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THE OLD BAY STATE.

THE following tribute to Massachusetts we extract from an eloquent Address, entitled "ÁN EDUCATED COMMONWEALTH," delivered by Dr. George B. Loring, at the dedication of a building erected for a Town House and High School, in North Andover, in May, 1867:

"And now of the efforts of Massachusetts to improve her material condition by the arts of peace. More than thirty years ago she commenced a system of public improvements, by loaning her credit to the enterprise of her citizens; and the fruits of her wisdom in this respect are before us. In 1830, before a railroad was running within her limits, when her agricultural and commercial wealth constituted nearly all her resources, manufactures being still in their infancy, her valuation amounted to $208,360,403. In 1840, while her railroad system was yet in its infancy, and the effect of her loans was yet doubtful, her valuation had increased to $299,878,327. In 1860, however, under the influence of her public liberality and her private enterprises, the valuation of her property increased to $897,796,326; and in 1865, to $1,009,000,000. "Of the products of her industry, Governor Bullock, in his last annual message, remarks: I am enabled to announce to every holder of a Massachusetts bond, whether at home or abroad, the fact, that while the first report indicated an annual product of eighty-six millions of dollars, the second of one hundred and twenty-four millions, and the third of two hundred and ninety-five millions, the fourth and last exhibits an aggregate of five hundred and seventeen millions ($517,000,000). And this result is yet more gratifying, and no less remarkable, when it is remembered that the increase of seventy-two per cent. on production in the last decade has been attained with an increase of only three per cent. in our population.'

"And how true and dauntless has our State been in this great enterprise of Popular Education! In peace and in war she has never faltered. Even under the heavy drafts made upon her treasury during the rebellion, her expenditures for education steadily increased. And when peace came, with its accumulated indebtedness, the schools received, if possible, still more earnest care. Last year the increase of scholars in our schools was over ten thousand; and the amount raised by taxation for schools was larger by more than two hundred thousand dollars than during any previous year.

"The devotion of two millions of dollars by an individual benefactor, Mr. George Peabody, for the diffusion of knowledge in the West and South-west, has excited the admiration of mankind. The amount expended by Massachusetts last year, as her annual contribution to the cause of learning, was larger than this by more than five hundred thousand dollars, - being $2,574,974 49, in her public schools alone. In addition to this, her colleges have been libérally supported; and it has been estimated that her sons have bestowed more than a million dollars in private subscription, bequest, and donation, to the fortunate recipients of their bounty.

And now, pardon me while I consider with you for a moment, before we close, and separate, and return to our customary avocations, the policy which naturally belongs to such a State as ours, a State which has accomplished so much, and which can bear the burden of the past and present by being confident, and bold, and energetic for the future. Massachusetts has won her position as a controlling State, and her renown and honor, by calling upon the resources of her sons, with the entire and unwavering belief that her call would be answered.

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"The loaning of her credit was done with the expectation that her people would avail themselves of every opportunity afforded by these great channels of trade; and that expectation has not been disappointed. More than thirty years ago a system of education was inaugurated here, which could only succeed by the devotion and liberality of the people by a popular determination to use all means of education, at whatever trouble and cost. It is enough to say that the system has succeeded. "Six years ago, unprepared and unaccustomed, the State was plunged into a long and exhausting war, in the prosecution of which all her resources of men, money, and moral force were required, and in the result of which depended her existence as part of a free and prosperous republic. All this work of peace and war has not been done without a heavy burden of debt. In 1850 we had a mere nominal, unsecured indebtedness. Ir. 1860 six and a half millions of dollars would have paid all claims against us. In 1863 the obligations of the State had increased to a little more than eleven millions; in 1864 to nearly fourteen millions; and in 1867 it amounts to $25,520,995 92, of which $14,427,585 24 are provided for by sinking funds, &c., applicable by law to the redemption of the public debt, and leaving more than nine millions unprovided for, except so far as depends upon the energy, industry, honesty, and success of the people. And when I allude to that policy which belongs naturally to our State, I mean that policy which will enable her to bear this debt, and pay it without discouragement to her sons, and without checking that industry which has made her great and prosperous.

"Now, I know no way to do this except by a constant appeal to that energy and business capacity which have marked her course thus far, and to that incessant struggle for moral and intellectual elevation for which she has become distinguished, believing, as I do, that prosperity and virtue go hand in hand, and that neither can

STATE DEBTS.

We copy the following statement from one of our daily journals:

WHEN speaking of the Public Debt, the debts of the States are usually left out of account. They only appear in State documents, and are not easily calculated in a lump. The debts of cities and towns, which form another large aggregate, are still more difficult to get at. Altogether, the public indebtedness of the country cannot be less than three thousand millions at the present time. This amount represents the dead loss by the war; yet it does not show the whole extent of that loss, which also includes the decreased rate of development while the war raged, and the actual destruction which it occasioned.

The Financial Chronicle has prepared a comparative statement, showing the amounts owing by the States in 1860 and 1866, compiled from local sources. The statement embraces thirty-two States, whose aggregate indebtedness shows an increase of $96,304,881. In 1860 they owed $255,849,709; in 1866, $352,154,590. The debt of Massachusetts has increased from $7,175,978 to $25,555,747. That of New York grew from $34,182,975 to $51,853,082. Connecticut, which in 1860 owed a modest $50,000, now staggers under $10,000,000; New Hampshire, which six years ago thought $82,148 debt enough, now submits patiently to $4,169,818; Rhode Island and Vermont, which formerly did not owe a dollar, now have liabilities, respectively, of $3,626,500 and $1,567,500. In the West, Wisconsin has risen from $100,000 to $2,282,191; Iowa from $422,296 to $622,296; Missouri from $23,923,000 to $37,145,928. Of the border States, Tennessee is the most heavily encumbered, its debt having swelled from $16,643,666 to $25,277,347. The war debts of the Southern States were wiped out with the cause they espoused, and their increase of debt is, therefore, with one or two exceptions, for the most part confined to the accumulation of overdue interest. The debt of Alabama has risen from $5,048,000 to $5,304,972; that of Florida from $383,000 to $638,863; that of Louisiana from $10,023,903 to $13,357,999; that of North Carolina from $9,129,505 to $14,433,000; that of Virginia from $33,248,141 to $45,119,741; while the debt of Arkansas has grown but nominally, and Texas, which was wont to print a simple nil, now confesses to $2,320,360. Meanwhile Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania have slightly diminished their State debts; but the debts of cities and towns have increased in those States and elsewhere throughout the country.

This vast increase of debt has not been accompanied by any corresponding increase of resources. In the fictitious currency now in use values have increased, it is true, in the North; but we cannot tell what they will be by and by, when we get down to hard pan, while the valuation of the South must have decreased by at least one thousand millions, without taking into account the assessed value of negroes held as property before the war. If anybody believes that the country has increased in actual wealth more than enough to pay the expense of the war since the war commenced, it is an error. We seriously question whether the real wealth of the whole country is a dollar greater than it was in 1860. If we are correct, the amount of the increase in the public indebtedness, added to the increase to which we were entitled in six years of peace, shows the cost of the war, We cannot reckon it less than five thousand millions. A fearful bill!

The people everywhere are suffering from the burdens heaped upon them. Prices of food, of rents, of clothing, are increasing, and our taxes are growing higher every year. Our local taxes are no exceptions. The State tax for this Commonwealth amounts to $5,000,000 in 1867, against $3,700,000 in 1866. The rate of taxation in this city has increased in the same time from thirteen to seventeen dollars in the thousand; and the same is true of all the cities and towns about us. The remedy is in the hands of the people, and if they do not exercise it they have no right to complain.

Now what the people have to do is, to select only the best men for their publie offices, for their senators and representatives in Congress, and the State legislatures; men of honesty, integrity, good judgment, and common sense. Under our public embarrassments the best and most judicious men alone should be intrusted with the management of affairs. The highest degree of wisdom will be required in legislation, the highest integrity in executing the laws and the disbursement of public money. Instead of expanding our debts and liabilities, public and private, let us contract them, as the only safe and sure course out of our difficulties.

SOUTHERN LOSSES DURING THE WAR. - Mr. Robert Tyler writes a letter to the Montgomery Mail, stating that in his opinion the estimates of Commodore Maury, respecting the losses of the South during the war, are altogether too high, and he cuts them down about one half, as follows: By emancipation, $1,700,000,000; expenses of the war, $600,000,000; destruction of private property, $700,000,000; additional Federal taxation, $500,000,000; total, $3,500,000,000.

BOOKS ABOUT AMERICA.-Since the discovery of America, about fifty thousand books have been printed relating to this country. A dictionary of these works is to be published by a New York bibliographer. Thirty-seven Abbotts and two hundred and two Adamses are authors in the list.

POST-OFFICE REGULATIONS. 1868.

Letters.-The maximum standard weight for the single rate of letter postage is one half oz, avoirdupois. The rate of postage on all domestic letters not exceeding one half oz. shall be uniform at three cents; and for each half oz., or fraction thereof, of additional weight, an additional rate of three cents, to be in all cases prepaid by postage stamps. DROP or LOCAL LETTERS, two cents per half oz., prepaid by stamps; and no further fee can be charged for delivery, or for taking from street boxes to the mails. IRREGULAR MATTER.-Letter rates are to be charged on irregular matter, part writing and part print, except that publishers may send and receive proof-sheets, and advise patrons, by writing on papers, when their subscription is up, at printed matter rates. On unclassified matter, where no specific rate is set down, letter postage is charged. SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' LETTERS are exempt from this extra charge, and may go unpaid if franked. Returned DEAD LETTERS, free. Foreign dead letters subject to conventional stipulations with the respective governments. Letters not finding owners at the office named, must be forwarded, when the place is known, free. The Postmaster-General may pay not more than two cents for carrying letters in vessels not carrying mails, such letters to be put in post-office on arrival in port; if for local delivery, another two cents should be affixed. No fees are allowed for letters collected by a carrier on a mail route.

Newspapers, Magazines, &c. -Newspaper, or second class postage, is, for papers not over four ounces each, per quarter, once a week, 5 cts.; twice, 10 cts.; three times, 15 cts.; six times, 30 cts.; seven times, 35 cts., and so on, adding one rate for each issue more than once per week, to be prepaid for not less than three months nor more than a year, at the office of reception. Publishers of weekly newspapers may send within their county free. On magazines issued less often than once a week, one cent for four ounces to regular subscribers. Special bargains may be made by the Postmaster-General for transporting packages of newspapers, &c. Publishers must be notified when papers are not taken out for one month, which notice may be sent free. BILLS AND RECEIRTS for subscriptions may be enclosed in papers and go free; any other written enclosure imposes letter postage. Publishers may exchange papers free, not exceeding sixteen ounces in weight.

Books-Not over 4 oz. in weight, 4 cts.; between 4 and 8 oz., 8 cts.; between 8 and 12 oz., 12 cts.; &c.

Miscellaneous Including pamphlets, occasional publications, transient newspapers, handbills and posters, book manuscripts and proof-sheets, whether corrected or not, maps, prints, engravings, sheet music, blanks, flexible patterns, flexible samples and sample cards, phonographic paper, letter envelopes, postal envelopes or wrappers, cards, paper, plain or ornamental, photographs, seeds, cuttings, bulbs, roots, and scions, not over 4 oz. in weight, 2 cents; over 4 oz., and not over 8 oz., 4 cts.; over 8 oz., and not over 12 oz., 6 cts.; over 12 oz., and not over 16 oz., 8 cts. All matter not above specified is charged at letter postage: all classes, except as above mentioned, must be prepaid.

Money Orders - For any amount not exceeding $50 on one order, are issued in the principal offices, on payment of the following fees: Orders not exceeding $20, 10 cts.; over $20, and not exceeding $50, 25 cents. This system is becoming popular with many who preferred the registry system.

Franking.-Franking is restricted to the president, his private secretary, the vice-president, heads of executive departments, heads of bureaus and chief clerks, to be designated by the Postmaster-General, senators and representatives, secretary of senate and clerk of house - but this only to cover matter sent to them, and that despatched in the way of business, except documents issued by Congress. DOCUMENTS from officers to their several departments, marked official, also go free; also PETITIONS to Congress. The weight of franked matter must not exceed four ounces per package, save Congress books, &c.

Foreign Letters (except to England and Ireland, to either of which the postage is 12 cts., prepayment optional) should indicate on the outside the route by which they are to be sent, as the difference by various routes is great. Thus, to Austria, and any of the German States, via "Prussian closed mail," 30 cts., prepayment optional; if prepaid, 28 cts.; via Bremen or Hamburg," 15 cts., prepayment optional; via "French mail," not exceeding 4 oz., 21 cts.; not exceeding oz., 42 cts. To the CANADAS, 10 cts., prepayment optional. To SWITZERLAND, via Prussian closed mail," if prepaid, 33 cts.; if not, 35; via "French mail," not exceeding 1/4 oz., 21 cts.; not exceeding 1⁄2 oz., 42 cts., prepayment optional; via "Bremen or Hamburg mail," 19 cts., prepayment optional. To FRANCE, not exceeding 1/4 oz., 15 cts.; not exceed

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WALTON'S SERIES OF ARITHMETICS

CONSISTS OF

I. Walton's Pictorial Primary Arithmetic. II. Walton's Intellectual Arithmetic.

III. Walton's Written Arithmetic.

The Pictorial Primary Arithmetic,

On the plan of Object-Lessons, is appropriately illustrated, and presents the elementary combinations of numbers in a series of simple and progressive lessons, calculated to interest and develop the mind of the young learner.

The Intellectual Arithmetic

Forms a connecting link between the Primary and Written Arithmetics, reviewing the former, and illustrating with small numbers nearly all the principles applied in the latter. This book contains also An Introduction to WRITTEN ARITHMETIC, and is well adapted to meet the wants of the large class of students who can devote but little time to the study of arithmetic. The Written Arithmetic,

For Common and Higher Schools, is a thoroughly analytical and progressive work; it presents the science of numbers in a philosophical manner, and affords a more full and varied practice than any other book of its class. Its original and thorough system of reviews commends it to every practical teacher. A distinguishing feature of this Arithmetic is its adaptation to the present wants of business life.

Walton's Dictation Exercises

Comprise a Card, on which are arranged figures for arithmetical operations, and two Keys, containing more than seven thousand examples, to be performed in connection with the Card. These examples embrace all the practical applications of arithmetic, from Notation to Cube Root, and are so arranged that the teacher may assign a separate example to cach pupil of a class of twenty-five at a single dictation. These exercises are especially designed for REVIEWS and TEST EXAMPLES, and may be used in connection with, and supplementary to, any series of Arithmetics.

BREWER AND TILESTON,
PUBLISHERS,

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