made him what he was, and enabled him so well to accomplish the work for which God raised him up -and do we not sympathize with the quiet confidence of his wife, when asked if during his long absences in such stirring times she were not wretched with anxiety, she replied, "I know that wherever George Washington is he is doing his duty, and thus I am calm." Happy and honored wife, successor of happy and honored parents. Who would not exert themselves to produce such fruits as these?

To rule a household well, and to rear children with the view of the early home being the nursery ground from which plants will be removed first to flourish as trees in the church on earth, and again to grow forever by the river of crystal, and under the glorious tree with its twelve manner of fruits, whose leaves are for the healing of the nationsthese are objects worthy of the noblest ambition, and the most indefatigable pains.

Prayerful teaching accompanied by the earnest eloquence of a full heart, and the original illustrations of a yearning spirit, never passes unrequited on this side the Atlantic or on that-in the wilderness on this side the Jordan, or on the glorious shores of the Promised Land.

Che Common Schools and Free Academy.

FROM observing the smiling crowd, which is to form the men and women of the succeeding generation, we turn naturally to the means of Education. In this department it is very pleasant to adopt the language at which one is apt to smile when you hear its mistaken application on some other subjects, and to say gladly, that "no country in the world" has a more just appreciation of the importance of universal instruction than the United States and also that the Eastern States, have been surpassed by "no country in the world," in the extent and energy of their educational schemes.

The knowledge which is reckoned necessary to every man, no matter what his business or position, and which forms the subject of instruction in the common schools, is to "spell accurately, read well, write legibly, understand the principles of grammar, have a fair knowledge of geography, arithmetic, and the history of the United States." One of the

annual reports of the Board of Education for the city and county of New York, gives its judgment on the subject thus-" The education of no citizen should fall below this standard, whether his interests and happiness as a man, or his influence as the head of a family, or a member of society be alone regarded," and at this object the Common Schools aim. It may be needful to state that the word "common," in the designation of the schools, does not mean schools for the common people, but schools, common to and suited for all. The basis of education is satisfactory so far as it goes; but while for the multitude this is as much as their destined occupations permit them to reach, for those whose prospects, ability, and leisure may induce them to desire to go further, more is wanting-and in consequence the Free Academy has recently sprung up in the city of New York, which receives youth who have attained all that the common school offers, and who wish to advance to classical, mathematical, and scientific studies. This Free Academy is founded by the city, and like the common schools, sustained by a self-imposed tax. The Board of Education took up the initiative in this matter-a committee was appointed to report, and ultimately a memorial was laid before the legisla

ture. By it an act was passed under which the institution was established, but with the provision that the question be submitted to the people at the ensuing school and judicial election. The result of this election is interesting as showing to which side the balance for ignorance or for instruction turns. There were votes for establishing the Free Academy 19,404, against it 3,409, giving the enormous and honorable majority in favor of instruction of 15,995 and thus the scheme went on, and the beautiful new edifice was opened in the beginning of 1849, with the following staff of professors :Mathematics and Natural Philosophy.

History and Belles Lettres.

Latin and Greek Languages and Literature.
Chemistry.

French Language.

Spanish.

German Language and Literature.
Drawing.

No government is so much in need of universal enlightenment, or so much in danger from popular ignorance as the republican. Each member of it ought by having a certain store of knowledge laid up in his own mind to be sheltered from the overpowering influences of eloquence, the hasty and un

weighed opinions of talking demagogues, and the misleading sympathies of popular cries. He requires to discern the liberal from the selfish, the just from the unjust. Not only his own but the general welfare is concerned in his being able to take a part in carrying on its government; he may be required to enact laws, or to aid in their execution when enacted. If he understands his own rights as a citizen, and those of his neighbors, and takes any part that may fall to him in carrying on the government, he will gain a useful ascendency, and may by means of superior cultivation become a help, an honor, and a blessing to his country. Therefore it is pleasant to consider that the largest proportion of those who enjoy the advantages of the Free Academy are sprung from parents who could not well afford to give them such an educationand that the only barrier against their admission, is deficient attainment in those lessons which they ought to have previously acquired in the Common School.

It is curious to remark the grounds of dissent from the plan of the Free Academy propounded by Horace Greeley-a kind of republican run mad, who objects to learning the dead languages, because science and art are of far greater practical im