hovel, and amid a coarse and vulgar people, that she might do good to her scholars, whom she had learned to love! And there, with that little group before me, and the storm howling around me, I resolved, from that time, I would let my interest for my scholars be so great, that I should labor cheerfully in the face of every trial.

Teachers, I have penned this simple, yet truthful, story, that you may see there can be good done, even if you do not have a new warm school-house, if you do have to "board round," and leave your "Sunday bonnet" in one place, and "Sunday shoes" in another. Let us take hold, determined to shed a ray of sunshine around the darkest school-room, by kind and faithful care. Let the thoughts that we are shaping human minds, and laying the foundation for their usefulness, nerve us to every duty.

I shall never think of that "Old Log School-House," and its occupants, without feeling a new impulse to do my duty. And, although I must confess that I still think it "a cage" by no means worthy of the bird I found in it, still I am glad it was just such a miserable, leaky old pile of ruins, for it taught me a lesson of "forbearance," and if that "youthful schoolmarm,” who so nobly toiled in it for four months, should chance to see these lines, I hope she will accept my thanks for teaching me one of FAITHFULNESS." J. T. D.

A WORD TO TEACHERS. Permit me, through the Journal, to suggest to teachers of Common Schools, the propriety of holding a public examination, or exhibition, at the close of the winter term.

This, I suppose, is already practiced, to some extent, in the State, and I think it but requires a fair trial, to convince all of the benefit that would be derived, were such a plan generally pursued.

That I may not be understood as advocating a practice that will not bear the test of reason, I will briefly state why I consider it beneficial.

First; it will tend to secure an increased interest in the school on the part of the patrons. It is an unmistakable fact that, so far as personally visiting schools is concerned, the parents-at least in this part of the State-are lamentably remiss, and I think any plan that will serve to awaken them to a sense of their duty in this respect, and otherwise benefit the school, is worthy a trial.

Second; the pupils, understanding there is to be such an examination at the close of the school, will, naturally, be incited to greater exertion, that they may not fail to make a favorable impression upon the minds of their parents and friends, and receive from them, the award due to exertion and merit.

Lastly; the teachers, themselves, would, perhaps, be induced to pursue a somewhat different course than they otherwise would -not that they will fail to do all in their power, for the advancement of their charge-but here would be a new incentive, which, united with the desire-and that a laudable desire to have their scholars pass a commendable and satisfactory examination, will, of itself, be a reward worth the seeking.

The examination, of course, could not be as minute, as under more favorable circumstances, but a review of the different branches pursued in school, trials in reading and spelling, and exhibitions of penmanship, would give a very good idea of the progress that has been made during the term, and serve to pass away a half-day pleasantly to all, and, were such a course generally pursued, it would be no difficult task for the parents to "keep track" of their children's advancement, otherwise than from their calls for " new books."

Teachers, what say you to the suggestion here made. Does it coincide with your views, and, if so, shall it receive a trial?

E. R. T.

'Tis strange how Fortune oftimes lures her rosy darlings on, And makes them sufferers while they live, and heroes when they're gone The jealous dame but dealeth right, and history ceaseth never

To show that self decays with self; but good deeds live forever.

GEORGE SUMNER.

THE FALL INSTITUTES.

We regretted our inability to attend this series of Institutes, held by the Secretary of the Board of Education, during the month of November, in the Counties of Grand Isle, Franklin, Lamoille, Washington, Caledonia, Orleans, and Essex.

Notice of the one held at Morrisville, appeared in the last number. Of those held at South Hero and Bakersfield, we have heard nothing. With reference to the others, we are able to lay before our readers the following notices:

TEACHERS' INSTITUTE AT DANVILLE.-A goodly number of common school-teachers and friends of education assembled on this occasion; and, from what we saw and heard, we came to the conclusion that Danville contains a large number of persons whose sympathies are enlisted in the cause of education. The Congregational Church, notwithstanding the unfavorable state of the weather, was well filled in the evening, and the sessions at the Academy during the day were well attended.

Much interest was apparently felt on the part of the citizens, to entertain free of charge all the members of the Institute, and we really thought, for the time being, it would have been a luxury for them to have the common school teachers of that county test their "large benevolence" to the utmost. We also thought that the teachers could not afford to deprive themselves, either of the pleasure of their hospitality, or the benefit of the Institute.

After Sec. Adams had spoken of the means best adapted for the improvement of teachers, he urged the claims of the Vermont School Journal. The Superintendent, A. W. Preston, Esq., and others, immediately made an effort to secure one hundred copies. of the Journal.

Sec. Adams, at this, as well as at the other Institutes held this season, showed that his interest in the improvement of our schools has not in the least abated, but he evidently appeared to be more than ever impressed with the importance of the subject, and to put forth a corresponding effort to elevate the standard of common school education, and we hope the time is not far distant when both parents and teachers will feel that the art of training a child to act well his part in the great drama of life, is of more importance than dollars and cents. S.

INSTITUTE AT COVENTRY.-The Teachers' Institute commenced at Coventry, as was advertised, on Tuesday, November 22d.

Owing however to the storm, but few were present the first day, but during the second, teachers and friends of Education came in from all parts, making the largest assembly of the kind ever convened in the county; a fact truly indicating the increasing interest of the public in our schools; a result sure to follow the ardent zeal and untiring perseverance of the able and efficient Secretary of the Board.

The exercises consisted of lectures by the Secretary, upon the best methods of teaching Geography, Arithmetic, and Reading, with many valuable hints upon school discipline, which were given in his usual off-hand and interesting style. During the session, interesting and useful ideas were suggested upon the various topics, by P. H. White, S. R. Hall, A. R. Gray, T. Bayne, and M. J. Hill. Two evenings were occupied by Mr. Adams in an able discussion of the present school law, but I am sorry to say that the great portion of tax payers in the vicinity failed to attend, and thus lost much valuable information upon an important subject.

The Institute, upon the whole, was a decided success, and was said by Mr. Adams to be one of the pleasantest he had ever attended in the State, a fact which should greatly encourage the friends of the cause, and arouse them to greater exertions in this noble and glorious enterprise. D. M. CAMP, 2d, Sec'y.

TEACHERS' INSTITUTES.-The series of Teachers' Institutes, for the present season, was closed by the one at Williston, on Tuesday and Wednesday of the present week. We learn from a gentleman who was in attendance, a good part of the time, at Williston, that a good degree of interest was manifested by the people in the neighborhood, and that teachers were present from various parts of the County. The Congregational Church, where the meetings were held, was well filled in the day-time, and crowded in the evenings.

Lectures were given by Mr. Secretary Adams (ably assisted by Mr. Conant of our own Union School), illustrative of the best methods of teaching the various branches required to be taught in Common Schools, and on School Government. These Lectures were listened to, we are told, with an increasing interest, and by an increasing audience, until the close. The amount of useful suggestion and stirring impulse, as well as solid instruction, which the Secretary manages to embody in his lectures is surprising. If Superintendents and Teachers were aware of the value of the Institutes, and of the deep interest felt in the exercises by all who attend them, no ordinary difficulties would keep them away. They cannot fail to profit, in many ways, anybody

(man, woman, or child) who attends them. It is a pity that any Teachers in the County have failed to attend the one just closed. Their Schools will be thereby deprived of an advantage to which they have a right.

It is strange that Superintendents do not look to this. They ought to attend without fail, and take their Teachers with them.— Doing this once, would secure their doing it again. We hope that any of our readers, under whose eye this paragraph may fall, will "make a note on't," and when the season comes round again, make his plans to attend the Teachers' Institute.-Free Press.

The Resolutions passed by the Coventry Institute, will appear in the next number, as they betoken a commendable interest in the cause of Education, in that section of the State.

In reference to the remarks of the Free Press in relation to the attendance of teachers on the Institutes, we would say that we met one teacher at Underhill, who took time to attend the County Meeting, with whom the committee made an express bargain, when hiring him, that he should not attend the Institute at Williston! Teachers that permit themselves to become parties to such bargains, are usually careful not to give that as the true reason of their nonattendance; but, from some remarks that have come to our ears, we are forced to believe that not a few similar bargains have kept other teachers from partaking of the advantages of these Institutes, which the State provides and pays for, for their express benefit.

CHITTENDEN CO. TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.

The fourth semi-annual session of this Association was held at Underhill Flats, Dec. 16th and 17th, 1859, Rev. J. H. Worcester, President, in the chair.

FRIDAY MORNING.

After singing by the congregation and prayer by Rev. Mr. Tracy, of Jericho, the "Rev. Father Parmelee" delivered the Opening Address. This address was replete with those reminiscences of our State's early history, that excellent counsel bearing the imprint of mature age and large experience, and those just views of the real objects of life, which can only be heard