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We have published several excellent essays upon the methods of teaching Grammar, but there is little danger of saying too much upon these practical subjects, especially as each writer occupies a new stand point and presents his own views.

We do not propose here to speak of the manner of teaching the book, or of conducting the recitation, but to make some suggestions of a more general character. And it may be proper first to enquire, why do not all persons who learn the use of our language, "speak and write it correctly"? The answer is obvious; they are taught to use it incorrectly. False syntax is every where the rule; correct grammar, the exception. If children could hear nothing but correct language, they would always employ it correctly. In that e se, the study of grammar would be necessary only to perfect the scholar in the Philosophy of Language. He would then study the English, as the good grammarian now studies the Latin, Greek or German. But since bad grammar is the common language, three quarters of the 1100 pages in Goold Brown's" Grammar of Grammars," must be false syntax corrected. Hence, the teacher who would successfully manage this department, must give much attention to the language used in his school. He should insist upon correctness in all the recitations and intercourse of his pupils. If not a practical grammarian himself, he is unfit for his

position. If he is, every improper sound, accent, pronounciation, or ungrammatical or unrhetorical expression uttered, should be publicly corrected. No matter whether the mistake is made by teacher or pupil, it should receive attention. But how can this be done without creating confusion and irregularity? Some would adopt a plan something like the following. Let the school be resolved into "a committee of the whole" on criticism and instructed to mark every incorrect expression heard. At the time the error is noticed, let the critic raise his hand and when the teacher shall indicate his readiness to hear, let him say "Grammar!” The teacher then calls for the correction and it is made in the presence of the whole school. In this way, a lively interest is awakened in every mind and the habit of correctly using our language is formed. To this exercise may be added another in connection with the reading of compositions. In every school in the land, compositions should be required; not only from those who have grammar as a study, but from all who can write with pencil or pen. Now let three or four of these compositions be read each day, in the presence of the school, and let them be publicly criticised. Give opportunity for all to suggest corrections in the reading, spelling, use of capitals, choice of words and style of the composition. These exercises have been introduced into some of our best schools and the teachers bear testimony to their practical utility and importance. This habit of criticism should be encouraged in all departments of study, in all school and family intercourse, and at all times. Let the teacher often call attention to the more marked examples of bad Grammar, or bad Rhetoric, selecting some like the following.

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'Let every scholar attend to their own studies." "It is him.' "He should have went with me." "I have not seen her this twenty days." Curious critics have collected such examples as the following, as errors in construction, or punctuation. A carpenter makes this charge in his account book.

"John Brown,

Dr.

To hanging four gates and myself six hours, $1,50.” A Western writer describes his new school house as having "two rooms large enough to accommodate two hundred scholars one above another, and two stories high."

A clergyman was giving an account of the sudden death of his

wife, while on a journey. He said, "I rode acrost the prarie with my beloved wife who has now gone to heaven in a buggy wagon.” An error in spellsng and punctuation makes the following note, designed to be read in church, ridiculous. "A husband having gone to see his wife, asks the prayers of God's people for his safe return." The good woman designed to have said, "A husband having gone to sea, his wife asks the prayers of God's people for his safe return." Another who was illustrating before his excited hearers the prevalence of intemperance said, "A young woman in my neighborhood died very suddenly last Sabbath, while I was preaching the gospel in a state of beastly intoxication."

But we design only to call attention to this subject, leaving each teacher to practice upon our suggestions in his own way.

THE EPITAPH." The first blood of the Revolution," says our correspondent, (on page 130 of this number of the Journal) "was shed in Vermont, and the crumbling grave stone of the proto-martyr to American liberty may still be seen in the old grave yard at Westminister." The "old grave stone," we are sorry to say, has been torn away, and on the new one we read as follows, verbatim et literatim.

In Memory of William French, Son of Mr. Nathaniel French; Who Was Shot at Westminster, March ye 13th, 1775, by the hands of Cruel Ministerial tools of Georg ye 3d; in the Court house at a 11 a Clock at Night; in the 22d year of his Age." "Here William French his Body lies.

"For murder his Blood for vengence cries.
"King Georg the third his Tory crew
"tha with a bawl his head Shot threw.
"For Liberty and his Countrys Good.
"he lost his Life his Dearest blood."

TO TEACHERS WANTING EMPLOYMENT.-The American Educational Bureau, 561 Broadway, N. Y., will register the name of any Teacher, with reference to securing for him a desirable situation, and will furnish him with the Vermont School Journal for one year, on receipt of $1,00.

Address Smith, Wilson & Co., as above.

LEWIS' GYMNASTIC MONTHLY will be sent free for one year, to any new subscriber for our School Journal who will send us

one dollar, and to any old subscriber who will add 50 cents to his subscription and pay it.

AS IT SHOULD BE. We notice that all those towns in Vermont which refused to elect Superintendents of Schools, have chozen constables and overseers of the poor.

PERSONAL.-Prof. Shedd accepts his call from the Brick Church in New York, to be colleague pastor with Rev. Dr. Spring. The church gains a most valuable Christian teacher, and the Seminary at Andover, loses one of its most gifted and respected instruc tors, and whose place it will be difficult to fill.

GOOLD BROWN'S GRAMMARS which have been published by S. S. & W. Wood, of New York, are henceforth to be published by the enterprising firm, Frederick A. Brown, & Co.. Boston. So excellent a Series of Books will doubtless find a ready sale in their hands. See notice in our Advertiser.

TEACHERS' INSTITUTES for the Counties of Windham, Bennington, Rutland, and Addison, will be held as follows:-Townshend, June 3-4; Manchester, June 6-7; East Poultney, June 10-11; Shoreham, June 13-14. The Institutes will cach continue in session during two days, commencing at 9 o'clock A. M., and holding during the day and evening. Town Superintendents should see that Teachers are informed of their right to attend without loss of time, and urge their attendance.

Our Teachers and all i terested in the elevation and success of our schools, have a deep interest in these Institutes, and should, if possible, attend them. Never more than now, have the friends of education needed the in piration of such gatherings.

THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF INSTRUCTION will hold its next annual meeting at Hartford, Ct., some time in the month of August. A full notice of the arrangements will doubtless appear in the Journal before that time.

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MASON & HAMLIN'S SCHOOL HARMONIUM is offered for the low price of $80. See advertisement on cover of the Journal. A specimen instrument may be seen at "Glenwood Ladies' Seminary."

mert.

A. E. LEAVENWORTH, A. M., our Associate and the Principal of Brattleboro Academy, has enlisted in the Vermont 9th RegiHis school has been suspended for the summer. If Washjugton is really in danger, teachers ought to consider the question in what way they can best serve their country, in the school room

an in the field

NOTICES OF BOOKS AND

PERIODICALS.

Report on the Geology of Vermont. Descriptive, Theoretical, Economical and Scenographical; by Edward Hitchcock, LL. D., Albert D. Hager, A. M., Edward Hitchcock, Jr., M. D., and Charles H. Hitchcock, A. M. Two volumes 4to. pp. 988, with 38 plates, including a Geological Map of the State, a Map of the surface Geology, several smaller maps, two plates of Fossils, several plates of Scenery, and numerous wood engravings. Printed by Claremont, N. H., Manufacturing Co., 1861. "These two handsome, well printed and well illustrated volumes, are devoted to the elucidation of the geological structure and economical resources of a highly interesting and difficult region. They constitute a very important work for which all will feel thankful, not only to the excellent geologists whose labors are recorded therein, but also to the people of the State of Vermont, to whose well known patriotic spirit and love of advancement, science is now indebted for a valuable and most welcome contribution." Thus opens a long, critically scientific and highly complimentary review of this elaborate report, in the May number of the American Journal of Science and Art noticed below. We refer our readers to that report, and more properly to the work itself, a copy of which may be found in the Town Clerk's office in each town. It is a monument to the indefatigable and persevering patience and industry of our fellow citizen, A. D. Hager, A. M., to whose persistent zeal its publication in the highest style of the typographical art, is largely due. Of it every Vermonter has reason to be proud and should aim to possess a copy. both for its intrinsic value and to assist in remunerating Prof. Hager for the large pecuniary risk he has incurred in its publication in its present form. Copies of the report may be procured by addressing A. D. Hager, Proctorsville, Vt.

The Vermont Quarterly Gazetteer, a Historical Magaz ne, embracing a digest of the history of each town, civil, educational, religious, geological and literary. Terms; twenty-five cents per number. Edited and pub ished by Miss Abby Maria Hemenway, Ludlow. This number embraces the conclusion of Bennington County and a portion of Caledonia County. Miss Hemenway is doing

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