vances in Fractions.

Teach systematically and thoroughly, but Many teach too much. The pupil should not be he can find out himself. Explain principles more teach the science and not the book.

66

An Omission.-In the article on "History of our Public Schools," Feb. No., page 43d, the sentence, love his country, not merely because he was born wit its, nor yet because her history is engraven upon the memory and interwoven with the texture of his soul," "He learns to love his country, not merely because within her limits, nor yet because her soil has sustai because her history is engraven upon the tablet of his interwoven with the textures of his soul." The italicis

the one omitted, in the article as published.

Just As it Should Be.-We learn with pleasure tha and co laborer, Rev Sam'l Findley, late editor of the Pen has been elected to the Chair of Rhetoric, in the Weste sity of Pennsylvania, located at Pittsburg. The right right place.

Killed in Battle.-" Lieut. Pierce, one of the killed a was principal of the high school at Woonsocket, R. I., war broke out. His loss will be deeply regretted, esp the teachers in the state. He had been very active in ers' institutes and in promoting the cause of popular ed every means in his power. He was a native of Mas and a graduate of Williams or Amherst College."

The word School is derived from the Greek word meaning "leisure;" the Latin Synonyms are otium a Is this the reason why we find in some schools, so m and so little study?

Get up a Club. We will give a copy of the Vermo Journal for 1862, to any one who will procure eight new

Punctuality. In the following extract from a Report of the committee of Keene (N. H.) High School, we find a remarkable example of punctuality which we understand has been secured by the co-operation of Teachers, Pupils and Parents. Yet much of the credit is undoubtedly due to the accomplished Teachers, Mr. and Mrs. Burbank. We should be glad to publish similar reports of our Vermont High Schools, and shall be proud to find one which ranks as high.

Summer term, 12 weeks. Whole number of scholars, 80; males, 30; females, 50. Average attendance, 76. Number not absent, 58. Tardy, 0. Number of visits by Superintending Committee, 12; Prudential Committee, 8; citizens, 175.

fe

Fall term, 12 weeks. Number of scholars, 82; males, 34; males, 48. Average attendance, 78. Number not absent, 60. Tardy, 0. Visits by Superintending Committee, 13. Committee, 11. Citizens, 245.

Prudential

Males, 43;

Tardy, 0.

Winter term, 14 weeks. Number of scholars, 94. females, 51. Average attendance, 91. Not absent, 68. Visits by Superintending Committee, 15. Prudential Committee, 12. Citizens, 525.

P. S.-In a school nearer home, we have to report 1055 tardy marks, the same year!

NOTICES OF BOOKS AND PERIODICALS.

The Atlantic Monthly has increased in circulation more than 10,000 copies since the beginning of the year. The same thoughtful and patriotic political papers, from the best prose writers, will continue to lend power and dignity to its pages; and favorite poets will evolve from the ever-shifting phases of our national affairs the lessons of the hour. The two great serial features which have so firmly fixed public attention-Professor Agassiz's popular expositions of the science of Natural History, and James Russell Lowell's Biglow Papers"-will be continued each month.

The Continental is a new and sterling monthly devoted to Literature and National Policy. It is intended to meet a special want now unsupplied, by furnishing an Independent Magazine, which shall be open to the first intellects of the land, and which

shall treat the issues presented, and to be presented to the country, in a tone no way tempered by partisanship, or influenced by fear, favor, or the hope of reward; which shall seize and grapple with the momentous subjects that the present disturbed state of affairs heave to the surface, and which CAN NOT be laid aside or neglected. Edited by C. G. Leland. Published by J. R. Gilmore, 110 Tremont St., Boston. One copy $3, postage paid. Three copies $6, postage unpaid.

American Journal of Science and Art, conducted by Professor B. Silliman, B. Silliman, Jr., and James D. Dana, in connection with Prof. Asa Gray, Prof. Louis Agassiz, and Dr. Wolcott Gibbs. To every lover of scientific investigations, this periodical will be invaluable. The articles in the March number are, History of Conchology in the United States, Physics and Hydraulics of the Mississippi River, Contributions to Mineralogy by Genth, Coal Formations of N. A. The Electric Spark, Physiographical Sketch of the Rocky Mountains, North Atlantic Telegraphic Explorations, Scientific Intelligence in Physics, Chemistry, Technical Chemistry, Geology, Astronomy, Meteorology, and Miscellaneous Intelligence. Published bi-monthly, by Silliman and Dana, New Haven, Ct., at $5 per year.

Harper's New Monthly, and Harper's Weekly, are before us, each supplying a desideratum no where else to be found.

For notices of the Home Monthly, Godoy's Ladies' Book, Arthur and Peterson, see the March and previous numbers of the Journal. As good as ever-send for them.

The New Englander is before us. This is a quarterly of distinguished fame in the literary world. Not being familiar with it as a reader, we have passed it to the hands of one who has been a constant reader of it for many years. A fuller notice by him will appear next month. Price $3 per year. Address Wm. L. Kingsley, New Haven, Ct.

Method of Teachers' Institutes, and the Theory of Education, by S. V. Bates, A. M., Dep. Supt. of Com. Schools of Pa. Contents, ----Value of Institute Instruction, Object of, Organization of, District Institutes, Method of Conducting, Constitution, Subjects for Discussion, Theory of Intellectual Education. The contents and the reputation of the author, sufficiently indicate the character of the work. Published by A. S. Barnes and Burr, New York.

We have before us several valuable School Reports, which we shall notice at a future time. We shall also glean from them some valuable facts and suggestions for the perusal of Vermont Teachers.

We are requested by the Adjutant and Inspector General of Vermont, to say that he will furnish to friends of deceased soldiers all necessary blanks for obtaining the money due such soldiers, thus saving percentage to agents. Address P. T. Washburn, Adj. and Ins. General, Woodstock, Vt., enclosing return postage.

THE

VERMONT SCHOOL JOURNAL.

Vol. IV.

MAY, 1862.

No. V.

"SHE KNOWS ENOUGH TO TEACH OUR SCHOOL."

So said a school agent who had ransacked the county to find a cheap teacher,-one who would charge only a dollar and a half per week and board among the scholars. There was no enquiry as to her character, or qualifications, but "how much does she ask?" And when the question of her efficiency was raised, he replied, "She knows enough to teach our school. It is small and backward." No greater mistake could be made than this. An ignorant teacher for an ignorant school! Nothing could be more absurd. Employ ignorance to instruct ignorance? The more backward the school, the more intelligent should be the teacher. And on the score of economy, nothing is gained. No district can afford to have a poor school and hence they cannot afford to employ a poor teacher.

But how much does this teacher know? 1st. Does she understand enough of Physiology and Hygiene to be qualified to protect the health and life of her pupils? Is the school-house constructed with no regard to the comfort and safety of those who resort there for instruction? It is the teacher's business, so far as can be, to correct the evil. Are the seats so high that no child under ten years of age, can touch its feet to the floor? The teacher should, if possible, secure a mechanic to cut them down. If this cannot be done, the pupils should never be allowed to occupy these seats, long at a time. Give them freedom in the open air, to relieve their aching limbs and weary bodies. Has the school room no means of ventilation? It is the teacher's duty to open some safe avenues for the

not fall dead by your side, in a poorly ventila room; but they inhale poisons which infect t injure their constitution and often bring them ture grave. Is it not the teacher's business to these laws and facts, and guard against the teacher should also understand how to regula perature of the school-room. Most of the roon heated; some range as high as 900 Fahren degrees should be the minimum and seventy, the And it is of the utmost importance that this t should be uniform. Pupils should never be sit by a window slightly raised, so that the o impinge upon the body. Is that a competent t sends her pupils home at night, with their lim alyzed from confinement upon badly constructe their shoulders stooping for the weary load o sumption? Is she a competent teacher who scholars to be so oppressed by artificial heat th kept in a high fever during the whole term?

The laws of health and the means of its p should be thoroughly understood by every ca this high office. It makes little difference ho "backward" the school; sound health is impor This knowledge should include practical gym means of physical development. No teacher garded fully qualified, who does not appreciate ance of this subject.

2. Does the teacher know how to manage her school?

The ability to do this is much more the gi than an acquisition. If the mistress has no cannot manage; if she has not authority, she ern. Yet, neither of these can be acquired by