1. ABSTRACT OF MONTHLY METEOROLOGICAL RESULTS, compiled from the Returns of the daily observations t ten High School Stations, for DECEMBER, 1871. OBSERVERS --Pembroke-James Smith, Esq., M.A.; Cornwall-James H. Coyne, Esq., B.A.; Barrie-H. B. Spotton, Esq., M.A.; Peterborough-11 an O'Beirne, Esq.; Belleville-A. Burdon, Esq.; Goderich-Hugh J. Strang, Esq., B. A.; Stratford-C. J. Macgregor, Esq., M.A.; Hamilton-A. Macallum, Esq., M.A; Simcoe--Dion C. Sullivan, Esq., LL.B.; Windsor-J. Johnston, Esq., B.A.

:

a Where the clouds have contrary motions, the higher current is entered here. Velocity is estimated, 0 denoting calm or light air; 10 denoting very heavy hurricane

PEMBROKE.-On 23rd, thunder, with rain; 23rd, wind storm. Snow on 3rd-8th, 10th-14th, 16th-19th, 21st, 23rd, 25th 27th, 29th-31st. CORNWALL-On 23rd, wind storm. Snow on 7th, 8th, 13th, 18th, 19th. Rain, 23rd.

BARRIE.-On 23rd, violent storm of wind; thunder and lightning, with rain. Snow on 1st, 4th, 5th, 7th-15th, 18th, 19th, 22nd, 25th. Rain, 23rd, 30th.

PETERBOROUGH.-From 9 p.m., 20th, till 10 a.m., 21st, the coldest

e 10 denotes that the sky is covered with clouds; 0 denotes that the sky is quite clear of clouds.

thirteen hours known here; at 8.30 a.m. on 21st, temperature-339, at 11:40 a.m-27°. 23rd, several claps of thunder, with the rain about 12.30 p.m-no lightning. Commenced blowing a little before 9 p.m. 23rd, and continued (force sometimes 7) till a little before sunrise 24th. Wind W. and S.W. Snow on 1st, 4th, 6th, 7th, 11th-13th, 16th, 18th-20th, 22nd, 27th, 29th. Rain 4th, 23rd, 30th, 31st. Month generally cold and steady. Sleighing uninterrupted. BELLEVILLE.-Barometer fell from, 30'002, 9 p.m. 22nd, to 29-094, 9

p.m. 23rd; and rose to 29 834, 9 a.m. 24th. Temperature rose from 1507, 9 p.m. on 22nd, to 43°7 at 9 p.m 23rd. On 23rd, at 2 p.m., two loud claps of thunder-no lightning; about 4 p.m. the wind blew in the course of half an hour from almost every direction, but about 5 o'clock it set in steadily from S., blowing with great force until about 11, when it changed to S. and S. W., blowing with great fury most of the night considerable injury sustained by buildings. also a wind storm on 4th and 5th. Snow 1st, 4th, 6th-8th,

There was

11th-13th, 16th -20th, 22nd, 23rd, 27th, 28th. Rain 4th, 23rd, 31st. River Moira very low. GODERICH. Wind storm, 20th; and with lightning, thunder, and rain, 23rd. Snow 1st-3rd, 5th-8th, 11th-22nd, 26th. Rain, 23rd, 30th. STRATFORD. On 23rd, lightning and thunder, with rain. Wind storms 4th-7th, 19th, 20th, 22nd, 23rd, 27th. Fog, 31st. Snow, 1st, 4th-9th, 13th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 22nd, 26th, 27th. Rain, 23rd, 30th, 31st. The difference of mean temperature for December, from the average of 10 years, is -7° 03. HAMILTON.--On 23rd, lightning and thunder, with hail and rain. Wind storms 2nd, 4th-9th, 20th, 23rd, 27th, 28th. Fog 31st, most dense. Snow 4th-7th, 12th, 15th, 18th, 22nd. Rain 4th, 7th, 23rd, 30th, 31st. The month, like its predecessors, has been very dry, storms of wind have been prevalent, and on the evening of the 23rd the storm approached the nature of a hurricane, the wind rose to 6, uprooting trees, uncovering houses, throwing down the walls of others in course of erection, and injuring several persons. In the forenoon of the same day a rare combination of elements in storm,-lightning, thunder, hail and rain. Thunder first heard at 11.25 a.m, lightning and thunder seen and heard at 11.40, followed in a minute or so by hail for a couple of minutes, and then rain began to fall at 11.50, and continued in the afternoon. On the 21st the degree of cold went as low as -180, on the 23rd the temperature rose to 54° 8, a range of 73° in some sixty hours. This was accompanied by a great fall of barometer, 808 in 24 hours, the greatest during the year except on 17th February, when it amounted to 960, and on both occasions violent storms ensued. [Mr. Macallum, who has been Observer at this station since May, 1858, now transfers the work to Mr. Buch. Mr. Macallum has been a very careful Observer, and his Reports are full and satisfactory.]

SIMCOE.-On 23rd, lightning and thunder, with rain, at 11 a.m. 25th, at 9 p.m., an arc completely spanned the northern part of the heavens from W. to E., it was about 3° in breadth, and about 23° above N. horizon. Wind storms, 4th to 9th, 23rd. Fog, 31st. Snow, 4th to 20th, 22nd, 26th, 27th. Rain, 4th, 7th, 23rd, 30th, 31st. Weather generally threatening, dark, gloomy and stormy. Storms on 4th, 7th, and 23rd -especially the latter, very disastrous to shipping as well as on land, and the extreme cold of 20th and 21st resulted in casualties which in a large number of cases terminated fatally. Disease of the throat and lungs very prevalent, and frequently fatal. Wood high; vegetables scarce and dear.

WINDSOR.-On 4th, hail. 23rd, thunder, with rain; rainbow; lunar halo. 27th, lunar halo. Wind storms, 4th, 6th, 8th, 23rd, 27th. Fog, 30th. Snow, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 11th, 13th, 18th, 19th, 21st, 22nd, 25th, 26th. Rain, 22nd, 23rd, 31st. Navigation of the Detroit river closed on the 4th.

IX. Miscellaneous.

1. OPEN THE DOOR FOR THE CHILDREN.

Open the door for the children,
Tenderly gather them in ;

In from the highways and hedges,
In from the places of sin.
Some are so young and so helpless,
Some are so hungry and cold;
Open the door for the children,
Gather them into the fold!

Open the door for the children;

See they are coming in throngs; Bid them sit down to the banquet;

Teach them your beautiful songs! Pray you the Father to bless them, Pray you that grace may be given; Open the door to the children,

"Of such is the kingdom of heaven"!

Open the door for the children;

Take the dear lambs by the hand; Point them to truth and to goodness, Send them to Canaan's land. Some are so young and so helpless, Some are so hungry and cold; Open the door for the children, Gather them into the fold.

2. MISS MACPHERSON'S CARE FOR "LITTLE

WANDERERS."

After waiting on the Lord for guidance, and seeking from Him the heavenly wisdom that teacheth all things, Miss Macpherson resolved, with His help, to try and solve a problem which has interested and puzzled so many of our philanthropists-viz., How can we change our untaught and uncared-for little wanderers into useful and independent members of society? by herself taking a hundred boys, then crowding the mission at home, bringing them across the Atlantic, and placing them in homes on the Canadian shore.

Since May, 1870, how much has been accomplished? Six detachments have followed the first hundred, and now above 800 claim our prayers and interest in this new land of their adoption. A threefold good is thus accomplished. Benefit to the old country in relieving it from those who, having no power to help themselves, must inevitably have become a burden, and ere long, inmates of our

workhouses or our prisons. A great advantage to the Canadians, in a country where want of labour to cultivate their broad acres is severely felt, and who eagerly seek for one of our little ones to train up as their own and in time to become a valuable assistant. But the greatest benefit of all is to the children themselves, taken sometimes from homes of pinching want and misery, become such from a father's failure or death, or found alone on London streets a loneliness more forlorn and intense than even among Canadian backwoods; or, more sad and hopeless still, children of a drunkard's home sent out to beg or steal, not only for daily bread, but the wherewithal to supply an unnatural parent's thirst for drink.

It does, indeed, require us to see both sides of the Atlantic ere we can fully realize the benefit accruing to these children by being placed in a family, with individual care and love bestowed upon them, carefully trained in Canadian farm labour, and with the prospect of honourable independence before them.-From an article in the New Dominion Monthly for January.

NOTE. We greatly regret to observe that "Marchmont," Miss Macpherson's Home for these "little wanderers "at Belleville was accidentally destroyed by fire, and one little fellow perished in the flames. Large sums have been collected through the instrumentality of the Hon. Billa Flint, to rebuild the Home.

X. Short Critical Notices of Books.

-THE CANADIAN MONTHLY AND NATIONAL REVIEW FOR JANUARY AND FEBRUARY, 1872.-Toronto: Adam, Stevenson & Co.--The history of Canadian Magazine enterprize is both painful and interesting. It is interesting as illustrating a yearning after nationality, a desire to find some more dignified and permanent means, than that of newspapers, of giving expression to the "sober second thoughts," from a Canadian stand point, of literary men and writers among us, on the questions of the day. The painful feature of the case is the utter failure of nine out of every ten of the numerous magazine enterprizes which have been set on foot. The cause of failure has doubtless been asked and answered satisfactorily by every new magazine aspirant for literary and financial success, and yet the same failure has followed each successive attempt. The cause of failure in each individual case has no doubt been various. Apart from the purely financial cause of failure, and nearly all may be summed up in that one, we think the literary cause has been patent to most observers. In nearly every case there has been a sad falling off in the literary tone and spirit of the magazine, until it became the mere reprinter of tales or stories of little interest and value. The topics of the day, if discussed at all, have lacked that sentiment suitable elevation of thought, style or which gives permanence and value to utterances of the kind. The projectors of this magazine seem to have been fully alive to these difficulties and causes of failure. In their prospectus they therefore declare that "Politics will be treated with the aim of infusing as much as possible of the historical and philosophical spirit into the popular discussion of political questions." They further say that "religious questions, if they form the subject of any papers, will be treated with a similar aim." With a view to still further guard the writers of the new magazine from degenerating into party agents, the conductors, in their introductory announcement, state that "the utmost latitude will be allowed to contributors in the expression of opinion, as well as in the choice of subjects; but the Magazine is not open to party politics or to party theology; nor will anything be admitted which can give just offence to any portion of the community. Having a national object in view, the managers of the Magazine will sincerely endeavour to preserve, in all its departments, a tone beneficial to the national character and worthy of the nation." We will now examine the two numbers of the Magazine which have reached us to see how far these pledges have been realized. We shall first take the "Treaty of Washington" paper by Mr. Lindsay, in the January number. This paper deals with a many-sided question, not merely one between the present Dominion Government and Her Majesty's opposition in Parliament, but one between Canada and England, Canada and the United States, and the maritime and inland Provinces of the Dominion. The article on the whole fairly states the question as between each of these parties, and is decidedly

Canadian and patriotic in its tone. "An Historical Night in the old Canadian Parliament," by Mr. Watson, is an interesting statement of facts, written apparently without party bias. In the February number we have "The Canadian Census of 1871," by Mr. Harvey. This paper, though written in a good spirit, is somewhat premature in its appearance, and discusses the question ex parte. Mr. Tache has published a rejoinder to it, in which he disputes the accuracy of the statement that the census of 1861 was taken in one day, or that it was taken on the de facto principle, as alleged, or on the de jure principle, which was adopted in taking the census of 1871. He also combats various other statements of the writer. The Recent Struggle in the Parliament of Ontario" is a judicious and impartial sketch of much interest. The writer has we think fairly put the case for and against the combatants in the strug gle, and has, in our opinion, correctly pointed out the mistakes which

arcse, as much from the newness of the House as from the novelty of the situation, and other causes. The literary articles in both numbers are generally speaking good, and some are of special excellence. There is one expression on page 187, which we think open to misapprehension, if not objection. The writer says, "while the Gospel is still sacred, &c." The word "still" which we have italicized, would seem to indicate a com

ing time when the Gospel would not continue to be "sacred in the eyes of millions." "This we trust was not the meaning of the writer. We heartily wish the magazine great success, and trust that the enterprising publishers will persevere in their patriotic and laudable efforts to produce a truly national periodical, calm and philosophic in its discussions of public questions, instructive and entertaining in its literary articles, and in its general tone, character, and objects, truly racy of the soil."

-THE DOMINION MONTHLY.-We have from time to time noticed

the appearance of this valuable and interesting magazine, and have frequently made extracts from it. "Miss Macpherson's work among the little ones," in the January number, is a most interesting sketch. Which we insert in this nxmber of our Journal. We trust the "Monthly " will have a wide circulation in the "New Dominion."

—ART OF TEACHING SCHOOL.-Philadelphia: J. M. Stoddart & Co., Toronto: Adam, Stevenson & Co. This seems an excellent "Manual of Suggestions." Hon. H. C. Hickok, late Superintendent of the State of Pennsylvania, whom we know to be a man of sound judgment and experience, thus speaks of the book :-" It is bold, (and in a good sense, radical and revolutionary; striking out with dogmatic, but, in the main, well-directed sagacity and independence, for a sounder educational policy and rational subjects and methods of instruction, and is "therefore conservative, in the truest, best meaning of that term. Its publication will be hailed with infinite satisfaction by many clear-sighted and conscientious teachers in all parts of the country, who are painfully conscious that more and better should and can be accomplished in an elementary common school course, if fewer husks and less dead-wood and weary routine were imposed upon them by the school authorities, and greater intellectual activity and mental freedom permitted for themselves and their pupils. It will doubtless be very unwelcome to mere 'school-keepers,' whose attainments and experience extend little, if any, beyond the plodding tow-path of memorized recitations from the printed page."

*NOTE. Since the above was written, we have noticed that the publishers of the magazine have appended to the 3rd No. a petty attack on the Educational Depository, and even threatened the Council of Public Instruction, with an addition of "one or more members of the Book Trade, of business capacity, disinterested mercenarily," etc. The Department is ready and willing at any time to meet a fair and honourable inquiry into its proceedings; but that the publishers of a magazine of the character and pretentions of the one we have just noticed should descend to slander and vilification to promote their own "disinterested" objects of trade is painful in the extreme. When the proper time comes we shall meet these maligners and show,at least to the satisfaction of the public, that the real trouble with such "disinterested gentlemen is the low prices of the books in the Depository which is a standing source of trouble, irritation and annoyance to them. (See page 18.)

-CUTTER'S SECOND BOOK ON ANATOMY.-Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. Toronto: Adam, Stevenson & Co. This is a new edition of a popular book by Dr. Cutter, whose "First Lessons" have been approved for use in High Schools of the Province. This would be a valuable book of reference for teachers, who may be preparing for examination as First and Second-Class Public School Teachers. The First Book is prescribed for them, but the perusal of this book would greatly aid them in their preparation.

XI Departmental Notices.

NEW SCHOOL MANUAL.

In answer to continual inquiries on the subject of a new School Manual we would say, that an Act to the following effect having recently passed the Legislature, it is not thought desirable to publish a School Manual at present, especially as such a Manual ought to include in it the official regulations to which the recent Act refers. The provisions of this Act are that :"The Lieutenant-Governor shall have power [until the end of the next ensuing session of the Legislature] to cause inquiry to tions which have been, or may be made or issued by the Counbe made into the working of any rules, regulations, or instruccil of Public Instruction, or by the Chief Superintendent of Education, and to abrogate, suspend, or modify any such rules, regulations, or instructions.

We would state that the whole of the School Law and the general official regulations will be found in this Journal for May and June, 1871. Copies of these journals, when published, were sent by mail and addressed to each school corporation in Ontario. An extra number of copies was published on Depository account. The two numbers can, therefore, be sent by mail from the Depository, free of postage, on receipt of twentyfive cents.

"ADEQUATE SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS."

school accommodation, we desire to state that the second secIn answer to numerous inquiries as to the law relating to tion of the School Act of 1871 declares that:

"Each school corporation (in a city, town, village or rural school section) shall provide adequate accommodations for all the children of school age (from five to sixteen years, resident) in their school division or municipality."

The regulations which define what "adequate school accommodations" are being only recommendatory at present, each trustee corporation must, in the mean time, exercise a wise discretion and judgment in the matter. These regulations suggest a medium or minimum amount of school accommodation to be provided, as compared with the law and regulations on the subject in other countries. Although the law, as quoted above, is imperative, yet inspectors will exercise a judicious discrimination in enforcing it. In no case should it be enforced without a report on the facts being sent to the Department. A reasonable time should, in all cases, be given, and the ability and circumstances of each school concerned should be taken into account.

SCHOOL LAW LECTURES-Part I.

The Law and Official Regulations relating to Public School Trustees in Rural Sections-Public School Meetings-Selection of School SitesErection of School Houses-Levying Rates-Collectors-School Auditors lation of Inspectors to Teachers-Duties of Pupils-Terms and Vaca-Arbitrations-Awards-Non-residents-Public School Teachers-Retions-Examination of Teachers-Superannuation Fund, &c.,

With Decisions of the Superior Courts thereon: J. GEORGE HODGINS, ESQ., LL. D., Barrister-at-Law, Being the substance of Lectures to Normal School Students, by Price, 50 cts. Free by post, 55 cts. The Trade supplied. Send orders to COPP, CLARK & CO. Toronto, February, 1872. 17 & 19, King St. East. PRINTED BY HUNTER, ROSE & Co. 86 AND 88 KING ST. WEST, TORONTO,