lology, &c. If, after such an introduction into the "Elysian fields of English Grammar," the youthful disciple does not come to the usual conclusion that "he doesn't like it very well," or that "it's of no use," he must be hopelessly dull. It is not proposed to deny the truth of the proposition that "Arithmetic is the science of numbers," or "Our Earth is one of the heavenly planets," but we deny the propriety of having such abstruse definitions as the introductory matter in our school text-books on these branches. The child that has succeeded in committing to memory that "Reading is the perusal of anything written or printed," or that "Arithmetic is the science of numbers," is none the wiser for it. It becomes, then, the business of teachers to supply, in assigning and hearing recitations, this deficiency in our text books; and to do this, "teaching by the page" must be abandoned in most cases, and teaching by topics substituted. Especially does this apply to teaching geography, grammar, history, and the higher branches of natural science, constitution of our bodies, the atomic theory of matter, and the relation and the effect which the atoms of a certain imponderable ether have upon the rotary motion of the atoms of animal. and vegetable matter, will not convince your pupils one tithe as forcibly that a red hot piece of iron will burn their hands if brought in contact with it, as will one accidental collision with a heated poker. Yet, could we not deduce from the one as conclusive proof as from the other? Certainly, but is it not the kind of reasoning for which the child is prepared. In youth the great, and, we may say, almost exclusive source of knowledge, is perception through the senses. Hence, the more teachers can illustrate by means of objects, the more they can bring demonstrations to bear upon the perceptive faculties, the more successful will be their efforts. To accomplish this, it will be found that text-book teaching as opposed to oral teaching, and page teaching as contrasted with topical teaching, will be found wanting if weighed in the balances.-Clinton Democrat. THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF This Association met at the Franklin school building, Washington, D. C., Tuesday, March 1st, and held its first session during the afternoon. The person who teaches these branches at the rate of so many pages a day is not to be denounced, for he is doing the best he can, and a wearisome time he has of it, too, no doubt; but [The following report of the proceedings is from the he, no less than his pupils, is to be pitied-columns of the Washington Daily Morning Chronicle.] pitied, not for anything that has befallen him, but for something which has not befallen him. But, to teach by topics instead of by pages, it is necessary for the teacher to know, not only what is in one text-book, but what is in other text-books on the same subject. In short he must understand the subject he proposes to teach, and keep his particular text-book as a guide as a servant, not as a master. It is not to be expected that more than a limited outline of any subject can be given in Odinary text-books, yet in many cases this skeleton is presented to pupils as a specimen of the complete man. Is it any wonder that they find it" dry bones?" Again, teachers and text-book makers will do well to study the nature of the process by which the young mind becomes acquainted with the facts around us. The smallest boy or girl in our schools will tell us that wood burns if put in a fire. But, you say, here is a piece of wood from Africa; you have never seen any of it before; it is a piece of a palm tree; are you certain that this will burn? Yes, it will burn, for it is wood," will be the probable answer. The child has perhaps never seen more than two or three kinds of wood, yet by a method of induction it concludes that all wood burns. An hour's lecture on the chemical ; The following named Superintendents were present: Hons. J. P. Wickersham, Penna,; Joseph White, Mass.; W. D. Hinkle, Ohio; B. G. Northrop, Conn.; W. A. Newell, Md. W. R. Creery, Baltimore; B. C. Hobbs, Ind. ; W. Johnson, Mo.; D. Doty, Detroit, Mich.; B. F. Patterson, Pottsville, Pa.; J. F. Reinmund, Springfield, Ohio; H. Barnard, Commissioner of Education; Z. Richards, Washington; S. S. Ashley, N. C.; G. Manley, Va., and others from various parts of the country who are interested in the work of education. The Association was called to order by Hon. J. P. Wickersham, who stated that the meeting was called in pursuance of resolutions passed at its last meeting. Hon. Henry Barnard stated that, aside from the subjects which had been mentioned in the circular, the subject of the census for 1870 should receive their attention, and the opinions of delegates be expressed as to the manner in which school statistics should be made. He alluded to the abuse of the Naval School, sustained by the Government, saying that every graduate from the Naval School costs the United States Government $10.000, He thought the | and in the same manner for periods of greater Military and Naval Schools should require a length, and he recommended that some such form better and more advanced state of their pupils be adopted by the convention for general use. before they entered these institutions, so as to He also set forth the convenience to be derived reduce their term of training at the expense of from an enrollment of the ages of pupils atthe Government to two years at least. He tending school. said in spite of all the efforts to keep up the public school system, in spite of all the fine school-houses that had been built, the State governments had not kept pace with the rapid growth of the country. Mr. Northrop, of Conn., offered the following, which was adopted: Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to submit a plan of admission to the United States Military and Naval Academies to competitive examination to the Association, and to recommend the same to Congress. After some discussion as to the place of holding the meetings of the association, it was, on motion, decided to accept the offer to hold the sessions at the Franklin school building, and the thanks of the association were returned to the trustees of the Washington public schools for the use of the hall. Mr. Richards suggested that a public meeting be held during the stay of the delegates at which the teachers of the District could be present. Mr. B. C. Hobbs, of Indiana, hoped some action would be taken by this Association on the subject of education in the South before adjournment. The Chair stated that the subject would receive the attention of the meeting. Mr. Hinkle moved that a committee be ap pointed on business. Adopted, and Messrs. Hinkle, of Ohio; Doty, of Michigan, White of Massachusetts, Manly of Virginia, and Patterson of Pa., were appointed the committee. The Chair announced the committee to wait upon the Committee on Naval Affairs as follows: Messrs. B. G. Northrop, B. C. Hobbs, and J. K. Jillson. It was ordered that two sessions be held daily, at 10 A. M. and 7 P. M., and that the speakers be limited to ten minutes. A paper on "School Supervision," by Hon. W. Johnson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction of the State of Maine, was then read and discussed. Hon. William D. Hinkle, Superintendent of Instruction of the State of Ohio, made a report embracing much statistical information. The first was a report on the subject and percentage of attendance of schools. He recommended that all the half days be recorded. He illustrated by mathematics the improved methods of calculating the daily, weekly, and average daily per cent. of attendance of the pupils, On motion, it was directed that Prof. Hinkle prepare an abstract of his ideas on the above subjects, and report to this body at his earliest convenience. At 4 P. M. the convention adjourned. EVENING SESSION. The convention reassembled at 7:30 P. M., and was called to order by the President. Letters from Mr. Chase, Superintendent of Schools in Florida; Mr. Conway, of Louisiana; their inability to attend the sessions of the conMr. White, of Ohio; and others, regretting vention, were read. Mr. Doty, of Detroit, Michigan, was chosen temporary treasurer. On motion of Mr. Hinkle, the delegates were assessed $1 each to defray necessary expenses. Messrs. Hinkle, Northrop, and Hobbs were appointed a committee to consider the propriety of so amending the constitution as to inmembership in the National Association of clude county superintendents as eligible to Superintendents. Mr. Hinkle recommended that the census or enumeration of school children include those between six and twenty-one years of age, specifying separately the number between the He also reages of six and twenty-one. commended that the ages of children in school be referred to a fixed time in the year, say July rollment should take the place of the average 1st or January 1st; that the annual weekly ennumber of scholars in making out the percentage of attendance, and that the cost per pupil should be based-first upon the amount paid teachers and superintendents, second, on the amount paid for contingent expenses; and third, upon the interest at six per cent. upon permanent investments. Mr. Hinkle submitted the following, which was referred : Resolved, That we recommend that census returns comprehend a classification of persons at the different ages from six to twenty-one. Mr. S. S. Ashley, State Superintendent of Public Instruction of North Carolina, read a paper treating on national aids for putting into operation systems of schools in the South, arguing that measures should at once be taken to educate Southern children, white and colored alike. The Chair announced as speakers for Wed nesday evening: The President, J. P. Wickersham, of Penna.; Joseph White, of Mass.; B. G. Northrop, of Conn.; William Johnson, of Maine; General Eaton, of Tenn.; Prof. F. A. Allen, of Penna, and J. K. Jillson, of South Carolina. SECOND DAY-MORNING SESSION. | Mr. Alvord moved that the Committees of Retrenchment and Reform, and Education, be invited to attend the meetings of the Association. Agreed to; and the secretary was instructed to invite the members of the committees named. Mr. Newell, of Maryland, moved that the The Association reassembled at 10 A. M., Committee on resolutions be instructed to so Hon. J. P. Wickersham in the chair. Resolutions offered by Mr. Ashley were then taken up, as follows: Resolved, That this National Convention of School Superintendents earnestly recommend the Congress of the United States to take into consideration the educational condition of the Southern States, and to make such provisions, either by the concession or public lands or by appropriating the proceeds of the sale of said lands or other Government property, or by direct appropriation of money, that said States shall be aided in the establishment and maintenance of good public common schools. Resolved, That it is further recommended that whatever appropriation is made, its disbursement in each State be committed to some intelligent and responsible officer or agent of the National Government. Resolved, That the amount of the aforesaid appropriation shail be not less than one million five hundred thousand dollars annually for a period of five years. After some debate the resolutions were referred to the committee for revision, with instructions to report them again to the convention. General Eaton, who was chosen to make arrangements with the President to receive the delegates, reported that he had visited President Grant, and that he had expressed his willingness to receive them at 1 o'clock. General O. O. Howard then addressed the convention at considerable length on the subject of Southern education. He said that during the last five years the Freedmen's Bureau had expended for this object about three and a half millions of dollars. The same sum had been expended by Northern benevolent institutions, making seven millions expended for the education of the freedmen, besides what they had contributed themselves. A general plan of Government aid should be discouraged, yet special aid was now wanted to start institutions of learning in the South, and they should be supported by the States themselves, and not by the General Government. He favored the establishment of an Educational Bureau by the Government; and if appropriations be made by Congress this bureau would be found of great value, especially if the Freedmen's Bureau be discontinued, which had done more toward the education of the colored race than had been done by any other organization. A system of general supervision should be maintained by the Government through the Bureau of Education. A copy of General Howard's remarks was requested for publication. word their report as not to exclude from aid the States of Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky, and the District of Columbia. Lost. General O. O. Howard offered the following: the Retrenchment and Education and Labor Committees Resolved, That the bills favorably reported upon by of Congress on the subject of education, with a view to meeting the present remarkable necessities of extending good systems of education, meet the favorable indorsement of this Convention. Adopted. General Howard extended an invitation to the members of the Association to be present at the opening of the Howard University on the following morning at 9 o'clock. The invitation was accepted. Mr. Hinkle from the Committee on School Statistics, made a report, in the form of resolutions, recommending certain school regulations. The hour agreed upon to visit the President having arrived, the meeting adjourned to 7.30 P. M. EVENING SESSION. The Convention called to order at 7.30 P. M. President Wickersham in the chair. Mr. B. G. Northrop, of Connecticut, sub. mitted the following resolutions which were agreed to: Resolved, That no person shall be appointed to the cadet corps at West Point, or to the naval corps at Annapolis, until he has been found qualified in the particulars designated by law, after a public examination. oath, to the Secretary of War, of the persons examined in the order of merit; and that all appointments to fill vacancies be made from these returns, and in the order of merit as assigned by the examiners. Resolved, That the examiners shall make return, under Mr. White, of Massachusetts, addressed the Convention at considerable length, setting forth that the children of the South should be educated, and that the aid of the people of the North was required to carry this good work through. He also held that Congress should aid the schools at large. Mr. Northrop, of Connecticut; Mr. F. A. Allen, of Pennsylvania; General D. L. Eaton and Mr. S. S. Ashley, of North Carolina, delivered interesting addresses. After which the Convention adjourned to its regular session to morrow. THIRD DAY-CLOSING SESSION. The Association convened at 10 A, M. Wickersham in the chair. back up her Congressmen in anything they Mr. might devise for the encouragement of public WHEREAS it is the opinion of this Convention that the work of reconstruction will not be finished, and a sure basis of a true republican government will not be laid in the States recently in rebellion, until an efficient system of public instruction be established in each, which shall embrace the whole population thereof; therefore, Resolved, That this National Convention of School Superintendents earnestly recommend Congress now in sessson to take into immediate consideration the educa. tional condition of the States aforesaid, and to make such provisions as the exigencies of the times demand. Mr. Ashley then addressed the meeting at some length in favor of the resolutions. He stated that public schools had heretofore been unpopular from the fact that they were pauper schools, and that the private schools were always better patronized. Recently this had been changed a little as the schools had been bettered, but money was needed to bring them up to the standard. Mr. Jillson, of South Carolina, said in the State of South Carolina, previous to the war, there were no free schools, save in the city of Charleston. Since the war closed the friends of the cause had been assisted by the Freedman's Bureau and the benevolent institutions in the North. They were much indebted to these sources, and the colored schools there were a great success. The only trouble there was the mixed school question. The feeling of both white and colored there is to keep the schools separate; but the clause in the State constitution requires no distinction on account of race or color. Assistance in the matter of building school houses is what is needed now, and he hoped the effect of the passage of the resolution would be to get this assistance. Unless educational interests in South Carolina are encouraged, there is no hope for a true reconstruction there. The Chair asked what the effect would be if Northern aid were withdrawn. Mr. Jillson said that the schools would have to expire, as the people were too poor to main tain them. The Chair made some remarks, reviewing the action of the convention for the benefit of the members of Congress present, and invited remarks from Congressmen. Mr. White, of Massachusetts, said that in his State and in New England the belief was that no real reconstruction could be completed in the Southern States unless education was encouraged there, and Massachusetts would schools. General Howard said that, of all the members of Congress he had conversed with, the sentiments of both Democrats and Republicans were in favor of education, but the question with them was, should the Government lend its aid to these objects. He favored the plan of the Educational Bureau and of Congressional aid. Hon. Mr. Arnell, of Tennessee, said that the action of this convention would meet with encouragement in Congress. Hon. Mr. Hoar, of Massachusetts, said there is no desire in the hearts of the people of his State but that the educational advantages of that State should be extended to the poor people of the South. He believed that the institutions of education were essential to the success and continuance of a republican form of Government. He alluded to the supremacy France had gained over England by the skill her artisans had acquired through the polytechnic schools during the last fifteen years, which had been patronized and sustained by the Government of France. He found no constitutional difficulty in this matter; on the contrary, he found authority for Government to people to support the educational interests of the country, and to supervise, in a general way, the school system of the country. tax the Hon. Mr. Prosser, of Tennessee, said that the subject of education was one that he took great interest in, and he was sure there was in Congress a growing feeling in favor of providing means for the education of the children of the country. He said that if the Government had pursued an educational instead of a war policy toward the Indians, it would have been economy. He thought the permanent success of republican institutions depended solely upon the education of the masses. He also thought the Germans of this country took more interest in the free-school system than the Americans themselves. The people should be awakened to free-school advantages. Compulsory attendance should be insisted upon and legislated upon. Mr. Barnard was called upon and addressed the convention, saying that there was no legislation that could be effective unless backed up by the people. The work must be mainly done by the people at last. He favored the resolu tion, which was adopted. The Committee on Memorial, through its chairman reported a memorial to Congress asking aid for Southern schools, which was adopted. After lengthy addresses on educational subjects, the Association adjourned to meet in Cleveland, Ohio, August, 1870. THE PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL JOURNAL: AN EDUCATIONAL MAGAZINE. VOL. XVIII.-No. 11. THO. H. BURROWES, Editor and Publisher. EXAMINATIONS. MAY, 1870. In the pamphlet report of the late annual session of the Lancaster County Institute, the County Superintendent, Mr. David Evans, announced a change in the time of holding his annual examinations. Heretofore these have been held during midsummer and extending into the fall, and the change in time, which begins this work about the middle of April and ends it by the 1st of July, is wisely made and will be generally approved. As two copies of this report were mailed to each teacher and one copy to each director in the county, all parties interested may know from the announcement which occupies a conspicuous place,facing the first page of the report proper, the date on which the examination is held in any given district, as well as the hour at which it begins. This plan of announcing these exam inations in a manner so effective, and so long in advance of the time when held, is a good one, which deserves to become general, and which we are glad to see inaugurated by Lan caster county. YORK COUNTY. Without intending any invidious distinction, -for we suppose there are many cases of great and useful activity amongst the present County Superintendents, we are pleased to remark in the "items from the reports" last month, that County Superintendent Boyd has been, as we felt sure he would be, in constant action. The holding of twenty-two protracted institutes of two days each in some twenty-six districts of the county, in addition to the ordinary labor of the office, has been effected during the season, and was no light task. The ground so long and so faithfully fallowed by his able predecessor, and to which now such a full seeding of professional instruction has been committed, must bear a WHOLE NO. 215. Associate, J. P. MCCASKEY. It is full crop. We look to hear great things of York, by the end of the current term. not in every county that two such efficient officers succeed each other, and the result must be in proportion to the able and continued labors of both. We are glad also to perceive that public night-schools, well attended, are in operation in the borough of York. These are admirable institutions, not only in an educational but a police point of view. A good night-school always makes a quiet, orderly town, at the time when disturbance would otherwise be experienced. ADMISSION AND REMOVAL OF TEACHERS. The whole number of Permanent certificates issued to teachers under the existing law on that subject appears, by the official report in the April number, to have risen to 575. This large addition to the teaching corps of the State in its higher grades, together with other good influences is, of course, producing the expected result not only of giving to the schools better teachers, but of sustaining, with a correct public sentiment, the proper school officers in the consequential and expected measure of excluding unqualified persons from the exercise of the profession. It was, therefore, with no little pleasure that we read, last month, under the official head, of the exclusion of some teachers from the schools in Schuylkill county, after a fair trial, by the act of the Directors of the proper districts, on the recommendation of the County Superintendent ; and also of two removals for similar reasons, and in the same manner in Snyder. This is the right process and an inevitable result. In the presence of the competent and faithful, and before even comparatively indifferent parents, the unfaithful, the unqualified, or the cruel teacher cannot stand. In such |