were given to crowded houses, and owing to their adaptation to the wants of our citizens, became doubly useful. Their good effects are already apparent in our community. Capt. Mitchell and Prof. Young will long be remembered by our teachers. The teachers voted to request the county school examiners to raise the standard of qualification requisite to secure a certificate, and to publish in the county papers the results of each examination, together with a list of the questions used. A resolution was unanimously passed, favoring the passage of a law creating the office of county school superintendent. Fifty-three subscribers to the MONTHLY were secured, and others will send for it in a few days. The list will soon be increased to sixty. What county stands ahead of Gallia? C. SUMMER INSTITUTES.-In the central and southern portions of the State, institutes are held largely in the months of July and August. This enables the committees to secure the services of instructors who, during the other months of the year, are otherwise engaged. The number of institutes held this year is greater than in any previous summer, and, as we stated last month, they have generally been well attended and successful. We add brief notices of those institutes of which we have received any information: LEBANON. The normal institute connected with the South-Western Normal School opened July 9th, and continued six weeks. Over 250 teachers were in attendance. The instruction was given by the teachers of the Normal School, and was chiefly devoted to a review of the common and higher branches. Prof. Holbrook gave two lectures a day on the science and art of teaching and school government. We were present a half day, hearing a practical lecture on the classification of ungraded schools. We received 43 subscribers. LANCASTER. Normal institute opened July 15th, and continued four weeks, and was followed by the county institute continuing one week. The instructors were Rev. J. F. Reinmund, W. E. Crosby, M. F. Cowdery (county institute), M. Manley, and D. Cole. Both institutes were well attended. WAYNESVILLE. Normal institute under the direction of Mr. J. C. Ridge opened July 15th, and continued four weeks. Forty-five teachers were enrolled. W. H. Venable, John Hancock, O. S. Cook, and George S. Ormsby gave lectures in the course of the session. The institute was every way a decided success. We received 27 subscribers. CAMBRIDGE. Normal institute, under the direction of J. McBurney and James Hammond, opened July 29th, and continued four weeks. Fifty-two teachers were in attendance. The management of the institute gave good satisfaction, considerable time being devoted to methods of teaching and school government. We received 15 subscribers. EATON. County institute opened July 15th, and continued two weeks. The instruction was given by home teachers. Evening lectures were delivered by Dr. Daniel Vaughan, Prof. Edward Orton, and Rev. G. M. Hair. Forty-four teachers were in attendance. Resolutions were passed favoring the enactment of laws compelling school attendance, creating the office of county school superintendent, and forbidding the granting of certificates to any except professional teachers. The organization of towhship teachers' associations and the adoption of a higher standard by the county examiners were also recommended. A pamphlet containing the proceedings, has been printed. DAYTON. Normal institute opened July 29th, and continued three weeks. The instructors were A. J. Rickoff, William Smith, Selah Howell, and O. S. Cook. No other information received. BATAVIA. The county institute began August 5th, and continued two weeks. It was the largest and most successful institute ever held in the county. 140 teachers were enrolled. The instruction was eminently professional and profitable. The instructors were John Hancock and Prof. Kidd, assisted by Messrs. Parker, Hill, Morris, Laycock, Akels, Robinson, Fetter, and Miss Griggs. The county superintendent question was discussed two evenings (one or two citizens opposing the creation of the office), and a resolution was unanimously adopted indorsing the measure. We received 31 subscribers. OAKLAND. A teachers' institute was conducted in August by John C. Kinney. The attendance was small, but the interest was well sustained and the instruction gave good satisfaction. We received six subscribers. SPRINGFIELD. Normal institute began August 9th, and continued three weeks. The instructors were John Hancock, Rev. Chandler Robbins, C. B. Ruggles, R. W. Morris, and A. Armstrong. The attendance was good and the interest excellent. We received 11 subscribers. MARTINSVILLE. Normal institute began August 6th, and continued four weeks. The instructors were M. L. Hunt, T. J. Moon, and O. S. Cook. Sixty-five teachers were in attendance, and " success is reported. We received 17 subscribers. BELLEFONTAINE. The county institute which opened August 12th, and continued five days, was a decided success. The number of teachers enrolled was 75. The principal instructors were R. W. Stevenson, Joseph Shaw, and R. P. Shaw. Lectures were delivered by R. W. Stevenson, O. S. Cook, and Geo. S. Ormsby. The institute was followed by a normal school continuing two weeks. Fifty teachers were enrolled. Resolutions were passed favoring the appointment of active teachers as examiners, and recommending the passage of a law establishing county superintendWe received 22 subscribers. ence. HILLSBORO. County institute was held the second week in August with an attendance of about 100 teachers. The instructors were leading teachers in the county. "A glorious time" is the report sent us. It was accompanied with the names of 20 subscribers. LONDON. County institute, under the direction of Capt. Wm. Mitchell, began August 5th, and continued two weeks. About 40 teachers were enrolled. A resolution was unanimously adopted recommending county supervision. We received 12 subscribers. TROY. County institute opened August 5th, and continued two weeks. 120 teachers were in attendance. Have received no further information. ZANESVILLE. County institute of one week began August 19th. were present. Instructors were J. J. Dinsmore, E. E. White, and received 17 subscribers. About 50 teachers MARYSVILLE. A two weeks' session of the county institute began August 12th. Sixty teachers were enrolled. Instructors were Profs. W. S. Williams and W. H. Cole, and P. N. Schuyler and L. Piper. The spirit was capital and the results satisfactory. The county supervision measure was unanimously approved. MIDDLEPORT. A pleasant and profitable institute was held the third week in August. Upwards of sixty teachers were present. The instructors were Prof. Eli T. Tappan, Capt. Wm. Mitchell, and Prof. Robert Kidd. We received 12 subscribers. CHILLICOTHE. County institute met the fourth week in August, opening on the 26th. The attendance was entirely from outside of the city, and but little interest was manifested by the citizens. Prof. Eli T. Tappan and A. J. Rickoff were the instructors. The county commissioners appropriated $100-an example worthy of imitation. We received 12 subscribers. COLUMBUS. County institute was held the first week in September. About fifty teachers more than half representing the city-were present. The instructors were Prof. A. Schuyler, Capt. Wm. Mitchell, and E. E. White. The teachers in attendance were deeply interested. We received 20 subscribers. MCARTHUR. An excellent institute was held the first week in September under the direction of Professors Tappan and Young, of Athens. More than half of the teachers of the county were present. We received 12 subscribers. KENTON. County institute was held the week beginning August 19th. Forty teachers were enrolled. Thos. W. Harvey was the principal instructor. The teachers were interested and profited. MCCONNELSVILLE. The second annual session of the county institute opened August 19th. About 100 teachers were in attendance. The instructors were R. W. Stevenson, T. M. Stevenson, Geo. S. Ormsby, Alfred Kirk, and Prof. Scott. The institute was one of the most successful that has been held in the State. We received 17 subscribers. Institutes were also held at Newark (two weeks beginning Aug. 26th), at Somerset, Urbana, and Greenville, but we have no information respecting their success. FALL INSTITUTES.-The following teachers' institutes, to continue five days, are announced: Bryan, October 14; Chagrin Falls, October 21; Medina, October 28; Warren, November 4; Canton, November 4; Kent, November 4; Plymouth, November 11; and Marietta, November 19-four days. An institute is to be held at Wauseon, but we can not give the time. CINCINNATI NORMAL INSTITUTE.-The School Board of Cincinnati begin to realize the necessity of providing normal training as a means of improving the instruction of their schools. For two years past a Saturday's institute has been held during the first term. This year they devoted the last week of August to an institute, and required all the teachers of the public schools to be present. The instructors engaged were Prof. J. W. Armstrong, Prof. Herman Krusi, Mrs. Mary Howe Smith, Miss Ellen Seaver, and Miss Matilda Cooper-all of the Oswego Training School, N. Y. Prof. Robert Kidd gave instruction in reading and elocution; Messrs. Williams, Powell, and Squires, in music; Prof. Graeser, in gymnastics; and Messrs. Sands and Fillmore, in penmanship. We are informed that the institute was an entire success. It has aroused in the teachers of the schools a most earnest spirit of inquiry respecting new methods of instruction-a spirit that can not fail to bear good fruit in the schools. CLEVELAND.-A normal institute, under the auspices of the Board of Education, was held at Cleveland the first week in September. The eminent teachers from the Oswego Training School, who were at Cincinnati the week previous, were the principal instructors, and the exercises were devoted largely to primary instruction. Not only the teachers connected with the city schools, but many of the leading teachers of northern Ohio were present. The instruction was, on the whole, highly satisfactory, and a new interest was awakened in elementary instruction.-A. J. Rickoff, of Cincinnati, has been elected superintendent at a salary of $4,000. Few changes have occurred in the corps of teachers. CINCINNATI SCHOOLS.-The following are among the principal changes that have taken place in these schools since the close of the last school year: Mr. John Hancock has been elected Superintendent in place of Mr. Harding. Mr. Thompson, principal of the First District, and Mr. Allen, of the Thirteenth District, have exchanged places. Mr. Carnahan, of the Fifth District, has gone to the First Intermediate, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. Crosby, who has taken charge of the schools at Lima, Ohio. Mr. Peaslee, the first assistant in the Third District, has become principal of the Fifth District. Mr. Charles Stetson, a graduate of Harvard University, and for several years principal of the High School at Charlestown, Mass., has taken Mr. Peaslee's place. Mr. Raschig, former principal of the Tenth District, has gone into the Hughes High School, to fill the position formerly held by Mr. Hotze, who takes a situation in the Cleveland High School. Mr. Clarence Laird has become principal in Mr. Raschig's place. The first assistant's place in the Eleventh District has been filled by Mr. Alfred Clerke, a graduate of the University at Toronto. Mr. R. C. Yowell has been appointed first assistant in the Thirteenth District; and Miss Weidler, first female assistant in the Ninth District, in the place of Miss Houghton, who has taken Miss Steer's private school. Mr. U. T. Curran, formerly of the Glendale Schools, has taken charge of Mr. Rickoff's Academy. NEW JERSEY.-The State Normal School at Trenton has opened this year with a larger number of students than have ever before been in attendance at one time. There are 136 pupils in the normal department, 144 in the boys' department of the model school, and 193 in the young ladies' department-total 473. The Farnum preparatory school at Beverly likewise opens with about fifty per cent. above its usual attendance at this season of the year, having 181. The prospects are that the Beverly school this term will reach 200, and the Trenton school go considerably above 500. The trustees are unable to accommodate all with board who are applying. There are 126 young ladies now boarding at the hall. The average age of the class admitted to the Normal School is nearly nineteen. This speaks well for New Jersey. The Normal School is under the direction of Prof. John S. Hart, LL.D., formerly of Philadelphia. FLORIDA. A State Teachers' Convention was held at Tallahassee on the 21st and 22d days of May. The proceedings, which are published in full in the Jefferson Gazette, were practical and important. The educational wants of the State were duly considered, and the crowning act of the Convention was the appointment of a committee to secure the organization of a system of free schools throughout the State. Gov. Walker made a brief but excellent report on the education of colored people. We wish the teachers of Florida the highest success in their noble undertaking. TENNESSEE. The Fisk School at Nashville has been incorporated under the title of the Fisk University. It is to have three departments, academic, normal, and collegiate. The first term began on the 16th of September. Prof. John Ogden, formerly of Ohio, is President. We bid this great enterprise an earnest God-speed.The State Teachers' Association met at Knoxville, August 14th and 15th. We have seen no report of the proceedings. VIRGINIA, The Richmond Court of Hustings has replied in a high-toned Virginia manner to General Schofield's inquiry by what rule of law they sentenced a school teacher to a fine of $150 and imprisonment for thirty days, for punishing a boy who disturbed the school, while the elder brother of the boy, who committed an aggravated assault on the teacher, was dismissed with a penalty of one cent. They reply that there never was a time when a Virginia Court would convict a Virginian for assaulting a teacher for punishing a boy.-Ex. WEST VIRGINIA. The third annual meeting of the State Teachers' Association was held at Wheeling on the 29th and 30th days of August. The attendance was small, most of the teachers present residing in Ohio county. We were much inter 386 The want ested in a discussion on the educational wants of the State. It was opened by Hon. W. R. White, State School Superintendent, and closed by the Governor. made most prominent was better teachers, and we were glad to learn that, to meet this want, a State Normal School is soon to be opened. The Templer and Teacher will continue to be the organ of the Association. MINNESOTA. The State Teachers' Association met at St. Paul, August 27th, 28th, and 29th. Prof. Wm. F. Phelps, President of the Association, delivered an able address on "Classical versus Scientific Education," and Hon. Ignatius Donnelly, M. C., The meeting gave a lecture on "The True Policy of the National Government in respect to Education." Other papers on important subjects were read and discussed. -We are glad to welcome to our table The Minnesota was every way successful.Teacher, edited by Wm. W. Payne, Prof. Wm. F. Phelps, and W. O. Hiskey. It is ably conducted and neat in appearance. Prof. Phelps has declined the principalship of the Normal Department of the University of Missouri. He is doing a capital work at Winona. President INDIANA. The corner-stone of the building for the new State Normal School at Terre Haute, was laid with appropriate ceremonies on the 9th of August. -The four Normal Institutes Edwards, of the Normal University of Illinois, Senator Morton, and others, delivered addresses. The occasion was one of great interest.held under the auspices of the State Teachers' Association, were successful. The services of Mr. T. W. Harvey are much praised. The county institutes have been unusually successful. COLUMBUS. The new building on Park street was occupied at the beginning of the The school is in charge of J. A. Peasley, an It is a model structure. school year. experienced teacher. Charles R. Paine succeeds Mr. Outhwaite as principal of the The last three gentlemen North Building; Charles E. Lane is principal of the State Street Building; and Benj. 0. True is assistant teacher in the High School. named are graduates of Dartmouth College, and all, we believe, are succeeding well. The schools have never opened so favorably. SANDUSKY.-The citizens have voted an additional tax of $45,000 to complete the The former tax was $30,000. The building is to new building for the High School. Authur T. Phinney, of the State of New York, has be one of the finest in the West. taken charge of the school in place of S. S. Cotton, resigned.Mr. Cowdery is making his teachers' meeting thoroughly normal, and is otherwise promoting the professional advancement of his teachers. We have received the first number of a lit tle paper published by Mr. L. S. Thompson, Sandusky, O., and entitled The Teucher of Penmanship. We take pleasure in commending it to teachers. A PROBLEM.—There are four towns, P, Q, R, S, on the coast of a circular island. P is 12 miles from Q; Q 8 miles from R; R 6 miles from S; and S 16 miles from P. Three couriers, A, B, C, set out from P at the same time, and travel round: A at the rate of 3 miles an hour; B, 4 miles; and C, 6 miles. When will they meet together at Q, R, and S? COPY-BOOKS FOR JAPAN.-Messrs. Ivison, Phinney, Blakeman & Co., of New York, sent in July last about one thousand copies of the Spencerian Copy-Books to Japan. They are worthy of a world-wide use. WANTED.-A Principal and Assistant for the West Virginia State Normal School. Address W. R. WHITE, President of Board of Regents, Wheeling, West Va. |