10 



in these lectures, as manifested by their constant attend- 

 ance during the stormiest weather, makes this to be 

 one of the best means the Institution can adopt in or- 

 der to reach and benefit every family in our city which 

 has a child in the public schools, and the Board of Edu- 

 cation have indicated their estimation of the importance 

 of this work in the following circular to the principals 

 and teachers: 



Hall of the Board of Education, ) 



To the Principals and Teachers: 



City Superintendent's Office. 



November nth, 1881. 



In accordance with a resolution of the Board of Education, and upon 

 the recommendation of the Committee on Course of Study and School 

 Books, the undersigned hereby directs the attention of all teachers to the 

 fact that the American Museum of Natural History, possessing a large and 

 costly collection of specimens, illustrative and useful in many departments 

 of science, is now complete, and open to the general public for visitation 

 and inspection. The Trustees of this Museum, through the President of 

 their Board, Mr. Morris K. Jesup, have specially extended an invitation 

 to the teachers and scholars of the public schools, in which invitation the 

 desire is expressed that the Museum may be utilized in the service of pub- 

 lic education. 



The undersigned therefore suggests and advises that the means of as- 

 sistance in prosecuting the study of natural science, thus courteously and 

 definitely placed at the disposal of the schools, be rendered as available 

 for the purpose mentioned and made as practically useful as circumstances 

 will permit. 



By frequent reference to the existence of the Museum and its many 

 treasures in the Department of Natural History, the Principals and 

 Teachers could and should awaken the interest of the children, and by 

 precept and example, could induce and encourage them to take advantage 

 of the opportunity thus presented. The fact, that teachers from the several 

 schools have traveled great distances in inclement weather to attend a 

 course of Saturday lectures at the Museum, and were amply rewarded for 

 their time and effort, is proof of the Museum's usefulness from an edu- 

 cational point of view; and an announcement of what had been done and 

 is going to be done by teachers, would necessarily be productive of great 

 effect upon the minds of the pupils. The elements of Natural Science, 

 taught orally in our schools, are best presented by those who have an ob- 

 jective acquaintance with that about which they speak and lecture, and the 

 pupil who can pass from the world of books and oral statements into 



