EDITORIAL MISCELLANY.

WHAT NEXT? At a late meeting of the "Mass. Teachers' Association," the following question was discussed: "What is the next step to be taken by educators to secure the highest interests of education in the commonwealth?" Hon. E. Washburn, one of the speakers, first glanced at what has been done in the state, the last twenty-five years. 1. A new life has been infused into the whole system of popular education. "Four normal schools are constantly employed in fitting a class of teachers, trained to their work, inspired with a sense of its importance, and united by the ties of common interest and sympathy. In this way, not only have we a better educated class of teachers, but the public attention has been aroused to the importance of our schools, and the public mind has been educated to the conviction that we must have a class of educated teachers who shall command the public confidence and respect, and an honorable support. And in this way, the business of teaching has become one of the liberal professions, in which the generous mind may feel an honorable pride to win distinction and success!" 2. The whole system has been reformed in the grading of the schools, in the compensation and permanency of teachers, and in the improvement of school houses. The population of Massachusetts, in the time specified, has scarcely doubled, yet the money raised for the support of schools has quadrupled. The state raises a million and a half of dollars each year for public education. It has maintained by a liberal salary an able board of education. It pays its teachers an hundred per cent more than twenty-five years ago. The children in the public schools have increased from 141,000 to 450,000. "Everything the State can do by its laws and its provisions for schools, has already been accomplished."

And the speaker goes on to answer the question, "What is the next step to be taken in the great work of giving character to the coming generation?" It is with the teachers themselves; and it should be in the direction of the moral rather than the intellectual training of the child. This "moral" includes the idea of "true national sensitiveness" and loyalty to our government.

We call up this train of thought and these facts, that we may profit by the light they shed upon our educational pathway. What is next to be done in Vermont, to secure the desired object?

Alas! we must go back for our starting point. The most of that twenty-five years' work is yet to be done. It is true that we have an efficient board of education, which has done much, through its live seeretary, to infuse a new life into our system of popular education. But where are our normal schools, through whose agency so much has been done in Massachusetts to improve teachers, elevate the schools, and to inspire the public mind with interest and zeal in this noble cause? They are hardly dreamed of yet by our wise legislators, and our educators have but recently raised the question whether one such school might not be useful in Vermont! It will be observed that these normal schools in the old Bay State have not only elevated teaching into a profession and given the community a vastly improved class of teachers, but they have "aroused the public attention" and "educated the public mind." They were not only the result of an awakened interest on the subject of education, but they tend greatly to increase that interest. And for these very reasons, we need, we must have, a school in Vermont, for the thorough professional training of teachers.

Another object gained in Massachusetts, is the liberal expenditure for school purposes. "A million and a half of dollars per year to sustain its free schools!" She pours out her wealth into the school treasury as freely as water. She sustains her school journal, institutes and professional schools for the education of her teachers, and always acts on the principle that "the money of the State should educate her children," as a matter of public economy and duty.

Compared with this, how sparingly has our legislature provided for her schools. Private enterprise in different localities has built up and sustained public schools of the highest order, but no thanks to the State for it.

many of our large, enterprising Many good teachers are em

Graded schools we have in villages, but not enough of them. ployed in different parts of the State, but the tendency is to draw them all away to those States where more liberal salaries are paid.

What is the next step, then, in our educational course? We

answer, to urge on the work already begun, with the greatest posWe would not undo what has been done,

sible energy.

but do more. We would start no new scheme, but complete the work begun. Let every friend of education in the State, in whatever sphere he is called to act, aim to enlighten and rouse the public mind. We heard Secretary Adams say, he never saw so much educational interest in the Legislature, as during its last session. That there may be more next year, let the subject continue to be agitated, and let the leading measures so important to the success of our cause, be urged until they shall be carried. We have as good material to work upon as can be found in the nation, let it be brought out and made available; we have a good school law, let it be vitalized and made to work earnestly; we have an able board of education,-let us stand by them and encourage them; we have a School Journal,-let it be sustained and made better; we have dreamed of a state normal school and liberal appropriations from the state legislature,-let us press the necessity of these measures, until our object is accomplished. Then will our children rise up and call us blessed.

WOMAN THE TRUE TEACHER. She has a larger heart, a finer brain, and a more delicate mustle and nerve than man, and hence she is most eminently qualified to shape the intellectual, moral and spiritual world. A highly cultivated woman is God's antidote for sin and suffering.

MENTAL ARITHMETIC.-We copy from the Mass. Teacher a highly interesting article upon this important subject. Teachers will not regard it too long after they have read it.

VT. SCHOOL JOURNAL.-5000 extra copies of the March No. are ordered for distribution, mostly in other states.

THE NEW GYMNASTICS.-We are prepared to furnish Seminaries, Academies and High Schools, competent teachers, who will also teach Lewis' System of Gymnastics.

ORANGE CO. GRAMMAR SCHOOL is to have, through the liberality of its trustees, an increase of apparatus. The fact is encouraging to its worthy principal.

FOR THE STOMACH'S SAKE.-We have used Liebig's Essential Coffee for more than half a year, in our large family, and have found it the most satisfactory, healthy and economical article we have ever used. See advertisement in the Journal.

OUR BOOK TABLE.

BEADLE'S DIME SPEAKERS AND DIALOGUES. Beadle & Co., 118 William street, New York.

We have No. 3 of the Speaker series on our table. It is a charming little volume, replete with choice selections fresh from recent writers and speakers, and adapted to the school room and the exhibition. Every pupil may now have a Speaker of his own, by enclosing a dime in postage currency to the publishers.

THE CONTINENTAL MONTHLY.-March No. has come early. It presents an attractive table of contents, as usual. American Finances and Resources; Palmer, the American Sculptor; Clouds; Sketches of American Life and Scenery; The Issues of the War; Carl Fredrich Neumann, the German Historian of our Country; The Great American Crisis; Thistle Down; The Love Lucifer; Was he Successful; The Mechanical Tendeney in Modern Society; An Indian Love Song, &c. Address John F. Trow, 50 Green st., N. Y.

PETERSON'S MAGAZINE.-March No. has forty articles and sixty-one embellishments. It claims to be "the best and cheapest in the world." Address C. J. Peterson, 306 Chestnut street, Philadelphia.

HARPER'S PICTORIAL HISTORY OF THE GREAT REBELLION. -No. 6 of this highly interesting work has reached us. The numbers have been delayed in consequence of the sickness of the author, but the publishers assure us that the work will go on until it is completed. The present No. has several well executed maps and other illustrations.

TEACHERS' SONGS.-A collection of music for teachers' meetings, conventions and associations, by Charles Ansorge, teacher of music in Chicago High Schools, and Geo. F. Root, Chicago. Published by Root & Cady.

THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY.-The subscription list of this popular periodical is rapidly increasing. Many have availed themselves of our liberal terms for the Atlantic and School Journal. We still furnish both for $3 per annnm.

GODEY'S LADY'S BOOK is determined to keep ahead of every thing in its line. The March No. comes freighted with the pleasing and instructive. Godey at the "old prices;" back numbers from Jan. always supplied.

ARTHUR'S HOME MAGAZINE is all it claims to be, and richly deserves a place in every family.

Advertising is the Life of Business."

RATES OF ADVERTISING

1 Page (outside cover) $5, for a single insertion; $ 4,50 if for six months, and $ 4, if for a year. (Inside cover) $ 4, for a single insertion; $3,50 if for six months, and $3 if for one year. (Inside pages), $ 3, for a single insertion; $ 32, for the year.

For fractional parts of a page, the usual, proportional extra charge will be made. Eighty cents per page extra will be charged for setting type.

Advertising bills may be paid in books and other articles advertised, at wholesale cash prices.

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Glenwood Ladies' Seminary.

Winter Session began Jan. 6. Sum er Session begins April 21. Full Board of Teachers, and everything as it has been. Apply to

West Brattleboro, Vt.

HIRAM ORCUTT, Principal.