persons who learn of any class of illegal absence from school to notify me, and I have often said that a visit to the remotest district of the State would be amply compensated if thereby a single neglected child could be brought to school. Our compulsory law in connection with these efforts has greatly increased our attendance. 2. Another aim has been to give increased prominence to the study of our own language, the attainment of a larger vocabulary, and especially of a better style. "The mother-tongue, the great educator," has been our motto. Beginning in the primary school, and prior to and aside from technical grammar, many of our teachers are seeking, first of all, to train their pupils in the use of the "King's English."

3. I am trying to have the Metric System taught generally in our schools. In this effort our school officers and teachers are cordially coöperating. In accordance with the recommendation of our legislature, the State Board of Education advise "that the Metric System be taught in all the schools of the State." To facilitate this work, my "Lessons from the Centennial," discussing the Metric System, has been furnished gratuitously to all the teachers of Connecticut. I have also procured from the manufacturers over seven thousand metric rules and illustrations, and am furnishing them to our teachers and schools at cost.

4. For several years a good work has been progressng in Connecticut, in interesting our youth and people in tree-planting and rural adornment. As a result, we now have a large number of "Village Improvement Societies," which have already accomplished a good work. This movement is steadily gaining ground, and promises still greater results.

5. The special aim of this trip abroad is to encourage

the planting of timber-trees, and to help reclaim sterile and exhausted lands by tree-planting. The experiment of thus reclaiming barren lands in Scotland, Germany, Austria, and many other European countries, has been tried on a large scale, and with great success. The economic bearings of forest-culture are too little appreciated in our own country. In this respect Europe can teach us a much needed lesson. We cannot too soon secure amply endowed and liberally supported schools of forestry, like those so numerous and useful in the different countries on the continent. Our common schools may, in some degree, accomplish the same purpose, when our teachers are prepared to give instruction in the use, value, and beauty of trees, the best kinds for economic purposes, the time and methods of their propagation and culture. It is my aim to gather, from a wide field of observation, such facts and information as may be fitted to awaken a deeper interest in tree-planting, and to lead at least a portion of our youth to become practical arborists. The cordial and general coöperation already shown in the line of "village improvement," warrants the hope of equal success in arbor-culture. B. G. NORTHROP,

Yours truly,

Sec. Board of Education, Conn.

The exercises of the evening then closed with a selection by the Philharmonic Society.

SECOND DAY, WEDNESDAY, JULY 11.

At 9.00 a.m., the members of the Institute reassembled in larger force than on the preceding evening, President BICKNELL in the chair. The exercises were opened by singing "Nearer my God to Thee," followed by reading

of selections of Scripture by Rev. A. D. MAyo, of Springfield, Mass., the audience joining in the Lord's Prayer.

ADDRESS OF WELCOME.

Rev. J. E. WRIGHT, in behalf of the School Board and the citizens of Montpelier, then welcomed the members, in a few happy words.

Hon. HORACE FAIRBANKS, Governor of the State, who was unable to be present, sent the following letter: STATE OF VERMONT, EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,

ST. JOHNSBURY, JULY 10, 1877.

T. W. BICKNELL, Prest. Amer. Inst. of Instruction: Dear Sir:-I deeply regret my inability to be present with you at the meeting of the American Institute. It would have given me great pleasure, and I should have esteemed it a high honor, in behalf of the citizens of the State, to have extended, in person, the cordial welcome of Vermont to the eminent gentlemen and ladies who are gathered upon this occasion. The influence which our State has been able to exert upon the growing nation has been largely through her sons and daughters, scattered through the entire length and breadth of our land, carrying with them the blessings of our New-England civilization,-a civilization based upon mental and moral culture, emanating from the school and church. We have occasion to feel proud of the general diffusion of intelligence and morality among our people. These elements, in such measure as we have attained unto them, have been the one great source of our prosperity at home and our influence abroad. The field in which such influences are needed is from year to year being greatly extended. And the great demand of our country to-day is for a higher edu

cation and a broader culture. We may reasonably expect that the gathering of so many leading educators of the nation, for the comparison of views and the discussion of principles, will aid in establishing a more perfect system of education, more practical and efficient methods of instruction, and will serve as a stimulus to renewed efforts toward that higher education and culture which, if it cannot altogether supersede, may at least in some measure neutralize the grossly materialistic tendencies of the age.

I regret, too, that I may not have the pleasure of meeting and knowing personally gentlemen present from other States, eminent in their several professions and departments, and whose instructions I should greatly value.

I am yours, very respectfully,

HORACE FAIRBANKS.

Superintendent CONANT added a few more words of welcome in behalf of the educators and people of the State, after which President BICKNELL responded as follows:

RESPONSE OF THE PRESIDENT.

Gentlemen :-In behalf of the members of the American Institute of Instruction, I thank you for your words of hearty welcome; and we may rejoice that in the enjoyment of the opening hospitalities of the good people of Montpelier, we have begun to make our influence felt upon the verdure of your hills, as well as upon the world of mind and heart, which it is our special province to cultivate. We, the members of the American Institute of Instruction, here present in so large and unexpected numbers, the representatives of the

teaching force of New England and all adjacent parts, are right glad to come to your capital village to enjoy the delights which you shall furnish us in your homes and on your hillsides. Wearied by arduous labors, we are here by your polite and earnest invitation, to enjoy a short period of semi-rest and recreation, and on this miniature field of Institute work to rest awhile from our labors. We are forty-eight years old, as an Institute, the oldest association of teachers in America. Twenty

nine years ago we were your guests; and six veteran members are before you who were then present, and who are here,

concerns.

"To shoulder the crutch, and show how fields are won." In all these years our mission has been to lead the educational thought of New England, and to influence, so far as in us lies the power, her policy in educational The eminent gentlemen who have spoken on this platform have been the embodiment of principles, methods, and policy which have shaped and will direct all departments of school-work, from the primary school through the university. To-day, in answer to your cordial call, there have assembled the teachers of all grades of schools, public and private, in our beloved New England, and from many States and provinces without her borders. While you have heartily wished for us a pleasant stay in your beautiful village and your hospitable homes, we in turn welcome you to a participation in all the enioyments, social and intellectual, which our meetings may offer to you; and while you minister to us in physical, may we not in our turn be able to minister to you in spiritual things? We hope to be the givers as well as the recipients of rich blessings, and feel sure that the words of the chairman of the com