and regard as secondary, though highly important, the contributions to science which we may thus make; first, by collecting the materials for scientific deductions; and secondly, by training up a race of philoso phers-lovers of wisdom, lovers of science, "who will be missionaries of science wherever their lot may be cast." This general suggestion applies very appropriately to the subject of Meteorology. Every one ought to be a Meteorologist. Not that every one ought to keep a minute Meteorological Register; but all ought to observe the phenomena of the sky, to study the phases and prognostics of storms, and to learn to read from the alphabet which God has kindly given us, "coming events" which "cast their shadows before." Frequently this knowledge is found to be of priceless value. But in this interesting branch of investigation, our efforts must be chiefly in view of the primary object, as above defined; indeed they must be exclusively so, except in the case of those who have instruments of the best quality, and time and patience to use them as they should be used. The set of instruments necessary for making the most valuable observations, are, a Barometer, a Thermometer, a Psychrometer, a Windvane, a Rain and a Snow Gauge. These can be procured of James Green, instrument maker, New York City, for fifty dollars, the entire set. And the Barometer at least, (probably all the instruments), can be procured of him of better quality, if not at a lower price than of any other man. His Barometers are especially desirable, having been made under the immediate direction of the Smithsonian Institution, with especial reference to accuracy. Instrumental observations, in order to have any value in themselves, must be made at definite intervals, at stated times each day, and for a long period; and in order to be of any material value, they must moreover be made and recorded at the time adopted by observers generally. This will require the observer to be with his instruments at 7 a. m., and at 2 and 9 p. m., every day, to record his observations. At the end of each month, if not before, these observations must be "corrected" by means of tables (furnished by the Smithsonian Institution, if returns of results are made to the Institution), and the daily and monthly "means" obtained. All this is a work of no small magnitude, if faithfully performed for a series of years, without interruption. Those who are thinking of undertaking it, should count the cost, and knowing the labor, cheerfully and perseveringly perform it, as a free will offering to Science. This class of observers have only to fill one of the blanks which each one has received, or may receive, and at the end of the month enclose the blanks thus filled, superscribed as follows, "Navy Department, Washington, D. C.," with the word "Meteorology" conspicuously written upon the envelop; mail this and proceed to fill another blank, and before the month expires, they will receive two blanks more from the Smithsonian Institution, one to be filled and returned, and the other to be retained by the observer. This will then be repeated each month if the observations are made and recorded with accuracy and care. But the expense of reducing the observations without instruments, and the difficulty of getting them into a form to compare with others, or to be of any practical value to science, renders it inexpedient for the Smithsonian Institution to attempt such a work for Ohio, at least since the general features of her Meteorological relations are already so well understood. And yet to the individual making and recording such observations, they will afford both pleasure and profit. The blanks which have been or may be forwarded to such, will be of service only as affording suggestions as to the nature of the observations, and the mode of recording them. The general suggestion made above, respecting the distinction to be kept in view between the primary and the secondary object of all these investigations, is applicable to the collection of geological and other specimens; to every branch of Natural History no less than to Meteorology. It should be remembered by those who are acquainted, only to a limited extent, with those branches of science, that if they are diligent in making collections, they are almost as likely to secure rare and valuable specimens as one who is well acquainted with them. Let this thought encourage them in their efforts, and let all who attend the next semi-annual meeting of our State Association, bring a liberal number of duplicates of all the specimens in their respective neighborhoods, and all may be assured of feeling amply rewarded for their time and labor. GRANVILLE FEMALE SEMINARY. S. N. S. THE GREAT ECLIPSE.-It is hoped that Teachers in every part of the State will call the attention of their pupils to the great annular eclipse of the sun, to occur between 3 and 4 o'clock P. M. on the 26th instant. Should the weather be favorable, it will be a phenomenon worthy of the attention of all. CHANGE OF THE SCHOOL LAW. An act to amend an act, entitled "an act to provide for the organization, supervision and maintenance of Common Schools," passed March fourteenth, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three. SEC. 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That section sixty-three of the act entitled "an act to provide for the reörganization, super. vision and maintenance of Common Schools," passed March fourteenth, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, be and hereby is so amended, as to read as follows: Section 63. For the purpose of affording the advantage of a free education to all the youth of this State; the State common school fund shall hereafter consist of such sum as will be produced by the annual levy and assessment of one and one-half mill on the dollar valuation, on the grand list of the taxable property of the State; and there is hereby levied and assessed annually, in addition to the revenues required for general purposes, the said one and one-half mills upon the dollar valuation, as aforesaid, and the amount so levied and assessed, shall be collected in the same manner as other State taxes, and when collected, shall be annually distributed to the several counties of the State, in proportion to the enumeration of scholars, and be applied exclusively to the support of common schools. SEC. 2. That section sixty-three, of the act to which this is amendatory, be, and the same is hereby repealed. F. C. LE BLOND, Speaker of the House of Representatives. May 1st, 1854. President of the Senate, pro tem. APPROPRIATIONS FOR TEACHERS' INSTITUTES. It is very important to the prosperity of our schools, that the practice of making an appropriation from the county treasury to aid in defraying the expenses of Teachers' Institutes, should be adopted in every county as soon as possible. We trust that Teachers, School Examiners and active friends of edu cation will take the necessary steps to bring this subject before the Commissioners in each county previous to their June session; and believe that if the proper measures are taken, an appropriation may be secured. The following form of Petition may be issued. To the Commissioners of· County: The undersigned Teachers of Common Schools, and permanent residents in County, hereby declare it to be our bona fide intention to attend the Teachers' Institute to be held in this county in -next. J We therefore respectfully pray you to appropriate at your June session, the sum of dollars, for the benefit of said Institute, in accordance with the law for the encouragement of Teachers' Institutes. Swan's Revised Statutes, page 862.-See also Ohio Journal of Education, Vol. iii. p. 123. FORM OF OBLIGATION TO THE SCHOOL EXAMINERS. County, We the undersigned resident Teachers of Common Schools, in agree to pay to the School Examiners of said county, the sums opposite our respective names, to be by them expended for the benefit of a Teachers' Institute, to be held in this county in the month of -next. (Date.) (Names.) CIRCULATION OF THE JOURNAL. The first and second columns in the following Table, exhibit the circulation of the Journal, in the several counties in Ohio, at the close of those volumes, and the third the present circulation of the current volume: Counties. Adams... Athens ..... 0 1 20 Henry ... 0 27 94 5 Carroll...... 27 Champaign. 5 19 10 Clark..... 14 17 12 22 37 55 Clinton 3 2 6 Preble 21 26 Putnam..... 1 20 8 Tuscarawas. Butler ...... 14 10 Columbiana. 35 51 38 ........ 58 40 23 .... ..... 67 20 Highland Licking. 44 47 37 ..... Logan .... Mercer.. 2 2 15 .... 30 30 35 ..... ..... 9 3 2 3 0 0 1 18 26 23 1 2 0 Montgomery 66 52 40 Geauga... 6 6 1 Morgan..... 13 12 13 Greene 62 60 42 Morrow..... 9 32 3 Guernsey ... 25 42 62 || Muskingum. 53 88117 Totals....1285 1920 1.520 PLASTER BLACK-BOARD.-The black surface in the Hughes' High School at Cincinnati, and in the school house just erected in Columbus, is made by the following Recipe.-Mix lime and sand as for hard finish, with as much plaster of Paris as will set well: add lampblack mixed with sour beer or rye whisky, until it assumes a slate color-say about one pound of lampblack for twelve square yards of surface. While putting on the composition, it should be wet with a brush and rubbed with a hand-float till it is perfectly smooth. A surface of a slate color is much preferable to one of black. DOOR MATS.-Nearly every kind of mats has been tried in the Public Schools of Columbus, and the rope mats (made of oakum), are found the most durable. On page 27 of this volume, a cheap kind of scraper is described. HAT BOXES, ETC.-One of the most convenient modes of disposing of the hats and bonnets of scholars, is to construct a range of boxes, (similar to those found in the ante-rooms of concert halls), about 12 inches square, and some 14 inches deep. These can be placed on one side of the hall or passage leading to each school room, or on one side of the school room if there be no hall or ante-room, and will occupy but very little space; while the advantages of having them are not easily enumerated. Every teacher, and every parent knows the liability to having the clothes, especially of small children, torn when they are hung upon hooks or nails. A few dollars spent in constructing such boxes, will in a single year, save once or twice the expense, in the "wear and tear" of the hats, caps, etc., of a school. This number has been delayed for the purpose of publishing the changes of the School Law, should any be made by the Legislature. By the Act published on page 154, it will be seen that the only change is the reduction of the tax for School purposes from two to one and a half mills on the dollar. The Library tax was not repealed. The Teachers' Institutes have been well attended this Spring, as will be seen by the statistics under that head. One of the most interesting incidents connected with the Institutes, is the fact, that School Examiners have generally attended them, thus manifesting their sympathy with the Teachers and their appreciation of the efforts they are making for professional improvement. The Report of the Secretary of State on Common Schools for 1853, is printed, but has not yet been published for distribution. We shall endeavor to give a summary of its contents in the next number. Correspondence. CHILLICOTHE: UNION SCHOOL FAIR AND SUPPER.-It was our privilege a few évenings since to witness one of the most imposing spectacles which we have ever beheld in connection with the cause of schools. Almost every room in connection with the "Central School Building," including the "Lecture Hall," with an area of nearly 2500 square feet was densely crowded with human beings who had convened for the purpose of participating in the exercises of the Union School Fair, held for the purpose of founding a "Union School Library" for the benefit of the youth of the Public Schools of Chillicothe. It is estimated that nearly a thousand persons attended. Parents of every rank met on a common level: the humblest seemed to thank God in his heart for the system which placed him in a position in which he acknowledged no superior. His heart seemed to leap at the idea that his children enjoy equal privileges and share the same honors as the children of the wealthiest; while the indiscriminate choice of companions which marked the deportment of the offspring of both, seemed to rebuke for the time the haughty spirit of those who are disposed to say to their humble neighbors "Stand there, for I am holier than thou." Youth and beauty, silk and satin, hope and age were all mingled together, with eyes sparkling, hearts glowing, and faces radiant with significant smiles, betokening the satisfaction all felt at the unthought of and incomparable achievements of the indomitable Teachers of the "Ancient Metropolis." Every visiter seemed to realize the importance of the project, which was evinced by the cheerfulness with which each contributed freely his proportion of the "material aid." The net proceeds of the whole affair reach nearly $500, including sixty or seventy volumes of books, estimated at $75. Such is the basis of the Union School Library of Chillicothe. Should the subsequent efforts of its friends be as suc cessful as their first, a library will soon be established which will vie with the best in the State. The affair is in the highest degree creditable to Mr. L. E. W. Warner, the worthy Superintendent—and his noble corps of Teachers, who were the planners and executors of the whole. The articles exhibited at the Fair-mostly the work, manship of the female teachers, whose indefatigable exertions have won for them an enviable renown-exhibited great taste and skill. May their laudable |