winters and read law summers for the next three years. Becoming attached to the work, he gave up his law studies, and for the next ten years devoted his entire time to the business of teaching. So devoted was Mr. Stanton to his avocation that his annual vacations were spent in travelling, visiting schools, teachers' institutes, and conventions in his own and other States.

He took an active interest in all these organizations. Mr. Stanton's contributions to the press assisted inuch in the establishment of a free-school system for the city of Syracuse. In Buffalo he held the position of principal in the Third Department of the High School, which he resigned to take charge of the Brockport Collegiate Institute, at the commencement of its second year. The school was in a highly flourishing condition when the building was destroyed by fire. Funds for rebuilding were raised, largely through his influence, and the building was erected, which has since been enlarged and used as a normal school. During the erection of the new building he was sent to the legislature as representative of the district. Upon the completion of the new college building, Mr. Stanton opened the school, but decided to close his career as a teacher. He was selected as deputy Secretary of State by Mr. Headley.

At the expiration of his term of office he was elected as a director and president of the La Crosse and Milwaukee Railroad Company, now the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul road, which position he held for several years.

While in Buffalo he had the degree of A. M. conferred upon him by Hamilton College, and while in the office of Secretary of State he received credentials from the Justices of the Supreme Court licensing him to practise as attorney. Since leaving the teacher's profession, some thirty years ago, he has been engaged in various kinds of business.

At one time he was interested with others in a plantation of twelve hundred acres of cotton and twelve hundred acres of corn in the State of Arkansas, which he personally superintended. He was an active member of the New York Stock Exchange for several years; he recently sold his membership for $29,500. He was also supported as a candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction at the time of Mr. Gilmour's first election.

Whether teaching, railroading, farming, or banking, certain characteristics never forsook him. He was always kind and charitable to the poor, respectful and affectionate to the aged, devoted to the young, and idolatrous to babes. While holding the position of President of the National Rifle Association, which office he held three terms, one of the New York papers speaks of him as follows:

"Hon. N. P. Stanton, the President of the National Rifle Association, is an active member of the New York Stock Exchange. As a 'shootist' he has no particular record, though in the Annual Directors' Matches he makes an average score. He owes his official position to the interest he has always taken in the success of the Association, his great executive ability, and his universal popularity. In early life he was foremost in the ranks of educators in our State, and in teaching the young idea how to shoot,' and now, on the shady side of fifty, we find him teaching Mr. Soldier how to shoot. As a disciplinarian he was unequalled then, as an executive officer he has few superiors now.'

THE SEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING

met in the Presbyterian Church at Elmira, Wednesday, August 4th, 1852. In his introductory address, Mr. Stanton said:

"The objects of our Association are the interchange of thoughts and views by lectures, discussions, etc. We meet also to discuss legislative proceedings in regard to the cause of education in our State. We meet, too, for social culture, to become better acquainted with each other, and thus cheer and encourage one another in our labors."

Addresses were delivered by C. H. Anthony, on Sanctions of Law; A. J. Upson, of Hamilton College, on the English Language, its history, characteristics, and peculiarities in this country; George Spencer, of Utica, on Thought and Language relatively considered; Ira Mayhew, State Superintendent_of Michigan, on County Superintendency and Teachers' Institutes; and Rev. Dr. Murdock, of Elmira, on Education Developed by New Arts and Discoveries.

The report of W. W. Newman, of Buffalo, on Union and Central High Schools, and that of Mr. Nunda, of Livingston County, on Teachers' Institutes, were received with special favor.

The following resolutions were among the most important:

Resolved, That a paper be established, to be called The New York Teacher, and that the ownership, and entire control be vested in the Association. (By the adoption of this resolution, The Teacher was established in October, 1852, with Mr. T. W. Valentine as resident editor and an editorial board of twelve assistants.) That in our opinion the establishment of teachers' institutes in each county in the State is much to be desired, as one of the most effectual means to advance the interests of schools. That we regard the teachers' department established in the different academies in this State, as well as the State Normal School, as very important and essential institutions in preparing teachers for our schools; that we recommend them to the generous and permanent patronage and assistance of the State government; and that from the cordial, reciprocal and hearty co-operation of normal schools, teachers' departments, and teachers' institutes we hope to realize the greatest good to all the schools.

The following officers were chosen by the Association for the ensuing year: President, Charles Davies; Vice-Presidents, W. D. Huntley, D. H. Cruttenden, E. A. Sheldon, and D. J. Hamilton; Corresponding Secretary, T. W. Valentine; Recording Secretary, James Nichols; Treasurer, J. H. Fanning.

CHARLES DAVIES,

widely known as mathematician and author as well as teacher, was born at Washington, Litchfield County, Conn., January 22d, 1798. He graduated from the West Point Military Academy in 1815 and was assigned to duty as a lieutenant of artillery. The next year he was transfered to the corps of engineers and became an assistant teacher at West Point.

He subsequently resigned his lieutenant's commission, and was made assistant professor of mathematics. In 1821 he became assistant professor of natural philosophy, and in 1823 he received a commission as professor of mathematics. His health failing, he visited Europe in 1837. He was appointed professor of mathematics at Trinity College on his return, but being threatened with a loss of health he resigned this professorship. He was paymaster in the army and treasurer at West Point till 1845, when he took the chair of mathematics and natural philosophy in the University of New York. His mathematical works, which he began to prepare early in his career as a teacher, engrossing his attention, he retired to Fishkill Landing to complete his series of text-books. For a period he was connected with the normal school in Albany and in 1873 became emeritus professor of higher mathematics in Columbia College. His death occurred at Fishkill, September 17th, 1876.

EIGHTH ANNUAL MEETING.

The eighth anniversary was held in the city of Rochester, August 2d, 1853. Able addresses were delivered at this meeting by the President, Charles Davies, on Conformity to Law in Education; Henry Kiddle, on Motives to Mental Culture; A. J. Upson on Practical Education; and by Mr. Ogden, on Method in Teaching.

A report on alteration in the present school laws, submitted by Mr. Coburn, caused an animated discussion. The creation of the office of State Superintendent, of County Superintendent, and the law apportioning school moneys on the basis of the school census, were considered and warmly approved. A report in favor of free public schools was read by Mr. W. W. Newman, and on motion of Professor Johonnot a resolution was adopted asking the Legislature to pass a general union free school law. An able address for distribution was also read by Professor Upson.

The officers elected were: President, Victor M. Rice; Vice-Presidents, J. R. Vosburg, Solomon Jenner, J. H. Hardy, and J. Winslow; Corresponding Secretary, T. W. Valentine; Recording Secretaries, John H. Fanning, A. S. Palmer; Treasurer, Oliver Morehouse.

VICTOR M. RICE

The year

was born in Mayville, Chautauqua County, N. Y., April 5th, 1818. His father was Hon. William Rice, who was prominent among the early settlers of that day. He graduated from Allegheany College, Pennsylvania, in the year 1841. The following year he commenced the study of law in the office of William Smith, of Mayville, a course of study which he did not complete until several years later. In 1843 he removed to Buffalo, and was employed as teacher of Latin, penmanship, and book-keeping in the school of John Deow. following he became partner with Mr, Deow, and their school was called the "Buffalo High School. In 1846 he became editor of the Cataract, afterward the Western Temperance Standard. In 1848 he was employed in the Buffalo public schools, and in 1852 he was elected twelfth Superintendent of Schools for that city. Subsequently Mr. Rice was elected State Superintendent of Public Instruction. He presided at the meeting held in Oswego.

That Mr. Rice entertained more than mere surface views on the subject of education may be seen from the following extract taken from his speech at Oswego:

"Is our system of education in harmony with the laws of our nature, and thus promotive of the highest development to which we are susceptible? Let us look at it and see. Let us deal frankly with its faults as well as its virtues. One defect is, that man revels in the pleasures of to-day. He seeks present enjoyment, and omits that solid discipline and frequent self-denial necessary to perfect his nature. The cure for this is not only in the school-room, but in the family. Set before the child the example of Franklin and others, and the noble boy will say, 'I will try to be like him.' How like a lever is the human will! It is the lord of circumstances. Resistance only calls forth its power. It is the locomotive that urges him along. Hence, get the will right.

"Another defect in education is seen in the inordinate desire for wealth. In our northern latitudes we see it developed in commercial tact, that is at least of questionable virtue. In the sunny clime of the South it is seen in the evils of slavery. I would not object to the accumulation of a fortune, governed by a laudable purpose. The danger is to make gain our God.

"The struggle to avoid labor is another indication of defective education. All were created for labor. The human constitution is so formed. Indolence carries in its train the destruction of power. It robs even physical enjoyments of their charm. The morn and the eve, the air, food, and water are most felicitous to the son of toil. Everything in nature would cease without action. It is by elemental strife that nature is preserved. The ocean is kept pure and the air is made wholesome by action. Physical labor is often considered low and degrading. Ladies can play the piano, go shopping, and the like. Young men cannot engage in those enjoyments that tan the brow or toughen the cuticle. An intelligent merchant, a few days since, told me that scarcely a day passed