expense, and have the collection made in time for the Treasurer to pay all bills before the final adjourument. It is, however, the best policy, as there is always considerable expense attending the operations of an Institute, to have an annual tax on all alike, whether old or new members. The committee should attend to the collection of this tax, and should issue certificates which will constitute a receipt for its payment, and will be evidence to school-officers of membership and attendance. A neat phraseology, with an appropriate device printed upon card-paper, is a very convenient form. Each certificate should be signed by the President, and countersigned by the Secretary. This certificate will also be convenient in case railroad companies grant reduction of fare to members, as a means of identifying them.

AUDITOR.-The Auditor has to examine and decide upon the accounts of the Financial Committee and the Treasurer, and make his report to the Institute. When this report has been accepted and passed, it should be entered upon the Secretary's book.

COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTIONS.-It is usual for an Institute to pass, before adjournment, a series of resolutions expressive of its feelings and sentiments. As these resolutions are usually published, it becomes a very convenient means of directing public attention to any needed improvements, and of leading the sentiment of the community in the right direction. These resolutions should be thoroughly meditated

2*

and carefully drawn, avoiding all matters calculated to excite odium, unless needed to correct existing abuses, or to inaugurate needed reforms. This committee should hold a meeting early in the session, and take the proper steps to have the resolutions perfected and adopted in committee, without being compelled to resort to unusual haste.

COMMITTEE OF RECEPTION.-The members of this committee should attend to the arrangement and seating of members of the Institute and spectators, should give all information desired to new members, and look after the general interests. It is also the business of this committee to furnish the Secretary with lists of the names and residences of the teachers, and should keep them revised from day to day as new members arrive.

TOWNSHIP OR DISTRICT INSTITUTES.

TOWNSHIP OR DISTRICT INSTITUTES.-These are formed by the teachers of a single township, or by a union of the teachers of two or three contiguous townships. They are held weekly or semi-weekly, and are designed for the mutual improvement of the members in the studies which they are teaching, for comparing their methods of instruction and government, and for their advancement in general information.

The place of meeting is in some cases permanent, at some central point; in others it is changed from week to week, so as to visit all parts of the section embraced. It is doubtless the better policy to have a regular place of meeting. The time of meeting is either in the evening or on Saturday. A plan which is sometimes adopted, and which, if judiciously conducted, will result in much good, is for all the schools to be closed on Saturday except the one where the Institute is to meet, and that is kept open during the forenoon of that day. The teachers all assemble there in the morning and witness the operations of that school for a half day, and in the afternoon at

tend to the business of the Institute. By circulating in this way through the different schools, opportunity is afforded for observing the practical ability displayed by each teacher, and much valuable information is thereby gained.

For cities and villages a permanent organization can be made, similar to that adopted in the County Institutes; but for the rural districts, where the school-term is short and there is frequent change of teachers, a temporary organization from one meeting to another may be adopted, selecting some one of the citizens to act as chairman. Care should always be exercised, however, to have the order of exercises reported before adjournment for the next succeeding meeting, so that those who are appointed for special duty may have opportunity to prepare themselves upon the subjects assigned. The following order of exercises will suggest the course to be pursued:

Programme for Friday evening, Jan. 31, 1862.

1. Calling roll of members, and responding by senti

ments.

2. Singing...

3. Class-drill, conducted by Mr. A

4. Select reading by Miss B

MINUTES

5. Singing.

5

6. Sub-lecture on Map-drawing by Mr. C

10

10. Answering questions from the "Query-box"... 20

10

5

35

It is expected that the older scholars of the several schools and the parents will attend these Institutes. The exercises will not only afford entertainment and instruction to spectators, but will demonstrate the utility of such associations, and show the progress which is being made in the science of teaching.

Care should be exercised by every member to cultivate a friendly feeling, and to foster the spirit of forbearance and courtesy. He should aim to be prompt and regular in attendance, and always be prepared to perform the part assigned him. As it is a purely voluntary association, it must have the hearty sup port of all, to be eminently prospered.