MORROW COUNTY.-Supt. J. C. Kinney conducted a four weeks' institute at Morrow, closing July 15th. Resolutions were passed strongly commending his skill and efficiency as an institute instructor. He also conducted an institute at Blanchester, ending Aug. 19th, with like evidence of satisfaction on the part of the forty teachers who were in attendance.

MASSACHUSETTS.-The last Legislature passed a law requiring elementary and free-hand drawing to be taught in all the public schools of every grade in the Commonwealth; and requiring towns of 10,000 inhabitants and upwards to maintain a free school for the instruction of adults in mechanical drawing. These steps of progress were taken after a full inquiry into their practical importance, the results of which are ably presented in a brief report prepared by Secretary White of the State Board of Education.

MISSOURI. An effort was made in the last General Assembly to pass a law giving private schools $10 of public school money for each child taught free of tuition. The bill, after an exciting debate, was defeated, and an amendment to the Constitution was submitted to the people, providing that no appropriations of public money shall ever be made to aid any church or sectarian body, or any institution of learning controlled by any church or sectarian body; and that no grants or donations of personal property or real estate shall be made to any church or sectarian body. The Board of Education of St. Louis has forbidden prayer or any other religious act at exhibitions and other public exercises of the schools.

INDIANAPOLIS. The public schools closed in June last one of the most successful years in their history. The number of pupils enrolled was 5,808, with an average attendance of about 3,900. The whole number of teachers employed is 92, including a superintendent of the instruction in the primary grades, a special teacher of music and a special teacher of gymnastics. The general superintendent has two assistants, each of whom superintends the schools in one-half of the city; and thus the instruction of all grades is subjected to constant and thorough inspection. But omitting details, we express the opinion that few cities in the United States have made as marked school progress in seven years as Indianapolis. In 1863, its school buildings were a disgrace and its schools were among the poorest in the country; now it is well supplied with superior buildings and its schools are among the best. We congratulate Supt. Shortridge on the results of his seven years' work. His last annual report is excellent.

BOOK NOTICES.

A COMPENDIOUS GERMAN GRAMMAR. By WM. D. WHITNEY, Professor of Sanskrit, and Instructor in Modern Languages in Yale College. New York: Leypoldt & Holt.

The main object of this work is not to impart to the pupil the ability to speak German, but to understand accurately and readily the printed and written language. The knowledge and mental discipline to be gained by the study of German are, in the opinion of the author, of more importance than the ability to speak it. A pupil who has mastered the principles of grammar, and acquired by reading a fair vocabulary, will doubtless rapidly learn to speak when circumstances require it; but would it not be better for business and professional men to learn to speak the language while mastering its grammar? The author gives a few exercises for translation; but

promises a series of practical and progressive exercises as a supplement to the grammar. This work is, in brief, principally devoted to an exposition of grammar, and this is careful, clear, and every where reliable. It is based on Heyse's grammatical works. Evidently the author does not belong to that class of grammarians who believe in concealing all difficulties from the pupil, thus making him believe that a foreign language can be mastered without application and perseverance. Mr. Whitney's work will be welcome to all advanced students who wish to acquire a thorough knowledge of German grammar; but we would not recommend it to beginners, less to persons that have an aversion to hard study, and least of all to educational quacks who talk about teaching a language in a couple of months. J. H. H.

A COMPLETE ALGEBRA for Schools and Colleges. By A. SCHUYLER, M.A., Professor of Mathematics and Logic in Baldwin University. Cincinnati: Wilson, Hinkle & Co. 1870.

We have examined this work with great satisfaction. It is what it claims to be, a complete algebra-complete in matter and method. It embraces all the subjects which need be taught in high schools or colleges, and these are treated in a manner sufficiently elementary for beginners and sufficiently thorough for advanced students. Every principle is developed by a strictly algebraic method, and with great clearness and conciseness. Those who are familiar with the more wordy text-books on this subject, will be surprised at the short and certain steps by which the student is led to generalizations. The demonstrations and definitions are also models of brevity and clearness. In a few cases there seems to be too great brevity, as in the statement, "The coefficient of the nth power is the nth power of the coefficient." The problems have been carefully selected and graded, and they will be found sufficiently numerous. The small number of problems requiring a "statement", is a noticeable feature of the book. The generalization of the Problem of the Lights is capital, and other difficult subjects are treated very happily. The typography and mechanical execution of the book challenge comparison. We can most heartily commend this algebra to all teachers of this branch of study.

PRIMARY OBJECT LESSONS for Training the Senses and Developing the Faculties of Children. A Manual of Elementary Instruction for Parents and Teachers. By N. A. CALKINS, Fifteenth Edition-rewritten and enlarged. New York: Harper

& Brothers.

The original work was a most valuable contribution to the cause of primary education, and we are more than glad to see this new edition improved and enriched as it is by the author's eight years' experience in the supervision of the Primary Schools of New York City. It shows in every lesson a complete adaptation to the practical wants of the school-room, and in methods and details is essentially a new book. The successive chapters treat of Principles of Object Teaching, Home Training of the Senses, Introductory School Lessons, Form, Color, Number, Size, Drawing, Time, Sound, Primary Reading, Qualities of Objects, Object Lessons, the Human Body, and Moral Training. It will be seen that these topics present a comprehensive course of object lessons and primary instruction. We commend this book to all who may wish for a sensible, practical guide in object teaching, and we are happy to announce that the author is engaged in preparing "A Manual of Object Teaching" which is to present more fully the principles and philosophy of the system.

ELOCUTION: the Sources and Elements of Its Power. A Text-Book for Schools and Colleges, and a Book for Every Public Speaker and Student of the English Language. By J. H. MCILVAINE, Professor of Belles Lettres in Princeton College. New York: Charles Scribner & Co. 1870.

The two-fold aim of this treatise is to present a complete analysis of the sources and elements of power in delivery. The sources of power considered are the power

in the thought, feeling, earnestness, consciousness of direct address, attention, sym pathy, mastery of the subject, facility of remembering, familiarity with the manuscript, physical vitality, and self-control-each of which is so treated as to show clearly its utility and the manner in which it is to be acquired. The elements of power include articulation, accent, pronunciation, qualities of voice, powers of voice, pitch and inflection, time and pauses, force, emphasis, and gesture-each of which is discussed with great fullness and thoroughness. We are specially pleased with the chapters on articulation, accent, and pronunciation, which contain views of great interest not only to the student of elocution, but also to the student of the English tongue. With a view of giving prominence to important facts and principles, the text is broken by principal and subordinate heads, the former being printed in black letter and the latter in italic. This will facilitate its use as a text-book. All persons interested in public speaking, will read this work with interest and profit.

MARY'S GRAMMAR; Interspersed with Stories, and intended for the Use of Children. By Mrs. MARCET, Author of "Conversations on Chemistry," etc. New York: D. Appleton & Co- 1870.

This work is an attempt so to elucidate the elements of grammar as to make them easily understood by children; and we commend its reading to the thousands of children who are now agonizing over dreary pages of technicalities beyond their comprehension. But its chief value is in showing teachers how this subject may be unfolded and taught orally. The book is not a marked success, as the author fails to see that grammar is not a child's study, even if sandwiched with amusing and interesting stories.

THE BRIGHT SIDE is growing in popular favor, and is bound to win a large circulation. See advertisement.

Three Books. Wilson, Hinkle & Co.,

WHITE'S GRADED-SCHOOL ARITHMETICS.
Cincinnati.

SCHUYLER'S COMPLETE ALGEBRA. Wilson, Hinkle & Co., Cincinnati.
DAVIES' NEW SURVEYING. A. S. Barnes & Co., New York.

HART'S COMPOSITION AND RHETORIC. Eldredge & Bro., Philadelphia.

HOYT'S EDUCATION IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. Government Printing Office. Washington, D. C.

GRAY'S MANUAL OF BOTANY. With Mosses. Ivison, Phinney, Blakeman & Co., New York

CALKIN'S NEW PRIMARY OBJECT LESSONS. Harper & Brothers, New York.

GUIDE TO WILLIAMS & PACKARD'S SYSTEM OF PENMANSHIP. Slote, Woodman & Co., New York.

STEELE'S KEY TO THE SCIENCES. A. S. Barnes & Co., New York.

MCILVAINE'S ELOCUTION. Charles Scribner & Co., New York.

WATSON'S INDEPENDENT FIRST READER. A. S. Barnes & Co., New York.

PERE'S EXAMPLE BOOK. Barnard & Barrum, Memphis, Tenn.

WALLACE'S LANGUAGE OF GRAMMAR. Miller, Locke & Co., Toledo, O.

GRAUFERT'S MANUAL OF THE GERMAN LANGUAGE; and Steiger's Literarischer Monatserbricht. E. Steiger, New York.

PORTER'S AMERICAN COLLEGES AND THE AMERICAN PUBLIC. Charles C. Chatfield, New Haven, Ct.

ELLIOTT'S SONGS OF YALE. Charles C. Chatfield, New Haven, Ct.
UNIVERSITY SERIES. Nos. 1, 2, and 3.

Charles C. Chatfield, New Haven, Ct.

HOWE'S PHILOTAXIAN GRAMMAR. John B. Alden & Co., Chicago.
BEADLE'S LIFE IN UTAH. National Publishing Company, Cincinnati.

WEST VIRGINIA.

STATE TEACHERS' INSTITUTE.-The State Teachers' Institute held at Parkersburg, W. Va., the last week of June, was an eminent success. One hundred and fifty teachers were present from West Virginia and over twenty from Ohio. Among the West Virginia members were many of the leading teachers of the State, including several county superintendents, principals and teachers of Normal Schools, Graded Schools, etc. One veteran teacher, Mr. Joseph Foster, came 160 miles on foot, and, although he had taught 27 years, he felt richly repaid. All were gratuitously entertained by the hospitable citizens of Parkersburg, who evinced a most commendable interest in the exercises. Governor Stevenson welcomed the institute in anearnest and eloquent address. The instruction gave the highest satisfaction. Hon. A. D. Williams, State School Superintendent, gave several practical lectures on the theory and practice of teaching. Capt. Mitchell, of Columbus, O., presented, with his usual skill, the subjects of arithmetic and geography. Prof. Kidd, of Indiana, was inimitable in his specialty, capturing eyes, ears, and hearts. Prof. Thompson, of Marshall College Normal School, gave a few brief exercises in free gymnastics; and President Andrews, of Marietta College, briefly addressed the institute the last day. In spite of the intense heat, the attendance was well sustained to the end. The close attention given the lecturers was a sufficient evidence of appreciation, and a fine club raised for the MONTHLY revealed the presence of a most commendable professional spirit. We congratulate Supt. Williams on this success, won by his energy, devotion, and good judgment. He is doing a great work.

GRADUATION. The first State Normal School, at Marshall College, near Guyandotte, in Cabell county, graduated its first class on the 26th of June last. The class consisted of one lady, Miss Ella Cather, of Glenville, Gilmer county, and three gentlemen. This first fruit of the State Normal School system is very grateful, both as to what it is in itself, and as to its promise of what is to The class was appropriately addressed, at its graduation, by the State

come.

Superintendent.

RESIGNATIONS.-Prof. W. R. White, formerly State Superintendent, and more recently Principal of the second State Normal School, at Fairmont, in Marion county, has resigned this latter position, and, it is rumored, is about going West. Prof. White has accomplished a good work for the educational interests of West Virginia, and will carry with him, wherever he goes, the good will of many friends.

Miss M. L. Dickey, of the same school, also resigned her position, leaving two vacancies to be filled in the school. Miss Dickey, also, leaves many friends behind her.

WEST LIBERTY NORMAL SCHOOL.-Prof. F. H. Crago, recently elected to the principalship of this school, closed his first term on the 26th of June, with pub

lic exercises that drew together and pleased a large audience of people. Prof. Crago seems to be giving good satisfaction. During the vacation, considerable repairs are to be made on the school building.

INSTITUTE WORK.-State Supt. Williams is pushing a vigorous campaign of institute work, having advertised some twenty institutes in as many different counties. In this work, he is aided by the Peabody Fund, through the kindness of Dr. Sears. Until the recent State Institute, at Parkersburg, no institutes had ever been held in the State, and the State Superintendent was often saluted with the inquiry, "What is an Institute ?"

GRADED SCHOOLS. --The State Superintendent is encouraging the establishment of graded schools in the various county towns and larger villages, and not altogether without success. The people, in many places, hold hard to their purse strings, and do not yet fully appreciate the great advantages of graded schools. But the current is running in the right direction, and those who are indifferent about the matter now, will soon wake up to find other places far outstripping them to their great mortification and regret.

ADVANCING-Through the institutes and otherwise, very considerable progress is being made in the attainments of teachers in West Virginia, so that there is much less occasion than formerly for second class teachers to come over from Ohio, to get positions in West Virginia that their poor qualifications will not entitle them to in Ohio. The occupation of such is about gone. The demand in that direction is rapidly decreasing, and the supply on hand is fully equal to it. Others of that class may safely stay at home. They are not wanted.

PROF. RICE, of the Washington School, Parkersburg, W. V., very much to the regret of those who appreciate good schools, has resigned his position, and we fear will leave the State. Prof. Rice is among the very foremost in the profession, and will make a number one school wherever he is teacher.

"THE CAPITAL."-Some two years since very strenuous opposition was manifested by leading men in Charleston, to the erection of a fitting school-house in the place. The school house was built, however, in spite of their opposition-a fine, brick structure, which not only affords accommodation for the schools, but is a noticeable ornament to the town and an attraction to this "New Capital." The schools, under the direction of a couple of graduates of Brown University, prospered during the past school year, and promise to open in September with still brighter prospects for the future.

DR. SEARS AND THE PEABODY FUND. -During the current year, nearly fifteen thousand dollars have been expended in West Virginia, in aid of the free schools, from the Peabody Fund, and through the interest and generosity of Dr. Barnas Seas, the General Agent of the same. This has been of very material service both in promoting education in general, and in strengthening the school system of the State.