Thirteenth Annual Report and Documents of the upon the light obtained from their languages. To group and classify them into families, on philosophical principles, will be to restore these ancient relations. Their traditions and historical affinities, so far as they reach, will generally attest the truth of the facts denoted by language.dition and accomplishes a vast amount of good. It has already gained a strong hold upon the sympathies of the public by the excellent system of management which has characterized it from In our future policy, they should be removed or colonized in reference to this relationship, and foreign groups not be commingled with the cog nate tribes. "The true object of investigating the languages is thus perceived, and it is hoped that its practical, as well as historical importance, will be appreciated in ready responses from persons receiving these sheets." Editor's Table. THE AMERICAN QUARTERLY REGISTER AND MAGAZINE, conducted by JAMES STRYKER: March, 1849. Vol 2, No. 1. We have already given our opinion of this excellent quarterly. Like its predecessors, the number before us contains a vast amount of useful information, which is alike valuable for the present and the future. The historical and sta tistical departments are full and accurate, forming a most valuable compend for the scholar and the statesman. We most cordially commend it as the best periodical of the times, and so national in character as to entitle it to liberal sapport. E. H. PEASE & Co., Agents, Albany. BOOKS FOR THE PEOPLE, or Illustrations of Practical Godliness, drawn from the door of wisdom. By E. L. Morgan, author of the Orators of the American Revolution. Boston: Gould, Kendall & Lincoln. 1849. This volume comprises a series of well writ ten essays, in which the principles of Chris tian morality are presented in a manner adapted to the comprehension of the mass of mankind. The following are the subjects discussed, and the truths they embody well enforced : its commencement. The recent appropriation made by the Legislature to liquidate the debt incurred in enlarging the building, is another earnest of the wise and philanthropic policy adopted by the State of New-York in educating this unfortunate class of her citizens. SERMONS, delivered in the Chapel of Brown This volume contains twenty-one sermons, delivered in the discharge of the author's duty as President of Brown University. They embody the most important doctrines of religion. Two were written immediately after the accounts of the recent revolutions in Europe were received, and treat of subjects of general interest. Memorial Of the Onondaga County Teachers' Institute to the Legislature, in relation to Free Schools. To the Honorable the Legislature of the State of New-York. The undersigned, having been appointed by the Onondaga County Teachers' Institute, a committee to memorialize your honorable body for the establishment of a system of free schools throughout this State, respectfully invite attention to the following: 1. The duty of society to educate its younger members During the period when the young are most susceptible of impressions for good or evil-when the habits of their physical, intellectual and moral Captiousness, or the Censorious man; Kindness, natures are forming for all future existence-they are wholly dependent upon the guidance of others. or the hero who best Conquers; Sobriety, or the When they commence their earthly existence, Glory of Young Men; Frugality or the Beauty of they become members of community. They can Old Age; Temptation, or the Simpleton Secured; not be excluded from it. Facts warrant us in sayIntegrity, or the Tradesman Prospered; Extra-ing that if their early guidance is wrong, no earthly power can prevent them from being perpetual vagance, or the Spendthrift Disgraced; Vanity, burdens to the body politic But if they are proor the Decorated Fool; Pride, or the Scorner perly guided during their most susceptible years, Scorned; Idleness, or the Slothful Self-Murdered; if right habits have been formed in them by their Industry, or the Diligent Made Rich; Preseve-guardians, they then become valuable members rence, or the Invincible Champion; Sincerity, or the Irresistible Persuader; Falsehood, or the Dissembler Accused; Deceit, or the Knave Unmasked; Flattery, or the Lurking Foe. Such topics as the above, treated in accordance with the teachings of the Bible, and those plain principles of ethics which every day's experience fully confirms, cannot fail to be read with profit by all. of society. The Creator has so ordered, that no member of society can suffer, without all participating: hence as a mere matter of self preservation, and of increased individual happiness, society is securing her own elevation, by using the means within her reach to elevate the younger members. The elder members are the natural guardians of the younger. like our companions or our neighbors, we canThey cannot escape from this duty. If we dis form new associations, or remove to another locality; but when society receives an individual, she must do it even without her consent, and viper shops to keep the laboring multitudes from starthough he be, she must carry him in her bosom. vation. Facts warrant the statement, that, in The criminal statistics of the age furnish proof that | those countries where the most general education ignorance and vice are the great disturbers of the prevails, there will be found most stability and public peace, and that they furnish the convicts of security, and there the greatest facilities for the our prisons. How important then is it, that the sure increase of property will be found; and there young be trained to intelligence and virtue, if for its value, other things being equal, will be most no other reason, that the security of society shall enhanced. be within herself more formidable than bolts and bars, or penal laws-the cheerful and intelligent co-operation of all, for the good of all. The interests of society are best promoted by a thorough system of education. Those who are now responsible members are passing away, and others rising to fill their places and perform their duties. If they are better qualified to perform them as citizens and men than their predecessors, the commonwealth is the gainer; but if an inferior race follows, society is deteriorated, and it needs no spirit of prophecy to predict, that at no distant period our fair temple of Liberty will crum ble to ruins. 2. The undersigned believe it to be a sound principle of political economy, that the value of property is increased in proportion to the security of the tenure by which it is held, and the facilities for its increase. Let us then consider, If the security of property is greatest, and also the facilities for its increase, in an educated community, it is manifestly the true interest of proper ty holders to scatter broadcast over the land the seeds of knowledge. It will not be necessary for us to say, that indisputably the common school presents the most feasible means of accomplishing this object. Probably all the school education of at least five sixths of the rising generation will be acquired at these institutions. They should therefore be open to all, without distinction. They should be the common property of society, in which all the members should have an equal interest. But under their present management in this State, (except a few cities and villages,) the poor man must go and confess his poverty, and crave the privilege of sending his children to the common school, as the beggar craves a morsel of food. Is it strange that his dignity revolts at this? All the operations of society are carried on, FIRST, The security of property. In a civilized more or less, by means of money. The army, and state men place the most value upon real estate, all the operations of government, even to the but among a barbarous or half civilized people the mending of the highways, are supported by money greatest value is set upon the necessaries of imme-drawn from the resources of the country, and not diate existence, or immediate enjoyment. The upon individuals as individuals. Prisons are built, Arab, the Mexican rancho, or even the wild Ame- and all the expenses of detecting, arresting, conrican Indian, can conceive of but little value in the fining, trying and punishing criminals, are borne soil: his arms, his horse, and his ornaments, are by the members of community in proportion to to him most valuable, because they are most useeach one's pecuniary means. Our poor-houses ful and best gratify his vanity. No man in his are on the same footing, and are filled by imbesenses would buy real estate, with the liability at ciles simply from ignorance. Why not, in justice any moment of being deprived of it. And other to the young, support by the same equal and equithings being equal, property will be very much table tax the common school, which will prevent, influenced in its value by this feeling of security. in most instances, a life of crime, or a resort in In communities composed of the honest and the after life to the poor-house? It is notorious, that dishonest, the good and the bad, the value of pro- the great body of the criminals in our prisons, and perty will depend much upon the relative the paupers in our poor-houses, are of the lowest tion of the two classes. We may have the best and most ignorant class. Shall that class go on of laws, but unless the moral sense of community widening and deepening by increase of itself, and is at least equally elevated, they will remain a dead by accessions from foreign lands? If so, the ship letter upon the statute book, or at most but par- of State can hardly fail to founder on the shoals of tially executed. ignorance, or be dashed in pieces against the rocks of anarchy, unless prevented by more than human foresight. propor 3. Your memorialists have compiled the following statistics, showing the actual expense necessary to carry a system of free schools into successful operation throughout this State. And first, they would remark, that nearly one-fourth of the children in the State are now substantially enjoying all the privileges of free schools. Hon. John C. Spencer, in his report to the Legislature, for 1839, estimated that the entire expense of schooling all the children in the State would average $3.35. The amount for tuition was only $1.77 per scholar. We present the following estimates on the basis of Mr. Spencer's, for the year 1847. Interest on school houses and lands, SECOND. The facilities for the increase of property. It seems to your memorialists evident, that in a country where there is but little security in the possession of property, and but few facilities for its increase, its value must be depressed. If we look for an example, Ireland, bleeding, famishing Ireland presents a mournful one. A writer in the Westminster Review thus speaks of her condition: "She is involved in a vicious circle of evils, which every day binds itself more tightly around her. The wretchedness of her people, caused by want of employment, makes them desperate, criminal and rebellious. And their despair, crime and rebellious spirit, scare away capital, deter the exertions of private enterprise, and thus perpetuate their non-employment and consequent misery." If the above extract be true, it seems to us to follow, that the insecurity of the times, and the lia- for each of the 10,621 districts, at bility of being deprived of capital, keeps every an average of $200 each,. kind of property depressed. In France, too, men Books and stationery for the 775,723 were deterred from private enterprise, on account children, reported at $1 each,..... of the instability of the times, thus forcing the pro- Fuel for each district, at $10 each, visional government to open the national work-Fees of collectors at 5 per cent. on $127,452 00 775,723 00 106,210 00 Making an aggregate of........ $2,256,106 46 expended in 1847, for school purposes. Dividing this sum by the number of children reported as having actually attended school, (775,723,) and it gives an average cost per scholar, of $2 91. But the actual amount for instruction was $1,105,682.34, which, divided as before, gives for each scholar $1.42. But of this sum only $466,674.44 was raised by rate bill, the balance of expenditure being now derived from This sum, the State, or by a property tax. divided as before, gives an average for each child of sixty cents; or taking the aggregate of taxable property in the State, for the year 1847, as reported by the Comptroller, at the sum of $632,699,993, and a tax of three-fourths of a mill dollar, yields $474,529.99, which is more than sufficient to pay the rate bill of that year by $7,950.55. In the city of Syracuse, it is estimated that a property tax of three-fifths of a mill per dollar will cover the tuition of pupils at the public schools. per In the report of Mr. Randall, for the year 1840, it is stated, that in all the schools of Buffalo, public and private, previous to the free system, there were only 1,424 children, and that the amount paid for tuition was $19,094, being $13.41 per year for each scholar, or $3.35 per quarter. An estimate of the actual expense of yearly instruction of an equal number in the public schools, under the free system, showed an annual balance in favor of that system, of $11,254, or a saving of nearly two-thirds. By comparing the estimate made by Mr. Spencer, with the above, it will be seen that he estimates the expense of each pupil for a year, at $3.35; exactly the same as was paid in Buffalo for one quarter! From the foregoing considerations, your memorialists would respectfully petition your honorable body, to give to the good people of the State of New York, at your present session, a system of free schools. And your memorialists will ever pray. R. R. STETSON, } Committee from the W. W. NEWMAN,Onondaga Co. TeaA. G. SALISBURY.chers' Institute. Syracuse, February 24, 1849. Notice to Town Clerks. AN ACT requiring chattel mortgages to be registered. Passed March 1, 1849. The People of the State of New York, represented in Se nate and Assembly, do enact as follows: Section 1. It shall be the duty of the clerks of the several towns and counties in this state, in whose offices chattel mortgages are by law required to be filed, to provide proper books, at the expense of their respective towns, in which the names of all parties to every mortgage, or instrument Intended to operate as a mortgage of goods and chattels, hereafter filed by them or either of them, shall be entered in alphabetical order, under the head of mortgagors and mortgagees, in each of such books respectively. $ 2. It shall be the duty of the said several clerks to num. ber every such mortgage or copy so filed in said office, by endorsing the number on the back thereof, and to enter such number in a separate column in the books in which such mortgages shall be entered, opposite to the name of every party thereto; also the date, the amount secured thereby, when due, and the date of the filing of every such mortgage. §3. The said several clerks for services under this act, shall be entitled to receive therefor the following fees: for filing every such mortgage or copy six cents; for entering the same in books as aforsesaid, six cents. § 4. This act shall take effect within thirty days after its pasage. The subscriber has a large quantity of blank books for sale for entering chattel mortgages according to the above law. Town clerks are desired to send their orders to ap-1m Webb's Readers. Baker & Scribner would call the attention of Teachers, Common School Superintendents and parents to Webb's Reading and Spelling Series. being a new method of teaching children to read and spell, founded on Nature and Reason. 1 John's First Book, or Webb's First Reader. 2. The Pupils Guide, or Webb's Second Reader. John's 1st Book 12mo pp. 72. This work contains three parts, viz: Part 1, word method; Part 11, Phonic Method; Part III, Union Method. Part I consists of simple words, denoting familiar objects, qualities and actions to be learned by form, and at once combined into sentences whose meaning is obvious to the child. Part II, Teaches the alphabet, taking letters with special reference to formation of regular, (containing no mute lettrers) meaning words, which in turn are formed (by them selves, or with words from Part I) into easy and instructive reading lessons; Part III unites both of these, and introduces irregular words. This work is used in the Experimental Department of N. Y State Normal School to the exclusion of all other First Reading Books for children, and has secured the decided approbation and preference of D. P. Page, the late distinguished Principal. From the many impartial commendations it has received, we select the following: PENN YAN N. Y. After a due examination, we are prepared to pronounce this little book just the thing; it admirably and completely supplies the deficiency heretofore existing. H. R. MILLER, Principal Union School No.-1. HENRY BRUNER, Principal Union School No. 2. which gives ideas to the pupil." "The old way of teaching reading is exchanged for one E. D. GRANGER, Town Superintendent of Sodus, Wayne Co, N. Y. "1 cordially recommend it to all parents and Teachers, who wish the child's first step in learning, taken in the right place and manner. S. S. MEAD, Principal of Franklin Institute." Norfolk, February, 1848. PROSPECT HILL, VA., DEC. 1848. "I have carefully and atttentively perused your "First Book" and have made use of it in the instruction of the younger branches of my own family; I can therefore cheerfully commend it to the patronage and regard of parents and Teachers' generally, as one of the very best auxiliaries in the work of Elementary Education, which has come under my observations." Yours, &c., SAMUEL S. RANDALL. "I would cordially recommend it to the serions conside. ration of all engaged in the primary instruction of the young." REV. E. FAIRCHILD, late Principal of Brooklyn Female Seminary. THE PUPILS GUIDE, or Webb's Second Reader, by J. R Webb, is the second of the series; this is a Speller and Reader, the Spelling columns being over their respective reading lessons which contain no word not already used. This completely obviates hesitation and drauling reading lessons are such as will amuse and instruct, not the fancy but the child. The All fables are excluded. At the close of the lessons is an extensive variety of questions adapted to improve the mind and heart. They relate to the reading lessons; combination of numbers and general subjects, all pleasing to the child. Methods for improving the memory; teaching grammar, &c., are given. Both readers contain a table of the Elementary sounds of our language, concise and plain BAKER & SCRIBNER, ap-3m Clerk of 36 Park Row and 145 Nassau st. District. THE DISTRICT SCHOOL JOURNAL VOL. X.] OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK. ALBANY, MAY, 1849. The District School Journal, [No. II. tendencies of the European mind sufficiently proves. But will America be true to herself? Is published monthly, and is devoted exclusively to the This is the momentous question which presses promotion of Popular Education. SAMUEL S. RANDALL, Editor. TERMS. Single copies 50 cents; seven copies $3.00; twelve copies $5.00; twenty five copies $10.00; payable always in advance. All letters and communications intended for the District School Journal, should be directed to the Editor, Albany, N. Y., Post Paid. From the Steam Press of Weed, Parsons & Co., 67 State-street, Albany. exponent. Who among us will show us any good? This is the inquiry which to-day brings together so many intelligent minds, and so many warm hearts, kindled by communion with each other into a congenial glow of devotion to a great and a holy cause. The cause of education is great in its scope; for it is the first human duty of the race now existing, to prepare for usefulness the generation which must so soon take their places-and it is holy, for it leads those who come under its happiest influences, not only to honor here, but a glorious immortality. And not only does enthusiasm in a generous cause, upon the mind of the American patriot, as he looks at the present, in the lights of the past. And with scarcely less intensity does the European philanthropist inquire, Will America still she continue to uphold the beacon light to opwatch the fire of law protected liberty? Will pressed humanity; or will she extinguish it by her folly, and leave the world to political darkness and wreck?' But what connection has this subject with the meeting of the New York Teachers' Association? Much, my friends-very much. There are, in our country, strong tendencies to anarchy, and some of a kind peculiar to our age and country; and but for countervailing influences, our Republic would certainly fall, and we should be so desolated, as no people but one ever were before. Yes, the daughters of America would have sorrows, with which none could compare, but those of the daughters of guilty and smitten Judah. how are they to be applied? They are: RELIWhat are those countervailing influences, and GION-an all pervading sense of God's presence of man, that he must not wrong his fellows, and and majesty; MORALITY-a feeling in the heart a knowledge in his mind of what constitutes wrong; REVERENCE TO LAW-as emanating from God, written on the heart of man, embodying the wisdom of ages, and powerful to protect, only because it can and will punish. If these principles were thoroughly infused falling, would in their operation become more into the public mind, our institutions, instead of and more stable; and counter tendencies would be more and more removed. An occasional blast of anarchy, would pass as harmlessly over such foundations, as the summer breezes over the rooted oak. but a wise self-love, lead us, who assemble here, to seek whatever on this great subject it is good to know, or good to feel. As teachers, education is our business and calling, and to elevate its standard is to elevate ourselves. It is also the cause of patriotism and philanthropy. As Americans, we are no longer to be taxed with Such are the countervailing forces; and it is overweening egotism, when we say that the es- education, faithful and blessed of God, which tablishment of our political institutions forms a must generate and supply them. We, my fellow propitious era in the history of man; and that Teachers, assemble here to represent the intethose institutions have, in their operation, been rests of one of its great departments, in the productive of a greater degree of national pros- largest and one of the oldest States of the Ameperity and happiness, than time has ever before rican Union. In view of our high responsibili witnessed, in his flight of ages. These institu- ties, we meet; that our good desires, and our tions firmly upheld-this grand edifice not cor- meaus to fulfil them, may both be increased. roded by ignorance, nor its foundations sapped And let us not look merely to ourselves and to by a vitiated public opinion, nor its walls shaken each other; but let us together cast our eyes to down by the storms of anarchy-this noble tem-heaven, and raise the fervent prayer, "Lord, lift ple, reared by our fathers, and cemented by their blood, may more and more uplift its dome, and extend its pillars, till all nations shall repose beneath its shade, or imitate its structure. That thus to give a model to the world, is the distinguished part which the Almighty Ruler of Nations has assigned to Republican America, if she is but true to herself, the last year's history of the thou up the light of thy countenance upon us." It is then, the high calling of education, taken in its largest sense, to lead its subjects to honor and usefulness in this world, and to eternal glory in the next. To educate is to teach, and all who educate are in the great brotherhood of Dachers, to whom is committed the most important work assigned to man by his maker. The great brotherhood of Teachers! Why, fessions. We of this association, are not the JESUS CHRIST himself, "the fullness of the God-representatives of education in its entire scope, head bodily," is at its head. He was a 'TEACH- applying as it does, to the whole life of man, as ER sent from God.' The apostles and prophets probationer for eternity. It is not for us to All the ministers to whom teach sacred things, in holy times and in consewere Teachers. Christ committed his glorious Word, the fountain crated places; nor yet have we the power over of all stability in this world, as well as of cer- the mind which is given to the intimate commutainty concerning a better-they were com- nion of the mother with the child-when she manded to go forth and teach.' The great sa- warms it in her bosom, and moulds it by her ges of antiquity, who left the impress of their love. But we hold the middle rank between minds upon their own and succeeding ages, and the mother and the minister of religion; and the who are remembered when kings are forgotten, vital interests of education cannot be secured they were Teachers. PYTHAGORAS taught his unless our efforts co-operate with theirs. school at Crotona, and his daughter DAMO was his successor. SOCRATES and his pupil PLATO taught their classes at Athens; and HYPATIA of Alexandria, drew her four hundred students from among the first young men throughout the Roman Empire. But although wc eannot elevate our profession, we can, and should elevate ourselves, and become more and more worthy of our high vocation. We sometimes find that what seems a mere freak of fashion, had reason in its beginning. There was a time in this country when teaching and teachers were universally respectable and respected. That was before the love of gain had become the ruling passion. Since that time-as little money could be acquired by teaching, men of talents took to business or to speculation. Then, too, fathers hired to teach their children, that master or madam, who would teach for the fewest pennies; and then came a blight over schools and teachers. But the morning of a better day has not only dawned, but the rising sun begins to gild the tops of the dark mountains. Educators are now honored. But why thus magnify our office? Because there are many, even among ourselves, who do not justly appreciate its dignity; and this is productive of evils and mortifications, which those who have felt, may naturally waste time and energy in seeking to repel; when a juster view would lead them but to pity and condemn. It is a fact, at which angels might laugh, if such levity were ever theirs, that amidst all the boasted democracy of this country, there are yet people among us who hold as persons not anointed with the special unction of gentility, the guiders of the immortal mind; although they are pleased My friends, when last year we met at Rochesto regard this to them the only saving grace-ter, do you remember who it was, that, mingas spread over physicians and lawyers. And ling the grace of the gentleman with the urba shall we therefore hang our heads? Never, in nity of the philanthropist, rose from his seat and the presence of the selfish and the useless. The advanced to meet a female stranger, and conduct world is getting weary of the merely fashiona- her to the place assigned her. By your recolble. The stir and action of progress, moving lection of the expansive forehead, the friendly by steam and electricity, is leaving them be- eye, and the complacent smile, you may know hind. Thank God, fashion, except as to the that it was one, whom we shall never, in this form of hats, caps, garments, and modes of in- world, meet again. Who had a more enviable troduction, address, &c., is fast getting out of standing among his fellow men, than our beloved date. That pomp and outward show, which is brother Teacher, DAVID P. PAGE? Is there manufactured from the earthy mineral, or the much in society to depress the teacher? He silk worm's winding sheet, is rapidly fading in overcame it all, by the strength of his religious presence of the glories of awakened mind. and moral principles-by the force of his intelEven royalty itself-[behold the poor, old, cast- lectual powers-the benevolence of his heartoff King of the French!] cannot now save the the correctness of his conduct and the systemadecrepid beldame. She is blind already. She tic industry of his whole life. And by such cannot see that to be a teacher, infusing into means may you, my youthful friends of this Asimmortal minds seeds of salvation, is an honor, sociation, whatever your present discouragesubstantial and enduring. And what if she does ments, rise to a position of similar eminence. fancy that you are what you are not-and are Then fashion herself, though she cannot see,. not, what you are? Suppose some maiden, shall hear and acknowledge your superiorityglowing with youth and beauty, stood in the and when death shall call you from scenes of usepresence of a blind paralytic, who fancied her fulness, even she shall follow your hearse with an aged Ethiop. Well knowing what she truly the mourners, and strew a flower upon your was, she would but smile. But if she reverenced, grave. and herself adopted the opinion, fancying that she must find means to become fair and young, then would this delusion operate disastrously upon her usefulness and her peace. To give her a looking glass, would then be to show her a good. And this, my fellow Teachers, is the nature of the office which I am now seeking to perform. Besides, there are those in the ranks of fashion, who are not of them; and to such would we show the Teacher's office and calling, as contrasted with the no calling of those who are avowedly the votaries of pleasure, the drones of creation. W cannot elevate the profession of the Teacher; for God himself has placed it, when taken in its whole extent, at the head of all pro In the character, and in the well-earned fame of Mr. PAGE, we can see the value of this Association, as a means of good to the Teachers of this State. Living, to us belonged his oral instruction, and his invaluable writings-dead, his fame is ours. The worth and dignity of our Association as a body, will be the aggregate of that of its indiv dual members. From this, we see the policy of drawing into our union those educators of our State, who are first in experience, and first in dignity of place and character. They will instruct us by the one, and add to our respectability and consequence by the other. We see too, how blind, how narrow, and how depreciating to our profession, is the prejudice, |