We cannot escape the conclusion, although the causes of natural phenomena are hidden from our view. merely, and deductions from them. It is indeed design. Therefore, the world had an intellgent true that we are but in the beginning of this pe-author." riod, as it is but about two hundred and fifty years since Galileo and Bacon first commenced what has since proved to be a new and the only true system of philosophy. But it was still eighty When the man in Bunyan, by throwing water years subsequent to this period that Newton-upon the fire burning before him, endeavored to who is justly styled "the creator of natural phi- extinguish it, although he saw no cause, he might losophy,"-placed the science upon its complete most reasonably have concluded from the continand truc basis. ued bursting forth of the flame "higher and hotter," that there was a cause of the phenomenon which he witnessed-that there certainly was, from some source, a supply of the burning material. So we must conclude from the effects which we daily witness, that there must be an intelligent cause-and divinity is at once suggested even by the fact that the cause is hidden from mortal knowledge. We are now fast approaching the true idea of natural science and are rapidly learning the limit of our powers of knowledge. The old theories of the nature of matter have been exploded, and we are able to know nothing of the real nature of matter. And since this is so, we cannot reasonably be supposed to understand the causes of its changes, or the manner in which they are produced. It is now very generally conceded, and we think without reasonable doubt, that we can know nothing of the causes which bring about the various phenomena of nature, or the manner in which these causes operate. We can only examine facts, arrange and classify them under the laws which we deduce from those facts themselves, and there rest our inquiries. Again, the fact, that the final cause is hidden from the closest investigations of men, intimates to us the infinite attributes of Deity, and that his knowledge and his plans are unapproachable by created beings. Our Exchanges. WE wish to say a word about our exchanges, But where shall we begin? That is the question. Here is a big pile of them right before us-let us stop and count them-twenty-five; and this is but a small part of the whole list. Here we have twen over, some hastily, others more carefully, while some have been read with as much avidity as one reads the long expeeted letter of a friend. We will begin with the top one-the one last received, and notice a few this month, leaving the others for review in subseqnent numbers. Philosophical explanation then, or the explanation of natural phenomena is merely taking each individual phenomenon with their antecedents, and, having collected a group of facts, generalize them into the laws, by which these particular phenonema are governed. For exam-ty-five, now before us, and we have looked them ple, take the simple phenomenon of a falling body. Why does it fall? We say-having previously examined and deduced the law-it falls by the force of gravity. But what is this force? It is a power which exists in matter, which tends to draw bodies towards each other. But this is merely describing the effect of the power. What is the power and how does it operate to produce this effect? Here we must frankly answer-we do not know; and now we have arrived at the limit of our knowledge. All we know of the cause has now been told, and probably the mind of man in its present state of being will not progress farther in this direction. By a series of experiments we have demonstrated the existence of gravity, and the law which controls its action. But what gravity is in its nature and how it does act on matter, we do not know. There are one or two very obvious deductions drawn from our subject. By a consideration of causes, we discover a most conclusive proof of Divinity. We might here introduce Archbishop Whately's syllogism: "Whatever exhibits marks of design had an intelligent author. The world exhibits marks of THE MASSACHUSETTS TEACHER, for December. This is the prince of educational journals. Old Massachusetts is renowned for the interest in education which she has exhibited ever since the landing of the Puritans upon her shores. The number before us is unusually rich in practical thoughts. The article on "Moral Discipline in Schools,”. subject of vital importance-is worth the careful attention of every reader of that able journal. The "Letter from a practical Teacher," is a fine essay, enforcing the importance of the study of language. This number of the Teacher closes the tenth volume, and we hope the teachers of Massachusetts-and of Rhode Island too-will subscribe liberally for the eleventh volume. The journal is now entirely under the control of the Massachusetts Teachers' Association. Teachers' Institute, Bristol. THE second State Teachers' Institute of this season was held in Bristol, commencing on Monday evening, Nov. 16th, and continuing to Friday evening, Nov. 20th. THE NEW YORK TEACHER for December. This is one of the most efficient state journals in our country. New York is the empire state, and has been doing much, recently, for the improvement of her schools. Not the least among the agencies in effecting this improvement is the "Organ of the State Teachers' Association. We hope the articles on school architecture will be exten-old Methodist Church, and the sessions of the sively read. We quote from this number an article on invention, which will be found on page 298. Read it. Lectures were delivered each evening, at the Institute during the day were held in the Normal Hall. Several of the lectures were the same as were given at Woonsocket, at the former Institute. On Monday evening the Rev. T. H. Vail, of Westerly, delivered his highly interesting and profitable lecture on "Acquisitiveness," a synopsis of which we gave in the report of the THE OHIO JOURNAL OF EDUCATION. This journal has done good service to the cause of education by publishing, in a series of articles, a "Report on Normal Schools," made before the state teachers association. This report is the re-meeting at Woonsocket. On Tuesday evening sult of much labor. The author forwarded a se ries of questions to the principals of the Normal Schools of the different states, and condensed their replies. The information given in this report, with regard to Normal instruction is very valuable. We should copy the report in full did space permit. We hope to make extracts from it hereafter. STUDENT AND SCHOOLMATE: Published by James Robinson & Co., Boston ; Calkins & Stiles, New York. The December number of this excellent juvenile magazine is before us. It is "a monthly reader, for school and home instruction." It is full of instruction and very entertaining. The series of articles continued in this number, on "The Science of Common Things," is very readable and of great value in giving correct ideas to the young, respecting gravitation, tides, steam, and other subjects of practical importance. In our Fireside Department will be found an article from the number now on our table, entitled "Do it well." THE SCHOOLFELLOW: A magazine for boys and girls. October. J. N. Stearns & Co., New York. This magazine has been united with "Merry's Museum," "Parley's Magazine," and "Woodworth's Cabinet." So now the "Cousins" are jogging along together. They say they are all the merrier for the increase of the family, and we hope they will continue to make us merry by their visits, as the Schoolfellow has done heretofore. We have not seen them since October. SUBSCRIPTIONS are being received almost daily for the Schoolmaster. We present you our thanks, kind friends, and would bid you, in the language of the old Roman orator, perge quo coepisti. Prof. Dunn repeated his elegant and eloquent lecture on the need of a more thorough study of the English language and literature, and illustrated his subject by some comments on a passage from "Julius Cæsar." The lecture on Wednesday evening was by Henry L. Bowen, Esq., of Providence, on "The Life and Character of Tristam Burgess," a man so well known at home and abroad as one of the brightest ornaments of the Rhode Island bar, and he who so nobly and eloquently battled for the right and defended the honor and integrity of New England, in the American Congress. On Thursday evening Prof. Angell repeated his eloquent and instructive lecture on "The relations of our Public Schools to the Laboring Classes." Although this was one of the course of lectures at the former Institute, we cannot refrain from alluding to it again, as one of the most brilliant and logical lectures to which we have listened for a long time. The advantages and disadvantages of the modern principle of "Division of Labor" were quite fully discussed, and the manner in which the common school is to remedy the evil arising from this principle was very clearly and logically indicated. The lecture was replete with apt illustrations, and the frequent sallies of wit kept the entire audience, which was very large, in perfect good humor. His lecture was delivered entirely without notes, and this, with his eloquent and easy manner and the sparkling wit, which was always so apropos in illustration, chained the attention of the large audience, from the commencement to its very close. We hope the people of Rhode Island will call upon Prof. Angell to repeat this lecture in various parts of the State during the present season. It is particularly appropriate in the present state of the commercial and financial world. The closing lecture was delivered by Rev. Dr. Sears, President of Brown University. His sub ject was the necessary cooperation with the teach-powers. Yet teachers generally are not able to er, on the part of parents and the community at afford the expense of board while attending Inlarge. He maintained the principle that public stitutes or meetings of State associations; thereschools are necessary for the protection of the fore it is customary to ask for hospitalities on property of a community; that no one ought to such occasions. It is pleasant to know that complain at being taxed for their maintainance, they have never been asked here in vain. even if he do not patronize them himself; that the indirect influence which they exert in the preservation of property more than compensates the holder of property for the tax necessary for their support. The lecture was a very able one, and we were glad to see so large an audience assembled to listen to it. The lecturer's whole life has been identified with the cause of education, in its various departments, aud his large experience, varied learning, and gentlemanly bearing are such as never to disappoint an audience. The morning and afternoon sessions were devoted to drill exercises and familiar lectures. Prof. S. S. Greene gave lectures on the analysis of the English language; Rev. G. A. Willard repeated his lecture on "The relation of the Teacher to the Community;" Dr. C. W. Parsons on "The Brain and Nerves;" and I. F. Cady, Esq., of Warren, on "The Hindrances to the Teacher." Dr. N. B. Cooke, of Bristol interested the Institute with an able and exceedingly clear lecture on "The Eye and the Ear." Hon. J. R. Bartlett favored the Institute with his sketches of "The Geography and Natural History of Mexico and California." The remaining hours during the week were occupied by Dana P. Colburn, on mathematies and history; by Daniel Goodwin on vegetable physiology and geology; and by Wm. A. Mowry on penmanship, physical geography and moral instruction. On the last evening of the Institute, Hon. John Kingsbury, Commissioner of Public Schools, made a brief closing address. His remarks were able, interesting, and appropriate. It was an earnest and effective address to the teachers present, since he spoke from a long experience and an extended observation. We copy the report of his remarks from the Providence Journal. "In behalf of the State and the teachers preswho had been enjoying the hospitalities of the citizens of Bristol, he felt it a pleasing duty to render thanks. He suggested that this meeting might prove beneficial to Bristol as well as to teachers, and that the benefits weuld be carried wherever these teachers should go. Teachers need these meetings. They are isolated and need sympathy. They need all the advantages which can thus be gained, for their duties require the most generous cultivation of all their The Commissioner also expressed his sympathy with those who were going out from the Institute to their respective schools. He knew their toils as well as their pleasures. If he were to sum up their duties in one word, that one word would be labor. Labor is the basis of all success not less in professional than in industrial pursuits. The best worker ordinarily is the most successful individual The teacher should labor to acquire knowledge not only in preparation to teach, but so long as he teaches. He should labor to communicate his instructions with ease, concisenesss, and in the most agreeable manner. In short, whatever the teacher does to make a good school, will come under the head of labor. To interest parents, to be always ready to do duty, to have the school-room ready, to wateh over the dispositions and habits, to govern well, to adapt the arrangements of the school to the precise place where it is located-all this requires labor. Moreover the teacher should labor just as faithfully in a small school and for small wages, as in a large school and for large wages. It is this that will prepare the teacher to ascend to the position which he may desire. But, is there no limit to labor? Yes, a due regard to health, such regard as shall be dictated, not by love of ease, or by a diseased imagination, but by good common sense. He closed by admonishing them to labor, with eternity in view, knowing that every word and every act would make impressions I which couid never be effaced." Rev. Dr. Shepard followed Mr. Kingsbury in a few remarks, happily adapted to the occasion. He spoke of his gratification at the success of the Institute, and expressed his hearty wishes for the success and prosperity of the members, when they shall have returned to their respective posts of labor. To Dr. Shepard, for his personal efforts in making the necessary arrangements for the meetings, and for the entertainment of the teachers present, are due the heart-felt thanks of the members of the Institute, and we are sure, from expressions personally heard from not a few of them, he has those thanks most heartily. The meetings increased in interest and numbers from the first to the last. The attendance of teachers, besides the members of the Normal School, was not so large as at Woonsocket, but the people of Bristol exhibited their interest in the cause by their punctual and constant attend ance, not only upon the evening lectures, but Several to whom we have sent bills have rethroughout the day. They hospitably entertain-plied that they have paid their subscription and ed all those who came, and made abundant pro- have the receipt of the late publisher. This is vision for many more. entirely satisfactory. When a subscriber noti The following resolutions were read and adop-fies us to that effect, we immediately mark his ted by the Institute: subscription paid, for we would not entertain for a moment the thought that a subscriber to the SCHOOLMASTER Would send us an erroneons statement of that kind. Resolved, That the various sessions of the Institute during the present week have been sources of great interest and profit to us, its members; and that we tender our sincere thanks to the Principal of the Normal School, D. P Colburn, Esq., for the energy and success with which he has guided its exercise during the necessary absence of our School Commissioner, and to the several gentlemen who have favored us with their lectures and instructions. Resolved, That we are happy to acknowledge the indebtedness of the Educational interests of the State to the faithful and judicious supervision of our late Commissioner, Rev. Robert Allyn, and that our warmest wishes for his continued usefulness and happiness follow him to his new sphere of labor. Resolved, That it affords us the highest satisfaction to know that the office of Commissioner, lately vacated by the resignation of Mr. Allyn, has been accepted by a gentlemen so eminently qualified, by his judgment, attainments and past educational experience, for the discharge of its duties, as John Kingsbury, Esq., and that we will co-operate by every means in our power for the promotion of the interests of education in our State. Resolved, That we tender our warmest thanks to the citizens of Bristol for the hospitality with which they have received us into their homes, and administered to our wants, during our stay in their pleasant village, and that we will bear away with us a lasting and grateful remembrance of the kindness which they have so generously permitted us to share. To our Subscribers. ABOUT two hundred bills were sent out with our last number. Many have replied to them, and have remitted the dollar. To each one who has done so, we present our thanks; but what shall we say to those who have neglected to do it? We would say, "Go, thou, and do likewise." "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might" (mite,) and "do it quickly." We wish in this connection again to make an important explanation, and to make it so plainly and explicitly that no one can fail to understand it. But the questiou is "why these mistakes? Why are your books not properly kept?" To this we reply, we are not responsible for these mistakes. The errors were made previous to our assuming the charge of the Sehoolmaster, and we are correcting them as rapidly as we can. We are sorry to say the books, as we received them from the late publisher, are full of errors, and we would thank our friends for any assisWe hold ourtance in detecting these errors. selves ready to make corrections as soon as the errors are made known to us, and when they are once corrected and our books properly arranged, we will then consider ourselves responsible for all errors which may be found. bills, which are paid, they will do us a favor by If, therefore, any of our subscribers receive informing us forthwith. in arrears for this volume, to send us the money And now may we not ask those who are still at once for the volume will soon be closed and we shall be talking about next year. LYCEUM LECTURES.-We wish every town and village in the State had the benefit of a good course of popular lectures this winter. They are of incalulable value in educating the community by elevating the public taste and cultivating a desire for reading. To facilitate the procuring of lecturers, whose efforts shall elevate rather than vitiate the public taste, we append the names of the following gentlemen, who, we know, have been called upon recently to lecture before lyceums and library associations, and whose lectures are of a very high order. Prof. J. B. ANGELL, Brown University. Prof. ALBERT HARKNESS, " 66 Mr, HENRY L. BOWEN, Providence, Mr. E. H. HEYWOOD, Rev. WM. BATES, Northbridge, Mass. 66 NEWPORT WEEKLY JOURNAL.-This is a weekly, quarto paper, intended for a family newspaper. It abounds in literature, news, agricultural and market reports, and "valuable information from all sources." The agricultural department is quite full. It is, and has been for more than a quarter of a century, a Rhode Island paper. INTELLIGENCE. EVENING SCHOOLS.-The city of Providence SCHOOL EXERCISES. For the Schoolmaster. 317 has established eight evening schools this sea- Answers to "Questions for Solution" in the October Number. 1. If the two rods are placed so as to form the son, which are now in successful operation.They are located in different parts of the city, and are well attended by both sexes. Several of them are exclusively for males, several for fe- perpendicular and the base of a right-angle tri males, and one or two for both sexes together. angle, the distance between the extremities will NOTE. This principle is illustrated by the brace-rule of the carpenter, which has the form above indicated. 2. It is evident that the squirrel and the pivot would last equally long, since they wear away at the same rate. It is farther evident that accord We hope many of the towns and villages of our state will imitate the example so successful-ing to the conditions of the question, the wheel ly placed before them. Especially are these schools important the present season, as so many young persons have been thrown out of employment.-ED. THE Public School Committee of Newport, have established an additional school for the accommodation of the young persons thrown out of employment by the hard times. The school was filled, immediately on being opened, by a large number of pupils eager to avail themselves of the advantages for acquiring learning which are thus put within their reach. The action of the Committee is worthy of commendation and imitation. MR. J. W. TUCK, the late efficient principal of the High School in New Britain, connected with = the Conn. State Normal School, has recently received an appointment to one of the Boston schools. MR. CHARLES COOK, lately principal of the Grammar School at Bernon, Woonsocket, has assumed the charge of one of the Grammar Schools of Newport. MR. F. E. PEASLEE, recently principal of the Newport High School, has been appointed principal of the High School at Central Falls. PROF. Henry D. Rodgers, of Philadelphia, has been chosen Professor of Natural Sciences in the University of Glasgow, Scotland. would never cease to revolve, since it is impossible that anything should be so small that one half of it would not be a positive quantity of matter, and while the squirrel or the pivot retained the least substance, the motion must continue. NOTE. The incident, which suggested this problem occurred on Rhode Island during the Revolutionary War. The Rhode Island Regi ment was stationed on the Island, and was partially quartered in a house, which had been deserted for a long time, and had the reputation of being haunted. During the night, a noise was heard in the attic, of so unearthly a character, that the soldiers rushed up to ascertain the cause. But as they arrived at the top of the stairs the sound instantly ceased. After searching the attic and finding no living being there, they again retired to rest, but were soon struck with terror at a repetition of the same ghostly sound. Thoroughly frightened at this unseasonable visitation, they are said to have deserted the house, preferring the bare ground to such uncomfortable quarters. One, however, more courageous than the others, after long watching, discovered that the innocent cause of their alarm was a little mouse running up the inner surface of the rim of an old fashioned spinning wheel in a vain attempt to reach some ears of corn, which were suspended from a rafter. The weight of the little animal was sufficient to turn the wheel, and make the unearthly creaking, which, of course, ceased at the sound of approaching foot-steps. It becomes an interesting question, how long the house would have continued haunted, had the mouse remained unmolested, and had been subject to the same conditions of existence as the squirrel. |