The principle upon which this grant is founded resembles that laid The system of instruction provided excludes sectarian religious Upon this point the report of the trustees of the PUBLIC SCHOOL The whole number of children attending the schools of the The population of New York numbers 371,223 inhabitants, to Every ward of the city has its school, and these are in most cases divided into boys' and girls' schools, with departments called primary. The total outlay for these schools amounted in 1846 to 264,140 dollars 67 cents, of which 35,404 dollars 71 cents were received from the State School Fund. Louisiana.-The following account of education in Louisiana is taken from a communication to a Washington newspaper, forwarded by Her Majesty's Minister. Previous to the year 1841, for a period of near 30 years, the legislature of Louisiana had been engaged in efforts to lay the foundation of a permanent system of education for the people. Munificent appropriations had been lavished with no sparing hand; experiment had succeeded to experiment, each costing much treasure, and each in turn abandoned, as its failure attested the erroneous policy and mistaken judgment of its authors. Without going into the details of all that was done throughout the State, it will be sufficient to glance at the history of education as we find it under the different systems adopted by the legislature for the immediate benefit of the city of New Orleans up to the year 1841, in which city, at that time, commenced the free-school system, which has had, as you will presently see, the most triumphant success, and has given an impulse to the true onward march of public education in every part of Louisiana, and, I may add, in the States of Mississippi and Texas. On the 6th of March, 1819, an Act was passed, making appropriations for the support of the college of Orleans, a corporation which had been established some years before. By this Act, the regents of the University were authorized to raise a sum not exceeding 25,000 dollars by means of lotteries. An Act, approved February 16th, 1821, entitled "An Act to extend and improve the system of public instruction in the state of Louisiana," abolished the body politic created by law under the title of "The Regents of the University of Orleans," and provided for the formation of a Board of Administrators in lieu thereof, to consist of nine persons residing in the city, who were to be annually appointed by the Governor and Senate. By the 11th section of the Act, the sum of 1000 dollars, in addition to the 4000 dollars appropriated under previous laws, was to be paid by the Treasurer of the State for the support of the college. Subsequently, the legislature passed another Act, abolishing entirely the corporation of the college of Orleans, and establishing one central and two primary schools in the city and suburbs. By this law, 50 children, chosen from among the poorer class, were admitted into each of the schools, free of charge, on their being presented to the director of the schools either by their president or the mayor of the city. None of the children to be admitted gratuitously were to be under the age of 7, or above the age of 14 years. By the Act of 1827, the number of pupils entitled to gratuitous admittance into each of the schools was not to exceed 100. Under the administration of the gentlemen composing the regency these institutions were conducted with various success until the 16th of February, 1841: the same may be said of the other institutions fostered by the legislature throughout the state. If, then, up to this period, the expectations and wishes of the friends of education had been disappointed, you will perceive it did not arise from indifference to the subject, or from want of liberality in the expenditure of money, on the part of the people. The failure must rather be attributed to some imperfect organization of the school system, or to defective administration of the various plans of education adopted by the legislature. At any rate, in the year 1841, the magnitude of the evil was felt so keenly that a number of zealous and enterprising men held a meeting in New Orleans for the purpose of devising some remedy; and the result of their deliberations was, a successful application to the legislature for the passage of an Act authorizing the several municipal corporations to establish and organize, in such a manner as might to them seem judicious, "public schools in each municipality for the gratuitous education of the children residing therein, to which public schools all resident white children were to be admitted." By this Act, too, power is granted to the councils to levy taxes for the support of the schools, and the Treasurer of the State is required to pay annually for their support, to each municipality, the sum of 8 dollars 62 cents for each and every taxable inhabitant in said municipalities, as paid by law to other parishes. Shortly after the passage of this Act, the council of the second municipality created a Board of Directors of public schools, by selecting 12 of its respected fellow-citizens, who, together with its standing committee on public education, were intrusted with authority to prescribe rules and discipline for the schools, directing the system and course of education therein, and selecting teachers. The system of instruction introduced into these schools, and the rules by which they have been governed, are in strict accordance with those prescribed by enlightened experience in the larger cities and towns throughout the United States. The schools are of three grades-the primary, the intermediate, and the high schools. Children are admitted at six years of age: they are placed in the primary department, whatever may be their age, until they have some knowledge of reading, writing on slates, and mental arithmetic; in the intermediate department are taught reading, writing, geography, English grammar, history, the writing of the English language, vocal music, French, and, to the boys, declamation. A few verses of the sacred Scriptures are read, without note or comment, on the opening of the schools in the morning, succeeded by a form of prayer prescribed by the Board of Directors. The teachers are required to inculcate upon their pupils, on all proper occasions, the principles of morality and virtue. By Article 133, a superintendent of public education is to be appointed, to hold his office for two years; his duties to be pre scribed by law, and to receive such compensation as the legislature may direct. By Article 134, the legislature shall establish free public schools throughout the state, and shall provide means for their support, by taxation or otherwise. By Articles 135 and 136, certain specified funds, such as the proceeds of public lands, &c., are to be appropriated to the support of such schools. By Articles 137, 138, and 139, a university shall be established in the city of New Orleans, to be composed of four faculties, to wit -one of law, one of medicine, one of the natural sciences, and one of letters. For its further organization and government the legislature shall provide by law. Washington. By an Act passed in 1844, the city of Washington is divided into four districts for educational purposes, to be directed by trustees consisting of three persons from each school district, with the mayor of the city as president. School-rooms were to be built at the state expense, but confined to the use of the white population. Tuition fees of 50 cents per month, except in the case of extreme poverty, to be enacted; but if wholly unable to pay, children are to be admitted to instruction free, and to be furnished, at the public cost, with books and stationery. The annexed table will exhibit the number of pay and free pupils in the several schools at the close of the year, the amount of appropriation for the support of the schools, the amount expended, and the balance or excess respectively, up to the 31st July, 1847. Virginia. The care of education was for many years undertaken by a society termed the "Literary Fund Society," but in 1842 the State took the burthen upon itself, and School Commissioners were named by each County and Corporation Court. The capital of the "Literary Fund" invested in the public stocks amounted to 1,472,560 dolls. 82 cents, the interest of which was 91,923 dolls. 29 cents, out of which 89,390 dolls. 86 cents was paid to the University and other schools. * Average. Sums appropriated to Education from the "Literary Fund." Fixed appropriations. Dollars. To the University of Virginia, annuity for the year 1847 15,000.00 Appropriations of Surplus Revenue. Dollars. 45,000.00 60,000.00 1,500.00 To military institute at Lexington, annuity for the year end- To primary schools, additional appropriation for the year 1848 25,000.00 2,890.86 29,390.86 89,390-86 Total amount of disbursements and appropriations, be- State of Education. Number of schools in 121 counties and towns 3,718 Number of poor children in 124 counties and towns 55,935 27,999 Number of poor children sent to Lancasterian and other schools in 4 towus 574 Number of poor children sent to 44 district schools in 4 counties Total number of children educated in 127 counties and towns 549 29,122 Expenditure. Amount expended for tuition of poor children at the common and Lancasterian schools, including books, compensation to officers, and all other expenses Average actual attendance of each poor child at common schools, 58th days, equal to nearly 12 weeks. Average amount paid for tuition of each poor child at common and Lancasterian schools, 2·41 dollars. Average at district schools, 2·65 dollars. Average cost per diem of tuition and expenses of each poor child sent to common and Lancasterian schools, 4th cents. Virginia has adopted the plan of local assessment by various Acts passed by the legislature between 1818 and 1812; the nature of which will be apparent from the following extracts. "It shall be the duty of the Courts of the several counties, cities, and corporate towns, represented in the General Assembly, and of the borough of Norfolk [annually], in the month of October, or as soon thereafter as may be, to appoint not less than 5 nor more than 15 discreet persons, to be called School Commissioners, for the counties, cities, the said corporate towns and borough of Norfolk, respectively, in which they may be appointed; and shall moreover, make an order, directing their respective sheriffs or sergeants to notify such Commissioners of their appointment." "All money, funds, debts, or other property, now held by the overseers of the poor of any county or corporation, and derived |