slight loss in population, but taking the State as a whole we shall expect a gratifying increase. Our State offers too great inducements to the wage-earner of every kind for her land to remain long unoccupied or her shops to seek in vain for workmen. SAXONY. The Kingdom is divided into twenty-eight school inspection districts At the end of 1887 there were in Saxony 2,144 public Protestant and thirty-nine Roman Catholic common schools (Volksschulen), eighty-four private schools and 1,919 advanced common schools (Fortbildungsschulen), or altogether 4,186 common schools, with a total attendance of 641,070. In addition there were one polytechnic at Dresden, two Landesschulen, fourteen gymnasia, ten realgymnasia, twenty-three ralschulen, eighteen seminaries, and two girl's high schools-altogether seventy educational establishments, with a total attendance of 17,739, exclusive of the University and a large number of industrial, commercial, agricultural, musical and art institutes." The University of Leipzig, founded in 1409 and attended on the average of recent years by 3,000 students, is the third largest in Germany. CHINA. Fducation of a certain type is very general, bnt ssill there are vast masses of adult countrymen in China who can neither read nor write. There is a special literary or lettered class who alone know the literature of their country, to the study of which they devote their lives. Yearly examinations are held for literary degrees and honors, which are necessary as a passport to the public service; and in 1887, for the first time mathematics were admitted among the subjects of the examinations. Recently, Western literature, and especially works of science have been introduced in translations, and schools for the propagation of Western science and literature are continually on the increase. The principal educational institution for this purpose is the 'Tung Wen Kivan, or College of Foreign Knowledge, at Peking, a Government institution, where the English, French, German and Russian languages and mathematics, astronomy, meteorology, chemistry, matural history, physiology and Western literature are taught by European and American professors, while the Chinese education of the pupils is entrusted to eminent Chinese teachers. There are besides several colleges under the control of some of the numerous Roman Catholic and Protestant missionary bodies at Shanghai; and a number of smaller or elementary schools at Shanghai and other parts, where the English language and lower branches of Western science only form the subjects of study. The Chinese Government has of late years established naval and military colleges and torpedo schools in connection with the different arsenals at Tientsin, Shanghai, and Foochow, in which foreign instructors are engaged to teach such young Chinese as intend to make their career in the army or navy of their country, Western modes of warfare, besides Western languages and literature. Two Chines newspapers have for several years flourished at Shanguai, and the success they have achieved has led to the establishment of others at some of the other treaty ports. SWITZERLAND. The teachers of the Canton Graubuenden in their annual meeting recently resolved to publish the number of pupils in daily attendance, respectively, the number of absentees in the official reports of the cantonal Board of Education. America has set the example in this; for the purpose of obtaining correct statistics that number is indispensable. In Prussia a daily register is kept regularly and the roll is called, but in the royal statistical reports no mention is made of the percentage of absence. The authorities estimate it to be less than ten per cent. Happy country where the number of pupils in daily attendance amounts to 90-95 per cent; and yet that is not far from the actual facts, owing to the rigid enforcement of the compulsory attendance law. Graubuenden also introduces schools for dullards, to relieve the other schools of an element which retards their progress. St. Galleu recently opened a manual training school; 206 boys desired admittance, but only 122 could. accommodated. In Zurich it is proposed that the teachers should not as heretofore be educated separately, but that the teacher's seminaries be brought into organic connection with other secondary institutions and that the teacher's preparation be terminated with graduation from the university. The same idea is frequently advocated in Cincinnati and other cities of this country. be PRUSSIA. In the province of Eastern Prussia the semi-annual examinations have been abandoned in several places, notably in Konigsberg, Lyck, Tilsit and Insterburg. ALSACE-LORRAINE. These provinces have several normal schools for young ladies, more than any of the older provinces and states of Germany. AUSTRIA. Vienna. Careful and very discretely conducted inquiries have revealed the awful fact that 4,600 children in the city schools would go without warm dinner if not supplied with it by the "society for proper feeding of children in school." The Senate of Hamburg has decided upon an increase of the salaries for the city teachers. The teachers of Dresden have a discount society which after one year was able to declare a dividend that amounted to 18,653 marks; the sales amounted to about 235,000 marks in one year. Dr. Arnold Schroeder of Frieburg in Baden says in an article on " Alex John Ellis and the English Dialects," that Dr. Wenker who had undertaken the gigantic task of making an atlas of the dialects spoken in Germany had the assistance of 30,000 trained German teachers who contributed material and valuable information concerning languages and their extent (linquistic islands); and these teachers did the work splendidly. Alas, says he, England has no 30,000 trained teachers who could do such work! The Swiss teachers will hold their annual meeting at Lucerne this summer. The university of Berne (including the veterinary course) has this year 825 students, among which are 108 from foreign countries. The Prussian minister of public education thinks, that the teacher in many cases is for many children the first morally pure person with whom they come into contact, children who come from strata in which physical and moral filth is predominating and literally stifling the germs that might be developed into something better. The "Goettinger Zeitung," says: The number of candidates for admission to normal schools has decreased in exact proportion to the decrease in salaries that has taken place. The number of places in cities has increased by 4120 within eight years (18781886), while the increase in expenditures for salaries was 2,800,000 marks during the same period, hence the average salary of these 4120 men is 679 marks. That is of course not very enticing. This explains why the German school authorities are obliged to fill vacancies with women, though much against their will as is well known. Our Book Table. teachers. If you buy it and study it careWe consider this book of great value to fully you will add largely to your value as a teacher. THE VOICE: HOW TO TRAIN IT, HOW TO | throat, breadth and volume of voice, etc., Part first treats of the " use and abuse of the vocal organs" and portrays vividly and accurately the functions of the human voice. Proper modulation is of the highest importance to those who use their voices in public, and Prof. Warman shows how the voice may be trained to command the greatest variety of tone. The value of being able to sustain tones is dealt with, the author demonstrating that the voice may be used in addressing audiences out of doors without danger of impairing it or causing hoarseness, but on the contrary invigorating not only the voice itself, but the whole physical system. The secret of this power is given clearly, being threefold in its nature, and for the benefit of the student the author enters closely into the details of the process. Part second deals with the anatomy, hygiene and physiology of the vocal organs, amply illustrated, giving a clear insight into the anatomy and physiology of the organs as related to the production of the voice, using as far as possible plain and familiar terms, rather than technical ones, to explain nature's methods in producing vocal tones. Part third considers the "breathing and Vocal exercises for the culture and development of the human voice," and this part, too, is elaborately illustrated by instructive diagrams regarding the interesting subject. Breathing in its various ways, the correct position to assume, the freedom and the control of the diaphragm as bearing on voice production, clearness and flexibility, the sustaining of vowel sounds, purity of tone, the clearing of the PLANT ORGANIZATION. By R. Halsted Ward, M. D., F. R. M. S., Professor of Botany in the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N. Y. Ginn & Co., Publishers, Boston. This book is a guide to the study of plants. It consists of a synoptical review of the general structure and morphology of plants, clearly drawn out according to biological principles, fully illustrated, and accompanied by a set of blanks for writing exercises by pupils. It also provides for some easy microscopical work, if desired. Though requiring a very thorough study and exact understanding of the plants which may be selected for study, the work is so systematized and simplified as to be adapted to the use of beginners, in connection with personal instruction or with any text-book of botany however elementary, and either with or without the employment of technical botanical terms. The work, which is designed for private students or for classes in academies, seminaries, high schools, etc., is now issued in a second and revised edition, after having proved its value. THE SCHOOLROOM GUIDE to Methods of Teaching and Schoolroom Management. By E. V. De Graff, A. M. Seventieth Edition. Entirely rewritten. Published by C. W. Bardeen, Syracuse, N. Y. Few books have met with as much popular favor as this, there probably not being a county in the United States where it is not known and valued. Prof. De Graff was an institute conductor of rare ability, unusual personal magnetism and great popularity. For years his book has been kept on the desk for ready reference, while other more pretentious works were soon laid away and forgotten. 1 HOW TO PRESERVE HEALTH. By Louis changes he advocates we are not convinced thus admirably adapted for a family guide. We incline to think that the orderly de- ELEMENTARY H. Baker, A.M., High School (Dist. No. BOOKS RECEIVED. PSYCHOLOGY. By James FRACTIONS. A Teacher's Manual of Objective and Oral Work. By Helen FPage, State Normal and Training School, New Britain, Conn. Published by Ginn & Co., Boston. The purpose of Prof. Baker is to present with practical applications to education and conduct of life, including an outline of logic, the more important principles of psychology in a clear and concise form, arranged for schools below the grade of college, and adapted to the use of teachers and the general reader. In the experience of life every one is in some way a teacher, and every one should have in view at least, the further development of his own powers. 232 pages. 12mo, price for introduction, $1.00 Specimen copies sent postpaid to teachers for examination at introduction price. THE PICTURESQUE GEOGRAPHICAL READ This book is the first of a series of four They will be profusely illustrated with pictures from photographs, will be properly graded and contain a vast amount of information of interest to both young and old. FRACTIONS. Color Diagrams for Use in Connection with the Teacher's Manual of Objective and Oral Work. By Helen F. Page, State Normal and Training School, New Britain, Conn. Published by Ginn & Co., Boston. RIVERSIDE LITERATURE SERIES. Days of Ancient Rome. By Thomas B. Macaulay, with the author's introduction, and additional explanatory notes. Longfellow Leaflets. Poems and Prose Passages from the works of H. W. Longfellow. For Reading and Recitation. Compiled by Josephine E. Hodgdon. Illustrated. Published by Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston. Single number, 15 cents; Double numbers, 30 cents. PEDAGOGICAL PRIMERS. No. 1. School Management. Published by C. W. Bardeen, Syracuse, New York. SUGGESTIVE DICTATION EXERCISES IN PURE SAXON ENGLISH or Americans to the gestions and illustrative lessons leading up to primary reading. By I. F. Hall, Superintendent of Schools at Leominster, Mass. The author of this book deplores the fact that our present spoken language is composite, and would eliminate all words not of Saxon origin and by an empirical method of suffixes and prefixes supply their place. OLD TESTAMENT STORIES, from the disWe do not take kindly to the author's plans, persion of Babel to the conquest of for were it possible to bring about the Canaan. GOETHE'S SESENBEIM. Edited with an In- HOFFMAN'S HISTORISCHE ERZABLUNGEN. HINTS ON FRENCH SYNTAX with Exer- THE MAGAZINES. A Tonic Horsford's Acid Phosphate, A most excellent and agreeable tonic and Pub-appetizer. It nourishes and invigorates the tired brain and body, imparts renewed vitality and energy, and enlivens the functions. Dr. H. K. Clarke, Geneva, N. Y., says: "It has proved of great value for its tonic Dr. J. H. Stedman, West Brattleboro, Vt. says: THE ST. NICHOLAS for July is a reminder of Revolutionary days and summer vacations and revivifying influence." and as usual full of good things. When we say it sustains its reputation for excellence and variety in its reading matter and for its fine illustrations we pay it the highest compliment possible. "The best nerve tonic I ever used." Rumford Chemical Works, Providence, R.I. Beware of Substitutes and Imitations. CAUTION:-Be sure the word "Horsford's" THE CENTURY for July contains a debate is printed on the label. All others are spurbetween Edward Atkinson and Henry George ious. Never sold in Bulk. on the Single Tax question which ought to clear up some of the mistiness which WEBSTER'S many people entertain on the subject. A UNABRIDGED ANCIENT EDITION. A so-called "Webster's Unabridged Dictionary" is being offered to the public at a very low price. The body of the book, from A to Z, is a cheap reprint, page for SCRIBNER'S MAGAZINE for July begins its day, a valuable book, but in the proof the edition of 1847, which was in page, the eighth volume and is a number of particular interest for readers of all classes gress of language for over FORTY YEARS, Robert Louis Stephenson has a poem from has been completely superseded. It is the South Seas, a city editor discusses the now reproduced, broken type, errors and subject of a citizen's rights as affected by on cheap paper and flimsily bound. A all, by photo-lithograph process, is printed newspapers. There is the usual variety of brief comparison, page by page, between articles both in prose and poetry. The illustrations are up to its high standard. the reprint and the latest and enlarged edition, will show the great superiority of the latter. These reprints are as out THE ATLANTIC for July contains as con of date as a last year's almanac. No hontinued articles "Felecia" by Fanny N. D orable dealer will allow the buyer of such Murfree;" "Sidney" by Margaret Deland to suppose that he is getting the Webster and "Over the Teacups" by Oliver Wendell which to-day is accepted as the Standard Holmes, all writers of world-wide reputation. and THE BEST,-every copy of which A brief resume of the Life of Richard Henry bears our imprint as given below. Lee will receive attention from the fact of If persons who have been induced to the recent unveiling of a statue to his purchase the "Ancient Edition" by any memory. James Russell Lowell has a poem misrepresentations will advise us of the Sarah Orme Jewett a story and Albert facts, we will undertake to see that the Bushnell Hart an article on College Ath seller is punished as he deserves. letics. And these are only about half of the good things in this number. G. & C. MERRIAM & CO. |