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guages, to be called 'La Fayette College.' There is to be forever maintained in this college a professorship of the German language; and as soon as it shall be organised and ready for the reception of pupils, the adjutant general of this commonwealth is required to deliver to the Corporation 100 muskets and bayonets with belts, bayonet scabbards, and cartouch boxes, complete.

INDIAN SCHOOLS.

The government pays 13,500 dollars annually, for the support of schools, &c. at 38 stations among various tribes of Indians. Of the schools, 16 were established by the American Board of Foreign missions, 7 by the Baptists, 6 by the United Foreign Missionary Society, 2 by the Moravians, &c. The society of Jesuits have a catholic school among the Indians of Missouri, which receives eight hundred dollars annually. The number of teachers, (including their families,) at all the schools, is 281; number of scholars, 1159.

MECHANICS' INSTITUTIONS IN ENGLAND.

There were in England in the beginning of December, eighty-five or ninety mechanics' institutes, or similar establishments connected with libraries. The celebrated geometrician and astronomer, La Place, had written a letter to the president of the London mechanics' institute, in which he commended them highly.

MECHANICS' INSTITUTIONS IN france.

Mechanics' institutions are forming in Paris, under the direction of Baron Charles Dupin, and in other cities of France, by some learned professors.

COMMON SCHOOLS IN NORTH CAROLINA.

The Legislature of North Carolina, at its present session, has passed a law which provides a fund for the establishment of Common Schools throughout that state.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN PENNSYLVANIA.

According to the eighth annual report of the Controllers of the Public Schools of the first School District of Pennsylvania, the number of pupils belonging to the Schools of mutual instruction is 3507. viz:

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Exclusive of the alphabet and spelling departments, and writers on slates, there are among these children 1728 in the reading, 899 in the paper writing, and 1474 in the arithmetic classes :-in the latter branch some have advanced to vul. gar fractions, and in several schools grammar and geography have been successfully taught. Knitting and other useful needlework forms part of the instruction of the girls, and at one of the schools the platting of straw has recently been beneficially introduced,

At the common schools in the country parts of the district, there are 640 pupils, which added to those taught on the Lancasterian plan, gives an aggregate of four thousand one hundred and forty-four children, who, in the official year now terminated, have freely received the benefits of education.

The Controllers have drawn orders upon the County Treasurer for $22,442 71: of which sum $11,531 82, is chargeable to the support of the Lancasterian schools -$4,856 99, to real estate and school furniture, principally for the completion of the new building in the second section-and $6053 90, to education in the country sections.

PROPOSED INSTITUTION IN MASSACHUSETTS.

The report of the commissioners on the above subject has, by a vote of the House, been returned for further consideration.

INSTRUCTION IN PERU.

We observe among recent measures, which are much in the spirit of Bolivar's general policy, a decree of the council of government, establishing a college for the education of the Indians. The colleges of Liberty and St. Charles are to be united under the name of the Convictorio of Bolivar, for the support of which $100 a month are to be paid, $300 of which are to be appropriated for the support and instruction of Indian youths; and in the college of Independencia $200 are devoted to the same purpose. Another decree orders the re establishment of the public lectures in Spanish, Latin and rhetoric, for the public instruction of youth.

YALE COLLEGE.

From the catalogue of the Officers and Students of Yale College, for the year 1825-6, just published, it appears, that there are now in that institution 23 Theological Students, 16 Law Students, 75 Medical Students, and 354 Undergraduates. Of the latter 159 are from Connecticut: 57 from Massachusetts; 56 from NewYork; 13 from Pennsylvania; 11 from Ohio; 10 from Maryland; 9 from SouthCarolina; 5 from New-Hampshire; 4 from North-Carolina; 4 from New-Jersey; 4 from Mississippi; 3 from Virginia; 3 from Georgia; 3 from Louisiana ; 3 from Alabama; 2 from Rhode-Island; 1 from Vermont; 1 from Delaware; 2 from the District of Columbia; 2 from the West-Indies; I from Lower Canada; and I from Greece.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN MARYLAND.

To day Mr. Teakle's bill to establish primary schools in the State of Maryland, came up for discussion and was passed.

USEFUL SUGGESTIONS.

The regents of the University of New-York, in a late report of their committee, have recommended the establishment of a school of Agriculture, Mechanics, and the useful Arts to be connected with each college in that state, to instruct the manufacturer, the mechanic, journeyman, apprentice, and laborer, in the principles upon which successful practice, in their several occupations depends. They recommend courses of popular lectures upon Agriculture, Chemistry, and Me. chanics.

NOTICES.

WORKS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

The Biblical Reader; or Interesting Extracts from the Sacred Scriptures, with Practical Observations, and Questions for the Examination of Scholars. For the use of Schools generally, and Sunday Schools in particular: also well calculated for Individuals and Families. By the Rev. J. L. Blake, A. M. Rector of St. Matthew's Church, and Principal of a Literary Seminary, Boston, Mass. with Cuts. Boston, 1826: 12 mo. pp. 472.

The object of this excellent volume is to furnish schools with such selections from the sacred volume as appeared peculiarly interesting and instructive to the rising generation. The book is arranged in chapters, each embracing a distinct portion of the scriptures, and forming a lesson of moderate length. Questions intended to secure the pupil's attention, and impress the subject on his memory, are annexed to every chapter; and a few practical observations are subjoined, as a proper conclusion of the lesson.

The plan of this work is, we think, one which cannot fail to render it eminently useful

In two minor points, also, it seems well adapted for schools. The arrangement of numbered verses is dispensed with; and the pages present the form of regular paragraphs, dependent on the connection and the sense. More attention is thus attracted to the meaning, and the exercise of reading is greatly facilitated.

We quote from the preface the following valuable directions for the use of this work; as the exercise suggested would certainly be entitled to a place among valuable improvements in instruction. At the appointed hour for beginning the school, and before any studies or recitations are introduced, let one of the scholars read aloud,distinctly and reverently, one of the chapters: while one is thus reading let all be in profound silence; and to insure the attention of the whole school to what is read, each one should be liable to be called on to answer the few questions which follow the chapter. When the reading is finished, and the questions are answered, the instructer should read, impressively, the practical observations which succeed.'

As we believe that the Biblical Reader will be extensively used in families and schools, we would suggest to the author the following additions: a few questions on the practical observations which follow each chapter, and some geographical and historical illustrations from Burder, Harris, and other suitable authors, so as to render every lesson still more interesting and instructive.

An Address delivered May 23d, 1820, to the Teachers of the South Parish Sunday School, Portsmouth, by the Rev. Nathan Parker. 18 mo. pp. 18.

This little pamphlet abounds in valuable practical suggestions, which may be advantageously adopted by instructers generally, as well as by that class for whose use it was more immediately intended.

Useful Tables of Scripture Names, Scripture Geography, Scripture Chronology, and Scripture References; including valuable Harmo

nies of the Scriptures, by the Rev. G. Townsend, and S. F. Jarvis, D. D. prepared to accompany the Reference Bible, By Hervey Wilbur, A. M. Boston, 1826: 18mo. pp. 86.

This useful manual presents, first, the proper names of scripture accented for pronunciation, according to Walker's Key and Rules: second, an etymological table of such names as are thought of any importance for elucidating texts, either in the Old Testament or the New: third, a general view of sacred geography, (by Mr. J. E. Worcester.) In the last mentioned department, after a few general introductory observations, the learner is furnished with a geographical vocabulary of scripture names, arranged after the manner usually adopted in gazetteers, and presenting much information within a small compass.-Then follows a chronological harmony of the Old Testament, in a syllabus of Townsend's recent able work on the basis of Lightfoot's chronicle.' The plan of a simple and ingenious harmony of the four gospels, is the next important article in the Tables. A chronological table, and a table of references, conclude the volume.

From the analysis which is here given of the contents of this work, our readers will perceive that the aim of the compiler is to form intelligent readers of the sacred volume.

We would take the liberty of suggesting to the proprietor of this useful manual, to the editor of the Pronouncing Bible, and the author of the Biblical Reader, that by a disinterested and cordial co-operation in the production of one schoolbook, combining the merits of their respective works, they would greatly facilitate religious instruction, and perform a service which would entitle them to the perpetual gratitude of the American community.

A Spelling Book containing Exercises in Orthography, Pronunciation, and Reading. By William Bolles., New London, 1825: 12mo. pp.

156.

Mr. Bolles' spelling-book contains Walker's notation of orthoepy, applied to columns of words arranged somewhat on the plan of Mr. Webster. The reading lessons are judiciously composed or selected; being intelligible and pleasing in their style. The vocabulary will be found a very useful part of the book. The definitions of the words are, in most instances, very happily given: they are, in fact, what they ought to be in every book of this kind, explanatory, rather than logical: they give the signification of the words-a thing much more useful to children than the most exact and faultless definition.

Cornelius Nepos de Vitâ Excellentium Imperatorum. From the third Edition of J. H. Bremi. With English Notes. Boston, 1826: 12 mo. pp. 174.

It was with peculiar satisfaction that we heard of this school-book being in the press. There is no classical writer better suited for an introduction to Cesar; and none perhaps, in the whole range of Latin reading, more acceptable or more useful to the young. The cultivation of an early acquaintance with ancient history, and of a taste for a simple, correct, and chaste style of composition, should be going on along with every branch of study, and more especially with every stage of classical education. We are glad therefore to receive this excellent school-book from a source so well entitled to public confidence as the school at Northampton. In several years' use of Cornelius Nepos, our only dissatisfaction has arisen from the numerous inaccuracies and false readings of the common school copies of this work, many of the English and Scotch editions being, if possible, more faulty than the American. The Regent's Classics, it is true, furnish a beautiful copy, and a carefully revised text; but the book which is thus offered is too rare among us, and too costly for school use.

The text of the present edition is much to the credit of the editor; and the neatness of the execution induces us to suggest that expense would not be thrown away, in furnishing a few copies which might take a place among the minor classics on the shelves of a library.

BOOKS FOR CHILDREN.

Fruits of Enterprise, exhibited in the Travels of Belzoni in Egypt and Nubia: interspersed with the Observations of a Mother to her children. By the author of the India Cabinet. Boston, 1824: 12mo. pp. 248.

The story of Belzoni's toils, and perils is here thrown into the form of family conversation, adapted to the capacity of children. A book which would otherwise have remained a luxury solely for the rich and the scientific among adults, is thus made accessible to the young, in a form suited to their means, their understanding, and their taste.

An acquaintance with the labors of Belzoni, is essential to all readers who would keep up with the current of human knowledge. This book for juvenile readers, therefore, is not to be classed among those which are merely romantic or entertaining: it is highly instructive in connection with geography and history, and is fitted to create in the young mind a deeper relish for these important branches of education.

Another and a very considerable advantage likely to result from the perusal of this volume, is the moral improvement of the reader,-a point to which the author, in consistency with the title of her work, has steadily directed her attention.

Theodore, or the Crusaders: a Tale for Youth. By Mrs. Hoffland, author of 'The son of a Genius', &c. Boston, 1824: 12mo. pp. 180.

The object of this fascinating story is to make the young reader familiar with the era of the crusades. It abounds accordingly with those minute and interesting details which, though they cannot always enter into the volumes of formal history, are important aids to a full understanding of their contents.

Mrs. Hofland's name is a sufficient guarantee for the interest of the narrative with which she has interwoven so much instruction.

It would be an object, we think, worthy of the enterprise of the publishers of the above book to furnish young readers with an abridged edition of the Tales of the Crusaders,' and other historical narratives, which form so rich and interesting a part of the productions of the author of Waverly, and are so well suited to entice the young to the study of history. A series of these works of that distinguished writer, if prepared in a suitable style, would, we think, prove a very useful and entertaining department of the Juvenile Library.

The Badge, a Moral Tale for Children. By the author of The Factory Girl, &c. Boston, 1825: 18mo. pp. 36.

This is truly what its title calls it-a moral tale. It is ably and beautifully written. The incidents are all natural and highly interesting. The noble and disinterested conduct of La Fayette, is held up for the imitation of the young, to incite them to the exercise of generosity, and to aid them in eradicating from their hearts every selfish feeling.

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