The Patriot of April 7th speaks in high terms of the recent examinations of the Union Schools of New Lisbon, and adds: "With entire confidence we may congratulate our town on having good Schools. We have a corps of able, competent and zealous Teachers inspired with the noble purpose to elevate the standard of Education; we have a talented and efficient Superintendent, fully at home in his high trust; we have an enlightened Board; we have a respectable average of youthful talent, and some young scholars of rare promise; and among our youths there is a growing love of study, which is a cheering omen, and a pledge of future improvement.

Akron.-Three hundred scholars belonging to the senior departments of the Public Schools of Akron, with their teachers and other friends, recently enjoyed a Railroad excursion to Hudson, on the Akron branch Railroad.

PRESENTATIONS TO TEACHERS, ETC.-At the close of the first annual Exhibition of the Union School in Ripley, the pupils gave the Superintendent, Mr. F. W. HURTT, a pleasant surprise by the presentation of a large Bible, finely bound and appropriately lettered.

The pupils of District number 9 in Washington township, Richland co., presented to their Teacher, Mr. J. K. MOWER, a finely bound copy of the complete works of Shakespeare, at the close of his last session.

At the close of the winter term in the North Grammar School in Columbus, the pupils presented to A. D. LORD, a valuable gold pen and pencil.

Hints, Suggestions and Questions to Teachers.

It is very desirable that Teachers should daily communicate orally some instruction, both in connection with the regular studies and on other topics incidentally connected with them, or important as matters of general information. Perhaps nothing will awaken a deeper interest in the minds of children, or have a greater tendency to make them forget the confinement and the restraint of the school room, than the narration of striking facts in science, or anecdotes illustrating some important truth. To furnish himself with the material for these exercises, the true Teacher will draw from addresses or conversations, from every book or newspaper he may read, and every important scientific or other fact which comes under his observation. There are few scholars on whom such facts will not exert a good influence.

Teachers will find it an excellent plan to take the questions proposed in the examinations of scholars for admission to High Schools or other institutions, or those used by Examiners in examining Teachers, and present them to their pupils, by writing them on the blackboard or otherwise, to be answered either orally or in writing. On page 282 of the second volume of the Journal, a valuable list will be found: those on page 143 of the last number may also be used for this pur

pose.

It is a noticeable fact that the three gentlemen who have last held the office of Mayor of Lynn, including the present incumbent, all graduated from the first class of the High School in that city, in the same year, and all proceeded at once to take seats upon the shoemaker's bench to learn the respectable calling to which Lynn owes much of its prosperity, and of which its richest and most influential citizens have too much good sense to be ashamed.—Salem (Mass.) Gazette,

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Teaching. To learn anything thoroughly is no easy task: to communicate it is a still more difficult one. To be able to find out the peculiar constitution of each child's mind, so as to bring what you would teach, down to the level of the understanding, and yet to make it work in such a way as to seize upon and comprehend the subject; this is teaching and nothing else deserves the name.-Index,

Rushville, Ia.

Selections.

The Thoroughly Educated.-A man entering into life, says Mr. Ruskin, ought accurately to know three things: first, where he is; second, where he is going; third, what he had best do under these circumstances. First, where he is - that is to say, what sort of a world he has got into; how large it is; what kind of creatures live in it, and how; what it is made of, and what may be made of it. Second, where he is going-that is to say, what chances or reports there are of any other world besides this; and whether, for information respecting it, he had better consult the Bible, the Coran, or the Council of Trent. Third, what he had best do under these circumstances-that is to say, what kind of faculties he possesses; what are the present state and wants of mankind; what is his place in society; and what are the readiest means in his power of attaining happiness and diffusing it. The man who knows these things, and who has had his will so subdued, in learning them, that he is ready to do what he knows he ought, I should call educated; and the man who knows them not, uneducated, though he could talk all the tongues of Babel.-Scientific American.

Vastness of the Universe.-Prof. Hitchcock, in one of his popular scientific works, has aptly illustrated the vastness of the universe. Light, although apparently visible instantaneously, requires an appreciable time to travel. A flash of lightning occurring on the earth, would not be visible on the moon till a second and a quarter afterwards; the same flash would not be visible on the sun until after a period of eight minutes; on the planet Jupiter, when at its greatest distance from us, till fifty-two minutes; on Uranus, till two hours; on Neptune, till four hours and a quarter; on the star Vega, one of the first magnitude, till forty-five years; on a star of the eighth magnitude, till one hundred and eighty years; and on stars of the twelfth magnitude, till four thousand years and stars of this mag. nitude are visible through telescopes; nor can we doubt that, with better instruments, stars of far less magnitude might be seen; so that we may confidently say that this flash of lightning would not reach the remotest heavenly body till more than six thousand years. Here is vastness beyond the capacity of the mind to contemplate.-Boston Journal.

Truant Children. - The Legislature of Massachusetts last year, passed a law authorizing the authorities of towns and cities to arrest and punish all boys who absent themselves from school and spend their time in idleness about the streets or elsewhere. Wherever this law has been executed it has proved beneficial. Boston is divided into three districts under this law, and an officer appointed in each to look after vagrant children. For three months of the past year, three of ficers had arrested 625 truant cdildren, who were dealt with according to their deserts by the courts. Confirmed truants, of whom there were 191, were sent to the house of reformation, schools of reform, or farm school; others to the charity schools, and to the almshouse. The majority of the young offenders were induced to attend school punctually. The decrease of crime among the juvenile population, it is believed, will be one of the excellent results of this system. In 1851 there were 1,110 minors in Boston arrested for crime and misdemeanor.

It is computed by an English statistical writer, that the laboring classes of Great Britain expend no less than $250,000,000 every year, on alcoholic liquors and tobacco. This estimate does not include the money spent by the middling and upper classes, for the same object.

The number of students in attendance upon the lectures at the four Medical Colleges in Philadelphia, last winter was between thirteen and fourteen hundred.

How to Tell a Good Teacher. A gentleman from Swampville, State of New York, was telling how many different occupations he had attempted. Among others, he had tried school teaching.

"How long did you teach?" asked a bystander.

"Wal, I did n't teach long; that is, I only went to teach."

"Did you hire out?"

"Wal, I did n't hire out; I only went to hire out."

"Why did you give it up?"

"Wal, I gave it up for some reason or nuther. You see, I traveled into a deestrict and inquired for the trustees. Somebody said Mr. Snickels was the man I wanted to see. So I found Mr. Snickels-named my objic, interducing myself -and asked him what he thought about letting me try my luck with the big boys and unruly gals in the deestrict. He wanted to know if I raally considered myself capable; and I told him I would n't mind his asking me a few easy questions in 'rithmetic and jography, or showing my handwriting. But he said no, never mind, he could tell a good teacher by his gait..

"Let me see you walk off a little ways," says he, "and I can tell," says he "jis's well's I'd heard you examined," says he.

"He sot in the door, as he spoke, and I thought he looked a little skittish; but I was consid'rable frustrated, and did n't mind much; so turned about and walked off as smart as I know 'd how. He said he'd tell me when to stop, so I kep' on till I thought I'd gone fur enough - then I s'pected s'thing was to pay, and looked round. Wal, the door was shet, and Snickels was gone!"

"Wal, no I did n't apply for another school," said the gentleman from Swampville. "I rather judged my appearance was against me."

Editors' Table.

National Education in Europe: being an account of the organization, administration, instruction and statistics of Public Schools of different grades in the principal States. By HENRY BARNARD, LL. D. Second Edition, Hartford, Conn.: F. B. Perkins, 1854.—The first Edition of this work was entitled, Normal Schools, and is pretty generally known: the present edition, a fine octavo of nearly 900 pages

an encyclopædia of information on the subjects of which it treats. No one who wishes to be well informed on these subjects can afford to be without it. It contains the substance of the Reports on Education in Europe by Prof. Stowe, Prof. Bache, Hon. H. Mann, and the results of the observations of the Author. To all who are giving instruction to Teachers, it is especially valuable.

School Architecture; or Contributions to the improvement of school houses in the United States, by H. BARNARD, LL. D.-The fifth Edition of this excellent work has just been issued, with additions which enhance its value and usefulness. This is also a library of reference for those who have to do with the erection of school houses.

The thanks of the Resident Editor are due to Hon. B. F. WADE, U. S. Senator, for a copy of the seventh Census, and for other valuable documents; and to Senator CHASE, and Hon. E. B. OLDS, M. C., for similar favors.

Outlines of Scripture Geography and History: illustrating the historical portions of the Old and New Testaments. For the use of schools and private reading: based upon Coleman's Historical Geography of the Bible. By EDWARD HUGHES, F. R. A. S., F. R. G. L. 350 pages, 12 mo. Philadelphia: Blanchard & Lea. 1854.-This is a valuable contribution to the means for a thorough acquaintance with the countries named in the Bible: Teachers, and especially Sabbath School Teachers, and all who are interested in the Scriptures will value it highly as a work of reference.

PERIODICALS.-The British Quarterlies and Blackwood's Edinburg Magazine, republished by L. Scott & Co., N. Y.-We invite the attention of all the lovers of literature, of solid, substantial reading, to these standard Periodicals, an advertisement of which appears in our advertising sheet. The January numbers of each of the Reviews, and the first four numbers of Blackwood are received. Terms, for one Review $3,00, for the four $8,00, for the four Reviews and Blackwood $10. The Western Literary Messenger, a Family Magazine of Literature, Art, Science and General Intelligence, edited by JESSE CLEMENT, is published monthly at $1,50 per year, (three copies $4, five copies $5,) by Jewett, Thomas and Co., Buffalo, N. Y. This well known work entered on its 22d volume with the month of March.

The Pennsylvania Journal of Prison Discipline and Philanthropy is published quarterly at $1,00 per year, by E. C. & J. Biddle, Philadelphia, Pa. It contains much of interest to the philanthropist and the educator.

Odd Fellows' Literary Casket, edited by W. P. STRICKLAND, D.D., is published monthly by Tidball and Turner, Cincinnati, at $2,00 per year.

The School Mate, a Monthly reader for children and youth, edited by A. R. PHIPPEN, is published by the same in N. Y., at $1,00 per year.

"The Teachers' Institute and Organ of the Fayette Co. Teachers' Association," is published monthly for 25 cents, at Brownsville, Pa.

The Type of the Times, devoted to Phonography and Phonotypy, is published weekly by Longley Brothers, Cincinnati, at $2,00 per year: two copies, $3,00.

SCHOOL BOOKS.-Russell's New School Histories :-of the United States, England, France, and Greece and Rome. These are substantially bound with leather backs, in uniform style, each containing nearly 300 duodecimo pages. Lindsay & Blakiston, Philadelphia, 1854.

Wilson's History of the United States, from the earliest discoveries to the present time: with additions, containing the history of the British American Provinces, history of Mexico, and the Constitution of the U.S., with explanatory notes and questions. By MARCIUS WILSON. New York: Ivison & Phinney, 1854.

Peter Parley's Universal History on the basis of Geography, illustrated by Maps and Engravings. Ivison & Phinney, 1854.

The Student's Fifth Book; or Rhetorical Reader: designed for the most advanced classes in schools and academies, and as a family miscellany for the private student. By J. S. DENMAN. New York: Farmer, Brace & Co., 1854.

Intellectual Arithmetic; or an analysis of the science of numbers, with especial reference to mental training and development. By CHARLES DAVIES, LL.D. New York: A. S. Barnes & Co., 1854.

The Thinker, a moral Reader, designed to arouse the minds of youth, and to inculcate pure and noble principles. By Jos. B. Burleigh, LL.D. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Grambo & Co.

The foregoing are all worthy of the attention of those who are charged with the selection of school books. For further information see Advertisements.

Items.

Mr. H. H. BARNEY, who has been on a visit to New York and New England for some weeks past, has returned to Columbus.

Mr. A.J. RICKOFF, the Superintendent of the Schools of Cincinnati has also been visiting the schools of several eastern cities.

HAMILTON L. SMITH, A. M,, has entered upon his duties as Professor of Natural Philosophy and Chemistry in Kenyon College.

Mr. W. D. SHAW, late an Instructor in Williston Seminary, Mass., has been appointed Principal of the Public High School of Toledo, at a salary of $800.

Mr. A. B. WEST, late Principal of the Lagrange Street Public School in Toledo, has taken charge of the School of which Mr. J. R. KINNEY had been Principal previous to his removal to Defiance.

Mr. JOHN G. COOK, recently from Perrysburg, has taken charge of the Lagrange Street School in Toledo.

Mr. W. R. POWERS, formerly Principal of the Academy in West Bedford, is now employed in the Public High School at Zanesville.

Mr. H. D. MCCARTY, late of Flushing, Belmont co., has taken charge of the Academy in West Bedford, Coshocton co.

Mr. DON A. PEASE is now employed in the Grammar School department of the Union School of Maumee City.

Mr. E. B. PIERCE, late Assistant in the Marlboro Union School, is employed as Principal of the Union School at Martinsville: Salary $800.

Mr. C. S. ROYCE has been teaching Phonotypy in the Union School at Martin's Ferry, Belmont co. He also taught Phonography to a large class in that place.

Mr. W. B. SMITH, of Cincinnati, has made a donation of $700 for the purpose of founding a Professional Library for the Teachers in the Public Schools of that city: the School Board have increased the sum to $1,000.

Hon. W. RAYEN, late of Youngstown, Mahoning co., bequeathed to the children of that Township $100,000, the interest of which is to be expended for their education in case it does not educate all, orphans and the poor are to have the preference.

NEWSPAPER ITEMS.-Yale College has existed one hundred and fifty-three years, and educated" six thousand students.

A bill has been before the Legislature of Alabama which proposes to tax every voter $1.00 for school purposes.

In Russia, only one person in about two hundred receives instruction in school. In the U. States, the proportion is one to five. While at nine o'clock on Monday morning there are4,000,000 of American boys and girls at school, in Russia there are only about 100,000 enjoying these blessings.

"John," said the schoolmaster, 66 you will soon be a man, and will have to do business. What do you suppose you'll do when you have to write letters, unless you learn to spell better?" "Oh, sir, I'll put easy words in 'em."

In Cornwall, England, steam engines have lifted 40,000,000 of pounds or 20,000 tons, one foot, with one bushel of coal: and one at Wheel Town having an 80 inch cylinder, lifted sixty millions of pounds.

The quantity of gold shipped from Sidney, N. S. W., in 1852, was 990,608 ounces in 1853, 1,473,384 ounces.

During the last year 5,404,458 bushels of salt were manufactured at the Onondaga Salt Springs, near Syracuse, New York.