HON. W. H. WELLS.-For the sake of Chicago, we are sorry to learn that this gentleman has resigned his position as Superintendent of her Public Schools. The School Board, we see by the Chicago papers, urged Mr. Wells, by every inducement, to remain, but it was his fixed purpose to retire. During the eight years of his administration, the public schools of the city have advanced to the front rank of efficiency and prosperity, and it will require a man of rare gifts to keep them there. The prudence, moderation and firmness of the late incumbent have brought upon him, sometimes, the maledictions of those who forget that the storms of human passion should rage outside of the school-room; but this, though to be regretted, is not to be wondered at. Into whatever field of labor Mr. Wells may enter, the grateful recollections and kind wishes of many Wisconsin teachers and friends will follow him.

AN APPEAL.

It is not pleasant to be a supplicant, but for once, and we hope once for all, we must appeal to our friends.

The WISCONSIN JOURNAL OF EDUCATION has been nursed and held up by the State eight years; its State sustenance is now suddenly withdrawn, and its State leading strings taken off, and it totters forth, with weak and uncertain steps, to find other support, and to meet another helping hand. In short, it looks to those who called it into being, (but who so soon gave it to the State to bring up) the teachers of the State and the "friends of education."

There are 5000 teachers in the State employed at one time-7000 in the course of the year. Of these our worthy Superintentendent estimates 2000 to be "professional teachers," and it is but reasonable to conclude that they have respect enough for their profession, and zeal enough for its advancement to expend one dollar annually in supporting the only publication in the State devoted to their interests, and we are satisfied that it only needs that some one present the claims of the Journal to them earnestly, to secure this aid. A considerable number of County Superintendents and prominent teachers have signified their readiness to do what they can, and others are doubtless ready, and are doing something, without having made promises.

As we learn it from day to day, the result so far is generally encouraging, and we shall start off with an edition of 2000 copies. "There is scarcely any other provocation to the performance of any duty so prevailing with men, as are the examples of such as have performed the same with glory and success.' So says an old writer of the sixteenth century, and we will therefore present a few examples, which we think are worthy to be followed:

Madison employs thirteen teachers in the public schools, all of whom, under the lead of Mr. Williams, the Principal, are subscribers. Fond du Lac employs, we do not know how many teachers, but eleven, led by Mr. Steenburg, Principal, have put down their names. The teachers of the 9th Ward School, Milwaukee, under Mr. Baker, six in number, have sent us theirs. The follow

ing is a beginning of a County Table (which we shall be pleased to enlarge, as fast as our friends bring it up, in each county, to the minimum of 1500), and which also presents some "examples" eminently fit to be followed:

The Table above assumes that there are about 5000 teachers actually employed in the State at one time, and hence the proportion for each county is 5-7 of the proportion of the 7000 employed in the course of the year, as given in the February number. The figures are not of course exact, but as nearly so as we can estimate. As we enlarge and complete the Table in future, we shall be glad to give the exact number of teachers in any county, if made known to us, and still more so to give to the figures opposite any county that symmetrical and beautiful appearance exhibited by the first two lines of the Table.

It has frequently been said that many teachers did not feel the need of supporting the Journal so long as the State did it. It may be reasonably inferred that this class will now make our office-floor verdant with "green backs."

ONE DOLLAR A YEAR.

After writing the Circular published two months ago, and proposing to go on if a minimum circulation of 1500 was assured us, we foolishly inserted the offer to send the Journal for 88 cents to those counties that raised their part of 2000. Foolishly, because in these times the thing is preposterous. We not only begin the volume without assurances of the minimum asked for-though we intend to get the 2000-but the price of paper, and type setting and every thing else almost, has in the meantime advanced. The Ohio Educational Monthly and the Indiana School Journal have each raised their price to $1.25; the Illinois Teacher to $1.50; the Kentucky School and Family Visitor is $2.00; and our readers will not complain, but will rather be surprised, at our terms. Indeed at this price, it is only a generous patronage that will enable the Journal pay expenses, to say nothing of the editor's bread and butter.

We shall be sorry if some are disappointed who expected the Journal at 88 cents, but the Portrait given, the new type and the increase of matter, we consider much more than an equivalent.

WHAT OUR FRIENDS SAY.

Not to talk longer about ourselves, we will introduce a few friends and let them say a word. After a handsome notice of the Journal, the Richland Observer says: 'No teacher or school-officer should be without it, while all classes would be benefited by reading its pages.".

"All friends of education

The State Journal quotes our prospectus and says: should make vigorous efforts in its [the Journal of Education's] behalf."

Says the editor of the Indiana School Journal: “The last session of the Legislature cut off the State patronage of the Journal of Education. This, in the mind of the editor, raises the question of existence. Surely the teachers of the growing State of Wisconsin will not stand still and see their Journal die for want of patronage."

Mr. Munger, Supt. of Winnebago county, writes: "I will pledge my county for its proportion of money if not subscribers."

Mr. Prentice, Supt. Dane, (East District,) writes under date of May 30, "No teacher has yet decaned to subscribe."

We have a score more of encouraging letters from Superintendents and Teachers but omit them for want of room, and will refer to one which introduces on a previous page, the first contribution to our new 'Department of Co. Superintendents," the writer of which believes in deeds rather than words. And here we cannot forbear to quote a little bit of pleasantry from our wide awake cotemporary, the California Teacher. Writing of the friends "who hoped the Teacher would live, but forgot to send subscribers to make it live,” he says: "We remember one touching example where an enthusiastic body of teachers at an Institute passed a splendid resolution in our favor, pledging every effort to increase the subscription list, and when the resolution came down to "the Bay" duly attested by the Secretary, we looked for the dollars, but in vain, and even the aforesaid Secretary was not a subscriber. Then was the sound of laughing heard in our office, as well as of thanks for the genial words." But we must give one extract from letters received from District and Town Clerks. Says Mr. A. F. North, Town Clerk of Pewaukee, and for some time acting Supt. of Waukesha county: "I am glad you have received encouragement enough to induce you to continue your Journal. Enclosed you will find $1.00 for a year's subscription. Your idea of making it interesting to the public as well as to the profession is an excellent one. The permanency of all our institutions depends upon the hold they have upon the enlightened appreciation of the people. Let the people see in what true education consists and its salutary influence on our national interests both material and moral, and it will never fail of their support. If your Journal can receive the support of 2000 or 3000 paying subscribers it will be likely to effect more good than a circulation of double the number receiving it gratuitously. What costs little is often valued less."

OUR PROSPECTUs-as printed in a hurry at the last hour last month-was full of errors. This month it is corrected and enlarged. See second page of cover.

THANKS RETURNED.-Besides exppressing our obligations again to those County Superintendents who have already sent in lists of names, we wish to return thanks for like favors to the following teachers: Messrs. Williams, of Madison; Steenburg, of Fond du Lac; McGregor, of Waupaca; Megran, of Stevens' Point; Pound, of Wausau; Briggs, of Cascade; Gaylord, of Sheboygan; Fellows, of Hartford; and Baker, of Milwaukee; and to Misses Burritt, of Manitowoc, and Slawson, of Evansville; also, to Mr. Hoag, of Darien, and Mr. P. J. Roche, Mathematical Teacher, Milwaukee; also to all those ladies and gentlemen who have sent us their own names.

Since our acknowledgments last month lists have been received from various Superintendents, as indicated, in part, by the table on a previous page.

"SPECIAL MENTION" is due, we think, of the Town Clerk of Seneca, Wood county, Mr. J. H. Stevens, the Clerk of his District, Mr. J. K. Freeman, and the Teacher of the District, Miss Ann Turley, each of whom has sent us the Dollar. If this example were followed in the 700 towns and 5000 districts of the State we should have 10,700 subscribers!

MARATHON CO.-A County Teachers' Association was organized at Wausau, on the 4th of June, J. P. West, Esq., being elected President and J. H. Babcock, Secretary. A school picnic was held at the same place, June 11. Addresses were delivered by M. De Courcey, Co. Supt., Rev. J. W. Olmsted and Messrs. West and Hoffman.

PEPIN Co.-School picnics are to be held at Pepin on the 15th and at Durand on the 22d inst. May pupils, teachers and parents have a pleasant and profitable time. We have the promise of a good subscription from this county, which though small is wide awake.

COMMENCEMENTS AND ANNIVERSARIES.

The Senior Classes of the State University and of Beloit College, being in the "Hundred Days" service, the Commencements of these Institutions have been postponed we understand, till the opening of the Fall Term.

LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY.-The Commencement Exercises took place here at the usual time, but we are in possession of no particulars, except that the degree of LL. D., was conferred upon his Excellency, Gov. Lewis. The financial affairs of the Institution we understand are in an improving condition.

PLATTEVILLE ACADEMY.-The Eighteenth Anniversary came off June 30. Addresses were made by Rev. Chas. Melvin and H. M. Page, Esq., an old student, now on the editorial staff of the State Journal, and some parting counsels were given by the worthy Principal, Mr. Guernsey. The accustomed presence of Mr. Pickard, the long-while Principal, was missed.

ALBION ACADEMY.-The Anniversary Exercises took place in a charming grove near the Academy, June 22. The orations and essays were creditable to the young men and women who took part, and the occasion as a whole was very

pleasant. Four gentlemen and three ladies received the usual testimonial awarded to those who have creditably finished the prescribed course of study. No addresses were made, but Col. Johnson, a former student, gave an interesting account of his escape with others, while being conveyed from Libby Prison to South Carolina.

MILTON ACADEMY.-The Closing Exercises occur we believe to-day (July 6). Gov. Lewis we understand was expected to be present. A marked feature of these Anniversaries is the thinned ranks of the young men-thinned to swell the ranks of our patriotic soldiery. This is peculiarly so the present season, owing to the absence of so many in the Hundred Days Service. God grant this season to be the last that witnesses the interruption of the pursuits of industry and the progress of education and religion by the convulsions and devastations of civil strife.

EDITORIAL CONVENTION.-Newspapers have much to do with the education of young and old-would that some of them performed their part more worthily -so that the Annual Convention of Editors is an item to be chronicled here. The session was in Madison, June 15 and 16. The appointed Orator and Poet failed to appear—the latter by the way is the wife of one of our Co. Supts., F. A. Moore, of La Crosse-but a spicy poem of unknown origin was read, and many spicy things were said, so that with episodes in the way of evening recreations, a pleasant time was enjoyed. President for the ensuing year, Col. ATWOOD, of the State Journal.

FORTIETH REGIMENT.-This body of soldiers, which may with some propriety be called the Teachers and Students' Corps, is on guard duty near Memphis. No brilliant victories have been won yet, but the regiment obtained the plaudit, from a Mississippi steamboat captain, of being the best behaved one he had ever carried on his boat. We understand that several officers and men have been indisposed, but trust there is no serious sickness. A safe return to the "40th" one and all.

THE MATHEMATICAL Department is discontinued only to gain room for matter which will interest a larger circle of readers. We take this opportunity to express our thanks, and we doubt not all our mathematical readers will join us, for the faithful and efficient manner in which this Department has been conducted by Mr. CAMPBELL, during the past year.

THE CLASSICS.-We will not anticipate Mr. Searing's argument, but may commend his articles to the attention of all concerned. Those whose school-days have mostly passed will usually think it too late to begin the study of a language, but those who have the direction of the studies of the young can put them in the way of no intellectual boon so valuable as classical attainments. The statistics at the close of the article in this number are encouraging, only that the reaction has not yet commenced in our western colleges so far as we know.