Resident Editor's Department.

EARLY AND LATE. — We issue the August number of the Teacher before the usual time, that it may reach our subscribers, in all parts of the country, before the summer vacation, and give timely notice of the Summer Educational Conventions. For a similar reason, and to include reports of these meetings, the September number will be published a few days later than usual.

EXAMINATION QUESTIONS.-Teachers and committees having printed examination questions, will confer a favor by sending copies to the office of the Teacher. OUR friends, who will attend the meetings of the American Institute, are likely to be benefited by perusing our pages of advertisements.

THE advertisement of Bazin & Ellsworth, which appears for the first time in this number, represents the Temple of Fame, built upon the merits of Town and Holbrook's Readers and Speller. It displays ingenuity and taste, both in the designing and the engraving. The former was the work of one of the partners of the firm, and the latter, that of F. F. Oakley, Esq., of this city.

The base of the columns, the flight leading up to the temple gate, and the inscription which meets the eye, on approaching the entrance, fully explain the objects of the design. The Bible holds its appropriate place, as the keystone of the arch, and is guarded by Liberty and Justice. Above the arch appears "America," represented by a hemisphere, at the sides of which recline two figures, representing "Study." The edifice is surmounted by two figures. "Light" bears her torch, and "Science" holds in her hand a globe, inscribed "Smith's New Geography."

The design, taken as a whole, is evidently the result of some study, and illustrates the character of the publishers of the "Progressive Series," who, not satisfied with having met with a good share of New England patronage, are literally carrying the war into Africa, in the adoption of their series by the excellent and devoted Missionaries, stationed on that coast. Nor is this all. The Progressive series has been adopted in all the schools of Honolulu, Sandwich Islands; and a decree has gone forth from the native government that no other books, of the same purpose and design, shall be used in the schools throughout the Islands.

N.

EDUCATIONAL READING-ROOM. AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF INSTRUCTION. - Teachers who may attend the meeting of the American Institute of Instruction, to be held in Boston, August 21, 22, and 23, are invited to make free use of the Educational Reading-Room, Congregational Library Building, Chauncy Street, Room No. 10.

The Room will be supplied with the New York and Boston daily papers. All

the Educational Journals published in the United States and some other countries, will be found on the tables. The shelves contain, besides the Library of the American Institute of Instruction, specimen copies of most of the school books from the principal publishing houses in Boston, New York and Philadelphia.

Teachers are cordially invited to use the Reading-Room, not only during the meeting of the Institute, but whenever they may be in Boston.

THE FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMON SCHOOL ASSOCIATION held a meeting at Coleraine, on May 25 and 26, which is spoken of as having been a genuine success. At no previous meeting has there been so full an attendance. Lectures were delivered by Mr. E. A. Hubbard, A. M., and Professor J. N. Lincoln, of Williams College, on "School Government," and "The Ideal Scholar." The subjects chosen for discussion were: "Christianity in Relation to Common Schools, involving the Question of the Bible and Religious Instruction;" "Is it Expedient to Introduce the Elements of Agriculture into our Common Schools, as a Branch of Study?" and "Ought Common Schools to be kept in Session more than Five Days each Week?" Premiums were awarded to Miss Lydia Hall of Ashfield, Miss R. E. Purrington of Coleraine, and Mrs. Isabell H. Fisk of Shelburne, for essays, which were subsequently read, and met with so much favor that the Association, by vote, invited the authors to submit the essays for publication in the county papers.

THE PLYMOUTH COUNTY TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION met at Abington Centre, on June 15th and 16th. One hundred and fifty-seven teachers were present. Mr. Boyden of Bridgewater, lectured on "Labor the Condition of Success;" and Mr. Charles Hutchins of Boston, on 66 The Parents' Side in the Work of Education." Mr. Jenks of Middleboro' gave a highly interesting account of his recent visit to Sicily, and made extended remarks on the study of Natural History. Two questions were discussed: "School Examinations, by whom and how to be conducted;" and "What Changes are most needed in our School Text-Books?" For an essay by Mr. Alfred Bunker of North Bridgewater, on "The Objects of the Recitation, and the best Method of securing those Objects," was awarded the prize of five dollars. The constitution of the Association has been printed, with a list of its officers and the names of lecturers.

CHATHAM, Mass., July 3, 1860.

BARNSTABLE COUNTY EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY. The semi-annual meeting of this association was holden on the 29th and 30th ult., at Brewster. The assembly was called to order by the President, Sidney Brooks, Esq., of Harwich. Prayer was offered by Rev. T. W. Brown of Brewster, and the minutes of the previous meeting at Sandwich were read by the Secretary, J. W. (ross, Jr., of Chatham. The following question was presented for discussion : "What efforts can be made to prevent irregularity of attendance in our schools?"

The discussion was opened by Rev. Benton Smith of Chatham. He remarked that the responsibility in this matter depended mainly upon the parents, but so little care was taken by them he would throw the responsibility upon the scholars. There should be premiums offered in the several towns to encourage regular attendance, if it cannot be secured in any other manner.

A. B. Adams then spoke of the importance of this subject, and of the various punishments employed in his school, to prevent this irregularity. Among others, a rule was made by the committee, that six successive absences would prevent their remaining any longer in school for that term. This rule, in connection with the town clock, which towered above his schoolhouse, proved quite effectual means in securing uniform punctuality and attendance.

Rev. J. W. Cross of West Boylston, said the house of instruction should be a pleasant and attractive spot. The teachers should always have a smiling face and a warm hand to welcome their pupils. He thought in those towns where commodious and pleasant schoolhouses have been erected, and a general interest in the cause manifested, irregularity of attendance was in a great measure obviated.

At 2 o'clock P. M. the society assembled and the following topic for discussion was presented - What are the best methods of securing good reading?

This was opened by Rev. S. W. Brown of Brewster. He said children were allowed to read in a listless, careless manner, and their mistakes were not corrected on the spot as they should be, and the nature of the mistake fully comprehended. Pupils should be taught to study their reading lessons quite as much as any other exercise. Rev. Mr. Smith spoke of a more thorough drill of the vocal organs.

Rev. B. G. Northrop of Saxonville interested the audience in his usual happy style of remarks. He showed the importance of teaching the elementary sounds of the letters, as also their power; of training the ear in the sounds of the vowels; the importance of emphasis and a thorough drill of the vocal organs. A. B. Adams, J. W. Cross, Jr., and others spoke upon the question.

At 3 o'clock, the society listened to an interesting lecture from Rev. Jos. W. Cross of West Boylston. Subject - The Life and Writings of John Milton. The lecturer displayed much research in collecting interesting facts and incidents in the life of the renowned poet; and many fine passages were quoted from his writings, in which the varied talent and beauty of the bard were vividly presented. The lecture was listened to with marked attention, and was well received.

At eight o'clock, the society listened to a lecture by Rev. B. G. Northrop of Saxonville. There was a good audience, and the speaker gave a history of the origin and results of the Normal system of schools in our country. A full survey of the subject was presented, and the speaker, no doubt, infused much of the Normal spirit with which he is imbued into the minds of his auditors who listened to his able address.

The society adjourned about noon on Saturday. It was a very interesting, and doubtless profitable meeting for the cause of general education in Barnstable county. J. W. CROSS Sec'y.

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF INSTRUCTION.

The Thirty-first Annual Meeting of

the American Institute of Instruction will be held in Boston, at the Tremont Temple, on the 21st, 22d, and 23d days of August.

The Board of Directors will meet on the 21st, at 11 o'clock A. M. The Public Exercises will be as follows: On TUESDAY, the 21st, at 3 o'clock P. M., the meeting will be organized for the transaction, of business. The usual addresses of welcome will be made, after which the following subject will be discussed: Is it expedient to make Calisthenics and Gymnastics a part of School Training? At 8 o'clock P. M., a Lecture by C. C. Felton, LL. D., President of Harvard University.

On WEDNESDAY, the 22d, at 9 o'clock A. M., a Discussion. Subject: Has purely Intellectual Culture a tendency to promote good morals?

At 11 o'clock A. M., a Lecture by Prof. E. L. Youmans of New York city. At 3 o'clock P. M., a Lecture by Prof. James B. Angell of Brown University. At 8 o'clock P. M., a Lecture by Rev. W. Ormiston of Hamilton, Canada West. On THURSDAY, the 23d, at 9 o'clock A. M., a Discussion. Subject: The Proper Mode of Examining Schools, and of Reporting thereon.

At 11 o'clock A. M., a Lecture by M. T. Brown, Esq., Superintendent of Schools in Toledo, Ohio.

At 3 o'clock P. M., a Lecture by Rev. A. H. Quint of Jamaica Plain, Mass.

At 8 o'clock P. M., Addresses by gentlemen representing the several States of the Union.

Ladies attending the meeting will be welcomed to the hospitalities of the citizens of Boston. Those who purpose to be present will greatly oblige the Committee of Reception, and will save themselves some inconvenience, by sending their names, as early as possible, to Mr. B. W. Putnam, Quincy School, Boston. The committee will be found at the Tremont Temple, August 21st, at 9 o'clock, A. M.

Arrangements for free return tickets, to be furnished by the Secretary of the Institute, have been made with the following railroads, viz: Old Colony and Fall River, Boston and Providence, Boston and Worcester, Western, Eastern, Maine, Boston and Lowell, Fitchburg, and Vermont and Massachusetts. Additions to this list of roads will doubtless be made, of which due notice will be given.

The preparations for the intellectual and social entertainment of the Institute, at its next meeting, are such as cannot fail to render the occasion one of great pleasure and profit.

B. W. PUTNAM, Recording Secretary.
Boston, July, 1860.

D. B. HAGAR, President.

AMERICAN NORMAL SCHOOL, AND NATIONAL TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION. - A Joint Meeting of these Associations will be held at Buffalo, N. Y., commencing on Tuesday, the 7th of August next, and continuing through the week.

The Normal Association will organize on Tuesday, at 10 o'clock, A. M. Introductory Address by the President.

The National, on the following day, at the same hour and place. Introductory Address by the President.

Lectures will be delivered, and papers presented, by the following gentlemen, viz.: Messrs. B. G. Northrop of Mass.; J. P. Wickersham of Penn.; D. N. Camp of Conn.; E. North of Hamilton College, N. Y.; John Kneeland of Mass. ; William H. Wells of Illinois; E. L. Youmans of N. Y.

In view of the character of the gentlemen who are to lecture; the subjects to be presented; the sections of country and departments of instruction represented; the general interest felt for both Associations throughout the States, and the locality of the place of meeting, (within an hour of Niagara,) it is expected that this will be the largest and most important educational meeting ever held in the United States.

The citizens of Buffalo will entertain the ladies gratuitously. A reduction in the hotel charges will also be made.

Notice about tickets is given on page 305.

For further information, address B. G. Northrop, Saxonville; W. E. Sheldon, West Newton, Mass.

W. F. PHELPS, President of the A. N. S. A.
J. W. BULKLEY, President of the N. T. A.

BROOKLYN, June 13, 1860.
WESTFIELD NORMAL ASSOCIATION.

-The sixth Triennial meeting of this asso

ciation will he held at Westfield, on Thursday and Friday, the 2d and 3d days of August next.

The public exercises will consist of a Social Gathering at Normal Hall, Thursday

Evening, at 8 o'clock. Friday, at 8 A. M., a Business Meeting. At 10 A. M., an Address, by Rev. J. M. Manning of Boston, in the first Congregational Church, to be followed by the Dinner, in Whitman Hall, and a Social Meeting at Normal Hall, in the Evening.

All who have been members of the School, whether at Barre or Westfield, are cordially invited to be present, and participate in the exercises.

--

We are assured that the hospitality of our Westfield friends—so generous and complete on all similar occasions — will be extended to the former members of the School. Any who are not provided with places of entertainment, will please make application at Normal Hall.

Invitations have been extended to His Excellency, Gov. Banks, Hon. Eliphalet Trask, Hon. Geo. S. Boutwell, Hon. Geo. N. Briggs, Hon. Wm. G. Bates, Barnas Sears, D. D., Ariel Parish, A. M., Rev. A. H. Quint, Hon. Joseph L. White, Rev. Wm. A. Stearns, D. D., and Prof. S. S. Green.

Rev. Emerson Davis, D. D., David S. Rowe, A. M., William H. Wells, A. M., and most of the other past Teachers in the School are expected to be present.

Nothing will be left undone that can be done to make this a joyous and happy reunion. Let all those whose hearts beat happily at the remembrance of those earlier days come back this year and renew those early acquaintances and associations.

Any communication from those not able to be present, may be addressed to J. W. Dickenson, Esq., Principal of the Westfield Normal School. It is also particularly desired that, if any death has occurred among the graduates since our last Jubilee, a notice of it may be sent to Mr. Dickenson.

Free return tickets will be furnished, over the Canal, Connecticut River, Western, and Worcester Railroads, to all attending the Jubilee.

BRIMMER SCHOOL, Boston, July 5, 1860.

W. L. P. BOARDMAN, Pres't.

STATE NORMAL SCHOOLS. The Schools at Framingham and Salem are designed for the education of Female Teachers; those at Bridgewater and Westfield, for the education of teachers of both sexes. Tuition is free to those who intend to teach in the public schools of Massachusetts, wherever they may have previously resided; and, if needed, pecuniary aid is also given to pupils from Massachusetts. The text-books required are mostly furnished from the school libraries.

The Terms commence, in each school, as follows:

At SALEM, on the last Wednesday of February and first Wednesday of September.
At FRAMINGHAM, on the first Wednesday of March and September.
At BRIDGEWATER, on the third Wednesday of March and September.
At WESTFIELD, on the fourth Wednesday of March and September.

Candidates for admission are examined on the first day of each Term; except at Framingham, where the examination takes place on the day preceding. For Circulars, or further information, apply to the Principals of the several Schools. August, 1860.

THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION meets at Greensburg, the 7th, 8th, and 9th days of August. The New York State Teachers' Association meets at Syracuse, on July 31st, August 1st and 2d.