SIR,-In reply to "J. R.'s" inquiry, insects ordinarily require no treatment for their preservation beyond being allowed to dry exposed to the air of the room. Having been killed, the insect should be stuck with a fine pin (if a beetle, through the right wing-case, any other kind through the thorax), and so fastened on a slice of cork; the legs, &c. being arranged in a natural position, and kept so until dry by means of pins. The wings of butterflies, &c. are expanded and maintained flat by slips of card pierced with a pin and placed over them. The exceptions which require extra precaution are the largebodied moths, grasshoppers, and dragon-flies; they should have the abdomen opened (from beneath), the contents removed, a d a plugget of cotton-wool or soft white paper inserted to preserve the form. If this is not done, the large moths are liable to become greasy, and the other insects shrivel and lose the beautiful colours which distinguish many of them while living. Insects too small to pin are usually gummed on card; but as they are not likely to be used for school-lessons, I pass them by. The insects should remain two or three weeks on the cork, and then be placed in boxes, with camphor or other aromatics to keep mites, &c. from them.-Yours, &c. GEORGE GUYON.

INQUIRIES BY CORRESPONDENTS.

"A Constant Reader" asks the best way of keeping a Conduct-book, in which the names of all the children can be entered. Also for rules, rates of payment, &c., which might be useful in opening a night-school in an agricultural village, in connection with the National school.

SCHEME FOR PRIZES.-A subscriber to a suburban National school offers 107. per annum in perpetuity, to be divided into two sums of 57. each, and given as prizes, one in the boys' and the other in the girls' school. I shall be very grateful to any of your readers who have practical experience of similar circumstances to give me advice upon the best method of making such a reward conduce most effectually to the attainments of the children, and their general well-being. The chief question which I have to consider is, whether to give the 57. in one sum, or to divide it; and if the latter, into how many prizes. The schools contain 120 boys and 90 girls; six classes in each. The parents of the children are artisans, labourers, and small shopkeepers; the weekly payments, 2d., and 3d., according to the class the children are in. SCHOOLMASTER.

"M. S." wants an easy Instruction Book for the study of the Harmonium; and any book showing the difference between the study of the harmonium and that of the organ.

CHEMISTRY. I should feel obliged if some of your numerous correspondents would explain the following for me: It is stated in Wilson's Chemistry (p. 291) that potassium must be kept in naphtha, or some liquid containing no oxygen. I had the misfortune to break the bottle containing my potassium, and I put it in a bottle and poured some naphtha upon it. Some chemical combination took place, for it swam on the top, turned round at a great rate, and was gone in two minutes, making the naphtha very hot and turning its colour. J. R.

HOLIDAYS NOT ALLOWED.-SIR,-The manager of a parochial school declines allowing the children any holidays, in order to obtain a larger capitation grant; the master and pupil-teacher to have holidays in turn. Can you inform me if this plan is generally adopted; and if so, has it met with the sanction of the Committee of Council? The objections to the plan appear to be these: First, If the teachers have holidays of the usual length,-say five weeks,-the school suffers from an insufficiency of teachers for double that period; and the pupil-teacher loses ten weeks' instruction instead of five. Secondly, The Committee of Council allow capitation-fees for those scholars who have been present 176 days: if there be no holidays, in justice to other schools, the attendance should be raised to 194 days to secure the grant.-I am, &c. T. B. "J. R." asks what is the general practice with regard to providing text-books for pupil-teachers; whether they are provided by the teachers themselves, or wholly or partially out of the funds of the school; and if the latter, to what extent.

"S W." wants a time-table that has been used successfully in a mixed school of Sixty children or under, and any information respecting the "simultaneous system" of teaching to read.

PARCHMENT CERTIFICATE, WHEN RECEIVED ?-Whether do candidates for certificates of merit receive their parchment certificates at the end of the two years of probation, or at the time of the inspec tor's first report after the two years have been completed? J. H.

PROFORTION OF AUGMENTATION MONEY.-Can an outgoing certificated teacher receive the proportionate augmentation gratuity, &c., if the managers agree with him to leave at Christmas, and also agree with a certificated teacher from another school to succeed him immediately? J. H.

Schoolmasters and Schoolmistresses' Associations.

*The Editor cannot undertake to notice reports and proceedings of Associations unless sent in

a brief form.

CHURCH SCHOOLMASTERS AND SCHOOLMISTRESSES' BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION.-At the meeting of the Committee held September 2d, Mr. Hunt, formerly for thirty years the master of the Marylebone Central Schools, was appointed collector in the place of Mr. Hawgood, resigned. The number of members was reported as about 110, principally in London and the neighbourhood. A letter was read from Mr. W. H. Pickett, of Cheddington, expressing very touchingly his grateful sense of the benefit he had derived from the grant made to him by the committee. An application for relief to the family of the late Mr. Sellers, of Manchester, was received; but as Mr. Sellers had not been a member of the institution, the committee were reluctantly obliged to meet the application with a refusal, in conformity with Rule 10, as they had been obliged to do with some other cases at a former meeting. These appli cations were felt by the committee to be an additional and seasonable proof of the necessity for the institution, and an incentive to them to continue their exertions for its permanent establishment; and it is hoped that they will be so felt by the great body of teachers, who might, would all unite at once in subscribing, soon raise a fund which would render unnecessary the humiliating appeals now so constantly made for the families of deceased teachers.

METROPOLITAN.-The monthly meeting of this Association was held on Saturday, September 5th. Previous to the commencement of the usual business, the Rev. J. F. Serjeant gave a lesson to a class of boys on the "Quarrel between Abraham and Lot." The principal points of the lesson were nicely drawn from the children; and the humility of Abraham in giving the preference to his nephew Lot was held up as an example worthy of imitation in our intercourse with the world.

DEVON AND EXETER.-The celebration of the first anniversary of this Society took place on Thursday, August 20th. A large number of masters and mistresses from Exeter and its vicinity, together with their friends, left the St. Thomas' Station for Teignmouth by the 7:15 A.M. train; and after spending some time in the town, boats conveyed them to Labrador, where they all dined in the open air. At four o'clock the party sailed up the river Teign, and landed at the far-famed Combe Cellais, and thence proceeded to a cottage about half a mile distant, in the parish of Combeinteignhead, which commands an extensive and delightful view of the Teign valley, where they sat down to tea. After a rustic ramble, and a visit to the parish-church, which is a very handsome one, the party repaired to Teignmouth and Exeter by the last train; when they assembled in the Episcopal schoolroom, sang several songs and glees, and then retired to their respective homes, much pleased with the day's excursion.

On Saturday, September 12th, a very practical paper was read by Mr. Pinney, of Halberton, which produced a profitable discussion.

OSWESTRY ASSOCIATION.-The second annual meeting was held on Saturday, August 1; the Rev. L. W. Jones, Oswestry, in the chair. The report stated, that in consequence of the great distance which separated schools in this district, the attendance was never very large. Papers have been read on "Teaching church-music in National schools," by the Rev. W. W. How, Whittington; "The history of arithmetic," by Mr. Jones, Llangollen; "Practical suggestions on teaching English grammar," by Mr. Chandler, Whittington; "Moral and religious influence," by Mr. Nicholson, the Lodge; "Practical hints to those who are responsible for elementary education," by Mr. S. S. Lees, Oswestry; and " Religious education, by Mr. Watkin, Llanfechair." Lessons have been given on "The river Rhine," by Mr. S. S. Lees, Oswestry; and "The union of England and Scotland," by Mr. Gwyther, Whittington. After reading the report, Mr. Nicholson, the Lodge, gave a simple and clear explanation of the points mentioned on the Broad-sheet as those which her Majesty's Inspectors have to notice when a candidate for a certificate of merit gives a lesson before them. This prepared the members for a most excellent lesson on "The deliverance of Peter from prison by an angel of the Lord (Acts xii. 3-10)," in which the system of picturing-out was clearly demonstrated. This was followed by a lesson on Air," by the Rev. W. W. How, Whittington, which was given to illustrate the defects there mentioned. After a lively discussion on both lessons, the meeting separated.

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE AND WEST LINCOLNSHIRE.-The members and friends of the above Association held their quarterly meeting at the Trinity Church Schools, Nottingham, on Saturday, September 12th, at 11 o'clock A.M. There was a numerous attendance, upwards of fifty being present, The proceedings were commenced with prayer by the Rev. J. Porter; after which Dr. Wilson, of Nottingham, gave a highly interesting and valuable lecture on botany, illustrated by some excellent diagrams. There is one feature in the study of this science which peculiarly recommends it, and especially to town schoolmasters,-it is a day light study which invites into the open air in search of specimens. In the afternoon, Mr. Hemming, of St. Mary's National School, Nottingham, gave lesson to a class of boys on Prov. iv. 18-"The path of the just," &c.; and Mr. Luxford, of New Radford, read a paper on "Rain." Both the lesson and paper were highly approved. Several more books of an educational character, for circulation among the members, were proposed and agreed to; after which a most agreeable and useful meeting was concluded by such of the members as could remain taking a friendly cup of tea together.

The committee beg to return their best thanks to those kind friends who proved their sympathy by relieving Mr. Lacey's wants and those of his family. They also beg to say that he expired on Wednesday, September 9th, aged thirty-six years.

Contributions received since last acknowledgment:-Derby Church Schoolmasters' Association, 17. 6s. 6d.; A Friend, 1s. In all nearly 167, have been received. This fact alone shows the value of associations.

SURREY.-The fourth report of this Association states, that during the past year the following papers have been read and discussed: On "Common things;" on "Sunday-schools;" on "The life, character, and writings of Dr. Johnson;" on "The moon;" on "Teaching the deaf and dumb;" on "School-discipline;" on "Dr. Arnold as a teacher;" on "St. Paul as a teacher;" on "Pneumatics." A lecture on Dr. Johnson has been given by Rev. William Kelk. The interchange of papers between the parent association and the branches is found very agreeable and convenient. The president, Rev. J. C. Wynter, continues to impart classical instruction, and devotes to this purpose a portion of four evenings per week. The members of the French class (consisting chiefly of mistresses) are in a no less degree indebted to him; they are now receiving a weekly lesson from Mons. Alsacer, Professor of Languages at the Camp at Aldershot. The drawing-lessons, which began in March 1854, will in future be discontinued. The Bishop's prize of last year for the best essay by a master on "The teacher out of school, his duties, opportunities, and resources," was awarded to Mr. Jones, the late master of the Reigate National School, to whom his Lordship, at the last annual meeting, presented an elegantly bound copy of Layard's Nineveh. His Lordship's prize for mistresses produced no competitors. The prize-scheme for the present year is as follows: (1) By the Bishop, two prizes on the following subjects: For masters, "The influence of the teacher's work on his personal character, its beneficial effects, its dangers;" for Mistresses, "The difficulties and encouragements of the female teacher." (2) By Rev. John Chandler, Vicar of Witley: A prize, open to masters and mistresses, for the best poem on "The nurses of Scutari." (3) By Rev. J. Cecil Wynter, Rector of Gatton: A prize, likewise open to masters and mistresses, on the following subject"The prevalence of ignorance in a nation inconsistent with the stability of civil liberty, and with the spread of scriptural truth."

Guildford Branch.-The report states that the following papers have been read during the year: On "Teaching arithmetic" (this was illustrated by a lesson on "Mental arithmetic" given to a class of boys); the third and fourth of a series on "The times of the Stuarts;" on "The true value to be attached to the teaching of common things;" on "Water-a fluid, or the laws of hydrostatics;"Je second of an astronomical series, "The sun;" on "The gravitating, cohesive, and chemical forces" (this was illustrated by a great variety of very beautiful experiments with chemical apparatus); on

"The schoolmaster, his office, his work, his requirements, his difficulties, his encouragements." Mr. Robert Mimpriss, of London, has given a lecture on his system of graduated simultaneous instruction, illustrated by lessons to a large class of boys. The Latin class has progressed satisfactorily, there being eight members who have regularly attended its meetings.

Dorking and South-East Stoke Branch.-It appears from the report that the following list of lectures have been delivered, and papers read during the year: Lectures-on "The importance of religious instruction, and the best mode of conveying it," by Rev. J. Welstead S. Powell; on "The Chinese rebellion, showing its intimate connection with the state of education in that country," by Rev. J. B. Whiting. Papers-on "Punishments in connection with school-discipline :" on "Church catechism;" on "Different sects of the Jews;" on "Teaching geography;" on "Discipline;" on "The expediency of establishing a Schoolmasters' Benevolent Association;" on "The influence of the teacher's example;" on "Teaching English grammar;" on "The use of a Bible lesson;" on "Teaching spelling." Lessons to a class-A Bible lesson; on "Columbus, and his discoveries."

DUNSTER DEANERY.-The second annual meeting of this Society was held at the Red Lion Inn, Dulverton, on Friday, the 28th ultimo; the Rev. H. J. Taylor in the chair. After dinner and the customary loyal toasts, the prizes were distributed as follows: 1st, 37. (the Bishop's prize), to Mr. Greenfield, Old Cleeve, as master of the best parochial school in the deanery; 2d, 2., to Miss Hicking, Stogumber, as the mistress of the best parochial school, being the principal; 3d, 17., to Miss Greenfield, Old Cleeve, as mistress of the best school, not being the principal; 4th, 10s., to Mr. Smith, Timberscombe, for best reading in his school; 5th, 10s., to Mr. Aldred, Brushford, for best writing; 6th, 10s., to Mr. Blackman, Williton, for best knowledge of arithmetic; 7th, 10s., to Mr. Holman, for best knowledge of the Church Catechism; 8th, 17., to Mrs. Holman, Cutcombe, for best plain needlework; 9th, 10s., to Mrs. Blackmore, Kingsbrompton, best knitting: 10th, 10s., to Mrs. May, Luxborough, second best needlework; 11th, 10s., to Mrs. Holman, Cutcombe, best cutting-out; 12th, 5s (no darning sent to compete for this prize); 13th, 5s., to Mr. Langdon, Dulverton, for best patchwork of children under seven years. Mr. Trevor's prizes, for best knowledge of common things, were given as follows: 10s., to Mr. Smith, Timberscombe; 10s., to Mrs. May, Luxborough. The Earl of Carnarvon (patron) delivered an interesting address on the occasion; and the meeting concluded with the election of officers for the ensuing year.

TESTIMONIALS.-Presented to Mr. JARMAIN, Master of the Central National School, Almondbury, by the Earl of Dartmouth in person, a Photographic Camera and all the necessary Apparatus. To Mr. W. J. STAFFORD, on resigning the charge of the Shalfleet School, a Mahogany Case, with Inscription, containing Two Silver Table-spoons and half a dozen Silver Tea-spoons, by the Scholars, Teachers, and Friends of the Parish. Also sundry other articles.

On the 4th inst., Mr. JOHN A. STOREY, Master of St. Cuthbert's School, Darlington, was presented with a massive Gold Watch and Chain, value 26 guineas, and an address on Vellum from some of his old Pupils. Mr. Storey has been forty-two years a schoolmaster, and for the last thirty years has been master of the above-named school. The presentation was publicly made by Mr. W. Myers, one of the Secretaries to the Metropolitan Church Schoolmasters' Association, the oldest of Mr. Storey's Pupils present. The bells of the parish-church rang merry peals at intervals during the evening.

To Mr. WILLIAM EARWAKER, on leaving Alton National Schools, by the Committee and Inhabitants of the town, an Eight-day Timepiece, Silver Sugar-tongs and Salt-spoons, and sundry Volumes of Books, by the Teachers and Children of the Schools. Crabbe's and Coleridge's works, and a DialCalendar.

APPOINTMENTS.-Mr. WILLIAM EARWAKER, from Alton, Hants, to the National Schools, Wrecclesham, near Farnham, Surrey.

Mr. WILLIAM HAMILTON, from St. Mary's School, Inverury, Aberdeenshire, to the Broughtoncum-Filkins School, Oxfordshire.

OBITUARY.-On August 26th, at the Warrington Blue-Coat Hospital, of phthisis, Mrs. JOHN Bowes, aged 33 years.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

We cannot undertake to notice anonymous communications, nor to insert letters or information received after the 20th. The name and address of our correspondents should always be sent, though not necessarily for publication.

"Amicus." Yes. See particulars at page 68 of Church Education Directory.

"A. K. C. L.," "G. F. C.," and "A Village Schoolmaster." Declined with thanks.

"J. S." The school must be under inspection. See page 22 Church Education Directory.

"S. B" We regret that it is not in our power to comply with your request. We are precluded from reviewing books.

"C. C. S. C. R." Your inquiry should be addressed to her Majesty's Inspector for the district. "A. T. Macfarland" is thanked. Possibly we may find room for the Essay in a future Number. "M. W." is thanked. We have inserted answers to the inquiry.

"Campana." The Broad-Sheet says, that "students will be classed at the end of each year according to the result of the examination passed by them, but will not be certificated." See Church Education Directory, page 62.

"A Yorkshire Teacher's" letter is in type.

The York Board Report in our next.

Our usual Notices of Books are deferred for insertion in our next.

SUNDAY-SCHOOLS.

[THIS portion of the Number of the Monthly Paper is now published in a separate form as THE NATIONAL SOCIETY'S SUNDAY-SCHOOL PAPER, and may be obtained regularly through any bookseller at the cost of one penny; or twelve copies of this Number, or any already published, will be sent postage free on remitting one shilling in postage-stamps to the Editor, or six copies will be sent for seven stamps.

This arrangement has been made in compliance with the request of clergymen and others who have the management of Sunday-Schools, and are anxious that every teacher in the school in which they are interested may be provided with the Paper at the least possible cost. As a large circulation is necessary for the success of "The Sunday-school Paper," it is hoped that an effort will be made in Sunday-Schools throughout the country to subscribe for six or a dozen copies monthly.]

"The Sunday-school Paper" in a separate form commences with the June Number, 1857. The Papers extend back to July 1856, but are not published except as part of the National Society's Monthly Paper.

Proceedings.

DIOCESE OF OXFORD.

The following resolutions, which were passed by the clergy and schoolmasters present at the Educational Conference at Culham on the 6th, 7th, and 8th of August, are inserted as a continuation of the notice which appeared in the Sunday-school Paper for September:

That the Sunday-school, when immediately followed by the service of the church, should not last more than one hour.

That the time of school should be occupied as much as possible in such kinds of teaching as should interest the children, so that the character of the Lord's-day be kept in view as a day of cheerful rest and spiritual edification.

That the teaching in school should generally be in connection with the services of the church. That where practicable the day-scholars should be separated from those who have left school, and from others.

That very young children should not be taken to church as part of the school; but the exact limit of the age of attendance must be fixed in each instance by the school-authorities.

DIOCESE OF GLOUCESTER AND BRISTOL.

A brief notice of the meeting held on July 16th by the Cirencester Association of Teachers appeared in the Number of the Sunday-school Paper for September. The following extracts from a paper read on that occasion by the Rev. A. Kent, Vicar of Coln St. Aldwyn's, will serve to show the nature of the discussion by which it was followed; and it is hoped they may be continued in a future Number.

The question now arises, How far has the necessity for Sunday-schools been superseded by daily schools? Under favourable circumstances, in parishes when the children properly attend daily schools the necessity for Sunday-schools would seem to have ceased. Indeed, did the parents do their duty towards their offspring on this day, and take their children with them to church, there would be no occasion for Sunday-schools, as far as the day-school children are concerned. We must, however, have Sunday-schools on account of the negligence of the parents. Were there no Sunday-schools the children

would probably in many cases not be taken to church at all, and the day would be in other ways desecrated. As Sunday-schools, then, cannot be dispensed with, it remains for us to consider how far they should be modified to meet our present wants, supposing that we have a well-ordered day-school. In the first place, I would say, let us beware of having the time of school too long. We must remember that Sunday is a day of holy joyful rest; and the young mind must be guarded against looking on the Lord's-day with repugnance as one of dreary labour and gloom. But what can be expected than such a result when children, as is often done, are brought to school at nine in the morning, have two long hours there, and then, wearied with school, are instantly marched off to church, where perhaps two hours more of confinement await them? After this they return home for an hour, and at two o'clock in the afternoon they assemble again for a similar process. What can be expected under such a system but a repugnance to school, church, Sunday, and all that belongs to them, and a longing to escape? When the school is happily near the church, it is undesirable to assemble before ten in the morning, supposing the church-service to commence at eleven. Punctuality must be strictly enforced. Then if the opening of the school by a short prayer and a hymn, and the calling over the names, take a quarter of an hour, you will have a full half-hour for a lesson before church. A good deal may be done in this time by a judicious teacher. The classes should be small, and the teachers more numerous; and if you are content with this time for Sunday-teaching, you may induce your more intelligent parishioners to take a class regularly, which they would be unwilling to do if they were required to meet at nine in the morning. Again, it is very desirable that, if possible, the clergyman should take one class; and if the school meets at ten he may do this; but he might shrink from being in school more than one hour previously to encountering two full church-services single-handed.

Let us follow the children to church Here we feel the want of the parents' presence, and would desire that the children should sit with them, instead of a number being associated together; but we must deal with things as they are, not as we would wish them to be. The children are now in church: let me say a word for the lambs of Christ's flock. Often are they placed where they can neither see nor hear. I have frequently been pained on entering churches to observe the thoughtlessness that has been exercised towards the children of the Sunday-schools. I have sometimes seen them made to kneel on the damp stones in winter without a bit of matting, or any thing to make their position comfortable. At other places they have had to kneel balancing themselves on a strip of wood, or kneeling bolt upright upon their backless benches; and this coming after perhaps two hours' drill in school. Can we wonder that children look forward to the time when they may escape this treatment, and while at school come irregularly, and with dislike; and when they leave, take care to keep as far off the church as possible, which has left such hard thoughts and impressions on their minds?

Correspondence,

The Committee of the National Society are thankful for any communication likely to assist SchoolManagers and Teachers, or otherwise promote the work of Church Education; but they do not necessarily hold themselves responsible for the opinions of the Editor's correspondents.]

To the Editor of the National Society's Monthly Paper.

TEACHING FROM PREPARED "NOTES" AND "FORMS."

SIR,-I beg to submit for insertion in the Sunday-school Paper, the following abbreviated extract from an article which has recently appeared in the Clerical Journal. I believe that it will commend itself to the good sense of your numerous readers, if they will only give it the benefit of their serious consideration.—I am, &c. PHILOS.

We are at present concerned with only one part of the old system-the instruction of the young; a part which, perhaps more than any other, we have been taught to consider as having been extremely defective and inefficient. The catechising of the children by the clergyman on Sunday afternoon is commonly looked upon as an absurd piece of formality; and the modern Sunday-school is pointed to with triumph as being the perfection of all that is required in this way. We have sometimes asked, "Where are your fruits? The Sunday-school is the nursery where you show us plenty of fine, healthy, young plants; but where are your mature fruit-bearing trees? Where are the results of your labours?" The storm of angry abuse which has generally been showered upon us, instead of an answer, has made us rather cautious in repeating the question; but we cannot help feeling that the noble efforts of the promoters of the Sunday-school system-efforts put forth during a space of time more than sufficient to test their efficiency-have not met with the success that was expected, nor even with any thing at all approaching the results that might reasonably be looked for from the operation of such a vast machine. For our own part, we see abundant reasons for the failure, and many ways in which, in our opinion, amendment may be made. Our space will allow us to mention only one, and that one involving a procedure not much relished at the present day, viz. a compliance to some extent with the old system, and with the rubrical directions. This compliance consists in a recognition of the authority and sole responsibility of the clergyman, even although he may be obliged to do his work by means of lay helpers.

We take it for granted that lay help is needed in the Christian instruction of the young: that to devolve this upon the minister is to impose a burden upon him which he neither can nor ought to bear; but we would charge him with all the responsibility of it, and make the work of the teachers as irresponsible as possible. This is to be effected by limiting the instruction given by lay helpers to hearing the children read, and catechising them from set forms. No extemporaneous instruction should be allowed.

What we wish to impress upon our readers is this, that one great defect of the present Sundayschool system is the irresponsible and miscellaneous, not to sav objectionable (which it frequently must be), nature of the course of teaching generally pursued. The diversity of t-aching necessarily introduced into a school where each teacher pursues his own course, and gives utterance to his own peculiar opinions (often very peculiar indeed),-this diversity of teaching, we say, is a very undesirable feature of the present system We know that in hundreds of Sunday-schools in the kingdom there is nothing whatever to hinder the introduction of any form of error that may desire to insinuate itself; and this we are sure of, that doctrines most prejudicial and inimical to the Established Church have been taught, and are taught, by shallow minds, who think they are doing God service by opposing every thing they do not understand. We therefore earnestly entreat our clerical readers to look well to their