Editorial Miscellany.

THE attention of Town Superintendents and District Officers is called to the State Superintendent's Department in this Number. It is worthy of a careful perusal.

In answer to numerous inquiries we here state, that the postage on the Journa must be paid by those to whom it is sent, the amount received from the State being insufficient to cover the expense of publication and mailing.

As many persons suppose that the State pays us our full subscription price of one dollar per year, we again state that we receive only fifty cents per copy from the State, while the actual cost of the Journal, exclusive of the services of the resident and other editors, is fifty-four cents per copy for one year. Up to the last issue the State Superintendent subscribed for thirty-four hundred copies; owing to the increase of the number of districts consequent upon the organization of new towns, the subscription was increase on the first of April to four thousand two hundred copies, and we will supply every District Clerk and Town Superintendent in the State with a copy of the April, and all subsequent Numbers, if they will send us their address, being particular to give the county and town in which they live. As many of the Superintendents will have been changed by the April election, we hope that those receiving this Number, whose terms of office have expired, will hand it over to their successors, who will much oblige us by sending their address, and (in case it has not been already done by their predecessors) the address of the District Clerks in their several towns.

Since our last issue most of our schools have finished the winter term, and from what we have seen and heard, we are led to believe that they are generally in advance of the position maintained a year since, that they are steadily, and in some instances rapidly improving in order, discipline, and methods of instruction. The following notice of the closing exercises at the State University, we clip from the State Journal of April 8th:

UNIVERSITY EXAMINATION.-The examination of the classes of the State University, for the present term, was concluded yesterday afternoon by Prof. STERLING's class in Analytical Geometry, and Prof. REED's classes in Mental Philosophy and English Composition.

Prof. STERLING has few superiors as a teacher of Mathematics, and his class gave evidence of the beneficial results of his through and rigid discipline, by the readiness with which they replied to questions, and with which they demonstrated the propositions submitted to them. The classes of Prof. REED passed their examination in an equally creditable manner. The students were given topics and required to discuss them extemporaneously. They exhibited not only a thorough knowledge of the subjects given them, as far as they are treated of by the text-books, but an excellent command of language, and a good training for extemporaneous speaking. Among the students in this class we hear Messrs. Samuel Fallows, A. C. BOTKIN, and L. B. CLARK, especially commended for their proficiency.

We were present at the examination of the classes above referred to, and fully

concur with the Journal in its estimate of the ability of the professors, and the proficiency of the pupils. We were also present during a part of the examination of Prof. CARR's class in Chemistry, and were highly gratified to note the clear and distinct elucidation of the principles by the young gentlemen in their short "lectures" on the various topics assigned them. What particularly struck us was the complete analysis of the different subjects, especially by some of the young gentlemen in the Mental Philosophy class, accompanied by a comprehensive grouping of salient points, making the examination attractive to the spectators, and displaying, in a marked manner, the careful training of the teacher, and the consequent progress of the pupil. We did not hear the examination of the classes under the charge of Chancellor LATHROP, and Prof. CONOVER, and KURSTEINER, but understand that they gave decided evidence of ability and thoroughness. While we believe, with many others, that the plan on which the University is organized is open to objection, we are satisfied that the faculty are laboring faithfully in the performance of their various duties.

We spent part of a day in attendance upon the examination of the classes in the High School in this city, at the close of the winter term, and though we heard but two classes, one in geography and one in arithmetic, we are satisfied, from what we heard, and from what we have learned from others who were present during most of the day, that the pupils did themselves credit, and showed by their readiness and thoroughness that they had been carefully disciplined and trained by their teachers. Mr. KILGORE, the City Superintendent, is principal, assisted by Mr. CURTIS and Miss HUNTLEY, Mr. K.'s reputation as a successful teacher is well known, and his assistants are both very capable and efficient instructors. We never saw better specimens of pencil drawing than some of those which were executed by the pupils under the instruction of Miss HUNTLEY. There were also some excellent specimens of map drawing.

We have not heard particularly from the ward schools, but believe that they are prospering and steadily gaining ground in excellence and influence.

The estimation in which the teachers are held by the pupils is shown by the presents given from time to time. Last winter Mr. Kilgore received a gold headed cane worth $25. A book was presented to Mr. Curtis worth $13. Miss DARLING, principal of the third ward school, had a beautiful portfolio presented to her, and Miss KILGORE, principal of intermediate school received a fine Bible.

Such testimonials, while they show, on the part of the pupils, an appreciation of the services and labors of their instructors, serve also to cement more strongly those ties of friendship which always bind together teacher and scholars.

We dropped in for an hour to witness the closing exercises of the winter term of Mr. J. C. PICKARD'S Female Academy, but were too late to hear the most important and interesting recitations. We believe that Mr. P. and his assistants are well qualified for their position, and will endeavor to fulfill faithfully the duties devolving upon them as instructors of youth.

Instruction is given in the common English branches, the Classics, Modern Languages, Music (vocal and instrumental) and Drawing.

The spring term commenced on the 19th of last month.

The following notice of the Palmyra School, under the charge of Mr. E. B. GRAY, is well deserved, as the unanimous testimony of all who have visited it fully proves.

MR. EDITOR:-The first term of the Palmyra school has just closed with great credit to teachers and scholars. The closing exercises were highly satisfactory to the friends of the school, and established the fact, new to this community, that success is not a thing to read of and wonder at, as a highly respectable myth, but a thing to be familiar with, and to know that it is both possible and certain. And henceforth let it be recorded on the pages of our school history, that E, B. Gray has achieved a success in that department too, when almost every thing essential was wanting but opportunity. Under the auspices of co-operation from the friends of education here, and a convenient and pleasant school-room, he has taken the rough material, and already under his moulding hand it begins to disclose the outlines of the required form. System has been effectually introduced, both into the domain of study and government, and the result is the beginning of good things.

The most marked features of the examination were system, self-reliance, and promptness on the part of the scholar. Miss Allen, assistant in the upper department, established a reputation in her first effort as an efficient instructress. Her classes sustained their parts admirably, and added to the reputation of the principal department.

It would be impossible to do justice to the various classes without applying for more clemency and space than would be modest to ask. It is hoped that our citizens will secure the services of Mr. Gray until the school is firmly established on a permanent and correct basis,

J. M. BINGHAM, Town Superintendent.

We have received the programme of the exhibition given by the Berlin Union School at the close of the winter term, comprising declamations and colloquies, and interspersed with songs and music by the Glee Club and Berlin Brass Band, and we learn that the affair passed off pleasantly and successfully, affording a rich treat for the parents of the pupils, the friends and patrons of the school. Mr. J. J. M. ANGEAR, the principal, is a capable and successful eacher, and we believe is appreciated by the people of that thriving city.

We have also received the programme of the closing exercises of the Racine High School, on Thursday and Friday, April 22d and 23d, comprising examinations of the classes in Physiology, Physical Geography, Arithmetic, and Geology, by Mrs. C. A. SHELDON; in History, Algebra, Latin Reader, Plane Geometry, and French, by Mrs. E. W. McMYNN; in German, by ENNEST W.SCHWEFEL; in Natural Philosophy, Algebra, Spherical Geometry, Mensuration, and Latin (Cæsar), by JNo. G. MOMYNN, interspersed with Declamations, Compositions, and Music.

The following, which we find in the Racine Advocate, indicates that the schools of Racine are to lose Mr. McMynn for a time at least:

LEAVE OF ABSENOR.-Mr. McMynn has obtained leave of absence from the Board of Education to visit, during the ensuing summer, the schools of Europe, more especially the famed ones of Prussia, Switzerland, England, and Scotland. By comparing their systems with our own, he hopes to gain something by which to further the interests of education at home.

Commencing with a liberal education, Mr. McMynn has made the science and art of teaching his constant study for several years, and has reached an eminence in his profession attained by few, yet he is not satisfied with his acquirements, but seeks by travel, and the examination of the schools and systems of other lands, to increase his knowledge and his ability to give greater efficiency to his future efforts in the instruction of youth. May he have a pleasant and profitable journey, and return to give the schools and school system of Wisconsin the benefit of his observations in Europe.

We find in the Horicon Argus the report of the examining committee for the term of the Union School ending April 18th, 1853. The school is divided into four departments, named Higher, Sub-Higher, Intermediate, and Primary. Mr. A. PICKETT is principal of the school. We have only room to quote a few paragraphs from the report:

"In the Higher Department the same good order and fixity of attention, which has ever prevailed among its pupils, since its organization, still calls forth the admiration of all who enter the Institution. The scholars have acquired a love of order and quietude that is not very often found in a school of this size. An evident and universal love of study, moreover, tells a story of some potent moral influence which has been kept to work upon their developing at tributes of mind, and moulded their tastes and propensities, with a special reference to future usefulness,"

"The committee, in short, would report of this Department, and also of the Sub-Higher Department, which is in intimate eonnection with the Higher, and under the immediate and constant supervision of the Principal, Mr. Pickett, that the system of teaching here pursued meets with their hearty approbation, and that the evidences of success, which were so plainly conspicuous in the examination have proved to be entirely satisfactory to them."

A notice of the Union School at Wautoma, Waushara County, was received too late for insertion in this Number. The teachers for the past term were J. M. FRY, principal, and teacher in the young gentlemen's department; Miss J. A. THOMPSON, teacher in the young ladies' department; and Miss C. M. AVERY, teacher in the primary department. We learn from the notice, sent us that the school has been very prosperous, for which the teachers deserve much credit. The communication will appear at length in the next Number.

Literary Notices.

The New American Cyclopædia, a Popular Dictionary of General Knowledge. Edited by GEO. RIPLEY and CHARLES A. DANA. Vol. 1., A Araguay. New York, D. Appleton & Co., 348 and 848 Broadway: London, 16 Little Britain, 1858.

This promises to be a work of great merit and utility, one which should be in every library. We shall give it a more extended notice next month.

The Madison Public School Register, a Permanent Record of Statistics for Schools of every Grade. Prepared by D. Y. KILGORE. Atwood & Rublee, 1858.

A good school register is a valuable assistant to a teacher, and a necessary appendage to every school. This seems to embody all that is required in a work of the kind, giving number, name, and ages of pupils, time and mode of admission, number engaged in each branch of study, number of each sex, record of daily attendance, average number, number tardy, dismissed and punished, number of visitors, names of parents and guardians, and a column for general remarks.

The Atlantic Monthly for May.

This Number maintains the high position which the magazine has achieved, and closes the first volume.

Emerson's Magazine and Putnum's Monthly for May.

This is the best Number of this magazine that we have ever read. It has several excellent articles, one of which we shall copy in a future Number of the Journal.

For sale by Bliss, Eberhard, & Festner, who have all the popular magazines, as well as a fell assortment of books and stationery.

MESSRS. EDITORS:-I send you a report of another discussion at Maple Grove, upon the subject of County Superintendency.

Mr. Stone made the following remarks:

Mr. Chairman-It is said that I am opposed to change. I grant it, Sir, when change offers no improvements, but is rather a mere fit for new things. We may perhaps follow fashion in some things, but I think not in school systems.

I have somewhere noticed the following remark: "It would be vain, indeed, for us to establish a system evidently bad in theory, or condemned by just experience." If we must witness experiments, let us go to New York, where they change every new moon, from town superintendent to county, from county to district, from district to town and county combined, and again from both to one, and so on from year to year. Ohio, too, has given us some notes on this subject. She has been flying for many years through a series of experiments, and has found it as difficult to alight as "Noah's crow." She is unsettled yet, and stands like that ominous bird, flapping her wings over a doubtful perch.

Now, Sir, it is proposed that we go through a course of experiments; cast aside our present system as out of fashion, and test some new system excellent in "theory." The first scene proposed for our performance is that of county superintendent, though often tried and condemned in other States, yet it must be tested again, and although it is an old worn-out theme in other States, yet it will be new to us, and is excellent in "theory." The scene, well acted, would create merriment in a London theatre, The Ohio system made it the duty of the county superintendents to examine and license teachers, to lecture to the people, to visit schools, take notes, make a yearly report, etc. The number of school districts for him