THE above cut of the new Presbyterian church of this city will be interesting to the many students who have in past years attended service in the old church. The new building will be one of the most beautiful in the west. It is expected that the church will be completed within sixty days, so as to be ready for use at the Christmas services.

Can a Practice School Be Made to Answer the
Purpose of a Good Public School?

NOTE.-At the Buffalo meeting of the National Educational Association, President E. A. Sheldon, of the Oswego Training School, presented a paper on the above subject, in which he gave his conclusions from the experience of the past thirty-five years, in using one of the Oswego public schools for a practice school. In the absence of those on the program for this discussion, Professor Wilkinson, being called upon, made substantially the following remarks:

As to confining the observation work of pupil teachers to the model school entirely, where they see none but the best of teaching, there may be some consolation for those of us who are not able to present enough model work to make this possible. A successful blacksmith is reported to have said that he had received as much help in other shops from seeing how not to do as from seeing how to do. The pupil teacher should not be led to depend upon imitation. If he has wise guidance, he will discriminate between the excellent and the inferior work of those he observes. He will feel greater freedom in questioning the work of an equal than in suggesting possible faults of a superior. It is probable that a greater amount of faulty work may pass without question when done by a model teacher than would be accepted from any pupil teacher. There may be greater danger in the harmful imitation of the few faults of a model teacher than of even a few of the many faults of the pupil teacher. There is a tendency on the part of children to become too self-conscious while they do the work of the school, and this tendency is liable to be most marked in the pupils who receive all their teaching in the presence of many observers. The model teacher will not fail to show the pupils that she is thinking much about how the work of the class appears to the observers.

While the paper has described in the most instructive manner the using of the city public school as a practice school, it still remains a question of great concern in comparing practice schools with the typical public schools, whether the practice

school can do as well for the children who attend it as can the public school. The frequent change of teachers seems to be a necessary evil of the practice school. The teacher who spends but a short time with his class cannot make the impression upon character which is among the best results of good teaching. With this thought comes the reflection that sometimes, in the ordinary public school, the fact of long continuance in the sole charge of one teacher has a very damaging effect upon the young people. It may be doubted, however, whether even the best results for the pupil teacher demand as frequent changes as some of us make. The teacher should stay with the same class long enough to make a very perceptible growth. The continual transplanting of cabbages is not likely to grow very good heads. The transferring of a teacher before he has been with a class as much as ten weeks should be made only in case of absolute necessity. It is not necessary that each pupil teacher should be tried in every subject or in every grade, but on the other hand, it is not wise that any one preparing to teach in the ordinary public school should take all his training department practice in a favorite subject or in the grade most to his taste. There is, for pupils in the training department, some compensation for the loss caused by frequent change of teachers, in the fact that training school pupils get a considerable sharpening of their wits in acquiring their very remarkable power of estimating new teachers, and their phenomenal skill in showing the new comer that he must learn to govern as well as to teach.

There are many points in which the work of the pupil teacher may compare favorably with that of the teacher in city schools. The average teaching ability of normal seniors is as high as that of the rank and file of public school teachers. The experience of normal seniors in ordinary school work is as extensive as the average of teachers in the public schools. The normal students of the West are chiefly those who have taught long enough before coming to the normal to determine that they have some fitness for teaching, which makes it worth while to invest something in the business. The teacher in a practice school comes to his work with a broader view of the educational field than has the average teacher of the city school, who stays with the same work year after year. The training teacher in a normal school has more freedom to exercise his discretion in the prompt suspension or transfer of teachers who are failing than does the city superintendent in dealing with the incompetent teachers that the board is liable to elect. The supervision of the work of the practice school is more close and careful than that provided for city schools, and yet there is less danger that the work may fall into ruts or that the management of the school may become the mere automatic working of a machine that cannot adapt itself to changing

needs and conditions,

The Literati Society.

The stirring society with the huge voice, which causes some people to complain, is busily but, strange to say, quite silently at work. Since the beginning of the school year over sixty students have enrolled as members of the society and have begun to work in earnest by learning to give the hearty Literati handshake, and by going out into the ranks of students and persuading them that "ours is the very best society in the K. S. N."

The programs for the past month have been exceptionally good. A number of debates on live questions have brought into prominence the oratory and logic of some of our members. The aesthetic part has not been neglected. Among those contributing to our enjoyment were Mrs. Gahan, Mrs. Poindexter, Misses Perkins and Woodrow, Professor and Mrs. Keene, Carl Boyle, Mrs. Boyle and her pupils, Miss Riley, Miss Staatz, Miss Howe and Mr. Rhodes, in their two-piano piece. The band under the able leadership of Mr. Wood, filled to overfiowing our hall with music on the sixteenth inst. Numerous recitations and several excellent essays have been delivered. Mr. Ellsworth read us two poems recently, which have not yet been published. We bespeak for them a speedy publication, as they would make a reputation for a writer less well known than Mr. Ellsworth.

To the absent friends we would say, our rostrum carpet has been replaced by one as fine as the finest, adding materially to the fine appearance of our hall.

To the student just now entering school, we extend a hearty greeting and say, if you would join a society which will help and encourage you, come with us.

To our new members we would say, do not hesitate to do that which your hands find to do. When you are asked to contribute to a program, do it cheerfully; every one must begin some time and now is the accepted time.

The Belles-Lettres Society.

The Belles-Lettres society is never at a loss to furnish a feast of good things to those who listen to its excellent programs. Our new officers are doing their duty in a creditable

manner.

A special program, on the evening of October 15, was one of the best ever presented by the society. The Normal band made its initial appearance of this year and proved that the past good record of its members was to be exalted in the future. Some unique features of the entertainment were the homophone, a new classical musical instrument operated in a scientific manner; the Greek wrestlers who well illustrated this ancient custom and a magnificent interpretation of "The Lotus Eaters" which represented a party of travelers cast upon the Egyptian coast who, after eating of the lotus flowers, forgot their home and friends and were content to die in a foreign land. Professor Keene favored the society with an excellent rendering on the violin, and Professor Elias with a superior piano solo. The rest of the program was of more than usual merit, and all went home feeling that they had spent an enjoyable evening.

A handsome set of curtains purchased by the society during the month, harmonizes perfectly with the other decorations of the room. Several new names were presented for membership at the last evening. Some entirely new features are enrolled for the coming month. Among them will be one evening in which every number on the program will be original matter furnished by members of the society. Some novel ideas may be looked for, and poetic, elocutionary, and histrionic talent will receive encouragement to further effort. The society still issues a cordial invitation to all new students. We need your assistance and in return can furnish you enjoyment and pleasure. Come, and join with us.

The Philomathian Society.

The past month has been one of the most prosperous of our history. Our several committees deserve special mention for their successful work. He who comes to our hall on Friday evenings is sure to forget, for the time, his troubles caused by equations and outlines. The members who have joined us this term are a host in themselves. They are strong not only in numbers but in power.

On the evening of September 25 occurred the installation of officers, and the president gave a glowing address. Then followed a number of good essays and declamations spiced with vocal and instrumental music and the debate. Recess was, as it always is at the Philo. hall, a happy time for all.

One evening, on account of rain, we had the pleasure of visiting the Lyceum friends. These visits are always pleasant times. We also have received a visit from the Belles-Lettres quartet and the band,-pleasant calls indeed.

Twice this month we have had visits from members of the faculty. President Taylor gave words of encouragement to ever strive for the highest ideals. Miss Jones caused joy by her presence last Friday evening. Among many other helpful things, she asked us to consider how much of our society work was fruit, and how much must necessarily be lost. We are always pleased to have members of the faculty with us. In this month comes the fifth anniversary of our society organization. We shall appropriately celebrate the same with a suitable program.

The Lyceum Society.

In this most delightful season for settling down to the steady school work of the year, the wise student is not forgetful of the fact that there are devolving upon him other duties and obligations than those involved in the regular routine of class work. These are as essential to the fullest rounded development of the model student, as is the training afforded by any of the various branches of study. Such training is afforded by the work of the societies. Many of the new students, realizing the most excellent opportunities for such training offered by the Lyceum, have most eagerly joined its ranks. This with the goodly number of earnest workers already enlisted, constitute a corps of faithful members, of which any society might well be proud.

The hall, always so attractive in appearance, has been made doubly so by the addition of new carpet, curtains, and drapery. Amid such surroundings, the stranger, greeted by the cordial welcome which is universal in Lyceum circles, cannot fail to feel at home. Feasting on the good things presented in each program and mingling with friends new and old, he realizes that some of the pleasantest experiences of his school life are to be found in the Lyceum hall.

Among the few visits from members of the faculty during the month was one from Professor Stevenson, whose rendition of "Shamus O'Brien" was enjoyed by all. Mr. Ellsworth, too, received the usual hearty welcome, as did his original selections, which are always highly appreciated by his Normal friends. Mr. Payne also gave an interesting talk abounding in reminiscences connected with the early history of the society.

The close of the second month sees the work of the year well begun. The work of the contests is being anticipated, and withal the society is in a most harmonious and flourishing condition.

The numerons friends of Miss Robie Florilla Tucker who was with us last year, especially her classmates of the Lyceum, of which she was an active member, will be interested to learn of her marriage at El Paso, Illinois, September 1, for upon that day, at high noon, she linked her life fortunes with those of Harry George Campbell.

Personals.

J. D. Graham is teaching near Le Roy.
Blanch Neiman is teaching near Elbing, Kansas.

G. O. Lines is teaching in the Neodesha city schools this year. W. L. Harman, here in '85, is teaching at Liberty, Nebraska. Lizzie Watson, here in '90, called on her Normal friends a few days since.

A son of Ex-Consul John Waller is in the Model School and is one of the bright boys in his class.

'74. Miss Sadie Rogers is teaching in the Helena, Montana, schools.

'76. Miss Roxanna Davis has resigned her position in the Lawrence schools and is now teaching in Denver.

'85. Hattie C. Dennis is spending the year at Lawrence, Kansas, resting, on leave of absence for one year. Her address is 1133 Kentucky street.

'86. Alfred Docking made a hasty business visit to Clay Center in October.

'89. J. M. Rhodes writes from Harvard that he is still pleased with his work. He wishes to be remembered to the friends here.

'90. Violette Metzger is studying medicine in the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.

'90. George Adams has recently published a most valuable report on Extinct Felidæ.

'91. Maude Smith writes that she spent part of her summer vacation on an island in Puget Sound and that she enjoyed "Indian life" very greatly. She teaches at Enterprise again this year.

'93. Nellie Covert writes that she is teaching in the Louisville, Colorado, schools.

'93. Miss Emma Kittlaus has accepted a position in the Helena, Montana, schools.

'93. Rev. O. L. Utter enters Boston University for three years' course in theology aud kindred subjects.

'93. Grace Tolman is studying medicine in the Woman's Medical College, Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia. Her address is 1530 N. 20 street.

'93. Pruella Nay was married to M. L. Justis on September 23. They are at home at Kiowa, Kansas.

'95. M. Etta Foulke is teaching near Wakefield. '

'95. R. L. Davidson is teaching near Herington, Kansas, in one of the "best equipped school houses in the country."

'95. Ella Cunningham has accepted a position as kindergarten teacher at Fort Smith, Arkansas.

'95. Flora Fuson is engaging in Evangelistic work and writes that the Gospel meetings at Scranton recently were very helpful.

'95. S. A. Bardwell is principal at Leonardville again and is also a candidate for county superintendent of Riley on the Populist ticket.

'95. A. T. Mills finally decided to enter the University at Ann Arbor instead of Harvard, and he writes that he is happily located within a few blocks of the University campus and also that he has been admitted at once as a candidate for Ph. B. degree.

'95. Forrest Woodside writes from Falcon, Colorado, that he has recently had an advance of twenty dollars per month. He is enjoying his life in the mountains greatly and finds that his health is improving. He evidently will not return to Kansas very soon to remain, for he says: "Granting the beauty of her broad rolling prairies dressed in emerald green, with crystal streams fringed with elm, maple, and cottonwood, coursing their way through the fertile soil, Colorado with her mountains lifting their hoary summits above the misty clouds, with her great belts of evergreen timber, with here and there some calm and peaceful lake apparently asleep in the lap of a beautiful mountain valley, with her mountain streams emblematic of purity and energy rushing down her rocky ravines and gorges, with her beautiful flowers of every tint and shade up the mountain side, stands far above our sister on the east."

'96. Minnie Rich is teaching in the Atchison city schools. '96. A. C. Wheeler is a candidate for superintendent of Ottawa county on the Populist ticket.

'96. U. G. Sutton after completing the Latin course, September 1, entered North Western University for a full course.

THE LATEST BOOKS FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS And Where and How to Get Them.

A REQUEST: Please mention the MONTHLY when ordering any of the fullowing books.

The Principles of Argumentation. By George Pierce Baker, Assistant Professor of English in Harvard College. Linen; 414 pp. Chicago: Ginn & Co.

Students of the State Normal School and others interested in debate are referred to the above-named volume. It is a mine of suggestion and information. Nothing like it has ever come to our notice. The ordinary works in rhetorics bearing on the subject of argumentation, in no way approximates this book.

Bessey's Essentials of Botany. A new edition from new plates. By
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