Salisbury was in his happiest mood, well attended, more so than usual in the Supt. Johnson was vigilant, and the Institute was in all respects one of the most profitable and interesting we have visited. The address on Thursday evening was listened to by a large and sympathetic audience, filling the floor and gallery of the court room. The Menomonee brass band furnished truly inspiring music, and the occasion was one we shall long hold in pleasant memory. spring. Sessions have already been held, as announced, at Appleton, Amherst and Milton, by Prof. Graham; at West Salem, Stoughton, and by Prof. McGregor, and at New Richmond, Menominee and Oconomowoc, by Prof. Salisbury. This completes one half of the regular appointments. We are favored with the following account of the one at Stoughton: Menomonee is thoroughly alive to the The Institute at Stoughton, Dane Co., interests of education. Its school build-held March 23–29, is spoken of by all in ings are good, its teachers still better. attendance with great satisfaction. The Mr. J. B. Thayer, the Principal and Supt., is a thoroughly educated man, a college graduate, and a born teacher. His sister, Miss Thayer, and Miss Salisbury, the sister of the Professor, are equally skillful in their departments. The school authorities are enlightened enough to pay good salaries to first class teachers and to make their positions permanent. The result is a uniform management and a uniform improvement. Why does not this simple wisdom govern more shool boards? instruction of Prof. McGregor was highly appreciated, and in all the branches cov ered by the exercises of the week illus. trated in the clearest and most impressive manner the difference between superficial acquaintance with, and thorough mastery of, the principles of the subjects. Many of the best teachers present were deeply "convicted" of their need of higher, deeper, broader culture to fit them for success in their calling. No little interest was felt in the Lecture In speaking of these teachers of Me- announced to be given by State Superinnomonee we cannot neglect mention of tendent Searing, in view of the possibilone, Mr. J. H. Gates, whose peculiar and ity of his indicating therein his ideas of extraordinary talent in primary teaching the "reforms" needed in the department we have never seen equaled. The illus. over which he has so recently been called tration before the Institute of his method to preside. His admirable address, clearof teaching young children to read by ly, forcibly and elegantly delivered, was the "word plan," was a beautiful exhibi- listened to with close attention, and was tion of genius and art, and as instructive made the theme of discussion subsequentas it was entertaining. It received ly. He laid the axe to the root of the and merited our unqualified admiration, and we hope to see Mr. Gates present his methods hereafter for the instruction and delight of Institutes in other places. When we left Menomonee our only regret was that we had not had audience with the absent Lumber Kings whose genius and energy have so developed the resources of that region, and whose wealth, as we saw and heard abundant evidence to believe, is equaled only by their liberality and good taste. To them are chiefly due those characteristics which make the place a rare and pleasant memory to all who have visited it. tree unsparingly, and his views concerning the necessity for better teachers, better methods of teaching, more definite conceptions of the province and scope of the work to be accomplished by the common school, and the great need of schools of intermediate grade all over the State, met with hearty response and accord. He made a very happy impression. The lecture by Pres. Whitford of Milton delivered in the Methodist Church on Thursday evening, to a crowded house was in entire harmony with the work of the Institute, and was warmly received. The people and school officers of the vil lage, by their sympathy, co-operation and THE INSTITUTES thus far have been hospitality contributed much to the pleas ure and profit of the occasion. Eighty teachers were enrolled as attendants, and the average attendance was seventy-two. H. Wisconsin Institute for the Educution of the Deaf and Dumb. DELAVAN, Wis., March 3, 1874. Hon. EDWARD SEARING, Supt. Public Instruction-DEAR SIR: When I was in your office recently you suggested an editorial notice of this Institute as a means of reaching deaf mutes through the teachers of State. I would be very glad to avail myself of this method of securing the attendance of the many whom I have failed to reach. I herewith send an address to Teachers as being better adapted to the end in view than the "circular" of which I spoke. Use one, or both, or neither, or substitute, as your own judgment may suggest. I have used the list of County Superintendents you furnished me, and from them am daily receiving the names of Teachers. If you have an Editorial notice it is my purpose to also send each a postal card, calling attention to the subject. Very truly yours, GEO. L. WEED. This Institute is designed for those children and youth of the State who, on account of deafness, cannot be instructed in common schools. It now contains one hundred and fifty pupils. There is good reason for supposing that at least one hundred more should be enjoying its advantages. But there are practical difficulties in reaching them. Many parents are ignorant of the fact that such an Institute is supported by the State. Other parents do not understand its educational charac. ter, or what results can be here secured. Others, from sympathy with their unfortunate children, and some, from a willing. ness to deprive their children of an education for the sake of the labor they can perform, detain them at home. These obstacles can, in a good degree, be overcome if the Institute can be put in communication with these parents. The most practicable method of securing this seems to be through the Teachers of public schools. It is supposable that every deaf mute is known to one or more children attending those schools. If all the Teachers of the State would make inquiry of their pupils, and report the names of the parents of these deaf mutes, their at tendance might be secured. The neglect of a teacher to make such inquiry or report, may deprive a child of its education, leaving it in perpetual darkness, intellectual and moral, when a life of happiness and usefulness might have been secured. It is hoped therefore that all teachers, and especially the principals of our public schools, will make the effort necessary to secure the result sought. Will you not, immediately on receipt of this, call the attention of your pupils to the matter, and send the name of any deaf mutes in your district, between the ages of nine and twenty, to the "Principal of Institute for the Deaf and Dumb," Delavan, Walworth county, Wis. LEGISLATION.-No important changes were made in the school laws at the late session of the Legislature. As usual, some efforts were made for the abolition of the county superintendency and the restoration of town superintendents, and as usual, failed. These efforts generally originate with members from counties where there have been poor superintend ents, or where they pay but a pittance and so of course cannot expect much labor in return. The bill of Mr. Kuntz, providing for County Academies, passed the Assembly but not the Senate, having reached that body too late for any proper consideration. This is well, as public sentiment is not yet ripe for the measure, but it is only a question of time. Schools of this nature we must have, in some form. Chapter 56 of General Laws of 1873, (which amended section 16 of the School Code by providing that the Supervisors shall extinguish school districts that fail to maintain school two years) is amended by dropping the words "thirty-days." Section 140 of the School Code, which | pils of the whole country take part in makes it penal for any person to inter- this memorial, and that on the birthday rupt or disturb school, is so far amended as to give justices of the peace and police justices "concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit court in all cases arising un. der said section." of Agassiz, the 28th day of May, 1874, they shall each contribute something, however small, to the TEACHERS' AND PUPILS' MEMORIAL FUND, in honor of Louis Agassiz; the fund to be kept separate, and the income to be applied to the expenses of the Museum. The following enactment was also made, The circular is signed by John Eaton, in regard to the duties of town treasurers: Commissioner of Education, Washington, It shall be the duty of town treasurers D. C.; Joseph Henry, Secretary of the of every town in this State to make annually, on the last Monday in June in each Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. year, and forward to the school district C.; Joseph White, Secretary of the Board clerk of each and every school district of Education of Massachusetts; W. T. and part of school districts in his town, Harris, Superintendent of Public Schools, a certified statement showing the amount of money paid by the town treasurer dur- St. Louis, Mo., and others. ing the year next preceding to the treas urer of such district; said statement shall specify the date of each payment, the amount of such payment and the account upon which such payment is made. These we believe are all the enactments which directly affect the school system. pro MEMORIAL TO AGASSIZ.-It will be seen by the circular given below, that it is posed to recognize and commemorate the distinguished character and services of this great man, as a teacher, by a general contribution from teachers and pupils through the land, to promote one of the chief labors of his life. Prof. Agassiz was one of the most prominent scientists of the age and one of the most gifted and successful teachers of all time. The movement announced is one that deserves to meet a hearty and universal response: THE AGASSIZ MEMORIAL. BOSTON, March 10, 1874. "Louis Agassiz, Teacher." This was the heading of his simple will; this was his chosen title; and it is well known throughout this country, and in other lands, how much he has done to raise the dignity of the profession, and to improve its methods. His friends, the friends of education, propose to raise a memorial to him, by placing upon a strong and enduring basis the work to which he devoted his life, the Museum of Comparative Zoology, which is at once a collection of natural objects, rivaling the most celebrated collections of the Old World, and a school open to all the teachers of the land. All communications and remittances for the "Teachers' and Pupils' Fund" of the "Agassiz Memorial," may be sent to the Treasurer, Jas. M. Barnard, room 4, No. 13 Exchange street, Boston. If preferred, contributions may be sent to the office of the State Superintendent, and will be ackowledged in the JOURNAL OF EDUCATION. Let not Wisconsin be behind other states. We commend the following to some of our teachers who have a missionary spirit: WANTED. I wish to correspond with a few living teachers that we may obtain the services of two or three who know what crayons are made for; also the use of a certain kind of book commonly entitled "English Grammar." Suffice it to say we want living instructors, and, none others need apply. Address Rev. W. BIRD, Shetek, Barron county, Wis. DR. BASCOM, the new President of the University, is on the ground, and was greeted by the Faculty and many citizens of Madison at the pleasant residence of Dr. Sterling soon after his arrival. We cannot but believe the University is to win new favor and rise to higher pros perity and usefulness than ever, under the Presidency of Dr. Bascom. -Dr. Fallows, late State Superintend ent, writes that his new position as President of the Wesleyan University at Bloomington, Ill., is quite agreeable, and † at the prospects of the institution are prom It is proposed that the teachers and pu-ising. -Dr. Carpenter, one of the Professors the University can least afford to lose, has been called, we learn, to Ann Arbor. We trust the University authorities and the Professor's own inclinations, will sturdily stand in the way of his going. It is a compliment to Wisconsin that the famed University of Michigan would borrow from her. -Dr. Twombly, late President of the University, has received one or two calls lately, we understand, to college work, and has been looking after one of them in Tennessee. BOOK NOTICES, ETC. SEX IN EDUCATION; or a Chance for the Girls. By E. H. CLARKE, M. D., etc. Boston: Jas. R. Osgood & Co. Although some of our strong-minded and strong-bodied women, with their effeminate male admirers, may rail and deny, the obstinate facts of nature remain. No one can rise from the perusal of this book and not feel satisfied that to carry forward the education of girls, as is so often done in ignorance or neglect of the considerations dwelt upon by the author, is fraught with grave and often irreparable evils; and that to push the experiment of the co-education of the tion, as to studies, recitations and unintermitting application), in defiance of nature's THE Speech of Senator Howe, part of which we give this month from the Re-sexes (where this means identical educapublic, is a terse and vigorous reply to President Eliot's report in opposition to a National University, made last summer laws, is simply criminal blundering. at Elmira. The Senator shows himself quite able to handle the subject with telling effect. -Herbert Spencer and his educational fallacies are searchingly examined by Mr. Quick, whose new book on "Educational Reformers" we noticed last month. We shall give another instalment of his review of Spencer, next month. -We call attention to suggestive articles by Prof. Allen and Mrs. Arey, on History and School-room Economy. IN the estimation of some astronomers the star called Alcyone, one of the Pleiades, holds the first rank. According to the German astronomer Maedler, it is the sun around which all the starry systems are revolving. After seven years spent in the most patient research he came to the conclusion that Alcyone is the center or hinge of the universe. Study subjects rather than books; therefore, compare different authors on the same subjects; the statements of authors, with information collected from other sources; and the conclusions drawn by a writer, with the rules of sound logic.Dr. A. Potter. THE number of schools in Pennsylvania in which the Bible is read is over 10,000. The author urges, and we doubt not justly, that the common disregard in this country of the peculiarities of the female constitution, not only in the matter of education but of labor, recreations, etc., is one of the causes of the rapid and alarming deterioration of the physical health and stamina of American women. Nor is this the worst of it: as woman fails, the nation fails. We cannot of course go into details, but the whole subject is one to which parents and educators ought to give most heedful attention.—P. How TO TEACH. A Manual of Methods for a Graded Course of Instruction: embracing the subjects usually pursued in Primary, Intermediate, Grammar, and High Schools; also suggestions relative to Discipline and School Management. For the use of Teachers. By HENRY KIDDLE, THOMAS F. HARRISON, and N. A. CALKINS. J. W. Schermerhorn & Co., New York. Price by mail $1.25. The title page so fully describes this book that no further explanation of its purpose is needed. The names of the authors are a guarantee of the value of the work. We have examined it with some care and have no hesitation in recommending it to all teachers in need of such a manual,—and the name of such is legion. They will find it a perpetual home "Institute," so far as practical ex ternal methods of teaching are concerned. EVERY SATURDAY, for March 28, conThe methods delineated are those recom-tinues the three stories, each very interestmended and practiced by the latest and ing in its way, "His Two Wives," by best authorities on teaching. Everything Mary Clemmer Ames;" "Far from the is set forth in a clear, brief, simple, and Madding Crowd," by Thos. Hardy, and practical style. The chapter on " Govern. "The College Life of Maitre Nablot," by ment and Discipline" contains so much MM. Eickman-Chatrian, and the usual wisdom that we printed it in the last num-variety of other choice reading. Address ber of the JOURNAL. H.O. Houghton, Cambridge, Mass. Terms $5.00. By EPES Philadel THE ETYMOLOGICAL READER. SARGENT and AMASA MAY. phia: J. H. Butler & Co. Although the study of English Etymol ogy is pursued at a disadvantage without an acquaintance with the Greek and Latin languages, especially of the latter, yet much may be done if a good knowledge of the prefixes and suffixes is obtained, together with ability to detect and trace all the more important roots. No study is more attractive and vivifying to an intelligent pupil, and a competent teacher may make this Reader the text of more valuable discipline for more advanced scholars in all our schools. Some 6,000 words are analyzed, (of which an index is given), and about 30 pages of artificial sentences for Etymological Practice are appended to the reading lessons. THE REPUBLIC, for March, contains a large amount of valuable and instructive matter. The most important articles are: "The Expenditures of the Government for the Past Year," and "The Growth of the Country and its Lessons," either of which is, to the political student, the statesman, and the philanthropist, worth more than the annual subscription price of the magazine. The Platform of the Granges, The Postal Telegraph, Letter of Secretary Delano on Indian Affairs, Postage on Public Documents, The Railroads, and numerous other articles add greatly to the value and interest of the publica tion. The Appendix contains the instructive Speech of Gen. James A. Garfield on Government Expenditures, which should be read by every citizen, and those of Hon. S. W. Kellogg, of Connecticut, and Hon. G. L. Fort, of Illinois, on the Finances. Published at Washington, D. C., at $2 per year. THE NEW YORK SCHOOL JOURNAL (N. Y. City) is, with a single recent exception, the only weekly Educational Journal published. It is well edited, contains a full resume of educational and scientific news of interest, and is furnished at the very cluded. low rate of $1.50 per annum, postage in THE INTERNATIONAL REVIEW, for March, the second issue, contains "Working Classes in Europe," by Thos. Hughes; " Transit of Venus," by Prof. Hilgard (of the U. S. Coast Survey); "Upper Schools," by Dr. McCosh; "Practical Work in Painting," by P. G. Hammerton, London; "Our National Currency," by Amasa Walker, and "Nationalism and Internationalism," by the Editor; all articles of great interest. Dr. McCosh's article will have a powerful influence in helping forward the great movement now arising in reference to "Upper," that is Intermediate Schools. This second number is better, on the whole, than the first, which we noticed at length in February. THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY, for April, brings the genuine New England story, "Prudence Palfrey," towards a conclusion; continues “Mose Evans," which is equally characteristic of southern life; finishes "Baddeck and that Sort of Thing," which is throughout a most humorous narrative; describes the “Modern Financial Utopia of Texas," and contains divers and sundry other good things, among the best of which are the editorials on recent Literature, Art and Music. In these matters the Atlantic leads its compeers. The number is a capital one. SCRIBNER'S immense popularity is increasing, and will be decidedly enhanced by its forthcoming issues. See advertisement elsewhere of the April number, which is one of the best ever issued. |
