The Chaplain of the Prison, the Rev. Mr. Warner, is a most excellent man. He preached a very plain and earnest sermon, showing what people must do to be saved. He is a stranger to me, but I loved him for the kind and faithful manner in which he preached the gospel to those spirits in prison. He has a hard task to perform. May God bless the good man.

Eight or ten of the prisoners profess to have become christians, since they came to the Penitentiary. I wish that all of them might repent of their wickedness, and become disciples of our dear Redeemer. Jesus Christ forgave the penitent malefactor, who, in dying, cried to Him for mercy. And He will forgive all who truly repent of their sins, and believe on Him.

But not many of the prisoners think much about religious matters. They have formed such bad habits, and their minds are so full of evil thoughts, that it is not likely that a great many of them will ever be any better than they are now. And this shows us that if people are not good when they are children, they probably never will become good men and women.

When the services were concluded, one of the guards came along and knocked on the floor with his heavy cane, and one row-about fifty -of the prisoners arose and marched out of the room. Then another of the guards marched out another row. Thus they went on till all that vast muititude were locked up, each one in his gloomy cell, there to remain till the next morning.

There is now in prison a little boy, not yet fourteen years old. He committed burglary; that is, he broke into a house in the night, and committed robbery. I do not know about this boy's history, but I dare say that when he went to school he was a very bad pupil, inattentive to his books, saucy, disobedient, and troublesome to his Teachers. I dare say that he used often to be tardy in getting to school,-that he whispered whenever he got a chance,-that he was selfish and unkind, and, in many other respects, a naughty boy. And he went on from bad to worse, till he soon worked his way to the State Prison. And if there are any boys now in school who disobey their Teachers, and quarrel with their school-mates, I fear that they will soon join the little burglar in the Penitentiary.

Mr. Warner has promised to write an article for the Journal of Education about the school which is taught in the Prison, and I dare say that it will be very interesting.

Next month I will try to write you a longer and better letter than this. Good-by. EDITOR.

VIEWS AND REVIEWS.

N. B. We shall notice such books only as may be presented for examination and review, except in instances when we believe that the interests of our readers would be promoted by a deviation from this rule. We can not promise an immediate attention to all books which we may receive, and must be governed by the condition of our columns, and by our ability to command time.

WORCESTER'S ACADEMIC DICTIONARY. Boston: HICKLING, SWAN & BROWN.

This is an enlarged edition of the "Comprehensive Dictionary," by Dr. WorCESTER. It has been prepared with great care and erudition. There are two classes of readers of this Journal. One adopt the peculiarities of Webster, the other, those of Worcester. These two parties often "wax valiant in fight" for their respective authors, and it is not probable that the Websterians will express any excess of admiration for the work that we here notice. We would, however, recommend it to the examination of all. In our opinion it possesses many great excellencies, which scholars of both parties will cheerfully acknowledge. Besides the Dictionary proper, it gives the pronunciation of Greek, Latin, and Scripture Proper names,-Common Christian names, with their signification,-Geographical names,-Abreviations used in writing and printing, -Phrases and Quotations in Latin, French, Italian, and Spanish, -the deities of Greek and Roman fabulous History.

It is an octavo of 565 pages, double columns, printed on excellent paper, with fair and bold type, and makes a volume of fine appearance.

HILLARD'S FIRST CLASS READER.

ton: 1856.

HICKLING, SWAN & BROWN, Bos

the paper is heavy

This, to look at, is a fine book. It contains 504 pages, and white, the type full and cheerful. We know not how it is with others, but with us it makes "all the difference in the world," whether the material and mechanical parts of a book be attractive or otherwise. We never read a book. however highly recommended its subject-matter may be, which is printed on thin, dingy paper, with poor, old type. The eye is the avenue to the mind, and if the eye is offended, it is difficult to please and profit the mind.

And as this work of Mr. Hillard is prepossessing in appearance, so, too, it bears acquaintance well. It is not a work of rules, for elementary training, but simply a book for reading by advanced pupils. The selections, both of prose and verse, have been made with judgment and taste, and most of them have never before appeared in reading books. We doubt not that the book will achieve wide popularity, and meet a deservedly extensive patronage.

THE AMERICAN COMPREHENSIVE READER. BY WILLIAM D. SWAN. Boston Hickling, Swan & Brown.

This work 'contains a treatise on Elocution, numerous exercises in Enunciation, and nearly one hundred well selected reading lessons. The high reputation of Mr. Swan, as an Author of works on Elocution, is fully sustained in this work.

FIRST LESSONS IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. By a Practical Teacher. Hickling, Swan & Brown.

We have not had time to examine this work. In its mechanical execution it is like the publications of this House generally, "ship-shape and Boston fashion." FIRST LESSONS IN GEOMETRY. BY THOMAS HILL. Facts before Reasoning. Hickling, Swan & Brown.

This is a pretty, little work, designed to teach children geometrical facts. The author is our good-natured and reverend friend who addressed the Association at Mansfield. We believe it as good a work for the purpose as need be. It has suggested to us the idea of getting up a work with this title,-Conic Sections for Infant Classes.

FIRST PRINCIPLES IN PHILOSOPHY. Boston: Hickling, Swan & Brown.

This is an American Edition of Tate's work, revised and improved by C. S. Cartee, A.M., author of an excellent work on Physical Geography, already noticed in the Journal. From a cursory examination of this work, we are favorably impressed in regard to its merits. We believe that it will soon become a favorite with Teachers.

MEXICO, ITS PEASANTS AND ITS PRIESTS. BY ROBERT A. WILSON. New York: Harper & Brothers.

The author spent several years in Mexico, and writes of things which he has seen. It is a work of great interest and value, and deserves a place in every library. It is neatly illustrated with eighteen engravings. Copies can be obtained by enclosing one dollar to the Harpers.

THE HAND OF GOD IN HISTORY; or Divine Providence Historically Illustrated in the Extension and Establishment of Christianity. By Rev. HOLLIS REED, A.M. Hartford: H. E. Robins.

How much is our opinion of a book influenced by our opinion of its author. We are disqualified for reviewing these volumes with impartiality, for fifteen years ago we were most intimately associated with Mr. Reed, and though twelve years have passed since we met, we still remember his distingnished excellencies, his numerous kindnesses; and were these works full of imperfections we could not discover them. We esteem them so highly that we recommend them to all our readers. They abound in historical incidents of the deepest interest, and strikingly portray God's hand of power and love in the great events of our race. They furnish a theme for study and reflection infinitely grand and glorious. Such studies are adapted to expand the soul and ennoble and refine the moral powers. They are free from every thing like sectarian peculiarities, and we sincerely wish that all Teachers, especially, might read them. CLASS-BOOK OF LOCAL GEOGRAPHY.

By E. E. WHITE, Principal of the Cleveland Central High School. Cleveland: J. B. Cobb, 1856. This is a small book of but forty-six pages. A former edition met the acceptance of many of our first Teachers, and we believe that this will prove still more popular. It is not designed to displace any work now in use, but to aid the use of others, and to be a convenient hand-book for Teachers. See advertisement, 2d page of cover.

PERIODICALS, REPORTS AND CATALOGUES.

Youth's Friend.-An illustrated paper, devoted to the 'moral and intellectual improvement of the young. We have seen three numbers of this periodical, and we doubt not its adaptation to interest and benefit those who may read it. We refer to advertisement, second page of cover.

-We have received the last Annual Reports of Hon. Robert Allyn, Commissioner of Public Schools for Rhode Island,-of Hon. John D. Philbrick, Superintendent of Schools for Connecticut,-and of J. W. Buckley, Esq., Superintendent of Schools for the city of Brooklyn. These papers are all prepared with much care, and abound in facts of high value to all Teachers and School Authorities. -We acknowledge the receipt of the following Catalogues. Our friends to whose kindness we are indebted for their reception, will accept our thanks. We would notice them in detail, but for their number, and the constant pressure which our columns experience.

Steubenville Female Seminary, Rev. Charles C. Beatty, DD. Principal,-Cleveland Female Seminary, Samuel St. John, LL.D. Principal,-Ohio Wesleyan Female College, Delaware, Rev. James A. Dean, A.M. President,-Granville Female Academy, W. P. Kerr, A.M. Principal,-Esther Institute, Columbus, Lewis Heyl, A.M. Principal,-Alleghany College, Meadville, Pa., Rev. John Barker, DD. President, Iowa College, Davenport, Ia,-Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Ind., Rev. Charles White, DD. President,-Marietta College, Rev. Israel W. Andrews, DD. President,-Ohio University, Athens, Rev. Solomon Howard, DD. President, -Farmers' College, College Hill, O., Freeman G. Cary, President,-Capital University, Columbus, O., Rev. C. Spielman, President,-Urbana University, Urbana, O., Milo G. Williams, President,-Collegiate Institute, Millersburg, Ky., Rev. Geo. S. Savage, Principal,-Mount Union Seminary, Mt. Union, O.,-Pomeroy, Academy, A. A. Keen, Principal,-Grand River Institute, Austinburgh, A. A. Smith, Principal.

CORRESPONDENCE.

NEWARK, Sept. 1st, 1856

MR. SMYTH:-On last Saturday we held our regular monthly examination of Teachers. Out of 34 candidates only five were subscribers to the Journal. As usual, we urged the duty of immediate repentance upon the delinquents. I am sorry the sermon did not prove more efficient, though a number were brought under conviction, as was evident by the squirmings, and excuses, and promises which they volunteered. Only three were converted on the spot, and I send you the evidence enclosed.

A. D.

GAMBIER, Sept. 17th 1856.

MR. SMYTH. Dear Sir:-Owing to the facts, that at the time appointed for our Institute there will be very much political excitement, that the Teacher upon whom we depended for making arrangements in Mt. Vernon died last week, and that Pres. Andrews will be unable to help us any, we have come to the conclusion to defer our Institute, at least, for the present.

H. D. L.

THINGS PERSONAL.

MR. D. WOOSTER STEVENS, of Batavia, Clermont Co., has been nominated by the American Party for the office of State Commissioner of Schools, in place of John H. Kelly Esq., declined.

FREEMAN G. CARY, ESQ., has been elected President of Farmers' College, in place of Hon. I. J. Allen, resigned.

MR. E. E. WHITE, has resigned his office as Principal of the Cleveland Central High School, and Mr. Wм. S. PALMER has been chosen to fill the vacancy. Mr. White retains a connection with the School as Teacher of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

ELD. E. ADAMSON of Eaton has been employed as Superintendent of Schools in Frankfort, Ross County.

MR. J. F. SCHUYLER has been appointed Superintendent of the Schools in Fostoria, Seneca County.

MR. C. B. SMITH of Bellefontaine, has been elected Superintendent of the Schools in Georgetown, Brown County.

MR. COLLIN FORD, late of Monroeville, Huron County, has been appointed Superintendent of the Schools in Germantown, Montgomery County.

MR. - FOLLET, late Teacher in the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Blind. has been appointed Principal in the High School, Columbus.

MR. T. C. ABBOTT, late of Berrian, Mich., has been elected Superintendent of Schools in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

MR. D. CANFIELD, late of Meadville, Pa., has been elected Superintendent of Schools in St. Charles, Kane Co., Illinois.

MR. PEET, late of Amherst College, has been appointed Principal of the Union Schools in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

ITEMS.

MR. JOHN H. ROLFE, requests us to say that he will extend the time for securing the premiums which he so generously offers, till the middle of November next. We are confident that the works which he offers, can never be obtained on more favorable terms. Do not fail to read his advertisement.

WANTED. A Principal Teacher, commencing November 18th, in the Union School, Marlboro, O. Apply to G. B. Chappell.