differential expression, constant, when in fact it contains y, and is therefore variable. Mr. Whitcom admits that this objection is well founded, and attributes the error to carelessness on his part. He therefore gives this revised formula for rectifying the hyperbola, viz:

a2x2-b2x2-a⭑
a2x2-a+b2

2= dx

The absurdity of this is apparent at a glance, for every finite value of x gives z a value infinitely small. The formula for the length of an elementary arc of a plane curve, is dz= √dx2+dy2. To employ this formula in any case, we differentiate the equation of the curve, and from the given equation and its differential equation, find the value of dy in terms of x and dr, and substitute it in the formula. We then integrate the result between the proper limits, and the result obtained will express the length required. But it frequently happens that the differential expression refuses to be integrated, except by series, and this is the case with the hyperbola. This curve has never been rectified other than by series; for example of which see Davies' Mathematical Dictionary, pages 298 and 493. In conclusion I beg leave to propose the following modification of problem 6 for Mr. Whitcom to solve according to his method :

There are three foxes forty rods due north of a grey-hound. They all start to run at the same time with the same speed. The first runs due cast, the second due north, and the third due west. The grey-hound, directing his course towards the first fox, runs until he overtakes him; he then directs his course towards the second fox which he also overtakes, and also the third in the same manner. If the grey-hound runs twice as fast as the foxes, how many rods will he have run when he overtakes the third fox?

MADISON, June 14.

JAS. M. INGALLS.

Editorial Miscellany.

A considerable portion of the present number is occupied with the proceedings of the annual meeting of the State Teachers' Association.

It was a pleasant and profitable gathering. was largely attended by teachers, school officers, and friends of education, and we believe will be productive of much good in uniting together the various parts of our educational system, in giving point and efficiency to the efforts hereafter to be made in the direction of progress and reform, and in establishing and promulgating correct views of the

teachers' profession, proper estimates of the nature of his work, and an ac quaintance with the best means to be employed in its successful prosecution.

The weather was all that could be desired, the citizens of Madison extended a generous welcome to the members of the Association, and the exercises were generally very interesting and profitable. The inauguration of Chancellor Barnard was a special feature of the occasion, and was witnessed by an audience which filled the City Hall to its utmost capacity.

Dr. Barnard's inaugural address was characteristic of the man, giving in earnest, eloquent language, broad and comprehensive views of education and educational systems, pervaded all through by strong common sense, and a practical adaptation of general views to the particular circumstances surrounding the field in which he expects to work.

The address on behalf of the Regents of the University by Carl Schurz, Esq., was worthy of the reputation this gentleman has acquired as a profound thinker and finished scholar, and that of J. T. Clark, Esq., on behalf of the Normal Regents, was well written, in good taste, and appropriate to the occasion. We hope hereafter to give the addresses in full.

The orations of the graduating class evinced some ability, but were too long, and, with two or three exceptions, seemed to lack somewhat in vigor and purity. We have no space to notice the efforts of the different young gentlemen, but must give our hearty commendation of the oration on philosophy and the valedictory addresses by Samuel Fallows. The oration was a forcible, logical, and eloquent presentation of the claims of philosophy as an important part of a liberal education, and the valedictories were conceived in good taste, were very appropriate, and were delivered in a graceful and effective manner.

The address before the literary societies by Rev. Dr. Smith, of Lane Seminary Cincinnati, the subject of which was "Decision of Character," secured the unqualified approbation of all who heard it, as a powerful and scholarly production, worthy of the reputation of the speaker. and abounding in valuable thought. The week will be remembered by many a teacher as an epoch in his or her edu cational life, and the knowledge gained and acquaintances made will exert a happy influence, inducing more rapid growth, a broader development, and an increase of zeal in the good work.

Since our last issue we (the Editor and his better half) took a trip as far east as New York city. We knew something of the space-annihilating power of steam as applied upon our railways, but never realized it so fully before. Leaving Palmyra at 6 o'clock A. M. of Thursday, on Saturday at 10:30 A. M. we were in New York city, a distance of one thousand miles.

We took the new route through Michigan, leaving Milwaukee at 12 M., crossing the lake in the fine steamer City of Cleveland, Captain Dougall, and arrived at Grand Haven at 8 o'clock P. M. The trip across the lake is exceedingly pleas ant as a change from railway travel, and adds to the attractiveness of the route. The Detroit & Milwaukee Railway, though scarcely finished, has a smooth track, almost entirely free from dust, is stocked with fine cars and seems to be carefully

and efficiently managed. It is 186 miles long from Grand Haven to Detroit, and is likely to secure a fair share of travel and business, Arriving at Detroit, we crossed the river in the company's ferryboat (for which no extra charge is made) to Windsor, the western terminus of the Great Western Railway of Cananda, in the spacious cars of which we took seats, and at 8 A. M. left for Suspension Bridge. This is a well stocked road, and the management is as systematic and regular as clock-work. The depots and grounds surrounding them are kept clean, no noise or confusion is heard or seen, the conductors are gentlemanly and attentive, and the cars are well supplied with pure iced water, a great comfort in warm weather. Arriving at Suspension Bridge we took seats in the cars of the New York Central, and in a little less than twelve hours found ourselves in the capital of the Empire State. This road (the Central) is well known to the traveling public, and the long and well filled trains show their appreciation of it as a safe, expeditious and well managed route. Taking the cars of the Hudson River Road at Albany, we arrived in New York at 10:30 A. M., in forty-six hours and thirty minutes from Milwaukee, without a single detention or accident, making close connections as advertised with every train on the entire route-and it is with confidence that we recommend the Detroit & Milwaukee, the Great Western, and the New York Central Railways to the patronage of those of our renders who may be induced by business or pleasure to visit the east.

DEATH OF HORACE MANN.-This venerable and distinguished educator departed this life at Yellow Springs, Ohio, on the 2d instant, aged 63 years. He will be widely mourned and long remembered. We shall give the particulars of his useful life next month.

PRESCOTT.-The citizens of this place held a public meeting on the 22d ult., and after considerable discussion decided to levy a tax of $1500 for the purpose of making such an addition to their school house as would enable them to establish a graded school.

The Great Republic Monthly for August is an improvement or all preceeding numbers. It contains several very valuable articles, and gives a large amount of reading for the price, fee terms in former number of this Journal.

The Ladies' Home Magazine for August is as interesting as ever. It is the best family magazine with which we are acquainted. We furnish the Journal and Magazine to new subscribers for $200 a year.

NEW EXCHANGES.-The lowa School Journal, Vol. 1, No.s 1 and two: Andrew J. Stevens, Editor, N, W. Mills & Co.. publishers, Des Moines, Iowa. This is a good looking double column sixteen paged quarto, the scope of which is somewhat broader than that of other school journals, it having a space devoted to agriculture, to household economy, to general literature, news, etc. We give it a hearty welcome as a co-laborer in the field of progress, and commend it to all who wish an interesting and valuable monthly of the kind abo ve indicated.

The Southern Teacher, a Journal of School and Home Education, edited by W. S. Barton ; Vol. 1, No. 1.; Montgomery, Alabama; Barrett & Wimbish, printers and binders. A well got up journal of 48 pages, about the size of the New York Teacher. It is edited with care and ability, and we trust the teachers of Alabama will give it a hearty support.

A Journal of Education, and of Science, Art, Language and Literature, edited by A. Curtis, A.M. M.D., Vol. 1, No. 2.; Cincinnati; published monthly by Longley Brothers. A wide awake practical journal, containing articles on the different topics above mentioned, some very spicy criticisms on language, art, etc., models for teaching, etc.

WE have never published any commendatory notices of our Magazine, though we have been favored from time to time with several, for which we are grateful, but we feel like boasting a little over the appearance of the present number, and we call the attention of our readers to the style and workmanship, confident that they do credit to western enterprise. The printing is done in the state Journal Office, Messrs. ATWOOD, RUBLEE & REED proprietors. The com position of cover and inside is performed by WM. S. MONROE, The press-work, with the exception of the cover, is executed upon one of Adams' book presses, driven by steam, and supervised by Mr. J. B. NORTON, a skillful workman, to whom we are indebted for the fine impression and neat look of the text. The paper is from the Beloit Paper Mill, Messrs. WRIGHT & NEWCOMв agents, and is a good specimen of their workmanship. They are gentlemanly and accommodating in their business relations, and ail who need good paper will find it for their interest to deal with them. The cover paper, which is of a superior quality, was procured from Messrs. NOONAN & MONAB, of Milwaukee, who have a large assortment of all kinds of p.per, which they will dispose of at reasonable rates. The covers are printed in the State Journal Job Office upon a Ruggles' power press by ROBERT FRANEY, under the supervision of JOSEPH WILKES, Esq., the accomplished Foreman of the Newspaper and Job Offices.

We believe that in appearance the Wisconsin Jonrnal of Education compares favorably with any journal East or West, and we trust that the Board of Editors, and Teachers of the State will see to it that its pages are kept supplied with valuable matter during the ensuing year. In again taking upon ourself the immediate charge of the Journal, we rely upon those who have hitherto sustained us to continue their efforts, and we hope to welcome many to our pages this year who have not contributed anything hitherto. For the encouragement of our friends we quote the following from the Massachusetts Teacher, one of the ablest of our exchanges, Speaking of our journal the Teacher says: "Our co-laborers at the West have succeeded in establishing a journal, which, for its high toned and valuable articles, we rank among the best educational monthlies in the country. The writers and publishers of this journal have contributed their share; may the teachers of Wisconsin now do their duty in encouraging and sustaining so valuable a periodical." We shall send this number to some teachers who are Lot subscribers, hoping that they will be induced to give it their support, both by subscribir g and writing for it.

Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, Pictorial Edition. The improvements made in this edition consist chiefly in the the following additions: 1st. Pictorial illustrations of animals, birds, implements. plants, architectural terms and decorations, terms used in heraldry, in the arts, etc. 2d. A table of synonyms in which the slight differrences in the meaning and use of about 1500 different words are pointed out. 3d. The addition of about 9000 words to the vocab. ulary. 4th. The pronunciation of the names of about 8000 dis inguished persons of modern times, and some minor additions comprising in all about 800 pages of the same size and style as the original work. The illustrations are finely executed and are a great a'd in enabling & person to understand the definition of many terms in science and art. The table of synonyms is prepared with great care, evinces ability and good judgment on the part of the cistinguished author, Dr. Goodrich, and is really a very valuable addition to the dictionary. It will well repay any one who makes any use of the English language as a means of communicating his thoughts to others, to carefully study this table. The addition to the vocabulary is composed principally of new terms, and new combinations of well known elements, created by the progress of science and the growth of the language, and is very full and complete. The table g ving the pronunciation of the names of distinguished persons will be welcomed by every reader unacquainted with the modern European languages, and many a teacher will rejoice at receiving assistance in this hitherto neglected department. The value of the dictionary is materially increased by the additions, and we do not see how it can be improved in any respect. The ac. knowledged standard in our State, the thanks of the public are due the enterprising publishers, Messrs. G. & C. Merriam, for their unremitting exertions in keeping the work fully up to the progress of our language and the wants of the people. We are informed by the State Supt., Hon. L. C. Draper, that those districts unsupplied with dictionaries will receive the new edition, the publishers generously furnishing it at the same price they charged for the old one.

BOOKS RECEIVED.—All About It, National Elementary Speller,Sanders' Analysis of Englisk Words, and Thoughts on Educational Topics, notices of which will appear in our next i sue.

ITS NATURAL AND ACQUIRED CHARACTER-THE OBLIGATIONS IMPOSED UPON US.

SOCIETY is an organic structure like the human body. The elementary particles of our bodies are arranged in filaments, filaments constitute fibers, fibers tissues, tissues organs, and a combination of organs, each adapted to its place and functions, may be said finally to constitute the human frame. Individual persons constitute the original element in society; of these are formed the lesser circles, the lesser constitute larger, etc., through various steps and gradations, and all together constitute a nation.

As in the human system there are organs whose functions seem more or less important, and are therefore deemed more or less honorable, so in society there are circles holding positions more or less useful, and consequently are regarded with more or less esteem. The honor ascribed to an organ of the body is justly derived from its importance to the physical structure, but the honor ascribed to a person or circle in society should be derived from two sources: first, from the good accomplished, and secondly, from the difficulties surmounted in securing that good.

To those who, through unwitting chance, make great discoveries, or otherwise accomplish great good without labor, there is often given much undeserved honor; and also to those who perform great feats which are without good, and perhaps evil in result. A youth once received honor because he could stand upon one foot longer than any other person in Greece;

*Opening address delivered before the State Teachers' Association, at Madison, July 26, 1859, by the President, A. Pickett-re-written for the Journal.