Pledges were then given and subscriptions taken for the Journal, to the extent of about 250 copies. [See Addenda to Proceedings.]

N. C. Twining, of Milton, read an Essay on "A Course of Study for our Common Schools."

Hon. J. G. McMynn, State Superintendent, addressed the Association in some appropriate remarks, when, after singing the Doxology, it adjourned sine die.

A. J. CHENEY, Secretary.

CHAS. H. ALLEN, President.

ADDENDA.

The number of names enrolled was 148.

The pledges in behalf of the Journal of Education, were as follows: By Supt. Hendrickson, for Waukesha county, 20 copies, in addition to 80 previously subscribed; Supt. Cheney, for Walworth, 20, added to 26; Supt. Purdy, Jefferson, 20, added to 21; Supt. Whitford, Rock, E. Dist., 30, added to 10; Supt. Richards, Rock, W. Dist., 10, added to 8; J. C. Pickard, Grant, (conditionally) 20, added to 20; R. C. Speneer and G. B. Seamen, Milwaukee city, 40, added to 26; J. G. McMynn, Racine, 10, added to 1; W. C. Whitford, Milton, 5 copies; Ed. Searing Milton, 5, paid; G. N. Botsford, Detroit, 5; W. M. Colby, Madison, 5, paid. Previously pledged by Supt. Munger, the quota of Winnebago county, 40 copies; A. Pickett, Horicon, 10 copies, paid; W. O. Butler, Plymouth, 5, paid. Some of the pledges have been more than redeemed. The Tables on the last page show what has been done in other counties and cities.

THE CIRCULAR TO THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS.

DEAR SIR:

MADISON, November 26, 1864.

At the late Meeting of the State Teachers' Association, the undersigned were appointed a Committee on the JOURNAL OF EDUCATION. The late Editor was re-appointed, but the support of the JOURNAL is insufficient, as yet to afford him any compensation, or even to save him from loss. On making our Report to the Association, a large number of the Teachers present who were not previously subscribers, became so, and pledges were received from County Superintendents and others of the additional number of about 200. But as many portions of the State were not represented at the meeting it becomes necessary to extend the appeal for further aid by issuing this Circular.

As will be seen by the last number of the JOURNAL, about one-fourth of the counties of the State have liberally furnished their proportion of the 1800 subscribers asked for in a recent Circular of the Executive Committee of the

Association, and a few others have nearly or partially done so; but others have as yet done little or nothing.

We believe it will be a disgrace to the teachers and friends of education in the State not to sustain the JOURNAL, and we confidently appeal to them to make up the circulation to the point that is needed-1800.

Will you be so kind as to inform either of us without delay, if the proportionate number can be obtained in your county? We think the publisher, who is deriving so far no profit from the JOURNAL since the withdrawal of the State patronage, ought not take the whole risk of sustaining the publication. Please direct your envelope-Committee on Journal of Education, Box 903, Madison.

By permission of the Association, the Fund was reported as follows:

Received, 185 fifty-cent subscriptions,.

Expended, for engraving, impressions and incidentals,.....

.$92 50

.$103 63

The names of the subscribers had been but partially returned by collectors, and cannot yet be accurately given.

DEPARTMENT OF COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS.

MEETING OF COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS.

During the session of the State Teachers' Association, held at Milton, the County Superintendents present held an informal meeting, and discussed, among other things, the following topics:

The Means of Obtaining an Equal Grade of Examination Papers.

The Propriety or Endorsing each others Certificates.

The Proper Method of Marking Examination Papers.

The Necessity of a Uniform System of Reports.

The conclusions arrived at were as follows: That the only method of procuring a uniform grade of Questions is to have them prepared by the State Superintendent, but as this is at present impracticable, each Superintendent must make the minimum of Standing such that it will furnish the necessary number of teachers.

That in view of the great difference in questions presented, and also in the scale of marking papers, it is better not to endorse each others certificates.

That if done, it should be with great caution, never granting a license for more than one term.

That in marking Examination Papers, the value of each answer should be marked from the maximum (10 or 100) to 0, according to its merits, and their sum, reduced to the scale of 10, should indicate the standing. That an answer should be marked maximum, only when it is correct in matter, language and orthography.

That reports should be required of teachers; that these, in order to be serviceable for statistics and comparison, should be uniform. That the State Superintendent furnish a form of blanks suitable for that purpose, to be submitted to the several County Superintendents for their adoption.

That it would be well for the Superintendents in adjoining counties to correspond frequently in regard to matters of mutual interest, to notify each other of persons examined and rejected, that would be likely to apply in other counties, and that common courtesy requires, that no certificates should be granted to such persons, except with a proper understanding between the Examiners.

That Superintendents should urge upon teachers the necessity of progress in attainments, never granting a license to a person a second time but demanding a constant advancement in ability.

That it is the duty of the Superintendents to call the attention of teachers especially to the neatness of the schoolroom and outhouses, and of the District Board to the same, where they are not properly arranged, or are deficient. J. K. PURDY, Secretary.

DUTY OF TEACHERS AND DISTRICT BOARDS.

The education of the young is truly of sufficient moment to arouse us to vigorous and increasing effort amid even the greatest discouragements. The respectability and happiness of the rising generation, society, humanity, the country, and the cause of God, all call for teachers with warm hearts and fertile brains, with life and zeal commensurate with the great events that are now rocking the nation with their mighty surges. Seize then upon every means that may serve to vitalize your own energies, that you may be enabled to animate your charge, and write upon every act in your school-room, "useful industry," and upon every brow, "loyalty."

DISTRICT BOARDS may and should do much towards making their schools what they ought to be. Their duties to, and labors for the school, are but just commenced when they have engaged their teacher, repaired their school-room, and put everything in running order; even the letter of the law requires that they visit and inspect the school under their care, and I greatly fear, if a charge for a "Dereliction of Duty" in this respect was brought against them that in very many instances it would be sustained. There are however some

noble exceptions, where, by frequent visits and timely influence on the part of the members of the board, even with ordinary teachers, their schools have been made to compare favorably with those of the best teachers.-Circular of I. W. MORLEY, Supt. Sauk Co.

DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INSTRUCTION.

TRAINING FEMALE TEACHERS IN DOMESTIC DUTIES.

There exists a prevalent but erroneous impression that in English normal schools this branch of instruction is overlooked. The mistake probably arises from the fact that the range of subjects taught is thought to be so wide, or so purely intellectual or technical, that more practical and common subjects are displaced. Such is not the case. DOMESTIC ECONOMY, the common term applied to this class of instruction forms a distinct subject, and is treated as such both in the arrangement of the Training College and in the examination for certificates of merit. For the information of such of our readers as may be interested in this branch, and in illustration of the character of the teaching, we subjoin the actual questions which, at the recent examination, formed what is termed the "Domestic Economy Paper."

SECTION I.

1. Compare the advantages of linen, cotton, and woolen clothing, with regard to durability, health, and economy.

2. To what extent should cutting out be taught in a well ordered school? What expedients would you adopt in order to give the children practical instruction in this art?

3. What ought to be the yearly cost of clothing for a girl between fourteen and fifteen years of age, the daughter (1) of a mechanic, or (2) of a day laborer? Support your opinion by a detailed estimate.

SECTION II.

1. Prepare a table of diet for school children between ten and thirteen years of age. Explain the advantages of the various substances which you would use, having regard to economy, and the health and strength of the children.

2. Explain the reasons why meat, intended for the table, should be boiled slowly. Under what circumstances may rapid boiling be allowable?

3. How may the following articles of food be prepared, so as to be both economical and palatable ?-Oatmeal, rice, sheep's head and fish.

SECTION III.

1. Give directions for washing woolen articles, and for getting up fine linen ; and, as far as you are able, give intelligible reasons for the process which you recommend.

2. Mention some faults commonly committed by laundry women, the causes to which they are attributable, and the effects they produce upon the appearance and quality of clothing.

SECTION IV.

Prepare full notes for lessons on two subjects selected from the following list: Duties of a nurse-maid, or

Kitchen-maid:

Causes that predispose to tyhpus fever, or other prevalent diseases:

Symptoms of scarlet fever, or of croup, and simple methods of dealing with them until medical assistance can be obtained.

The different modes in which small savings may be turned to good account. —Upper Canada Journal of Education.

OBEDIENCE.

The inherent property and essential element of all government-whether natural, civil, or divine-is obedience: in the absence of which, laws would prove a mere figment, and government a farce.

Viewing this principle, therefore, as lying at the base of all civil law and social order it becomes a matter of the gravest importance that the youth of our land should have their minds early imbued with the spirit of obedience, and that they should acquire the habit of submitting to all proper authority, by whomsoever exercised; whether in the family, the school, the church, or the State. Unfortunately however, we regret to say, there has been growing up in the public mind, for years past, a feeling totally at variance with the principle we are endeavoring to discuss, and which, if fully persisted in and carried out, would prove subversive of all law and order; and this feeling, the very nature of our free institutions seems to foster.

How often have our ears been greeted by the expression, "I have a right to do as I please in a free country," thus making will, inclination, or passion the rule of action, irrespective of law or justice, and claiming this “right” by virtue of our free government. But it should be borne in mind that our free institutions confer upon no man the "right" to do wrong, to violate an established law, whether civil or moral. In communities, the development of this feeling is seen in the growing spirit of fault-finding with all who are vested with even the shadow of authority, especially with the Teacher. We see it manifested on a still larger scale, in the reckless abuse heaped upon all our public functionaries, by politicians and the press, and even in some instances, by the pulpit, notwithstanding the Divine injunction, “Thou shalt not speak evil of the rulers of the people." In the school, which is a republic in minature, unfortunately the same feeling is observable. Boys take pleasure in transgressing the rules, and setting at naught the authority of their teacher, and then call their disobedience a manly independence; and too often this