122

other good time is near at hand for Clinton; when neither County Superintendent, Editors nor Teachers will continue pr that state of reticence," of which the Democrat so inoperly complains.

Winter? Why is it that the practice inaugurated under
of Education at heart, and who worked and were live, ear-
preceding County Superintendents-men who had the cause
nest, practical men-we repeat, why has this practice been
ignored? There may be reasons for it, but if so the friends
of popular education in this county would like to know
what they are.

CHESTER: The annual meeting of the County Institute began in Agricultural Hall, West Chester, Monday, October 30, and continued throughout the week; and is said to have DELAWARE: The County Teachers' Institute, after a The atbeen the "largest meeting, purely educational, ever held in Chester county." Addresses were made by County Super- session of four days, adjourned on Thursday last. intendent Woodruff, Revd. W. E. Moore, Dr. Sumner Steb- tendance, we understand, both as regards teachers and the bins and Dr. Franklin Taylor, of Chester county, and by public, was very gratifying, whilst the exercises partook of a more than usually interesting character. Amongst the Prof. S. S. Haldeman, of Lancaster county, Revd. T. K. Beecher, of Elmira, New York, Prof. Robert Kidd, of Ohio, prominent features of the session was a Lecture, appropriately illustrated, on Thursday afternoon, by Prof. Taylor, Prof. J. P. Wickersham, of Lancaster county, and Prof. S. of Wilmington, the subject being Natural History, which A. Potter, of Philadelphia. Mr. Beecher delivered several lectures, including a series on civil government, followed had the double merit of combining harmless amusement by questions to the teachers on the subject; Dr. Taylor's with solid information-also one on Physical Geography, by Mr. Apgar, on Wednesday afternoon, and another resubject was Geography, also treated of in a series and illustrated on the blackboard by Mr. Aphgar. Prof. Kidd lec-plete with interest, on the evening of the same day, by Dr. tured on Elocution with various vocal exercises and an evening entertainment. Prof. Wickersham's subject was "American Education;" and Prof. Haldeman's discourses were various, critical, scientific and practical. A poem"The Good Time Coming"-was delivered by J. Garett Walker, Principal of the Phoenixville Grammar School.

For improvement in writing, as shown by specimens writ-
ten in 1864 and 1865, five of Morton's best gold pens with
silver extension cases were distributed to
1. Chas. S. Stebbins,
2. Mary E. Kirk,

3. Hannah J. McCullough,
4. Eliza J. Slack,
5. Anna M. Woodward.

For best spelling, as shown by the spelling of 500 words selected from last year's list, from other difficult words in common use, and from proper names in New Testament, Worcester's Dictionaries were awarded as follows: Four Quarto Dictionaries to

1. Emma M. Spare,
2. Sallie E. Harlan,
Five Octavo Dictionaries to
5. Ellen D. Moore,

6. Hannah Epright, Jr..

3. Sallie B. Wright,
4. Lettie F. Whitehead.

7. Joel B. Durnall,
8. Jane M. Eldridge,

9. Annie R. Walton.

Nine Comprehensive Dictionaries to
10. Geo. P. Stebbins,
11. Anna E. Hill,

12. Martha E. Shafer,
13. Margaretat Martin,

14 Mary S. Walton, 15. Thos. E. Mullin, 16. Anna W. Barnard, 17. Thamazin Gray, 18. Mary P. Jacobs. For success in Orthoepy, an Unabridged Webster's Dictionary was awarded to Sidney P. Stebbins, and a Quarto Worcester's Dictionary to Chas. S. Stebbins.

In addition to the above, abstracted from the local paper, a friend sends us the following account of Institute:

A most successful Institute, was held at West Chester, for five days, commencing on the 30th of October, 1865. It was well attended by the Teachers of both sexes, the citizens took equal interest in its success, and the highly intelligent, competent and energetic County Superinten. tendent, Mr. W. W. Woodruff, made it a complete success, not only by securing a sufficient number of speakers to prevent the interest from flagging, but by a rigid adherence to each day's programme, which brought on the exercises in due order, with the necessary intermissions, and kept the Institute steadily at work, with undiminished attention during each day and evening. In comparing with this meeting, the rambling proceedings of the late National Educational Convention, we find that at Harrisburg, the legitimate business was interlarded with unneceeary songs, as if to surpress discussion and mutilate the published A causal auditor at West Chester, might programme. have thought that one of the speakers was short of proper educational matter, or desirous of aiding the Fenians, in stating his desire for a war with England, but this was said in the hurry of extemporaneous speech. Of course, educaOn the last tion and morality flourish in peaceful times. evening, prizes of five gold pens were distributed to those who have made the greatest improvement in writing; and eighteen dictionaries to the best spellers. This, the closing act of the Institute, was regarded with intense interest, and the results were greeted with rounds of applause, from the excited and densely packed audience.

COLUMBIA: The editor of the Columbia county Republican, who always puts in a word for general education when occasion offers, asks this question in his issue of November 9th. Shall we have a Teacher's Institute this Fall or

E. Harvey, upon a subject with which he is so thoroughly
conversant, Physiology, most admirably and attractively
On Thursday
illustrated by apparatus and diagrams.
morning, Dr. Taylor, of West Chester, rivetted the atten-
tion of his audience by an ornate and forcible address upon
the best methods of education, he giving the palm to the
public school system, to which, he maintained, we in a
great measure owe our national prosperity if not existence.
The session was a decided success in every particular, and
Whilst the
great credit is due to all connected with it.
great practical advantages which must flow from the in-
must result from the assemblage of such an enlightened and
terchange of thought, information and experience which
cultivated body, are incalcuable-these re-unions, in their
social aspect, and as regards their humanizing and refining
influence, are worhthy of the highest commendation, and
should meet with general countenance and encouragement.
We congratulate all concerned upon their success.-County
Paper.

ERIE: We have just, for the first time, seen a pamphlet
of 15 pages, entitled "Topical outlines of Physical Geogra-
phy," by Professor S. R. Thompson, of the State Normal
School at Edinboro', Erie county. It is for the use of the
classes in that institution; and the skeleton thus presented
to be filled up by them, indicates not only that a high de-
gree of attainment is expected from them in this most de-
lightful and useful study, but that, taking this as a speci-
men of their exercises, the students of the institution must
be in good hands. Physical Geography is here to be con-
rology, Organic Life, and the Physical Geography of the
sidered under the heads of Geology, Hydrography, Meteo-
United States; and each of these departments is divided
specific topic assigned for each.
into several lessons, with
The plan is a good one; and Prof. Thompson is a sound
instructor.

FRANKLIN: The Teachers' Association of this county, held its annual meeting in this place last week. Its sessions were attended by a goodly number of the teachers of the county. The exercises consisted in drills, discussions and a spelling match. The teachers of this county who attended the meetings of the association, are becoming accustomed to public speaking and leading in drill exercises. This A move to establish a Normal School we regard as the result of not employing strangers to conduct our exercises. in this district was inaugurated at our late meeting. Franklin county, we regard as an eligible part of the district for such an institution. Our schools are nearly all in operation, but quite a number of schools are supplied with teachers who do not design making the business a profession.

LANCASTER: The annnal meeting of the County InstiThree hundred and tute was held in the Court House, Lancaster, during the week, commencing November 13. 77 members-all teachers-were in attendance, every district in the county except three (Adamstown borough, Cole. rain and Safe Harbor,) being represented. Of the 46 dis trict represented, the boards of 9 allowed their teachers to attend the whole time at the expense of the district, 12 allowed three days, 4 two days, 13 refused to allow any time, and in the other districts the question had not been decided. This was the first meeting of the institute, under the new local act allowing $200 out of the County Treasury toward the expenses; and nobly did the teachers respond to this well merited mark of public appreciation. We had not time to attend the sessions, but a hasty glance about mid-week, showed a body of educators much improved from

that which constituted the first session-some 13 years agoof the institute. It had fully doubled in attendance; in the personal appearance of the members, especially in intellectual expression, the improvement was very obvious: about one-half were females instead of the meagre representation of the sex in former years; and there they all were, the teachers of the county-a publicly recognized power in the county, and holding their sessions for the first time in the Court House. All this was very pleasant to contemplate.

The exercises, as reported in the local papers, seem to have been interesting and practical yet varied and elevating. Most of the speaking and instruction was, as it should be, of home production; the vetern Physiologist, Dr. Calvin Cutter, and Prof. Kidd the Elocutionist, having been, we believe, the only exceptions. The other lecturers were: County Superintendent Evans, Prof. J. P. Wickersham, Prof. Edward Brooks, Prof. Montgomery, and Prof. R. Byerley, of the State Normal School at Millersville, Prof. T. C. Porter, of Franklin and Marshall College. The mornings and afternoons were devoted to lectures and drills, and the evenings to the reading of essays and discussions. On the whole, this was a good old fashioned Lancaster County Institute of the largest class, with all of the modern improvements that are worth adoption, added, to bring it up to the times.

The Lancaster Evening Express having stated that Prof. Wickersham of the State Normal School of the 2nd District, was about to resign the Principalship of that Institution on account of imparied health," his numerous friends will rejoice to learn from the subjoined note, that ill health is not the cause of a step which all will regret :

Editors Express-Gentlemen: The notice in Saturday's paper concering my contemplated withdrawal from the active Principalship of this Institution, is not quite correct. It is true that I intend to dissolve my connection with the Normal School, at least for a time, at the end of the present school year in July next. But my reasons for doing so are neither "physical disability" nor "impaired health."Thanks to a kind Providence I have nothing to complain of in either of these respects.

I leave the school in order to enjoy a little respite from duties which have become very onerous; but, more particularly, to carry out a long cherished design of visiting the Old World, and spending some time in the study of its Institutions, especially its educational institutions. By next summer I will have been engaged in the school-room twenty-five years, have worked very hard; and few of my friends, I feel sure, will be unwilling that I should take some recreation.

After spending six months or a year in Europe, I hope to return home with valuable additions to my knowledge respecting education, which I shall have no desire to hide under a bushel. Desiring to have the substance of this note inserted in your paper to-day, I remain yours, very truly, J. P. WICKERSHAE.

MILLERSVILLE, Dec 4, 1865.

LUZERNE: The North-eastern SeHOOL OF DESIGN for women, will open on the first Friday in December, at Wilkesbarre, under the charge of Margaret D. Cowley, as Principal,for the education of young ladies in the principles of Drawing, Painting, Practical Geometry and Perspective." It is sustained by a strong board of trustees, and bids fair to, as we most sincerely hope it will, succeed. MERCER: The new Union School House, at Sharon, was dedicated on Nov. 7th Addresses were delivered, on the occasion, by Prof. Cooper, Principal of the N. W. State Normal School, and J Miller, County Superintendent. The building cost $20,000, and it is equal to any of the kind in western Pennsylvania, in point of permanency, convenience, and economy of room.

The Mercer County Teachers' Institute was held at Sharon, on the 8th, 9th and 10th of November. About 60 teachers were in attendance. Various subjects were discussed by the teachers, and lectures and addresses were delivered by Prof. J. A. Couper, Hon. M. C. Trout, Prof. L. C. Beach, Rev. Mr. Osmond, Rev. J. B. Dickey, and J. Miller, our County Superintendent. All the exercises were interesting and profitable, and we believe all the teachers went home more deeply impressed, than ever before, with the importance of Teachers' Institutes.

NORTHAMPTON: The public examinations have passed, and the schools of the county have, generally, opened

for the winter term. In addition to the regularly appointed
public examinations, held throughout the county, two
special public meetings were called to accommodate such
applicants as failed to attend the regular examination.-
Notwithstanding the war has closed and the teachers who
served in the army have returned to their homes, there is a
scarcity of applicants, greater than has existed in the
county for several years. It is to be regretted that the com-
pensation of teachers is not such as to secure to our com-
mon schools the service, of those, who, by years of labor
and experience in the school room, have become "
tent to teach and skilled to rule;" for it is obvious that
compe-
want of encouragement has driven out most of those who
have left the profession, and filled their places with inex-
perienced teachers. Unless a more liberal policy with ref-
ence to common schools soon prevail-unless teaching be
appreciated as it should be, and paid somewhat in propor-
tion to other pursuits, the cause of common school educa-
tion must retrograde; at least it will not, cannot, advance
commensurate with the wishes of its friends.

opposite Bethlehem, Northampton county,
It is decided that the Lehigh University, to be erected
and with funds ($500,000) given by the Hon. Asa Packer,
on ground
is to be constructed according to a plan prepared by Mr.
E. S. Potter, son of the late Bishop Potter. Prof. Coppee,
of the University of Pennsylvania, has been elected Presi-
dent of the Faculty.

A new hall is going up at Lafayette College in Easton, to be called Jenk's Chemical Hall, the corner stone of which was laid 25 July, 1865. The address on that occasion was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Green; Subject: "Physical Science in the work of Education."

SCHUYLKILL: The County Institute, met on Wednesday, and continued in session until Saturday noon. About 175 Teachers were in attendance. Exercises were conducted by Miss S. F. Angell, in the Alphabet, A. N. Raub, in Elementary and Advanced Spelling, Jesse Newlin, in Written Arithmetic, H. M. Hannah, in Reading, S. P. Van Pelt, in Mental Arithmetic, Mr. Apgar, in Map Drawing, J. P. Sherman, in Grammar, and J. W. Danenhower and A. S. Manson, in Penmanship. Lectures were delivered in the Court House, by Rev. Dr. W. S. Plumer, and Prof. J. P. Wickersham, Methods of School Government, and of Concuctsng District Institutes, were discussed during the session. An exercise in spelling three hundred words, selected from Raub's Normal Speller, was entered into with with much eagerness. Miss M. A. Llood, of Minersville, misspelled but three of the whole number, and Miss Louis& St. Clair, but four. Many others, particularly ladies, did well. Of the best spellers, at least seven were ladies. If any other county can do better, Schuylkill would be glad to hear from her. The words were such as are in common use, but not all easy by any means.

SNYDER: The annual examinations of teachers closed November 4. The schools, except six are all taken. The salary of teachers in a number of districts has been raised 20 per cent. The Snyder county Teachers' Institute will commence at Freeburg on Thursday, December 28th, and to continue three days.

VENANGO: The County Institute was held in Oil City on the 7th of Nov. by invitation of the Board of Directors, some of whom were present at all the sessions,-providing all attending with gratuitous accommodations, having the house heated and lighted, bills announcing the lecture of Hon. S. P. Bates, printed and posted,-and in short keeping the Institute free of expense while in Oil City. Such directors are an honor to any community. By their efforts a fine graded school of five grades has been established,-occupying a new house provided with the best furniture, maps and charts: employing a Principal at $100 per month four Assistants at $60 each, and a Janitor at $20. The Secretary receives $100 per year, and well earns his pay.Term of school, eight months, to be lengthened to ten months next year. The oil region furnishes no more productive well, than the schools of Oil City, and no more effischool house is under contract in Waterloo. cient company than the directors of that place. A fine large

WASHINGTON: The Directors of Cross Creek District have graded the schools of Cross Creek village. The primary department occupies one of the public school buildings, and the higher department, the Academy. The ditown into two departments. The schools of the county are rectors of Smith, have also graded the school of Burgettsnearly all in session. Although the directors "pressed

124

into the service" the most of the returned soldier teachers, and the South Western Normal School at California, furnished seventy teachers for this county, in was difficult to get enough to supply the schools. This institution is indispensable to the schools. It has commenced its fall and winter session under favorable auspices, and bids fair to have another prosperous session.

EDUCATIONAL MATTERS IN OTHER STATES. CONNECTICUT: Hon. David N. Camp, has retired lately from the office of Secretary of the State Board of Education and devotes his whole time to the State Normal School, at New Britain, of which he is Principal. He is succeeded, as Secretary of the State Board, by Prof. D. G. Gilman, of Yale College.

ILLINOIS: The seventeen Principals of the Public Schools of Chicago, have formed an Association for mutual improvemeat. In our opinion they could scarcely have done a worse thing. Such an organization has been in sickly existence for many years, in Philadelphia, without any ontward signs of life, that the public has seen, and with the inevitable result of suppressing all attempts at organization for mutual improvement, by all the Teachers of the city. The Principals of the schools of the large towns and cities, are needed as leaders in the attempts by their Assistants to improve themselves; and all the time they can spare for meetings should be given to this purpose. Efforts for the common improvement are the best efforts for their own. If fit for Principals they should be both capable and willing to improve those below them.

advi-
couragement of high literary and scientific attainments by
the sex, was also discussed and committed to the Board of
Regents, for their future action, "if they deem
sable."

MARYLAND: We have been favored with a neat Pamph-
and embracing By laws for the government of the School
let prepared by direction of the State Board of Education,
Commissioners of the State; together with rules and regu-
lations for teachers and pupils; and also Forms and In
structions for the transaction of all Public School Business.
At the end are also a few drawings and specifications of
school houses. The whole is introduced by an address from
the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, (Rev. L.
Van Bokkelen,) to the County Commissioners, on the mat-
ter of the Pamphlet and the nature of their duties generally.
This little book (50 pages in all) cannot but be promotive
of the symmetrical and efficient action of the general system
of education now going into operation, in the State; and it
shows that there is a working man at the head of that
system.

Book Notices.

grammatical A HAND-BOOK OF LATIN POETRY; containing selections from Ovid, Virgil and Horace, with notes and references. By J. H. Hanson, Prin. of Classical Institute, Waterville, Maine, and W. J. Rolfe, Master of the High School, Cambridge, Mass. Small Svo. 776 pages. Crosby & Ainsworth, Boston, 1865.

We like the look and the plan of this book. It contains as much of each of the works named in the title as is usu

CALIFORNIA: They have an organization in California, called the State Teachers' Institute." It meets annually and this year the sessson was at San Francisco, five days, ally read in preparation for college, and the selections are The attendance of Teachers good. Especially do we like to see Ovid restored to his beginning September 19th. was large, including 100 from San Francisco, alone.— cerpted. A part of the Bucolics and Georgics of Virgil are Though called an Institute the proceedings were pretty sim proper place in the school room, and his best portions ex ilar to those of ordinary State Associations, with some drills on methods. The subject of School Libraries, was given, with the first six books of the Eneid. And the porIt tions of Horace are large,—many odes, satires, epistles, and very fully debated and favorably to their establishment. is noticeable, as a good sign of harmony and of progress in the whole art of Poetry. All these constitute about onegeneral education, that several Professors in the Colleges, and others not common school teachers, participated in the half of the volume, the other being made up of brief but proceedings, and made common cause with the regular very satisfactory lives of these great Roman Poets, and o very full notes, grammatical, critical, local and historical. members. We have never seen the Hand-book of Latin Prose by the same authors; but if compiled and edited on the same plan-the two form a complete library for the young student only needing a good Dictionary and an ancient Atlas to arm him at all points and enable him "to get his lesson" with more of satisfaction than was dreamed of in the days of our boyhood. It may be added, that the type is large and clear, the paper good and the binding substantial. A. M. Author of the Elements of English Grammar, FIRST LESSONS IN ENGLISH GRAMMAR. By Sam'l. Kerl, &c. 18mo. 168 pages. Ivison, Phinny, Blakeman & Co. New York, 1865.

MASSACHUSETTS: The meeting (21st annual) of the State Association, was held on the 12th, 13th and 14th of October, in Boston, and is said to have been "the largest gathering of Educators ever seen in America," twenty-five hundred of the Teachers of the State having been in attendance. This result is partly owing to the new life inspired cause by the suppression of the into the educational rebellion, but mainly to the fact that the meeting took place in the Fall, instead of the Thanksgiving week, the County associations generally having omitted their home meetings to attend that of the State institution.

As was

to be expected, and indeed as the only practicable course in
such a vast crowd, the exercises merely consisted of set
Addresses and Lectures; there being little room for general
discussion and less for methodical exercises. The Marquis
de Chambaun, a grandson of Lafayette, was present and
A resolution in favor of a National
made a brief address.
Bureau of Education, was adopted. Hon. John D. Phil-
brick, was elected President for the ensuing year.

Prof. Alphens Crosby, has resigned the Principalship of
the State Normal School, at Salem, which he has so long
held with marked honor to himself and good to the State,
D. B. Hagar, Principal of the West Roxbury High School,
succeeds him.

Its Merits grow upon You: "It is not a careless reading
we have given to the new illustrated edition of Webster's
Dictionary, and we have found that the more care we spent
apon it, and the further perused, the more profit and plea-
We commend it heartily, and we be-
sure we got from it.
lieve with reasons which those who consult it will under-
stand."-Christian Examiner.

NEW YORK: The second anniversary meeting of the
University Convention of the State, took place at Albany,
on the 12th and 13th of August, 1865. The most interesting
portions of the proceedings were those which related to uni-
formity in the course and studies of the Colleges of the State,
and the measures adopted to promote that most desirable
end. The subject of Diplomas for Women" and the en-

66

3

the same author. 12mo. 350 pages. Same Publishers. A COMMON SCHOOL GRAMMAR OF THE LANGUAGE. By These two works, with the "Comprehensive Grammar" of the same author, (which we have not yet seen,) are designed to form a complete progressive series of text books,— the last named, however, being, as we suppose, rather inThe first tended as a book for reference than for class use. two, as far as we have had time to examine them, show an author of clear mind and one who has carefully and methodically studied and treated his subject. In the "First Lessons," we like the number of instances given of the proper use of many words, as to number and gender, which are so puzzling to the tyro, and the very large selection of instanees of correct and incorrect expressions. We also like to Analysis of sentences" retained. "The see the long established and real distinction between "Parsing" and the " Common School Grammar" of course, is but an amplification of the Frst Lessons; but then it is so full, methodical and

Lycoming,
Potter,

Pleasant Valley, Daniel Yentzer,
Roulette,
Susquehanna, Dundaff,

18 62

Beldin Burt,
George Rogers,

39 52

23 18

explanatory, as to be in reality an entirely independent Counties.
work. The observations on Idioms and False Syntax are
especially interesting and valuable. We are not surprised
to hear that these books have been received with approba-
tion by many of the first Teachers in the country, and shall
be disapp inted if they do not come into very general use.
DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE of Standard and approved Edu-
cational and Miscellaneous publications, by Eldredge &
Brother, Publishers and Booksellers, Nos. 17 and 19,
South Sixth Street, Philadelphia. 1865.

The Messrs. Eldredge are the Philadelphia publishers of Worcester's Dictionrries, Hillard's Readers, Parley's books, and a very large and well selected supply of educational and miscellaneous works. In History and Mathematics their list seems to be full and valuable. Their catalogue will be sent to any teacher, &c., on application, as above, by mail.

TO DIRECTORS.

By the Act of April 17, 1865, as published in the official department of the Journal for May, 1865, the time for issuing the warrants for the State appropriation is changed, or the law has made definite what had before been uncertain. The affidavits and certificate cannot be made until the common schools for the school year have closed, and the President is to swear or affirm to the whole number of months taught, also as to the fact that all the teachers had certificates. The annual report must be forwarded at the same time that the affidavit is; this must, therefore, be

WALTON'S TABLE, for fundamental operations of Arithme- made out as soon after the close of the school as postic. Cards 10 cents. Key 50 cents. Brewer & Tileston, Boston, and Eldredge & Brother, Philadelphia. This is one of the most complete combinations of the ed card and the artificial slate slip we have yet seen. The arithmetical figures are printed in columns on the face of the card; and, embracing the card is a moveable slate slip to be placed at the foot of any number of lines of figures for addition, or of any two lines for substraction or multiplication, &c., and then the work is to be marked with a slate pencil on the moveable slate; thus avoiding the loss, of time and labor in setting the questions and the necessity of marking the result on the card. This apparatus can be used not only for a long time but in almost endless combinations of numbers. It is difficult to express, in words, the nature and effect of this simple but admirable invention. It must be seen to be at all adequately appreciated, and ought to be a favorite with both teacher and pupil. SHEET MUSIC; by Horace Waters. No. 481, Broadway, New York, 1865.

sible in order that the district may be entitled to its appropriation, for no warrant can be issued until the annual print-report for the school year for which the certificate is intend. ed has been received. The law requires positively that the four months certificate and annual report shall be forwarded at the same time.

We are again favored with a package of the delightful publications of friend Waters; and, as usual they are varied, appropriate and beautiful. Amongst them are, "The Gem of the Mountains, "-Mazurka-by Mrs. E. A. Parkhurst; The first Kiss at the Gate," a Balladwords by S. Johnson, music by Augustus A. Crilley; "Our Soldiers' Last March,"-by Mrs. E. A. Parkhurst. Appended to most of these pieces our friends will find a list of the publications of this House; and we can assure them that he must be fastidious indeed, who cannot gratify every feeling and suit any taste from its rich catalogue.

If the common schools of the district commence on the first Monday of June, or September, or December, and are to be continned six months and at the end of that time the school operations for the school year are to be closed, the certificate and annual report can be made out soon after the close of November, or February, or May, and the warrant for the appropriation can be issued immediately. The law of 1865, requires peremptorily that both docu. ments be on file in this department by the fifteenth of July in each year.

It is probable that in some districts this change in the operations of the law may put Directors to some inconvenience for the first year, but after that there can be no inconvenience attending it. The money will he received each year at the close of the schools, if Directors will make out and promptly forward the proper documents to this department. It is believed that after the first year it will be found that the new law is preferable in its operations to the old one. The officers of the board who have transacted the business for the year will be obliged to swear to the affidavit and make out from the data furnished them during the year the annual report for the year for which they have acted. As the report must be transmitted with the certificate, it will be made when the facts are fresh in the minds of the officers who have kept the records and had charge of the documents, and will of necessity be on file in this department in time, so that the report clerk will have all the necessary documents on hand, to enable him to prepare the statistical tables for the bound volume, in proper season for publication.

TO COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS.

If four months certificates are received previous to the annual report, they should not be forwarded to this department until the report is received. The Secretary should be notified on the receipt of the certificate, if it is not accompanied by the report, that it must be received before the certificates can be forwarded. Great care in this matter on the part of the Superintendents will be necessary during the first year, in order to have these two documents correctly made out and punctually forwarded, so that the several dis tricts may receive their State appropriation at as early a date as possible.

126

LIST OF UNPAID DISTRICTS.

This list of unpaid Districts is for the school year, ending on the first Monday in June, 1866. If these Districts are legally entitled to the appropriation, it will be well for the officers to make the proper application for it, otherwise it will be forfeited and added to the sum to be divided in the subsequent year. Counties. Allegheny,.

to have two Saturdays in each month appropriated to inrectors by an affirmative vote of all the members, decide stitutes, such institutes must be held, and the two days thus appropriated, are to be held as part of the school month.The act of 1865, says nothing about there being schools on District. Amounts. Saturday, and that clause of the law of 1862 remains in Independent No. 1,.... :$ 46.36 force. The last or repealing clause of the act of April 17, Pittsburg, 3619.12 1865, repeals all acts or parts of acts inconsistent with the 21.16 act itself. But the clause of the act of April 11, 1862, is 13.68 not inconsistent with any portion of the act of 1865, and 40.28 is not, therefore, repealed by it. It is not legal, therefore, 91.58 to have schools on Saturday, but it is legal to have twenty 73.72 two days teaching for the month and no institutes, if the 107.92 majority of the board so decide.

Hovey Independent, . Glasgow,

Armstrong,

Beaver,

Phillipsburg,

Bedford,

.Londonderry,

66

Providence East,

66

. Alsace,

West,
Burlington Boro'

Towanda North,

Berks,.
Bradford,

Butler,

Adams,......

Conoquenessing,.

. Fox,
Orange,.

Britain Run,

. Cochranton Boro',
Troy,.

White Independent,.

Springhill,

Fulton,

Thompson,

Greene,.

Marion,

ANSWER: Scholars, whose parents have a legal residence 28.88 in a district, cannot legally attend the schools of any other 9.88 district, merely by going into that district to work for their 140,98 board, with the intention of attending school, and return57.38 ing to the residence of their parents when the school has 121.60 118.56 closed. But if the pupils engage to work for a citizen of a 11.78 certain district or remain a specified time in his service and 63.84 attend school a portion of the time, they have a right to 121.98 attend the schools of the district under such an arrange101.08 31.54 ment. These rules apply to persons whose parents have a 97.66 legal residence in other districts. Persons under the age 44.84 of 21 years who have no home, only where they labor, or 104.50 80.56 where for the time they reside, or who have no parents, are 33.06 entittled to the privileges of the schools in any district in 36.10 which they may find a place to reside or work for their 152.00 board; 53.20 such persons have no legal residence and yet they 69.16 are justly and legally entitled to the advantages of our 29,26 schools, and cannot be deprived of them because they have 47.88 no permanent homes.

93.48 ANSWER: This question in every possible variety of form 102.98 has been answered over and over again in the Journal. We 199.12 subjoin the following, which was published in the Journal 44.46 47.88 of April, 1864, and we take the liberty to suggest that if 45.98 teachers wish to know what the decisions of the department 121.22 are upon the various questions presented, they should sub66.50 scribe for the Journal and read the official department. 87.78 102.98 "Questions of this kind have been frequently answered 03.48 by this department, and yet hardly a week passes, in which there are not several letters received containing the same questions. There are certain days that are legalized holidays by State and National authorities; upon these days schools should be closed out of regard to the authority by which should be a much higher motive for observing Thanksgivthey are set apart, if not from higher motives. But there ing and fast days. The whole people are either called upon ings, or to humble themselves before him who ruleth the to give thanks and sing praises to the giver of all our blessworld in righteousness, because as a State or Nation we are suffering under His just displeasure. Upon such days, most assuredly, teachers, as well as all others, should abstain from their daily avocations. Christmas, Fourth of July, and Washington's Birth-day, have been made holidays in this country, by long established custom, and almost uni

8. QUESTION: If the board of directors and the people desire to have schools on every other Saturday, and have twenty-two days teaching for a month, and no institutes,is it legal for schools to be kept on such Saturdays?

ANSWERS: The act of April 11, 1862, says, that twentytwo days shall be a school month, that no common schools shall be kept open for ordinary instruction on any Saturday, and that two Saturdays in each month shall be appropriated to exercises or institutes for the improvement of teachers. The act of April 17, 1865, also declares, that twenty-two days shall be a school month, and that if the board of di