regularly used at the meeting of the Institute. When this plan can be carried out successfully, no other music is desired.

RECESS. Every opportunity for improvement should be embraced at an Institute, and the recess may be made to contribute largely to this end. Teachers, of all other persons, need to cultivate their social habits. The recess is a favorable opportunity to form acquaintances and improve the conversational powers. Those who are well acquainted with the members, should be attentive in introducing those who are not. Each one should endeavor to guard

* Extract of a letter from Alexander Clark, Editor of "School Visitor." -One thing, however, does occur to me as a point much neglected, and it is of great value in the management and utility of Teachers' Institutes-viz., Sociality.

I attended an Institute not long since, where about one hundred teachers were assembled. Very few had ever met before in the same relations. The several lectures were able, and somewhat practical. The teachers seemed to be interested. Yet, when the hour for adjournment came, at noon or night, each one would course his lonely way silently to his room. The lectures were long, and the faces were long. There was no genial spirit abroad to happify and to bless. Theories and technicalities took the place of smiles and song. And the time began to grow weary, until a teacher with a heart proposed to substitute a half-hour in social intercourse instead of a lecture. He struck the right key. The idea was new, but it was reasonable and right, and it was agreed to unanimously. Such another shaking of hands and general acquaintance-making I never saw. It was the most profitable half-hour of the whole week. There seemed to be more life and love and earnestness in every subsequent exercise. I think, sir, if you should suggest the propriety of such an exercise, as the cultivation of our social faculties at Teachers' Institutes, you would be faithfully remembered.

against a stiff and awkward reserve on the one hand, or being too loud and familiar on the other. The movements should be graceful, the tones of the voice pleasant, the countenance open, and the heart full of the desire to make everybody agreeable and happy.

MISCELLANEOUS.-It is sometimes the practice to have the roll called at the close of the evening session, and to have each member respond by rising and offering a sentiment. This usually creates considerable interest, and if all would seek good and noble sentiments, or even true wit, it might be advisable. But the tendency to give those which will create merriment is so great, that it frequently descends to buffoonery, and its propriety is questionable, unless under very skillful guidance.

The query-box is another means of exciting interest. A box is provided, into which queries upon some useful and interesting topics are dropped, and at a stated time each day it is opened, and a half-hour devoted to reading and answering them. It should always be under the charge of the executive committee, who should exercise a strict censorship over its contents, and allow no irrelevant or improper queries to be read.

The "old and new school" is another means of entertainment combined with instruction. Some teacher who understands human nature pretty well, calls out a class of scholars, and proceeds to hear their lessons on the old stereotype method, and main

tains order on the autocratic plan. Then he is followed by one who teaches a class by the "better way," maintaining authority without seeming to do so. Reading and spelling are very good subjects to treat in this way. It is a means of exciting much merriment, and of impressing a useful lesson upon the minds of those who are ignorant of the improvements being made in methods of instruction. A halfhour in the early part of the evening may be thus employed very profitably.

FORM OF CONSTITUTION,

THE following brief form of Constitution is presented as a guide in organizing an Institute. Several provisions have been omitted, which might very properly find a place in such an instrument, but which are not absolutely necessary to the efficient working of such an organization. The greater the simplicity in laws and ceremonies, in an Institute as in a school, the better.

Art. I. This Institute shall be known as the Teachers' Institute.

Art. II. The object of this Institute shall be, the improvement of its members in the science of teaching, and in the most approved practice; the diffusing of information upon the system of Common School Education among the people, and promoting harmony of feeling; and the greatest possible advancement in scientific and general information.

Art. III. Any teacher or friend of education may become a member of this Institute by subscribing to the Constitution, and paying an annual fee of ——.

Art. IV. The regular meetings of this Institute

shall be held

in each year, at such times and places as shall be fixed by the Executive Committee.

Art. V. The regular officers of this Institute shall be a President, three Vice-Presidents, a Secretary and Assistant Secretary, a Treasurer, an Auditor, and an Executive Committee, and shall be elected annually, on the first day of the first session in each year.

Art. VI. It shall be the duty of the President, and in his absence, a Vice-President, to preside at all meetings of the Institute, decide points of order, preserve due decorum, and regulate the exercises according to a programme furnished him by the Insti

tute.

Art. VII. It shall be the duty of the Secretaries to keep a faithful record of the proceedings of the Institute, take down an abstract of the instruction, debates, essays, and lectures, record the report of the Auditor, and prepare certificates of membership.

Art. VIII. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to keep an account with the Institute of all moneys received and paid out, and to settle his accounts with the Auditor at the expiration of his term of office.

Art. IX. It shall be the duty of the Auditor to examine the accounts of the Treasurer, and report to the Institute the condition of the treasury on the last day of the last session of the year.

Art. X. It shall be the duty of the Executive