382 Teacher's Almanac for August. [Aug. THE HEAVENS. The season of splendid skies, especially at sunset, has arrived; and never, even in Italy, have we witnessed more splendor than in the evening clouds of the last month. Encourage your pupils to gaze at them and describe them; and try to fill their minds with admiration of the beauties of nature, and especially of the heavens. It will soften and elevate them more than all rebukes for roughness and rudeness. Venus still opens the exhibition of the starry heavens as the evening star. Do your children know that beautiful little song from the German, in the Juvenile Lyre; 'See the light is fading In the western sky,' &c. If you have not made the experiment, you have little idea how much these songs will cheer and assist your instructions and discipline. Do not neglect the study of the constellations. Never go out with your pupils on a starlight evening without calling upon them to point out those they already know, and trying to show them one new one. Are they yet familiar with the Great and Little Bear, the Pole Star, and Cassiopeia's Chair, which are almost always visible? The beautiful Lyra is on the meridian and almost on the zenith at nine o'clock in the middle of the month. In the neighborhood of this constellation, and among the stars of the two Bears, you may now trace Draco, or the Northern Serpent. In the zodiac, Sagittarius will be on the meridian. Be advised again to consult Burritt's work; it will assist you to teach and to interest your pupils. Remind them of the immense distance of these suns of other worlds, and repeat to them some of the beautiful poetry which has been written concerning them; such as that addressed by Mr Ware to the constellation of Ursa Major, of which we can give but an extract: "I wonder as I gaze. That stream of light, Undimmed, unquenched, just as I see it now,— Exhaustless flood! forever spent, renewed Left their far fountain twice three years ago. While those winged particles, whose speed outstrips So vast the void through which their beams descend! 'Yea, glorious lamps of God! He may have quenched Rest on your spheres; and yet no tidings reach 1834.] American Institute of Instruction. 383 MISCELLANY. AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF INSTRUCTION. THE next annual meeting of the American Institute of Instruction will take place on Thursday, August 21st, and continue until the Commencement at Harvard University, the week following. No programme of the exercises has yet been prepared, and we cannot, therefore, give the details. We anticipate, however, a very interesting meeting. An introductory discourse is expected from Gen. Mercer, of Virginia, whose high character and deep interest in the cause of education are well known. Lectures are expected from Judge Story, Mr Sparks, Mr Abbott, Mr Mason, Dr Keaggy, of Philadelphia, Dr Jones of Washington, and other gentlemen familiar with the theory and practice of different branches of education. Several subjects of interest are also selected for discussion, to occupy the intervals of lectures. We hope, however, that every member of the Institute will come prepared to communicate some facts or principles in education from his own observation and experience. One great object of the Institute, the interchange of opinions, has hitherto been imperfectly accomplished. The body of members have expected too much from the acting officers of the Institute who reside upon the spot, and whose leisure is fully occupied in mere business arrangements. Let each member spend half the time devoted by them to this object in preparing to contribute his portion of information, and none will go away complaining of the want of interest and usefulness in our meetings. LECTURES ON THE PESTALOZZIAN SYSTEM OF MUSIC. We are gratified to state, that a course of Lectures will be given during the present month, by the Professors of the Boston Academy of Music, on the Pestalozzian system of instruction. It is designed to furnish persons already acquainted with music, who wish to teach singing to juvenile classes or in common schools, with a knowledge of the simple and admirable method of instruction devised by Pfeiffer and Nageli. It will, therefore, require but a short course of lectures. They will commence on the 19th August. Two lectures will be given a day, at such periods as may be convenient to those who attend the lectures of the Institute, and the whole will be completed in ten or fifteen days. Those who desire to obtain a knowledge of this method cannot hope for a more favorable opportunity. NEW-YORK UNIVERSITY. The University of the city of New-York held its first commencement the last month, at which nine young men delivered orations and received their first degree. LITERARY PREMIUMS. A deposit has been made with the Life Insurance and Trust Company of New York to be distributed in premiums for lectures adapted to children, each to occupy half an hour in reading, on the following topics: 1. On the application of Science to the useful arts: for the best course of lectures, on which a premium of two hundred dollars will be paid. 2. On the the principles of Legislation - the premium will be one hundred dollars. 384 Progress of Schools in France. [Aug. 3. On the intellectual, moral, and religious instruction of the youth of this State, by means of Common Schools - the duty of affording such instructionand the improvements of which the system may be susceptible a premium of two hundred and fifty dollars. 4. On Agriculture and Horticulture: - a premium of one hundred dollars. 5. On Political Economy: - a premium of one hundred dollars. 6. On Astronomy, Chemistry, Mechanics, Electricity, and Magnetism: premium of two hundred dollars.' These lectures are to be published in a duodecimo volume of about 350 pages, in long primer, and to be distributed gratuitously, to be read in the Common Schools of the State of New-York. The first period assigned for giving the premium having expired, and few essays having been received, the period is now extended to June, 1835. Essays are to be addressed to Messrs John C. Spencer, Canandaigua, B. F. Butler, Albany, or Philo C. Fuller, Genessee. PROGRESS OF SCHOOLS IN FRANCE. We are just informed of some of the results of the law for the establishment of public schools in France during the year 1833 The minister of public instruction despatched circular letters to 39,000 teachers, pointing out to them the nature and importance of their profession. Answers were received from 13,850 of this number, which furnished pleasing evidence of their ability and zeal. Of the normal schools, or seminaries for teachers, long since ordered to be established, there were only three in 1828, and thirteen in 1830, and thirtyseven in 1832. Now, there are sixtytwo, containing 1944 pupils preparing to be teachers, of whom all but 273 are supported by the public purse or by village treasuries. Of 37,187 communes or villages, 20,961 have voluntarily taxed themselves for the establishment of primary schools; 16,126 still neglecting it. Only 760 unions of feeble communes, for the support of a school have taken place. Of all the communes 10,000 only have school-houses, and these expended during the year 1833, in purchasing buildings and repairs, 3,000,000 of francs, or about 600,000 dollars. In the course of 1834, 1,850,277 francs, (about 370,000 dollars) already voted by the municipal councils, will be appropriated to the same objects. The whole sum necessary to furnish every commune with a school-house is estimated at 72,679,908 francs, or about 1,400,000 dollars, which would be paid, however, in fourteen years by a grant of 100,000 dollars annually. The number of boys' schools increased in one year from 31,420 to 33,695, and the number of pupils from 1,200,713 to 1,654,828. CHURCH SCHOOLS. The Methodists of Illinois propose to organize their conference into a 'Common School Education Society,' and to establish schools under the direction of teachers of their own denomination. If the anti-religious party of our country succeed in banishing the bible and all religious instruction from our common schools, they will compel other denominations to take the same course. We hear complaints from every quarter, that our common schools are, to a sad extent, schools of vice. To multiply them, without providing some security against the corruption resulting from accumulation, would be to increase the evil; and efforts for their increase ought ever to be attended with efforts for their improvement. INVESTIGATION OF SCHOOLS IN CONNECTICUT. We have more than once spoken of the low state of public schools, even 1834.] Movement in Pennsylvania. 385 in Connecticut, where a fund, now amounting to $1,939,738 and yielding an interest of more than $100,000, secures gratuitous instruction to every child. We are gratified to see that the legislature have appointed a committee, consisting of the Secretary of State, the Comptroller of Public Accounts, and Rev. Wilbur Fisk, D.D., to inquire whether any, and if any, what, alterations in the laws relating to common schools, are necessary to raise their character and increase their usefulness. Such a committee ought to be appointed in every state in the Union, and authorised to examine its schools, if we are to hope for any improvement in the state of public instruction. MOVEMENT IN PENNSYLVANIA. We have stated in a former number the interest which appeared to be excited in Pennsylvania, in the establishment of a system of public schools. We rejoice to see a corresponding voluntary movement on the part of individuals in the wealthy county of Bucks. A few gentlemen at Newtown invited a county meeting, which was well attended, and of which Antony Morris, Esq., a zealous advocate of the manual labor system, attended. A committee appointed at the previous meeting presented a report, developing the wants of the state, maintaining that the only sure method of improvement was in creating public sentiment, recommending 'social organizations' as the best means, and advising the formation of a society for the county of Bucks. The report was approved, and a constitution adopted. Resolutions were then passed expressing the opinions of the meeting on the importance of education to the social, political, and religious prosperity of our country, deploring the apathy with which it has been regarded, and 'protesting' against its continuance; and concluding with a resolution, that they err exceedingly who suppose that the cheapest education is always the best, and that every American citizen has a direct personal interest, in making the business of teaching a profession both of respectability and emolument." The board of managers were then directed to correspond with their fellow citizens on the subject of calling a state convention of teachers and the friends of education at Harrisburg to deliberate on the best means of promoting its progress. We cannot but regard the course proposed here as the only effectual one for the advancement of the cause. Were the friends of education but half as active as our political partizans, we inight, in a few years, call forth a set of voluntary associations, devoted to the cause of education, in every state and every county in the United States; and we believe nothing is wanting but a centre of action, to produce this result at once in the northern states. Will not our readers undertake, each in his own sphere, to promote such an organization, and favor us with an account of the result whether pleasant or painful? It will be accomplishing much to know our own condition. EDUCATION OF AFRICANS. Two young African princes have been sent to this country to be educated by the Maryland Colonization Society. They are stated to be manly, intelligent looking boys of 14 and 16 years, and have excited much interest at meetings of the Society where they have appeared. This circumstance is pleasing not only on account of the hope of good resulting from it; but as an evidence of the confidence of the chief's on the western coast, in a nation that has so deeply injured Africa. A school has been recently established at Grand Cape Mount, under the direction of Baptist Missionaries. 386 Number of Teachers Required in the U. States. [Aug. RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION OF SLAVES. A report has been made to the Presbyterian Synod of South Carolina and Georgia on the subject of the religious instruction of the colored population, which advocates in strong terms, not merely its safety but its importance. They urge that there will be a better understanding of the relation of masters and servants, which will lead to more kindness on the one hand, and more faithfulness on the other; that it will cultivate principles and feelings which will soften the character of the slave, will banish his superstition, and promote the love of peace and industry; that it will promote the morality and religion of the white population, by diminishing and removing those vices which infect all who witness them, while it will furnish the slave with that light and hope, which it is the highest duty of Christians to furnish them. It is with peculiar pleasure that we see such a report, drawn up by men familiar with slaves in the states where their numbers are greatest, and meeting with boldness and triumphant argument the objections which are brought. May their plea be heard! SCHOOLS AMONG THE CHOCTAWS. Twelve schools are soon to go into operation among the Choctaws, in addition to those previously provided. The teachers and their families are expected to instruct the natives in farming, spinning and weaving, as well as in the ordinary branches of elementary instruction, and are to receive $500 a year. School houses are to be erected at the expense of the government. LEXINGTON MANUAL LABOR SCHOOL. We observe from a recent account of this institution, designed for both sexes, that it combines horticultural with mechanical labors, and that Drawing, Music, the Spanish, French, and Hebrew, are among the branches taught. The examination is stated to have been very satisfactory. THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS. We find the Bible announced as one of the text-books of the Lexington Manual Labor School. In the female department of Bradford academy, under the care of Miss Hazeltine, it has been studied and illustrated by charts for fifteen years. Among the papers of some of its pupils, have been found extended notes of the instructions received in this way, which proved both their value and the interest they excited. As we have already stated, it was the book of books' in the seminary of Mr Emerson; and exerted an influence on the character of its pupils, more valuable than that of the whole circle of sciences. NUMBER OF TEACHERS REQUIRED IN THE United States. In an article prepared with great care for the Annals of Education, August, 1833, we estimated that the whole number of white children in the United States, south of New York, from 5 to 15, stated in the census of 1830 at 1,840,000, could not then amount to less than 2,000,000. Pennsylvania has but 1 in 3 of its children at school; Kentucky but 1 in 9, according to the best estimates. If we considered the ratio of Pennsylvania as extending over the southern and western States, there are not less than 1,400,000 children destitute of common instruction. To supply these, estimating thirty pupils to a school, (which would probably be too large an allowance in the thinly settled portions of the country) would |