A JUNIOR CLASS HISTORY OF THE UNITED | letters. The grammar is learned as need- Mr. Anderson's Histories are already well known and widely used. This nice strong little volume, put up in linen, is made attractive by maps, portraits and views, and suitably provided with questions, notes, etc. The eye and memory are assisted by head lines or titles prefixed to the leading paragraphs, which also aids in topical recitation. As a first book on the subject, we should say it would answer an admirable purpose.-P. THE LITERARY READER. BY GEORGE R. to memory, and more anecdotes for translation. With a thorough drill, under a competent teacher, we should say the method would produce very satisfactory results.-P. A BRIEF EXPOSITION OF THE CONSTITU- Dr. Hart's reputation as an author and teacher will commend this little manual to attention, and teachers in this State will find it a very useful help, (at a small outlay) in the duty devolved upon them of teaching the "Constitutions." It supplements Mr. Wright's book on our own Constitution.-P. LANGUAGE LESSONS FOR BEGINNERS. (Same author and publishers as the preceding,) 79 pp., 16 mo. Price 30 cents. In obedience to the call for a knowledge of "English Literature," a variety of books have made their appearance within a few years of which this is one of the best. It gives a fair synopsis of representative English Literature, and affords This little book appears, doubtless, in examples chronologically arranged of answer to the growing demand for somethe characteristic style and language of thing more simple and practical in the the better English and American Authors, way of presenting language to young beginning with Shakspeare. Such books pupils, and meets it well. It were better are of course unsatisfactory to those who done by oral instruction, but this book wish to know much of the subject, and will help teachers who do not feel comare aptly described by the compiler of petent to teach entirely without book, and this one as "a collection of samples." answer well also as a class book.-P. But they often create a better taste for the ENGLISH GRAMMAR AND ANALYSIS, (same refining influences of literature, and in author and publishers as preceding,) this way do much good. The compila22 pp., 12 mo. Price 90 cents. tion before us is judiciously made, and Dr. Hart has made grammar and philthe mechanical execution of the book is ology a specialty, and this manual is the a luxury to the eye and to the sense of result of his long research and matured touch. It is sent post paid to teachers thought. It is a proper sequel to the for examination, with a view to introduc-"Lessons for Beginners," noticed above. tion, for $1.00.-P. DUFFET'S FRENCH METHOD.-(Parts I. and II.) A Progressive and Practical Method for the Study of the French Language. Wilson, Hinkle & Co., Cincinnati. Limp cloth, $1 each volume. These little books are admirable first for mechanical execution. The method of teaching seems an excellent one, each lesson embracing a vocabulary, rules and idioms and illustrative exercises; also, a conversation in French, for translation; an exercise in turning English into French, and one or more anecdotes or As a clear and consise outline of English Grammar, on the commonly received basis, it is well adapted to meet the general wants of schools.-P. THREE THOUSAND PRACTICE WORDS; a Manual of Orthography and Pronunciation. By J. WILLIS WESTLAKE, A. M., Prof. in State Normal School, Millersville, Pa. Philadelphia: Eldredge & Bro. New edition; 75 pp., 16 mo. Price 50 cents, post paid. The words selected are such as are in common use and liable to be mis-spelled or mis-pronounced, embracing a good many proper names. The work is well ready, we believe, and has been warmly endorsed. Mr. WEBB, who is always taking away the thorns that beset the path of knowledge for the little ones, claims that in the idea of the "Sentence Method " he makes a still nearer approach to nature than in the "Word Method," used alone. This looks reasonable, for children grasp spoken language first in sentences and not in isolated words. We should be greatly pleased to know the result of a faithful, persistent experiment in this matter, under intelligent and competent direction. The book, with its colored pictures-chromos-will certainly please the children.-P. ENGLISH GRAMMAR. An Advanced Course of Lessons in Language. By MARY V. LEE, teacher in Minnesota Normal School, and HIRAM HADLEY, author of Language Lessons." Chicago: Hadley Bros., 308 pp., 12 mo. Price $1.00. This book is intended to follow the "Language Lessons," and admirably adapted to its purpose. We suppose the nearly simultaneous appearance of so many elementary books in grammar, which seek to simplify the subject and make it practical, arises from the fact that intelligent teachers everywhere are ready to say with the State Superintendent of Minnesota, Hon. H. B. Wilson: "I have become perfectly disgusted with the old method of teaching what is called grammar. It utterly fails to secure what it professes to learn, viz.: 'How to speak and write our language correctly.'" This is most true, and we wish success to all efforts like this to inaugurate a reform.-P. MANUAL OF ARITHMETIC. By WM. G. PECK, LL. D., Professor of Mathematics in Columbia College, etc. New York and Chicago: A. S. Barnes & Co., 208 pp., 16 mo. PRIMER, adapted to the Phonic, Word This new series of readers will at once attract attention from their evident careful adaptation to the wants of children, and from the beauty of the illustrations. The first four volumes are 16 mo., and embrace respectively 60, 80, 190 and 224 pages. The Fourth Reader is a 12 mo. of 336 pages. It will thus be seen that the series is very compact and comparatively inexpensive. There are also some peculiar and valuable features in the plan to which teachers and school boards would do well to give attention. Among them is a Manual for the teacher, to accompany the series, which takes the place of the usual introductory matter in reading books on elocution, and saves repetition; also a series of charts, with drill exercises. The general plan strikes us with much favor. Mr. Sheldon is a veteran in the work of elementary instruction, and well considers what he does. The Fourth Reader completes the regular series, which is a most sensible arrangement, and one that greatly lessens the expense to schools; but a Fifth Reader has been prepared for use in advanced classes, where it may be needed. For further information address Thos. Charles, Western This little book has been out a year al-Agent, 136 State street, Chicago.-P. The motive to the preparation of this book was the conviction of the author, "that the theory of arithmetic cannot be studied with advantage till the pupil has acquired a certain facility in combining numbers, which can only be had by practice;" and hence the book is entirely practical. As it regards the great body of pupils, we believe the author is right, and we therefore commend the idea to the attention of intelligent teachers. An article germane to the subject will be found on page 339, of this number. The Manual is followed by the "Complete Arithmetic,", which discusses the principles of the science in connection with practical examples, and is to be preceded by "First Lessons in Arithmetic."-P. MODEL READER-Sentence Method. By mo. Price 40 cents. PATTERSON'S COMMON SCHOOL SPELLER and Exercise Book. New York: Sheldon & Co. 160pp., 16mo. Price 30 cts. Exercise Books 25 and 50 cents. The publishers inform us that the large demand for the "Speller and Analyzer" for advanced classes, has led to the preparation of this book by the same author, Mr. Calvin Patterson, a teacher in Brooklyn, N. Y. We have not space to enumerate all the features of this speller; but we find that it is characterized by a good selection of words and a judicious arrangement,and short and practical rules, valuable suggestions to teachers, and think that it is well adapted to the present improved modes of instruction. The author gives the key-note to the correct method of teaching orthography in the motto, "We Spell as we Write." The Exercise Books are specially adapted and paged to accompany the Speller. See advertisement.-P. LIPPINCOTT'S for September comes to us looking beautiful as ever, and as to the character of its contents, fully maintaining the high position this magazine has won for itself among the few first-class American periodicals. It contains: son; Malcom, (Chaps. 38-44), by George MacDonald; Recollections of Massimo D'Azeglio, by T. Adolphus Trollope; Murillo's Trance, by Margaret J. Preston; Violins and Violin-Players, by Alexander mental Adventure, by Margaret Hosmer; Young; A Troublesome Legacy, a SentiThe Bearer of Despatches in London, by Theodore S. Fay; A Tour of Three Steps, by Edward C. Bence; Our Monthly Gossip, and Literature of the Day. Terms: Yearly subscription, $4. Single number, 35 cents. Liberal clubbing rates. Specimen number, with premium list, mailed on receipt of 20 cents. J. B. Lippincott & Co., Publishers, 715 and 717 Market Street, Philadelphia. SCRIBNER'S for September, contains XXIV articles full of interest and variety. The "Great South" is continued; also "The Mysterious Island." "Our New Normal College," (in New York City), by James Richardson, touches briefly but wisely on educational matters; the stories, sketches and poems are from fair to good, and the editor talks sensibly as usual upon "Topics of the Time," "Home and Society," "Culture and Progress," etc. The editorial part is in fact one of the most valuable features of the magazine, which admirably fills a very large popular want. $5.00 a year. Scribner & Co., New York. The New Hyperion, from Paris to Marly, by Way of the Rhine, (No. XV.) by Ed. ward Strahan, (Illustrated); A Visit to the SCHOOL APPARATUS.-We call attention Dolomites, by W. D. R., (Illustrated); to the very full advertisement of School Three Feathers, (Chaps. 5-8), by William Black, author of "A Princess of Thule;" Apparatus, by Hadley Brothers & Kane, Glimpses of Genoa, by R. Davey; A Study and take pleasure in commending them for the Critics, by James Maurice Thomp- as honest and honorable dealers. 'N IN PRESS. THE KING OF DAY SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL and BOOKS, SILVER CAROLS BY W. A. OGDEN AND J. H. LESLIE, The Best, Handsomest and Most Practical Music Book for Day Schools Ever Written; suited for Every Occasion in School. It Contains 160 Pages. A Theoretical Department, short, simple and practical. A Collection of Songs for general use in the School Room, which are bright, lively and cheerful. A Song and Chorus Department of Sparkling Melodies for special occasions, and the home circle. A Collection of Rounds, cheerful and entertaining. With other departments, making it the Best Singing Book for Day Schools, Singing Classes and the Home, ever published. W. W. WHITNEY, Publisher, Toledo, 0. Price, 50 cts. per copy; $5.00 per dozen. The style and make-up of the book will speak for itself. Specimen pages sent by mail free. COLLEGE LIST. Only List, of the kind, published in the United General Advertising Agent and Printers' Supplies, 208 BROADWAY, NEW YORK. A NEW ARTICLE OF STATIONERY Soft, strong, white paper, put up in packages of one hundred sheets, firmly bound; most convenient for pencil writing; slate is dispensed with; fine paper saved. Samples by mail, prepaid, 20 cents each. AGENTS WANTED on liberal terms. Address T. D. PLUMB, Jr., Madison, Wis. NEW TEXT BOOKS FOR THE AUTUMN OF 1874. PROF. OLNEY'S INTRODUCTION TO ALGEBRA. One Vol. 12mo. Price $1.00. Ready August 25th. SHAW'S NEW SERIES ON This book is designed for beginners in Algebra. English and American Literature. Its object is to make clear to the learner at the very outset the object of Algebra. It will make this study, which has heretofore been distasteful to most scholars,attractive at once; by showing them clearly the uses and beauty of this most important branch of knowledge. SHAW'S NEW HISTORY OF This book with "Prof.Olney's Complete Algebra,” Price $1.50, and Univ. Algebra," $2, form the most English and American Literature. complete Series ever published; and also meet the wants of Schools and Colleges of whatever Grade. READY AUGUST 25TH. This book has been prepared with the greatest care by Prof. TRUMAN J. BACKUS, of Vassar College, using Shaw's Manual, edited by Dr. W. SMITH, as a basis. 1st. It has been put into the modern text-book form, and is so arranged as to be used with the greatest facility by Both Scholar and Teacher. 2d. It is printed in large, clear type, and the leading parts are brought out prominently by the use of black-faced type for catch words. SHAWS SPECIMENS of AMERICAN GREATLY ENLARGED. By Prof. BENJ. H. MARTIN, D. D. HOOKER'S NEW PHYSIOLOGY. REVISED, CORRECTED, and put into the One Vol., 12mo., Well Illustrated. Price $1.60. Lossing's Gram. Sch. His. of U. S. No pains or expense have been spared in preparing the Maps and Illustrations, and they are now submitted to the public in the belief that it is not possible to produce a more perfect series of Histories, either in literary merit, adaptation to the wants of our schools, or the elegance of illustrations. Shorter Course in Arithmetic. ADDRESS, 50 Cents. A Text-book on Government, in connection with American Institutions, adapted to Common Schools. Alden's Science of Government, $1.50. In connection with American Institutions. COLTON'S NEW SERIES OF GEOGRAPHIES. The whole subject embraced in two books. With three Full Sets of Maps, each separate. Study, Reference and Railroad Maps. Send for complete School Catalogue. SHELDON & COMPANY, Publishers, 677 BROADWAY, NEW YORK. WISCONSIN JOURNAL OF EDUCATION VOL. IV. OCTOBER, 1874. No. X. REPORT ON UPPER SCHOOLS. (Read by Rev. Geo. P. Hays before the National the day in education, is attracting attention. The modes by which this intermediate education is now provided vary very much in different sections of our country, but may be classed in four divis ions: First, by preparatory departments in the colleges; second, by academies established either by public or private enterprise, and intended to meet this want with others; third, by high schools, designed to carry those who finish the common school course a step farther; and fourth, by private tuition given by those who take this on in addition to their avocations, such as ministers and other edu The same is true in regard to collegiate education. There is more than an abund-cated men. With regard to the first of ance of colleges, for both males and females, with faculties well able to impart more and higher instruction than their pupils are able to receive. So the professional and technical schools of our country are fully able to meet the demands on them, and are likely to be multiplied as fast as the demand increases. these little need be said, further than they are generally looked upon by college men as expedients adopted for the present distress, to be abolished as soon as the work can be satisfactorily done otherwise. Of course each college that establishes them will so organize them as to make them efficient in preparing students for their own higher classes; and uniformity in them is to be secured only by securing uniformity in the college course of study. Of the last, private tuition, little need be said, for the course is decided by the pu pil and not by the teacher, as it is generally done for an accommodation and not as a business, and therefore the pupils name the course of study and the teacher simply follows it. For any general system, therefore, we must look to the academies and high |