DRAWING IN SCHOOLS.

WHOEVER is acquainted with the great mass of our schools, especially in the country, must be aware that one of their greatest evils is a want of sufficient business for all of the children, especially the youngest. Children must be employed, and if the teacher fail to furnish them with something useful and pleasing to do, they will themselves find employment, though it bring upon them the teacher's rebuke, or even the rod.

The youngest children of the school, especially those who are unable to read, are commonly called up in a class, or separately, once or twice each half day, and spend from five to fifteen minutes at each exercise; and during the remainder of the school hours, which amounts to about five sixths of the whole time they are in school during each day, they have little or nothing to do but to obey the frequent commands "Sit still," "Sit up straight," "Fold up your hands." Not unfrequently all books are kept from them, "because they destroy them, and do not learn any thing from them."

Now, a dozen small children thus unemployed must inevitably cause disorder. It is contrary to their natures for them to remain idle. The blood courses rapidly through their veins, their spirits are active and restless, and they are not capable of deriving pleasure from continued study. Hence comes the inquiry, What shall be done with such children? How can we furnish

them employment which will not only please them, but from which they may be constantly deriving some good?

Give them slates and pencils, with convenient desks to lay them on, and even if left entirely to themselves it will be far better than if without them. But place before them cards with well-formed letters, words, the elementary geometrical figures, drawings of familiar objects, as of tools, farming and household utensils, animals, etc., and they will teach themselves something of drawing, and more of letters, spelling, reading, and writing. Besides, while thus engaged, they are kept from play and those mischievous tricks so common among small children at school, which are sources of great annoyance to both teachers and older pupils.

If, in addition to this, the teacher would occasionally give the pupils familiar directions in the elements of drawing, by practical and simple lessons on the black-board, and show them also how the Roman letters are formed, and how to begin a drawing of an object—which lines to make first, which next, and so on, step by step--much, very much time would be saved both teachers and pupils, besides the important benefits derived by the children, as they almost spontaneously learn something important in several branches

In this way should drawing exercise be introduced into every school where there are young children, and as they advance sufficiently let them be furnished with paper and pencils, and allowed to copy, by the use of these, their lessons from the cards. In this manner three fourths of the early years of schooling, which now are wasted in many schools, may be turned to profit.

This plan is not a mere speculation; it has been tested in hundreds of instances, and found to succeed admirably. Our own experience has convinced us of its utility. In a school of eighty

pupils, of ages from five to twenty-five, we

found the plan to be all that it is here recommended, and the best government for young children to be to keep them furnished with pleasing and profitable employment. Of course the ingenuity of the teacher will at times be taxed for changes, as children tire of too long attention to one thing, but a multitude of changes can be produced even with the use of the slate and pencil.

NOTICES OF EXCHANGES.

SINCE issuing our last number, we have not received many drawings, but we know that the little hands are still at work. From some schools that we have heard, we learn that packages of drawings are in the process of preparation, and they will be along soon. Children, do not forget the exchanges. We shall make a division of our collection of drawings in a few days, and will endeavor to send some specimens to all who have forwarded any to us.

Drawings have been recently received from the pupils of District School No. 16, Wantage, N. J., P. Mulhern, teacher. Names of pupils who sent us the drawings: Margaret S. Dunning, aged 14; Elmira Lewis, 13; Martha Dunning, 11; Isaac H. Adams, 14; Gabriel

B. Dunning, 10; Lyndon L. Ayres, 10; William H. Cosner, 10; Absalom Dunning, 9. Not so bad, Mr. M. Let us hear from you again.

From pupils attending Public School No. 4,

New York: A. Gildersleeve; M. Jennings; Matilda Schmal. The drawings from these pupils are neatly executed; but we want to see drawings from more attending this school. We are sure they can furnish us with a good package for exchanges to be sent to schools in the country. From the pupils of North Branch Academy, Somerset County, N. J., Mr. John N. Voorhees, principal: Thomas E. Bartow, aged 15; William H. Hagaman, 15. Well done, for a beginning.

Editor's Cable.

EVENING FREE SCHOOLS. IN the city of New York there are thousands of boys and girls who are deprived of an attendance at the day schools, because they are placed at work or at trades, at so early an age. The boys are engaged as apprentices in all the various mechanical trades, also as clerks, waiters, errand boys, etc. The girls are employed in fancy stores, milliners' shops, printing offices, book binderies, cap factories, candy stores, cigar shops, at button making, attending looms, and a multitude of other employments, many of which have scarcely been heard of.

In this manner the children of parents in limited circumstances are employed as soon as they can earn a few shillings a week. Some of them may have attended school for a few terms when quite young; others have never been within a school-room during the hours of instruction. Hence a large number of this class are growing up in ignorance, many of them not knowing how to write their own names, or even to read a simple sentence.

In March, 1848, the legislature of this state passed an act authorizing the Board of Education for the City and County of New York to establish Evening Free Schools, for the education of apprentices and others. Such schools have been opened in the buildings occupied for day schools, and they are conducted by those engaged in teaching during the day.

There are now in operation nineteen of these evening free schools-thirteen for males and six for females-taught by about eighty-five teachers, and under the supervision of a committee of five persons. These schools usually commence about the 1st of October, and continue in session five evenings each week for seventeen weeks, having, however, a vacation of two weeks during the holidays. The schools

The branches taught are reading, writing, book-keeping, arithmetic, geography, and grammar. Two hours in each week are devoted to reading, two to writing and book-keeping, three to arithmetic, two to geography, and one to grammar. Usually only two different studies are attended to by the same pupils during one evening.

The number of pupils that entered these schools last winter was 7,638, of ages varying from twelve to fifty, and their attainments were about as varied as their ages. Of this number 1,094 could not read at all; 2,035 could read but very imperfectly the most simple sentences. The remainder had previously received very little instruction, but even to them the lights of knowledge had become nearly obscured, and they would have been left to grope their way through the world in mental darkness but for the establishment of evening free schools.

Over 2,000 of those who entered these schools last winter could not write, and more than 4,000 were unacquainted with the simple rules of arithmetic. But a large number of these became able to write plainly, and obtained a knowledge of the simple rules of arithmetic ; some even advanced sufficiently to enable them to work questions in fractions, and also in interest, before the term closed.

It is interesting to visit these schools, and witness the eagerness and anxiety of the pupils as they come together, after the toils and labors of the day, to receive lessons of light and knowledge from their teachers. They seem to be very anxious to learn, and teaching them must be like feeding the hungry. Many pupils are foreigners who are scarcely able to understand our language, and this class usually make great proficiency in learning to speak and read the language of their adopted land.

These schools are indeed a blessing to our city and to the country. Besides the elements of education which they impart, they exert a great moral influence over those who attend them. Thousands are thus restrained from temptations to evil and dissipation that surround the youth of a large city. Hardly a greater boon could be conferred on this class, and doubtless multitudes will yet bless the day that they entered the Evening Free Schools.

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NOTICES OF PUBLICATIONS. ENGLISH GRAMMAR. THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE IN ITS ELEMENTS AND FORMS, with a History of its Origin and Development. Designed for the use of Colleges and Schools, and as a work of reference for Professional Men. By William C. Fowler, late Professor of Rhetoric in Amherst College. Large octavo; pp. 675; price $1 50. Published by Harper & Brothers, New York, 1850.

This work is divided into eight parts. Part I. treats of the origin and history of the English language; part II. of its phonology; part III. of its orthography; part IV. of etymology, the parts of speech, derivations, etc.; part V. of its logical forms; part VI. of syntax; part VII. of rhetorical forms; part VIII. of poetical forms, punctuation, etc. Thus it presents a full grammar of the English language. This is decidedly the most complete treatise on our language that we have ever seen. There has long been needed some work for the use of teachers more extensive than the text-books in common use-one which would give them large and comprehensive views of the science of grammar, and thus the better qualify them to impart thorough instruction on this subject. We believe the work now before us to be more complete and systematic, and better adapted to supply this want, than any other published. It is one which every teacher ought to and carefully study. As a work of reference it possess, is invaluable.

AMERICAN EDUCATION, ITS PRINCIPLES AND ELEMENTS. Dedicated to the Teachers of the United States. By Edward D. Mansfield. Octavo; pp. 330. Published by A. S. Barnes & Co., New York, 1850.

This work treats of an American education-an education adapted to our institutions and wants as Americans; of the teacher-his teachings and character; of the utility of mathematics, astronomy, and history; of the science of language; of the means of education; of the constitution-the law-book of the nation; of the Biblethe law-book from Heaven; and of the proper education of woman.

It is written in a lucid and comprehensive style, and aims to present principles connected with education which lie beyond the details of books and the modes of instruction. It is worthy a place in the library of every American.

THE DISTRICT SCHOOL AS IT WAS. By one who went to it. Revised edition, 12mo; pp. 206. Published by Phillips, Sampson, & Co., 110 Washington Street, Boston. For sale by Dewitt & Davenport, Tribune Buildings, New York.

This work was written by the Rev. Warren Burton, to aid in the improvement of common schools. The style of the book is entertaining, and the pictures of school scenes are drawn so life-like and amusingly, that they expose the defects of certain modes of teaching and school management in a manner calculated to fix the attention of even the least thoughtful on the subject. We would advise every teacher to read it who deems the district schools that were so near what the district schools should be, that he still lingers in the "old way."

POLYGLOT POCKET-BOOK, for English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese Conversation; designed for the use of Students and Travelers. Containing guides to the pronunciation of the above-named languages; a Vocabulary of words in common use; the conjugation of auxiliary verbs practically applied; familiar and elementary phrases and dialogues; proverbs and idioms; forms of cards, bills, orders, receipts, bills of exchange, and commercial letters. By Isaac Strause, Professor of

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Modern Languages. Price $1 00. Published by William Radde, No. 332 Broadway, New York, 1850.

There, reader, you have a good description of the above work, from its title-page. We can give no better. We doubt not but it will be found a valuable aid to those who desire such a guide.

THE MANHATTANER IN NEW ORLEANS; or, Phases of "Crescent City" Life. By A. Oakey Hall. 12mo; pp. 190. Published by J. S. Redfield, Clinton Hall, New

York, 1850.

This work comprises sketches which were written at New Orleans in the years 1846 and 1847, and appeared in the "Literary World." Their favorable reception by the public induced the author to revise them, and present them to the public in a book. He describes the life and scenes in that city in an easy and interesting style, show. ing characteristics of the people in spirited descriptions.

THE INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY MAGAZINE, of Literature, Art, and Science. Published by Stringer and Townsend, 222 Broadway, New York. Price $3 00 a year, or twenty-five cents a number.

This magazine is published in a large octavo form, of double columns, embellished with illustrations, and each number contains from 144 to 160 pages. It has already completed its first volume, comprising four numbers, which, having been neatly bound, form an interesting work of over 600 pages. This volume is sold for $1 25. The December number, which is the first of a new vol. ume, is still more interesting than its predecessors. It contains a wide range of interesting reading. The articles on Authors and Books, and Recent Deaths of Distinguished Persons, is a very valuable feature of the .work.

HARPER'S NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE. By Harper & Brothers, New York. Price $3 00 a year.

The number for December, which commences the second volume, is an excellent one. This magazine has attained a circulation of nearly 50,000 copies in the short space of six months; pretty good evidence of its popularity.

THE BOOK OF THE WORLD; being an account of all Republics, Empires, Kingdoms, and Nations, in reference to their geography, statistics, commerce, etc., together with a brief historical outline of their rise, progress, and present condition, etc., etc. By Richard S. Fisher, M.D. In two octavo volumes; pp. 622, 727. Illustrated with maps and charts.

This is a valuable contribution to American literature As a work of reference it is very useful, and richly deserves a place in every library. Trustees would do well to include it in their purchases for common school libraries. To the teacher it unfolds a vast amount of useful information, that would aid him in giving interest to the study of geography and history.

NEW AND VALUABLE MAPS of the United States, embracing Central America, Mexico, California, and showing the new territories, just published by J. H. Colton New York. See notice on fourth page of cover.

ACCIDENTS AND EMERGENCIES. By Alfred Smee, F.R.S., with alterations, corrections, and appendix, by Dr. R. T. Trall, illustrated with engravings. Published by Fowlers & Wells, Clinton Hall, 131 Nassau Street, New York. Price 12 cents.

This work is intended as a guide for prompt treatment in accidents and emergencies, and thus to prevent many serious results consequent upon the absence of medical aid, and ignorance of the proper means to be used. It can be sent by mail.