continent has been transformed from a waste of woods, prairie, and desert into a cultivated land full of busy towns. This fact has relation to the teaching of history. Professor Coman urges not only that industrial history is the "essential theme,' but also that it is as interesting as the political affairs or the military incidents described in the ordinary text-books. Her aim apparently has been to prepare a book which could be used in place of texts of the older type. This effort does not imply a failure to appreciate the importance of the other phases of American history, for her method of presentation assumes that the student already has a knowledge of the general history of the country. Unlike Professor Cheyney's somewhat similar book on the Social and industrial history of England this book includes scarcely any information other than that which comes fairly under the head of industrial history. In the chapter on the "Industrial aspects of the Revolution" nothing is said about the outbreak of hostilities between England and her rebellious colonists. The reader is left to infer the fact from the statement that all intercourse with the colonies was prohibited and that the Continental Congress in March, 1776, authorized the fitting out of privateers. Hardly more of the general history is given in the chapter on "The Civil War: economic causes and results," except that the beginning of fighting is more definitely located in relation to industrial or financial incidents. With this method of treatment the question arises, will the high-school student remember enough of the general history of the United States learned in the grammar school to use such a book to the best advantage, for it is improbable that many high schools can afford the luxury of two courses in United States history. In the case of college work there is not the same difficulty. Perhaps the question can be answered only by experience, but this is certain, to take up United States history from such a point of view would save wearisome repetition, because the ordinary treatment of the subject in high-school text-books is only a restatement with greater fullness of what has been described in the text-books for the grammar schools. The chances that the experiment would be fruitful would have been increased. had the author included in her work, as Professor Cheyney did

in the companion volume, a consideration of those phases of American history which are "social" without being definitely industrial.

One of the good qualities of this book is its directness and clearness of statement. The course of industrial evolution, and the complex tendencies which make up each phase, might, however, have been easier to grasp, especially for younger minds, had Professor Coman shortened her chapters. All ΑΠ schemes of periodization are more or less arbitrary, altho the particular one chosen may seem to an author necessary in carrying out her idea of the proper development of the subject. For example, the chapter on "The industrial consequences of the War of 1812" appears unduly prolonged, because it brings the narrative down thru the panic of 1837. Many events after 1823 or 1825 may be traced to the War of 1812, but in other cases the connection is so remote as to appear forced. Again, the chapter on the economic causes and results of the Civil War includes events as late as 1880. Occasionally in the treatment itself a great many details are given, making the burden upon the memory unnecessarily heavy. Each fact mentioned is interesting and would be indispensable if the book were a study of the subject arranged by topics. It is a fair question whether fewer facts, each selected for its illustrative value, would not have served the purpose without exposing some teachers to the temptation of insisting upon so many details. The description in successive paragraphs (p. 187-193) of the tariffs of 1816, 1824, 1828, and 1832 is a case in point.

In a book which covers so many periods it is inevitable that the author has felt a deeper interest in some than in others. The chapter on "The business aspects of colonization " seems to be one of these. It is especially fresh and instructive. Facts which in the ordinary treatments of the subject are so scattered as to lose their significance are grouped effectively. The chapter on "The industrial aspects of the Revolution" is another illustration, altho the material is more familiar and the management of the subject departs less from what is customary. The explanation of the commercial causes of the War of 1812 is less satisfactory. No hint is given of the

English

excuse for preventing American vessels from carrying cargoes from the French colonies to France. Furthermore, the aim in establishing a blockade from Brest to the Elbe is misstated. Then follow these sentences, which, to say the least, are inexact:

"The object of the order of 1806 was to punish Holland and Belgium for alliance with the enemy. Napoleon, fully master of the Continent since the peace of Tilsit, met this attack by a counter-stroke. The Berlin Decree closed all European ports to British vessels and British merchandise."

The English case in the controversy about impressment is given with hardly adequate fullness.

Altho this book is not the first to present the industrial history of the United States in fairly brief compass, it is the first which is serviceable as a text-book. It will have an indirect

as well as a direct value, for it will stimulate teachers to include more of the industrial development of the nation, even if they follow the course outlined in the ordinary text-books. HENRY E. BOURNE

WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY,

CLEVELAND, OHIO

National Educa

VIII

NOTES AND NEWS

Secretary Shepard has issued a formal antional Association nouncement of the fact that the Executive Committee of the National Educational Association have fixed upon San Francisco as the place, and July 9-13, 1906, as the date for the next annual meeting. There is every reason to believe that the usual railroad rates will prevail and that the same lavish and hearty hospitality which California showed at the meetings at San Francisco in 1888 and at Los Angeles in 1899, will be again tendered to the visitors and their friends.

The Trustees of the National Educational Association have issued under date of November 27, 1905, a detailed statement regarding the permanent fund which now amounts to $147,000. It shows that the funds in their hands are in a condition of security and safety not surpassed by those of any bank or trust company in the nation.

Three prizes a first prize of $100, a second The Barrett Prizes prize of $75, and a third prize of $50-have been established by the Hon. John Barrett. United States Minister to Colombia, to be awarded to the authors of the best papers on any one of the subjects named below. Mr. Barrett states the object of the prizes to be "to promote the study of the history, peoples, politics, resources, and possibilities of our sister Republics," and to develop thruout the United States "a wider interest in our political and commercial relations with Latin-America, and to foster a more general study of Latin-American history, institutions, political, social, and educational conditions, material and industrial resources, and commercial possibilities-especially as they affect the growth of closer ties of international comity and confidence."

The prizes are offered subject to the following rules of competition:

(1) The competition is open to any student, man or woman, registered during the academic year 1905-06 in any American college, university, or technical school. Undergraduate, professional, and graduate students are alike eligible.

(2) Papers submitted by competitors must not exceed 10,000 words in length.

(3) Papers, accompanied by the full name and address of writer and statement of the class and college, university, or technical school to which the writer belongs, must be mailed or delivered to an express company not later than September 1, 1906, addressed to the President of Columbia University, New York, N. Y., marked "For the John Barrett Prize."

(4) The prizes will be awarded by a Committee of Judges chosen for the purpose, and the results will be announced thru the public press as soon after October 1, 1906, as practicable.

(5) The paper awarded the first prize will be transmitted by the undersigned to the Director of the Bureau of American Republics, who will cause it to be published and circulated as one of the publications of that Bureau.

(6) All papers submitted in competition, other than the one to which the first prize is awarded, will be destroyed as soon as the prizes have been awarded, unless, att the time of sending, a competitor asks for the return. of the manuscript and furnishes a fully stamped and properly addressed envelope.

(7) Papers must be submitted in typewritten form. Any one of the following subjects may be chosen :

I POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC

(a) The Monroe Doctrine and its influence on the political and economic development of Latin-America.

(b) The influence of the Panama Canal on the commercial and political development of Latin-America,