The District School Journal, Is published monthly, and is devoted exclusively to the

-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.

[No. I.

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State Normal School.

The semi-annual examination of the State Normal School commenced Saturday, March 31, and closed Thursday, April 5, 1849.

Saturday was given to an examination of the Experimental School. The pupils in this school are half admitted gratuitously, and half pay a tuition fee of five dollars per term; the tuition of the pay pupils defraying the whole expense of the school.The free pupils are all orphans, or half-orphans.

Each member of the Senior Class is required to be, during some part of the term, a teacher in the Experimental School. Here he puts in practice his own lessons in the art of teaching, and at the same time exhibits his own fitness, or unfitness, for the duties of a teacher.

We might very naturally suppose that pupils taught by so many different persons would be superficial in their learning. Such is not the case.— What is learned is thoroughly learned. The child is taught to think and to reason. Questions are, therefore, answered, not merely by rote, but because the question is understood, and the why and wherefore of the answer known.

In the morning were examined a class in Algebra by Mr. Perkins, one in Reading by Miss Hance, and one in Rhetoric by Mr. S. T. Bowen; and in the afternoon a class in Natural Philosophy by Mr. Clark, and one in Spelling by Mr. Eaton.

We wish that all persons who doubt the utility of the Normal School could attend an examination of the Experimental School. The latter is the touchstone and test of the former. If the Normal scholars are not well trained and well instructed, their pupils would be worse trained and worse instructed. An evil tree will not produce good fruit. We do not believe any school in the State can produce scholars who have made greater proficiency in the same time. It must be borne in mind, too, that this is not a select school, but a school to which or

Tuesday morning came on a class in History by Miss Hance, one in Intellectual Arithmetic by Mr. Eaton, and one in Surveying by Mr. Perkins; and in the afternoon a class in Higher Arithmetic by Mr. Webb, and one in Music by Mr. T. H. Bowen.

Wednesday morning, Mr. T. H. Brown had a class in Grammar, Mr. Clark one in Chemistry, and Mr. Perkins one in Algebra; and in the afternoon, Mr. S. T. Bowen one in Intellectual Philosophy, and Mr. Eaton one in Physiology.

Such is a brief programme of the Exercises. We have not space to comment upon the proceedings seriatim, and we will not undertake the invidious task of specifying classes, or individuals, as deserving of particular approbation. All gave proof of good discipline and diligent study, and some of a high order of intellect, and severe application.

The above programme for the examination does not show the whole course of study at the school.It is the great object of the Normal School to educate teachers for the Common Schools. All the pupils are, therefore, thoroughly drilled in the elementary branchers of education, a knowledge of these being the initiatory steps to the Temple of Science. The higher branches of an English education are pursued no further than is supposed essential to qualify the pupil to take charge of the best common schools in the State. At this stage of progress the pupil is entitled to a Diploma.

It is expected that one who has been conducted thus far will continue to advance; for in the pathway to knowledge, to halt is to retrograde. The

wheels of a watch are kept smooth and bright by motion; they will rust out, sooner than they will wear out. So with the mind; employment gives it vivacity, elasticity, and strength; it contracts rust by idleness and speedily decays.

One who would teach must first know. To be

able to teach implies the possession of superior knowledge. One who would be a successful teach er, should, therefore, be continually adding to his stores of learning.

The exercises of the examination were most agreeably diversified by vocal music. The classes in this delightful branch of study gave ample evidence of thorough instruction in the theory of music, and their "concord of sweet sounds " showed equal ability to carry that theory into practice Great credit is due to Mr. BoWEN, the teacher, for his untiring labors in this department.

The specimens of drawing, hung around the recitation' rooms, were witnessed by hundreds of delighted visitors. The extensive collection of maps, executed by the students under the direction of Mr. Webb, attracted particular attention.

The collection of landscapes and perspective drawings was large, and many of them were beautiful and highly finished productions. They could not be surpassed in number, or excellence, by any school in the State. The exhibition fully sustained Miss Ostrom's deservedly high character as a teacher of these useful as well as ornamental branches. The closing exercises of Thursday were highly interesting and instructive.

Our readers will agree with us, that Miss Chase's Poem evinces rare powers of description. The scenes and objects described are presented to the mental vision with the distinctness of reality, and thoughts and emotions are awakened, which only rise at the summons of genius.

In Mr. FULLER'S Address we see evidence of the clear thinker, and ready writer. It has one rare merit. It is eminently suggestive. You not only clearly apprehend the speaker, but his thoughts awaken other thoughts. It is only strong and original minds which thus inspire and excite those who come within the sphere of their influence.

The Valedictory of Mr. SMITH was conceived and written in excellent taste. The thoughts and sentiments were exactedly suited to the occasion, and expressed with a directness and simplicity of style which carried them straight to the hearts of his hearers.

At the close of the exercises, Mr. MORGAN, Superintendent of Common Schools, made a brief address. He said the Normal School was to the teachers of the State of New-York what the West

Print Academy has been to the Army of the United States. The Cadets of West Point, by their science, skill and cool courage, had led our troops from the Rio Grande to Montery, from Vera Cruz to Mexico. So the Normal School would train up a corps of educated teachers who would speedily put to rout the cohorts of ignorance. We cannot quote the language of the Speaker, but his address. was most felicitous in matter and manner, and sent a thrill of pleasure throughont the crowded audi

ence.

The following was the order of Exercises :-
Prayer-By Rev, Dr. KIP.

Music-CHANT.-" Thy will be done."
Poem-By ELIZA A. CHASE, of Wayne county.
Music GLEE." Does sadness press thy sinking

heart."

Address on Education-By Hon. JEROME FULLer. Music GLEE. "I'll sing thy glory Freedom's Land."

Valedictory-By LUTHER L. SMITH, of Oswego CO. Awarding of Diplomas.

Music-PARTING HYMN." When shall we meet

again."

Benediction-By Rev. Dr. WYCKOFF.

YERUTA;

A LEGEND OF IRONDUQUOIT.

Thou who art weary with the hollow pomp
Thy weary spirit, go not to the strife,
And pageantry of life, and would'st refresh

Or crowded mart, or mid the throngs of men;
Leave thou the city's din, the eager herd,
Where wealth and power alone, find worshipper's.
Where toil and care fall like a deadly blight
Upon the heart, withering its early freshness.
Go forth into the haunts of nature. There
The golden sunlight shall illumne thy soul;
The whispering winds shall fan thy brow, and through
Thy fevered veins the tide of life once more
Shall circle joyously. Thou shalt forget
The passions that debase humanity,
The sordid love of gain, the thirst for power,
Envy and hate, and all that mars in man
The image of his Maker.

Then go forth;
Nor need'st thou seek in other climes, for scenes
Of grandeur. Thou shalt find in our own land,]
Sublimity, and glorious beauty 100;

And whether thou beholdest Nature wreathed

In smiles, or meetest her in her sterner moods
Thou shalt return a better-happier man.
I'm thinking of a lovely scene, in which
Are features grand; aye most sublime, and now
I recollect a legend beautiful

And strange that has been told of that wild place.
A bright blue bay mirrors the heavens above;
Its waters are so quiet you might think
Them solid crystal; and its banks are rude
And steep; here crowned with trees; there bare and black;
Anon, covered with wild flowers beautiful and rare.
On one side frowns a precipice, so grand
And fearfully sublime, you would believe
Nature had formed it in her maddest moods.

Two frightful chasms, severed by a wall
Of rock, yawn on you. As you tread with care
The narrow battlement, you may look down
On either side into these depths, and see
Far, far below, the tops of mighty trees
Whose branches wave but with their own unrest.
There the wild beast may prowl unharmed, for man
Hath never trod these strange and fearful depths.
It almost seems, that God had made this place
To quell the pride of man, so audibly
These rock-walled chasms say to him; "Thus far
Thou hast dominion,-here thy power is stayed."

Westward, the banks with gentle slope descend
To lovely fields, where rolls the Genessee'
While to the north, Ontario spreads its waves
Of blue, now placid as the slumbering brow
Of infancy, now rising in its might

To battle with the spirit of the storm.

And this sweet bay,-the tempest hath not power
To rouse it into rage, but like the soul

Of him whose faith is fixed on God, it rests
Serene, alike in sunshine, and in storm.
Between it and the fitful waves of blue
Ontario, is interposed a wall

Of rock with but one narrow opening.
Thus is the bay enclosed on every side

By rocks and circling hills, as 'twere a thing

Too sweet and lovely for the storm-cloud's power,Too fair to meet the tempest in its wrath.

In years long gone, there dwelt among these scenes
A noble race, brave, generous and free.

No pale-browed stranger had laid waste their homes,
No ruthless hand destroyed their hunting grounds;
Where now the pulses of a mighty city beat
In unison with the rushing Genessee,
There stood a tangled wilderness. These shades
Resounded with the warriors shout, and here
The dark-eyed Indian maidens sang wild songs
And plucked bright flowers to deck their raven hair.
Here too their souls impressed with the deep sense
Of present Deity, they worshipped him

Whose voice was heard in the dread thunder's tone,
Or in the murmuring rills; whose look was seen
In the fierce lightning's flash, or the sweet smile
Of flowrets fair that meekly looked to Heaven.
Theirs was a simple faith and beautiful.

I marvel not, that men of every clime

In the world's younger years peopled the wood
With deities, or deemed that Naiads dwelt.
In every sparkling stream. Nor do I count
It sin; for we who know the better faith,
Believe the presence of our God pervades
The universe, and manifests itself
In the calm silence of the forest shades,
Or by the quiet lake, or where indeed'
The mind will cast aside the veil of sin
And look with the clear eye of purity.

Long time theze tribes had held, a spirit looked
On them with eyes of hate. The swift deer fled
Beyond Ganargwa's turbid stream, or where
The lovely Canandaigua sleeps, and oft
The hunter's surest arrow sped in vain,
In strife their bravest warriors fell; their chiefs
Sickened and died beneath some dreadful plague;
But stranger still, at times the bay on which
The fisher's boat was floati gidly, foamed
And tossed in rage, then madly dashed against
The rock-girt coast, with wild and fearful roar.
Woe to the one who trusted to the calm;
Was he a brave, honored and loved by all,
So surely did the spirit breathe its curse
Upon the bay, and then the hunter's lodge
Resounded with the wail of stricken ones.
The sorrowing tribe well knew the spirit's power,
And that it would not be appeased, until
Alas! the fairest of their maidens fell
Self-immolated on its shrine. But none
Were found to make the fearful sacrifice,
And still the best and bravest drooped and died,
Scathed by the lightning of the Evil Eye.

A light canoe shot swiftly o'er the bay,
And the old woods re-echoed with a sweet
And silvery voice, singing a joyous strain.
It was Yeruta, fairest of the maids

Whose graceful barks e'er glided o'er the waves
Of blue Ontario, or wound their way
Among the rapids of the Genessee.
Most beautiful was she, in the first dawn
Of womanhood. Her form was delicate;
Her features eloquent of feelings deep
And powerful; her dark and lustrous eye
Had such a mild and melting tenderness

It won the hearts of her stern tribe; they blessed
The gentle girl, and fancying they heard

In her low tones the ring doves plaintive notes,
They called her name "Yeruta," or the "Dove;"
And warriors fierce, the bravest of the brave
Laid their best offerings at the maiden's feet.
There was a sweet and solitary place,

Her favorite haunt, to which she bent her way;
It was a gentle swell, from which the eye
Could catch faint glimmerings of Ontario.

'Twas crowned with stately trees of various kinds,The silver birch, whose fragrant boughs perfumed The air; and here, upon a mossy mound,

And gazed with searching eye, as she beheld
The mysteries of the spirit land. Her brow
Was saddened, and a firm resolve compi essed
Her delicate lips. With bending ear she stood
Awhile, one slight convulsive start, and now
Her full eye closed, and from the veiling lids
A tear-drop fell; she pressed her slender hands
Upon her heart, and then in mournful song,
Whose wild and touching pathos plainly told
How terrible had been the agony

Of her young heart, broke forth

"A voice from the spirit land,
My mother's voice I hear;

It mingleth with the zephyr's breath,
In music low and clear.

But it speaketh fearfully,

It fills my soul with dread,
It saith, that ere the forest fades,
I must slumber with the dead.

Oh! the world is full of beauty
It hath charmed my youthful eye,
But the grave is dark and lonely
I cannot, cannot die."

Again she gazed, as though her very soul
Was centered in that look; again bent down
Her eager ear, as one who strives to catch
The lingering strains of some sweet harmony,
And then her brow grew radiant, her eye
Kindled with rapture, and a smile of joy
Played sweetly on her lip. Again she sung
But now her voice was silvery and clear.
"O mother now my spirit

Is strong to meet my doom;
Yeruta is the chosen,

She fears no more the tomb.

No longer, may her people
Bend to the Evil Eye
Yeruta is the victim,-

How pleasant thus to die!

Even now in yon blue heaven

I see my spirit home,

And there bright forms are beckoning me.-
Mother, I joy to come."

The soul of woman; ye have falsely said

It is a weak a fitful thing, and hath

No thought for deeds of daring. It is true
It spendeth not its energies on low
And trivial things; but give to it some high
And fitting motive, give to it a noble aim,
And ye will find danger and death are words
Too light for it to count; yea there is naught
On earth that can withstand its power.
And so

Yeruta deemed herself the chosen one,
The long expected victim, and she felt
A joy, that she could save her people; yet
She knew her father's heart could not consent
To such a sacrifice; and so she told
Him not the fearful thoughts that filled her mind;
But as the summer days wore on, her eye
Became more dark and lustrous, and the bloom
Deepened upon her olive cheek, until
She felt that she must go; then she revealed
The purpose of her heart, to one who long
Had given to her a mother's care, and bade
Her tell her father all when she was gone,
And soothe the desolate chieftain in his woe.

The hum of day had ceased, no sound was heard,
The trees stood motionless, as if in awe,

And the pale stars gleamed dimly forth from heaven.
Night, smiling through her tears looked on the scene,
Then closed her eye, and slowly sank upon
The bosom of the Dark Ontario

To rest. Upon a cliff that overhangs
The bay, Yeruta stands, her radiant eyes
Upraised to heaven, her lovely face illumed
With spiritual light the while. But look!
A light robe floats a moment in the air;
The waters part, then close again, and all
Is o'er.