ALGEBRA BEFORE HIGHER ARITHMETIC.-In the new course of study adopted for the Norwalk High School, the first year (one recitation daily) is devoted to elementary algebra; the second to higher algebra; the third to higher arithmetic; and the fourth to geometry and trigonometry. The practice of taking up algebra before higher arithmetic, is rapidly gaining ground in our best schools. In a few schools higher arithmetic is pursued after geometry. DARTMOUTH COLLEGE.-George H. Bissell, a graduate of Dartmouth College, has given $24,000 for the erection of a new gymnasium. He is a believer in muscular education. W. MCCLINTOCK, late Principal of the Waynesville Union School, is in charge of the Covington High School. Salary, $1,200. Col. HOMER B. SPRAGUE was inaugurated Principal of the Connecticut Normal School, July 19, 1866. WANTED. A gentleman of experience to superintend the New Lisbon, (0.) Union Schools. Address ERASTUS EELLS, Sec. of Board. BOOK NOTICES. JUVENILE MENTAL ARITHMETIC. By JOHN F. STODDARD, A. M. PRACTICAL ARITHMETIC. By the Same Author. Stoddard's Arithmetics except the Rudiments, have been before the public from thirteen to eighteen years and their extensive use has fully attested their merits. Some interesting points, now generally presented, are claimed to have first appeared in Stoddard's works. Finding the least common multiple of fractions and the greatest common divisor of fractions are examples. Our historical knowledge of arithmetic furnishes us with no proof that such processes had ever been given previous to the publication of Stoddard's Philosophical Arithmetic first published about fourteen years ago. All the Arithmetics whose titles are given at the head of this notice, are revised editions except the Rudiments which was copyrighted in 1862. The last copyright of the first bears the date of 1865, of the second, 1866, and of the last, 1865. The new Juvenile Mental differs from the first edition copyrighted in 1849 in the omission of the Music Tables and the insertion of the new tables in weights, measures and currency. The size of the work is not increased and it is still wholly deficient in illustrations. The typographical execution of all of the revised works has been improved; that in the New Practical is not surpassed by any other arithmetic yet published. The American Intellectual so long and favorably known, has been much improved in its typography and by the insertion of the metrical weights and measures recently legalized by Congress. The Rudiments is intended for pupils just entering upon the study of written arithmetic. It comprehends the fundamental rules, Common, and Decimal Fractions, Reduction, and Compound Numbers, together with a brief discussion of Percentage and its application to Gain and Loss, and Interest, Involution, and the simplest parts of Evolution. A judicious collection of contractions in multiplication is also given. The New Practical occupies a prominent place among the works on written arithmetic. It contains new tables including the Metrical System of Weights and Measures together with many new definitions and analyses. All the good qua mer editions are retained. We have not space to refer in detail to this work, but shall say that no teacher who collects a number of arithmetics for examination should fail to include Stoddard's New Practical Arithmetic in the collection. Its beautiful typographical execution can not fail to prepossess one in its favor. These works are all published by Sheldon & Co., New York. ENGLISH COMPOSITION AND RHETORIC. A Manual. By ALEXANDER BAIN, M. A., Professor of Logic in the University of Aberdeen. American edition revised. New York: D. Appleton and Company. 1867. Part I. of this work is devoted to Style in general comprehended in chapters on Figures of Speech, Number of Words, Arrangement of Words, the Qualities of Style, the Sentence and Paragraph; Part II. kinds of Composition comprehended in Chapters on Description, Narrative, Exposition, Persuasion, and Poetry. The appendix comprising almost fifty pages, contains analyzed extracts from Forbes, Locke, Dr. Campbell, Cowley, Addison, Robert Hall, Gibbon, Sir Walter Scott, Carlyle, Robertson, Hobbes, Dryden, Samuel Bailey, Macaulay, Adam Smith, Demosthenes, Campbell (the poet), Coleridge, Byron, Dyer, and Thomson. The cursory examination of the work that we have given, leads us to think that the author has discussed in a masterly manner the topics referred to, and we feel safe in calling the attention of all teachers seeking for a good work on rhetoric, to this work by Prof. Bain. As a sample of Prof. Bain's method of discussion and illustration we select at random the following: The Balanced Sentence. When the different clauses of a compound sentence are made similar in form, they are said to be balanced. The style of Johnson abounds in this arrangement:-"Contempt is the proper punishment of affectation, and detestation the just consequence of hypocrisy." "He remits his splendor, but retains his magnitude; and pleases more, though he dazzles less. Junius affords numerous instances: "But, my lord, you may quit this field of business, though not the field of danger; and, though you cannot be safe, you may cease to be ridiculous." "They are still base enough to encourage the follies of your age, as they once did the vices of your youth. "Even now they tell you, that as you lived without virtue you should die without repentance." It will be seen that the sameness in these balanced clauses lies partly in the grammatical structure, and partly in the sound, or alternation of emphasis. The meaning is different, and the words are more or less varied. A FRENCH GRAMMAR. By Edward H. Magill, A. M., Submaster in the Boston Latin School. Boston: Crosby and Ainsworth. The first hundred pages of this work are occupied with a discussion of the letters and sounds, and the etymology of the nine parts of speech; the following sixty-eight, with the syntax of the parts of speech; the following fifteen, with idioms, phrases, &c.; the following sixteen, with an English-French vocabulary; and the following sixty-eight, with a French, English, and Latin vocabulary. The exercises are not so numerous as those in Fasquelle's French Grammar and consist entirely of English sentences to be translated into French. In this respect we think the work is inferior to Fasquelle's, but superior in the presentation of the grammar of the language in connection with the exercises, instead of reserving a great part for the latter part of the work detached from the exercises. The author says, "Experience has taught that when a principle is stated abstractly, with the briefest and simplest illustration possible, it is better to require the student to apply it for himself, even at the cost of more time and labor at first, than to place before him numerous illustrations, which he is but too apt to imitate mechanically, as models, entirely overlooking the principle. The study of a modern language conducted upon the method here indicated becomes a source of discipline second only to the study of ancient languages." Without reference to details we feel warranted in saying that Magill's French Grammar will be found to rank among the best as yet published in this country. Prepared for Teachers and Parents. By of the English and German Academy, JAMES N. MCELLIGOTT, LL. D. New 1867. OUTLINES OF A SYSTEM OF OBJECT TEACHING. WILLIAM N. HAILMAN, A. M., Principal Louisville, Ky. With an Introduction by York: Ivison, Phinney, Blakeman & Co. The author of this work starts out with the guiding principle, that it is the chief aim of school-education to teach pupils how to form ideas and how to express them, and the system of teaching which realizes this two-fold aim, he calls, but not without protest, Object-teaching. Object-teaching is held to be not a mere subject of instruction, not lessons on common things, nor even object-lessons, but a method of teaching established courses of study. This method or system of teaching is briefly elucidated by its application to three branches of study, viz: Grammar, Geometry, and Natural History. These branches are selected not because the system is applicable to them alone, but because its principles and processes can thus be most clearly and completely illustrated. The lessons given and the order in which the successive steps are to be taken, are developed with clearness and care, and well accomplish their purpose. Teachers will find this volume instructive and suggestive, and a careful study of it can not fail to correct much of the misconception that is prevalent, respecting both the nature and scope of object-teaching. The Introduction written by the late Dr. McElligott, ably presents the three phases of object-teaching. He maintains that its true aim is the training of the powers of the pupil, and that the system requires a clear comprehension of its principles, and skillful practice. The work contains one hundred and sixty pages and is printed from clear and open type. PRINCIPLES OF LINEAR AND PERSPECTIVE DRAWING, for the training of the Eye and Hand. Adapted for the USE of Public and Private Schools. By WILLIAM B. FOWLe. New York: Published by A. S. Barnes & Co. 1866. This little manual of ninety-four pages is a free translation of a work prepared years ago under the direction of the National Bureau of Instruction of France by order of the Emperor Napoleon. The original work was designed for use in the National Schools and was largely devoted to the drawing of mathematical figures. The first lessons consist in drawing straight lines of different lengths and in various positions. Then angles are introduced, and finally the drawing of plain figures and outlines of geometrical solids. A very few pages are devoted to the elements of perspective drawing, and a chapter is added of problems in Arithmetic and Geometry. THE NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW. Published by Tickner & Field's, Boston, Massachusetts. Terms $6 a year. This Standard Quarterly has for more than fifty years maintained and advanced the standard of American letters and scholarship, and defended the principles on which American institutions rest. It has not been unfaithful to the pledge implied in its great name, and those among its founders who still survive may look back with honorable satisfaction to the share they had in the establishment of a journal which has held so high a place, and acquired so creditable and well-deserved a reputation. It addresses itself to the limited though still large class in the community who are themselves the leaders and formers of public opinion; and holds up a high standard of thought, of learning, of style, and aims-by vigorous and independent criticism-to improve the public taste. The January number contains the following articles: I. Captain John Smith. II. Languages and Dialects. III. Daniel Webster. IV. The Sources of the Nile. V. The Work of the Sanitary Commission. VI. The Office and Influence of Clothes. VII. Governor Winthrop in New England. VIII. The Tyranny of the Majority. IX. Critical Notices. The articles on Daniel Webster, who is pronounced "one of the largest and one of the weakest of men," and the Tyranny of the Majority are the most noticeable. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF EDUCATION. Published quarterly by Henry Barnard, LL. D. Hartford, Connecticut. The December number completes the sixteenth volume of this unrivaled Educational Quarterly. The table of contents is as follows: I. American Educational Biography. II. Public Instruction in the Empire of Austria. III. Public Instruction in the State of California. IV. Public Instruction in Sweden. V. Study of the English Language. By Rev. Henry N. Day, DD. VI. Reformatory Institutions for Girls. VII & VIII. John Colet, and St. Paul's School, London. IX. Public Instruction in Italy. X. School Architecture-Illustrated. XI. State Teachers' Associations-New Jersey, Iowa, New Hampshire, Indiana, Maine and California. The biographical sketches in this number include, under the head of Presidents of Ohio State Teachers' Association, those of Samuel Galloway, Isaac Sams, John Hancock, Joseph Ray, Lorin Andrews, LL. D., Israel W. Andrews, DD., E. E. White, Dr. A. D. Lord, and Thomas W. Harvey. It is illustrated with portraits of Senor D. F. Sarmiento, Gorham D. Abbot, Samuel Galloway, A. D. Lord, Joseph Ray, I. W. Andrews, Isaiah Peckham, (N. J.), D. F. Wells, and O. Faville, (Ia.), H. E. Sawyer, (N. H.), E. P. Weston, (Me.), and John Swett, (Cal.) The publisher announces that the next number will be issued on the 15th of March. THE JUVENILE MAGAZINE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. An Illustrated Monthly. Published by Hurd & Houghton, 459 Broome St., New York. Terms: $2,50 a year. The first number of this new Juvenile Magazine has won the hearts of the young folks. While its beautiful cover, printed in colors, and attractive illustrations and typography please the eye, its instructive and genial literature satisfies the head and heart. It promises in short to be "a lively elder companion, in hearty sympathy with the best life of the young, and ready with an explanation of what comes within their experience, the things they see and hear, the words they use, and the remoter life which they hear about. THE LITTLE CHIEF. Edited and published by W. W. Dowling and A. C. Shortridge, Indianapolis, Ind. We welcome this new friend of the little folks to a place at our fireside. It comes with a handsome face and merry heart, and brings words of wisdom and cheer. Among the editors and contributors we see the names of several personal friends who know how to please and profit the young. We trust the "Little Chief" will lead a grand army in the good fight against ignorance and wrong. See advertisement. THE SCHOOL AND FIRESIDE. A Journal devoted to the Interests of Schools and Families. Published Semi-monthly, by Bradley & Gilbert, Louisville, Ky. We have received the first number of this school paper, edited by Geo. S. Chase, of the Louisville High School. Although started to meet a local want we hope it may become a live and vigorous exponent of the school interests of the State at large. It is the only school journal published in the country that would refer to that arch-rebel, General Lee, as "the truly great man whose sword was as gracefully laid aside when peace smiled, as it was gracefully and skillfully wielded while war raged." Neutral! EDUCATIONAL MONTHLY: School Government. By S. A. N........73 Up-North Letters. By YOURS TRULY...102 On Learning the English Language. A Natural Life. By M. L. HOLBROOK, Human Nature under Cultivation.-No. SSA |