have been obliged to employ some with whose attainments they were by no means satisfied. And the experience of five years has convinced them, that no young lady can make a good teacher for a primary school even, who has not made herself familiar with all the ordinary branches of learning; and that the farther her own education has been carried, the better she can instruct children in the most elementary branches."

Written and printed arguments, as to the condition and progress of schools in each neighborhood, coupled with Mr. H. H. Barney's excellent tract on the "Advantages of the Graded System," which is republished in this pamphlet, should be scattered among parents and guardians annually or semi-annually all over the state, and no effort omitted to bring about the "good time," in every school 'district.

A NEW FEATURE.-As vocal music has a refining influence upon the youth of the State, and its proper cultivation is one of the marks of our progress in a better civilization, we design to have furnished, in occasional numbers, a page or two of Music suited for use in schools.

Prof. L. Mason, of the Cincinnati Public Schools, has been distinguished for success in teaching Vocal Music, and tenders his services to promote a more earnest attention to this subject, through the medium of the Journal, if it would be agreeable to its patrons. He has availed himself of the latest and best music published in Europe and America.

WESTERN COMMON SCHOOL TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.-Mr. E. D. Kingsley of Columbus, Corresponding Sec'y of the O. Teachers' Association, as it will be seen in the "Proceedings" of that body, has been appointed to confer with officers of other Western Associations, and provide for a Convention at Chicago, in August next, to form a Western Common School Teachers' Association. The heart enlisted in the cause of education, becomes animated with an enthusiasm all a glow, in catching some early gleams of that rising sun of the new empire in the west, which, prophetic-like, speak of the splendors of a full-orbed day, when all the territories between the banks of the Mississippi and the shores of the Pacific become the land of school houses, and settled with an educated and a religious people.

COMMON SCHOOL PUPILS IN COLLEGES.-It is an honorable testimonial to the teachers and pupils of Ohio Common Schools, that Presidents of Colleges should frankly state, that the best English pupils they have in their higher classes, are from Ohio public schools. Many pupils from our schools are now pursuing their studies with great credit in the most noted Institutions, bearing off the palm of scholarship and conduct: and within the last few years graduates from Ohio Common Schools have taken the front rank in various Professions.

On returning from the recent Editorial Convention of this State, we overheard an order given by a veteran editor of a political paper of this state to our officeneighbor, S. D. Harris, editor of the Ohio Cultivator, to send that paper for the year to his young son, a student at Kenyon College. He said that he made it a rule to furnish his children each with some useful paper, thereby identifying it as their property. We were pleased to learn that this well-known man of politics was an ardent lover of nature. He said he had learned to think while following his plough. This farm-labor training and a little schooling at Doyles. town Academy, in Pennsylvania, fitted Col. Sam. Medary, of whom we speak, to be the Clermont county school teacher in 1825 and 6, and editor of the Statesman, in Columbus, of to-day.

ITEMS.

SAMUEL LEWIS, first Superintendent of Common Schools for the State of Ohio, was born in Falmouth, Mass., March 17th, 1799; and died on his farm near Cincinnati, 29th of July, 1854.

The generation that has grown up since this devoted friend of Free School education began his missionary enterprise of upbuilding Common Schools in Ohio, can only know, in part, the value of his services throughout an active life, but they have an opportunity to to obtain his " Biography," a book of 430 pages, just printed for the author, W. G. W. Lewis, by the Methodist Book Concern, Cincinnati.

As a Christian philanthropist, his character stands a worthy example for the youth of the state. His devotion to the cause of popular education and the suc- ́ cess which he has accomplished should be gratefully cherished by the teachers of Ohio.

The incidents of his life, as encouragements to purity of principle and unswerv_ ing moral rectitude, are worthy to be read by every youth in the state, and we venture to say that no book of personal history of the present day will be so generally circulated, and accomplish so much good, as the "Biography of Samuel Lewis, first Superintendent of Common Schools of the state of Ohio."

Many moral maxims and noble sentences of this work, shall be furnished hereafter, in the pages of this journal. This book contains an engraved likeness of this fervent friend of education. The educational department of the work was mainly furnished by Mr. Coggeshall, State Librarian, and is an invaluable record of the progress of the Common Schools of Ohio.

-Hon. H. H. Barney, Commissioner of Common Schools of Ohio, will, on the 9th inst., transfer his portfolio to Hon. Anson Smyth.

Mr. Barney has accepted from the Cincinnati School Board, the appointment of Superintendent of the Free Normal Classes in the two High Schools of that city-alternate service being rendered during the morning at Woodward " H. S.-during the afternoon at "Hughes" H. S.

σε

We extend to both gentlemen earnest wishes for their personal and professional prosperity.

-Mr. John Hancock, to whom was tendered the post of editor by the Executive Committee, on consideration, determined to continue his charge of the first Intermediate School of Cincinnati.

-During the session of the State Teachers' Association in this eity, in December last, a convention of Superintendents of Public Schools was held and a perma. nent organization effected-Andrew J. Rickoff, of Cincinnati, President. They convene in Cincinnati again on the last Friday of April. Reports on subjects specially relating to the superintendency of schools, ready for publication, will then be made by special committees.

-The following interesting articles were crowded out this month, but will ap pear in the number for March-which will be issued early: Statistical Information from the forthcoming Report of Mr. Barney, State Commissioner; Proceedings of the Convention of Delegates of Colleges and Address of Hon. Horace Mann; Notices of Educational Journals received; Resume of Proceedings of Teachers' Association in Western States; Points of Hon. H. Barnard's recent Speech at Chicago; communications, and many interesting items.

-If the support to the Journal was adequate, we would be glad to furnish our readers a monthly of double the number of pages now issued.

SUITABLE VALENTINES.-Communications to the editor, enclosing goodly lists of subscribers and the money, would be appropriate in February.

-No definite action has been had by the Legislature on the School Law-details in next number.

-We send this number to many of the subscribers of last year whose subscription has not been renewed. We respectfully solicit their remittances.

-We send a copy of the Journal for February to such friends as the new ed. itor hopes to interest in its circulation and support.

If not approved, please re-mail, with name and P. O.

-The Journal, it will be borne in mind, is from its general circulation, a valuable advertising medium.

The Principal Editor respectfully tenders his friendly regards to his professional brethren, wherever engaged, in the noble mission of coöperating with Teachers and others in advancing the educational movement.

The two Presbyterian Synods in Ohio have perfected the organization preparatory to entering upon the erection of an University at West Liberty, in this State.

Our patrons will be pleased to learn that it is our design to furnish, in the Journal, impressions of the engraved steel plate of those elegant edifices, the "Woodward" and "Hughes" High Schools of Cincinnati. These alone are worth the price of subscription.

- Culture of the voice, and physical development, should receive the most earnest and positive attention of young students. Teachers themselves should be examples of the benefit of their successful culture. Prof. Robt. Kidd, who has done so much in Cincinnati to awaken the attention of teachers and public speakers to this subject, and has accomplished a great reform in this particular, is visiting at this time various portions of the State; and as he is not only a man of much ability in his profession, but possessed of an earnest spirit to aid the cause of true education, we heartily recommend him to Teachers and others.

The most neglected portion of our poor and unfortunate in towns and cities, so far as the future welfare of the State is concerned, are the youth who are permitted to wander about without the restraints of home or training in our schools.

The subject of compulsory education has been broached in our State Legisla. ture, and a scheme for a Reform School, so successful elsewhere, is under con sideration by the same body, whose action thereon will be communicated in our next number; but much may be done to remedy the growing evil reverted to, by voluntary search for, and care of, these active-minded, indolent and, mostly, mischievous youth.

Our people must take time from money-making to look about them, in alleys and garrets of the squares in which they live, for the comfortless and the unprovided.

The firm of Hickling, Swan & Brown, publishers, of Boston, has been changed into Hickling, Swan & Brewer.

Mr. Edward W. Brown, the late junior partner, has become a member of the firm of Shepard, Clark & Co., and Dr. Thos. M. Brewer, for many years connected with the publication and editorial management of the Boston Atlas, is a partner in the house. Attention is called to their advertisement, and to the fact that "Worcester's Royal Quarto Dictionary" is in the press.

OBSERVATION OF THE WEATHER.-It would be of incalculable service to the next generation, if the youth of the higher classes in schools were guided in some systematic way to observe and record Meteorological observations. The study of Nature will elevate the aims and character of the young.

- At Washington C. H., Fayette county, a Union School is in successful operation, under the superintendence of Jesse J. Worthington, assisted by John M. Bell, Miss Bascom, Mrs. Lawren, Miss Bennett, and Miss Taylor.

- The Literati abroad are expressing surprise at the extent and ability of the literary works of America, and the extent of the circulation of our books.

- A recent accident, by fire, occurred to one of the Public Schools of Cleveland, no doubt, by a defect in the pipes of a hot-air furnace. The Cleveland Herald objects to the use of wooden ducts to cold air from the street to the furnace, and of setting iron registers directly in contact with the floor or wood work of the walls. The registers, it claims, should be set in stone, else the heater-iron. sooner or later, will set fire to the wood work with which it comes in contact. If the registers are colsed above and a violent heat kept up, the air must find an outlet, and, taking the back track, rushes into the cold air pipe, and when it is of wood, in many cases sets it on fire.

The ventilation of school rooms and halls is to be cared for as well as the heating, and many plans are offered to secure both.

Complaint is made of stoves and hot-air furnaces, for the dry, unhealthy heat they furnish. It is contended that the air is too much burned and vitiated for breathing.

An experiment is being tried of heating by steam, passed into radiators, sending a pleasant, heated air into the various rooms of a house, through flues in the wall- the radiators and heating apparatus being in the cellar. Messrs. Reynolds, Kite & Tatum, of Cincinnati, are applying this apparatus in one of the largest school edifices of that city. The heat is very agreeable, and the ventilation is excellent. The experiment is not yet complete; if successful, it will prove of infinite benefit in application to the school houses of the State.

SCHUYLER'S GEOMETRICAL CHART.-Most of the teachers in attendance at the "Association," observed the chart suspended in the hall. If time had permitted, the writer would have called upon Prof. Young, who will conduct the Mathematical Department, to set forth the advantages of this pictorial grouping of geometrical figures with explanations. Believing that such charts are great aids to students, we unhesitatingly approve of the plan. Copies can be obtained of A. Schuyler, Seneca Co. Academy, Republic, Seneca county. Price $2.

PROFANE WORDS.

As polished steel receives a stain

From drops at random flung,

So does the child, when words profane
Drop from a parent's tongue.

The rust eats in, and oft we find

That naught which we can do,

To cleanse the metal or the mind,

The brightness will renew.

- The scholar who pronounced the Euphrates short instead of long, was wittily said to have "abridged the river.”

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- Hon, W. C. Rives is engaged in editing the Madison papers.

- Who knows and will tell which phrase should be used, "The committee to which was referred;" or "The committee to whom was referred ?"

The time has now come when our common schools must be extended upwards.

Messrs. F. C. Brownell, Hartford, Conn., and Talcott & Sherwood, Chicago, Ill., have prepared for sale, at $2 per hundred, what is called "The Teacher's Letter," being an appeal to the parents of pupils, and designed for use by teachers to send to the parents.

DRAWING IN SCHOOLS.-This subject is receiving marked attention in the Boards of Education in Cincinnati. The Union Board of High Schools have it in contemplation to provide for systematic instruction in this important branch, and the Cincinnati School Board have, in a Night High School established by them, obtained the services of a valuable instructor, with the aids of apparatus and conveniences that promise great success to the enterprise.

In our next number, we propose to present this subject in its proper light, with a view to its attention in the Common Schools of the State. It is of a practical importance to all, and will exercise a refining influence on those who become experts, leading them to study and observation of nature, and to prefer those things which are attractive for beauty and delight.

As the Legislature, at one time, published the “School Director,” at public expense, for about two years, it is reasonable to presume, that at this time, when the demand is urgent that a periodical should be issued in such numbers as to reach the waste places all over the State, the General Assembly should not hesitate to make the appropriation suggested that they should make, as offered in the "Association" by Mr. M. French, viz: That the Legislature be requested to authorize the State Commissioner of Common Schools, to subscribe for a sufficient number of copies of the Ohio Journal of Education, to supply every County Auditor and School Examiner of the State.

When teachers are remitting money for subscription, or names for the Journal, it would be preferable, if they furnish any items of information of their schools, to receive the same written on a separate piece of paper, cnclosed in their business letter. The letter can be filed away, and the suggestion or communication can, in this manner, be available as "C copy " for the printer.

Several communications have been laid over for consideration, as the Editor, in the few days allotted to him to prepare for this number of the Journal, could not give them attention. Reviews of Books and the Correspondence must, for the same reason, be deferred.

JAMES COWLES, A. B., of Akron, O., desires a situation as Superintendent of a Union School, or Principal of an Academy. He has the experience of many years instruction. Testimonials from high sources can be given. [lt.

"Orig.

Brown is erudite, a bit of a wag, and an admirer of Mr. Longfellow. Jones, who had got some hint of the matter in the newspaper, mentioned "Hiawatha" to Brown, and inquired whether it was an original poem. inal?" retorted Brown vehemently—“Sir, it is aboriginal!" Jones, who is no scholar (as Brown is,) felt sure that his question had been answered in the affirmative, and "something over," and retired in silence.