Announcements were made in regard to return tickets.

After a song from the Musical Association, Rev. Dr. McJilton read a paper on the establishment of free schools. At the close of the paper, the formal meeting of the Association adjourned, and the time was spent socially till 10 o'clock.

THURSDAY.-The Associatien met at 9 o'clock, and the session was opened with prayer by Rev. Dr. Sears, of Providence, R. I.

All lady teachers present were elected honorary members.

A song was sung with fine effect by the pupils of the Musical Normal School. Prof. Perkins also exhibited the proficiency of the class in the elements of music. The exercises were well received by the Association.

Hon. J. S. Adams, of Vermont, moved that all State Educational Associations be invsted to send delegates to this body.

The Secretary presented the credentials of Robert Anderson, delegate from the Upper Canada Association. Referred to Committee on State Associations.

The Report of the Committee on the President's Address was taken up, and elicited considerable discussion, especially the topic relating to the teaching of English Gram

mar.

The following question was taken up for discussion: "What improvements need to be introduced in methods of teaching the ancient languages?" This was ably debated by Prof. Harkness, Dr. Sears, Mr. Weller, Mr. Lyons, and Rev. R. Cruikshank, and others.

Song by Prof. Perkins.

Dr. H. B. Wilbur, of Syracuse, read a paper on Object Teaching. This was an able critique on the method of the Home and Colonial Training School, as practiced in the schools of Oswego.

Adjourned till 21⁄2 P. M.

Afternoon Session.-After a song by the Normal Class,

Prof. Camp, from the Committee to nominate officers, reported, and the officers for the ensuing year were elected, as follows:

For President-S. S. Greene, Providence, R. I. For Vice-Presidents-Richard Edwards, Bloomington, Ill.; S. P. Bates, Harrisburg, Pa.; G. F. Phillips, New Haven, Conn.; F. B. Williams, Madison, Wis; D. Franklin Wells, Iowa City, Iowa; A. J. Rickoff, Cincinnati, Ohio; C. S. Pennell, St. Louis, Mo.; G. W. Hoss, Indianapolis, Ind.; J. W. Bulkley, Brooklyn, N. Y.; D. B. Hagar, Jamacia Plains, Mass.; J. M. Gregory, Ann Arbor, Mich.; E. P. Weston, Gorham, Me. For Secretary - W. E. Sheldon, Boston, Mass. For Treasurer-Z. Richards, Washington. For Counselors - Abner J. Phipps, Mass.; Merrick Lyon, Providence, R. I.; J. S. Adams, Burlington, Vt.; C. P. Otis, Rye, N. H.; D. N. Camp, New Britain, Conn.; James Cruikshank, Albany, N. Y.; J. N. McJilton, Baltimore, Md.; E. E. White, Columbus, Ohio; S. H. White, Chicago, Ill.; J. G. McMynn, Racine, Wis.; Wm. Brush, Fayette, Iowa; T. F. Thickstun, Hastings, Minn.; I. T. Goodnow, Topeka, Kansas; C. F. Childs, St. Louis, Mo.; E. A. Grant, Louisville, Ky.; B. L. L. Brown, New Orleans, La.; Joseph Holden, Stockton, Cal.; J. C. Shortridge, Indianapolis, Ind.; R. Cruikshank, Potsville, Pa.

The Treasurer rendered his report.

On motion of Mr. Adams, members were invited to volunteer to be assessed for $5 each to pay the indebtedness. There was thus raised $160.

Dr. Wilbur's paper was then taken up, and elicited a most animated discussion.

J. W. Bulkley, Superintendent of the Brooklyn Schools, then read a paper on Town, County and State Associations.

Adjourned.

Evening Session.-At the opening of the evening session, Messrs. E. Danforth, Troy; D. B. Hagar, of Boston; J. F. Eberhart, of Chicago, were appointed a Committee on Closing Resolutions.

On motion of Dr. Cruikshank, Mr. Robert Alexander, of New Market, C. W., a delegate from the Upper Canada Association of Teachers, was invited to the platform, and ad dressed the Association, giving an interesting account of the school-system of th province.

After a song from the Musical Association, Dr. Cruikshank presented the following names of candidates for membership:

Joseph Holden, Stockton, Cal.: Franklin S. Howe, Watkins, N. Y.; Alphonso Wood, Brooklyn, N. Y.; E. D. Weller, Oswego, N. Y.; Ira O. Kemble, Oskaloosa, Iowa.

These gentlemen were elected members.

Hon. S. P. Bates, Deputy Superintendent of Schools, Pennsylvania, was then introduced, and delivered a lecture on Liberal Education. It was an able and exhaustive statement of this most important subject.

The Musical Association then entertained the Association with choice music. FRIDAY.--The meeting was called to order by Vice-President Wells, of Iowa, in the absence of the President. Prayer was offered by Prof. Brush, of Iowa.

S. H. White, of Chicago, read a sensible paper on A National Bureau of Education should be established by the Federal Government.' First: State systems are distinct from each other. Second: Education should be nationalized. Third: Such a bureau would give character to our educational system. In the discussion of the above topic, Dr. Barnard stated that there was a Bureau of Agriculture, and inquired if the culture of souls was not as important as the culture of the soil.

Next came a fervent appeal by Dr. Barnard, on his favorite theme, Competitive Examinations should precede appointments to places of official trust.' Such places of trust are, under our government: West Point, Newport, clerkships at Washington, and diplomatic appointments. The system has been practiced in China for a thousand years, and has been the only conservative element of the government. So in France and England. But barefaced cheating has been practiced upon the people of this country by the abuse of examination. Five cases are known where members of Congress sold their privilege,-in one case for $1.200.

The failure at West Point is owing to a want of proper material. The Professors at West Point are as fine as any in the world, but the country don't have a chance to avail itself of them. Fifty per cent. of those who enter the Academy are obliged by lack of brains to leave before graduating. There are some congressional districts in New York which have never succeeded in getting a graduate through.

Mr. Davies, of Columbia College, a graduate and long a Professor at West Point, said that although it is only necessary to read, write and cipher, 15 per cent. of those who present themselves for admission are rejected, and of the remainder 60 per cent. are rejected before gradation. There is less fibre of intellect each year, and the ability of the school is 25 per cent. less than it was 35 years ago.

The afternoon was devoted to short speeches from representatives of the different states, giving the status of education therein.

After testimonials to the exceedingly hospitable reception of us by the people of Ogdensburg, and the induction of President Greene, the Sixth Annual Session was adjourned for one year.

One of the happiest features of this very successful meeting was the social levee at Eagle Hall this evening, where a large representation of the citizens met the teachers in social intercourse. President Greene filled the chair with grace, and speeches were made by Col. Judson and Hon. Preston King of Ogdensburg, and by Dr. Sears and others of the Association.-Illinois Teacher.

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF INSTRUCTION.

The Thirty-Fith Annual Meeting of the AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF INSTRUCTION, was held in the City Hall, Portland, Maine, on Tuesday, August 15th, at 2% o'clock, P. M., and was called to order by the President, Charles Northend, Esq., of New Britain, Conn. Prayer was offered by Rev. D. Shailer of Portland.

Mayor McLellan welcomed the members of the Institute and friends to the city, tendering them the use of the public buildings, and wishing them a pleasant and profitable meeting. Nathan Webb, Esq., was then introduced, who, in well chosen words and graceful manner, followed up the welcome extended by the Mayor. Hon. E. P. Weston followed Mr. Webb, in a few appropriate remarks in the same direction.

The President of the Institute responded to the addresses of welcome, thanking the Mayor and other gentlemen for their kind offers and most encouraging words, and proceeded to give his annual address, selecting for his subject a review of the educational changes that have taken place in the last two-score years, to show that progress of a very decided character has been made.

The address of the President was followed by a lecture from J. N. Bartlett, Esq., Principal of the Normal School at New Britain, Conn., on "The influence of school life upon character."

The President then stated that since the last meeting they had lost three officers by death: Wm. D. Ticknor, Gideon F. Thayer, and George Allen, Jr., of Boston, and announced the following gentlemen as a committee to prepare the customary resolutions : Messrs. Smith of Norwich, Conn., Baker of Jamaica Plain, and Sheldon and Mason of Boston.

EVENING SESSION.

Met at 8 o'clock, the President in the chair. The audience was quite large, and evidently of the highest intelligence and respectability.

J. D. Philbrick, Esq., then delivered an exceedingly interesting and instructive lecture on the self-education of the teacher.

SECOND DAY.

The session of the morning was opened at 9 o'clock, with prayer by Rev. Mr. Colton of Middleton, Conn.

The question-How may parental co-operation be best secured? was then taken up, and gave rise to an animated and interesting discussion, in which A. P. Stone of Plymouth, Mass., Nathan Hedges of Newark, N. J., E. P. Weston of Gorham, Me., Rev. Mr. Colton of Middletown, Conn., William E. Sheldon, and Charles Hutchins of Boston, T. W. Valentine of Brooklyn, N. Y., W. A. Mowry of Providence, and a gentleman by the name of Brown, took part.

After two hours had been spent in the discussion, the subject was laid upon the table. Hon. E. P. Weston, Superintendent of the Public Schools of Maine, then occupied the attention of the audience with a lecture on the tendency to extreme opinions and practices in educational affairs.

After a few remarks by John D. Philbrick, Esq, in warm commendation of Rev. War" ren Burton's "Helps to Education," the Association adjourned until the afternoon.

The Institute met at 2% o'clock.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

On motion of Mr. Sheldon, it was voted that the present officers continue in service until the close of the session for this year.

The society then proceeded to the election of officers, and chose the following gentlemen:

President-B. G. Northup, Saxonville, Mass.

J. W. Allen, of Norwich, Conn., was then introduced, and delivered an address on "The Teacher an Agent and not a Servant."

Appropriate resolutions were then offered in regard to the officers of the Institute called hence during the past year-William D. Ticknor, Esq., Gideon F. Thayer, and George Allen, Jr.-and feeling and eloquent tributes paid to their memories. Elbridge Smith of Norwich, Conn., and J. D. Philbrick of Boston, spoke of the great service rendered to the cause of education by Mr. Thayer, and testified to his remarkable fitness for his profession, and the excellencies of his character as a man. D. B. Hagar of Jamaica Plain, and Nathan Hedges of Newark, N. J., referred in terms of fitting eulogy to the services of Mr. Ticknor, as Treasurer of the Institute for thirty years, to his many charming qualities, his unblemished integrity, and his fidelity to every trust. An eloquent and touching tribute was paid to the memory of Mr. Allen, by his intimate personal friend, Samuel W. Mason, of Boston, who spoke of him as one of the best educators of the country, a friend of the oppressed and ignorant, and, in the highest sense, a Christian gentleman. Messrs. Philbrick and Hagar also spoke in warm eulogy of Mr. Allen, as a faithful and devoted teacher and most estimable man.

The resolutions were all unanimously adopted, and the deepest sympathies of the members of the Institute tendered to the bereaved families of their departed friends. At half-past four o'clock the society adjourned until evening, that an opportunity might be afforded to the members to cultivate the social affections, which, by the way, seemed to be very readily and cordially embraced.

EVENING SESSION.

The Association met again at eight o'clock. A severe rain storm, geateful to the parched earth, but disagreeable to the shrinking flesh of men and women, rather lessened the audience, but, nevertheless, a goodly number assembled, who paid the closest attention to an able and vigorously written address by Rev. E. B. Webb of Boston, on the question, How to make the most and best of a man.

THIRD DAY.

The Institute commenced its session this morning at nine o'clock, Samuel W. Mason, Esq., of Boston, the Secretary, in the chair. Prayer was offered by Rev. Thomas Newcomb.

Mr. N. L. Stevens of Portland, extended an invitation to the teachers present to visit the observatory on Munjoy Hill` and view the beautiful harbor, and stated that the new school house on Cumberland and Congress streets, one of the best specimens of school architecture in New England, would be open for their inspection, and also the Natural History Rooms.

The question, "Should examinations be conducted by the teacher or the committee?" was then taken up and discussed by Messrs. Smith of Norwich, Hagar of Jamaica Plain, Morley of Andover, and Prof. Harkness of Providence.

Rev. Mr. Morley spoke in commendation of the method of examination pursued at Philips Academy, Andover, where the teacher took the lesson and asked the questions, while the Trustees assigned the section in the several text books in which the pupils should be examined, and asked additional questions if they pleased. In that way, a very fair understanding was obtained of what the scholar knew on a particular subject.

Dr. Dio Lewis gave a brief address on his popular system of gymnastics, with illustrations by one of his pupils, which manifestly gave great pleasure to the audience, as they testified by hearty applause.

Prof. P. A. Chadbourne, of Williams College, then favored the Institute with an interesting and valuable lecture on the Relations of Natural History to Education.

Reports from the several States were then called for, and Hon. Joseph White, State

Superintendent of Massachusetts, Messrs. Eberhart of Illinois, Burbank of New Hampshire, Barrow of Iowa, Hedges of New Jersey, Perkins of New York, Cotton of Connecticut, Stevens of Maine, and Rev. Mr. Newcomb, Superintendent of Public Instruction at Hilton Head, S. C., briefly responded, giving an account of the educational condition of their respective States. Progress was represented as the universal rule, and the most encouraging statements were made respecting the interest of the people in this most important cause, as evinced by their liberality in providing the means for securing the most competent teachers, convenient school buildings, and the like. Rev. Mr. Newcomb's account of the condition of things in the benighted region which is now the field of his labor, was intensely interesting. He stated that there were 100 teachers in those portions of South Carolina and Florida now under the control of the national government, and testified to the great eagerness as well as capacity of the freed people for instruction. He fully believed that if the exertions now making in their behalf could be continued, the people of the North would be ashamed of the bitter and unreasoning prejudice which they had entertained and encouraged against this unfortunate race.

The representatives from Iowa and Illinois, having taken occasion to glorify their States for the patriotic and zealous manner in which they had responded to the calls for troops, thereby avoiding, the draft, Mr. White said that while he admitted that they had a right to be proud of their achievements in this direction, still he would remind them that they had made a draft, which commenced ten, fifteen, and even twenty years ago, whereby they had drafted the young men of New England to such an extent that now we had within our borders 300,000 more women than men; and if the West would send us back those young men, we, too, would submit to ne draft.

Mr. Barrows-We want the young ladies sent West. (Laughter.)

Mr. White-Send handsome representatives from the West, and you shall have them. (Great merriment.)

Mr. Philbrick of Boston said it was not known to most of the members that efforts had been heretofore made to secure the establishment of an Educational Bureau at Washington, but without success. Believing that the causes which had operated to defeat the measure no longer existed, he would move that a Committee of three, consisting of Hon. Joseph White of Mass., Hon. Joseph Barnard of Connecticut, and Hon. E. P. Weston of Maine, be appointed to memorialize Congress on the subject. The motion was adopted.

Mr. Cotton of Connecticut then introduced resolutions of thanks to the several railroad companies, the Boston and Portland Steamboat Company, the Mayor and the Committee of Arrangements, the proprietors of the Observatory, and the managers of the Natural History Rooms for their courtesy and liberality to the Institute. The last resolution of the series was as follows:

Resolved, That we close these pleasant Meetings and leave these kind hospitalities with regret, and with the hope that this border State of the North may advance with increased wisdom and energy in that upward path of improvement visible in every department of her civil and social life, and with the firm belief and prayer that long ere we shall meet again within her bounds, this civil war may be ended, in the only way in which it can be ended--in a peace based on the highest interests of humanity and justice. The resolutions were adopted unanimously.

Mr. Sheldon of Boston offered a resolution of sincere and hearty thanks to the retiring President and Secretary, for their unwearied and successful efforts to promote the interests of the Association.

The resolution was adopted, and the members then united in singing the Doxology, "Be Thou, O God, exalted high," after which the society adjourned sine die.-Rhode Island Schoolmaster.