The character and ability of some old time teachers
well known. They were qualified to read, to write and to
whip. Like the old field School houses they were good for
nothing. They degraded the public schools and discouraged
the children. Such cannot stand the test of the present law,
and it is hoped will soon disappear from places for which
they have no qualifications, natural or acquired.

To render these examinations practical and comprehensive,
they are conducted by the chief school officer in each County,
the man who knows the wants of the schools and is respon-
sible for their condition. If candidates can give evidence of
good moral character and correct knowledge of the branches
to be taught, they receive the certificate, which admits them
to the school room. If not, they are rejected, because unless
there be intelligent teachers there can never be good schools;
there can be no vitality, no real growth. Some persons have
objected to this reasonable mode of testing fitness to teach;
but the answer is "There is no other door by which the
school room can be entered." He who seeks to enter in by
any other way is, as concerns the welfare of the children and
the Public money appropriated for their benefit, "a thief and
a robber." When the State assumes the responsibility of
educating the young, she assumes the duty of providing
competent agents for this important work and hence not only
applies a rigid scrutiny, but should grant every practicable
encouragement and facility to the teacher tor .securing the
requisite qualifications. This has been done and now the
examiners stand as sentries at the school house door and see
that none enter but those who are competent to bo teachers
and guides of the young.

One result of this system of examination has been to cause
teachers to review their studios and enter upon systems of
self-discipline. To aid them in this landable effort, the law
has provided

TEACHERS' INSTITUTES.

These Institutes are temporary Normal Schools in which the
teachers of the County assemble to receive instructioun from com-
petent Protestors in the art of teaching and governing their
Schools. They are convened once in each year and extend,
in a limited degree, to those actively engaged in the School
room the benefits of a professional training similar to that of
the State Normal School. Wherever Institutes have been
held during the year teachers have passed enthusiastic reso-
lutions endorsing their value. In many of the States liberal
special appropriations are made to sustain and the very best
teaching talent and the most eminent Professors employed to
conduct Institutes. The policy is good, for whatever im-
proves the teacher improves the School. A School system may
be theoretically perfect, but it will fail without the wide-