The Minnesotian. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1851-1852, 1851-11-29
CIRCULAR.
Sr. PAUL. Nov. 2S, 1851.

ST. PAUL. Nov. rs, 1891.
To the Trustees and Teachers of the school
districts ofhe Territory of minnesota:
Among the duties dev0lving upon the
Superintendent OF Common Schools, none
is more responsible and delicate than that
OF recommending uniform system of text
books. The difficulty that once existed
Of obtaining books that were suitable to
the various grades of scholars, has ceased.
Many enterprising publishers have en-
ployed gentlemen Of talent and experience
in instruction, to prepare books, which
are generally forwarded to every point
where there is a probability that they will
meet with sale.
This laudable activity, however, has
created the new difficulty of knowing how
to select the best, from SO many which
are really excellent. and have their respec-
tive advocates. After due dcliberation,
it has been thought best to recommend the
following series to the schools of the
Territory:
The School Biographies, by S. A.
Mitchell.
Histories of the United States, by E.
Willard.
First Lessons in Arithmetic, by c. Da-
vies, L. L. d.
School Arithmetic. by C. Davies.
Natural PHILOSOPHERS, by II. G. Parker.
Elementary spelling Dvvh, by N. Weh-
ster, LII. d.
English Grammar, by w. II. Wells.
Series of Readers, by r. G. Parker.
The Superintendent has aimed to select
such reading books as will be unobec-
tionable to any Of the various classes Of
citizens. A fruitful source of difficulty
in our public schools, has been the read
ing of lessons from the Protestant version
of the Bible. 1t is believed that upon ex-
animation, there will be found no extracts,
in the reading books recommended. calcu-
lated to arouse any religious prejudice.
Ii the State ever expects TO have her
schools receive the support of the entire
community, those who have charge of pub
lie instruction carnot he too careful in
excluding works that have sectarian BIZ
as, and the "good' of every shade of re-
ligious belief should watch that no instruc-
ton of that description be ins;illed by the
teachers.
But" Ito employ the language Of the
Fifth Annual Report on the Common
Schools of Vermont, 1862 sat the same
time we would not have any torment them
selves with a jealousy Of purposes, which
have no existence but in their own imag-
nation.
''Thc difficulties which arc to be en-
countered upon this subject, are much
more likely to arise, in the first place, from
differences Of opinion, in regard to the
comparative merits of school books for le-
gilimate school purposes. But when the
proper board have decided TO recommend
a given book, it might be hoped that teach
ers and the community would regard the
exclusion of another, which they might
Judge preferable, as loss of far less mo-
ment than in the multiplied evils, which the
system Of recommendations seeks to avert
but there is still another source OF DIFF
iiculty in maintaining uniform system OF
text books. yet more embarrassing. grow
ing out Of efforts prompted by motives Of
pecuniary interest to induce the commune
ty to disregard the recommendations which
may have been duly made.
I'm accomplishing the purpose, appa-
rantly advantageous offers may be made.
in which better economy and better cooks
will figure largely. But the remedy for
this evil must be found, and we might
hope it would be sufficient one, in the
assurance which can safely be given,that no
such promised advantages, however plaus-
IDLE and alluring, can begin 10 compensate
for the ultimate pecuniary disadvantage, as
well as other evils, of breaking down a
system designed to be emphatically one of
protection and benefit" PIP. l3, IA.
AS yet the Superintendent is not only
unprepared, but deems it unnecessary to
recommend text books in the more advan-
ced branches, as it is believed that a great
majority will not need them, and il IS al
ways desirable to "hasten SLOWLY
E. ID. NELL,
Ter. Sup. Common Schools.
1.-THE London Morning Chronicle re-
wives the rumor that an exhibition of a
similar character to that which has recent
" closed in London, is to be given in
New York next Year. The Chronicle
says lit is not contemplated in the present
instance to arrange for an exhibition upon
SO gigantic scale as the presen. one, but
IT is proposed to erect capacious bull
ding upon an eligible site, in the center
OF the city of New York, which has been
placed at the disposal of the projectors bv
one of its wealthiest and most influential
citizens. The building will be construc-
ted OF iron and glass, upona plan similar
to the present structure in HYDE Park. and
will be considered by the government az
bond warehouse. British and foreign
goods will be conveyed from the Thames,
and from suitable ports in other countries,
by first class vessels provided by the d.