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I hope they will decide the latter, and but soon resumes-"Well, 'taint no use still, if things should set about whirling tryin to learn me nothin, for our folks into that position, perhaps we might says I talk grammar already jest like a scarcely be able to recognize our associ-schoolma'am, but you seem to think I ates by their new dress. But Mrs. P. never shall git red of my 'slang gramhad other claims upon my homage. She mar,' as you call it."

wished to place her daughters under my Now, dear friends, if you have the instruction, and she politely informed me courage to classify and correct all the that she had taken great pains to ascer-errors of Sally's last vociferation, with tain to whom she could safely confide the the least hope of ever improving her, I education of her daughters in the solid hope you will do so, and I am sure the branches. A little flattery, to be sure, angel spirits of all the lexicographers but then, the poor teacher gets so little since the days of Queen Anne, will whisof it that she scarcely sees into the se- er joy at your success; but as for me, cret in a moment. Well, Matty must I am so much more affected by the diffihave an hour for her music, Carrie for culty presented in the wart of corresher dancing master, and "Ma douce pe- nonding home influences, that I feel at tite Marie" for her French. Pity my present, as to my own prospect of success, poor trembling heart, how can I ever very much like the frog in the well, who thrust under a foundation solid enough hopped up two feet every day, and fell to support such an ornamental structure? back three every night. The current of my fears was slightly changed, however, when the mother re-. marked that she wished I would "teach them Whelpley's Compound.""

The carriage rolled away, and as the gilded equippage glittered and flashed in the morning rays I gathered up my courage for my task, and said somewhat soothingly to myself, "all is not gold that

shines."

B. F.

[For the Journal of Education. GRAMMATICAL MISTAKES, AND THE MEANS OF CORRECTING THEM.

TRULY a Herculean task presents itself in the work of correcting the grammatical errors which so distort our language, making it a living memento of Babei.But I see that Mary and Sally have And it demands a large proportion of finished their slate exercises, and are school labor to prevent gross violations now prepared to read. They have of philological principles: and hence it filled up and drawn out to learned length is a question of no small moment, how all the unjustifiable suppressions and this can be most effectually accomplished. contractions which they read in so stiff The first means which suggests itself, and formal a manner, that I feel obliged is, establishing Home Missionary Societo say that, though the organs of speech ties, for this would be sapping the noxmust truly embrace, and distinctly artic-ious weed at its roots. But who shall be ulate, every consonant sound, still eu-commissioned with acknowledged authorphony requires a great variety, both as to ity to enter the private home circle to fulness and quantity, in the emission of subvert long established usages? None vocal sounds. but the efforts of some loved inmate wo'd Poor Sally looks serious a moment, be deemed anobtrusive. The little child

E

in its innocent love of truth, can best re- it is of little use to suggest more graceful prove sin and rekindle pure aspirations. forms without showing how their style He must be the pioneer in this cause.— violates principles. As well might we School discipline must prepare him for expect to kill a tree by lopping off its the work. Upon the teacher then rests branches. They must study the conthe responsibility of improving or rather struction of sentences, see that the parts redeeming our language from the gross have certain relations to each other and perversions which so mar its beauty.- what those relations are, and how the Let him be faithful and delay not. Com-faulty use of language violates those remence in the highest department-the lations, and the remedy will suggest itPrimary. As the children gather in self. Take as an illustration, "It is groups to relate the wondrous stories him," an expression used by many who they have learned, or to pursue their claim considerable attainment in scholarplays, listen to the manner of expression. ship. Suggest, "It is he," and they Unobserved by them, note the inharmo- would think you had made the mistake.nious construction of their sentences. At "It is him," sounds best to them, and some time during the day call out that they believe it is right. What shall be little group and ask the one who commit-done? Analyze the sentence, "It" is ted the first error a question whose an- the subject. "Is him" is the predicate. swer will involve the same mistake. Then "Is," is the copula, and "he" is the attrilet him think if he can answer it in any bute. Rule 2nd requires the attribute to other way, and if he succeeds in getting be in the nominative case, and so the it right, put the two expressions on the pronoun must have the form of the nomboard and let him decide which is the inative. Is not this conclusive? Let better, and let them all write the one the erring one analyze each sentence he which is right. Let Charley, when he deforms, and he will soon find it is easier goes home tell his mother what a mistake to obey than to disregard grammatical be made, and that, now, he knows how laws. to speak that thought right, and thus he will correct that at home, where, probably, he first learned it. How many such commissions could we give each day?As many as pupils, if the teacher's skill can awaken all to think and be interestin this subject.

In the Primary and Secondary Departments, the correction of most mistakes will have to depend on the pupil's ear. But, even here, the child can and should be taught that there is a proper way of making sentences, and his ear will soon distinguish the euphony of a correct sentence.

For older classes, who have been long accustomed to using faulty expressions,

Some of the most noted violations oc

cur in the following list of sentences:

Every one is willing to excuse their own faults.

Aint you prepared for the exercise?
Helen seen John when he come.
Mary done all her sums without help.
Falsehood and deception is what we
should avoid.

Mother learned me to weave:

He had ought to be ashamed of such a sentence.

Laura laid down to sleep.

Tom sets still but Jim is pushin. The pail stood in the cellar which was full of water.

Which of the two is the best.

He could not succeed though he tried and the iron habits of false teachings, ever so hard.

He paid seven shillins for his cap. The above analytic principle it is believed, will be found efficient in successfully substituting for these uncouth expressions correct and graceful forms.The errors of pronunciation so common, among which are the suppression and change of elemental sounds, will be overcome by phonetic analysis. The teacher's ingenuity must be taxed for the means of strongly impressing those minds whose ears have become accustomed to the perverted use of language. For them a Censor would be useful. The true use of language, its relations to refinement in society and correct habits of thought, all that makes it a peculiar characteristic of reasonable beings, calls upon us to be vigilant in this department of our duty.

E. S.

would open its mouth and talk, and grow
large and muscular. Nature lights the
torch to discover the jewels in her vaults.
Society casts a shadow and the search is
abandoned and the bearer stumbles until
he
appears worshipping the author of his

fall.

If nature is angry, we tremble in her presence because she expresses it in

speech and movement. If sad, she weeps, and we too, because she appears sincere. If affrighted, she shrinks away, and we follow, convinced. If she laughs, how soon are we mirthful, and her joy always makes us gay. Carefully analyze and study the principle upon which this is founded.

My object in this note is to show that soul utterings, because we depart from we are imperfect in our elocution, or nature. This should be so impressed upon the young pupil, that he will, while forming a style, closely watch others in [For the Journal of Education.] all their expressions, and attentively lisNATURE OUR TEACHER IN ORATORY. ten while creation sings. The teacher

must possess the power to give to the elements of oratory-whatever department All have felt the power of nature's elo- of it he may attempt to teach, all the atquence. The thunder speaks, and the tractiveness of sunlight, upon which the grandeur of its utterance causes the heart child is never weary in gazing. Sounds to tremble and hope. After the sublime of language should be music, so much in orotund from the heavens, earth gives harmony with truth, so perfect in beauty gesture, and sound and silence meet.--that any other than a correct elocution The birds, the trees, the grasses, and the will be as impossible as the madness of a shining stars, are all eloquent and teach- star.

Waukesha, Wis.

A. A. G.

[For the Journal of Education. ITINERARY, (Concluded.)

ers of the true and beautiful in man's utterings. Music and oratory, which are twin sisters, should be studied in nature's sanctuary. Meekly interrogate and receive the response, listen to the voice returned. Birds never stutter, Stammer or crawl, and the tree and flower are erect During my stay in Jacksonville, I had and graceful. The former sing the song as the pleasure of visiting all the State Innature directs the latter look up to God. stitutions located there. An hour during A child, free from the shackles of custom religious services, was spent in the Chap

el of the Insane Asylum. The services the Deaf and Dumb. From some cause, of the day were conducted by Dr. Stur- to me unknown, that Institution was in tevant, the able President of the Illinois a very low state. Out of some 125 puCollege, who is their regular Chaplain.-pils, who were members of it less than a Perfect stillness reigned throughout the year since, only 27 were under instrucexercises, which consisted in singing. tion at the time of my visit, and they genprayer, and a short extemporaneous ad- erally of the poorer and less interesting dress. Only the more quiet are allowed class. They were without a Superinto attend upon this service, but to sit tendent, Mr. Officer, whose praise was in there, as I did, during the service, would the mouth of all, having left the Asylum convince any one that there is a religious a short time previous. Our own state element in man, which even insanity it has secured the services of a brother of self cannot wholly overturn or efface. Mr. O., in all respects a worthy man, as The gentlemanly Superintendent, Dr. Mc- the testimony of his acquaintances at Farland, formerly of the N. H. Asylum, Jacksonville goes to show. May he long well understands this, for, to use his own be spared the disgrace of a merely nomlanguage, "Even an Insane Asylum with-inal Deaf Mute Asylum. With the out religious worship, is a God-forsaken Blind it is far otherwise. Dr. Rhodes, place." an amiable and highly cultivated gentleA subsequent visit to the Asylum upon man, has charge of a large mumber of a week day gave me an opportunity of cheerful and well cared for pupils. Neatseeing the patients as they are. Their ness reigns there, and all her attendants, number is something over 200, of all ages. good order, cheerfulness and good health The whole building seems to be kept in are never strangers. It seemed to me perfect order, and yet the Superintendent that pupils could scarcely ask for a pleasis Physician, and Steward, and Farmer, anter home; if they could, they would and still finds time to devote to other certainly ask 'ong in vain. Pleasant is pursuits, as a look at a Corn-Planter of the memory of my visit to that Asylum. his invention, convinced mc. By the A large class were feeling their way thro' way, Mr. Editor, can you account for one the intricate problems of Euclid, with fact, which, perhaps you have observed, evident satisfaction and delight. Others that the insanity of the West is of a dif- were engaged in Bead Work, in the makferent type from that of the East? The ing of Brushes and Brooms. One hour patients are much more subdued and each day is given to drilling a class in quiet in their manner. Dr. McFarland Instrumental Music. A band of some said that he was constantly under the ne- ten or twelve performed some very difficessity of exciting western patients while cult Opera Music with great taste and those of the East needed constant re- good time. straint, though the apparent cause of the insanity might be the same, Illinois spending some time in these State Instimay well be satisfied with the manage- tutions, and learn by observation what is ment of her Insane. I wish it were in being done for the unfortunates of our my power to say the same of the Asylum for that class of unfortunates, who, having sound minds, can receive and impart An ignorant man resembles a hemlock information only through the fingers-which is dead at the top.

Let no one visit Jacksonville without

race.

J. L. P.

[From Annie Shipton's Whispers in the Palms."

WORDS.

Superintendent's Department.

LETTER OF HON. HENRY S. RANDALL.

Oh, never say a careless Word

Hath not the power to pain;

The shaft may ope some hidden wound,

That closes not again.

Weigh well those light-winged messengers;
God marked your heedless Word,

And with it, too, the falling tear,

The heart pang that it stirred.

CORTLAND VILLAGE, NEW YORK.
July 31st, 1835.

Hon. A. Constantine Barry, Superinten-
dent of Public Instruction:

DEAR SIR: Yours of 14th reached me to-day. My opinion is clear and decided

Words! what are Words? A simple Word, that the most perfect system of public in

Hath spells to call the tears,
That long have lain a sealed fount,
Unclosed through mournful years.

Back from the unseen sepulchre,

A Word hath summoned forth
A form-that hath its place no more
Among the things of Earth.

struction which can be devised in this country, is that which for a time Į revailed in this state, viz: a town superintendent in each town; one or more county superintendents in each county -- (say one for each Assembly district)--and a state superintendent. You are undoubt

Words-heed them well; some whispered edly aware of the duties of these several

one

Hath yet a power to fling

A shadow on the brow; the Soul
In agony to ring;

A name-forbidden, or forgot,

That sometimes, unawares, Murmurs upon our wakening lips,

And mingles in our prayers.

officers under our system, and the legal powers and judicial jurisdiction that was conferred on them. The last (which I believe has not been imitated by several states which imitated the mere form of having officers called by their names) was, if not the most important feature of the whole, at least that one without

Oh, Words!-sweet Words! A blessing which all the rest amounted to compar

comes

Softly from kindly lips;

Tender, endearing tones, that break

The Spirit's drear eclipse.

Oh, are there not some cherished tones
In the deep heart enshrined,
Uttered but once-they passed-and left
A track of light behind.

Words!-what are Words? Ah, knowest thou not

The household names of love?
The thousand tender memories

That float their graves above?
Long buried by the world's cold tread,
Yet mid the crowd they rise,
And smile, as Angel-guests would smile,
With gentle, earnest eyes.

atively nothing. You must clothe your school officers with authority if you wish them to have weight in the community and be looked up to; and then again, there can be no such thing as successful schools where any quarrelsome man in the state can plunge a school district into contention and litigation in the ordinary courts of law. Our laws did not prevent an aggrieved party in very many cases from going to a court of law.

But it opened another class of courts to him where there were no lawyers, no costs or fees, and no wire drawn technicalities; in short, where a man familiar with schools, and who ought to be famil

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