globes are too imperfect to be taken as models. The lengths of the various parts must therefore be obtained by calculation.

Uses. It is not expected that a wooden observatory can be so constructed as to answer the higher and more accurate purposes of astronomy. But as it can be easily made to come within the one eighth of a degree of accuracy, it will answer perfectly to demonstrate the elements of astronomy to a beginner; hence we have called it the 'Elementary Observatory.' To a beginner it has this advantage over more accurate instruments, that it is the most simple contrivance possible.

It is evident that when the eye of an observer is at the centre of this sphere he can, by means of the graduated circles, measure all of the angular distances and motions of the heavenly bodies. The sun will be seen to come to the face-side of each meridian every hour; the moon will occupy more than an hour in passing through the same space. The stars of Orion's belt will be seen to pass all round behind the equator, and the 'seven stars,' behind the tropic of cancer. The declination of the sun or any other body will be seen every time it crosses a meridian. The polar star will be seen to describe a circle three and one fifth degrees diameter about the pole as a centre, &c. &c.

These are some of the observations which a tyro is enabled by the assistance of a good watch or clock to make; but as the heavens, by rolling over this sphere, perform almost every problem of celestial astronomy, I shall not attempt to particularize.

The Elementary Observatory is also of important use in teaching spherics. All of the analogies of the sines, cosines, tangents, &c. which ordinarily are imagined inside of a common globe, may here be exhibited in fact by means of lines of twine stretched inside of the sphere in their proper situations.

I have communicated this account with the hope that so simple a contrivance might be erected at some of the permanent schools. Nor would it be a useless appendage to our colleges. A few ingenious young men might erect one themselves at any academy or school. To calculate its various parts would afford them a good exercise in spherics.

STATE OF POPULAR INSTRUCTION.

Primary Schools.

[THE splendid provision for scientific instruction at the Royal College of France, mentioned in a note on page 198 of our last number, forms a striking contrast to the destitute condition of some places, in regard to primary and common schools, as indicated in the following circular. For several reasons we have preferred translating this paper at length, with the exception of a few unimportant restrictions relative to contributions towards the fund required for the school. An abstract would, we thought, be less satisfactory, whether as regards an accurate representation of the actual state of common education in France, or the extensive and philanthropic efforts of the Society for Elementary Instruction, which is labouring with great zeal and perseverance to make up for that great national want, the absence of a regular public provision for the general dissemination of instruction. The document here presented is certainly a cheering evidence that the great cause of popular improvement is not altogether neglected in France; but it furnishes at the same time a melancholy proof, that the great privilege of even an ordinary education is yet inaccessible to large portions of society, in countries justly celebrated for high advancement in science and literature, and for munificent establishments of learning.

The following article is translated from the September number of the French Journal of Education, the latest received, and for the transmission of which, together with the other numbers of the year, we are under obligations to the kindness of Professor Goodrich of Yale College.]

Several benevolent persons have formed a project for reestablishing a large school for mutual instruction in the city of Sancerre. In pursuance of this design, they have published the following prospectus. We republish it here, because it appears to us of a nature to stimulate the zeal of the friends of popular instruction in other places.

A few years ago, the city of Sancerre possessed a primary school regulated upon the system of mutual instruction. This interesting establishment, whose good effects must have been felt, failed from causes analogous to those which, to the great detriment of the poorer classes, brought destruction upon a

multitude of schools of the same kind.* Some benevolent persons both of the city and the environs, whose organs we here venture to be, have conceived a project of reviving this school, upon wider and more secure foundations.

How is it possible we should not be struck with the destitute condition of the city of Sancerre, owing to the almost absolute want of instruction which prevails? Its population and that of the whole jurisdiction, deprived of the advantages procured by commerce and industry, are mostly composed of vinedressers, whom toilsome labour hardly rescues from misery. Their children, and even those of many inhabitants in easier circumstances, remain plunged in a deplorable state of ignorance, which stifles every germ of prosperity and moral amelioration. While in some parts of Germany and Switzerland the smallest villages have a good school, there are in the centre of France cities and places of importance utterly destitute of them.

Such a state of things would strongly accuse the inefficiency of all those whom their rank enables to contribute to the public good, if the laudable intentions by which most of them are animated, were not manifested in more than one circumstance. It is for want of union that good does not operate in a country which contains all its elements. The establishment of a good primary school in Sancerre, would be of high importance: it would serve for a model and seminary to all those which the zeal of communities and of private individuals, hereafter awakened upon this great object of public utility, would not fail to produce in the neighbourhood. What may not be done by the union of all good people, directed towards so generous an end! We have a noble example in the services rendered for twelve years back, by the society formed at Paris for the improvement of elementary instruction; that society, which has been honoured by having for its President the noble Duke De La Rochefoucauld. It has founded numerous schools, in which thousands of children receive gratuitous instruction; and it has preserved the precious deposit of that method of mutual instruction, whose superiority over every other is now undoubted. The spirit of party has only too often, on both sides, injured so noble a cause ;* but we

* The allusion here made is to the circumstance that the society meets with its most effective supporters among the Protestants, and the liberal party in political affairs, while its more active opponents have been of what are sometimes called ultra principles, both in respect of religion and politics. The enemies of the society gained, at one time, an extensive triumph, and succeeded in embarrassing or preventing its operations, especially in the less considerable towns, as hinted at in the commencing paragraph of the circular. Happily the

here address ourselves to all men worthy of confidence, though of various opinions-to all friends of their country. Who has not a personal interest in seeing formed around him good workmen, intelligent husbandmen, and especially good citizens and honest people? Instruction alone, aided by religious sentiments, is capable of producing these beneficent results.

Firmly convinced that of all ways of being useful to our country, the most efficacious, the most lasting, the only one perhaps which is always practicable, is to diffuse instruction among the people. We confidently appeal, gentlemen, to your patriotism, to induce you to join the society which is going to be formed for the foundation of a large primary school in Sancerre. The instruction will comprise reading, writing, arithmetic, and practical geometry, or linear drawing. A hundred and fifty subscriptions, each of the moderate sum of twenty francs a year, are necessary for the salary of the master, the preservation of the site, of which we have reason to hope the city will dispose in our favour, and the expense of materials and rewards. As to the expenses of the first establishment, the making of benches and circles, the purchasing of slates, tables, &c., they will be provided from the private donations of some of the subscribers.

The project which occupies our attention, has already attracted that of the local authorities, which are always disposed to favour the public good, and whose benevolent spirit is so honourably known. It has also obtained the suffrage of several persons influential through the just esteem in which they are held. Every thing seems then to predict its complete success: it is secured if the principal proprietors, the enlightened men who hold dear the honour and prosperity of their country, lend us their support. The electors especially ought to set the example. Invested by the charter with the noble privilege of choosing the organs of public opinion, legal representatives of the intelligence of the country, it principally belongs to them to justify their commission by a greater devotion to the public affairs, a more lively interest in the wants of their fellow citizens.

The primary school with which it is contemplated to endow the city of Sancerre, will not be one of those ephemeral establishments produced in a moment of enthusiasm, and which the least obstacle, the least coldness on the part of the subscribers,

jealousies of party spirit are fast subsiding; and the efforts of patriotism and philanthropy are better understood on both sides, and operate with less hindrance from difference of opinion on subjects not immediately connected with education. ED.

soon crushes. Let us create for it permanent resources; let us make for it, from the example of the hospitals, and the schools of Brethren of the Christian Doctrine, whose praiseworthy devotion and services none appreciate better than ourselves,— a true foundation. To obtain this stability so indispensable, we propose that the subscriptions should be made for a certain number of years, five for instance. At the end of this term, the useful results of a good school begin to be generally felt; the good produced is evident to the most prejudiced; and the establishment is sheltered from all danger. What proprietor in easy circumstances would fear to engage for five years in so good a work? Does he not engage for the same length of time in other associations, such as securities against fire, hail, &c. If to banish these scourges he imposes upon himself a slight sacrifice, will he not make one to destroy the ignorance which is, with regard to social order, the most fatal of all scourges? The method of mutual instruction is so economical, that, from calculations based upon the experience of the schools of Paris, twenty francs are sufficient to give instruction to three poor children for a year. Who will not be eager to do so much good at so

little expense?

The subscription is opened, to date from this day. The annual contribution of twenty francs is the minimum of those which will constitute members of the association; but we are certain that a large number of persons intend to proportion their donations to the fortune they enjoy.

As every association of more than twenty persons ought, according to law, to be specially authorized by the government, we propose, in order to avoid every objection, instead of general meetings, a council of administration, which shall by right consist of twenty of the largest subscribers, commencing on the first of January of each year. In case of competition between two or more subscribers, the senior contributors shall have the vote. As soon as we shall have united a hundred, the council of administration will, first, offer a master to be approved by the civil and religious authorities, and, secondly, all means of procedure for immediately opening the school. Every year, the council shall account to the subscribers for the employment of the funds, by a printed circular.