52

PACIFIC EDUCATIONAL JOURNAL.

age of twelve or thirteen years. This incomplete mental garnishing is all very well so far as it goes, but the fact must be considered that more than three-fourths of the pupils of both sexes leave school at the earliest age when they begin to earn money.

*

The real issue, then-says Miss Courson-is to make the earlier grades of public school education serviceable to the greatest number of pupils. Other of the older countries set us the example of industrial training, and sooner or later we must follow it. The objection that such training is not feasible in our ordinary public school-rooms, even to the details of cookery, has been set aside by actual performance. The majority of young women and girls who leave the public schools to enter factories and stores have a profound contempt for domestic work of any sort, while the little learning they have acquired is wholly inadequate to fit them for earning money in any pursuit that demands intelligent execution. No matter whether they remain non-domestic workers, or whether they eventually come to fulfill the duty of womanhood by becoming wives and mothers, the question is equally serious as effecting social advance. As individuals they would live more healthfully and comfortably, as part of the family more usefully, for such knowledge as could legitimately be imparted to them by a judicious engagement of the study of domestic economy upon the existing public school system. All school boards must, in the nature of things, sooner or later yield to the palpable requirements of the people for this practical training which is so vital in its bearing upon the well being of the bone and sinew of the land, the workers who create all the elements of national prosperity and stability.

THE LICK TELESCOPE.

IN a few months the Lick telescope will be in place and its great lens brought to bear upon the infinite depths of the blue empyrean. Should this great instrument prove as powerful as expected, its astronomical revelations will doubtless astonish the little world which we inhabit, and make Mount Hamilton the objective point of all who are desirous of solving the latent mysteries of the solar system. "Suppose," says a writer on the subject, "it should bring some of the planets near enough to actually decide that they are inhabited, what consternation it will produce! Then would arise the questions: "Are they like us mortals here,' Have they had an Adam and an Eve, a flood, and a Solomon?' 'Are they like us-living in doubts and mists as to our future?'" Through the aid of this instrument the astronomer may be enabled to arrive at a positive conclusion in regard to the composition of the rings of Saturn-a question which has for a long time attracted the attention of men of science. At present-as we are informed opinion is divided concerning a dark line in the outer ring of Saturn, whether it be produced by a darker shading of the ring, or whether it be the sky beyond showing through the opening. If a star or other object

should be seen through the dark spaces the question would be settled. Some astronomers of note think that the rings are approaching the planet. Measurements of exceeding delicacy will be required to establish this theory. Saturn's oppositions will afford the best conditions for seeing stars in the dark spaces between the rings. Let us hope, therefore, that, through the medium of the Lick telescope, this perplexing celestial enigma will ere long be as definitely understood as the glaring orb from which we receive our own light and heat.

ACCORDING to the "Tidings," Grass Valley has a new society called "The Vocabularians." The object is to find more English words; to improve the vocabulary of each member. The society meets, and each member relates hi, experiences of the day in words different from those commonly used. In describing the antics of the dancing bear, for instance, a member of The Vocabularians hunts the dictionary for words out of the common run in which to clothe his story. The motto of the society is " Copra Verborum," or plenty of words. The stories told in the meetings are said to be quite interesting and amusing and show a great deal of ingenuity and research.

STATE EDUCATIONAL NOTES.

ALAMEDA COUNTY.

Miss Cora C. Curtiss, of Oakland, died January 13th, at Hill's Ferry, where she had been teaching. About a week before she contracted a cold, which eventually caused death. The remains were brought to Oakland for burial. Many friends grieve at the death of a young lady of accomplishment, kindness, amiability, and thoughtfulness.

In Oakland, the work of the new principal of the Durant School, Prof. S. G. Dunbar, gives the greatest satisfaction. There is a marked increase in interest on the part of both pupils and teachers, and the Durant School is taking rank as one of the foremost in that deparment.

Ex-Supt. W. F. B. Lynch is President of the County Board of Education. Long may he live to lead in the educational administration of his section. Since Hon. F. M. Campbell has resumed the superintendency of the Oakland schools, the department has shown signs of increasing vigor and efficiency, the money question is no longer a bugbear, and new buildings for school purposes are rapidly being furnished.

Supt. Campbell's article in this number of the JOURNAL shows a fine school organization, second to none in the world, and all created by the wisdom and energy of a fine man. And though Mr. Campbell's modesty keeps him in

the background, we must say that, among these few foremost, should be written the name of Frederick M. Campbell.

J. H. Firehammer of Suisun, who was recently elected vice-principal of the Alameda High School, is making his work there as a teacher of exceptional ability--the right man in the right place.

Supt. Fisher of Alameda was chosen one of the committes to represent the County Superintendents of the State before the Legislature, in regard to needed amendments of the School Law. He recently visited Sacramento and met with the Legislative Committee on Education. We believe his efforts and arguments will result in legislation favorable to the school interests of the State.

The Harmon Seminary, a private institution for girls, at Berkeley, has closed its doors, and is a thing of the past. The building has been secured by George Bates, M. A., the master of the Berkeley Gymnasium, and that Superior preparatory school will now have the finest buildings for its purposes in the State.

The work at the Oakland High School under Principal J. B. McChesney, especially that in English, is equal, if not superior to anything else of the kind on the Coast. The graduates of this school take high rank at the State University, and a number of them are engaged in teaching the subject of English in other high schools of the State.

AMADOR COUNTY.

The former Superintendent of this county, J. F. Chandler, refused to run again for that position, but has resumed teaching at Sutter Creek. His successor in the Superintendency is our old friend the veteran teacher, A. W. Kerr. We are indebted to Prof. Kerr for some valuable ideas on language teaching, which have been of the greatest aid to us in our school-room work.

SACRAMENTO COUNTY.

Prof. M. Babcock, principal of the Sacramento Grammar School, is making a grand record for himself in the entire reorganization of that institution. Since the first day of his entry into the school, two years ago, change and improvement have marked the daily routine. His work in language, both oral and written, is especially creditable; and interest of an active and lively character is now taken in work that was formerly disliked and esteemed as drudgery.

The High School in this city, under Prof. W. W. Anderson, shows the influence of a master hand. This school is fortunate in having not only an admirable head, but in such an instructor in English as Miss De Laguna, whose superior can not be found in the country.

MARIN COUNTY.

This county has lost the valuable services of Superintendent A. E. Kel

logg, who has been appointed to an important position in the San Francisco Boys' High School. Prof. Kellogg was recently honored by election to the presidency of the State Teachers' Association, at their San Jose meeting in December.

His successor in the principalship of the San Rafael school is Mr. De Brish, an able teacher. In the superintendency, he is followed by Mr. Robert Furlong, who, for years, has been a leading teacher in this section of the State.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

The Normal School at Los Angeles has a larger attendance this term than ever before. The excellent work and personal popularity of Prof. More and his excellent assistants are the main causes of this great success. All of this section of the State, the new garden of Eden appreciates Prof. More's able management.

Ex-Supt. John W. Hinton, on the completion of his term of office, went into the real estate business in Los Angeles, where he is "making lots of money." We regret that Supt. Hinton has served his connection with school administration. He was one of the ablest educators in the State.

Los Angeles again has an excellent high school, due entirely to the ability and energy of its principal, Prof. F. H. Clark. This gentleman is comparatively a young man, a graduate of our own University, with an experience of not more than five or six years, but his merits are of so high an order that he has taken rank among the foremost educators of the State.

TEHAMA COUNTY.

A handsome gold watch and chain was intended as a slight token of the high appreciation in which the teachers of this county held the retiring Superintendent, Myron Yager. We have not heard what Prof. Yager is doing, but as he is one of the brightest and most active teachers in Northern California, he is, doubtless, back in the classroom before this.

The new Superintendent, Mr. L. W. Valentine, comes from a bright family of teachers, and will prove a worthy successor of Mr. Yager. Mr. Valentine has done excellent service in this county, where he has filled some of the leading positions.

The people of this county are anxious for the establishment of a branch State Normal School at Red Bluff. A bill has been introduced to the Legislature, and seems likely to become a law, providing for such an institution somewhere in Northern California.

SOLANO COUNTY.

The Republican says: The people of the Egbert school district being desirous of joining the Canright district, and having gained the consent of the members of the latter, have petitioned the County Superintendent to allow them to consolidate in order that they may be able to secure the services of an efficient teacher, as some of the pupils are far advanced.

Miss Maggie McCormack, who has successfully taught the morning Light school for the two years past, and who was engaged to teach there this year again, has been induced to release herself from her engagement, and take charge of the Conright school for two coming seasons.

The average numbers of months in which schools are maintained in Solano county, are eight. Fourteen districts maintain schools six months or over, but less than eight months. And thirty-nine districts maintain schools eight months or over.

School Superintendent Webster has received a supply of new school furniture from San Francisco. It is all of very neat design, and is just what was needed to embellish the hitherto dingy quarters occupied by him.

HUMBOLDT COUNTY.

The new Superintendent of this county, Prof. J. B. Brown, was for so many years Principal of the Eureka High School that the people will find considerable difficulty in adequately filling his place. That Prof. Brown will make a fine Superintendent goes without saying.

The Misses Prince, who for some years conducted the Seminary at Eureka, have gone to Japan. They have been appointed to leading positions in the Normal School at Tokio.

SAN MATEO COUNTY.

This county is fortunate in adding to its corps of teachers, Mr. W. H. Scott, for some years connected with the Placer schools. Mr. Scott is a teacher of ability and uniform success.

SONOMA COUNTY.

Ex-Superintendent C. S. Smyth is, at present, acting as clerk of one of the leading Committees of the State Senate. Mr. Smyth intends going back to schoolroom work. The city which secures his services will indeed be fortunate.

SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY.

A few consolidations of classes were made on the opening of the new term, at the beginning of January. Eight teachers were temporarily thrown out of employment.

The Board of Education at its second regular meeting, made some excellent changes in the Rules and Regulations. Chief among these was the establishment of a more thorough system of inspection for the department. Principal James G. Kennedy was elected Head Inspector. This appointment is one that will give universal satisfaction.

Mr. H. W. Philbrook has been appointed Deputy by Superintendent Anderson. The supervising force of the department now consists of the Superintendent, Prof. J. W. Anderson, Deputy Horace H. Philbrook, Head Inspector J. K. Kennedy and Inspectress Laura T. Fowler. The schools have been divided among the four latter, and a thorough examination is now going on. Moreover, new methods are being suggested, help of all kinds