THE UNIVERSITY.-We take much pleasure in putting the following preamble and enactment also, upon record, it being chapter 100 of the general laws of the last session. It is a tardy but nevertheless timely act of justice to the University: WHEREAS, It has heretofore been the settled policy of the state of Wisconsin to offer for sale and dispose of its lands granted by congress to the state for educational purposes, at such a low price per acre as would induce immigration and lo. cation thereon by actual settlers; and

WHEREAS, Such policy, although resulting in a general benefit to the whole state, has prevented such an increase of the productive funds for which such grants were made, as would have been realized if the same policy had been pursued which is usually practiced by individuals or corporations holding large tracts of lands; and

WHEREAS, The university fund has suffered serious loss and impairment by such sales of its lands, so that its income is not at present sufficient to supply its wants, and cannot be made so by any present change of policy, inasmuch as the most valuable lands have already beeen sold, therefore,

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:

SECTION 1. There shall be levied and collected for the year 1872, and annually thereafter, a state tax of ten thousand dollars, and the amount so levied and collected is hereby appropriated to the university fund income, to be used as a part thereof.

SECTION 2. The secretary of state shall apportion said tax annually among the several counties of this state, as other state taxes are apportioned by law, and the same shall be levied, collected and paid into the treasury in the same manner as other state taxes.

TELLURIAN.-We hava been shown by the inventor, Mr. J. TROLL, of Belleville, Ill., an Automatic Tellurian, or Astronomical Clock, which is so ingenious, and at the same time so simple, that we take pleasure in calling attention to the same. The cut will serve to give an idea of the apparatus, better than a long description. It is represented as fastened to the wall, but may be attached to a suitable stand. At the lower end of the rod are seen the earth and moon; in the middle, the sun, in which, as in nature, is placed the motive power, which is a piece of clock-work. At the top, is a ball, serving as a balance-weight. When wound up and set in motion, it exactly reproduces the annual and diurnal motions of the earth, the changes of the seasons, and the revolutions of the moon; but for purposes of instruction or lecture, the motions may be accelerated. We believe the inventor is justified in saying the apparatus "is not only a necessary piece of school furniture, but also a beautiful piece of furniture for every parlor, sitting-room or library. You would have a clock, an almanac and a so-called Tellurian in one piece. For school-rooms it is better than any one else, since in

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its movements it keeps up with nature; and so pupils may, through all the year, look at the relative motions and positions of the respective bodies, and by the least help of the teacher, will understand easily the illustrated facts."

Superintendents BATEMAN, of Illinois, and HARRIS, of St. Louis, and many others, recommend the invention in the highest terms-as conveying a better and more accurate conception of the relative positions and revolutions of the earth and moon, and the phenomena resulting therefrom, than weeks of study by the common methods."

THE EXAMINATIONS FOR STATE CERTIFICATES.

In addition to the notice on a previous page, the Superintendent of Public Instruction would announce that after consultation with prominent teachers, he has determined to authorize examinations for State Teachers' Certificates, limited and unlimited, at any time and place, in connection with Teachers' Institutes, whenever fifteen teachers, holding first or second grade county certificates, shall make application for such examination.

The requisites for obtaining a limited state certificate, good for five years in any public school in the State, are a successful examination in the studies now required for a first-grade county certificate, with the addition of English Literature and Mental Philosophy, and satisfactory evidence of success in teaching for at least three ordinary school terms. The rudiments of Mental Philosophy only will be required.

Should an applicant be unsuccessful, another examination in the studies in which he has attained the required standing, will not be required, if he presents himself for further examination within one year from the date of the first examination. All needed stationery will be furnished to applicants by the examiners. We are confidently expecting a large number of teachers to avail themselves of the superior facilities afforded for obtaining these higher certificates. The first examination under the new law will be held in the Capitol, at Madison, beginning at 7 o'clock, Monday evening, July 8.

NOTES OF THE INSTITUTES.

We have received from Professor ALLEN, some brief notes of the Spring Institutes at which he has been present, up to near the close of April:

WAUKESHA, Waukesha county, March 25 to 30, inclusive.-I did not reach this Institute (the first of the season), until Thurday morning. Found a large working institute, well organized and well handled. Superintendent North makes it uncomfortable for shirkers, and illustrates the value of "the eye of the master," etc. The evening lectures by President Arey, Professors Chamberlain and McGregcr, were well spoken of, as also the concluding lecture by General Fallows. The characteristic of this Institute was industry, so strongly marked that even the visitors, some of them, caught it, and worked diligently at tatting and other useful articles. Worked up, with full interest, until Saturday noon. The teachers here paid board. Query-Is not this one reason why they worked so faithfully, determined to accomplish something worth the expenditure? Enrolment 147,-all working members.

EAU CLAIRE, Eau Clairie County, April 1 to 5.-Opened on All Fools day with a very fair attendance. A number of the pupils from the two high schools became members and were noticeably orderly and diligent. Superintendent Kidder and Messrs. Hutton and Howland, gave good aid in the institute work. The evening occupied by the clergy of Eau Claire was a profitable one, the quaint humor of Rev. Mr. Philips, ex-chaplain of the Assembly, adding much to the enjoyment of 3-[VOL. II.--No. 5.]

the occasion. His reminiscences of early school teaching, wherein he told how he displayed his Yankee ingenuity in getting a stove, and finally bought the schoolhouse, raised a rather broad smile. The evening occupied by Mr. Sprague of Augusta and by superintendent Kidder, was profitable to all. Closed Friday evening. Enrollment, 87.

MENOMONIE, Dunn county, April 9 to 12.-Opened institute according to announcement, Tuesday morning at 9 o'clock, enrolling 38 members. Preliminaries all well arranged but the school room was to small to convene the institute and visitors comfortably during the day, and quite too uncomfortable for evening sessions. Tuesday evening was devoted, not unprofitably, to the answering and discussing of questions, proposed in writing, by those in attendance; A, J. Cheney in the chair. As these questions were mainly in reference to school work, the exercise was practical, all the more so, that it did not culminate in the " Bunkum " question of corporal punishment. A good working institute, with a commendable interest manifested by the citizens in visiting the day sessions. The examination of the drawings upon the board, executed by Miss Elting's pupils, was alone a good pratical institute exercise. Superintendent Johnson, tho' new in the work, is an efficient laborer. Take it all in all, I have been agreeably suprised in the large attendance, (for this county,) and the interest manifested. The superintendent of Barron, A. B. Finley, spent most of the week with us and thinks he can get together about a baker's dozen in Barron county. He is to have an institute the last of June. Enrollment, 61.

MAUSTON, Juneau county, 15 to 19.-The genial April shower of Sunday night, to wit: eight inches of soft snow, was rather a damper on operations Monday, yet a session was held in the afternoon, and a goodly number enrolled. Superintendent Wright seems to have stirred up the teachers considerably, as the attendance is far better than at New Lisbon last fall. Worked here until Tuesday noon, and then left for Stoughton, returning Thursday night and spending Friday in the Institute. Meanwhile, Mr. Smith, of Sparta, and Hoard, of Mauston, together with Supt. Wright, did good work, and the Institute was fully alive for Friday's work. A trial association was formed, after a somewhat protracted effort, and it is to be hoped that it, (the association, not the effort,) may be perpetual. Enrollment 68, not counting six or eight New Lisbon teachers who were present, one day, as visitors.

STOUGHTON, First District of Dane county, April 17 to 19.-The Institute here succeeded an examination. Not as large a number in attendance as I anticipated, but some good workers. A little lack of punctuality observable, made up for, perhaps, by close attention on the part of most, to the exercises. Spent but two days here, but left the work in good hands, as Supt. Chandler, with Messrs. Faulks and Currier, are good workers, and Prof. Chamberlain, of Whitewater, was to work Friday. Have no doubt that all who stayed through felt amply repaid. Enrollment 41.

PINE RIVER, Waushara county, April 22 to 26. This Institute was put at the close of a six weeks' County Normal School, held by Superintendent CHIPMAN, assisted by Mr. W. H. ROOD. The school seems to have been a success, all being pleased wih the result. Did not arrive upon the ground until Tuesday noon, but found the school re-organized as an Institute, and at work. Being the closing week of a school, there were a larger number of young persons in attendance than are usually found in an Institute, requiring a little more effort to keep the at

tention. Tuesday evening a "literary" was held, consisting of declamations, a paper and select readings. All passed off creditably. Lectures were given on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. It is a little doubtful whether the efficiency of a teacher, or the work of an Institute is increased by physical exercises late in the evening That feature might very profitably be dispensed with. A goodly number of earnest workers here, who are or will make excellent teachers. Enrollment, 70.

We have received full and well written accounts of the Institutes at Waukesha and Stoughton, from the Secretaries, Messrs. W. E. ANDERSON and C. S. FULLER; but have not room for them, in addition to Professor ALLEN's notes. We can testify from personal presence, that the Institute at Stoughton, like that at Waukesha, was wide awake.

Educational Intelligence.

WISCONSIN.

DANE COUNTY.-The teachers of Cambridge and vicinity have organized an association to meet every two weeks alternately at Cambridge and Oakland, in Jefferson county. President, G. W. Currier; Secretary, M. A. Snell. At the first meeting, the following, among other questions, were discussed:

"Is a teacher morally responsible for a pupil's actions outside the schoolgrounds?"

Decided in the affirmative.

"What is the best method of training large boys too lazy to study and too ugly to behave?"

Laid on the table.

KENOSHA COUNTY.-The Institute at Kenosha was well attended, in spite of unpleasant weather and bad roads. A good, working force was in attendance, embracing T. V. Maguire, County Superintendent, George Skewes, County Superintendent of Racine County, Hosea Barnes of Racine, ex-County Superintendent, Prof. Durkee, Principal of the High School of Kenosha, and other prominent workers. The lecture, by the State Superintendent, was well attended.

PIERCE COUNTY.-An Institute, with an attendance of thirty teachers, was held at Ellsworth, the county seat, commencing March 27, and conducted by Mr. E. F. Case, the County Superintendent. Pierce, and the surrounding counties, will at no distant day, we hope, rejoice in the opening of the Normal School at River Falls. POLK COUNTY.-The following list of twenty-five words was used in a written spelling exercise, at the spring examinations recently:

Of thirty-nine applicants who tried the list, two spelled all the words correctly, and two succeeded in missing fourteen. This corresponds pretty well with the spelling at the Institutes. Superintendent MEARS notes the introduction of a considerably increased amount of black-board surface, through his recommendations.

SAUK COUNTY.-An "Educational column," in the Reedsburg Free Press, is conducted by C. F. VIEBAHN, late County Superintendent. He thus speaks of his successor, Mr. TERRY, whose appointment is also warmly endorsed by the Press and by the Baraboo Republic:

"Mr. Terry was educated at one of the eastern normal schools. Ae has for many years had charge of the Spring Green Academy, which institution, while under his charge, has always been in a flourishing condition. He has also held, for two years, a position in the Platteville Normal School. Somewhat acquainted with Mr. Terry, we can say that he performs good an honest work, which is the highest recommendation a teacher can receive in this time of pedagogical imposition and show-making.

"Teachers of Sauk County: Superintendent Terry well deserves our confidence and co-operation. Let us aid him in the noble work in which he now taks the lead. But how can we operate with him? We can aid him by promptly making out the required reports of our schools, and by attending the teachers' meetings and institutes which he may appoint.

"There is still another way in which we can aid hlm. One of the most important duties which a county superintendent has to perform is that of examining teachers. The object of these examinations is not only to recognize fully the merit of every worthy applicant, whether the attainments of that applicant are based on an academic or on a common school education, but to exclude the incompetent from the charge of our schools. Now there is an evil connected with examinations against which I appeal to honorable teachers to array themselves. It is the practice of scandalizing the examiner when he refuses or annuls a certificate, or when he gives one of lower grade than the applicant expected. Many of the disappointed ones give such reasons for their failure as any one who ever intended to become a teacher should be ashamed to give. When the examiner disappoints us, let us do one of two things: If we think he has acted justly, let us apply ourselves anew to our studies and books. If we think he has acted unjustly, let us not disgrace ourselves and our profession by resorting to slander, but let us appeal to the state superintendent."

WALWORTH COUNTY.-Among other means by which Superintendent Montague quietly but judiciously furthers the cause of the schools under his care, is an educational column in the Delavan Republican. He says:

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The design is to make it a help to the teachers of Walworth county. I do not propose, however to do all the work myself. I want the teachers to help sometimes much. This, teachers, you can do; and in this way. You have school facts in your possession; you have questions relating to school matters that you would like to have answered. You have, in your reading some paragraph, helpful to yourselves in the work of teaching. So will it help a fellow teacher. Now, send to the Superintendent's office anything you have in the line of facts, questions, paragraphs, and I will do the best I can with them. Write letters, propose some problem, state some proposition, let other teachers see what you see, let them hear what you hear."

Further down the column he makes the following suggestions:

"For making you a more intelligent teacher, and hence a better teacher, let me suggest that a little of your school money be devoted in these three ways:

"1st. You need the State Educational Journal. Every teacher will be helped by it. Its hints are valuable. Many important queries are answered which you are daily asking. You will also get educational information from all parts of the State. Try it. It costs but little.

"2d. You need to take a county paper. The notices for Teachers' Meetings, for Examinations, and County Institutes, and the results of all this work, will be found more or less in all the county papers. Any amount of letters come to this office, asking about these things, when a county paper would tell you at once, without the trouble of writing. Besides you need a county paper to keep you informed in regard to other matters pertaining to the county and State, ignorance of which is a sad blemish.

"3d. You need, at least, one good book, a book that shall make you think, that shall lead you out to a broader and fuller life. Will five dollars spent in these ways be a loss?”