A must be in a stereotype work. The work presents a mass of information not easily obtained elsewhere; and we think it will be both interesting and useful to children as a reading book or an evening companion, provided nevertheless,' they are not already too much overloaded with books and mental occupation. Still we think there are some serious defects in the proportion of its parts. single anecdote of the mule occupies more, for example, than the whole account of that curious and important commercial instrument, the telegraph. The name gives little idea of the work; but it would, perhaps, be difficult to find any appropriate title for such a collection of facts. The First Class Reader; a selection of Exercises in Reading, from standard British and American authors, in Prose and Verse, for the use of schools in the United States. By B. D. Emerson. 12mo, pp. 276. Second Class Reader; designed for the use of the middle class of schools in the United States. By B. D. Emerson. 12mo. pp. 168. Boston: Russell, Odiorne & Co. It is desirable in our view, that new reading books should be issued for the young, as well as for the old; and it is one mode of forming a library of select literature in each family. We are pleased with these selections, for we think they are executed on the plan proposed; that each extract should contain some useful truth-something of more importance than the mere amusement of a passing hour.' The value of some of the articles for the young; as "The Popkins Family,' and 'The deception practised by Columbus,' is doubtful. But we are particularly gratified to find so many pieces of a religious character, (yet so far as we observe, not at all sectarian,) and especially to find extracts from the best of books - that children may not be left without God in the world,' in which their characters are formed. YOUNG'S MATHEMATICS. Messrs Carey & Lea have published the Elements of Analytical Geometry; of the Integral Calculus, and of the Dif ferential Calculus, by Mr Young, whose treatises on Algebra and Geometry we have formerly noticed. EDUCATION CONVENTION IN KENTUCKY. Convention of Teachers. We have just received an account of the proceedings of the Conventions held at Lexington, Kentucky, during the last month, in time to add to this number an outline of their proceedings. On the 6th of November, the Convention of Teachers assembled and organized in the chapel of the University - Rev I. Van Doren, Chairman, and Mr W. H. Tyler, Secretary. Fifty Teachers, from various parts of the State, were present. The Convention then listened to an address, by Dr Beecher, On the Dignity and Importance of the Profession of Teaching,' of which a copy was requested for publication. In the afternoon, the question was introduced-What can be done to elevate the standard of intellectual improvement among us? which gave rise to a very spirited discussion, in which Presidents Young and Peers, Messrs Benedict, Gale and L. H. Van Doren, took part.' A vote of thanks was passed to Pres. Peers, for his efforts in the cause. On the 7th November, resolutions were discussed and passed, earnestly recommending County Associations of Teachers, with regular exercises and discussions, previously prepared, for mutual improvement in their profession; and the appointment of Corresponding Committees throughout the State. It was also recommended that these associations report annually, and fully, the statistics of schools in their counties. An annual State Convention was also proposed, in order to concentrate the efforts of all. On the 8th, it was decided to recommend, to the General Education VOL. III -NO. XII. 51 Convention, then sitting, the expediency of raising funds to employ an efficient General Agent to travel throughout the State, organize associations, collect information, and in other ways endeavor to promote the diffusion of knowledge. The remainder of the day was spent in listening to an address before the General Convention, and in discussing and adopting the Constitution for the Kentucky Association of Professional Teachers.' Officers were then appointed for this association, on the nomination of a committee. One gentleman from each county of the State was also selected, who should be requested to deliver addresses on the subject of education, and to exert himself in forming a county association. After passing votes of thanks, and requesting editors throughout the State to publish their proceedings, the Convention adjourned to meet in Frankfort, on the last Wednesday in August, 1834. General Education Convention. The General Education Convention was called to order in the College chapel, on the 7th November, by President Peers; on whose nomination Dr Ferguson, of Louisville, was chosen President, and Col. Garrard of Bourbon county, Vice-President; W. Tannehill was chosen Secretary. About 150 gentlemen were present, as delegates from the several counties; and Messrs Beecher, Drake, Symmes and Bullard, of Cincinnati — Kirk and Romeyn of Albany, and Edwards and Storrs of Massachusetts, were invited to take seats as honorary members. The convention was opened with prayer by Bishop Smith. A committee was appointed to distribute several thousand numbers of the Annals and Reporter, (forwarded by the Editor, by the desire of Pres. Peers,) and to tender the thanks of the convention to the Editor. Copies of the report of the Legislative Committee on Education were presented by President Peers, and accepted with similar courtesy. A committee of arrangements was appointed. A statistical account of the common schools of Kentucky was presented by Pres. Peers; and 5000 copies ordered to be printed. The remainder of the morning was occupied in hearing the address of Dr Beecher, before mentioned. In the afternoon, the committee for the preparation of Business proposed several resolutions. The first, advised a convention at Frankfort, on the 9th of Jan., for the purpose of organizing a State Common School Education Society; and a committee to prepare a constitution; and the second expressed the opinion of the Convention that a College for teachers is exceedingly desirable and important.' In the evening an address on Physical Education' was delivered by Dr Caldwell, which was resumed and concluded on the following evening. On the 8th Nov. the meeting of the Convention was opened with prayer by the Rev Dr. Fishback. Dr Drake of Cincinnati delivered an address, 'On the moral and intellectnal education of Males and Females respectively. The resolutions already mentioned were passed, and a third resolution advising that the counties be divided into districts for schools, and that legislative provision be made for the raising of funds in each, to support a teacher. A central committee was appointed to address the people of the State; and another to collect information concerning a college for teachers. A resolution was then offered, to lie over till the next convention, proposing a premium for the best text-book for schools, On the constitution and laws of the United States. The same disposition was made of the recommendation of the convention of teachers, to employ an agent. Resolutions were then passed requesting each member of the convention to hand to the central committee a list of subjects proper for the consider ation of the next convention, and giving the committee full power. Copies of the proceedings were ordered to be sent to ministers of the gospel, and editors, throughout the State; and the convention adjourned, to meet at Frankfort on the 9th day of January, 1834. A spirited address to the people of Kentucky is published by the executive committee, among whom are Presidents Young and Peers, and Bishop Smith. CORRESPONDENCE. [We have again to acknowledge a number of letters expressing deep interest and promising cordial support for this work, one of which contained a subscription of $100, for the purchase of sets, and another of $50. We regret to say, however, that the amount now promised, does not exceed one third of what is necessary to purchase the whole, and relieve the work. The prospect of its going on, if once relieved from past burdens, is now certain. We cannot withhold the following extracts, exhibiting the feelings of a teacher concerning the work.] DEAR SIR; As you expressed a wish that your subscribers should address you, relative to the Annals, you will pardon me for taking this liberty. Permit me, then, as an individual of humble pretensions and of inferior standing in society, but engaged in teaching, to give a few thoughts on the various topics discussed in the 'Annals,' during the last three years, and in particular, on the subject of common education, which of all earthly subjects, bears with greatest weight on my mind. I have been a subscriber for the last two years; but in addition to the two Vols. published in the course of that time, I have the Vol. of 1830, which has been carefully perused. I can safely say that no work of mere human character has in any way been to me of such value as the 'Annals of Education.' Not even the instruction I have received from various teachers, can in any degree, be compared with that afforded by your work. I have found some faithful teachers, it is true; but their instructions have had a bearing on particular sciences, and not on education, and the science of sciences that of teaching. Different circumstances in life are calculated to make deep and permanent changes in the human mind; but nothing has wrought such changes for me as the Annals,' and its late colleague, the Education Reporter.' The latter was to me a valuable work, and I sincerely regretted its failure, but have never regretted that, by this failure, the former came into my hands. As it regards my future subscription, I would merely say, as long as you continue the work, my name may stand on your list of subscribers, be it longer or shorter - even to the end of life. Poverty may stare me in the face - as it often has - and present a future, dark and gloomy; still, as long as bread and water are sufficient for the support of the body, I fear not that I shall be able to pay the small annual sum for a work so valuable. To say, merely, that I like the Annals,' would indeed be saying but little; for the same might be said of many of the ephemeral productions of the day, whose materials for their mechanical parts, often outlive their utility. I like the Annals' because it points out the sure course to be pursued in training our youth for usefulness in the present state of existence, while it keeps in view the grand and ultimate object of all human operations-preparation for eternity. While other works may have done some good, the Annals' has been, and is still doing an im mense amount, wherever it can gain a firm foundation, and a standing with those who will look at things as they are, and at the same time, strive to make them what they ought to be. And what is the secret of all this, if such it may be called? Certainly it lies in this Nature's path is faithfully followed in everything you recommend. You have told us, and with much truth, that in cultivating the intellect, the body and the heart must not be neglected. No course of education, it seems to me, can by any means be called complete, unless it embraces these three points. And what is the course of instruction and education generally prevalent in our country? From the nursery to the university, the predominating point is mere acquisition of knowledge, without regard to the manner in which that knowledge is acquired. An education if such it may be called is often acquired at the expense of the physical system, or of moral principle, and not unfrequently of both. If we look at the foundation of the evils, in a course of education, shall we not find that in the cradle, is the beginning of that wrong course which is too often pursued through life? Is it not owing to the extremely defective state of Female Education that many errors now exist in our schools? The mother must be the moving power, in the march of mind. On the education of females, and the alarming defects that now prevail, even among those who profess to be educated, or to have finished their education,' at least, I would gladly say much, but one sheet is not sufficient for everything. The subject of Common Schools is often brought before your readers in the Annals. I confess it is one of which my heart is full, and one which, to a great extent, employs my waking moments and my nightly dreams. And it is one on which the patriot, the philanthropist, and the Christian, should dwell with absorbing interest. But when we look over the face of our country and see the miserable hovels, under the name of school-houses, that may be found on the bleak hills, the barren sand banks, and even on the marshy grounds of New England - when we find the interior construction of these hovels, worse if possible than the location, and this crowded, almost. to suffocation, with the tender infants that are sent thither to be out of the way' of unfeeling, almost unnatural, parents;— when our schools are kept (not taught) by those who can hardly manage the affairs of the farm-yard-and, most of all to be deplored, when we see the apathy that prevails among those who are immediately and directly concerned with our schools, we are almost led to say of our country, "The glory has departed!' Perhaps, Sir, I have said enough to show you my feelings on the subject of education, if nothing else; and it is now time that I bring these unconnected, hasty remarks to a close. Were I to specify the particular topics and articles in the Annals which have been of interest to me, I should be under the necessity of naming a large number. I will merely remark, that the 'Practical Lessons,' and the 'Sketches of Hofwyl,' have been of immediate utility; because many of the principles brought forth in the latter, and no small part of the former, with some variations, have been reduced to practice in the school in which I am now engaged. It is my sincere and ardent wish that the Annals' may yet continue, and be a blessing to our country for years yet to come. I have obtained but few names for your list, only because my influence with those who ought to have the work, is very limited. As the child of poverty, but yet of contentment, I will do all in the cause of education that my limited efforts will allow. 6 |