instruct students in a particular branch of learning; as, a professor of theology, a professor of mathematics."

A few years ago there were very few Professors, the word was seldom heard. A man might live, in those days, a whole year in continued intercourse with society, and the sight of a live Professor not once bless his vision. Once in a great while, he would see in the papers the names of Prof. Stuart, Prof. Silliman, Prof. Potter, and the like of them; but to actually meet a Professor, was like meeting a President or an Archbishop. But what a change twenty years have wrought! To-day you can not go to the market or the post-office, without meeting Prof. Brown, Prof. White, Prof. Green, or Prof. Gray. And on your way home, you will catch a glimpse of Prof. Snooks, Prof. Stubbs, Prof. Muggins, or Prof. Bumble. You drop in at the village hotel, and from the register you learn that "Prof. Simon Snob" passed through the place only three days before. Some pleasant morning a pompous youth enters your school room. He is too young for mus taches, but old enough for a slouched hat, a shawl, a cane, and a cigar. You mentally inquire, "who has come now?" He introduces himself as "Professor George Washington Bugg." On his way west, he had kindly called to inform you of his being in town.

Yes, Professors now are as plenty as militia captains, or the lobby members of our legislature. But what sort of professors are they? Olmsteds, Stowes, Mitchells? Hardly. There is Prof. Brown; he is principal of the union school in Frog Hollow. Prof. White teaches a singing school in Snakeville. Prof. Green lectures on biology in country school houses; - admission, one dime; children half price. Prof. Gray is a ventriloquist.

Ohio has comparatively few of these titled dignitaries. In some of our small villages we hear of them; but most of our respectable Teachers disown the honor, excepting such as are in truth Professors, or officers of colleges and other institutions of high grade. In looking over the list of names of gentlemen attending the late meeting of our State Association, we find that but two " Professors" were present. But in the published minutes of a recent educational meeting in a neighboring State, the word "Prof." occurs fifty times. This, however, is no business of ours. If they like the idea of a "mutual admiration society," no particular harm can result therefrom. We answer the inquiry propounded, by a reference to the dictionary.

But we can not lay down our pen till we have given utterance to some of the many unpleasant remembrances we have of a certain self

styled Professor. He introduced himself as "Professor So-and-so. In conversation, he spoke of himself as "the Professor." the Professor." When he left, he gave us his card, which repeated the magnificent title, "Professor." And he was precisely right in taking this honor to himself, for never did a mortal man profess to know so much. He could beat old Rabbi Rabbi himself, in boasting. We can never read of Iagoo, in the SONG OF HIAWATHA, without thinking of that said Professor :

"Very boastful was Iagoo;
Never heard he an adventure
But himself had met a greater;
Never any deed of daring
But himself had done a bolder;
Never any marvellous story
But himself could tell a stranger.

Would you listen to his boasting,
Would you only give him credence,
No one ever shot an arrow

Half so far and high as he had;
Ever caught so many fishes,

Ever killed so many reindeer,

Ever trapped so many beaver!

None could run so fast as he could,
None could dive so deep as he could,
None could swim so far as he could;
None had made so many journeys,
None had seen so many wonders,
As this wonderful Iagoo,

As this marvellous story-teller!

Thus his name became a by-word

And a jest among the people;
And whene'er a boastful hunter

Praised his own address too highly,

Or a warrior, home returning,

Talked too much of his achievements,
All his hearers cried, 'Iagoo!
Here's Iagoo come among us!'"

EDUCATIONAL INTELLIGENCE FOR FEBRUARY.

Ο Η ΙΟ.

COLUMBUS.-The House Committee on Schools, have reported in favor of suspending, for two years, the operation of that part of the school law which relates to libraries, apparatus, etc. No other change in the law is recommended. The Senate Committee have not yet reported. What action will be had on the report, we can not tell. But as many towns have received a few books, and need additions to make out respectable and useful libraries, and as parts of sets of appa

ratus have been distributed, which can be of little utility without complemental parts, it certainly is to be regretted that the law should be suspended, even for the brief period proposed.

A bill has been reported in the Senate for securing a geological survey of the State. It appropriates $12,000 per annum to this object; - creates the office of State Geologist, at a salary of $2,000 per annum, with an Assistant at $1,500. It provides for a State Cabinet of minerals, etc.

A bill for the establishment of four Normal Schools in the State, agreeably to the petition of our Teachers' Association, has been introduced into the Senate; also a bill to establish a State Reform School.

One other thing, of interest to some Teachers, should, in this connection, be mentioned. It is proposed to repeal the law which taxes a man's debts. As their debts are about all the taxable property which many Teachers own, small trouble will assessors and treasurers have with them, should the repeal be made.

Ex-President Hitchcock, of Amherst, has given here a course of lectures on Geology. It can not be necessary to prove to any intelligent reader, that all who heard were deeply interested.

Rev. Dr. Baird has recently given four exceedingly interesting lectures on Europe.

LEBANON. We have before us the Circular of the S. W. State Normal School, located at Lebanon; also the "Normal School Advocate," of the same place. The school seems to be in a highly flourishing condition; and the "Advocate" is an able and highly interesting exponent of the spirit and force of the gentlemen who have it in charge.

Charles Rogers Esq., of Dayton, is President of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Alfred Holbrook is Principal of the school. Mr. J. P. Ellinwood is Editor of the Advocate.

17

18

100

Number of Male Pupils enrolled in Model Department, .
Number of Female Pupils enrolled

66

Total number of Pupils enrolled during First Term;

SPRINGFIELD.-A writer in the Nonpareil, speaks in the highest terms of the condition of the Public Schools in that city. The following is a brief extract from his article:

"The system adopted in the schools, is one peculiarly adapted to the youthful mind, and then, by its congeniality, insures the advancement of the pupil. Indeed, we have never before witnessed an equal progress in scholars as that instanced in the schools of our city, at this time.

"Too much praise cannot be rendered to Mr. Hurtt, for his attention and diligence in his position, and our citizens should be proud of their good fortune in securing his services.

"Every one on the occasion referred to, manifested the liveliest gratification at the order, system and progress of the scholars, as also with the urbane and gentlemanly Teachers, one and all. We would advise all our citizens to avail themselves of the opportunity, and pay a visit to the place of their children's instruction, assuring them of a most cordial reception."

SIDNEY.-We are indebted to the Bellefontaine Union School Offering for the following:

A FINE MONUMENT.-The Rev. Mr. M'CAUGHN, of Sidney, is one of the leading spirits in erecting for himself and others, and the town of Sidney, one of the finest monuments, when completed, to be found in Western Ohio; a monument not of marble for military glory, or warrior's valor, not the records of undeserved fame, but a monument of NOBLE deeds.

This praise-worthy work will be completed in about one year. It is to be built of brick, four stories, and 95 by 100, and finished in the most approved style, at an expense of about $25,000. Long will the children and youth of Sidney, with grateful hearts, remember such kindness so freely bestowed; and as a reward we would but ask, that he might live to witness the realization of his highest hopes, the verification of the words of the Prophet: "Cast thy bread upon the waters, and after many days thou shalt find it again."

S. C. O.

WOOD COUNTY.-A writer in the Visitor, of Maumee City, gives the following encouraging account of the schools in Wood county:

SCHOOLS. Our winter schools are now in session, and never before probably were so many in operation at the same time in our county. The fair compensation now paid teachers has induced numbers to engage in the calling who could do better heretofore in other pursuits. The same reason has led many young men and women to prepare themselves for that business, who would otherwise have engaged in other occupations.

We also think, that our teachers go into the work now with higher, broader and nobler views than heretofore. As they reflect more and more upon the subject, its importance gradually expands upon their minds, their thoughts and views are lifted up, and they begin to realize the momentous responsibilities resting upon them. These are nothing less than the developing and fashioning of immortal spirits. Great is he who is equal to the task.

Another consideration, flattering to the future prospects of education in our community, is found in the fact, that school officers, when seeking for instructors, make inquiries in regard to their qualifications, rather than how cheap they may be obtained. The sentiment is gaining strength, that high priced teachers, well qualified, are much the cheapest. Directors are becoming satisfied that their action, heretofore, has been dictated by penny wisdom and pound foolishness. Well will it be for our youth when this truth shall become universal throughout our country.

Another evidence of the healthy state of the public mind of our county upon this subject is presented in the condition of our school houses. The log buildings, with oiled paper instead of glass, have given place to neat, tidy and commodious frame or brick structures. A commendable degree of care also has

been exercised in furnishing them with desks, blackboards, apparatus, etc. We query whether there is another county in the State more fully supplied with good school houses.

LUCAS COUNTY.-Our young friend, Oliver Lenardson, teaches a school in Washington township. On the 12th ult, he was tried before the Probate Court, on a charge of "assault and battery." It appeared that a big bully of a boy had grossly insulted his Teacher, and had received a very snug whipping in return. For this Mr. L. was arrested, tried before a Justice (!) and bound over to appear before the higher court.

Well, the day of trial came-1 - the court-house was thronged-three lawyers took part on each side-at the end of two days the case was submitted to the jury, who, after five minutes deliberation, returned a verdict of "Not Guilty." This is the second trial of the kind had in that county within the last three months. In both cases the accused were acquitted.

INDIANA.

The State Teachers' Association held a very interesting meeting at Madison, on the 25th, 26th and 27th days of December last.

Mr. Henkle offered the following resolutions, which, after considerable discussion, were adopted:

Resolved, That this Association will publish an Educational Journal, similar in size and typographical execution to the Ohio Journal of Education; that this Journal be conducted by nine editors appointed by the Association, one of whom shall be styled the Resident Editor; and that the Journal shall be furnished to subscribers at one dollar per annum.

Resolved, That the Executive Committee be authorized to contract for the publication of the Journal at Indianapolis, and fix the salary of the Resident Editor.

Members of the Association present subscribed for four hundred and seventyfive copies; and it was announced by Mr. Cole, that W. B. Smith & Co., of Cincinnati, had donated two hundred dollars to the Association towards defraying the expenses of the Journal.

The committee to nominate editors reported through their chairman, Mr. Hurty, as follows:

Geo. B. Stone, Indianapolis, Resident Editor; W. D. Henkle, Richmond; E. P. Cole, Evansville; G. A. Chase, Greencastle; Rufus Patch, Ontario: B. T. Hoyt, Lawrenceburgh; Mary F. Wells, Madison; M. Jane Chamberlain, Indianapolis. Charles Barnes, of New Albany, was chosen President; and the Association adjourned to meet in Lafayette, on the second Wednesday in August next.

We have received the first number of the Indiana School Journal, and can assure our readers that it is among the best of all our exchanges. But when we remember that they take the Ohio Journal of Education for their model, and call away from Ohio such men as Messrs. Henkle and Hurty, to help them, it should be expected that our Hoosier brethren would get up a nice thing in the way of a paper.

GREEN MOUNT COLLEGE.-We have heard of a change in this institution, by which its former proprietor, John Haines, retires from the arduous duties of his position to the coveted pleasures of private life, and Profs. W. D. Henkle, M. C. Stevens and J. S. Wilson, now assume control. Mr. Wilson was formerly prin