these rather than on the unnatural and "made-up" exercises of the text-book. Miss Manning of the Lincoln Primary, spoke of the effect of memorizing gems of poetry or prose. She said the effect was to cultivate the taste, the imagination and the moral nature, and especially to develope and strengthen the sentiment of patriotism. Miss Murphy, of the Jefferson Primary, had been appointed to reply to the question: "What are the advantages of oral over written recitations?" She said that oral recitations cultivate social intercourse, and give an opportunity to the pupil of hearing the correct and comparatively elegant language of the teacher. Oral language must be used by everybody much more frequently than written languge. Hence oral recitations should be much more frequent than written ones. Besides in oral recitation the pupil and teacher are brought much nearer together, and the teacher gets a better insight into the mind of the child, with all its peculiarities and its needs. Mr. Mann of the programme committee then announced the speakers and the subjects for the next session, Friday, March 7, and the meeting adjourned. A. L. M. The digit of the astronomer (digitus, finger) is a survival of this method of counting by the aid of the fingers of the hand. When numbers were employed for actual counting, in money transactions, measurements, etc., the Romans employǝd-as conservative China does to this day-certain little pebbles, calculi (from calx), which they assorted in compartments of varied size or strung on wires and thread. Hence we "calculate" in our day, and not unjustly dread the mysteries of Differential Calculus. A smaller calculus was called minutus (our diminutive) and gave rise to our measure of time, a minute; while another such pebble was called scrupulum, the scruple of pharmacy, and, strangely enough, of conscience. The next smallest size was the secundum (from sequor, I follow), which survives in various forms; the second, in measuring time, 1-60 of a minute; in fighting a duel, the man who follows his principal, or in public assemblies, the member who follows up the author of a resolution and seconds it. Editorial Department. WE HAVE received several items of interest, which came too late for this number of the JOURNAL. They relate to Arbor Day and to the interest taken in displaying the flag by officers and pupils of our schools. They will appear in our next number. J. M. GONZALES, clerk of Pujol district, San Diego county, writes that they raised a flag, showing forty-two stars, on their new three thousand dollar school-house on the first day of last January. He thinks that they are entitled to the credit of raising the first flag of the kind on a school-house in California, and as far as we know the credit belongs to them. We trust this flag will do more for the toys and girls of Pujol district, yes, for the town of Temecula, than the trustees of the school have ever dared to think. May their example be imitated until it will be almost impossible to travel from San Diego. to Siskiyou without seeing somewhere the stars and stripes floating in the breeze. IT IS PROBABLE that a bill will be introduced in the next Legislature providing for the setting apart of a day in each year, to be known as "Arbor Day," and to be observed as a holiday. There are many arguments which might be adduced in favor of such a bill. Americans, with their proverbial rush and hurry, have far too few holidays as compared with other nations, and anything which would induce them to take a rest, though it be only for a day, would be a public benefit The peculiar observance of Arbor Day would consist in the planting of trees, and since this could be done by the children, under proper direction, it might be made especially a "children's day." Its good influence would be far-reaching. So many principles might be instilled into the minds of the children on such an occasion-care for the future, the good they are doing for others. There would also be that enthusiasm which is aroused in children when there are numbers engaged in doing the same good work. Older people do not need to be told how greatly trees add to the beauty of the landscape, nor how hot, dusty roads become picturesque when bordered by arbors of waving green. The climatic changes resulting from forests of trees. are also well known. So little trouble is required from each one, and so fraught with good to our State will the result be, that there can be but one opinion as to the good influence of such a holiday. Our State Superintendent is much to be commended for the interest he shows in this matter, and for the thoughtful care with which he is directing public sentiment to recognize the necessity for Arbor Day. OUR READERS are probably aware that the State Teachers' Association will hold the postponed session the 18th, 19th and 20th of the present month in Los Angeles. Although the time may not be as convenient to some as the winter holidays were, still we hope this will not prevent any from being present. On several accounts March is a better month in which to visit Los Angeles than December; the air is more balmy, the orange groves appear to better advantage, and the surrounding country is more attractive. But we make a plea for a full attendance on other and more substantial grounds. This meeting is the regular annual convocation for the teachers of the State; it is a time when the best talent and thought in the profession find expression. The proceedings of this meeting are published in the daily papers and educational journals, and so reach thousands of readers east of the Rocky Mountains. Our educational status is thus determined and our Eastern friends take our measure. We do not believe that the interests of education in California are neglected, or that our schools are behind the times and non-progressive, and consequently we do not wish any impression should be made which would in the least indicate such conditions. We advocate a full attendance and a meeting which will fairly represent the profession on this coast. The Southern Pacific Railroad Company offer reduced rates, the same as in December, as do the Steamship Company. The same generous offers are made by the hotels and boarding houses in Los Angeles, so that the expense for the trip will be reduced to a minimum. A more favorable opportunity to visit the southern part of the State may not occur for years, so let all go who can. We owe it to ourselves and the profession to make sacrifices sometimes for the cause; perhaps this is one of those occasions. William Blakie's answer, in his Harper's Magazine article, to the question, "Is American Stamina Declining?" is not encouraging. Mr. Blakie, who is an authority on athletic matters, thinks that it is declining, and he does not wonder that it is. "Is it strange," he asks, in the light of the almost universal neglect of physical training, "that a majority of Americans are flat-chested, or that we do not sleep enough, do not breathe deeply enough, do not know how to eat properly, are inerect of carriage, and poor walkers?" He makes the surprising statement that "the examiners for admission to West Point not only find a majority of the applicants unfit physically to pass, but sometimes not even a solitary one is fit." His remedy is thorough and expert physical training in the schools. "Now let Boston," he says, 46 put Dr. Sargent on its School Board," and he recommends a list of experts in physical training for other cities as well. Mr. Blakie thinks we ought to be able to do what the Greeks did and the Germans are doing, and no doubt we ought. If we are to be the biggest nation in all creation, we cannot afford to let our stamina decline. Our Book Table. INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION SERIES. single system, putting the state governments New York. This volume aims to give practical advice for school management rather than theories. The author has had an extended and varied experience in school work, has been a student of pedagogical literature and a close observer; consequently his book contains much that is of real value to the teacher. When a man sees clearly and writes from earnest conviction, his words carry weight even if the reader disagrees with him. We do not mean to be understood by this, that this book is not, in the main, sound and progressive; it is full of good things and a young teacher will do well to read it; yes, and the old ones too. "THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERN ministration, the federal government as the great unifying frame-work of the complex whole. The local, as well as the central governments of the states are described, so that more space falls to the discussion of state than of federal institutions. But the states are never dissociated in thought from the general government, and the description of one serves as a partial discussion of the other part of the great whole. MANUAL OF EMPIRICAL PSYCHOLOGY as an Inductive Science. A Text-Book for Schools and Colleges, by Dr. Gustav Adolph Lindner, Professor in the University of Prague. Authorized translation by Chas. De Garmo, Ph.D. Published by D. C. Heath & Company, Boston. ers will find it more interesting than those works on Psychology which are drawn largely from metaphysical theories. It constantly invites introspection and selfexamination. The particular value of this book lies in MENTS OF THE UNITED STATES." A the fact that it is based entirely upon exbrief manual for Schools and Colleges. perience instead of proceeding from a By Woodrow Wilson, Ph.D., LL.D., priori principles. For this reason, teachauthor of "Congressional Government," and of "The State: Elements of Historical and Practical Politics." D. C. Heath & Co., Publishers, Boston, New York and Chicago. Price by mail, 55 cents. Introduction price, 50 cents. This book departs altogether from the usual plan of making formal analysis of the federal constitution and describes our state and national governments historically and practically. It is a thin duodecimo of 140 pages which treats of the state and federal governments as parts of a a mere THE ELEMENTS OF ASTRONOMY: A textbook for High schools and Academies, with a Uranography by Charles A.Young, Ph.D., LL.D. Published by Ginn & Company, Boston. Dr. Young is too well known as an astronomer to need any words of commendation for any work he may prepare on his favorite | presented, the explanations are clean and subject. It is proper to state, however, sufficiently emphasized by illustrations that this is a new work and not an abridg- and examples. ment of his "General Astronomy" published a year or more ago. It has been prepared especially for High schools and Academies. THE NEW STATES: A sketch of the history and development of the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana and Washington, with map and illustrations. Published by Ivison, Blakeman & Co., New York. Teachers and pupils have here in an inexpensive form much that is both new and interesting about the four new states. The book may be used as a supplement to any geography. Besides the geographical knowledge it contains, there is much of historical and political interest; it gives a full account of the early settlement of these states, their early history, an account of their soil, climate and productions, besides valuable facts concerning their constitutions. THE NEW ARITHMETIC: Edited by Seymour Eaton with a preface by Truman Henry Safford, professor of Astronomy in Williams College. Published by D. C. Heath & Co., Boston. This book was prepared for the purpose of supplying more arithmetical operations and less theory and definition that is usually found in works of this kind. It is an undoubted fact that much of the time given to the study of arithmetic is lost because of insufficient attention in permanently securing what is once gained. Theories, principles and rules are a little value to children except they be sufficiently enforced by many specific applications. ELEMENTS OF PLAIN AND SPHERICAL TRIGONOMETRY: By Edwin S. Crawley of the University of Pennsylvania. Published by J. B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia. We have here in a concise form all that portion of Trigonometry usually given in a college course. The subject is progressively EXERCISES IN WOOD-WORKING, with a short treatise on wood. Written for manual training classes in schools and colleges, by Ivin Sickles, M. S., M. D. Published by D. Appleton & Company, New York. The first fifty pages of this book is devoted to much valuable description of the different kinds of wood, the best season for cutting, methods of drying and milling, parasitic plants, timber bores, etc.; then follows directions for the use of all the more common wood-working tools, all being suitably illustrated. It is an excellent manual for the industrial training school. for March is a paper upon the “Trial, The opening article in the ATLANTIC Opinions, and Death of Giordano Bruno," by William R. Thayer; this is followed by a paper by Charles Worcester Clark on "Woman Suffrage, Pro and Con." George Parsons Lathop shows us "The Value of the Corner," and there is an admirable paper called "Loitering through the Paris Exposition." Dr. Holmes is particularly amusing in "Over the Teacups," and seems to wish that people would write less poetry. He closes with some odd verses on the rage for scribbling. Mr. James' story and Mr. Bynner's serial are continued, and Mrs. Deland allows her from saving a drowning woman,hero, from conscientious scruples, to decline -a novel position for a hero! John Trowbridge has an interesting article on Dangers of Electricity." The reviews, clever, as usual, bring this well composed number of the magazine to an end. Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston. THE WORLD'S PROGRESS is a monthly periodical of forty pages devoted to invention, improvements, discovery, art, science, etc. In style and general appearance it is like the Scientific American. It gives prominence |