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Local and Personal.

the solution of the eternal problem of uniting liberty with law, freedom with government. Every one is intent upon work as though it were no task but an agreeable pastime. The lessons proceed. How the mind of the teacher seems to enter into the minds of the pupils! With what a combination of patience, gentleness, sympathy, and energy every process is conducted. How the minds and hearts of these children open to receive instruction, as the flower opens to light and rain.

"Weariness is prevented by frequent and regular alternations of work, play, and physical exercise. The air is kept pure and the temperature equable. Here we see that these scores of children, without the loss of a day, are at once set forward on the true path of moral and intellectual life; conscience is awakened and its dictates practically obeyed; manners are formed; right habits are required; curiosity is aroused and gratified by imparting rational instruction. They are taught what they need first to know, for comprehending more easily what is to follow. Nothing is learned which they need to unlearn; their first operations being so guided, that, without altering any of their habits, they can more easily produce what is excellent in future. They are beginning to learn to love the good, the beautiful, the true. Their teacher is to them the model and the pattern of all excellence. Here we feel sure that the twig is bent in the right direction, and yet this is no fancy sketch."-From J. D. Philbrick's Report.

"I don't see it," said Mrs. Partingdon, as Ike came home from school and threw his books into one chair and jacket into another, and his cap on the floor, saying that he didn't get the medal; "I don't see, dear, why you didn't get the medal, for a more meddlesome boy I never knew. But no matter, when the adversary comes around again you will get it."

LOCAL AND PERSONAL.

SEYMOUR. The school visitors and teachers of this town have recently had a two days' Institute for the benefit of the teachers and schools. We regret exceedingly that we were unable to be present, as we intended to be. We learn that the exereises were highly inter

Local and Personal.

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esting and profitable. Prof. Camp gave an evening lecture and was present during part of a day, much to the encouragement of those present. Messrs. Pond of Ansonia, and Wright of Birmingham, were present throughout the two days, and rendered essential service. We should be glad to learn of a similar movement in every town of the

state.

ROCKVILLE. We recently spent a day with unusual satisfaction, in the schools of this enterprizing village. The school in the east village is under the charge of Mr. J. N. Turner, and there are more than 400 pupils in the various rooms. Mr. Turner is assisted in the upper department by Misses Scott and Dewy, both efficient and experienced teachers. Miss Scott, and Miss Hunt have charge of the Intermediate Schools, Miss Chapman and Miss Lewis, of the Primaries. The several rooms appeared to be in good condition,— under the charge of faithful and suceessful teachers. Mr. Turner has for many years labored with great fidelity and earnestness as Principal of this important school. We were glad to notice that in the several departments, attention was given to physical or manual exercises. The school at West Rockville has three grades, all of which appeared in good order and under good teachers. Mr. E. P. Loomis is Principal of the higher department, Miss Armstrong, of the Intermediate, and Miss N. Bissell, of the Primary. There was evidently a pleasant spirit pervading the various rooms,-teachers and pupils cheerfully co-operating.

Our thanks are specially due to J. N. Stickney, Esq., and A. C. Crosby, Esq., for kind attentions.

NEW HAVEN. We are glad to learn that the teachers in this city have recently had an addition made to their salaries. We believe one of the ways to make good teachers is to reward them, or rather pay them properly for their arduous labors.

FAIR HAVEN, WEST SIDE. This district has bought the old brick church which will be transformed into a fine school building in a few months, in which all the schools of the district may be taught. We hope the improvements on this side of the river will stimulate the friends of education on the East side, to adopt a better system of schools.

NORWICH. WEST CHELSEA. We had but a few moments in this school previous to its close, but saw much with which we were pleased. Mr. Lathrop is engaged in a good work here, and has some worthy and successful co-laborers in the building with him.

GREENEVILE. We visited the schools of this place on a very stormy

day in January, but we found few vacant seats, and learned that the attendance in all the departments was unusually regular for a village of this kind. These schools are much better graded than formerly, and the five distinct departments have studies and exercises related to each other, and so arranged as to constitute a complete system adapted to the wants of all of proper age for school. Valuable additions have been made to the reference library, and good professional aids were upon the teacher's desk. We were glad to learn that a teachers' meeting was held once in every two weeks.

NEW BRITAIN. Miss M. Genevra Wright having resigned her situation, as Assistant in the High School, on account of ill health, Miss Carrie Stickney, of Rockville, has been appointed to fill the vacancy. Miss Wright proved an efficient and accomplished teacher, and we regret that ill health should compel her to leave a situation for which she had so many qualifications. Thus far, Miss Stickney's labors are very satisfactory. We believe we may say that not only the High School, but all the schools of the village are in a highly satisfactory condition.

NORMAL SCHOOL. The winter term has opened very favorably with an unusually large number of pupils, and we learn that several could not enjoy the advantages of the school on account of inability to procure boarding places.

WILLIMANTIC. We notice with pleasure that the teachers in this place are holding meetings for mutual and professional improvement. We are assured that much good will result from such meetings.

ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA. Lieut. J. A. Linsley, of the Conn. 10th, now stationed at St. Augustine, in a recent letter enclosing his subscription for the Journal, thus speaks of some schools recently visited by him: "These schools are materially different from those of Connecticut in the character, habits, and complexion of the pupils, as well as is the accommodations and appliances for teaching. The schools are in an old church. There are no writing desks except such as are obtained by sitting on the floor and using the seats of the pews. There being no limitation in regard to age, there are several, by no means backward pupils, who wear spectacles. There had been only occasional instruction by soldiers, till the arrival of the teachers recently. Nevertheless I found classes reading readily in the first and second readers, and in the Testament, and answering many questions in Arithmetic and Geography. The readiness with which they may be taught writing, may be judged from the following: A child

who had never learned the alphabet, copied from the book several lines so well that they could be read by the teacher. Their anxiety to learn and the progress already made, can not but be gratifying to the teachers and all interested in human progress, and especially of a hitherto proscribed race. There is a large field open for those whose patriotism and benevolence incline them to labor where the selfdenying efforts of the true teacher only can reap a rich reward.”

A SUGGESTION. We have recently received letters from our teachers now in the army, desiring to have the Journal sent them, and we always wish we were able to send to all such without charge. But are there not some friends of education who would esteem it a privilege to contribute something towards supplying those teachers who are now in our country's service, with the Journal for 1864? Who will do something in this direction?

BOOK NOTICES.

MY DAYS AND NIGHTS ON THE BATTLE FIELD. A BOOK FOR BOYS BY" CARLETON." 12mo., 312 pp. Boston: Ticknor and Fields. We welcome this addition to the books for boys. It is full of instruction and exceedingly interesting, and its extensive circulation and perusal among the youth of our land will do much to foster and increase a spirit of true patriotism. Mr. Coffin, the author of the book, is one of the most intelligent, reliable and interesting of our army reporters,—a gentleman and a Christian, and we most heartily commend this volume as a most timely one, to put into the hands of our youth. We wish it might be placed in every school library of our state.

WILLIS THE PILOT,-A SEQUEL TO THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON; OR AdvenTURES OF AN EMIGRANT FAMILY WRECKED ON AN UNKNOWN COAST OF THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 12mo., 350 pp. Boston: Lee and Shepherd. This is another good book for boys,-in which interest and instruction are combined. The same publishers have many excellent books for school libraries, among which none surpass the " Oliver Optic" books. These are great favorites with boys. For younger children they also publish many good books in a very attractive style. Among these "Minnie and her Pets," in six beautifully printed volumes.

For children under eight years of age "The Sunny Bank Stories," by Rev. Asa Bullard, are very pretty and interesting. Messrs. Lee & Shepherd are gentlemanly and enterprising publishers, and we cordially commend them to any who may have occasion to purchase juvenile books.

THE NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW so long and favorably known as edited by Dr. Peabody, has passed into the editorial charge of Prof. James Russell Lowell and Charles Eliot Norton, Esq., who will fully sustain the high reputation and character of the work. It is well printed, and is in all respects, one

of our very best periodicals. The January No. contains among other articles, "The Bible and Slavery;" "The Ambulance System;" "Immorality in Politics;""The Sanitary Commission ;" "Renan's Life of Jesus:" "The President's Policy," &c.

Crosby & Nichols, Boston, are the publishers, and this is a sufficient guaranty that the work will be well managed. (See their advertisement.)

LETTERS TO THE JONESES. BY TIMOTHY TITCOMB. 12mo., 347 pp. 8th edi. tion. New York: Charles Scribner.

We have perused this very readable volume with much interest, and we believe that some of the Jones blood may be found in about every family of the land. Mr. Timothy Titcomb has certainly used his eyes and ears, and in tho volume before us, he has a word for every class of persons if not for every individual of the class. Even "Schoolmasters and Schoolma'ams," are not overlooked, but a good sensible letter may be found for them. Reader, purchase this book, and if you don't find something in it that hinges pretty close upon you or your family, just write to Mr. Titcomb and tell him how slighted you feel, and I think in his next edition he will have something to meet your case exactly.

CLARK'S SCHOOL VISITOR is a very attractive and interesting monthly for youth, and ia published in beautiful style by J. W Daughaday, Philadelphia, who will gladly send specimen numbers to any who may wish to subscribe. Terms, only 50 cents per year.