rant for their last quarter's salary until their annual reports, prepared in accordance with the requirements of the law and the instructions of the department, together with a receipt from the new Superintendent for the books, papers and documents belonging to the office, are on file in this office. This course is rendered absolutely necessary in order to secure, at an early day, the reports for publication. ANNUAL REPORTS OF DISTRICT DIRECTORS. An act to form an Independent School District, out of parts of Clarion and Armstrong, at the village of Mellville. An act to attach certain lands and persons in Menallen township, Fayette county, to South Union township, for school purposes. An act to authorize the School Board of the borough of West Newton, Westmoreland county to borrow money, appropriate certain funds, and levy a per capita tax for building purposes. An act to extend the provisions of an act entitled an act to authorize and establish a Teachers' Institute in the By the provisions of the law of 1865, Directors are required to make their annual reports at the same time they county of Chester, approved April 27th, 1857, to the send in the four months certificates, which may be done immediately after the close of the schools for the school year. When this is done before the organization of the Board, on the first Monday of June, the reports will not contain the names and address of the officers of the new Board. It is necessary for this information to be on record in this department. Secretaries of the new boards are therefore required, in accordance with the decisions, as found on the 32nd page of the school laws and decisions, No. 42, to forward the names and post office address of the President, Secretary and Treasurer of their respective boards, immediately after the organization. The old Secretaries should call the attention of their successors to this duty, when they give over the papers, books and documents belonging to the office. Unless this duty be attended to promptly at the commencement of the new school year, the new officers will not receive the Journal containing the official decisions of the department, neither can the department communicate with them. An act to authorize the school directors of Cherry Tree Borough, Indiana county, to borrow money. An act relating to the school funds of the borough of Honesdale and township of Texas, in the county of Wayne. An act relating to Common Schools of the borough of Easton. An act extending the act entitled an act to authorize the school directors of the North Ward of the borough of Meadville to borrow money for the erection of a public school house, Et Cetera, passed May the 4th, 1864, to the South Ward of said borough; and also to authorize the school directors of the North and South Wards in said borough, to appraise and sell to those of the North Ward, the late Arsenal buildings and grounds in said, Ward. An act to authorize the School Directors of Connellsville borough, Fayette county, to use surplus school tax for building purposes. An act to change the limits of Saegerstown School District, in Crawford county. An act authorizing the School Directors of the borough of Titusville, in Crawford county, to borrow money. A supplement to an act to authorize the School Directors of the borough of West Greenville, Mercer county, to borrow money to erect a public school house in said borough. An act authorizing the School Directors of the borough of Riceville, in the county of Crawford, to borrow money. An act authorizing the School Directors of the borough of Spartansburg, in Crawford county, to borrow money. counties of Montgomery and Westmoreland. An act to enable the School Directors of Kittanning to borrow money. An act relative to the collection of school taxes in Robeson township, Berks county. An act to connect Warren county with, and have it constitute a part of the Twelfth Normal School District of the State of Pennsylvania. EXCURSIONS BY THE SCHOOLS. A desire has been manifested by several of the schools to enjoy an excursion during the summer. Under proper restrictions and when not indulged in too often, this practice may be beneficial. Accordingly, it is recommended that, if it can be effected without inconvenience, each school of the more advanced grade, shall visit the county town of the county within which it is situated, on the 4th of July next. CONFERENCE OF PRINCIPALS. During the 26th and 27th of April, the Principals of all the schools for the more advanced, except that at Philipsburg, were in conference with the State Superintendent, at Lancaster. The result, it is expected, will greatly promote the uniformity and efficiency of the plan of operations. EXAMINATION AND INSPECTION. In consequence of the large and increasing number of Orphans in the care of the State and of schools for their ac commodation, and with the approbation of the Governor, Amos Row, Esq., of Indiana county, has been appointed Examiner, and Col. Wм. L. BEAR, of Lancaster, Inspector of the schools. The State Superintendent will also continue to visit the schools as usual; but, during the present year, a large portion of his time will be occupied in the establishment and opening of new schools, and the traveling and correspondence connected therewith. The Examiner will have charge of the school-room exercises of the pupils and of everything pertaining to their education, in the limited sense of the word. To see that this is properly regulated and thoroughly imparted, he will visit each school at least quarterly, staying long enough—from a day to a week—at each school or institution, for that purpose. He will aid in the introduction of a simple and uniform method of instruction, which will be described hereaf ter. He will examine the pupils in the schools for the more juvenile orphans in reference to the transfer of such as shall be found fitted, at the end of the school year, to the schools for the more advanced; and he will make written report, quarterly, of all his operations. The Inspector will have charge of the Buildings and Grounds, and of the Food, Clothing, Bedding, Cleanliness and Health of the orphans. He will visit each school and institution quarterly, remaining long enough to enable him to make a written report of the condition of each, on the points indicated in the following letter of instructions: LANCASTER, APRIL 4, 1866. COL. Wx. L. BEAR, Inspector of Soldiers' Orphans Schools. SIR-You will forthwith proceed to the Paradise School for Orphans, and subsequently in their order to the other institutions, and make report to me, in writing, on the following points, after having spent sufficient time there to enable you to do so : 4. The arrangements for the daily Washing and the periodical Bathing of the pupils, and the regularity with which these are attended to. 5. The sufficiency of the Hospital department and of the person in charge of it. 6. The arrangement for Medical Attendance, and the inspection of new pupils. 7. The nature and sufficiency of the arrangement for Play and Exercise, both in good and bad weather, and for each sex. 8. The daily and weekly Inspection of the pupils as to cleanness of person, neatness of dress and health. 9. The general condition of the school as to Health, with a statement of any diseases that may prevail, and the cause, if known. 10. The presence or absence of Vermin. 11. The moral and social Tone of the school, as to respect for teachers, feeling of pupils toward each other, personal deportment, propriety in the use of language, absence of profanity or vulgar expressions, feeling toward the school, &c. 12. The quantity of Ground for cultivation and its fitness and the preparations in progress for that purpose; the sufficiency of the out-buildings, farming and gardening implements and stock on hand, so as to give proper agricultural and horticultural employment to the boys. 13. The number and apparent competency of the assistants and employees in reference to instruction in the various Industrial Pursuits, both for boys and girls, and the completeness of the arrangement and details for that purpose; so that, on the one hand, all the work of the institution proper for them shall be performed by the pupils, while on the other, their studies and school room exercises shall not be curtailed. 14. The nature and sufficiency of the arrangements for the Military Drill of the boys, and the Calisthenic exercises of the girls. 15. Sewing and mending departments: whether so attended to as to afford proper and sufficient instruction to the girls in this indispensable portion of female education. 16. Such commencement, if any, as may have been made for the instruction of the boys or girls in any of the regulated employments, usually designated as Trades. 17. The condition of the Wardrobe of every pupil and the number and kind of garments now needed by each. 18. The arrangements for the orderly keeping of the wardrobe of each pupil; and also for the washing and distributing of the garments. 19. The sufficiency and condition of the Water Closets or privies; and whether proper separate apartments are provided for each sex. It is recommended, that, during your entire visit, you shall remain at the school as a member of the family, eat at the table with the pupils, and associate as freely as is 1. The size and condition of the Buildings, and the numproper with them, in order to enable you accurately to esti ber of pupils the school is sufficient to accommodate; if in-mate the true condition of the school. sufficient or defective in any way for its purpose, state the particulars. 2. The condition, as to space, ventilation, furniture, bedding and cleanliness, of the Dormitories. 3. The condition and arrangements of the Boarding Department, as to comfort, wholesomeness, sufficiency, proper preparation and regularity. Yours very truly, THO. H. BURROWES, Three schools have already been visited under these instructions, with a result perfectly satisfactory as to the reports made, and very promising as to the effect upon the schools. Annual Calendar OF SCIENTIFIC AND LITERARY INSTITUTIONS. For Catalogues, &c., apply to the respective Presidents or Principals. PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS: AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE OF PENNSYLVANIA, Centre County. Wm. H. Allen, M. D., L. L. D. President. One session yearly, divided into two terms of twenty weeks each. The first term opens on the last Tuesday in February and closes the third Wednesday of July. The second term opens on the fourth Wednesday of July and closes on the third Wednesday of December. Charge for board, wash ing, tuition, room rent and fuel $100 in advance for each term. Address, Agricultural College, P. O., Centre Co., Pa. STATE NORMAL SCHOOL, 2nd District, at Millersville, Lancaster county. Prof. J. P. Wickersham, A. M., Principal. Commencement Friday, July 21. Winter term from September 11, 1865, till March 7, 1866, 26 weeks; summer term from April 2, 1866, till commencement, 16 weeks.June 27, examination of candidates for State Certificates. Fall vacation seven, and Spring vacation three weeks. Expenses about $200 for the school year. The whole number of students of all grades during the year was 697. STATE NORMAL SCHOOL, 5th District, Mansfield, Tioga county. Prof. F. A. Allen, A. M., Principal. Three terms of 14 weeks each, commencing 1st Wednesday in September, and continuing without any recess except one week at Christmas. Expenses during school year about $160. Number of students last year, 285. Though the last recognized of the State Normal Schools, all the rooms in the Normal building are already taken for the next term;-but boarding can still be had in the village. Additional buildings for students will be erected this fall. STATE NORMAL SCHOOL, 12th District, the North-western, at Edinboro' in Erie county. Prof. J. A. Cooper, A. M., Principal. Three terms: 1st. From last Wednesday in August, till last Thursday in November. 2nd. From first Wednesday in December, till first Thursday in March. 3rd. From last Wednesday in March, till last Thursday in June, when commencement takes place. Expenses for the three terms about $180. Total number of students of all grades the past year, 817. CURRY'S NORMAL INSTITUTE, Pittsburgh, Pa. Prof. R. Curry, A M., Principal. The term opens on the first Monday of September. Price of tuition per year, $50. Boarding and lodging in respectable families at prices ranging from $3 to $5 per week. Pupils received at all times, but persons wishing to enter regular classes should enter at the opening of the term, or on the first Monday of January or April. Whole number of students during the year, 302. COLLEGES: PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE, at Gettysburg, Adams county. Rev. H. L. Baugher, D. D., PresideLt. Commencement 2nd Tuesday in August. First term begins 6 weeks from commencement and continues 13 weeks. 2nd term 3 weeks from end of first, and continues till commencement. In addition to the usual College course there is a Professorship of German Language and Literature. Expenses about $163 the collegiate year. The No. of students of all grades last year 114. FRANKLIN AND MARSHALL COLLEGE, at Lancaster, Lancaster county. Rev. E. V. Gerhart, D.D., President. Commencement last Wednesday in July. Three terms: 1st. Begins 7 weeks from commencement and lasts 14 weeks. 2nd. Two weeks from end of first, and lasts 14 weeks. 3rd, Three weeks from end of second, and lasts 12 weeks. Expenses about $218. Number of students last year 61. ACADEMIES: UNIONVILLE ACADEMY, at Unionville, Chester county, Pa., M. Durnal, A. M. and H. S. Kent, principals. The school year consists of 40 weeks, and is divided into three terms:-The spring term of 10 weeks, commences the third Monday of April; Summer term of 10 weeks, the fourth Monday of July; Winter term of 20 weeks, the thirtieth of October, 1865: a vacation of 4 weeks occurs between the terms. Expenses for the year, about $200. Number of students last year, 85. CHESTER VALLEY ACADEMY for young men, at Coatesville, Chester county, Pa. The next term will commence on the 29th of the 1st month, (January) 1866, and continue twenty weeks. Whole number of pupils last year 121. J. K. Taylor, Principal, Silas Wright, B. E., 1st Assistant, Milton S. Parry, 2d Assistant, Emilie M. Potts, teacher of German, Prof. Keffer, teacher of Music. Original Communications. TEACHERS' MONTHLY REPORTS. DEAR SIR: It is nearly five years since the Department of Common Schools issued a blank book for Teachers' Monthly Reports, and, notwithstanding a long list of instructions accompained each report, we find, to day, very many incorrect and incomplete reports rendered by our teachers, while, in not a few instances, directors are unable to correct the incorrect or to complete those that are incomplete. This state of affairs arises, most assuredly, from the fact that teachers and directors have failed to comprehend the instructions given; especially, those in regard to the per centage of attendance. The idea seems to have taken possession of them, that the per centage must be greater or less according to the size of the school; not perceiving that the per centage depends upon the regularity of attendance, and that if a pupil is at school but eleven days in a month of twenty two, his attendance is one half the number of days the school was in session, or fifty per cent. of the whole time; and that in no case can the per centage be more than one hundred, as no pupil can attend a school more than every day it is in sesion. We were a little amused the other day, in looking over the various reports in the hands of the Secretary of a School Board, to find, among other peculiar things, that one teacher had given for the term per centage for Males "one hundred and fortysix"-Females "one hundred and fifty-three"-total term per centage "Two hundred and ninety nine" We remarked that if a large per centage indicated success, she must be one of the most successful teachers in the country. "She ought to be successful; she's a graduate, "was the response. We know this is not an isolated instance of the kind, and we know, too, that very many teachers have a constant dread of the Monthly reports; hence we have been induced to send you, for publication, our method of getting the per centage, hoping that it may, peradventure, be comprehended by some who have, hitherto, groped their way in darkness. To find the "per centage of attendance during a month." Rule:-Divide the average attendance of the males with two ciphers annexed, by the number of males in attendance during the month. Find the per centage of females in like manner. The sum of the per centage of the males and females divided by two, is the total per centage," or average per centage. To find the "term per centage." Rule:-Divide the sum of the per cent. of the males, for all the months taught, by the number of months taught. LENGTH MULTIPLIED BY BREADTH. MR. EDITOR: In the February number of the Illinois Teacher, I find at the bottom of page 48, the following "QUERY: Will some of our readers explain how a board 4 feet long, and 3 feet wide contains 12 square feet; or in other words, how length multiplied by breadth produces area." Permit me, in your Journal, to give an answer to this question. First, Let me premise that the mathematics is an exact science; and that there should be no looseness in its language. Indeed, there is no excuse for want of exactness in the language. To this absence of precision in the use of terms, is due, in a great measure, the difficulty of imparting clear and definite ideas on the subjects discussed. Again, Having settled upon a proper definition of any term, or process, let us rigidly adhere to that definition, and in no case, or illustration of any rule, or operation, allow the slightest deviation from it. foot in width, which gives the ratio, three; and ratio is always an abstract number. Now, the definition given in all our best Arithme-sult of the comparison of the 3 feet wide with one tics, is, that " Multiplication is the taking or repeating a quantity called the multiplicand, as many times, as there are units in a number, called the multiplier." Or, as the etymology of the term itself implies a many folding of a quantity. From this definition, as a necessary consequence, the multiplier must be an abstract number; and this, in any and all cases. How absurd, to talk of taking or repeating a quantity 3 feet times, or 4 apples times! Again, In order to the measurement of any quantity, some unit of measure as a standard, must be assumed, or fixed by convention; and this unit must be of the same kind as the quantity to be measured; for instance: To measure line, we must have the linear unit; to measure surface, we must use the surface unit; and for the solid, the solid unit, &c. The linear units are now, (as absurdly fixed in olden times) the inch, foot, yard, &c. : And the surface unit, based upon the linear unit, as the measure of one of its sides, is the square. Hence, we have the square inch, square foot, square yard, &c., in which, the side of each is measured by the linear inch, foot, yard, &c. And thus, there is a correspondence, throughout the table of square measures, with the linear units, except in the case of the Rood and Acre; which, when considered as square units, have no corresponding linear unit as the measure of one side. This correspondence, in like manner, runs As I have suggested above, that the surfaces and solid units are based upon the linear unit; so, it is an interesting fact, and worthy of investigation, that the units of measure in all the tables, have the same origin. I may, perhaps, in some future number develope this fact. LANCASTER COUNTY, April, 1866. VIATOR. MILITARY DRILL IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. If the object of introducing military drill into our schools was to educate the youth of our land in Military Science, solely to prepare them for the emergency of another conflict such as we have just ended, or for a war with some foreign power, we would expect a strong opposition to its introduction into our Public Schools. War is repulsive and is not resorted to by us, as a people educated for it, but forced to it only by necessity. If, however, we can incidentally have exercises that will find us prepared for such an emergency or necessity, the time devoted to them would not be lost. But we advocate the practice of military drills in schools, outside and above these considerations. 1. As a great auxiliary in governing a school: The first command,-" Attention," when the pupils are thoroughly drilled for some time, will become so 4. It can be made a means to cultivate politeness among the pupils. During the period set apart for this exercise, the pupils in approaching the teacher should offer the usual military salute. This act of politeness can be observed at all times by the pupil towards his teacher, and when it becomes habitual, it will follow him beyond his school limits. This habit, inculcated among the young, can be performed by them more gracefully than soldiers themselves, for the reason that it assumes a naturalness which it is difficult for older persons to attain. And so of other habits showing deference and respect. familiar to them, that by force of habit the order will be incorporated into habitual deportment, would in be obeyed, not only when demanded in military itself confer incalculable benefits upon them. Their exercises, but also in the school room. I say, when posture when walking or sitting would be in accordthoroughly drilled;-for, when the command is given, ance with the rules of nature,-erect, and calculated every noise is hushed and every pupil stands as a to give full scope to all the functions of the human statue, unmoved snd immovable, except by the com- system. So also the practice of marching can be mand of his teacher. Every order given will be varied to give gentle exercise, or more active, to inobeyed with precision by fifty or a hundred pupils; crease the power of endurance. and while the teacher is thus controlling them in an exercise in which nearly every scholar delights, they are learning lessons of obedience, and the necessity, as well as the result, of having one to exercise authority. There is no school exercise that so well exemplifies the necessity of prompt, cheerful and implicit obedience to the teacher, as this. It is made more manifest, the farther the teacher takes them in the movements of squad and company drill, which they are capable of being taught to execute well and without arms. The soldiers of our army respected those officers most, who drilled them thoroughly in military exercises. The precaution to teachers might here be mentioned, which was so sadly neglected in onr late army, by many of its officers. You gain the respect of the pupils according to the exactness with what you drill, and not as to how much you drill. Thirty minutes exercise in strict conformity to prescribed rules, is better than twice the time spent in an indifferent manner. 2. It will give a greater influence and power to the teacher, over the pupils. The earliest ideas of the young upon military matters, are associated with strictness and the necessity of discipline; and the teacher starts out from the very first with a power, which appears in other matters one of the most difficult to attain and to impress upon the minds of the pupils in the usual school duties. They readily acquiesce, and are for once at fault to find an excuse for disobedieuce. This influence and power is kept, and can be made subservient to the teacher's purpose in school government, in proportion to the attention he gives to these military exercises, and the proficiency the pupils attain in performing the different movements, under his direction. There are many ways in which military rules can be applied in the school room,—in changing the classes, passing out to recitation rooms, recess, or dismissing the school. Teachers had used methods bordering upon military, in their school management, long before our minds were so much exercised upon military matters; but what would then have been a great innovation and difficult to attain, the events of the past five years have prepared the minds of the people to entertain with favor, and it is thus made easier in the service of their country. 5. It is calculated to exert a moral influence. A good soldier is the embodiment of bravery, obedience and faithfulness in the performance of duty. These military exercises afford opportunities to instill those principles. Brave, not only in physical encounter, but brave enough to resist the influence to evil which they meet. Obedience and faithfulness also, are associated with the good soldier, as among his highest qualities; and the practice of any part of his profession by our youth, will, no doubt, inspire them to cultivate these same ennobling principles. If we can effect even a portion of what is here expected from the introduction of military drills into our schools, it will be a sufficient argument, we think, for their introdnction, whenever there is a male teacher competent to conduct these exercises. LANCASTER, April, 1866. W. L. B. ESSAYS ON PHILOLOGY NO. 13. [Copyright Secured. PERSON OF VERBS. The person of a verb is its power to indicate the hearer or the mere subject of discourse. This power is found in certain inflections which verbs assume, and which are called personal inflections. These inflections are seven in number,--three for the second person, and four for the third. They are used when the verbs have singular nominatives, and are seen in the following examples: Thou do-est, thou ha-st, thou wil-t; he do-es, he 3. The advantages of the physical exercises, in the drills, is of itself sufficient reason for their introduc-ha-s, he do-eth, he ha-th. tion into schools. The first position of a soldier, if taught to the pupils in such a manner that it could Does the reader ask, have verbs no first person? We answer no. Verbs used with nominatives of the |