injurious influence. Some will take it for granted that there must be something wrong: and thus a prejudice is excited against the whole plan of libraries. I wish, if it be possible, to take away all occasion for even unreasonable complaint on this subject; and therefore I have arranged to have the binding done within our State. The printed sheets of all western books, I am purchasing directly from their publishers. The balance I order through a responsible New York house. Though this plan somewhat complicates the business, the books are obtained on terms as favorable as those of last year; and I trust that it will prove acceptable to all.

If any shall inquire why I do not order all the printed sheets direct from their publishers, I reply that such a course is utterly impracticable, with the present administrative force of the department. The books last year ordered through the Messrs. Appleton, were the publications of no less than twenty different establishments, scattered through the country from Cincinnati to Boston. Some were foreign works, not republished in this country. From some publishers but a small number of books were wanted. Some were with difficulty procured; and it was necessary to find them, one here and another there, in different bookstores.

All who are acquainted with the fact that the pressure of miscellaneous business upon the Commissioner is great and constant, must see the impracticability of the idea of his procuring from all these publishers, direct, the works required. It would involve the necessity of many and expensive journeys; of opening numerous accounts, the settlement of which might be attended with difficulties; under the operation of the law for the semi-annual collection of taxes, each purchase would be paid at different times; and at each payment triplicate bills, certified by various parties, would be required: one for the Auditor's office, one for the Comptroller's and one for this. All this would require no little book-keeping, and other clerical labor.

Upon this plan, involving great difficulties, there would be no saving in any way to the State. The books would cost no less by this mode of purchase. It would be impracticable to take security from each publisher that his books should be of the required quality of paper and printing; and thus the interests of the State would lack due protection. All the sheets would need to be collected at one point for the certainty of uniform and substantial binding, and for assorting for distribution.

It is for these and other similar reasons, that I have been induced to take the course already indicated; that is, arrange for the binding in Cincinnati; order direct from Ohio publishers whatever of their books are needed; and contract with a single party to furnish all the eastern and foreign publications which may be

required. On this plan, the books will be had on terms as favorable as those of last year; it will be easy to protect the interests of the State by sufficient bonds; it will leave no party good cause for complaint, and the business will be greatly simplified.

LEIGH HUNT.

The London correspondent of the Spirit of the Times gives the following sketch of the personal appearance of the late author:

“Leigh Hunt was tall rather than otherwise-five feet ten inches and a half when measured for the St. James Volunteers; though, in common with men whose length is in the body rather than the legs, his height diminished as he advanced in life. He was remarkably straight and upright in his carriage, with a short firm step, and a cheerful, almost dashing approach, smiling, breathing, and making his voice heard in little articulate ejaculations as he met a friend, in an irrepressible satisfaction at the encounter, that not unfrequently conveyed high gratification to the arriver who was thus greeted. He had straight black hair, which he wore parted in the center; a dark, but not pale complexion; features compounded between length and a certain irregularity of outline, characteristic of the American mould; black eye-brows, firmly marking the edge of a brow over which was a singularly upright, flat, white forehead, and under which beamed a pair of eyes dark, brilliant, reflecting, gay and kind, with a certain look of observant humor that suggested an idea of what was called slyness when it is applied to children or girls; for he had not the aspect given to him in one of his portaits, of which he said that the fellow looked as if he had stolen a tankard.' He had a head massive and tall, and longer than most men's. Byron, Shelly and Keats wore hats which he could not put on; but it was not out of proportion to the figure, its outline being peculiarly smooth and devoid of 'bumps.' His upper lip was long, his mouth large and hard in the flesh; his chin retreating and gentle like a woman's. His sloping shoulders, not very wide, almost concealed the ample proportions of his chest; though that was of a compass which not every pair of arms could span. Nature had gifted him with an intense dramatic perception, an exquisite ear for music, and a voice of extraordinary compass, power, flexibility and beauty."

Editorial Department.

WORDS PRELIMINARY.

Eight years have flown since Dr. A. D. Lord sat him down upon the uncushioned tripod of the Journal of Education, and wrote his "Introductory." Eight years! It seems but yesterday that we read those appropriate lines. Eight years! The world has seen changes in those years, so quickly gone. In matters pertaining to education in our own State, very great changes have been wrought.

The following is an extract from the "Introductory," already alluded to:

"It will labor to secure an efficient supervision of the Common Schools of the State; it will urge the immediate necessity of a thorough revision of the School Laws, and the importance of digesting a grand, comprehensive school system, worthy of the age and adequate to our wants; it will advocate the propriety of re-districting the State for school purposes, so that the districts may be of sufficient size to warrant the erection of a good school house and the maintenance of a school during the greater part of the year; it will seek to disseminate correct information in regard to the construction of school houses, and their appurtenances, and the importance of placing in every district a well selected Library; it will endeavor to show the indispensible necessity of a course of special training, or a professional education for Teachers; and will aim to elevate the rank of the Teacher by improving his qualifications and preparing him to command the respect which is due to all who are worthily engaged in so noble a calling."

Before he resigned the editorship, Dr. Lord saw the accomplishment of some of the improvements which he aimed to facilitate. Those four were eventful years in Ohio's school history. In 1853 a revolution was wrought—a brighter day dawned.

Four years ago the charge of the Journal of Education passed into the hands of Mr. Smyth; and he, in his first attempt to balance himself and sit erect on the chair editorial, perpetrated his "Prolegomena;" in which he showed that the work then to be accomplished was not, as four years before, to lend a hand in securing the enactment of a wise and efficient school system; but to promote the successful operation of the system then and still existing.

In one year Mr. Smyth gave way to Mr. Caldwell, who at the end of another twelve months, was succeeded by Mr. Coggeshall. But under the charge of each and all of these gentlemen, the aim of the Journal was one-the advancement of the true interests of popular learning.

At the close of the last year, Mr. Coggeshall resigned the editorship; and the question arose, what shall now be done with the Journal? There were no ap

plicants for the post of publisher or editor. It was deemed best that the Teachers' Association should no longer be directly concerned in its publication.

Near the close of December, we arranged to become the sole proprietors and managers of a periodical to be the successor of the Journal, which we named The Ohio Teachers' Monthly, since changed, by suggestion of friends, to The Ohio Educational Monthly.

We are placed in this position by the will of others, rather than our own. We have accepted it with doubts as to the propriety and expedience of our engaging in such an enterprise. But the Rubicon is behind us, and it is too late to retreat. We now go forward, determined to conquer, but prepared to die, if so it is decreed. But we do not mean to die; for while we can not with our young friends in Sunday Schools sing, "Yes, I'm glad I'm in this army," we do not intend to be "discouraged," but go forward and accomplish what we can-yes, friends, what we can.

We do not here erect a platform, and promise what particular course shall be followed. It is easy to promise, but not always to perform. But we are not without a purpose; and what shall from month to month seem best adapted to help forward education in Ohio, that we shall do, as best we can.

In our devotion to the cause of our public schools, we shall not be forgetful of the Colleges, Female Seminaries, and Private Schools of the State.

No bright visions of dollars in the way of profits dazzle our imaginations. Prospective fame lures us not. But if we shall know that our efforts tend to the instruction and encouragement of Teachers in their great work-if we shall be able to stir up any directors or examiners of schools to greater diligence in their duties, we shall have received a satisfactory reward.

Our reliance is not chiefly in what we shall write for the columns of the Monthly, but in the contributions which we are led to expect from the friends of education, at home and abroad.

In getting out the first number of the Monthly, we have been delayed a few days beyond the time specified in the prospectus. This has been unavoidable. The February number will be published on the 10th day of that month, and all subsequent numbers promptly on the first day of each month.

The February number will contain a statement in regard the Western Female Seminary, at Oxford, with a fine steel engraving of the building recently destroyed-Mr. Dwight's able article will be continued-contributions from Dr. Lord, of Columbus; Mr. Leggett, of Zanesville; Mr. White, of Portsmouth, and Mr. Brown of Toledo-Editorial, Official, Notices of Books, etc.

An Institute was held in St. Clairsville, during the last week in December. The number of Teachers in attendance was large, and the proceedings passed off to the pleasure and profit of all concerned. From abroad, as instructors and lecturers, were Messrs. Ogden, Regal, Kidd, W. T. Coggeshall, and Rev. Messrs. Boyd and Watkins. At the close of the meeting a Teachers' Association for Belmont county was organized, of which Prof. Wm. S. Alder was chosen President, and W. R. Pugh Secretary.

Monthly News.

The following gentlemen compose the Committees on Schools and School Lands in the General Assembly:

SENATE COMMITTEE--Messrs. Monroe, of Lorain; Garfield, of Portage; Stanley, of Vinton; Schleich, of Fairfield, and Foster, of Williams.

HOUSE COMMITTEE Messrs. Plants, of Meigs; Rees, of Morrow; Cox, of Knox; Wright and Jonas, of Hamilton; Steele, of Lucas, and Stiers, of Hocking. All these gentlemen we judge to be well qualified for the important business which will fall to their charge. Mr. Monroe is Professor of Rhetoric in Oberlin College, and for four years has served on the House Committee on Schools. Mr. Garfield is Principal of the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute, an institution of deservedly high reputation. Mr. Rees is Principal of the Public Schools in Cardington. The other gentlemen are lawyers, editors and farmers of good education and business abilities.

The Committees on Universities, Colleges and Academies, are, in the Senate, Messrs. Garfield, Moore, Cox, Key and Orr; in the House, Messrs. Blakeslee, Clapp, Moore, Rees, Truesdell, Reisinger and Noble.

AMENDMENTS TO THE SCHOOL LAW.--On the second day of the session, Mr. Harrison, of the Senate, introduced a bill "to suspend the School Library Tax Law for two years."

This bill, after some debate, passed the Senate by a vote of twenty-two to thirteen. Those who voted in the affirmative were Messrs. Brewer, Collins, Ferguson, Fisher, Glass, Harrison, Harsh, Holmes, Jones, Key, McCall, Moore, Newman, Orr, Perrill, Potts, Potwin, Ready, Smith, Sprague, Walker and White. Those who voted in the negative were Messrs. Breck, Bonar, Cox, Cuppy, Eason, Foster, Garfield, Laskey, Monroe, Morse, Parish, Schleich and Stanley.

The opponents of the bill plead for its reference to the Committee on Schools; but were voted down, fourteen to twenty. It was a short course that the bill took in the Senate, little time being had for debate and consideration.

We presume that most of our readers will regret this action, but we must remember that the power which creates has the power to amend or repeal. We regret suspension far more than we should repeal, believing that the law ought either to operate or be abolished.

The friends of the bill argued that the business of establishing libraries was foreign to the legitimate purpose of government; that in some localities the libraries are neither cared for nor useful, and that all expenses not absolutely necessary should be retrenched, that the people may be relieved of the burden of excessive taxation which they now bear.