himself, in a proper and graceful manner, and to criticise the faults usually committed in reading, under the several heads of articulation, pronunciation, inflection, emphasis and modulation. ticular business; and, much too generally, the sala- to explain the requisites of good reading, to read, ries were fixed at a ruinously low rate. Yet, in the face of these disadvantages, our school system never improved at as rapid a rate-never with half the rapidity-as it has done since these officers have had it in charge. Nor can we look for all the improvement the office is capable of in one year, or two, or in any definite time. As well might you expect our ministers of the gospel to evangelize everybody in the circumference of their travels, within a year or two. It may be true, as is alleged, that some Superintendents neglect their duty. If so, the State Superintendent neglects his, in not removing them, and should the latter office therefore also be abolished? Were I his private Secretary, I would certainly advise him to remove every County Superintendent from office who spent a considerable portion of his time in endeavors to have his salary raised, or who in any respect failed to perform the best duties of the office. There are other points, precluded by the length of this, which I may notice hereafter. Your friend, Lock Haven, March 24th, 1856. H. L. D. POTTER COUNTY-TO TEACHERS AND DIRECTORS. Many of the certificates given to teachers in this county, have expired, or will expire on or before the 1st day of June next. Some of those who wish to have their certificates renewed, will be prepared, I trust, to pass that "Thorough Examination" which will entitle them to the "Permanent" or "Professional" certificate. Others will, at least, be prepared to receive a higher grade of the "Temporary" certificate. Should it meet the convenience and wishes of Teachers and Directors, I now propose to hold a general Teachers' Examination, at Coudersport, the last week in April. The time proposed, is in view of the fact that a considerable number of schools will probably open the first of May. The time of the examination will be altered, however, if it is found expedient. The proposed examination is not intended to supersede local or individual examinations, but to be made an occasion of interest and benefit to such Teachers, Directors and others, as may attend. In accordance with the above design, and as a matter of general interest, some hints are given below, as to the kind and degree of acquirements which a person should possess, who aspires to an honorable and professional standing, as a Common School Teacher. The law enumerates Orthography, Reading, Writing, Geography, Grammar and Arithmetic, as the branches which must be taught in every district. The candidate is therefore usually examined in all these branches, if no more; likewise in the "Art of Teaching." Some brief remarks therefore will be made under each of these heads: 1. ORTHOGRAPHY. Under this head, the candidate should be able to explain the nature of all the elementary sounds of the language, and the office of all the letters of the alphabet, and other characters used in writing. He should be able to spell words, not only by giving the letters used in writing them, but the sounds of which they are composed as spoken words. He should also be able to analyze or parse words by their letters and sounds, and should be acquainted with the Rules of Spelling, and with variant authorities in Orthography. 2. READING. The candidate should be prepared 3. WRITING. Besides writing a fair hand himself, the candidate should be able to point out the ordinary faults of writing; and to explain how skill in the art is to be acquired. 4. GEOGRAPHY. An adequate knowledge of this branch implies, not only some acquaintance with Mathematical Geography, an ability to explain the phenomena attendant upon the diurnal and annual motions of the earth, and to give the ordinary description of its natural and political divisions, but likewise to give some account of the more important facts and principles of "Physical Geography," as pertaining to the land, the water, the atmosphere, and the organized existence of our planet. Some attention should also have been paid to comparative and statistical geography, and to chronology and history-especially of our own country. 5. GRAMMAR. Under this general head, the candidate would be expected to give some account of the origin, history, and peculiarities of the English language; to analyze and parse such sentences as might be proposed, and to know something about the derivation and analysis of words. He should figures of grammar and rhetoric, prosody and the also have a proper acquaintance with punctuation, general art of composition. In addition to this, he should be able readily to detect and correct grammatical errors, and to give reasons for the correc tions. mental analysis of such examples as are given in 6. ARITHMETIC. Readiness and precision in the school teacher. In the solution of questions in Colburn or Stoddard, may be expected of the good written arithmetic, there should be ability to demonstrate the principles involved, as well as to give rules for the operations. examination in any branch, includes an ability to exIt should also be understood that a satisfactory plain the Art of Teaching that branch. ADDITIONAL BRANCHES. ALGEBRA. Some knowledge of Algebra is quite useful, but in the present condition of our schools a thorough training in Mental Arithmetic, is far more important. This foundation for mathematical attainments is not yet appreciated as it should be. GEOMETRY. The simpler elements of Geometry may be taught even to little children and the study be made a recreation rather than a task. It is very well, therefore, for the teacher to be able to teach this branch. PHYSIOLOGY. It is to be regretted that the law does not yet require this branch to be taught in school. Directors, however, may wish it, and every teacher should know at least so much of the science, as will enable him to exercise an intelligent care for his own health, and that of his pupils. THE NATURAL SCIENCES GENERALLY. Some knowledge of Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, Geology, Astronomy and Natural History, is very useful to the teacher, although he may not be required to give instructions in them. Such knowledge will enrich his own mind and increase his ability to interest and benefit his pupils. LATIN. An acquaintance with this language is more useful to the teacher than any other beside his It enters largely into the composition of the English tongue. own. MUSIC AND DRAWING. These accomplishments are eminently useful to the teacher; the former for the sake of its refining, softening influence upon a school; the latter as an aid to instruction in almost every branch of study, and as a means of recreation for the pupil. Some of the higher branches are spoken of in the foregoing remarks, not to discourage the young teacher, nor because the professional teacher mast necessarily be examined in all or any of them, but because no person can have a liberal and enlarged knowledge even of the elementary branches of study MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL PHILOSOPHY. Although who has never gone beyond those branches. the teacher be not familiar with the received theo- It should be observed that a candidate may reries upon these subjects, still he must have some ceive a Professional Certificate in some of the correct practical knowledge of the laws of mental branches, (as Reading or Arithmetic,) though not and moral development, and would do well to read in the others. some short approved treatises upon these branches In conclusion, it should not be forgotten, that the of science. personal and moral character of the teacher is of LOGIC. The teacher should know how to reason; most vital consequence to the school and the comand will find much help from reading Wheatly, Wil-munity. It is to be hoped that both teachers and son, or some other approved author upon the sub-directors are sufficiently alive to this fact. No one ject. should presume to be a teacher of children, who has not a sacred regard for truth and goodness. J. B. PRADT, Co. Supt. PROFESSIONAL READING. No one is supposed to be qualified to discharge the duties of a physician or lawyer, who has never read a medical book, or a treatise upon law. It can hardly be imagined, then, that any one will be entitled to rank as a professional To the Legislature of the State of Pennsylvania: school teacher, who has never read some such books REPORT OF THE STATE LIBRARIAN FOR 1855. I have the honor to present, herewith, to the Leas those which Abbott, Hall, Emerson, Potter, gislature, a catalogue of all the books that have been Page, Mayhew, Northend, &c., have written upon added to the Pennsylvania State Library from the the subject of common school education. The good 1st of January, 1855, to the 1st of January, 1856, unteacher may also be supposed to take one or more der the divisions of miscellaneous, law and State paperiodicals devoted to the interests of his calling. pers. Also, a list of books presented to the LibraFrom the foregoing sketch, the ground to be tra- ry during the same time, with the names of the donversed by the aspirant for an honorable place in the ors, and an account of moneys received and expendprofession, may appear somewhat formidable; but ed, from which it will be seen that there was a balif our schools are to be elevated to their proper po- ance of three hundred and thirty-eight dollars and sition, no lower standard of qualifications can be forty-four cents in my hands on the first inst. The deemed sufficient, at least in the elementary branch- catalogue will show that the additions to the Library es. Says the Superintendent of Northumberland the past year are greater than those of the precedcounty: "We want teachers in our common schools ing year. No book, with my knowledge, has been who can give correct instruction in all the branches suffered to go from the Library without being charof a liberal English education. I do not mean that we want such in all our schools just now; but I do mean that we want many such, even now-for if we wish the youth generally of our State and country well educated and fitted for their high position in society, it must be done in our common schools."Teachers owe it to themselves and to their profession to strive for this excellence. In proportion as they do this, their calling will be appreciated and respected, and their services properly rewarded. But on the other hand, Directors may do much to encourage teachers to seek improvement. Even if the terms of the schools are made shorter, it is far better to employ the best teachers. The suggestion is here renewed, that two or three good teachers can be employed by the year or for six months in a district, and teach in different localities without having all the schools open at once. Suppose, for instance, a superior teacher is employed during May, June and July, in one school, and in the next school, during August, September and October,-thus giving a large number of the scholars in the two localities, a tolerable opportunity for six months schooling;--would not this be better than to employ two inferior teachers, at the same time, for four months each, for the same aggregate of wages? THE EXAMINATION. It is not to be supposed that in order to gain the higher form of certificate, the candidate must be able to answer every question at the moment. The teacher's capacity and qualifications are to be judg ed of rather by noting his general acquaintance with the branches to be taught, and with the duties of his profession. ged to the individual taking it, and none has been charged, during the year, that has not been returned; so that no book has been lost, during the year, unless stolen, of which there is no evidence. The thousand dollars appropriated by the last Legislature for the purchase of law books, have been expended for that purpose. In the selection of the books, I have been governed by the advice of gentlemen eminent in the legal profession, among whom I take the liberty of expressing my obligations to his honor, Judge Pearson, of the fourteenth judicial district, for the interest he has taken in the improvement of the Library, and for his suggestions in regard to books most needed in the law department. The five hundred dollars appropriated for the purchase of miscellaneous books, have been expended according to my best judgment, with reference to the wants of the Library. The two hundred dollars appropriated for binding books, have been expended in binding and marking books, except a balance yet in my hands. I would respectfully suggest that the Legislature provide for printing, in permanent letters on the back of every book in the Library, "Pennsylvania State Library.” The expense of having it done would be small, in comparison with the protection it would secure to the Library against the loss of books. The completion of the additional book cases, provided for in the appropriation of last year, has been delayed, but the mechanic, who has contracted for their construction, promises to complete them soon. They are filled to their utmost capacity with books, and more will be immediately needed, unless the Legislature authorizes some disposition of duplicate cop ies of works, especially of State papers, of which the Library contains a large number. The amount appropriated for old debts has been expended for their payment, so far as they have come to my knowledge, and been properly attested. The items in the contingent expenses of the Library are stated in my account, and are submitted to the examination of the Legislature. The act of 1854, relative to the State Library, provides that "during the recess of the Legislature, the Librarian shall, under the supervision of the clerks of the respective Houses, have charge of all the books, papers and documents in the legislative halls." The keys of the cases in which these papers and books are kept, were not put into my hands by either of the clerks, therefore I have had no charge of them during the recess of the Legislature. on. there are a number of extra copies of some years in the Library-of other years, the sets are very defective, and of some there are none at all. It is doubtful whether it will be possible to supply the defect now. Every effort will be made to do so. The miscellaneous department of the Library might, with advantage, be increased by works on history and political science, but it needs, most, works on political economy and statistics, especially sta tistics of our own Commonwealth, in all that relates to its agricultural, manufacturing, commercial, mining and banking interests and pursuits. It is to be regretted that so few works of this nature are published, and that of these many of the most valuable are issued from the press in such an ephemeral form. But whatever are published of a reliable character, should find their way to the State Library, as it is information of this kind that is most needed in giving direction to much of the legislation of the State. Much of the most valuable statistical information In my report to the last Legislature, it was stated that twenty-two States had sent their law reports to the Library as donations, and that justice, as well as In my last report I referred to the fragmentary courtesy, required that provision should be made for sending our law reports to them. A law to this ef- state of the periodical literature in the Library. It fect was reported, and placed on the files of the still appears to me, as then suggested, that it would House last winter, but owing to the press of busi-be wise to make a selection from the best and most ness at the close of the session, it was not acte useful foreign and American periodicals, obtain, if After the adjournment of the Legislature, possible, all the back numbers wanting to complete it was found that as early as 1834, the Legisla the sets, and then continue them on from this time. ture had authorized the purchase of law reports information that can no where else be obtained-is for these exchanges. How long this was done I have no means of knowing. It is certain, how-found in such publications as Hunt's Merchants' ever, that while we have been yearly receiving Magazine, the Mining Magazine, and Bankers' Magreports from most of the States, none has been sent by us in return for several years. Confident that the Legislature would approve of it, with the advice and consent of his Excellency, the Governor, and Mons. A. Vattemare, of Paris, agent of internaSecretary of the Commonwealth, I obtained from the tional literary exchanges, having requested that the late State Reporter seventy-eight copies of his redocuments, laws, &c., published by the authority of ports, which have been distributed among the States. the Legislature since 1847, should be sent to him, This number is less than has been received within two with the consent of the joint Library Committee of years past. The Legislature is respectfully asked to the last Legislature, they were sent, amounting to make provision for the payment of these reports, eighty volumes. M. V. informs me that the books and also for the purchase of a sufficient number of have been received, and that in return he shipped, on the 11th of December, from Havre, three cases copies of reports hereafter published, to send one copy to each State. We shall, doubtless, continue of books, containing six hundred and eighty-eight to receive their's in return, and thus secure for the volumes and pamphlets, presented to the CommonLibrary the constant and earliest accession of all wealth of Pennsylvania in the name of the governthe ultimate legal decisions of the different Statesments of France, Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden and in the Union. In regard to the future increase of the Library, it is desirable that the law department should be made as complete as possible. It now contains about two thousand two hundred volumes. A yearly appropri azine, &c. The objections made to taking them, that they will be scattered and lost, can easily be obviated by a little care on the part of the Librarian. Switzerland. They have not yet reached us. He is anxious that it should be known, and put upon record, that "nearly a complete series of documents, laws, reports, and the debates of the convention of 1837, both in English and German, are preserved in ation of one thousand dollars would not add more the office of the central agency of international exthan two hundred and fifty volumes to it each year. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania whenever required, changes, at Paris, to be kept at the disposal of the This would do little more than add the yearly is- and to be delivered up to said Commonwealth withsues of value from the American press, without en-out charge." He also wishes it to be known that riching it with English works on jurisprudence of acknowledged merit, of which it is now destitute. Many of our sister States, after the expenditure of large sums for the purchase of law libraries, appropriate annually fifteen hundred dollars for their increase. This sum would be well expended for the increase of the law library of this State. The Library should contain a complete set of the statute laws of each State. Though some progress has been made in securing this result, still this department of the Library continues defective. This defect might be remedied, to some extent, without expense, by authorizing the exchange of such of our own laws as can be spared from the Library, for the laws of the different States. Of the documents published annuallly by Congress the authorities of the city of Paris have fitted up a hall in the Hotel de Ville for an American library, in which each State of the Union has an alcove for the reception of its contributions, and the contribu tions of its citizens." Mons. V. informs me that the international literary exchanges, commenced by himself several years ago, meet with the warm approbation and concurrence of the governments of Europe, and especially of France; that the Emperor himself, and all the departments of his government, enter into it with the greatest cordiality. He expresses his conviction that these exchanges are yearly growing in importance and popularity, and hopes the great object of his efforts, namely, the "intellectual union of nations-the triumph of the republic of letters, uniting under the same peaceful banner of sci SALUTATORY ADDRESS, ence and art, all the republics, empires and kingdoms of the earth," will ere long be realized. Should the Delivered at the Anniversary of the Earl Union Lyceum, Legislature think proper to authorize me, it will give me pleasure to co-operate with Mons. Vattemare in these international exchanges. Hinkletown, Lancaster co., Jan. 26, 1856, BY W. SEEGER DARROW, OF NEW HOLLAND. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN :-Mr. President:-I rise before you this evening with mingled emotions of arduous task assigned me and the fears that agitate humility and pride-with humility, because of the my bosom, lest I might not be able to meet your exhonor you have conferred on me in selecting me as pectations-with pride, when I think of the high one of the speakers on this occasion. Called by a sense of duty, I cannot but comply with your request asking, however, for your indulgence and pardon any defects that may accompany my feeble ef for forts. With the permission of the Legislature, I would respectfully suggest, that a State Library should not be regarded merely as a circulating library, whose increase should depend on the wants of its location, but rather as a depository for books of all kinds to be preserved for future generations. All private and most public libraries are liable to be broken up, and the books sold and scattered, and eventually most of them destroyed or lost. A State Library is secure against such contingencies. It is the only safe and permanent depository for the literature of the world, and especially of the country, as it accumulates. In it should be gathered, not only the treasures of the past, but the intellectual wealth of We have convened, this evening, to celebrate the the present, as it issues from the press. Our auth-first anniversary of our Lyceum; the object of which, ors should esteem it a privilege to have a place for as you all know, is the promotion of knowledge and their works on the shelves of a permanent State virtue. And by way of introduction, how desirable Library. It may be, to many of them, their best and natural that you should be furnished with a short security for a posthumous remembrance. The pub- account of its history and transactions since its first lic libraries of Europe are the accretions of centuries. organization. A convention for this purpose was It is this that invests them with such interest. In called in the month of August, 1854; and according them have been gathered and carefully preserved, to the minutes of the subsequent meeting, it "was from age to age, the recorded thoughts of the wise called for the organization of a Lyceum or Mutual and good of all times and all countries. Their inte- Improvement Society, by a number of young men rest and their importance have grown with their of Earl and East Earl Towns.ips." These meetings years, until they have become the centres of attrac- were held in the school house now occupied by my tion to the intelligence of the world. We should friend, Mr. Isaac M. Groff, as teacher; and to the lay the same foundation, and anticipate a similiar School Directors of this District-to their kind and history for our State Library. The early publica- liberal spirit, it ought not to be forgotten in honor tions of our country have already become deeply to their names, are we indebted for the continued interesting, not only from the matter they contain, use of that school room. During the same year, in but also from the associations blended with them. the month of September, our society was fully orThey now demand a large price, and the library that ganized by the enrolment of a number of members contains most of them, in the best preservation, is (of both sexes,) by the adoption of a constitution and considered the most valuable. An almanac, printed the appointment of the necessary officers. Under by Benjamin Franklin, is regarded with the same this organization, our Association prospered and inveneration as the military suit worn by the Father creased in numbers. In the month of January, 1855, of his Country in the battles of the Revolution, pre- our infant constitution was revised and simplified, served with so much care at Washington. Sacred and in its amended form finally adopted. The rememories gather around these remains of the great vised constitution, with an appropriate address deand the good of former days, they deepen our devo- livered to the Lyceum by Rev. John Leaman was tion to the liberties we enjoy, as the fruit of their published in a neat pamphlet form, and distributed wisdom, toil and blood. A State Library should be among the members and the public in general. the depository of all such works, where they should be preserved with the utmost care, as the heirlooms of the future generations of American citizens. From the period of our permanent organization to the present time, we have met regularly every two weeks. On most occasions the room has been crowdIf these views should commend themselves to the ed by spectators, and frequently our audience has Legislature, and it should become an object with been so large as to compel many to remain outside them to have a State Library that would be justly of the building. There have been received into the the pride of the State, and around which the affec-membership of our Lyceum sixty persons; and on tions of the community at large would gather, a deep- the list of honorary members are to be found the er interest in the library must be manifested than names of Hon. Thomas H. Burrowes, J. P. Wickthere has been heretofore, and more liberal appro-ersham, our worthy and amiable County Superintenpriations made for its increase. dent, Rev. John Leaman and Ezer Lamborn, our distinguished fellow-teacher. On various occasions we have been favored with addresses from several of these talented gentlemen; and to all of them we owe a debt of gratitude for the aid and encouragement they have afforded us. In conclusion I would state, that the Library rooms are warmed by means of three stoves, in two of which coal is burned, and in one wood. Every care is taken by the Librarian, and especially by the gentleman who has charge of the building, to guard against fire; still, the Library, and indeed the whole build- Every member has shown a willingness to perform ing, as at present warmed, is insecure; and it is sub-whatever part has been allotted to him: and now, mitted, whether the Library rooms might not be by our united minds and purposes and indefatigable warmed, with greater security, by warm air conduct-exertions, we stand at least on a level with the most ed from furnaces in the cellar. WM. R. DEWITT, State Librarian. St. Library Rooms, January 1, 1856. advanced Lyceums in the county. In support of this high rank, which I feel free and proud to claim for our Association, I refer you to a communication of E. Lamborn, relative to the proceedings of the 350 Lyceum Convention recently held in this county, to civilization are coeval: most certainly they are in- publican government, which more successfully than these and some more of the useful inventions of the THE BENEFIT OF LYCEUMS, and, together with others too numerous to mention, you must admit have contributed greatly in saving time, labor and expense; and thus in advancing our prosperity as a nation. To whom do we owe these useful and valuable inventions?-to whom, but to men of thinking minds and studious habits? The happiness of man is also promoted by knowledge. In those countries where knowledge is sought rance prevails, sin and misery afflict the people. In this respect, what is true of nations is true of indiThe name Lyceum, as stated in the address of viduals. Knowledge impresses man with a sense of Rev. John Leaman, published with our Constitution duty to his fellow man; it creates refined feelings and By-Laws," when traced to its origin, carries and a taste for what is noble, generous and good.us back to a period three hundred and fifteen years By tolerating and encouragieg reason, it banishes The term Lyceum was prejudice and superstition; and by opening to the before the Christian era. first employed as the appeilation of a literary socie- comprehension of man the works of nature and naty in the days of Aristotle." Although unaltered ture's God, it fills him with awe, reverence and grain name, yet the modus operandi of Lyceums, since titude for what is holy and pure. On the other hand the period of their first establishment, has undergone ignorance, as the mother of superstition and prea change. The exercises of Lyceums, at the present judice, actuates man to violate the rights of his felday, consist in discussing questions of different kinds, low man; destroys the finer feelings and creatos a in lecturing, writing essays, in declamation, and sing- mean and sordid spirit. It prevents the diffusion of ing-all introduced for the purpose of promoting the gospel and the revelation of God; thus encourThe aging a contempt for what is sacred. If ever that knowledge, virtue and the welfare of society. proposition I have advanced I shall endeavor to es- period should arrive, for which philosophers have tablish, by proving that Lyceums are a benefit-in- hoped, which poets have seen in their bright dreams of fancy, and which prophesy has seen in holy vision tellectually, socially, and morally. Of all the agencies which contribute to the civili--when men shall live in perfect happiness,-it will zation, power and happiness of man, knowledge is only be when knowledge is made universal. If knowledge is of so great importance,-if, as I decidedly one of the most powerful. As long as mankind were shrouded in ignorance,-barbarism, have briefly shown, it is such a powerful agent in anarchy and idolatry held the sway; but, as knowl- the promotion of the civilization, power and happiedge increased, this state of things was changed, and ness of man,-that which produces it must also be of civilization, with its train of blessings, became pre- vast importance. I shall attempt, therefore, to show dominant. History informs us that knowledge and how Lyceums promote knowledge. Each member 1 |