pupils were receiving, under the guise of elocution, lessons alike in taste, morals, and philosophy, -an influence that mingled insensibly with their inmost being. Here was a teacher of eminence, of learning various and elegant, of a high order of intellect, of deep religious sensibilities, a scholar and gentleman in the best acceptation of the term, fellowship with him became a delight and a culture." *

"In 1849, at the invitation of friends of education in New Hampshire, Mr. Russell established, at Reed's Ferry, a seminary for teachers, which he continued to conduct or direct, for several years. But his health incapacitating him for the active duties of teaching, during the severe winters of that region, he was induced, in the spring of 1853, to move his seminary to Lancaster, Massachusetts, where he resided till his death." t

While at Reed's Ferry he gave an address to those preparing to become teachers, full of Christian suggestions and wisdom, many of which are richly worth quoting.

'Our young people leave school-not to speak of our higher institutions with intellects somewhat sharpened and disciplined by the daily grinding of the understanding. But, during the whole course of nominal culture, little has been done to quicken the heart, or to awaken the imagination. Our youth have been trained to understand, merely, but not to love: they have received explanations; they have been accustomed to give definitions, and to execute demonstrations; but they have not been taught to feel the universal beauty and loveliness amid which they dwell, and whose atmosphere they daily breathe."

"The young mind, moreover, claims always of the teacher, as of the parent, that ideal perfection of character which makes itself legible in the language of a manner ever composed, serene, benign, gentle, condescending, patient, dignified, courteous, firm, and equable. The demands thus made must be, in good degree, met by all who would be successful teachers."

[Concluded in our next.]

*From a Letter of A. B. Alcott. Barnard's Journal.

RESIDENT EDITOR'S Department.

Ar a meeting of the New England Association of Superintendents, held in Boston, Oct. 17, H. F. Harrington, Esq., of New Bedford, read a paper on "The relative number of male and female teachers desirable in our High and Grammar Schools." Mr. Chase, of Holyoke, also read a paper on "The Selection of Teachers," and A. P. Marble, Esq., on "The Limits of Public Education." After the reading of the essays, Mr. Philbrick, Superintendent of the Boston Schools, by request of the Association, occupied an hour in some very interesting remarks on the Vienna Exposition, especially the educational department, and the European systems of education in general. It is understood that Mr. P. will make a detailed statement of these matters, in a report to the Legislature, which will be looked for with interest. At the afternoon session of the Association, the essays were discussed. That on "The relative number of male and female teachers" especially, evinced much interest on the part of the superintendents, and was terminated by the unanimous adoption of the resolution, "That an increase in the relative number of male teachers would increase the efficiency of our schools." Each of the other essays led to an animated discussion.

On the whole, it was one of the most interesting sessions of this Association.

AN EXERCISE IN SPELLING AND LANGUAGE.

LET the class take ten words, and before studying the lesson pronounce each word distinctly, after the teacher. A few minutes may then be devoted to studying the lesson. Then let the words be spelled orally.

The teacher may then take one of the words, as "anvil," and ask how many pupils can make a sentence containing the word.

Ist Pupil. The blacksmith has an anvil.

Teacher. Very well.

3d P.. The blacksmith makes horseshoes on an anvil.

T. All right.

You may now write the last sentence on your slates. (The pupils write it.) T. You may now spell the words from your slates, telling what capitals

you have used, and what punctuation marks.

Ist P. T-h-e, the. A capital t because it begins a sentence.

2d P. b-l-a-c-k-s-m-i-t-h (small b).

3d P. m-a-k-e s (small m).

Teacher (after examining a few slates to see that the corrections have 'been made),

Who can put this sentence in the form of a question ?

After a little hesitation, and perhaps some incorrect attempts, a pupil "Does the blacksmith make horseshoes on an anvil ?"

says,

T. Right. Would it be right to say, "Does the blacksmith make horseshoes on an anvil, yesterday?"

P.

"Did the blacksmith make horseshoes on an anvil yesterday?' T. Right. You may now all write the sentence on your slates, the blacksmith make horseshoes on the anvil yesterday?"

"Did

Let the pupils then spell the words as above, telling what capitals are used and what punctuation mark is placed at the end.

In this manner the pupils in the lowest classes of the Grammar Schools may, while learning to spell, learn to form sentences, and to change them from the declarative to the interrogative form; and, in fact, learn almost all the inflections of the language, before they are aware that they are studying grammar.

When, by frequent use, the forms are made familiar, they will readily remember the technical terms, though I would not recommend that they should be given in the lowest classes.

THE PLYMOUTH COUNTY TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION HELD its fifty-first annual meeting at Middleboro', last Friday and Saturday. The attendance on both days was very large, contrary to expectations, as it was feared that the change in time of holding it would prevent many teachers rom being present. The meeting on Friday,was called to order at 10.30 A. M. by the president. Rev. Mr. Hadden, of Middleboro', offered an opening prayer, and also made a short address of welcome to the teachers, inviting them to the hospitality of Middleboro'. This was accepted by the president in behalf of the convention.

The reports of the secretary and treasurer, J. G. Knight, of Hanover, were read. The treasurer's report showed an unexpended balance in treasury of thirty dollars. A committee of three was appointed to nominate the usual officers. On a motion of A. G. Boyden, the convention then proceeded with the literary exercises as per programme.

The first question on the programme, "Should scholars be kept after school"? was opened by W. C. Fickett, of East Bridgewater. The general

position of the speaker was in opposition to after-school sessions; that they cultivated in the scholar a disposition to dally and put off his studies; that it was better to teach promptness by obliging him to do all his work in school . hours. A few other gentlemen spoke on the question, among them Rev. Mr. Hadden, who was opposed to keeping scholars for lessons, but favored keeping them to reprove them.

In the afternoon, Mr. Harrington, of New Bedford, spoke on "Measuring Education," in which he recommended some radical reforms in our present system of school examination, criticising the latter severely. He was followed by A. G. Boyden, who made an able appeal in behalf of the proposed "halfmill tax." He explained that the object was to so equalize money raised for schooling in this State that the smaller towns might have better advantages. The exercises of the afternoon were closed by an interesting exhibition in experimental chemistry by a class from the North Bridgewater High School. This exercise was very successful under the circumstances, and the class showed itself interested in the subject. After the adjournment of the meeting, on invitation of Mr. Leonard, principal of Peirce Academy, many of the teachers visited the building of that famous old school, looking over its cabinets, etc.

In the evening, Mr. Joshua Bates, of the Brimmer School, Boston, delivered a lecture on Habits, Morals, Manners. The theme of the lecture was the importance of impressing good morals, habits, and manners upon scholars, and it was an excellent production. After the lecture a few short speeches were made by gentlemen present, Prof. B. F. Tweed, of Charlestown, Mr. Clark, of the Gaston School, Boston, Mr. Parker, of North Bridgewater, Mr. Leonard, of Middleboro', Mr. Fickett, of East Bridgewater, Mr. Jennings, of Hingham, and others. The remarks were principally in the line of the lecture. After the speaking, Mr. Tweed led the audience in a few songs, and the meeting was one of the pleasantest sessions the convention held. Saturday forenoon was principally taken up with discussion of a question on Primary Schools, in which many gentlemen took part.

Mr. L. Drake, of the Bridgewater High School, read a paper on the com parative value of the classics and science in our public schools, and was followed by Mr. Parker, of North Bridgewater, who discussed it briefly. Mr. B. F. Tweed gave an interesting lecture on English Grammar. This was listened to with great interest by the teachers, and abounded in good suggestions.

In the afternoon, H. W. Osborne, of East Bridgewater, delivered a lecture on "Taste." The lecturer dwelt on the advantages and pleasures of good taste, and showed how it might be a blessing even in the humblest ranks of life. The lecture was finely written and pleasingly delivered, and showed that the speaker had an appreciation of his subject.

The next thing in order was the report of committees. The committee on "Massachusetts Teacher" reported sixteen subscribers. The committee on resolutions reported the following:

Resolved, That the teachers of Plymouth County hereby express their

thanks to the school authorities and to the people of Middleboro', for the liberal hospitality displayed in receiving and entertaining the members of this Association, and for the many courteous attentions extended during their visit.

Resolved, That we are under great obligation to superintendents Harrington, of New Bedford, and Tweed, of Charlestown, to Mr. Joshua Bates, of Boston, and Col. W. H. Osborne, of East Bridgewater, for their thoughtful, instructive, and highly useful papers; and to the superintendents and teachers, both in and out of the county, who have done so much by their participation in our exercises, to foster and develop the interest felt in our chosen work. Resolved, That our thanks are due to the superintendent of the Old Colony Railroad and its branches, for liberality in furnishing free return tickets to our homes.

Resolved, That the president and other officers of the association are deserving our cordial thanks for ability displayed in performing their duties, and for the great degree of success which has attended this meeting under their directions.

Resolved, That as teachers, we are conscious of having received great benefit from this annual meeting, and that as a result, we shall return to our labors with renewed zeal and greater devotion to our high and holy calling. E. PARKER, JR.,

For the Committee.

--

The committee on nominations reported as follows: President, J. W. McDonald, South Abington; Vice-President, Mr. Parker, North Bridgewater; Mr. Merrett, Hingham; Mr. Cornish, Plymouth. Secretary and Treasurer, J. G. Knight, Hanover. Executive committee, Mr. Martin, Bridgewater; Mr. Soule, Hingham; Mr. Leonard, Middleboro'; Mr. Knight, Hanover.

Miss Mary A. Currier, teacher of elocution in the Bridgewater Normal School, read an essay on elocution. The suggestions made in this were so practical that we shall publish them in full. She gave to the convention a few exercises, showing how to train the voice, and also read two selections illustrative of the points in her essays. Miss Currier held the closest attention of her audience during her reading.

Rev. C. W. Wood, superintendent of the North Bridgewater Schools, delivered a short address in favor of towns furnishing text-books to scholars. He was in favor of this measure, and showed the benefits arising from the adop tion of this plan. At the close of Mr. Wood's remarks, the convention, after singing "Auld Lang Syne," adjourned. The meeting as a whole was a successful one, all the essays and lectures being such as were of practical use to the teachers. From the Abington Journal.