We do not see why the commercial capitol of the North-West should not give us a successful magazine, and if this Number is an earnest of the future, it will surely live and make its way to the firesides of the people. Price twenty-five cents a Number, or one dollar a year.

Little George and his hatchet: a Lesson of Truth. By Mrs. Hoyt. Atwood & Rublee, Madison. Price 10 cents.

This is a beautiful primer poem of twelve pages, with a handsome picture cover, the whole gotten up in a neat, substantial style. The proceeds of the sale of this little book are to go to the Monnt Vernon Fund, in aid of the purchase of the Home and Grave of Washington. Besides doing something toward so worthy an object, the book itself can not fail to interest the readers, and is worth many times its cost to any child, as an illustration of the beauty of Truth. Mrs. Hoyt would especially ask the attention of teachers, as she hopes to dispose of it mainly through their agency. Packages sent without delay to any part of the State on reception of the address of the teacher, with the number desired. Single copies, postpaid, to any one who sends us a dime, or the amount in stamps.

Address Mrs. Hoyt, Wisconsin Farmer Office, Madison, Wisconsin.

The Ladies Home Magazine. By T. S. Arthur and Virginia F. Townsherd.

It is one of the best magazines for the family published in this country. Its high moral tone commends it to all who value good principles, and the known ability of its conductors is a sufficient guaranty that intellectually it will not be behind the demands of the age. Besides the usual literary articles, there is a portion devoted to the toilet and the work-table, a mother's department, hints to house-keepers, a health department, editors department, etc.

It is beautifully illustrated, contains numerous fashion plates, and is furnished at $2 a year for single copies, four copies for five dollars Address-T. S. Arthur & Co., 323 Walnut Street, Philadelphia.

Domestic Animals: a Pocket Manual of Cattle, Horse, and Sheep Husbandry; embracing Directions for the Breeding, Rearing, and General Management of all Domestic Animals; Rules for the Improvement of Breeds; How to Insure the Health of Animals; and How to Cure their Diseases without the use of Drugs; with a chapter on Bee Keeping. By the author of "The Garden," "The Farm," etc. New York: Fowler & Wells. Price, paper, 30 cents; muslin, 50 cents.

This little book presents, in a small compass, much useful information, and is well worth the price asked for it. It will prove a valuable help to many who would never read a larger work. The publishers are doing a good work in furnishing hand-books on so many important subjects.

See reduction n prices of Sewing Machines in our advertising columns.

The unanimous favor which has attended the introduction of WHEELER & WILSON'S FAMILY SEWING MACHINE, is sufficient evidence of its excellence. It is needless now to say, that this useful instrument is becoming a domestic institution!: the fact is recognized by its successfu use in thousands of families in every rank in life. To those who have hitherto refrained froml availing themselves of its advantages, it may not be amiss to say that its utility is not a problem to be solved, but a success already realized. The highest testimony is constantly offered, confirming the verdict which has given this instrument so wide and enviable a reputation. This machine is conceived on a principle ENTIRELY ORIGINAL, being specially and admirably adapted to the most perfect work on every kind of material; and having been subjected to s three years' test of the most searching character by families, and in various branches of manufacture, with distinguished success, it is believed that, in all the great points requisite to a com plete and practical SEWING MACHINE, it can not be approached in excellence.

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8. Its noiseless movement.

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5. The pre-eminent BEAUTY and DURABILITY of the work.

This Machine, in a variety of Styles and Sizes, is in Operation and for Sa at No. 7 Newhall House, Main Street, Milwaukee.

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0. B. KING, Agent.

Ir is gratifying to observe among teachers and school officers an increasng interest in promoting the improvement of Primary Schools. During he past year this subject has been made more prominent than heretofore n educational reports, and in educational meetings. The conviction is vidently gaining ground, that more attention should be bestowed upon he first steps in education. The importance of employing teachers of su>erior qualifications in Primary Schools, and especially in lower classes of these schools, is beginning to be recognized among parents and school ommittees. We are happy to be able to state that in the city of Syrause, N. Y., the teachers of alphabet schools receive higher salaries than he teachers of more advanced grades in the Primary Schools. Those vho affirm that there is little occasion for the exercise of high talent in he discipline and instruction of young children prove themselves proFoundly ignorant of the whole subject. We must divest our minds of the alse notion that the first stage of school education consists in nothing nore than saying a, b, c. We are sure that no one could ever again enterain such an absurd idea after having heard the description of Geo. B. merson, LL.D., at the recent meeting of the American Institute of Intruction, at Norwich, of the method of teaching the alphabet which he itnessed in Prussia. Gov. Buckingham remarked that nothing in all the ble and eloquent addresses on the occasion, inspired him with so much onfidence in the improvement of popular education as what he had heard bout teaching the alphabet.

In Boston the school committee have undertaken to introduce into the

Primary School system some valuable improvements. The work is pro gressing quietly, but surely, and we anticipate highly favorable resulta Most of the schools are now graded, so far as the present accommodations will permit. The plan is to place in one room only one class of pupils, that is, only pupils of equal attainments, so that they may be taught, to & great extent, by the collective method. Six grades or classes are recognized in the system. Formerly, all these classes were in each room. The new arrangement, now generally adopted in the city, affords the competent teachers superior facilities for the application of improved methods of instruction and discipline.

But what is needed more than any thing else for the improvement of primary education is a high degree of the spirit of progress among the teachers themselves. Where a good share of this element has been or is now wanting among teachers, the blame is not altogether theirs.

How little have they been encouraged in their efforts for advancement! How inadequately have the best been appreciated and rewarded!

We hope for better things to come. Let every one see to it that he performs his own duty respecting this great interest. Much more extensive means must be provided for the training of teachers previous to their entering upon the responsibilities of their office. Committees must pay good salaries, and then insist upon high qualifications. Teachers must be co tent with nothing less than the highest success.

In relation to this subject Rev. Dr. Lothrop, in the last annual report of the School Committee of Boston, presents the following just and liberal view:

"As parts of a great system of public instruction, it is scarcely possible to attach too much importance to the Primary Schools. They are the base of the pyramid, and in proportion as the base is enlarged and its foundations strengthened, the superstructure can be reared with ease and rapidity, in graceful proportions, and to a towering height. Under the improvements which are now in operation, and others that will be introduced, it is hoped that the children in the Primary Schools will be rescued from that waste of time and misdirection of powers hitherto unavoidable, and so instructed and carried forward, as that every child, on attaining the requisite age, shall be competent and qualified, not only to enter the Grammar Schools, but to improve the privileges and advantages there of fered. And in proportion as the children entering the Grammar Schools come thoroughly qualified and prepared, these schools themselves will be improved, and a large number of pupils pass through them at an age ciently early to allow them to enjoy the benefit of the High Schools, before the time arrives at which they wish to leave school for some active employment. Thus by improving the Primary, we improve the Grammar, extend the advantages of the High Schools and make our whole system of public instruction, of popular education, what it ought to be, progres sive and not stationary."

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TEACHING THE ALPHABET-A SPECIMEN LESSON.

Apparatus.-A blackboard; a chart of easy words of one syllable; an alphabet chart; a set of alphabet cards, with a grooved stick, called speling-stick, in which the cards may be inserted in spelling words; and a late and pencil for each child.

Preliminary Training.-Children should not be put to reading immeditely upon entering school for the first time. Judicious preliminary exerises will render subsequent progress, not only in this but other branches, nore rapid and satisfactory. The object of these exercises should be to rain the ear to distinguish sounds, and the organs of speech to utter them; o form habits of attention and of prompt obedience to all directions; and o excite the curiosity, or desire to learn something. Such being the obects, the judgment of the teacher must guide in the selection and adaptaion of the exercises.

Lesson. The proper preparatory training having been given, the teachr will select a single letter to begin with; it matters little which. Supose it to be a. The card containing it is placed in the spelling-stick in iew of all the class.

T.-"You see this lettter. Now look at me. You all know me when ou see me. Now I wish you to look at this letter, so that you will know t whenever you see it. It stands for a sound. Listen, and hear me give he sound."

Having enunciated the sound distinctly several times, taking care to seure the attention of all, the teacher might ask if any one has ever heard he sound before. Some may remember it as given among the elementary ounds of the language. If so, they are pleased to find that the lesson is onnected with something learned before. If it is not recalled, give the owel sounds promiscuously, requesting all to put up hands when they ear it.

T.-"Now all give the sound after me; again, again. That is what his letter says. When you read it, you give the sound. You may take our slates, and see if you can make one like it."

Only a few, perhaps, will try at first. But the teacher passes rapidly round, giving a glance at the slates, (bestowing commendation on the best efforts.

T.-"Erase it. See me make it on the blackboard. I begin here, and o round in this way. You may try it again on your slates."

The slates are inspected as before; the timid are encouraged, and the etter written for them on their slates. Then the drill on the sound is reeated, and afterward individuals called up to say it.

If this is found to be enough for one lesson, when the course is resumed, he exercises on a should be reviewed. The teacher will then proceed vith another letter in a similar manner, taking one that with the preced