572 Fruits of the Musical Revolution. [Dec. In the introductory lectures, he strongly affects the imagination and the sensibility of his hearers, by his descriptions of the powers and the intention of music, to breathe noble and generous sentiments, to harmonize the minds and hearts of men, to honor our country, to excite admiration of the works of God, and, as the highest point of all, to show forth his praises. These large assemblages follow his instructions, and catch his manner of execution with an enthusiasm perfectly astonishing. His kind manner and untiring patience have a great share in producing the effects which so surprise us. The great and learned city of Geneva invited the musical philanthropist to visit and charm its population. Some of the higher classes became alarmned; but in the result, they too were carried down the stream. Pastors, professors, magistrates, ladies of the first rank, persons the most distinguished for learning and science, were seen side by side with children and poor people, listening and learning. When the grand meeting took place, no church could receive the multitude, and they repaired to the Plein Palais, in number, four thousand singers. Here, however, the success did not answer expectation; the wind acted unfavorably upon the vibrations of the air, and perhaps the distance of the extremes made it impossible to keep time. But M. K. was loaded with expressions of admiration and thanks, and a medal was struck in honor of him: a mark of respect, which, in Switzerland, is never conferred but upon what is judged to be in the highest order of merit. At Lausanne, his instructions were sought with universal avidity. Many who had been accustomed to spend their evenings in dissipation, began to employ them entirely in learning the new style of music. Children and their parents, all the schools, the professors and students of the college, servants and mistresses, workmen and masters, persons who had been the most opposed to each other, in religion and politics, the inhabitants of different villages distinguished by banners, all were attracted, all seemed to be of one heart and soul. When the previous training was complete, a day was fixed for the grand concert. More than two thousand singers arranged in the great church, the noblest Gothic building in Switzerland; the flags of villages and societies were tastefully arranged on an ivy-clad tower; the vast multitude who came to hear were disposed within and without and then was sung a hymn and its air, of Luther's composing, simple, grave, noble. But O the effect! No words can utter it!-The impression will never be forgotten. The happy fruits of this Musical Revolution show themselves almost everywhere. The people in the different places keep up 1834.] Teacher's Almanac for December. 573 their singing meetings. In the summer evenings they are seen in the church-yard, or on the village-green. In the streets and on the roads, the ear of the passenger is met by the sweet sounds. In these groups we perceive some failures of execution, compared with the fine style when led by M. Kaupert; but attention and practice will remedy them. THE TEACHER'S ALMANAC FOR DECEMBER. THE SCHOOL ROOM. MANY teachers smile when we venture to speak of the importance of duly ventilating the school room; and some no doubt shrink back in disgust or horror, lest we should repeat to them the old story of the black hole at Calcutta. But if there are teachers to be found,—and undoubtedly there are,— who do not believe that breathing renders atmospheric air unfit for respiration at the rate of a gallon a minute, (as we have so often insisted,) we do not ask them at once to relinquish their scepticism; but we do ask them to make an experiment, and then reflect on the consequences of inhaling bad air for a longer period, and by lungs more tender than their own. Let them confine themselves in a small tight closet, or cask, holding just sixty gallons besides the space occupied by their own persons, and there remain exactly one hour. At first they will breathe with considerable freedom; but after the lapse of sixty minutes, respiration will be more difficult. We do not ask them to continue in it longer than one hour, lest it should do their lungs permanent injury. Let teachers, then, look well to the purity of their school rooms. If they do not fear for themselves, let them at least fear for others. If they have no mercy on their own lungs, let them have mercy on those of the children committed by God and parents to their charge. Temperature is important; but terrible as is the catalogue of evils which result from its neglect, they are hardly to be named on the same day with poisoned lungs, and deranged vital organs, generally. The one is a mere attack upon the suburbs, or outposts of human existence, the other is destroying the citadel. THE EARTH. The world we inhabit is now wrapped in the gloom of winter. The vegetable kingdom as well as a part of the more highly elevated animal world is apparently sunk in death. How cold, how cheerless! But is this the end of so large a portion of the great Creator's works! Will there be no renovation,-no cheerful resurrection? Yes; when the winds of a few wintry months have whistled over the temporary tomb of millions of organized beings, the "powerful king of day," returning from the chambers of the south, shall reanimate the slumbering tribes, restore the sleeping dead, and Nature shall once more put on her beautiful robes. 574 Western College of Professional Teachers. [Dec. Even so is it with man. Though he sleep not during the winter with the bat and the marmot, and the hedgehog, and the woodchuck, yet his long sleep must sooner or later, come. He must he down in the grave to awake no more, till the Sun of Righteousness, rising in glorious strength, and awful majesty, shall rouse all who sleep, and animate them with new life. What teacher will fail occasionally to remind his pupils of this brighter and better resurrection? THE HEAVENS. Aries is the constellation of the zodiac now immediately north of the Pleiades; and east of Andromeda, is the constellation of Perseus. The Whale may also be studied through this month. Jupiter will be visible during the evenings. Venus will become the morning star at the close of December. MISCELLANY. EDUCATION CONVENTION AT CINCINNATI. THE third session of the "Western Literary Institute, and College of Professional Teachers," commenced at Cincinnati, on the 6th of October last, and continued in session four days. The following Lectures were assigned for the session. 1. On the moral character and influence of Teachers; by Rev. J. Van Doren, Lexington, Ky. 2. Against the Classics and Mathematics as part of a scheme of general Education in this country; by Thomas S. Grimke, Esq., Charleston, S. C. 3. The influence of the regular study of the Bible on intellectual and moral improvement; by Rev. W. H. McGuffy, Oxford, Ohio. 4. The best method of teaching the languages; by W. Hopwood, M. An Cincinnati. 5. The application of principles to practice, in the various departments of physical science; by Rev. E. Slack, Oxford, Ohio. 6. Anatomy and Physiology, as a branch of study in Schools and Academies; by A. Kinmont, A. M. Cincinnati. 7. The proper method of teaching Geography and History in connection; by J. L. Tracy, Esq., Lexington, Ky. 8. Constitutional and Criminal law, as a branch of study in schools and Academies; by B. Storer, Esq., Cinncinnati. 9. College Discipline; by Prof. M. A. H. Niles, South Hanover, Ind. 10. The nature and moral influence of Music; by W. Nixon, Esq., Professor of Music, Cincinnati. 11. Institutions for Teachers; by Rev. Dr. Beecher, Lane Seminary, Ohio. Besides the Lectures, several reports were to be made from Committees on topics mentioned in our last volume, at page 591. We have been unable to learn from the public papers, whether the lectures were all delivered; though one was given which had not been announced, by E. D. Mansfield, Esq., on Mathematics. We find, however, that the meeting was well attended, the audience sometimes consisting of 1500 persons; and that the interest was greatly enhanced by a most able discussion, by Mr. Grimke, L 1834.] Evening Education Party. 575 and Mr. Kinmont, of the question, Whether the Classics ought to be studied as a branch of general Education: the former maintaining the negative, and the latter the affirmative. These efforts of Mr. Grimke were among the last acts of his public life. He died in a day or two after the close of the Convention. EVENING EDUCATION PARTY. On the evening after the "Western Literary Institute and College of Teachers" adjourned its late session at Cincinnati, Dr. Drake, of that city, threw open his doors to the Teachers present in the city, and to many other gentlemen, and a kind of Education party was convened. Here the conversation turned almost solely on subjects connected with Education. Partly for the sake of ascertaining the opinions of the company on certain topics, and partly for amusement, many votes were taken on the questions which were agitated. The following are a few of the questions, with the results. What is the nativity of each individual comprising the company? England, 7; New England, 27; New York, 8; New Jersey, 2; Pennsylvania, 9; Virginia, 3; North Carolina, 1; South Carolina, 2; Kentucky, 2; Ohio, 8.-69. Has a spirit of emulation a favorable or unfavorable tendency, employed as a means to promote improvement among young persons?- Affirmative 62; Negative 7. Is it expedient to employ the rod in restraining youth.-Affirm. 44; Neg. 25. How many pupils can one instruct to the best advantage?―30. Should the Bible be adopted as a school-book?-Affirmative unanimously. Should it be studied at particular times set apart for the purpose, or indiscriminately with other studies? At particular times.— Ône dissenting voice. Should the study of the ancient classics be required as a necessary branch in our colleges and universities? — Affirm. 32; Neg. 26; Neutral 6; several of the company having retired. Should the studies in regular institutions be uniform, and all the students required to pursue the same course? Affirm. 28; Neg. 30. Should the study of mathematics be required in every regular institution?- Affirm. 36; Neg. 23. Should anatomy and physiology constitute a part of popular education? - Affirm. 57; Neg. 1. Should the system of giving diplomas as now practised in colleges be abolished, and certificates substituted?— Affirm. by a decided majority,not counted. Should female education be confided exclusively to females?— Affirm. 5; Neg. 18. Should chemistry and natural philosophy be studied by females? Affirm. 21; Neg. 3. Should the government of the teacher extend beyond the bounds of the school-room and sehool-yard? — Affirm. 27; Neg. 5. At another meeting on a similar occasion, the question, Has the system of instituting printed questions in elementary school-books, a favorable or unfavorable tendency?— Affirm. 8; Neg. 6; Neutral, 3. INSTRUCTION OF THE COLORED POPULATION. Evening schools for adults.—We learn that the "Association of Friends," in Philadelphia, formed three years ago, of which a brief account was given 576 Instruction of Africans and Indians. [Dec. at page 284 of our third volume, continues to be the instrument of much good to that class of the population for whom it was designed. It was the means of opening, in the autumn of 1833, two schools, one for men and the other for women. They commenced in October, and continued till the end of February last, and the female school till sometime in April. The male school had an average of thirty-five attendants during the winter, and the female of fifty; making a total of 85. Renewed efforts have been made during the present autumn, in this sphere of Christian benevolence and right legislation. These efforts have resulted in the establishment of four schools, instead of two; of which one half are for males, and the other half for females. Instruction for all Classes. Efforts are making in Kentucky to form a State Association for the Religious and Moral Improvement of the colored population. The kinds of instruction proposed are, 1. Special preaching; 2. Oral instruction from the Bible, in something like Bible classes; 3. In places where the public sentiment will permit it, reading. The leaders in this movement adopt the principle, that slavery cannot be terminated peaceably in any other manner than by the religious and moral instruction of the slaves themselves. INDIAN ACADEMy, near Georgetown, Kr. This is under the superintendence of Col. Richard M. Johnson. It embraces one hundred and forty pupils of all ages, from ten different tribes. Among them are Choctaws, Chickasaws, Cherokees, Pawnees, Winnebagoes, Sacs, Foxes, &c. &c. It is an affecting sight to see the youthful remnants of these once powerful tribes, as arranged two and two, they slowly march to and from their meals, with drums beating and colors flying. Where are their proud ancestors, with iron frames and elastic nerves, who called the great valley "their own, their native land?" A few stragglers in the "far west," and these youths, are all that remain. Col. Johnson is said to receive $250 per annum for the instruction of each pupil. This amounts to an immense sum, which must leave a handsome profit. The lodging rooms are constructed of logs one story high, and differ not, except in their size, from the common dwellings of new settlers in Indiana and Illinois. The school house is also constructed of logs, two stories high. By leaving out one log, and inserting in its place panes of glass, sufficient light is admitted. The school is furnished with philosophical and mathematical apparatus of the plainest kind. Four teachers and a superintendent control the school. The superintendent is the Rev. Mr. Henderson, of the regular Baptist Church. He is an intelligent and amiable man, deeply solicitous for the welfare of his interesting charge. The other teachers are respectable. The pupils are taught to sing by a native teacher. This school promises to be of solid utility to the young sons of the forest who enjoy its privileges. It is desirable to see all the present buildings supplanted by large, airy, and convenient edifices like those of other literary institutions. This would have a vivifying influence on the students, and render them still more solicitous to introduce among their countrymen, the arts and elegancies of civilized life. Cincinnati Journal. AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS. Dickinson College. - We have recently received a pamphlet, containing the Inaugural Address of the Rev. J. P. Durbin, Principal of Dickinson College, Carlisle, Penn.; and another embracing the Statutes of the College, including the course of Studies, &c. The Address is rich in valua |