Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-10-01

The above is the title of Il Tale by Judge
Tuour%oy, of Montpelier, Author of May
Martin = and other works. 1t is f from the press
of Benz. MUssEY & Co.. Boston, and is beauti-
fully printed. and published in the neat and con-
vcuicnt form of Wiley & Putnam's " Library
OF Choice Reading"
The substantial design and tendency of this
last effort of Judge THoMrsoy's pen. are to AVA
ken interest and promote Improvement in the
theory and practice of Education in our coun-
try. Judge THOMPSON has chosen, with ingen-
ious zeal as well as with good taste, to clothe
his useful and instructive reasoning and sug-
gestionS on this cardinal State interest. in the
attractive form of a Tale; skilfnlly interweav-
ing the proloundest moral and political truth
with the graceful texture of an interesting and
wcll-told, though not exciting nor improbable,
Narrative.
The following brief notice of " Locke Ans
den" has been handed us for publication. 1t is
from a source that gives p%ecn!iar value 10 the
appreciation expressed, as cur readers would at
once admit, if We were at liberty to give tie
writer's name. The initial letter that is UNDER
signed. however. Owe may be permitted to saw
will not mislcad those who attribute the notice
to ono whose opinions are no less valuable than
his tabors have been, in the matter Of promoting
the noble cause of Education
A wish to ascertain whether the reccn, publication
entidcl Locke Amsden, or the S~cIoolmaster,' from
the pen OF the well known author of o" The Green
Mountain Boys" &c, really possessed any value from
its bearings upon the subject Of Common School Edu-
cation, has led Inc To read and examine the work.
Considered merely in the light OF a fictitious narra-
tive, the ihorou-h-golng novel reader, longing Tor
exhibitions OF "'sd adventure and moving accidents"
would not probably ind his longings fully satisfied il,
its peuI,al. But the work has n higher aim. Its pur-
pose Is to show the success OF efforts tor srif-cducation I;
to illustrate the Importance OF awakening thought in
the process of education to exhibit the superiority of
solid learning over superficial accomplishments and
TO throw out useful suggestions upon the construction
oi school houses, and upon other Eindred topics. Pa
rents teachers and pupils may read the book to advan-
tag, for it contains profitable hints Tor them all.
But the work, although its general scope and pur-
pose are as above indicated, Is not, by any means.
devoid OF interest a. a story. The pleasant incident .
OF the tale are interviewer with the more substantial
tissues that constitute lis ground work, serving to Join
beauty and interest to that which is designed to nos
Scss a yet more solid value. And although one would
rise from a perusal OF the book with the feeling of hay-
ing been instructed and proited, rather than OF having
been excited by stirring events and tl1lIipa incidents
he would yet revert to the story with pleasurable emo
tons and with a calm feeling OF satisfaction in view
OF the progress and development of the tale. E..
We cordially recommend " Locke Amsden "
to our readers, and trust it may meet with a
ready and extensive sale, and circulation. in our
State. 1t is well calculated to exert a bcne.
fetal influence in behalf of the schoolmaster' ~
and his high calling. and his, we have reason
to believe, Judge Thomson will esteem its
highest praise. and the proof of it, in educational
improvement, his best reward. The book, we
presume, may be had at EDwARns.