What more correct and fitting illustration of the excessive use of the spices of literature? We are not of the fastidiosi, but we would urge purity of style and expression. Let there be full, free, explicit speaking; but there is a world-wide difference between this and a parient strikingness. It is the difference between the Pilgrim's Progress and a sensation novel, only less in degree. The one is as the pure, bracing mountain air, the other as the exciting breeze that precedes the tempest; the one is the pure light of the starry world, the other the scintillations of eruptive fires, whose beauties speak of laboring woe behind. This purity of expression must, of course, rest on a basis of purity in sentiment. It can consist with nothing less. So would we have that book which is in any part tainted with immorality avoided as the seeds of a pestilence. With care for our youth in this particular, it were needless to say how much we might secure for them of honesty, honor, and purity. But we may not stop at the securing for them a pure morality in literature. Let it be required of every book for their perusal to show forth a high, a holy, and all-pervading faith in God, in humanity, in the attainment of truth, of the beautiful, of happiness. Correct in every fact, truthful in every description, buoyant in every tone, still the work is not perfect till this faith shall permeate all, shall "encamp around about all." Without it all may be as rich and well placed as some gorgeous palace and its costly adornings, yet the lord of the mansion visits it not; it may rival the magnificence of some wondrous cavern, but the chaste and marvellous crystals, the fretted roof, and murmuring cascades, are always cold, unillumined. These are a few of the more prominent of the qualities which are to be desired in every book for youth; the importance of their application by private and public teachers we have tried to impress. They are tests which are easily applied. As such, we commend them to the earnest thought of all who would meet their responsibility in the education of the young.

Z.

DISCIPLINE not one faculty exclusively, for thou hast many. If thou canst not use the optic-glass in the dark, take the eartrumpet, by day reverse them.

FIRST NORMAL SCHOOL OF PENNSYLVANIA.

TEACHING A PROFESSION AT LAST! If the question had been asked twenty years ago, Which of the numerous States of our national Union will be the first to earn for itself the honorable distinction of publicly recognizing the teacher's occupation as a liberal profession? who would have ventured to answer, Pennsylvania? But so the case stands in the record of fact. On the second day of December last the State authorities of Pennsylvania inaugurated the first Normal School of the State, at Millersville, near Lancaster. A full statement of the attending circumstances is contained in the Lancaster Express, from which we learn, among the many other cheering developments of the occasion, that the State document, which was then read, announcing the decision of the Inspectors to adopt the Millersville Institute as a State Normal School, empowers the future graduates of that seminary to receive, in addition to their diploma, a State license, which exempts them from subjection to examination when applying as candidates for the situation of teacher, in any part of the State.

Here, then, at last, the question is settled, which has, of late years, been so anxiously discussed by the friends of education. How may teaching be regularly constituted a profession? and Massachusetts, hitherto the pioneer State in measures for the advancement of education, has been passed by slow and sure Pennsylvania. The normal graduate of that State is hencefoward to carry with him a regular, legitimate protection from all extra-professional scrutiny whatever. His diploma, in full, is what all other regular professional documents of the kind are, a certificate of qualification, and an authority to practise, derived from purely professional sources and sanctioned by the State.

The characteristic caution of Pennsylvania, in all her State procedure regarding education, is fully exhibited in the history of her normal school law, and in its application to the establishment of her first normal school. Ample security has been taken that the normal diploma, which she sanctions, is to be no mere formal passport to professional occupation. The normal school law proposed no further inducement for the establishment of a State institution than

what was involved in compliance with the following conditions: That any private normal school which should furnish grounds not less in extent than ten acres, the requisite buildings, and all other appropriate acommodations for the instruction of three hundred students, a competent faculty of instruction for the training of teachers, -all to be thoroughly investigated, and duly certified by the board of State Inspectors; but no movement on the part of the State to take place till three seminaries should have applied for such inspection, and no pecuniary or other benefit to be derived, even from successful application, beyond the bare, formal adoption and sanction of the institution, as one authorized by the State, in consequence of the decision of the inspectors, and affording the graduates of the school the benefits of an adequate, authoritative, professional diploma.

Small inducement this might seem for any community to launch into the large expenses insisted on in the case. But the friends of

education in Millersville, and their liberal coädjutors in Lancaster county, headed by the enlightened board of trustees, and the indefatigable principal of the Millersville Seminary, previously known as the "Lancaster County Normal Institute," have claimed and nobly won the distinction of volunteers and pioneers in this special service to the cause of education. Land and buildings, amply and well adapted to the purposes of a State institution, and costing sixty thousand dollars, have been furnished by these public-spirited individuals, and fully approved by the inspectors. The instruction of the seminary, which has been successfully conducted for several years, under the able supervision and active exertions of Professor J. P. Wichersham, and a numerous and able body of special professors and assistant teachers, was subjected to a rigorous and close examination, for two successive days, by the board of inspectors, previous to the public announcement of their decision. The result was as has been already mentioned.

It is only necessary to add that a high standard of acquirements and qualification has been adopted in the institution now formally recognized as the "State Normal School of the First Normal District of Pennsylvania," embracing Lancaster, York, and Lebanon counties. The course of study, for teachers of common schools, extends to at least two years; and, during the last six months of

the course, the candidate for a diploma is daily employed in the actual duties of a teacher, in the model school of the establishment, an arrangement which at once secures the classes of the model school against the disadvantages of incompetent instruction, and renders a diploma valid as regards the teacher's competency, not only in point of instruction, but, what is more important, of moral influence and skillful management.

Having just received a catalogue and circular of the institution at Millersville, containing a statement of its condition at the date of its adoption by the State, we are enabled to add the following particulars. The school is under the immediate control of a numerous and able board of trustees, coöperating now, of course, with the officers connected with the administration of the State system of education, viz. the State superintendent and inspectors, and the county superintendents. The board of instruction consists of four professors, including the principal in the "normal," "scientific," and "classical courses. In the "model" (primary), and "preparatory" courses, the instruction is conducted by a principal, three instructors, and six female teachers. The aggregate number of students, in all departments, for the year 1858-9, ladies, 123, gentlemen, 277.

W. R.

Mathematical.

SOLUTION OF NO. 3, FOR 1859.

[Suppose a tunnel, 1 foot in diameter, could be made from surface to surface, through the centre of the earth, and a grape-shot dropped into it from the surface, what would be its motion ?]

It is, of course, implied that no air or other resisting medium should enter the tunnel. But by limiting the diameter to 1 foot, it is made certain that the shot should roll against the side of the tunnel. The path of the ball would not be a right line unless the tunnel was from pole to pole.

Permit me, also, to object to the use of the signs" for minutes and seconds of time; they belong only to arc. See p. 471 of Vol. XII.

T. H.

Resident Editor's Department.

THIS number commences the thirteenth volume of our journal, and meets the reader with congratulations on the past, and well-assured hope for the future. The arrangements for the new year are such as we trust will make this publication at least as worthy of the confidence and support of teachers, parents, and friends of education, as it was in 1859. We have assurances of aid from some of the best men in our State, and in New England. The Massachusetts Teacher will be handsomely printed, and promptly published on or before the first day of each month. We rely upon those who wish it to be worthy of the cause to which it is devoted, for good counsel, good contributions, and large subscription lists.

THIRD SEMI-ANNUAL SESSION OF THE BLACKSTONE VALLEY ASSOCIATION OF COMMITTEES, TEACHERS, AND OTHER FRIENDS OF EDUCATION.-The meeting was held at Taft's Hall, in Uxbridge, on Friday and Saturday, November 18th and 19th. There was a good attendance. Lectures were delivered and remarks made by Rev. Mr. Norcross, on Reading; Mr. Sargent of Blackstone, on the science of Music and the best method of teaching Singing; Dr. Henry M. Brown of Medway, on Elocution; William L. Southwick, Esq., of Blackstone, on Education, contrasting the learning of Egypt, Greece, and Rome, with that of the present era; and Mr. F. H. Nutting, A. M., on Grammar. The following subjects were proposed and earnestly and ably discussed: "How shall the largest average attendance at School be secured?" "The Uniformity in School Books in the towns embraced within the limits of the Association;""How to secure the best average attendance in School ;" and "What is the best method for teaching Geography?" The folfollowing officers were chosen: President, George S. Taft, Esq.; Vice Presidents, Rev. George S. Ball and Adolphus F. Brown; Secretary, John G. Metcalf; Treasurer, S. G. Bates; Executive Committee, Rev. J. S. Haradon, Aaron D. Hill, William L. Southwick, Henry Carpenter, Charles A. Wheelock, Rev. T. Barber, and R. R. Clarke.

TEACHERS' MEETINGS.-The teachers of Somerville have formed an association for the purpose of mutual improvement in the important work in which they are engaged. They meet once a week. The teachers of Dorchester have passed a resolution to do the same, and will meet as soon as the appointed committee has made the necessary arrangements. The teachers at Newton have met once in a fortnight during the winter season for the last eight years, and their colleagues at Dedham once a week for the last three years.

AN interesting article on Sewing Machines, from the pen of Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, will be found on the foregoing pages; and we will add, that it was admitted on the repeated request of several fair readers of this journal. The