Thirteenth Annual Report of the - Geographical and Ethnological Con- Plymouth Co. Teachers' Convention, Some of the Defects in Education,.. The Spelling Reform,. The Public Education of the People, ..... The Rights of Parents as to Public The Importance of Mathematical Causes of the Curvature of the Iso- The Free School Law of New York, In the Mathematical Sense, Man's Some Hints to Parents,.. .... The Ardent Scholar and Benevolent School Legislation,..... 1 Extract, 22 ..... ..... 190 191 193 20 The Influence of Classical Studies .... 204 213 27 The True Theory of Education,... 206 ..... Teachers, spare that Voice,.. 33 Drawing, 37 Presence, ............. Studying together, 219 ...... 224 41 A Union Convention,............ 56 Permanency of Intellectual Acqui- 62 65 Irregular Attendance,..... Practical Education,. 77 Prediction of the First Eclipse,.... 266 .... 269 81 The Am. Institute of Instruction,. 272 276 86 Moral Instruction,.................................. 280 87 Editor's Note,... 89 The Dignity of the Teacher's Pro- 94 Style,. ... 97 Arithmetic, ..... The School Case,.. ....... 283 288 290 ...... 292 296 300 311 108 Home Preparation for School,. ............ 113 Teachers' Institutes,. ........... Multiplicity of Studies in School,.. 337 123 125 The Dignity of Labor,.......... 349 ... 351 POETRY. PAGE. 137 Qualifications of Sch'l Committees, 157 The Common Lot,. THE MASSACHUSETTS TEACHER. EDITED BY A COMMITTEE OF The Massachusetts Teachers' Association. VOL. IV. BOSTON: PUBLISHED BY SAMUEL COOLIDGE, No. 16 DEVONSHIRE STREET. 1851. THE MASSACHUSETTS TEACHER. Vol. IV. No. 1.] BY THE BOSTON EDITORS. [January, 1851. NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS. It will be observed that Professor Agassiz was announced as the Editor of the January number of the Teacher. But his engagements, at the present time, are so numerous and urgent, that he finds it impossible now to comply with the expectations of the readers of this journal. Regretting the unavoidable disappointment, the Editors for the current year resident in Boston, assume the responsibility of this number. From the Report of the transactions of the Massachusetts State Teachers' Association, it will be seen that two prizes are offered for Essays from female teachers; also, that a Committee was chosen to furnish to the Editor of each number items of news, and statistical matter pertaining to the subject of education. It The success and circulation of the Teacher, for the last year, have been as great as could reasonably be expected. is believed that no future efforts will be spared to render the periodical instructive and useful, and hopes are entertained that, for the good of the cause to which its columns are devoted, its circulation will be much increased, and that its pages will be familiar, not only to the teachers of New England, but also to those of our sister States more remote. CONVENIENT AND ATTRACTIVE SCHOOL-HOUSES. THE necessity of attractive and convenient school-houses is so obvious, that we pass by much that might be said on the importance of well-constructed school-houses, to dwell for a moment upon one single thought connected with the subject. Were there no other consideration to be taken into view in making school-houses of symmetrical proportions, in keeping the paint fresh and the windows whole, in furnishing blinds, in inclosing ground, and, (when practicable, as it always is in the country,) in cultivating ornamental shade trees, that of the influence of these external arrangements on the tastes and character of children is too important to be overlooked. Character is indeed chiefly formed by the influence of mind upon mind; yet we are so constituted in relation to the external world, that matter has much to do in determining human character, and particularly in the formation of taste. Beauty, order, and grandeur in external forms, affect the mind and shape the character. The tastes of children are early formed, and it is of vital importance to their happiness and usefulness in life, that their tastes be developed judiciously. Book knowledge is a small part of education. The very term education implies something far beyond. It is the leading out of the mind, the cultivation of the heart, the discipline of the young powers by every gentle appliance, the rousing of the energies to healthful and increasing action. With these, the outward world, externals have much to do. The character and taste of a child are strongly influenced by his associations with the place where he learns his alphabet, cons his simple lessons, and spends so important a period of life in preparation for the active duties of a citizen. Let these not be gloomy, but pleasant. Let no parent or teacher leave his child or pupil to suppose that the great end of school-going is to enter every morning a desolate house, to sit still on a bench with arms folded, or fingers dove-tailed, in mortal fear of punishment if he fail of these. Rather let parent and teacher make the school-house and all its environs attractive to the child and pupil. Let the observant eye of the child rest on what is neat and tasteful. Let not his original susceptibility of beauty be crushed, but tenderly quickened and influenced. Let him be surrounded by objects which shall call forth to bless his life "The form of beauty, smiling at the heart." Next in vividness to the memories of our childhood's home, are those of the place where we first went to school. They loom up in the retrospect of our lives with distinctness and reality. The aged man who has forgotten, perhaps, the events of the last |