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to teach, in this silent but effective manner, the great lessons of morality and humanity! There are opportunities daily presented in the school-room to correct the false estimate which we are so liable to form of self, to induce benevolent consideration of the feelings of others, to inculcate justice, truthfulness, and true politeness.

There are multitudes of children in our public schools, who are orphaned of home or friends, or worse than orphaned; who never hear, at the only place called home, the sweet encouragements of sympathy and love, or listen to the manly counsels of an intelligent parent. Who shall sow the seeds of virtue and knowledge in this virgin soil, and lead these little weary feet over the pitfalls everywhere spread out to entrap the unwary, if we are unfaithful, my fellow-laborers?

When the teacher shall be an example of self-control, watching the first uprisings of anger or resentment, keeping back the impatient or fretful word, and in all things showing himself governed; when, in cases of discipline, he can practically say, not "I will beat you because I am angry," but with the philosopher, "I would beat you were I not angry"; when he shall teach that the great end of education is to make one master of himself, and prove his instructions by his life, not neutralize them by his example; when he shall wear an air of graceful, unaffected ease, and have regard to the most delicate proprieties; when he shall be an example of untiring devotion to duty, not driving with a spasmodic effort toward his aim, but steadily pursuing it in the consciousness that "a watchful Eye, a saving Hand is ever nigh";-then shall unknown capabilities be evolved from our system of instruction, and our children fitted to act well their part in the great drama of life.

THE ENJOYMENT OF OCCUPATION.-The mind requires some object on which its powers must be exercised, and without which it preys upon itself and becomes miserable. A person accustomed to a life of activity longs for ease and retirement; and when he has accomplished this purpose, finds himself wretched. The pleasure of relaxation is known to those only who have regular and interesting occupation. Continued relaxation soon becomes a weariness; and, on this ground, we may safely assert that the greatest degree of real enjoyment belongs not to the luxurious man of wealth, or the listless votary of fashion; but to the middle classes of society, who, along with the comforts of life, have constant and important occupation.

Resident Editors' Cable.

GEORGE ALLEN, Jr.,.... Boston.
C. J. CAPEN,
Dedham.

RESIDENT EDITORS.

..........

ELBRIDGE SMITH, Cambridge.
E. S. STEARNS, Framingham.

Rev. J. P. Cowles, of Ipswich, would have edited this number of the "Teacher," but he has for some time past been troubled with dimness of sight, and has at last been obliged to undergo the operation of couching; which, we trust, will soon restore him to his sphere of usefulness as a teacher and as a wise counsellor in educational affairs.

Mr. C.'s place as editor, is supplied by Mr. Wm. L. Gage, who is now in Europe, pursuing his studies, and informing himself in regard to foreign educational affairs. We may expect a series of interesting letters from Mr. G. whilst he is abroad.

Communications from practical teachers, and from others who have thoughts on education to communicate, will be highly acceptable to the Local Editors, as their duties are oftentimes quite onerous, and a supply of articles from those competent to instruct in this way, and there are many such, would

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afford material aid, and make the "Teacher more useful, more interesting, and more popular.

Have none of the pupils in our High Schools succeeded in performing the mathematical questions in the April number? Then we must appeal to other States.

Mathematical questions and solutions are solicited.

C. J. C.

HAMPDEN COUNTY TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.

THE seventh semi-annual meeting of the Hampden County Teachers' Association convened at the Chapel of the Congregational Society, in West Longmeadow, at two o'clock, P. M., on Friday, April 6.

The Association was called to order by the President, Charles Barrows, of Springfield, and opened with prayer by the Rev. Wm. Boies, of Longmeadow.

After the disposition of preliminary business, Prof. O. Marcy, of Wilbraham, was introduced to the audience, who proceeded to deliver an address upon "The influence of teaching upon the Teacher."

Topics suggested by the lecture were freely discussed. The debate was opened by Mr. Holland, of Monson, and partici

pated in by Messrs. Parish, of Springfield, Goldthwait, of Longmeadow, Wells, of Westfield, and Prof. C. Davies, of New York. An essay, written by Miss L. L. Brooks, was read by Mr. Wells.

Adjourned till half past seven o'clock, P. M.

The Association met pursuant to adjournment, and after the reading of an essay, written by Miss P. A. Holder, of Westfield, a lecture was delivered by Prof. Charles Davies, of New York, upon "The Relative duties of Parents, Teachers, and Pupils.'

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Discussion, opened by Mr. Parish, of Springfield, and participated in by others, followed the lecture, until it was voted to adjourn to eight o'clock Saturday morning.

Met according to adjournment, when an essay on "Punctuality," by Miss M. L. Baker, of Westfield, was listened to by those teachers who were punctual.

A lecture was then delivered by Mr. William M. Ross, of Springfield, upon the "Elements of Success in Teaching."

Immediately after the lecture, the miscellaneous business of the Association was disposed of, as it was necessary to adjourn at an early hour to reach home by the cars.

After the customary votes of thanks to the lecturers for their instructive and interesting addresses; to the people of Longmeadow for their cordial welcome and bountiful hospitality; to the proprietors of the Congregational Society for the use of their Church and Vestry; to the directors of the W. R. R. for their liberality in furnishing free return tickets; and to the ladies who had presented Essays on the present occasion; it was voted to adjourn, to meet on the 20th and 21st of October, at such place as the Board of Officers may determine.

E. F. FOSTER, Secretary.

NORFOLK COUNTY TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION. THE fifteenth semi-annual meeting of this Association will be held at Wrentham Centre, on Monday and Tuesday, the 4th and 5th days of June.

The meeting will be organized on the 4th, at two o'clock, P. M. The exercises will be as follows:

ON MONDAY, AT QUARTER PAST TWO, P. M.

DISCUSSION. Subject." Defects in Reading, and their Remedies."

At three and a half o'clock, an address by Rev. Thomas Hill, of Waltham.

After the address, a discussion. Subject-"The proper Succession of School Studies."

At eight o'clock, an address by Joshua Bates, Esq., Principal of the Brimmer School, Boston.

ON TUESDAY, AT NINE O'CLOCK, A. M.

A DISCUSSION. Subject.-"The Management of Primary Schools."

At ten o'clock, an address by Prof. B. F. Tweed, of Tufts College, Somerville.

The annual election of officers will take place at this meeting. As this is the first meeting of the Association which has ever been appointed in the western part of the County, and as all the arrangements for the occasion are of the most promising character, it is hoped that every town in the county will be fully represented.

Members of School Committees, and other friends of educa tion, are invited to be present and participate in the exercises of the occasion.

To the ladies attending the meeting, the citizens of Wrentham tender their kindest hospitalities.

Persons who go to the meeting by way of the Boston & N. Y. Central Road, will leave the cars at North Wrentham, where ample means of conveyance to Wrentham Centre will be found. Through tickets to Wrentham Centre can be obtained in Boston.

The trains on the B. & N. Y. C. R. R. leave Boston at 10.30 A. M., 3 and 5.15 P. M.; leave Blackstone at 8.15 A. M., and 5.15 P. M.

N. B.-All persons who design to go to the meeting via the Central Road, are particularly requested to inform the President of the Association of their intention, without delay; in order that it may be known for how many to provide means of conveyance from North Wrentham to Wrentham Centre.

May, 1855.

D. B. HAGAR, President N. C. T. A.
CARLOS SLAFTER, Secretary.

THE HISTORY OF SWITZERLAND FOR THE SWISS PEOPLE. By Heinrich Zschokke, with a continuation to the year 1848. By Emil Zschokke. Translated by Francis George Shaw. New York: C. S. Francis & Co., 252 Broadway.

In a neat volume of about 400 pages, with a good map and index, the student has now the means of obtaining what information he needs of the history of Switzerland. The translator has, we presume, imparted to his work the peculiar style of the original, so far as the genius of the two languages will permit. In a previous part of this number of the "Teacher," we have given our readers the story of Tell as found in Zschokke's history. The account of Orgetorix and Divico will be especially interesting to those who have read Cæsar's Commentaries.

THE

MASSACHUSETTS TEACHER.

Vol. VIII, No. 7.]

BY THE RESIDENT EDITORS.

[July, 1855.

man.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

[From the London Christian Observer.]

HAVING touched on some of the characteristics of popular education in England, we now wish to advert to the education. of the upper classes; not meaning by these merely the aristocracy, but the classes above the laborer, yeoman, and tradesIn England there are no walls of exclusion, or sharp lines of division; one class melts into the other, and all are mixed in interest, in business, and in school. The son of the attorney frequents the same school as the son of the peer. On the cricket-ground of Eton, in the boat-races of the Isis, there sits, on the same bench or meadow, the stripling of a country solicitor and the heir of the Percys and Howards.

The fact is, and it is worth noting, that men of all ranks seek for their lads, the associations of our public schools, and the habits and studies of these effect by their example the plans and pursuits of more private seminaries. It is, then, the course of our "Public" education which we must notice, if we desire to appreciate the salient features of English instruction.

This differs in many particulars from the Continental. The system of Germany and Belgium is this. After elementary education, the boy repairs to a public school,* where he spends, according to the profession for which he is destined, from four to eight years, and where he is taught languages ancient and modern, history, natural sciences, mathematics and logic. Theology, as a system of devotion, is taught at home :-as a science or history, in the College. After a course of study

* In Germany these are known by the names of Bürgerschule for the inferiors, Gymnasien for the superiors. In Belgium, Ecoles Moyennes, and Colleges or Athénées. In Italy, Collegii.

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