members of the Association, the Constitution was read by the Secretary; and fifty-one names were added to the list of members.

On motion of Mr. Hunt, of Plymouth, it was voted that the finance committee take into consideration the subject of offering prizes to the ladies, members of the Association, for essays to be read at the next semiannual meeting.

It was next announced by the President, that Rev. Mr. Rodman, of Bridgewater, would address the Association in reference to the objects of the meeting. Mr. Rodman was glad to be agreeably disappointed in the number of teachers assembled on the occasion. He had feared that the proximity of the day to the anniversary of Thanksgiving, together with the unpleasant state of the weather, might occasion a small gathering; but he was glad to find himself in error. "But now that we have come," said he, "from what place could we so fitly come to a teachers' meeting, as from home-the place towards which we all turn our steps as the season of Thanksgiving approaches? The speaker noticed the importance of a profession of teachers, and the superiority of the work of such a profession to that of any other of the learned professions. He spoke of the benefits which flow from teachers' meetings, in that they promote social intercourse, and enable each to know the others' views. Great encouragement in the work is also to be derived from such intercourse; for we know how others have succeeded in circumstances in which we have been inclined to despond. Allusion was also made by the gentleman to that false notion, that the teacher must necessarily be narrow-minded- devoted to trifles. Of all minds, the teacher's should be most expansive; for his is the great work of educating men and women. At the close of Mr. Rodman's address, the Association adjourned to the after

noon.

At 2 o'clock P. M., the meeting was again called to order, and the report of the committee on criticism was read. Mr. Tillinghast took the floor, and spoke on the subject of grammar. He said that all teachers feel that grammar is not successfully taught in our schools. Why is this? In his opinion, one great reason for this state of things is, that many teachers do not themselves understand the language; and this fact is indicated. by their bad spelling, and by their unwillingness to write anything which others are to read. Parsing, in many schools, occupies the time which should be given to the study of the language; and parsing is an exercise which is inapplicable to our language. In the Greek and Latin languages, parsing is useful because it aids in discovering the meaning of a sentence, the relations subsisting between the words being indicated by their terminations; but in our language, the meaning must be known before we can decide upon the relation of the words. He

believed that parsing in our schools is not only a waste of time, but a positive injury.

Mr. Jenks said that he had, for a long time, instructed his pupils according to the doctrine advocated by Mr. Tillinghast, fully believing in the utter inutility of parsing. But he had experienced a difficulty in the fact that school committees, in examining his pupils for schools, required them to parse, and refused to approve such as were not ready in the exercise. Mr. Jenks adduced the opinion of a learned Spaniard, who, on studying the English language, was surprised to find it so simple.

Mr. Spear, of Sandwich, agreed with Messrs. Tillinghast and Jenks, and was glad to have authority so high in his favor. He endeavors to teach the use of language to his pupils, which, as he understands the matter, is the true way to teach grammar.

A discussion of the subject of spelling now followed, in which several gentlemen participated. Several teachers described their methods of conducting this exercise; and the methods described were all more or less nearly alike, all including the idea of the pupil's writing the words. Miss Leonard and Miss Alden, of Bridgewater, and some other ladies, were questioned in reference to the age at which their pupils begun the practice of writing. All stated that they found no difficulty in making the youngest write a legible hand. Mr. Spear stated that the percentage of misspelled words in his first class for the last year was 2 1-2. Mr. Tillinghast gave some of the results in the Normal School, and also spoke of the great deficiency in this department, among those who apply for admission at that institution. Some misspelled 33 1-3 per cent. of the words given them, when the words had been selected from among those in common use. The Association adjourned to meet in the Baptist Church, at 7 o'clock, P. M.

The meeting in the church was opened with prayer by Rev. Mr. Nelson, of Middleboro', after which, Rev. Daniel Huntington, of North Bridgewater, was introduced by the President as the lecturer of the evening. Mr. H. announced as his subject, "The Lights and Shadows of the Teacher's Labor;" but like a true philosopher he dwelt much longer and much more emphatically upon the "lights" than upon the "shadows." The lecture was altogether of such a character as to make one feel that it was good to be there. It breathed forth that noble spirit of laboring for the higher reward, which should animate every teacher. At the close of the lecture, a discussion sprung up in reference to the extent of the teacher's duties. It continued with a good degree of interest for an hour or more, when the meeting adjourned.

On Saturday morning, the Association was called to order

by the President at 9 o'clock. The finance committee and the executive committee presented their reports, which were adopted. By these reports, it was provided that $5 be paid to the Secretary, and that the Association offer the following prizes:

1st. A prize of $5 for the best essay on the encouragement that teachers have for exerting a moral influence on their pupils.

2d. A prize of $5 for the best essay on the effect of the school-room upon the health of very young children.

The essays are not to cover severally more than eight pages of letter paper; they are to be sent, post paid, to J. W. P. Jenks, of Middleboro', so as to reach him on or before the 15th of April, 1851; they are not to be signed, but the name of the writer, in a sealed envelope, is to accompany each essay. The two prize essays will be considered the property of the Association; the others will be returned to the writers.

Mr. Tillinghast called the attention of the audience to the Massachusetts Teacher, and recommended it as the best periodical for a teacher within his knowledge. Several of the members gave their names as subscribers.

The Association next proceeded to the election of officers for the ensuing year. The balloting resulted as follows:

For President, J. W. P. Jenks, of Middleboro'.

For Vice Presidents, Sylvander Hutchinson, of Hingham, M. P. Spear, of Sandwich, Wm. Edson, of Duxbury.

For Secretary, Richard Edwards, Jr., of Bridgewater. For Executive Committee, Aaron H. Cornish, of Plymouth, Silas L. Loomis, of North Bridgewater, Harrison Staples, of Middleboro', U. W. Lawton, do.

On motion of Mr. Loomis, it was voted that no member speak more than ten minutes at one time, nor more than twice upon the same subject.

Hunt, to take up for "What is necessary to This question was dis

It was voted, on the motion of Mr. discussion the following question: constitute a profession of teachers?" cussed by Mr. Sanford, Mr. Hunt, and Mr. Sturtevant, of Halifax.

At 10 1-2 o'clock, the debate was checked for the purpose of listening to a lecture by Mr. Jenks. He had chosen for his theme the subject of Natural History-a subject which his own experience in the collection and preparation of a splendid cabinet, fully enabled him to discuss. He spoke of the use that infidels had made of natural science for the promulgation of their views, and thought that the introduction of this subject as a study into the common schools would fortify the young against this species of sophistry. The lecture was very interesting and

profitable to the hearers, and was illustrated from the speaker's own cabinet. Some of the points brought out in the address were extensively discussed; and a project, suggested by the lecturer, of establishing a cabinet in every school district, was pretty thoroughly examined. Much animation was displayed in this discussion, and many valuable thoughts were thrown out, but at 12 o'clock it was terminated by the arrival of the hour for adjournment.

In the afternoon, the Association assembled at 1 1-2 o'clock, and after the report of the critics, which was somewhat extensive, the following resolutions were presented by Mr. Sturtevant, of Halifax :

Resolved, That the thanks of this Association be tendered to N. Tillinghast, Esq., the retiring President, for his efficient and courteous superintendence of the meetings.

Resolved, That the thanks of this Association be tendered to the Secretary, for his faithful and interesting reports of its transactions at this meeting, and at previous meetings.

Resolved, That the thanks of this Association be tendered to the lecturers and others, who have enhanced the interest of the meetings by their communications.

Resolved, That the thanks of this Association be tendered to the inhabitants of this village and its vicinity, for the hospitality which they have extended to its members, and to the other friends of education who have attended this meeting.

Mr. Tillinghast replied in a very appropriate manner to the resolution referring to himself, and concluded by expressing the hope that the prosperity of the Association would be continued so long, that when every member has in his turn served as President, he might be again elected to the post he was leaving.

Mr. Sanford resumed the subject of teaching as a profession. He spoke of the necessity of professional schools, corresponding to those of medicine, law, and theology. A college education does not fit a man for teaching any more than for the practice of law or medicine. Colleges, academies, high schools, grammar schools, &c., help to make men, generally, not teachers, specifically. As professional schools for teachers, the State has established Normal schools, and therefore, to educate teachers is their specific function.

The whole of the afternoon until 4 o'clock was occupied in vigorous discussion, much to the edification of the secretary, and apparently of every one present. After prayer by Rev. Mr. Putnam, and singing, the Association adjourned, to meet at N. Bridgewater, on the second Friday and Saturday of June, 1851. Messrs. Hunt, of Plymouth, and Sanford, of Bridgewater, were announced as lecturers for that occasion. Subjects for discussion at that time, Music and Drawing, and the best method of teaching Geography.

Every thing passed off pleasantly, and, as we have reason to hope, profitably, to those assembled. The best feeling pervaded the discussions, and all came away satisfied of the utility of Teachers' Associations.

RICHARD EDWARDS, JR., Sec'y.

RESIDENT EDITORS' TABLE.

OBITUARY.

DIED of Typhoid Fever, at Charlestown, Nov. 20th, William Chamberlain Bradlee, in the 28th year of his age.

He was the son of Nehemiah Bradlee, Esq., and grandson of the late Hon. William Chamberlain, of Peacham, Vermont.

In 1845, he was graduated with high rank in his class, at Dartmouth College, where the excellence of his scholarship, the urbanity of his manners, and the generosity of his affections won the respect and love, both of his instructors and his fellow-students.

At the close of his collegiate course, he was appointed Preceptor of the Caledonia County Grammar School, in Peacham, where he labored two years with eminent success, and laid the foundation of his reputation as a teacher. But the immediate vicinity of the metropolis of New England seemed to open a wider field for usefulness in his chosen profession, and at the same time to afford superior advantages for the prosecution of those literary and scientific pursuits which he ardently loved. He, accordingly, resigned his situation at Peacham, and was appointed Principal of the Winthrop Grammar School, in Charlestown, whence he was soon transferred, at his own request, to the second place in the High School, in that city. Here he performed his part with marked ability for two years and a half, when the Principal having resigned his office for a post in Boston, he was appointed to the responsible and honorable situation thus vacated, which, had death spared him, he would, doubtless, have adorned, as he did every place he had previously occupied. At the time of his decease, he was Secretary of the Massachusetts Teachers' Association, and one of the editors of this Journal. The columns of the newspaper press were not unfrequently enriched with the productions of his pen, on the subject of education.

Though young, he had already accomplished much, and those who were acquainted with his aims and habits, had anticipated for him a career of great usefulness and eminence. But death has suddenly snatched him from the "elevated sphere he had just begun to move in." He is no more; "he is dead, dead ere his prime," and I think I may almost venture to say, he "hath not left his peer" amongst us. His departure has left a void in the ranks of the friends of education.

But though his mortal remains have been consigned to the tomb, and heaven has opened to receive his spirit, in his example he still lives in our midst. "Though dead he yet speaketh." He has furnished to the profession a good illustration of the characteristics of the true teacher. This is his peculiar merit, and it justly entitled him to particular notice in these pages.

He was devoted to the profession. He always held himself ready for for every word and work which tended to bring it into esteem, and to place it upon the eminence where it belongs. He magnified his office and honored it, and so helped to make it honorable. Never allowing