyman spoke in favor of wine as a drink, demonstrating it quite to his own satisfaction, to be Scriptural, gentlemanly and healthful. When the clergyman sat down, a plain, elderly man arose, and asked the liberty of saying a few words. Permission being granted, he spoke as follow:

"A young friend of mine," said he, "who had long been intemperate, was prevailed on, to the joy of his friends, to take the pledge of entire abstinence from all that would intoxicate. He kept his pledge faithfully for some time, though the struggle with his habit was fearful, till one evening, in a social party, glasses of wine were handed round. They came to a clergyman present, who took a glass, saying a few words in vindication of the practice. Well,' thought the young man, ‘if clegymen can take wine and justify it so well, why not I? So he took a glass. It instant

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HEAR the story of the child which went forth into the mountain ravine. While the child wandered there, he called aloud to break the loneliness, and heard a voice which called to him in the same tone. He called again, and, as he thought, the voice again mocked him. Flushed with anger, he rushed to find the boy who had insulted him, but could find none. He then called to him in anger, and with abusive epithets, all of which were faithfully returned to him. Choking with rage, the child ran to its mother and complained that a boy in the woods had abused and in-ly rekindled his fiery and slumbering appesulted him with many vile words. But the mother took her child by the hand and said: "My child, these names were but the echoes of thine own voice. Whatever thou didst call was returned to thee from the hill-side. my only son, and the clergyman was the RevHadst thou called out pleasant words, pleas-erend Doctor who has just addressed the asant words had returned to thee. Let this be sembly."

tite, and after a rapid downward course, he died of delirium tremens-a raving madman!" The old man paused for utterance, and was just able to add :-"That young man was

He is a wise man who strives to correct his

thy lesson through life. The world will soon
be an echo of thine own spirit. Treat thy fel-
lows with unkindness, and they will answer errors.

EDITOR'S DEPARTMENT.

the buildings than could be shown in the engraving. The accompanying historical sketch will prove of permanent interest and value, and may be relied upon as remarkably correct in its state

The New Volume.

So now, here we are again, kind friends, shaking hands with you once more, wishing you a Happy New Year, (March begins our year) a prosperous seed-time and a plenteous harvest. There, we hear you returning the compliment, "I wish you the same." Thank you. Neither is an unmeaning compliment; ours is not certainly, for we speak from the heart when we wish you the rich blessings of heaven. But how do you like our looks this time. We do not believe in flounces and furbelows and gewgaws, but we have a frank, open heart, which warms at the cries of suffering hunger,-physical, intellectual or moral-and at the necessities of humanity anywhere; and this frankness must manifest itself in the countenance; so we present you this time a more open countenance, that you may read us more readily.

OUR ORIGINAL ENGRAVING.

ments.

We shall endeavor to improve on the appearance and value of each number, in every manner in our power. Friends, will you assist us,

by your contributions, your subscriptions, and subscriptions from your friends? If so, you will give us the power to make improvements, which we greatly desire to make, and which we feel assured will prove highly acceptable and of great

value.

THE NEXT TERM OF THE R. I. NORMAL

SCHOOL will commence March 30th, and not April 6th, as heretofore announced. This school presents unusual advantages. It is located in one of the most pleasant, picturesque, healthful towns in New England. The Narragansett Bay is noted the world over for the beauty of its scenery, and the salubrity of its atmosphere; How do you like it? It has been pronounc-and we are sure no spot on this beautiful bay can ed a "perfect gem." Is it not so? We have be found more favored by "Old Dame Nature " labored assiduously to get a good view of those than Bristol and its surroundings. buildings and grounds, and to have the work well done, that it might present a faithful representation of those old "Halls of Learning." We are happy if you are pleased with the result. You will all, we doubt not, say that great credit is due to the artists employed. Should you withhold that meed of praise, you would do them great injustice.

The school is under the care of the same teachers as heretofore, and we do not hesitate to say as competent and successful instructors as can be found in any school, in any state. We ought to be proud of our State Normal School.

More full and complete arrangements are made for the coming term and year, for an advanced course, including all the higher studies, and especially in the male department.

We hope the young men of Rhode Island will patronize this school, than which, we are sure, a better cannot be found.

The trees so obstructed the view that a photograph alone would not suffice. We therefore obtained the services of our worthy friend and townsman, Mr. J. C. Thompson, map and landscape delineator and wood engraver, to make an accurate pencil sketch. With the photograph in addition to this sketch, the engraver, Mr. Free-mention was made in our last, is for sale by D. man, of Boston, was able to produce a picture, which, we think, reflects great credit upon him as an artist.

It gives a very accurate and truthful view of the buildings and grounds, with a single exception. There are many more trees in front of

THE NEW AMERICAN CYCLOPEDIA, of which

Kimball & Co., What Cheer Building, Market Square, who are the sole agents for Rhode Island. We hope this valuable work, the first volume of which we have received and value more and more each day, will soon be found in many school-rooms in this state.

.

Report of the State Auditor.

taught, as to supersede the necessity of private schools altogether; since the influence of dis

private schools, must ever be, in various ways, of a most unfavorable character. Education never manifests the dignity of its high mission to greater advantage than in the general diffusion of knowledge among the whole people.

We have received from our worthy and effi-tinctions which exist between such public and cient State Auditor, Hon. WILLIAM R. WATSON, a copy of his semi-annual report, communicated to the General Assembly at the last January session. We copy below that part of the report which relates to our public school system, and would commend it to the careful attention of all our readers.

Our state is eminently fitted by more favorable local circumstances and greater comparative material wealth, to take the lead of her larger sister states in so advancing her system of public

various and more liberal studies than the present short terms of the public schools in this and other states will now warrant. This is a kind of

"It is a matter of just congratulation, that our public school system, though, in my opinion, too limited in its range of instruction, is in suc-education as to afford higher advantages of more cessful operation in all parts of the state. And without intending the least disparagement of the important services of the gentleman, who has, for the last three years, so ably, and faith-competition which Rhode Island can well enter fully discharged the duties of the office of Commissioner of Public Schools, and who has recently been called to another field of labor in a distant community, I must be permitted to say, that I consider the selection of the new Commissioner, who has had long and large experience in successful educational employment, and who is, in every respect, admirably fitted for his present important position, a most fortunate one for the cause of public education in our state.

into with larger communities-a generous rivalry for higher popular intelligence, superior means of social order and refinement, and more ennobling influences of individual and municipal character.

In a republican state and country, where the people are supposed to make and manage their own political institutions and are presumed to exercise all the rights and powers of sovereignty; where the first, foundation principle upon which the whole government structure rests, is self government; the character of such institutions must always necessarily take their stamp from, and their relative position in the scale of excellence according to, the character of the popular majority, which shapes and controls them. Under such a political system, every citizen should be educated to such a degree of intelligence as to qualify him to form correct opinions for himself, in all matters of public concernment; and should be trained to such a degree of moral firmness and manly independence, as would always enable him to maintain and carry out such independent and really individual opinions, in all his public action. Until this be done, we may have a kind of semi-republican oligarchy It is of the greatest importance. also, it scems or aristocracy, but the great idea of true repubto me, that our system of public school educa- lican, self-government cannot be fully realized. tion should be so elevated, both in the character The enlightenment and elevation of the whole of its instruction and in the grade of studies people, intellectually and morally, by means of

Having been for several months past, in intimate communication with many of those, in all parts of the state, to whose care the interests of our public school system are entrusted, and therefore learned much of its working, I can bear personal testimony to the good fruits which this portion of our annual expenditure is producing. The only cause of regret is, that our state finances will not, with the other annual appropriations now made, admit of the expense of longer terms of the grammar schools in the rural districts of the state, for additional instruc tion in a higher grade of studies, which would ensure a better and more generous culture of those, who must, in a few years, take into their own hands the direction of public affairs.

THE SCHOOLMASTER.

generous systems of popular education, are, in my opinion, vital elements of true republican government, and must, in the nature of things, ever constitute the condition of our American liberty. The history of every other experiment of free government proves the truth of this and furnishes lessons of salutary and solemn admonition. The condition of Mexico, and of the South American States; the republican failures of revolutionary France, as well as the fate of ancient republics, are strong beacon lights in our progress to a higher and better civilization.

If the moderate pecuniary contributions, made by the tax-payers of the several towns, for the support of public schools, were made with no higher object than for the protection which the maintenance of law and social order gives to the rights of property alone, under a popular government like ours, it would, in my opinion, be money well and wisely expended. For it seems to me that there is no truth in mathematical science more perfectly demonstrable than that in proportion as the great mass of the people of a republic advance in intelligence and Christian morality, just in the same proportion will such a government acquire dignity, safety and stability."

This report strongly recommends various reforms, which the Auditor thinks will save to the state several thousand dollars, without doing any detriment to any public interest. The house of representatives has directed the judiciary committee of that branch of the legislature to bring in bills in conformity with each of these recommendations.

What They Say of the Schoolmaster
Abroad.

We wish the good people of Rhode Island, and especially the teachers, to know what people say of the only magazine published in Roger Williams' land.

An exchange says: "It stands near the head of our educational journals.”

The superintendent of the public schools of an enterprising city in one of the middle states writes to us: I have taken the Schoolmaster from the first and shall continue to take it to the last. There is no school journal that pleases me

so well."

"It aims, by a choice combination of literary and moral excellence, to instruct the mind and heart of its readers, and to fit them for the proper performance of life's duties. It is suited to every age, and is a valuable and exceedingly interesting publication."-Wisconsin Jour. of Ed. "The selections are judiciously made, and the contributions show the work of experienced writers. The work deserves, as we hope it receives, an extended support."-Maine Farmer.

"The friends of education ought to see that so valuable an aid to the cause receives such support as will put it, and keep it, in a flourishing condition."-Pawtucket Gaz. and Chronicle.

"The February number of the Schoolmaster comes as near our idea of a popular educational journal as anything we have seen."- Boston Congregationalist.

The Secretary of the Board of Education of The report shows that the state is free from one of the New England states, writes to us: debt, and closes with a strong appeal against the "I think, and have frequently expressed such contracting of a state debt for any purpose what-opinion to teachers, when holding institutes, ever. The following is the closing paragraph of that the R. I. Schoolmaster is 'the best' pubthis appeal: lication for practical teachers now published for the subscription price."

"With liberty, law and social order secured; the heart of honest labor gladdened by just and generous rewards, and public schools showering the rich benefits of education upon the minds of its children, the proudest position which any state, in my opinion, can maintain in the confed-states do. Our list would be greatly increased. eracy, is that of entire freedom from foreign and domestic indebtedness."

We have only to add for ourselves that we wish the teachers and the people of our own state would subscribe as liberally for the Schoolmaster as the teachers and the people of other

Teachers of Rhode Island, will you not support your own journal? We are compelled ear

nestly to solicit you each to send in a dollar for yourselves, and get a dollar from your friends. We know you will be the wiser and the better for it, labor more diligently, and efficiently, sleep more sweetly, and, we think, live the longer. Try it.

Rhode Island Institute of Instruction.

THE annual meeting of the Rhode Island Institue of Instruction, for the choice of officers and the transaction of other business, was held on Saturday, Feb. 6th, at the office of the Superintendent of Public Schools, in Providence. The meeting was called to order by the President, Prof. S. S. Greene. The record of the last annual meeting was read by the Secretary, A. W. Godding. The Treasurer's account was receiv

OUR SCHOOL COMMISSIONER.-We learn from the report of the School Commissioner, recently submitted to the General Assembly, that although but recently released from the duties of his school, he has since his appointment visited ev-ed, audited, and accepted. The officers for the ery school district in the towns of North Provi- officers for the ensuing year were then elected dence, Johnston, Cranston, Scituate, Warren, as follows: Bristol and Barrington, and nearly every district in Smithfield and Cumberland. "This vis

itation the Commissioner expects to continue till he has seen every district, and, if possible, every

school in the state."

We trust he will meet with a cordial reception wherever he may go, as he has received wherever he has gone.

The Commissioner will make the SCHOOLMASTER the medium of communication with the

President-Prof. Samuel S. Greene.

Vice Presidents-1st. Hon. Elisha R. Potter; 2d, T. R. Hazard, Esq.; 3d, Hon. Elisha Harris; 4th, Rev. S. A. Crane, D. D.; 5th, Rev. A. H. Dumont; 6th, Rev. T. Shepherd, D. D.; 7th,

John Kingsbury, LL. D.; 8th, Rev. John Boyden.
Corresponding Secretary-A. W. Godding.
Recording Secretary-E. H. Magill.
Treasurer-C. T. Keith.

Executive Committee-Prof. William Gammell,

teachers of the state, and we shall soon hope to H. Patterson, Samuel Austin, A. M. Gammell, favor them with something from his pen.

THE subscriptions for volume 4th are coming in well from some places, but we must ask our friends everywhere to bestir themselves, and aid in increasing our subscription list. We are at work with our 66 'might, mind and strength," but the times are hard, and many of our friends, relucantly though it be, feel obliged to order the SCHOOLMASTER discontinued. Their places must be made good, and more than good, by new names. Friends, will you not work for us?

MASS. TEACHER.-The Mass. Teachers' Association, having recently assumed the entire charge of that journal, have notified us, through their treasurer, that "At a meeting of the finance committee it was decided that we could afford to let the TEACHER go with the SCHOOLMASTER to new subscribers [at the reduced price,] but not to old subscribers, and to new ones only one year." This, of course, obliges us to withdraw the the Teacher from our club list.

Rev. Daniel Leach, Rev. G. W. Quereau, G. A.
Willard, Edmund Gray, jr., N. B. Cook, John
H. Willard, Rev. O. F. Otis, Dana P. Colburn,
Rev. E. M. Stone, Thomas J. Potter, Amos Per-
ry,
Lucius A. Wheelock, Charles M. Hutchins,
Wm. G. Crosby, Rev. J. B. Breed, Merrick Lyon.
Committee on Meetings-S. S. Greene and Dan-
iel Leach.

Committee on Expenditures—S. S. Greene and
A. W. Godding.

A vote was passed, authorizing the payment of certain necessary expenses of the Institute from the income of the fund.

The following resolution was offered by Amos Perry, and passed:

Resolved, That as the Rhode Island Schoolmaster is a journal calculated to promote the cause of education in our State, a committee of three be appointed to express to its editor and proprietor the sympathy and confidence of this association in his enterprise, and to aid him in any other way in their power.

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