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this move a great impetus. Without the township system concentration of pupils would be impracticable.

The general influence of the system has been to advance teachers' wages, make changes less frequent, and to improve our schools. There is a very decided and growing sentiment in favor of increasing onr high school facilities, and this is also another result of our township system and made far more feasible through its establishment.

The general effect of the township system in New Jersey is unmistakably a good, long, decisive step forward. We will never go back to the neighborhood district system."

The township system is permissory in Wisconsin, and is now in use in the whole or some part of eighteen counties, all in the northern part of the state. The endeavor has sometimes been made to draw conclusions from the experience of those counties unfavorable to the more general adoption of the township system. This committee has, therefore, sought the testimony of the county superintendents in those counties as to the workings of the system under their observation. With very few exceptions, the response is highly favorable to the township unit. To summar

ize briefly, two-thirds of these superintendents unqualifiedly endorse the system on all points; while only two or three question its superiority, on the whole.

Says one: "We get better results from the township system than could possibly be gotten from the district system."

Says another: "The secretaries of our townships are invariably men of more experience and more competent than the average member of the district school board; and having more practice in providing for the schools and engaging teachers, they are better qualified for the work."

Another says: "Judging from six years' observation, I will say that the township system is much to be preferred. The schools are better and more uniformly equipped, better wages paid, and better teachers hired for a year at a time."

Yet another writes: "The school board in the small district, seldom the best and most progressive men, for such positions, seek to engage the services of that teacher who will teach their school for the least wages. The executive board under the township system is usually composed of a different class of men. They are intelligent and are interested in the schools. They take pride in having good schools and having them well taught. They engage the services of good teachers, pay them good wages, and supply them with the neces

sary schoolroom aids, and do not discriminate in any manner in favor of one district more than another."

It is a matter for regret that the letters received from these superintendents can not be quoted more numerously and more at length. It should be noted that the testimonies just given are all from superintendents who have contact with both systems.

The township system in Northern Wisconsin exists under peculiar conditions. The motives which originally led to its adoption were not always above question; but it seems undeniable that it has brought great educational benefits to that region in spite of the "sharp" and even unscrupulous methods sometimes used in its financial application. That now and then a superintendent is dissatisfied with some of its features, or that, in rare instances, a town relapses into the small-district system, seems to us to weigh little against the general testimony in its favor.

Your committee do not imagine that the township system would prove an immediate and complete corrective of all the limitations of the country schools. Such a panacea can

not even be hoped for. But we are convinced that its substitution for the present system would prove highly advantageous to rural education, and would greatly alleviate the most serious features of its present condition. Whether the time has arrived when direct effort should be made to secure legislation to this end, is a practical question on which we can not make a dogmatic declaration. But we are fully persuaded that such a movement, when made, should be "centrally initiated. It must be brought about by positive exactment of the legislature, just as the present school library system was. No administrative reform can afford to wait until the unintelligent and indifferent are informed and persuaded. Those who see the truth must cry aloud; and those who have authority must exercise it for the general good. Upon them the responsibility rests.

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We recommend that a committee of five on rural schools be appointed by this association to co-operate with the state department of education in urging upon the legislature all practicable legislation tending towards greater efficiency in the work of the country schools, greater equity and liberality in their support, and greater thoroughness and independence in their supervision. ALBERT SALISBURY,

J. W. STEARNS, ANNIE E. SCHAFFER, FRANK W. BIXBY,

DAVID THRONE.

Com.

Ginn & Co.

BOOK TABLE.

-MEMOIRS OF The Life and Writings of Edward Gibbon, edited with introduction and notes by Oliver F. Emerson, (279 pp.; $1.20) combines into a continuous narrative the three fragments of autobiography which the great historian left behind him, which are interesting chiefly for the clear impression they give of the growth of the author's mind and the preparation of his history. Gibbon was acquainted with the foremost men of his time, and for a time was a member of parliament, but of these things we get hardly a notice in these pages, while of his early training, of the development of his tastes and the progress of his history, we have satisfactory accounts. The editing has been scrupulously done, not without occasional touches of pedantry,, but the student will be thankful for able and satisfactory aids both in the notes and in the seventy page introduction.

-COOPER'S THe Last of the MOHICANS, edited by John B. Dunbar, (512 pp.; 75c.) appears in the pleasing dress of the Standard English Classics series. The appreciative introduction prepares the reader to understand the different characters and the historic setting of the story. The intelligent reader will especially appreciate the good map at the beginning of the volume, and the table or conspectus of the appearance of the writings of ten contemporaneous American authors. By general consent this is the most satisfactory of all Cooper's tales, and in plot and characters the most full of interesting and valuable matter. The editor has furnished valuable helps for the better understanding of these.

-Heroes of the Middle WesT-THE FRENCH, by Mary Hartwell Catherwood, (141 pp.; 60c.) tells the romantic stories of Marquette, Joliet, La Salle, Tonty, Frontenac, Hennequin, Pontiac, and others, in a vivid and glowing narrative which holds the reader chained to the book until the tale is finished. It is no small task to condense and still make real and enchanting for young readers these historic scenes of hardy adventure, and the publishers have done well in securing to do it a writer who has already made a name as a skillful raconteur. We cordially commend the volume as one of the best means we know of for awakening a hearty and abiding interest in the history of our country.

-EASIEST GERMAN READING FOR LEARNERS YOUNG OR OLD, by George Hempl, (82 pp.; 45c.) is the first of a series of books which it is proposed to issue, founded on the idea that we best learn a language by reading easy matter in which the context gives us a clue to the meaning of new words, so that we gradually build up a vocabulary as we built up that of our mother tongue. The book contains familiar English nursery rhymes in German, followed by German questions to be answered in the phrases used in the text. Not the dictionary, but practice in reading should develop the vocabulary of the learner. The plan is well carried out in this ingenious first book.

-PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, by William Morris Davis, assisted by William Henry Snyder, (428 pp.; $1.40) has been looked for with a good deal of interest, and will not disappoint expectations. The stress of the book falls upon the study of the land, and aims to show the history of its changes, the forces which brought them about with the laws of their action, and the effects of these forms and changes upon the life of the world, especially upon the life and pursuits of civilized men. The studies of coastal plains, plateaus, the waste of the land and the effects of changes of climate are especially satisfactory, and the illustrative instances are drawn from various parts of our own country, so that the student is put upon direct observation and interpretation of land forms in his home and in his travels. This is the department of geography in which the most progress has recently been made, and we have no manual which at all equals this in the presentation of them. The practical value of this knowledge will at once occur to discerning readers, and teachers who have learned to appreciate the discipline of objective methods will welcome so effective an instrument for extending their use.

Silver, Burdett & Co.

ume.

-HISTORIC PILGRIMAGES IN NEW ENGLAND, by Edwin M. Bacon (485 pp.; $1.50), proves on examination to be a most engaging and valuable volume. The writer, once editor of the Boston Advertiser, and author of "Bacon's Dictionary of Boston," is specially well fitted to act as cicerone on an historic pilgrimage in New England, like that on which he conducts a young western college boy in this volHe knows the ground thoroly, and very little of interest in the colonial and revolutionary history of Massachusetts escapes his notice. He is an accurate and critical guide, who sifts evidence shrewdly and has a keen appetite for the truth. Moreover, he loves the old chroniclers, the eye-witnesses who knew whereof they speak, and adds not a little to the value of his volume by abundant literal quotations from them The book is trustworthy, picturesque,

and entertaining, and will be at once appreciated by all lovers of New England life and story. The publishers have added to its value and attractiveness by a free use of excellent pictures of places, monuments, buildings, historic personages, and reproductions of old pictures. Public schools will do well to add it to their material for historic study.

-FIRST STEPS IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY, by William A. Mowry and Arthur M. Mowry (315 pp: 60c.), contains thirty-seven chapters, each of which bears as its title the name of some man, thus recognizing that the interest of young readers centers naturally about some hero. These heroes are not all explorers, or warriors, or presidents, but we note such as Robert Fulton, Horace Mann, and Clara Barton. The narratives are clear and vivid, spiced with anecdotes, and made picturesque by suitable descriptive details. The material, indeed, seems to be exceedingly well chosen both to hold the attention of young readers and to give them valuable and abiding lessons in the history of our country. The growth of invention and industries, the evolution of popular education, the increase of the spirit of humanity are traced, as well as the expansion of territory and the solidifying of the national life. The illustrations are numerous and suggestive, and the appearance of the book is very attractive. We commend it for fifth and sixth grade pupils.

-SCIENTIFIC Sewing and Garment CutTING, by Antoinette V. H. Wakeman and Louise M. Heller (155 pp.), follows the plans and methods of the Jewish Manual Training School in Chicago, with which one of the authors was for some time connected. The success of this school is enough to recommend strongly its methods. Pupils are led to think and plan for themselves, and the steps to success are so carefully and progressively arranged as to assure satisfactory progress.

Harper & Bros.

-A STUDY OF A CHILD, by Louise E. Hogan, (220 pp.: $2.50), offers a somewhat detailed record of the development of one child up to his ninth year. The record of the first year is but fragmentary notes, but with the development of complex muscular adjustments and of speech the more detailed study begins. As he approaches his fourth year his drawings begin and are a continual source of interest. His independent nature studies, his efforts at story telling, number work, writing, spelling, and so on are carefully narrated. Dr. Preyer, the famous German student of child life, wrote the author: "Since fifteen years, when the first German edition of my book on "The Mind of the Infant" was published, I have wished that a lady, after studying the work done, would let a child develop itself naturally and without continually interfering with mother nature. I actually brought up my boy in this way, and he is always happy. The boy you have observed seems to have been educated in a similar way." He adds: "Mind you do not go too deep into psychology-controversies would spoil the effect of your observations, which, in many cases, may serve as a practical guide without any commentary." These words may encourage other observers, teachers, and parents, who will learn much from this book.

D. C. Heath & Co.

-Auf der SonNENSEITE, edited by Wilhelm Bernhardt, contains charming short stories by Heinrich Seidel, Herman Sudermann, Emil Frommel, and Nathaly von Eschs

truth, equipped with notes and vocabulary. It belongs to the Modern Language Series, (146 pp.; 35c.).

-LE SIEGE DE PARIS, impressions et souvenirs, par Francisque Larcy, (188 pp.; 35c.), belongs to the same series. The author is one of the foremost journalists and writers of Paris. The picture here given is brilliant and vivid, and cannot fail to interest the reader.

-THE BEGINNER'S Reader, by Florence Bass, (110 pp.: 25c.), is an attractive primer, with many colored and black and white illustrations.

Miscellaneous.

-THE PRISONER OF CHILLON and other poems by Lord Byron is the last issue in the Riverside Literature Series, (Houghton, Mifflin & Co.; 15c.). Even this little book read thru will cause one to understand the revival of interest in Byron.

-IDEALS AND PROGRAMS, by Jean L. Gowdy, (C. W. Bardeen, Syracuse, N. Y.; 102 pp.; 75c.), comes from a Minneapolis teacher and is dedicated to her fellow-workers. An essay on ideals in teaching is followed by practical suggestions in reading, geography, and nature study for elementary schools. It contains wholesome advice and useful devices for school work.

-ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1896, (727 pages), besides the secretary's account of the work of that institution, contains, as usual, a number of valuable scientific papers. There are some twenty-five of these, of a few of which we give the titles: The Problems of Astronomy; Physical Phenomena of the Upper Regions of the Atmosphere; New Researches in Liquid Air; The Utilization of Niagara; Arctic Explorations; Recent Advances in Science; The Processes of Life Revealed by the Microscope; War with the Microbes, etc.

-The volume of Addresses and Proceedings of the NaTIONAL EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION for 1898 has just been issued. It contains, with the indexes, eleven hundred and thirty-nine pages, almost exactly the number of the last. The papers seem to us of more than usual interest and significance. No volume since the centennial has contained so much of permanent value. It is difficult to specify among so many papers, but we give prominence to the preliminary report on physical geography, to Dr. McGee's discussion of the geospheres, to the papers on history and on English in the secondary schools, to two or three articles on psychology, to Mr. Ordway's inspiring talk on the function of art in the education of an American citizen, and to Miss Felker's excellent presentation of play as a means for idealizing and extending the experience of children. Supt. Seaver's "Democracy and Education,' and the discussion upon it have a large and inspiring outlook. The volume may be had of the secretary of the association, Irwin Shepard, of Winona, Minn., for the usual low price.

-From the Volta Bureau, Washington, D. C., we have several interesting circulars regarding the education of the deaf. The longest is "The story of the rise of the oral method in America as told in the writings of Hon. Gardiner G. Hubbard;" "Some differences in the education.of the deaf and the hearing;" "The difference between the two methods of teaching deaf mutes," and "International reports of schools for the deaf."

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-Mr. Hamilton W. Mabie the associate editor of the The Outlook, has been writing an extremely readable series of arti cles on "Famous Schools." One of these is printed in the December Magazine Number of The Outlook. Its subject is "New College and Oxford," and, besides the literary and educational interests of the article, it is noteworthy for its charming illustration. ($3 a year. The Outlook Company, New York.)

-The actual sinking of the Merrimac is described by Lieut. Hobson in the January Century, the plans and preparations having been detailed in the December number. The article is abundantly illustrated, and every word is intensely interesting, a climax being reached in the simplest possible way, by telling the story with absolute directness.

-Social quarantine is a new educational movement which has been actively espoused by the Kindergarten Magazine of Chicago, and which is the outgrowth of Horace Fletcher's new book called "That Last Waif." This book is an argument and appeal that every child may be given the chance by right training and education, and claims that the state should provide adequate care for all young children born into the nation. A regular department of Social Quarantine is conducted in the Kindergarten Magazine by the cooperation of Mr. Fletcher himself with the editor, Amalie Hofer.

-The industrial evolution of mankind, chiefly through which civilization has reached its present stage, is described by James Collier in an interesting article in Appleton's Popular Science Monthly for January. The gradual growth from the primitive nomad to the modern industrialist is carefully followed out in detail. Prof. Joseph Jastrow is the author of an instructive and amusing illustrated article entitled the Mind's Eye, in Appleton's Popular Science Monthly for January, discussing from the standpoint of the psychologist a number of curious optical illusions.

-Scribner's has established a reputation for its excellent war papers and up to date articles. In the January number begins the series of papers on The Rough Riders by Theodore Roosevelt, which is wonderfully taking. With the Sirdar, by Major Wortley, sketches the formation and proceedings of the Arab levies. Dr. Gill tells of A Ride into Cuba for the Red Cross. An interesting series of letters by Robert L. Stevenson, a new serial by G. W. Cable, with short stories, poetry, and miscellanies, make up an excellent number.

-To have the men who have demonstrated their organizing ability by great business successes tell their secrets of organization, is the object of the editor of The Cosmopol itan. That he is succeeding, is proved in the January issue by the article from Charles R. Flint, who is regarded in New York as one of the three or four ablest organizers in America. He is president of the Rubber Trust and the head of the great mercantile house of Flint, Eddy & Co., which has its ramifications in almost every port of the world. Mr. Flint tells very openly what makes for success in the organization of business.

-The School Review grows steadily in power as an organ of advanced thought in education. Its report of the New England Association in the December issue was remarkably excellent and suggestive, and every issue contains papers which we should be sorry to miss.

BUREAU OF CIVIL SERVICE
INSTRUCTION,

123 Fifth Street, N. E., Washington, D. C.
We aid those who want to secure a
position in the Civil Service Depart-
ment. War creates a demand for large
increase of employees.

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The Modern School.

The work of the modern school is so new that the change seems like revolution rather than evolution. The little children are studying form and color, modeling in clay, constructing in paper and wood; all are drawing. They are learning sewing, cooking, joinery, wood-turning, and carving. They are studying music, not merely to sing by rote, but to read in various keys and in all the parts. They are collecting, observing, drawing, describing, preserving plants, animals, minerals. They are studying the natural forces and their effects, in physics and chemistry and meteorology.

Looking toward citizenship are history, civics, and vari-
ous special exercises to develop patriotism; the flag over the
schoolhouse is most significant of the new purpose working
itself out beneath. Besides all this, there are the human-
izing influences of literature, not the set pieces of elocutionary
fireworks of the school readers, but choicest classics in their
entirety.

This broader work matches the broader purpose, and
grows out of it.
These studies are not ends but means. By
them powers and capacities are revealed, and increased, and
satisfied. Right feelings are wakened, tastes are cultivated,
the will is trained. Methods too are in harmony with the
purpose to use the studies to train the child to observe, to
imagine, to reason, to express, to feel, to will.-G. H. Martin
in "Evolution of the Massachusetts Public School System."

No. 2

Classic Translations from Classic Authors

FOR CLASSROOM AND SCHOOL LIBRARY USE
CONVENIENT IN SIZE-MODERATE IN PRICE

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Pope. Riverside Literature Series, No. 101. 16mo, cloth,

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25 cents, net; paper Homer's Ulysses Among the Phæacians (from Bryant's Odyssey). Riverside Literature Series, No. 43. 16mo, paper Plato's Judgment of Socrates, being the Apology, Crito, and the Closing Scene of Phædo. More. Riverside Literature Series, No. 129. 16mo, cloth, 25 cents, net; paper

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Descriptive circulars of these books sent on application.

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GOVERNMENT...

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NOW READY

Although this book contains much matter taken from the author's well known "Exposition of the Constitution of the United States," it is so greatly changed as to be virtually a new book, and it is called by a different name so as to avoid confusion with the older book.

With an addendum on Local Government in Kansas, written by a leading teacher of that state, and with some changes and omissions the new book has already been

ADOPTED FOR THE STATE OF KANSAS.

All the changes in the state government by constitutional amendments and by legislation, up to and including the Revised Statutes of 1897, just adopted (Aug. 21), are embodied in the new

CONSTITUTION OF WISCONSIN,

which with the "Civil Government", will be designated as "Wright's Civil Government, Wisconsin Edition."

In ordering be careful to send for Wright's Civil Government, as "Wright's Combined Constitutions of the United States and of Wisconsin," will still be sold.

All orders from Wisconsin for "Wright's Civil Government" will be taken by us to be for the Wisconsin Edition, unless it is expressly stated that the Wisconsin Edition is not wished. But in ordering from other firms it will be safer to designate the book as "Wright's Civil Government, Wisconsin Edition."

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