Live and Let Live. UNDER this old and trite saying we wish to make a few suggestions in regard to the matters of the financial interest of our journal. It is well known that the subscription list of our periodical can pay not near the monthly expenses of publishing, therefore we must resort to our advertising friends and other sources for the balance. Now there are many teachers who have a warm interest in the welfare of THE SCHOOLMASTER, and are doing much for its promotion, who can influence much patronage in the various lines of business in our city. Now is it not the duty of such to patronize those who help sustain our journal by advertising? We think those who help sustain the journal, wherever they may be, should receive the patronage of the teachers so far as may be consistent with their own personal interests. If a bookseller is so short-sighted as to drive his best customers from his store by a total indifference to his best interests, he should have the benefit of a wiser man's experience. Supposing all educational journals should at last die for want of support, what would probably be the net gains of the book-trade. Teachers, if it may be, help those who are willing to help you. When you go to Boston, take your file of SCHOOLMASTERS and see who advertise, and give such a call. When you go to New York or Philadelphia, do the same, and when you visit our beautiful city remember your friends, for the friends of THE SCHOOLMASTER are your friends, and its enemies will do what they can by indifference and coldness to kill your profession. Contributions. THE following contributions have been received in compliance with a resolution passed at a recent meeting of the Rhode Island Institute of Instruction, held at Carolina Mills, for the relief of the sick and wounded soldiers: Previously reported,.. Mr. G. M. Bently, Pub. School. Hopkinton, Miss S. M. Lillibridge, Public School, Richmond ......... Mr. A. A. Lillibridge.......do.........................do. Miss Kate Pendleton, No. 11, Watch Hill, F. B. Smith, Valley Falls, Dist. No. 33.... H. H. Gorton, Dist. No. 15, Warwick,.... diate, Providence..... W. H. Gifford, Middletown, Dist. No. 3,... W. C. Peckham, No. 11, Burrillville..... H. M. Rice, High School, Woonsocket $26 41 THE ATLANTIC for May has been received. The following are among the contents: Man under Sealed Orders; My Garden; Lyrics of the Street; The South Breaker; Methods of Study in Natural History; Spirits; The Titmouse; 16 Saltpetre as a Source of Power; Lines Written 22 under a Portrait of Theodore Winthrop; The 6 13 Statesmanship of Richelieu; Slavery in its Prin184 ciples, Development and Expedients; The Volunteer; Speech of Hon. Preserved Doe in Secret 60 Caucus. 25 The R. J. Schoolmaster. JUNE, 1862. VOLUME EIGHT. For the Schoolmaster. Physical and Political Geography. NUMBER SIX. them. Therefore the subjects of study should be so modified and extended as to afford the greatest possible advantage, intellectual and PHYSICAL Science, in connection with geogra- practical, not only to the student, but also to phy, has hitherto received but little attention in those whose duty it is to expound them. We the school-room, and even our text-books have must not be content to trundle around in the been strangely silent upon the subject. same old ruts of thought, and carry a stone in This is much to be regretted, because it not one end of our meal-bags because, forsooth, our only forms one of the most interesting and pro- grandfathers did the same thing, but branch off lific subjects for study, but is absolutely essen- into new fields, lay out new roads, cultivate tial to a thorough knowledge of geographical new soil, open new veins and bring to light fresh science in general. treasures from nature's great storehouse of knowledge. The natural sciences have advanced wonderfully within the last few years, and we are sur- The educational world appears to be appreciprised that man, placed in a world of such ating. in some degree, the advantages of learnimmutable order, should contrive to remain so ing physical in connection with political geogralong ignorant of the familiar objects by which phy, and hence efforts are being made to introhe is surrounded. The earliest efforts of the duce the former into our schools. It seems to mind appear to have been devoted to abstract be a question, whether they should be taken speculations, such as investigations of mathe- separately or so combined as to form one study. matical principles, and even the first application There are some reasons for making them se of thought to physical subjects was away in dis-parate studies. The principal one appears to tant worlds, where the wildest imagination had be, the danger of overtasking the minds of reveled from time immemorial, while the more young pupils. It is argued that very young tangible results of the operations of nature's scholars might not be able to grasp all the prinlaws were left comparatively untouched. They ciples of physical geography. Neither can they knew more of the geography of the heavens all of political or mathematical, but enough may than of the earth, physically or politically, and be introduced to establish general principles in the former was mapped and charted long before each, leaving details to a more advanced work the latter. and more mature minds. It has been some hundreds of years since the idea of universal gravitation was first promulgated, but less than a century since Priestly discovered oxygen gas and analyzed the air we breathe. There are cogent reasons for uniting them. First, there are already too many studies in our common schools. An ungraded school should never have any of the higher branches taught, because teachers have generally more than they Recent investigations have opened new trea- can do faithfully, if the school is large, without sures of available truths, and we must make them. Secondly, if made a separate study, it is use of them if we are to derive any benefit from almost sure to be passed over, parents and pu pils not appreciating its value nor realizing its it should be done. The text should be taken importance, and the time will be devoted to as a basis for a short, familiar, catechetical lecsomething else. Experience has proved over ture on the subject of mountains. Point to a again the difficulty of getting classes to take hill in the neighborhood, and ask how that hold of physical geography alone. would appear if its top was among the clouds, Thirdly, if taught separately pupils fail to see and instead of the green fields and herds of catthe connection between the physical and politi- tle which could now be seen, the summit was a cal, a point which must be considered very im- barren rock or glistening with crystal snows. portant. A lesson is recited, and the class take The imagination of the pupil would be excited their seats without note or comment from at once and his mind awakened to receive the the teacher, generally because he has no time other topics which would be presented in confor explanations. If both are learned at the nection with that. It should then be shown same time and recited in the same lesson, pupils how it would appear in a picture, also on a cannot fail to perceive the relation of the two map, comparing at the same time your own dedepartments to each other. " In order to teach physical geography in any manner successfully, it is absolutely necessary that the school-room should be furnished, not only with the ordinary globes and outline: maps, but also with physical charts showing the geological structure of the earth, the mountain systems, river basins, isothermal lines, distribution of plants and animals, ocean tides and currents, winds and storms, commercial intercourse, &c. scriptions and illustrations with those in the text which he has committed. This will make him understand that and impress it so indellibly upon him that he will not soon forget it. Then the formation of a mountain and mountain ranges might be illustrated; showing how the different strata have broken and turned up on their edges by forces acting from beneath, and how the unstratified rocks have been thrown out and constitute the tops of our loftiest peaks. Pictures, too, faithful representations of natAll could be easily shown by diagrams on ural divisions in perspective, should adorn its the blackboard, or the well-arranged geological walls. A knowledge of some of the common charts above mentioned. The mineralogical minerals, that the scholar can collect in the fields cabinet should also be resorted to, to show the or by the roadside, would be an invaluable aid materials which go to make up the great masses to a thorough understanding of the geological of earth and rocks that have been elevated to structure of the earth. Therefore the teacher such heights. should interest himself and his pupils in colRivers could be introduced in the same manlecting specimens of different kinds of rock, and ner, giving the physical outlines of a country that thus forming an interesting and instructive cab- would naturally contain many large streams, alinet, which time and industry would continual- so one destitute of water. Explain the princily increase. ple of evaporation and condensation in connecWith these aids a pupil obtains a living idea tion with the sources of rivers, also their comof his subject, one that the first wave of forget-mercial importance, with their magnitude. fulness will not be likely to sweep away, and To interweave the two subjects successfully upon which he can rely as a foundation for and have them well understood requires a live something greater. teacher, one perfectly familiar with his business, As an illustration showing the connection conversant with the progress and recent discobetween our ordinary primary geography and veries in natural science, and who possesses a physical science, let us suppose a class who are love for his calling, a vivacity of temperament just beginning to learn the natural divisions, to and a power of communication that will rivet have the subject of mountains under considera- the attention and awaken a spirit of enthusiasm tion. The text should be committed to memory in the minds of his pupils. and recited verbatim. Many object to this, but Applying this principle on a more extended it can do no harm, while it strengthens the me- scale, we might explain the physical conditions mory to retain what follows. If a choice was requisite for flourishing countries; that it does to be made between memorizing without oral not depend altogether upon the people of those instruction and oral instruction without memor- countries, but partly upon their physical adapizing, the latter would be decidedly preferable. tation for the development of man's genius and But if the two can be so combined as to reap enterprise. the advantages to be derived from both methods, We could not expect to see a nation, no mat ter how enterprising, converting the deserts of Africa or the steppes of Siberia into flourishing kingdoms or republics, building large cities and extending their commerce and arms to all parts of the world. most valuable and useful minerals, such as coal, From the Wisconsin Journal of Education. BLACK BOARDS. Nothing is more necessary in a school-room than an abundant supply of good black boards, and yet we find few school houses well supplied, while the boards in use are generally of a very inferior quality. On the other hand, countries having such favorable physical formations as some parts of Europe and the United States, are peculiarly adapted to develop all the resources which civiIt is the object of this article to give a few lization and refinement, united with indomitable energy and love of gain, can bring to bear plain directions, deduced from experience, in upon them. The surface of those countries is regard to the subject, which may be made more diversified with hills, mountains and valleys, or less available in the schools of the State. A black board may be board, slate, paper or the very conditions necessary to fertility; well watered by large, navigable rivers, which afford plaster. It may be black, blue, brown or dark the most ample inland communication. The grey. The cheapest way of making a black board surface, is to put common wall paper on iron, copper, lead, silver and gold, are beneath the wall, wrong side outward, so as to have a the surface in immense quantities. The coasts tolerably smooth surface, applying with a soft brush, a thin coat of the following mixture: are indented with numerous bays and estuaries, forming deep, spacious harbors for an extensive Common rye or wheat flour paste mixed with commerce. The climate, too, is just that which sufficient lampblack to give it the requisite color. This dries quickly, and makes a hard surwill develop most strongly the energies of a people, being free from the enervating influences face, which if kept dry, will last a long time, of extreme heat or cold. Forms of government provided crayons are used, which should always The expense of covering this surmay retard or accelerate the progress of civili- be the case. zation in such countries, but where nature fur-face will not exceed one cent per square foot. nishes man with all the elements of national This process, though giving a cheap board, is greatness, no earthly power, however despotic, not to be recommended. If, after the paper is on, it be painted dark blue or green, it will can stop the tide of human progress. make a good durable surface, which has also the advantage of cheapness, and is nearly noiseless. M. 8. G. STICKING PLASTER RHETORIC.-The Editor of Harper's Magazine says in his "Easy Chair" The most common and perhaps the next cheapleader," The conservatism of Washington was est boards in use, are black boards proper; made an adhesion to moral principle." We have italby jointing and glueing together firmly, wellicised the word to which we object in this senseasoned white wood or pine boards, (if pine, tence, and as the mistake of the Editor is quite they should be free from pitch,) and painting a common error with writers and speakers, we will state our reason for objecting to it. The the surface. These should have end pieces to word adhesion is properly applied to material keep them from warping, and should be so arparts or surfaces in close contact, but should not ranged that shrinking will not cause them to be used to express a moral relation of things; check or split. This may be covered with the for which service the cognate word adherence mixture of paste and lampblack, which does is specially adapted. It will not be found im- better on the board than on paper, as it can be possible, perhaps, to quote respectable usage of washed off and renewed when worn, after a the word adhesion in the moral sense, but in all couple of hours' soaking. They are more comsuch cases it is inadvertence in the author. monly painted. A mixture of lampblack and Akin to this mistake in the use of the word skimmed milk is often used, but blackens the adhesion, for adherence, is that of many writers hands and rubbers for some time afterward. and speakers in the use of the words soluble and Lampblack and spirits of turpentine dries quickinsoluble for solvable and insolvable. The dis tinction between these words is precisely that ly, but is open to the same objection. Mr. Suwhich exists between adhesion and adherence. perintendent Wells, of Chicago, says in his last We should not say "The problem is insoluble," report, that they have there succeeded in makbut "insolvable." The latter has a moral mean ing, and the former only a material, or chemical ing a good black paint for black boards, as folsignificance, which excludes it from ethical lows:-" Alcohol, one gallon; lampblack, oneuses.-Providence Evening Press. half pound; shellac, three-quarters of a pound; pulverized pumice stone, one-half a pound." them in the reach of all. It is to be hoped that Black paint dries slowly, even when the best the matter may be investigated. So much for driers are used, and the surface of this and all the preparation of black boards. other paints glisten so as to make it almost imA few words in regard to position. If possipossible to see figures except in certain positions. ble the main board should be in front of the If paint is used at all, blue or dark green paint school when in their seats. Other boards may is preferable to black, as they dry quicker, and well be distributed around the walls. It is next having white lead for the base have more body, to impossible to get too much black board room. and are therefore more durable. A stain is Boards are usually placed too high, especially much better to apply to a board than paint, as in primary schools. They should, in primary it leaves the dead surface of the wood which rooms, extend to within two feet of the floor. abrades the chalk well and is durable. There is If the board is of any value it is always ecosome difficulty in getting a stain of sufficient nomy to use crayons. They should be used blackness. I have succeeded in making a good stain by using bichromate and prussiate of pot-worn out in useless scribblings and caricatures, only for the regular purposes of school and not ash, logwood, nutgalls, copperas and alum boiled in vinegar. The proportions were "guessed at." as is often the case. Pupils should be permitted to use the boards only when they will draw and write as well as they can, and for the purpose of improvement. White crayons should cost but twenty-five cents a box and can be Dumb: DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING CRAYONS. Take five pounds of paris white, one pound of wheat flour, wet with water and knead it well, make it so stiff that it will not stick to the table, but not so stiff as to crumble and fall to pieces when it is rolled under the hand. Plaster black boards are coming much into use and are prepared as follows: Take masons' "putty," ground plaster and a little salt, mixed made much cheaper. in the usual proportions for hard finish. The coloring matter is lampblack mixed with whiskey, alcohol or sour beer, to the consistency of A school, or the schools of a town, may be paste. Mix this well with the other ingredients supplied with crayons very cheaply, made after just as they are to be applied to the wall. The the following directions, given by Prof. Turner, quantity of coloring matter can be easily deter- of the American Asylum for the Deaf and mined by experiment. It must be enough to make a black wall. Of course this is applied to the rough or scratch coat. It should be well worked down, so as not to abrade the chalk too much, and finished off by smoothing with a wet brush. This makes a good board, but after use will glisten so as to be somewhat objectionable. To roll out the crayons to the proper size, Holbrook's Liquid Slate comes nearest to two boards are needed,-one to roll them on, slate itself, and is in many respects superior to the other to roll them with. The first should be any other article for covering black boards. It a smooth pine board, three feet long and nine may be applied to plaster, boards or paper, and inches wide. The other should also be pine, a make a hard, durable and nearly dead surface. foot long and nine inches wide, having nailed It is easily applied, dries quickly, and may be on the under side, near each edge, a slip of used with either chalk, crayons or pencils. The wood one-third of an inch thick, in order to mixture is somewhat expensive, and yet it is raise it so much above the under board, as, that probably good economy to use it. The cost is the crayon, when brought to its proper size, may one dollar per pint or one dollar and fifty cents lie between them without being flattened. per quart. One pint will cover twenty-five The mass is rolled into a ball and slices are square feet of surface, making but four cents cut from one side of it about one-third of an per square foot. Directions accompany each inch thick; these slices are again cut into strips can. about four inches long and one-third of an inch wide, and rolled separately between these boards until smooth and round. Slates are of course best for school purposes, but their expense places them out of reach of most of our schools. They cost from forty to Near at hand, should be another board three eighty cents per square foot. There is said to feet long and four inches wide, across which be an excellent slate quarry in our own State, each crayon, as it is made, should be laid so in the Lake Superior region, which, if worked, that the ends may project on one side-the might so reduce the price of slates as to put crayons should be laid in close contact and |
