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be recommended to test the merits of the Phonetic system for themselves by actual trial in their schools, and report the results obtained in such a way as to secure their publicity.

Resolved, That School Committees be recommended to introduce the new plan of instruction only into those schools taught by teachers desirous or willing to use it.

All which is respectfully submitted.

F. N. BLAKE,

THOMAS SHERWIN,

STEPHEN C. DILLINGHAM.

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A new year has rolled in upon us, and, we trust, with improved prospects for the cause of education, and for all teachers, especially for the patrons of this Journal, who deserve success if they feel that interest in their profession which induces them to take and read an educational Journal. We ardently hope that the "Massachusetts Teacher" will continue to merit their support and encouragement, and that the close of the volume for 1853 will exhibit an improvement as great in degree as that which has marked its predecessors.

We see many points in which the "Teacher" might be improved, some of which can only be introduced gradually. Could the Editorial Department furnish to its readers a complete transcript of foreign, as well as domestic, educational news,- give some account of the contents of the foreign Reviews, such as the Edinburgh, the Quarterly, the Westminster, and Blackwood, its value would be enhanced; for teachers might thus be supplied with information highly valuable, and even essential to a thorough insight into foreign politics, and a complete acquaintance with the progress of Europe in letters, science, and art,- knowledge with which every teacher who wishes to be considered as belonging to the "living present" should endeavor to be supplied. A retrospect such as this department could afford, would not, indeed, furnish all desirable information of this kind, but it would, no doubt, form an agreeable and a useful feature of the work.

Notices of changes which may have taken place in schools, - of the appointment of superintendents and teachers, of the establishment of High schools, of increase in the salaries of

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teachers; concise reports of teachers' meetings, so far as th may convey useful information; letters from abroad givi information in regard to schools, salaries, and expenses of livin and methods of teaching, and all educational news, may considered as belonging to this department; and teachers a solicited to aid in making it complete. Any teacher can, if 1 please, contribute for the pages of this Jcurnal, some ite of news, or communicate some new idea in the science teaching, thereby enriching its pages, helping to increase i circulation, and adding to the common treasury of useful info mation.

We invite the Editors of other Journals of this kind exchange with us, and to remind us if we neglect to extend th usual courtesies.

At the commencement of a new year, may we not solicit fo the "Massachusetts Teacher" a larger circulation? Althoug the list of subscribers has somewhat increased during the pas year, it is by no means secured upon a sure basis, nor is th editorial charge yet independent of the charitable labors of few teachers of the State; under these circumstances may the not ask of their brother teachers to lend it a helping hand; and if they do not chose to contribute to its pages, that they will d what they may to increase its list of subscribers, and thereby furnish it with that "material aid " without which all enterprises of this kind must meet with signal failure?

OUR readers will be glad to learn that Mr. Barnard is prepar ing for the press a new edition of his work on "Normal Schools," with the title of "Public Instruction in Europe,". a title which more accurately indicates the contents of the volume. Of the original work we have before spoken. We have not hesitated to pronounce it, in our judgment, the most valu able contribution which has yet been made to the library of the American teacher or educator. It is to our profession what Blackstone is to the lawyer, and Bowditch's Navigator to the mariner.

It contains the most complete history of the best systems of primary education in the several countries of Europe, and the only extended account which has been given in any books in the English language, of the various institutions, agencies and means for the professional training and improvement of teachers. It is full of valuable suggestions as to methods of teaching, and the arrangements of courses of instruction in schools of different grades. The suggestions and plans which it presents, are not

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the crude speculations of a novice, but the matured views and varied experience of many wise statesmen, and practical teachers and educators, in perfecting systems and institutions, through a succession of years, under the most diverse circumstances of government, society and religion.

Mr. Barnard has availed himself of a recent visit to Europe, to extend the inquiries which he originally made in 1835-36, and to collect recent documents not only respecting primary schools and the training of teachers, but in every department of the educational field.

The forth-coming volume will embrace the history and latest statistics of universities, public libraries, educational periodicals, ragged schools, &c. The whole will make a volume of over six hundred pages, octavo.

We most sincerely wish that a copy of this invaluable work could go side by side with each copy of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," and be read by the same readers. In examining teachers who are candidates for important posts, it would be well to question. them as to their acquaintance with this book.

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THE readers of the "Teacher" will hereafter miss from its pages the services of a gentleman who has done much to enrich them with instructive and entertaining materials, and whose character, as an educator and as a man, is above praise. Many will know that we have reference to Mr. J. D. Philbrick, who has left the place which he has so long and so successfully filled, the mastership of the Quincy School, and gone to labor in a more extensive field of usefulness, and one, perhaps, better suited to his taste, his abilities, and his aspirations, the State Normal School of Connecticut. We know not where the Superintendent of Schools in that State could have looked for a better selection. Mr. Philbrick entered the city service, we think, in 1844, as Usher in the English High School, having previously been employed since his graduation from Dartmouth, in 1843, as Principal of the High School in Roxbury. In 1845 he was appointed to take charge of the Mayhew School, from which, in 1848, he was transferred to the mastership of the Quincy School, then newly built and organized. What this school has become under his able management, they can judge who have visited it. The conduct of affairs in a school of from seven to eight hundred pupils is a work of no ordinary difficulty, and requires consummate skill and systematic arrangement. We venture the assertion, based on personal observation, that the Quincy School, under the able management of Mr. Philbrick, was a model both in regard to order and the general plan of instruction.

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The Teachers and pupils of the Quincy School, on the o sion of his leaving, as an evidence of the esteem in which, a teacher, friend, and counsellor he was regarded by them, sented Mr. Philbrick with a valuable silver vase and saly The presentation was made in their behalf by Rev. Geo. M. R dall, Chairman of the Sub-Committee of the school, in a spec of great beauty and power, and an appropriate and feeli response was made by Mr. Philbrick.

We cannot close this short notice without bearing testimo to the valuable services which Mr. Philbrick has rendered d of the immediate sphere of his school labors. For the sever past years he has labored zealously in the cause of educatio and has done much in the "Massachusetts Teachers' Assoc tion" to make its influence respected. Under his supervision resident editor of the "Massachusetts Teacher," a foster child the "Association," it has increased in strength and usefulness, ar has become clothed with an influence which its most ardent we wishers had not anticipated for it. The value of the "Teacher as an educational work depends, of course, upon the practic value of the contributions from those who are so kind as to ed it: but its success depends much upon its punctual appearance and for this its Resident editors are responsible. Mr. Philbric has ably edited several numbers, and for the past two years ha been the main assurance of its promptness, and its most exter sive contributor. For these services, as teachers, we owe him debt which we cannot repay. But we may add that if the con sciousness of services well-directed and bestowed is pleasant in proportion to their magnitude, then may he experience tru pleasure and content. May success attend him.

Mr. J. W. Hunt, for many years the successful Principal of the High School in Plymouth, has received and accepted a call to take charge of the High School in Newton Centre. His taking leave of his pupils was characterized by an incident similar to one which we have recorded above: he was presented by them with a beautifully wrought silver pitcher.

Roxbury, we believe, next to Boston, appreciates the services of its teachers more highly than any city or town in the State. The salary of Mr. Long, Principal of one of the Grammar Schools in that city, has lately been raised to $1200.

Mr. C. E. Valentine, late Sub-Master of the Quincy School, Boston, has been appointed Principal of the school, in place of Mr. J. D. Philbrick, resigned. His salary is $1500. In the same school, Mr. B. W. Putnam has been promoted from the post of First Usher, to that of Sub-Master, salary $1000. Mr. J. 0. Brown takes his place, salary $800.

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THE

MASSACHUSETTS TEACHER.

Vol. VI. No. 2.] ELBRIDGE SMITH, EDITOR OF THIS NUMBER.

[February, 1853,

MORAL AND RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION IN

SCHOOLS.

[A PRIZE ESSAY. BY MISS MARGARET BLISS, OF SPRINGFIELD.]

INFINITE benevolence has made ample provision for the happiness of every living being. That not all are happy, is owing mainly to a want of disposition to be so, rather than to outward circumstances or any natural inability.

Physical enjoyment is found in obeying the instincts of our nature; in eating, drinking, and sleeping. Such is the happi

ness of the brute.

Intellectual enjoyment is obtained by using the faculties of the mind in acquiring knowledge, and in reflection.

But the most exalted happiness arises from a love of what is truly excellent and worthy of love; in loving God, the source of all good, and in being like Him.

He is the best educated, who, in the full exercise of his physical and intellectual powers, has also learned to be happy, and it is the duty of the parent and teacher so to control, advise, and direct those placed under their care, that this end may be accomplished.

The physical education of children belongs more especially to the parent, whose business it is to provide in a well-ventilated school-room all the conveniences necessary for their comfort.

By the increased attention given to this subject of late, it is manifest that this matter is well understood. It is but little that a teacher can do independent of the parent.

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But the training of the intellect has been considered the

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