The national schools were for the training of only the retainers of the royal families and "landed gentry" of the country, but to-day almost the entire population of Japan can read and write. The speaker then proceeded to give some idea of the manner of educating the Japanese. He said the Japanese language had a vast number of letters and at least three thousand characters are taught the scholars in the schools. The scholar labors for years to learn to make these different characters, and it is only because he begins early that he is enabled to become familiar with them. It is necessary to begin the study of them young; grown-up people can never learn them all. It looks like an almost impossible task to learn to make ten or twenty thousand characters, but this is the number which many of the Japanese of learning are familiar with. Along with learning to write, the pupils are also taught to read, which consists in going over the letters and explaining them. The reason of this is because the colloquial language differs very widely from the written language. The pupils are also taught composition from their earliest education, and particular attention is paid to letter-writing. The books which the pupils read from are those on history, geography, and morality.

The pupils, after ten years' elementary study, are advanced to a classical department, where the great Chinese classics and their philosophy is also a subject of study, as well as the history of Japan and China.

The opening exercises in the old schools consisted of a lecture to all the scholars by a Chinese professor, upon some subject such as one of the maxims of Confucius, which was used as a sort of text, from which a sermon was preached. After this, the classes were divided up into sections, each of which had one teacher, and the subject of the lecture was considered in detail. At twelve o'clock they were all dismissed into the waiting-room, where more difficult studies were considered. At three o'clock the pupils were instructed in physical exercises.

The speaker said it was not a perfect education, but it was sufficient at that time. When the Japanese came in contact with foreigners a new world was opened to the mind, new wants were created. They found that if they were to compete with foreign nations they must learn their languages and study their arts. Only two years after the treaty with Commodore Perry a school of languages was established, and since 1859, when the old government of the Tycoon was changed and new departments were established, one was the department of education.

The new department created at the time of the change in the government made education open to all classes and established schools all over the country, 8,000 having been added since 1859. There is a normal school in the city of Yedo, established like the normal schools in this country, from which the graduates are sent as teachers to different parts of the country. Education is carried on in the language of the country. Dr. MURRAY then introduced the HON. FUJIMARO TANAKA, Vice-Minister of Instruction in Japan, who briefly addressed the Association in Japanese which was translated by his interpreter.

TRANSLATION.

It gives me much pleasure to be present at this meeting, and to hear

from eminent educators valuable addresses on the great and important subject of education.

Let me say in a word, that as far as I have observed, your education has attained the highest point in the world. This, I have no doubt, is due to earnest labors.

your

It is not necessary for me to speak of our educational system, as DR. MURRAY has told you the rise and progress of Japanese education. I take the subject of newspapers in Japan. Newspapers in my opinion, have a great deal to do with the education of the people, for they are an echo of education, as it were.

Up to 1865, we had no regular newspapers published, that is, newspapers in the modern sense, but in the same year, YANAGAWA HARUKAGE first started a paper called "Chiu-Gai-Zashi," which may be translated "Home and Abroad News."

The people soon found out the importance of newspapers, not only as a means of learning passing events in the far West and East of this wide world, but also, as that of educating themselves, and inasmuch as they appreciate the value of newspapers, their number has been increased from time to time.

In 1873, ninety-seven different newspapers were published in Japan. At that time less than ten years had elapsed from the first publication of the newspaper. In 1874, twenty-seven more, and in 1875, thirty-two more were added.

We have now more than one hundred and fifty different papers in Japan, some of which, are, of course, published daily, some weekly, and some monthly. Thus the people even in villages know something about the affairs of the world.

If there were no newspapers, as was the case with us about ten years ago, we should not know the condition even of our neighboring countries! Happily, we have so many newspapers now-a-days that we can learn what the brethern and sisters are doing on this side of the Pacific Ocean; and we read to-day what occurred yesterday in Europe. Really this is the gift of newspapers.

SENOR DORNA, of the Argentine Confederation, chargé d'affaires to the United States, was introduced and briefly thanked the Association.

The President announced the following Committee to confer with the committees of Congress on the National Bureau:-Dr. C. K. NELSON, Md., Hon. J. H. SMART, Ind., Hon. J. P. WICKERSHAM, Pennsylvania, Hon. H. A. M. HENDERSON, Kentucky, Dr. W. T. HARRIS, Missouri, Dr. D. B. HAGAR, Massachusetts, Prof. B. MALLON, Georgia, Hon. S. M. ETTER, Illinois.

On motion of E. E. White, of Indiana, President PHELPS was added, as chairman of the Committee on Bureau.

The Hon. Warren Johnson, of Maine, from the Committee on Centennial, asked to be allowed to report next year, but was requested to prepare a report for publication.

It was moved that the gentlemen representing foreign governments be requested to furnish copies of their remarks for publication.

Adjourned to meet on board the boat at 8:30, P. M.

WEDNESDAY EVENING.

The Association was called to order on board the boat at half past 8 o'clock, President PHELPS in the chair. The President called on W. D. HENKLE for a speech. Mr. HENKLE responded that the Association was in debt, and needed five hundred dollars for the publication of its proceedings. Through successive appeals he received the following pledges:

John Hancock, Dayton, Ohio.

LIFE-MEMBERS.

W. D. Henkle, Salem, Ohio. Paid $20.

M. C. Stevens, Salem, Ohio.

J. Adolph Schmitz, Wooster, Ohio.

Alex. Forbes, Cleveland, Ohio.

L. S. Thompson, Sandusky, Ohio. Paid $20.

M. A. Newell, Baltimore, Md.

Sarah E. Richmond, Baltimore, Md.

C. K. Nelson, Annapolis, Md.

W. A. Bell, Indianapolis, Ind.

E. E. White,* Lafayette, Ind.

T. Marcellus Marshall, Glenville, W. Va.

C. C. Rounds, Farmington, Maine.

W. T. Harris, St. Louis, Mo.

Jas. S. Rollins, Columbia, Mo.

S. S. Laws, Columbia, Mo.

Paid $20.

J. P. Wickersham,* Harrisburgh, Pa. Paid $10.
Edward Brooks, Millersville, Pa.

J. R. Malone, Dallas, Texas.

Allen Armstrong, Sioux City, Iowa.

S. D. Beals, Omaha, Neb. Paid $20.

Mrs. M. A. Stone, New Milford, Conn. Paid $10.
James Cruikshank,* Brooklyn, N. Y.

Paid $10.

FOR VOLUME OF 1876.

W. T. Harris, St. Louis, Mo...........

J. P. Wickersham, Harrisburgh, Pa.........
W. F. Phelps, Whitewater, Wis.............

M. A. Newell, Baltimore, Md.....
J. H. Smart, Indianapolis, Ind........

Ga.........

15

..10

5

Alex. Forbes, Cleveland, Ohio......... B. Mallon, M. B. Sloan, Pittsburgh, Pa........................... Those names marked with an asterisk are of persons who were lifemembers on the oid basis of a payment of ten dollars, and who have chosen to add ten dollars more and become life-members on the new basis. The tally was kept by the reporter of the Baltimore Sun. Messrs. S. H. White and W. F. Phelps pledge $90 to their former payments, and thus become Life-Directors.

On motion of W. T. HARRIS, of St. Louis, the paper of J. W. HOYT, on the National University was continued to the next session of the Association. S. H. WHITE, of Illinois, moved that the papers of the Association be placed in the hands of the printer within one month.

E. E. WHITE, of Indiana, Chairman of the Committee on Resolutions, reported as follows:

Resolved, That the National Bureau of Education established by Congress in response to the petition of this Association, has more than met the expectation of the teachers of the United States.

Resolved, That the publications issued by the Bureau have been instrumental in awakening a more general interest in the subject of universal education.

Resolved, That as a connecting link between the various State systems of public schools, the Bureau is exerting an influence appreciated and acknowledged throughout the Union.

Resolved, That no other department of the general government (considering the small amount appropriated for its support), has done so much for the best interests of society.

Resolved, That all the teachers and friends of education in the United States should generously aid the Commissioner of Education, by promptly responding to all his calls for information, and by disseminating among the people the information furnished by the Bureau over which he presides. Resolved, That the Committee on the National University, appointed at the last meeting of the Association, is hereby continued, with authority to fill vacancies and add to its number.

Resolved, That the officers of the Association are entitled to the commendation of its members for the excellent programme and for the other arrangements, made for the success of the meeting.

Resolved, That the thanks of the National Educational Association are hereby returned to the Governor of Maryland, and the Mayor of Baltimore, for the hearty welcome and greeting extended in the name of the citizens of the State and City, and to the local committee for the admirable arrangements made for the meetings of the Association and the entertain

ment of its members, and especially to the teachers of Baltimore for the delightful boat excursion with its sumptuous collation.

Resolved, That next to liberty, education has been the great cause of the marvellous prosperity of the Republic in the first century of its history, and is the sure and only hope of its future. The highest concern and the grandest duty of the new century now opened, is the right education of every child born into American liberty.

The report was accepted.

On motion of J. H. SMART, of Indiana, the resolution of Maj. ROLLINS was adopted, and passed to the committee appointed to confer with the Bureau.

It was moved that the especial thanks of the Association be tendered to the Press for their courtesy. Also that the especial thanks of the Association are due to the following committee on the boat ride and collation::Miss E. A. BEAR, Miss S. S. RESE, Miss SUSIE BALDWIN, Miss ADELINE KENNY, MISS ANNIE MCBEE, Prof. WM. ELLIOTT, JR., Prof. D. H. HOLLINGSHEAD, and Prof. GEO. DUBREUIL.

The Minister of Education from the Argentine Confederation spoke as follows:

Mr. President, Ladies, and Gentlemen :

In the very remarkable speech delivered by the President of this Association we all heard words very complimentary to the Argentine Republic, and to its last President, SENOR SARMIENTO. I thank you most sincerely in the name of my country for this expression of friendship, coming as it does from a very distinguished American Educator, for our Argentine Educator; for many Americans know that SENOR SARMIENTO has devoted all his life to educational matters. From the school-room, he was sent to this country as its Diplomatic Representative, the Argentine government believing then as it now believes, that the secret of the happiness and greatness of the American people is closely connected with their system of education. When SENOR SARMIENTO was in this country a presidential election took place in the Argentine Republic, and he was elected to the Presidency by the unanimous vote of fourteen States, which office he honorably filled during six years, the duration of our presidential term.

When he was President he apppointed as Minister of Public Instruction, Dr. AVELLANEDA, a young man, 30 years of age, whom for his great talents and great achievements in behalf of education, the Argentine people called, at the expiration of SENOR SARMIENTO's term, to the Presidency of the Republic. You see, Mr. President, that these are facts that prove conclusively that the Argentine people know where to find their great benefactors, and what are the wants of a country ruled by Republican institutions. The cause of education is a national one in the Argentine Republic-and we always ask our public men to show their ability in educational affairs in preference to any other of national interest.

As a proof that Republican institutions are written not only in our laws, but also in our hearts, I have the very great pleasure to inform you, Mr. President, that your friend, SENOR SARMIENTO, after the expira