The following, from the Hon. SAMUEL YOUNG, Secretary of State wa received simultaneously with that from Prof. Beck and Bullions.

Albany, August 1, 1844.

I have examined the plan of the work on Rhetoric mentioned within, but have not had time to read the body of the manuscript. A Treatise on Rhet oric, simplifying its rules, and giving clear explanations and lucid exam. ples, is very much needed for the young. If the plan of the work is judi ciously executed by the author (as, from his reputation for science, expe rience, and industry, is to be inferred), it will be a great acquisition to our schools. (Signed) S. YOUNG.

The following note, addressed to the Messrs. Harper of New-York, is :rom the pen of FRANCIS DWIGHT, Esq., Editor of the Common School Journal.

GENTLEMEN,

Albany, August 2, 1844.

I have given a cursory examination to Mr. Boyd's work on Rhetoric, and am much pleased with its plan and execution. Such a work is much need ed in our schools, and if it can be afforded cheap, will probably obtain a large circulation. I commend it to your careful examination.

(Signed)

Truly yours,

FRANCIS DWIGHT.

A still more particular account of this work, after a careful examination of it, has been furnished by practical teachers in the counties of Jefferson and Lewis.

The following is from LYSANDER H. BROWN, Esq., Superintendent of Common Schools in Jefferson county.

Watertown, July 31, 1844.

I have examined in manuscript a work entitled "Elements of Rhetoric and Literary Criticism," by J. R. Boyd. It is an admirable compilation, designed as a practical text-book on the science of composition. It is adapted to schools of every grade, the primary as well as the higher; and it aims to teach by example and illustration. The compiler has embraced in a plain, judicious arrangement, the whole method of expressing thoughts by means of the pen, exhibiting rules applicable to the entire subject, from the higher qualities of sublimity, beauty, and taste, down to the correct spelling of words, the proper distribution of pauses and of capital letters, and the construction of sentences and paragraphs.

The beauty of the book is that it is eminently practical. Every rule is familiarly illustrated. Beautiful examples light every page. The extracts, with which the compilation abounds, are from the best specimens in the language, useful, entertaining, and practical. They would, of themselves, furnish the scholar with a key to all the higher qualities of English composition. From a long and intimate acquaintance with the wants of our schools, I am impressed with the belief that they need nothing more than just such a book as that with which Mr. Boyd designs to present them. There is no reason why children should not be taught to express their thoughts upon paper with as much ease, and beauty, and force, as they do with the cr gans of speech.

I would most cheerfully recommend the work to teachers, and all others interested in the welfare of schools, as one eminently adapted to secure the end designed, that of forming habits of writing with ease, correctness, and facility. Let this book be introduced into our "Commor Schools," and we shall soon see less of awkward letter-writing and illegible composition in our men of business, and even in our public officers.

(Signed) LYSANDER H. BROWN, Supt Com Schools Jefferson Ca

The next review of the proposed work is from the pen of D P. MAYHEW, Esq., Principal of Lowville Academy, in Lewis county

Lowville Academy, July 5, 1844.

In the work now given us by Mr. Boyd, every teacher will find an efficient aid; for any one who has taught rhetoric must have noticed in the nar 1ow abridgments, or too voluminous original treatises, a want of adaptation to the capacity of those who should pursue this study. Acquisition of rheLorical principles naturally follows the study of English grammar, since the student is supposed to be then constantly engaged in "composition Exer cises," and in as great need, therefore, of those principles as those of grammar; but, instead of their being thus furnished him by the text-books ir use, either he must wait until, when disciplined by other studies, he is adapt ed to the study of rhetoric, or a laborious and toilsome task is imposed upon the teacher in adapting the study of rhetoric to him. Mr. Boyd not only frees us from such a dilemma, but, by combining "progressive" composi tion exercises with the principles of rhetoric, enables the student to reduce theory to immediate practice. Mr. B. has so arranged his Exercises às to fix the attention, and by degrees insensibly to make the scholar an analyst. Rut, besides this effect, the illustrations are so selected as to fortify the af fections and improve the heart.

Nor is this all love of country is incidentally inculcated; that stronges love, based upon respect for what that country has produced, and can produce. We are taunted with having no literature of our own; but the American student will find a full refutation of that slander in Mr. Boyd's account of American writers, and his judicious selections from both their poetry and prose. Teachers and students will bid it welcome. D. P. MAYHEW, Principal.

(Signed)

Of the same purport is the communication of another practical teacher, A LANSON P. SIGOURNEY, Esq., Supt. of Common Schools for Watertown Watertown, July 29, 1844.

SIR, Having examined in manuscript a work entitled "Elements of Rhetorio and Literary Criticism for the use of Common Schools and Academies," written and selected from the pens of the most able writers of the age, by yourself, I can say I am well pleased with it. It is a work that should be used by every teacher of youth, and by every pupil studying the gram mar of the English language.

Your work I believe to be well calculated to aid the pupil in communicating } ⚫own thoughts either orally or on paper, and may and should be used, not only as a class-book for recitation, but for reading exercises; and I am satisfied that the interests of our public schools require its introduction. I herefore recommend it to the favorable consideration of teachers, and particularly to those engaged in elevating the standard of common schools (Signed) Yours respectfully, ALANSON P. SIGOURNEY, Supt. Com. Schools for Watertown

To Rev. J. R. Boyd, Prin. Black River L. and R. Institute.

The trustees of Black River L. and R. Institute, at their meeting July 6, 1844, passed the following resolution:

"Resolved, that from our knowledge of the qualifications of the author, and the statement of his plan submitted to us, we judge the publication of the Rev. Mr. Boyd's work on Rhetoric, and its introduction into this insti (Signed) ution, highly desirable I. BRAYTON, Secretary of the Banrd of Trustees

Extracts from a communication by P. MONTGOMERY,, Esq., County Su perintendent of Common Schools for Southern Section of Jefferson.

Adams, July 27, 1844. For a long time I have noticed with regret the almost entire neglect of the art of original composition in our common schools, and the want of proper text-book upon this essential branch of education.

Hundreds graduate from our common schools with no well-defined ideas of the construction of our language. I have just arisen from an examination of a work prepared by Mr. Boyd, Principal of the Black River L. and R. Institute. We are happy to find that a gentleman of Mr. Boyd's character as a scholar and experience in teaching has taken this unoccupied field, and has succeeded in preparing a work to meet the wants of our schools. This work must take the field without competition. It leads the pupil gradually from the incipient steps in original composition up to a natural and easy expression of thought in all the varied style of which our language is capable. It may be used as a spelling, reading, and parsing book; it is what our common schools need. We cheerfully commend the work to the confidence and patronage of the friends of education. P. MONTGOMERY, County Supt. Com. Schools, Southern Section, Jefferson.

(Signed)

From Professor EDWARD NORTH, of Hamilton College.

Hamilton College, Nov. 27, 1844. Mr. Boyd's "Treatise on Rhetoric and Literary Criticism" is intended to supply a want which has long been felt by those having charge of common schools and academies. The author has brought to his task a full knowledge of what was needed in this department, as well as an unusual amount of experience and practical skill in the processes of elementary instruction. The valuable results of his labors will be welcomed by all who have at heart the improvement of our common schools and academies. EDWARD NORTH

ame.

(Signed)

From the Biblical Repository and Classical Review, January, 1845. We have been much pleased with a cursory inspection of this little vol It seems to us to meet a want which has been felt in the common schools and higher schools of both sexes. It is eminently practical in its method, illustrating every principle by an abundance of examples, and taking the juvenile scholar, as soon as he begins to write at all, and teaching him, in the best way, how to think, speak, and compose correctly. It is a text-book, "compiled and arranged" by the author with great judgment and practical tact.

From the New-York Evangelist, Nov. 21, 1844.

Though brief and concise, this is a very complete and comprehensive work. It is designed for schools, and begins with the elementary principles of language and composition. It surveys the whole field of Rhetoric, and is sound in the principles it advances, and judicious and skillful in their application.

For the ordinary uses of education, we think it not only safe and excellent, but by far the clearest, most reasonable, and comprehensive work of the kind in market. The examples by which the several positions are sustained are chosen with genuine taste, and there are evidences on almos every page that the author is a full and well-read scholar.

We trust that it will be made a text-book of this greatly needed, but much neglected study.

From the New York Baptist Register, Nov. 22, 1844.

Iniss one of the most valuable school books we have had put into our hands in many a day. It is from the press of the Harpers, from which many important works are issued, but rarely have they published one of equal advantage to the rising generation.

The object of the author is to train the young mind to think. Every chap. ter shows this, and requires thorough study to be advantageously mastered. but when acquired, it will be seen that the pupil has made substantial progress. We believe, with the author, that there is a great mistake in devoting so much attention to reading and speaking, and so small portion of time in teaching the art of correctly writing the language.

From the Roman Citizen, Dec. 3, 1844.

This valuable treatise has been compiled under the pressure of an evil which has hitherto greatly impaired the completeness of the usual course of instruction in our common schools and academies. Hitherto there has been no elementary work in use, of the right stamp, on the science and history of the English language and literature; and the youth of our elementary schools have been left, in quite too many cases, to grow up without any true and available knowledge of the correct use of their mother tongue

Mr. Boyd, who has for many years had charge of one of the best academies in this state, perceived the sad effects of this deficiency, and has had the skill to work out a remedy. Commencing with the rudiments of language, his plan is, to lead the pupil on from one step to a higher, and to furnish him with familiar illustrations of every principle inculcated, until he has so mastered the rules of the most elevated composition.

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We hope to see Mr. Boyd's treatise generally used in our common schools and academies.

From the Oswego Daily Advertiser, May 2, 1845.
Mr. EDITOR:

During the session of the Teacher's Association in Oswego, I took occa sion to speak before them in behalf of Rev. Mr. Boyd's work on Rhetoric and Literary Criticism. They unanimously passed a resolution expressive of the opinion that the science and art of communicating thoughts on paper should be taught in our common schools. Indeed, if it be not, many pass through life without the ability even of writing a letter correctly, much less elegantly; and that, too, for the plain reason, that comparatively few have an opportunity to attend the higher institutions of learning.

Mr. Boyd's motto in preparing his book must have been multum in parvo, for it comprises much valuable matter in a small space; in other words, it concentrates the lights of many highly gifted minds upon the subject of which it treats. I have never seen a book which, in my judgment, is so well adapted to the great purposes of teaching composition and rhetoric in chools of every grade, as this new and most excellent publication. I have no possible pecuniary interest in the sale of the work, but my decided conviction of its merits prompts me to recommend it to the examination of teachers, parents, and all who feel an interest in promoting the noble and Blessed career of popular education. SAMUEL N. SWEET, Author of "Sweet's Elocution."

From the Jeffersonian, Nov. 26, 1844.

We have devoted no inconsiderable space to a critical notice of "Boyd's thetoric," and we wish that we could convince our readers that the sub

ject is deserving of the space and the attention bestowed upon it. It should be in the hands of every student and every man who writes for the press or for public speaking. It is, indeed, a guide to the pens of all who wander in doubt, hesitating, seeking the right way, but uncertain as to the landmarks. It will make easy and smooth what at first view appears dry and forbidding.

The following is an extract from the critical notice above referred to: One reason, and probably the chief one, why the study of rhetoric has received so little attention in our common schools is, that there has been no suitable text-book. Blair, Newman, Jameson, and others have long been in use in our higher academies and colleges, but they are intended for advanced scholars, and hence are not adapted to our common schools. Frost's and Parker's Exercises have been used to a certain extent, but we have seen no work which so completely meets the want as the one noticed at the head of this article. In this, both the style and matter are calculated to interest, instruct, and inform the young, as well as the advanced scholar and general reader.

The arrangement is admirable, commencing with the simplest principles, and leading the scholar along gradually to the higher and most important.

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We commend the book most cordially to teachers of common schools and academies, to all interested in the progress of the cause of education, and to contributors to the newspaper press.

From the Albany Daily Advertiser, Nov. 8, 1844.

BOYD'S RHETORIC.-This work is fitted to take the science of Rhetoric out of its place among the drier branches of education, and to invest it with no small degree of attraction. It begins with the very alphabet of the science, and is so perfectly simple that quite a young child may be put to the study of it with advantage. At the same time, it is a very complete view of the subject, and contains much that is not found in any similar treatise.

The work has already received the warm approbation of some of our best judges, and we can not doubt that it is destined to take a high place among kindred works, and to bring to its author the grateful acknowledgments, not only of teachers, but of all who are interested in the great and good cause of education.

From the Albany Religious Spectator, Nov. 9, 1844.

This work meets an important desideratum in the economy of education. Its plan is, so far as we know, entirely new, the arrangement perfectly systematic, and the execution characterized throughout by good taste and good judgment.

It is published under the most favorable auspices, bearing, as it does, the high recommendation of many who are best qualified to judge, and whose opinions on such subjects are regarded as authority. Mr. Boyd has not only done himself great credit, but has conferred a favor upon his generation, and, we doubt not, upon posterity also, by sending forth his judicious and excellent work.

Extract from a Review of the work in the Biblical Repertory and Princeton Review, Oct., 1845.

This little work has two great merits: one is, its tendency to promote and facilitate the early practice of English composition: the other is a great variety of information as to books and authors, and the language itself. which it brings within the reach of ordinary teachers and their pupils. Its