Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by

JAMES ROBINSON & COMPANY,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

LITHOTYPED BY THE AMERICAN STEREOTYPE COM ANY,

PHOENIX BUILDING, BOSTON.

EDITORS' PREFACE.

THIS little work, which the publishers have already ventured to call a periodical, is now offered to the friends of education in the United States, with the hope that it will be accepted as some return for the encouragement extended to the original plan. That something of this kind can be annually arranged as a Year-Book, and be made positively useful as a medium for circulating valuable and interesting statistical information, connected with the mighty school-interest embodied in the relations of one hundred and ten thousand teachers to more than three and a half millions of pupils, in the United States, is obvious. And the task of compiling and arranging these pages has convinced us that such information, however desirable, not only lies outside of the range of any previous publication of this sort, but must necessarily be utterly inaccessible to a great majority of those who would be most likely to value it.

It was not originally intended that the notices of the educational systems of the different States should occupy so large a part of the work. But, in the preparation, the materials accumulated; and, viewing the Year-Book for 1857 as one of a series, it seemed, on the whole, to be well to present in detail so much of the past history, and of the present condition, of each State's school system, as would afford a groundwork for future observation. Errors concerning some of the States may possibly be found in this portion, either from incomplete examination of the records, or because recent legislation may have changed more or less of the system; such matters of incorrect statement, or of omission, may be readily remedied, when pointed out or discovered. As far as practicable, each system has, at least, been allowed to tell its own story; and, as

annalists, we have almost forborne to draw any comparisons. The accounts may show similarity enough to indicate complete identity of design, and dissimilarity enough to furnish material for investigation. It is, certainly, proper subject for philanthropic analysis to see how out of the locale and habits of different sections of a common people have grown different methods for accomplishing precisely the same object, the commonwealth's prosperity and the individual's advantage!

There is one difference which may here be noted; that many of the States, Massachusetts among the Eastern, North Carolina of the Southern, Delaware of the Middle, and Wisconsin of the Western States, certainly representing all the territorial conditions, provide for free schools, ultimately or at present, for rich and poor; that is, they assess the property to pay for public schooling. Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Michigan, corresponding to the others, are representative States of the plan of requiring or allowing a portion, at least, of the public school support to be assessed on the persons reaping the advantage. This radical difference is full of significance; and may properly elicit much inquiry. It is possible, but not quite likely, that each method is best suited to its locality. At all events, comparison and investigation may lead to a more perfect arrangement, in either case.

The Teachers' Directory, we are constrained to present much less complete than it should have been made. All due diligence has been used to secure reliable information; and, while we heartily acknowledge indebtedness to the friends, especially in the West, who have so forwarded our plans, we regret that others nearer at hand, to whom an appeal was sent, could not find it in their will or power to aid us. It is true that very many most valuable instructors can scarcely be considered as permanently employed, or professional teachers. This idea of a thorough enrolment of the regular forces of the educational army is not a new one. Incomplete as our returns will be found, we can yet say, that this is the best yet done in the same direction, and it is certain to be easily improved upon by repetition of the effort.

The monthly calendar could not, of course, within our limits, be adapted to all latitudes and longitudes. It is, therefore, calculated for the vicinity of Boston. Teachers, at least, know how to make it fulfil the condition

answer for all

affirmed in the Almanacs of the olden time, and make it " places north of the equator.". The rest of the world must speak for itself. Our best hope is, that the whole will serve rather to open than to fill the place of an American Educational Year-Book, such as no friend of the cause will consent to be without, much more extended in quantity, vastly superior in quality, and just suited to the greatness of the interests it shall offer to serve.

One word for the publishers. Without reference to immediate remuneration they have issued this number; and have already made partial arrangements to publish, a year hence, a larger work on a somewhat similar plan, and, especially, more complete as a Teachers' Directory. They, therefore, thus early solicit the coöperation of the friends of education, far and near; and desire to receive copies of all State Reports, and School Laws, and other documents calculated to throw light upon the progress or condition of the cause. And every teacher's address, forwarded before October next, will appear in its proper place.

SOMERVILLE, MASS., November 20, 1856.

A. R. POPE.

There will be only two Eclipses this year, both of the Sun.

I. A total Eclipse of the Sun, March 25th. In all that part of the United States west of the meridian of Washington, or of longitude 77° west of Greenwich, the Eclipse will be partial and visible, but east of Washington, the Eclipse will be invisible.

II. An annular Eclipse of the Sun, September 17th, at about midnight in the United States, and hence invisible.

MORNING AND EVENING STARS.

Venus will be Evening Star until May 10th, then Morning Star the remainder of the year. Mars will be Evening Star until June 7th, then Morning Star the rest of the year. Jupiter will be Evening Star until April 11th, then Morning Star until November 3d. Saturn will be Evening Star until July 10th, then Morning Star the rest of the year.

CHRONOLOGICAL CYCLES.

Dominical Letter, D; Golden Number, 15; Jewish Lunar Cycle, 12; Epact 4; Solar Cycle, 18; Roman Indiction, 15; Julian Period, 6570; Age of the World, by Biblical Chronology, 5860.

Leap years, generally, are those which are exactly divisible by 4. But the centennial years are not so considered, unless the number of the year is divisible by 400. Thus, the year 1900 will not be a leap year; but the year 2000

will be.

LEGAL RATES OF INTEREST IN THE UNITED STATES.

In California, the legal rate is 10 per cent. In Alabama and Texas, it is 8 per cent. In New York, South Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, and Wisconsin, it is 7 per cent. In Louisiana, it is 5 per cent. In all the other States, it is 6 per cent.

RATES OF POSTAGE IN THE UNITED STATES.

Letter postage, for a parcel not exceeding half an ounce (avoirdupois), sent in the mail not exceeding 3000 miles, is 3 cents; over 3000 miles, 10 cents; always to be prepaid. Drop letters (not mailed), 1 cent. Ship letters, not in regular mails, 2 cents. Each newspaper, periodical, unsealed circular, or other printed matter, not exceeding 3 ounces in weight, within the United States, 1 cent. Periodicals and newspapers paid quarterly, in advance, one half the usual rate. Any writing upon a newspaper or periodical, other than the address, renders it liable to letter postage. It is illegal (penalty $10) and dishonest, to send letters addressed to different persons in one envelope, or package, except to persons in foreign countries.

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