reception given our teachers. The large attendance on the normal is, of course, due to the untiring exertions of the local authorities. At Staunton, Superintendents Bowles and Roller have been untiring in their efforts and have been ably seconded by the citizens of the city and Superintendent Funkhouser, of Rockingham, with his valuable paper, The People. General Ruggles, at Fredericksburg, has done his duty well and has been earnestly seconded by the citizens of that town led by the indefatigable Chartters who has thrown himself body and soul into the work and who gives his entire time to looking after the welfare of the teachers and the success of the normal. Maj. Pendleton, at Marion, has proven equal to the occasion and has made good all of his glorious promises. He has the united support of his town, and actually so impressed it with the importance of the institute that its citizens erected a beautiful Opera House for its accommodation. Maj. Repass was on hand and active in the cause. Superintendent Slaughter, at Danville, was charged with the duty of looking after the local arrangement of the normal for colored teachers at that place and was very energetic. Prof. James Storum and the other teachers at the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute are doing good work, and whilst there are not as many present as there should be, still the work of the session will do great good. Hon. A. W. Harris has been very energetic in inducing teachers to attend this session.

By latest advices, Staunton has 573 teachers enrolled; Fredericksburg has 250 teachers enrolled; Marion has 225 teachers enrolled; Danville has 173 teachers enrolled; Petersburg has 102 teachers enrolled; total, 1,323.

This exceeds last year's enrollment of teachers in the institutes nearly 400, and it is possible, with proper management, next year to put over two thousand teachers in our summer normals.

We are very much gratified at the active part taken by some of our superintendents in getting their teachers to attend the normals, whilst there are others that we cannot understand, and whose failure to act we will inquire into in due time.

State Normal School at Farmville.

We have just received a circular from Hon. W. H. Ruffner, the principal of the school, addressed to superintendents in regard to the examination of applicants for admission. The circular is in the

hands of the printer, and will be distributed as soon as possible with the questions and all necessary blanks. The following is given for the information of those who are interested. Section 5:

"Each city of five thousand inhabitants, and each county in the State, shall be entitled to one pupil, and one for each additional representative in the House of Delegates above one, who shail receive gratuitous instruction. The trustees shall prescribe rules for the selection of such pupils and for their examination, and shall require each pupil selected to give satisfactory evidence of an intention to teach in the public schools of the State for at least two years after leaving the said Normal school."

NUMBER OF STATE STUDENTS TO WHICH EACH COUNTY AND CITY IS ENTITLED.

We have received the following circular from Judge F. N. Watkins, to which we invite the attention of all who are interested:

STATE NORMAL SCHOOL OF VIRGINIA.

A Teacher of Natural Science.

On the 1st of October, 1885, a teacher of Natural Science will be appointed by the Trustees of the State Normal School of Virginia,

at Farmville, Va. This school was established in 1884 by the Legislature, "expressly for the training and education of white female teachers for the public schools." This school has been in successful operation for one session of eight months and will open again 1st October, 1885. In fact, as well as in name, it is strictly professional, not only as to its aims, but as to its methods of teaching. Hence it is, of course, preferred that the instructor in science should be able to teach according to the Normal methods.

The salary (for the next year) is Eight Hundred Dollars, which will be punctually paid in monthly instalments. Comfortable boarding can be had at from $15 to $20 per month. Farmville is a pleasant town of more than 2,300 inhabitants on the Norfolk and Western R. R. (See catalogue).

According to the plan of the school, there is an Elementary Course of two years designed specially for the preparation of teachers for the primary schools, and also an Advanced Course of two years which in its academic studies corresponds with an ordinary High School course. The present income of the school being insufficient for the support of both courses, only the Elementary Course is now taught, and the scheme calls only for "Lessons in Natural Science"; Geography and Physiology are otherwise provided for. The scientific teacher will be expected to give lessons in Chemistry, Natural Philosophy, Botany, Zoology and Mineralogy, teaching as much of each, in due proportion, as can be given in one lesson a day for eight months. After the regular session there will be a summer term of six weeks for which a special course will have to be prepared. The teacher of Natural Science will give instruction in this Summer School, beginning in June, 1886.

In respect to the character of the lessons to be given, no very distinct ideal has been formed, and for the present, at least, the incumbent of the chair will be allowed great freedom in shaping his or her teaching. The systematic study of the natural sciences belongs to the Advanced Course, for which we hope to receive an appropriation next winter.

The special design of these Physical Science lessons at present is to widen the scope of the student's mind, to cultivate the habit of observation, to inspire a love of nature, and thus to prepare for giving object lessons in the primary schools.

All persons, whether male or female, who may desire to become candidates for this position will please address the undersigned.

These applications, with testimonials, will be submitted to PRINCIPAL RUFFNER, whose present address is Lexington, Va., and to the Trustees.

Catalogues will be forwarded if desired.

This circular is that mentioned in the Newspaper Advertisements and will be sent to any address suggested and to candidates.

F. N. WATKINS, Secretary.

Farmville, Va., 1st July, 1885.

STATE NORMAL SCHOOL AT FARMVILLE, VA.

Election of Teacher.

The trustees propose to elect an instructor in Physical Science (who is also competent to teach Latin and Algebra) on 1st October, 1885. A circular will be sent to applicants, giving duties, salary, &c., &c. The school year of 1885-86 begins 1st October, 1885, and ends 2d June, 1886. Catalogues sent to applicants. Address,

F. N. WATKINS, Secretary.

Farmville, Va., July 2, 1885.

Personal.

Superintendent W. H. Strother, of Fauquier, spent several days at the Fredericksburg Normal and is now at the one in Staunton. Superintendents Repass, of Wythe, and Frantz, of Roanoke, were at the opening of the Marion Normal.

Superintendents Funkhouser, of Rockingham, and Haden, of Fluvanna, were at the opening of the Staunton Normal.

Superintendent Wright, of Caroline, was at the opening of the Fredericksburg Normal.

We regret that Superintendent Holladay has been detained at home by sickness, which has prevented his giving his time and attention to the Fredericksburg Normal as he promised and expected.