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the courses of study in sixteen German cities, carry forward satisfactorily our knowledge of current educational developments in that nation. A clear account of the organization and work of the Swiss normal schools follows. The resume of current German discussion of mental fatigue in school, in other words overstrain, is stimulating; and Prof. Waetzoldt's "National Features of Female Education" concludes the chapter.

The subject presented from a national standpoint in Prof Waetzoldt's paper is further developed in a chapter on Facilities for University Education of Women in England and another on the Educational Status of Women in different countries.

Under the title "Chautauqua; a Social and Educational Study" we have a detailed view, occupying one hundred pages, of this American form of extension teaching treated under some forty different heads or topics. This was prepared by Prof. H. B. Adams, and is supplemented in the second volume, soon to appear, by a check list of American summer schools and a history of the summer school movement. We here add a few notes of other matters to be treated in that volume. Agricultural and mechanical colleges have a chapter devoted to them; the School District, now rapidly undergoing modification in so many states, has another; the transportation of children to and from school is carefully studied in the light of experience; two historical chapters, one containing Dr. Mayo's early educational history of this country, and the other giving a sketch of domestic, social, and school life in middle Georgia during the period of its first settlement, attract attention; a chapter is given to the Atlanta Exposition, and another which ought to be very suggestive to our teachers, to English text books on the American Revolution. A number of consular reports on educational subjects complete the volume.

This very cursory and incomplete statement will serve at least to indicate the range and Dr. Harimportance of the matters treated. ris has made these annual reports of very great value to all students of education. Acquaintance with them will broaden the views of any one engaged in teaching and is well nigh indispensable to those who are charged with the direction of schools and seriously desirous of keeping abreast of the times.

S.

-The enrollment in the Madison high school has reached 467. In the city schools there are 2,528 pupils, and in the city there are 4,921 persons of school age. Fifty-six teachers are employed in the city schools.

THE MONTH.

WISCONSIN NEWS AND NOTES.

-A new school building, to cost $31,200, is in process of erection in the second district at Appleton.

-Harvard University, with its 4,596 students and 370 instructors, is the largest American university.

-The football team of the Madison high school has won every game in which it played during the past season.

-The Department of Superintendence of the National Educational Association will meet at Indianapolis February 18th, 19th and 20th.

-In the schools of Superior there are employed a superintendent, three special supervisors, viz., of kindergartens, of music and of There are ten drawing, and 121 teachers.

school buildings belonging to the city. The Nelson Dewey high school employs six teachers and the Broadway high school seven. Twenty-four teachers are employed in the kindergartens of the city.

-Hotel Pfister, in Milwaukee, has been selected as the executive headquarters of the National Educational Association next summer. The general local committee of arrangements is composed of Albert J. Lindemann, Wm. George Bruce, and S. Y. Gillan. Correspondence pertaining to the business of the committee should be addressed to the secretary, William George Bruce.

-The report of Sup't Elson of Superior, shows a total enrollment in the city of 6,112 persons of school age, of whom 4,947 are enrolled in the city schools. The superintendent attributes this large ratio of enrollment, 89 per cent. of the census total, to the policy of free text-books now in force in the city. The average life of a book he says is about five years, and they are less injured and defaced under good management when loaned to the pupils than when owned by them. The cost of new books last year was about thirty-four cents per pupil.

-At the meetings of the Department of Superintendence of the N. E. A. in Indianapolis, Feb. 16-17th, there will be papers and discussions on Primary Courses of Instruction, State Superintendence, Child Study, Art in Education, Supervision, and the Relations of Teachers to Citizens. Also Round Tables will be held for the discussion of summer ses

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sions, libraries and college entrance requirements, and a round table of the Herbart Club.

-The program of the Iowa State Teachers' Association shows, in addition to the general sessions and the department sessions, an educational council and a series of twelve round tables. It may be interesting to enumerate them. They are round tables of round tables of women, city superintendents, primary teachers, high school, grammar and intermediate teachers, child study, country teachers, drawing teachers, county superintendents, principals, kindergartens and music teachers. meetings hold for three days.

The

-An item in the daily papers announces that the Chicago board of education has decided to make relentless war on the cigarette, so far as it comes into the lives of school children. The trustees received and accepted a report from the school management committee recommending that Attorney D. C. Morrow be instructed to proceed at once to prosecute cigarette dealers in the vicinity of the Agassiz school, who have been dispensing the enervating "pipes" among the small boys of the locality. Attorney Morrow will begin a

dozen cases.

-One interesting result of the meeting of the State Library Association at Ashland, Nov. 13th and 14th, was the formation of the Northern Wisconsin Free Traveling Library Association, with its headquarters at the Vaughn public library in Ashland. The organization was effected by the election of the following officers: President, Mrs. Emeline E. Vaughn, founder of the Vaughn Library, Ashland. Vice-presidents, Rev. Stanley E. Lathrop, Ashland; Prof. H. W. Rood, Washburn; Robert Inglis, Bayfield; Pres. T. C. McNeill, West Superior; Hon. R. L. McCormick, Hayward; Prin. C. M. Gleason, Rhinelander; Rev. S. H. Murphy, Phillips. Secretary and Librarian, Miss Janet M. Green, Librarian of Vaughn Library, Ashland.

-We have space barely to mention the meetings of the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters, which occurred in Milwaukee parallel with the meetings of the Teachers' Association. They began, however, on Monday evening with an opening address complimentary, to members of the Teachers' Association, by Prof. Rollin D. Salisbury, of Chicago, who gave an interesting account of his own studies in Greenland, illustrated by lantern projections. The papers of the Association are of course often technical and of in

terest chiefly to specialists, but this address, and that by the retiring president, Prof. C. R. Van Hise of the state university, on "Earth Movements" were of very general interest.

-At the Ozaukee county institute Sup't Fehlandt was presented by the teachers with a portfolio of photographs of famous scenes and works of art. Two hundred and thirty-six book premiums awarded at the last county fair were handed over to the teachers to be distributed to their pupils whose work had won them.

-At the examination for teachers' state certificates, held at Madison, Dec. 29-31st, the following persons completed their work and were granted certificates:

LIFE:

Andrea M. Anderson, Stoughton;

O. O. Force, Pardeeville; Anna Hammond, Boscobel; Ellen F. Marsh, Elkhorn; George H. Reed, Waukesha; Francis J. Taugher, Os

man.

LIMITED: Chas. E. Brady, Osman; Herman Fischer, Pardeeville; Dan. W. Loughlin, Manitowoc; Mary A. McCabe, Reedsburg; Charles T. Peterson, Independence; Mrs. Hildor Rice, Stoughton; Walter Stokey, Mishicot; Richard Whitford, Sturgeon Bay; Cora May Morgan, Hartford.

COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS: Ethan A. Cleasby, Eleva; Ira L. Cole, Dorchester; Albert Guttmann, Manitowoc; Henry Linke, Hillsboro; Louise W. Shultz, Sturgeon Bay; Mrs. Myrtie G. Cady, Birnamwood.

-In Superior, tests of the hearing and sight of pupils in the grades of the city schools were made. From twenty to thirty-nine per cent. of the pupils were found to be defective in hearing, the highest per cent. appearing in the sixth grade. From twenty-one to thirty-seven per cent. were found defective in vision, the fourth grade here showing the highest per cent. Superintendent Elson says: "Of course these tests amounted to a revelation in many cases and led to a re-seating ofpupils, giving those having defective hearing the most advantageous position near the teacher and those having defective sight the most favorable positions as to light. Many beneficial results have come from these tests. They throw a flood of light on attitude and tendencies in children that were attributed to other causes and were thus cases of mis-interpretation of child-motive. They showed serious cases which were referred to physicians for treatment." He thinks the defective hearing is inmost cases due to throat and nasal troubles, tonsilitis, catarrh, etc., and if observed in season may in very many cases be

overcome by proper treatment. This constitu tes an additional reason for attention to these matters in school.

-At a meeting held in Milwaukee, Dec. 17th, the State Board of Control elected unanimously Dr. A. W. Wilmarth, first assistant physician at the Norristown, Pa., insane hospital, superintendent of the new home for feeble minded at Chippewa Falls. Messrs. Guenther and Heg, members of the board, who have been in the east looking for a suitable man to place at the head of the new institution, reported that everywhere they went they heard only the highest commendations of Dr. Wilmarth's ability. He received his training in the institution for feeble minded at Elwyn, Pa., and has come to be regarded as one of the greatest specialists of the country on pathology of idiocy. For two years past he has been first assistant physician at the Norristown institution. He is about 40 years old. The members of the Wisconsin board are satisfied that his selection at the head of the new Wisconsin institution will prove a most wise

one.

His salary was fixed at $2,000 a year and he will assume his new duties on Jan. Ist or as soon thereafter as possible. The board had previously selected its steward, C. K. Erwin, of Tomah, and the other members of the staff of the home will be chosen before Feb. 1st, about which time the institution will be opened.

-Sup't Roesseler, of Sauk county, issues a very interesting program for the local institutes for 1896-7. They are confined to history, geography, civil government and finance. He says by way of introduction:

"In geog

raphy I have chosen a study of Spain for several reasons. First, because in its relation to the Cubian rebellion it has for some time attracted the eyes of the world and especially of the American people. Second, because it is more interwoven with the early history of the American continent than most other European nations. In discovery it was the first in the field and in the extent of its exploration and colonization it surpassed all its rivals. A third reason because two prominent American writers have made a special study of Spain. A study of Spain thus gives us a chance to become familiar with their valuable writings. For special reasons I have selected Irving's writings alone. It would be most fitting to make a study of France the coming year and follow this with a study of England and the Netherlands for similar reasons. In civil government, local and national, I have chosen subjects which have touched us all in the re

cent county, state and national election, and although so near most of us are not as well informed about matters relating thereto as we ought to be. The money question having formed the main national controversy I have deemed it a fit subject for study and likewise the related banking question. Questions of general interest on current events have been added as last year." The circular contains a list of books of special use in studying the subjects and lists of questions to guide those using them.

CORRECTIONS TO THE HIGH SCHOOL LIST.

DR. J. W. STEARNS:-Dear Sir:-I have looked over that long list of high school teachers on pages 283-287 of JOURNAL. It must have cost many hours of careful work, but I note as follows an occasional error connected with this school.

Black River Falls-Lillian Clark, O. N. S.
Green Bay

Della L. Bump, O. N. S.*

Emma Scheffler, O. N. S.

Kaukauna-Nellie B. Jones, O. N. S.*

Racine-A. N. Ozias, (Should not be credited to
O. N. S. t)

Two Rivers-Elmer E. Carr, O. N. S.*

West De Pere-John D. Conley, O. N. S.
Kiel-Margaret Hessel, O. N. S.
Yours truly,

Oshkosh, Dec. 8, 1896.

L. W. BRIGGS.

[Reported "State Normal School," as our record did not show which school.

+A printer's blunder, O. S. U. (Ohio State University) being read O. S. N.

Records indicate that she holds only a five year certificate, not a diploma.

We are much obliged for the corrections.-ED.]

THE ACADEMY AT OSHKOSH.

PROF. J. W. STEARNS-Dear Sir:-In the last issue of the WISCONSIN JOURNAL OF EDUCATION, in noticing the enrollment of the Oshkosh normal school you raised an inquiry regarding the meaning of the "sixty-one enrolled in the Academy." As you probably know, it was' found impossible in 1895 longer to accommodate the preparatory classes in the normal building, the inflow of strictly normal grade students being so large. A preparatory academy was organized in a spacious building, which by chance stood within a half block of the normal school, in charge of an able graduate of our school.

All candidates for admission to the normal school are examined by its officers, as a matter of course, and those falling into the preparatory grades are specifically classified and sent to the academy for training; examinations for promotion being held quarterly.

The institution is conducted entirely under

private control, except that the classification of its students is made by us, and all students thus far enrolled are in strict line of preparation for the normal school work.

The note in our formal card is made as instituting a complete comparison with all the other normal schools where preparatory work is conducted, but not placed under the head of our registration for the foregoing reasons. Very truly yours, G. S. ALBEE.

Oshkosh, Dec. 16, 1896.

NORMAL SCHOOL GRADUATES NOW UNDERGRADUATES AT THE UNIVERSITY.

Milwaukee Normal.

Marion C. Houlan, Milwaukee.
Elizabeth M. McNancy, Milwaukee.
Ella M. Niederman, Milwaukee.
Margaretta B. Smith, Milwaukee.
Mary O. Alden, Milwaukee.
Myrtes B. Clark, Milwaukee.

Oshkosh Normal.

Albert B. O'Neill, Rosendale.
William F. Thiel, Schleisingerville.
Thorval J. Thorson, Scandinavia.
Ezra T. Towne, Waupun.
Hattie L. Goetsch, Watertown.
Whitewater Normal.

Ross E. Andrews, Mukwonago.
Florence E. Averill, Whitewater.
Maud M. Averill, Whitewater.
M. R. Dickie, North Freedom.
Laura L. Houghton, Whitewater.
Katharine R. Pray, Stevens Point.
Helen L. Pray, Stevens Point.
Andrew D. Tarnutzer, Sauk City.
Myrtie H. Benedict, Menomonie.
Sadie E. Hurlbut, Elkhorn.
George D. Luetscher, Sauk City.
Harriett E. McCulloch, Janesville.
Anna Norseman, Norway Grove.
Harry B. Wilson, Fort Atkinson.

Platteville Normal.

John Arbuthnot, Woodman.
Guerdon C. Buck, Platteville.
Clara E. Maynard, Platteville.
Emma F. Rowan, Sparta.
Anna L. Burton, Livingstone.
Mary R. Huff, Boscobel.
John W. Raymer, Cadiz.

George Thomas, Rewey.

River Falls Normal.

Rosa M. Cheney, River Falls.
C. A. Donnelly, Meeker's Grove.

Andrew P. Hollis, Oswego Normal, N. Y. Grace Howe, South Dakata Normal. Albert S. Kingsford, Winona Normal, Minn. Grant Smith, Madison, Iowa Normal. Adaline B. Rockwell, Oneida, N. Y., Oswego Normal, N. Y.

A QUESTION OF THE ALMANAC.

EDITOR OF THE JOURNAL OF EDUCATION: -Dear Sir: In 1889 on Sept. 21st the sun set at 6:00 o'clock and rose at 5:46 The earliest that it set in Dec. 1889 was at 4:28 on the 4th, and the latest that rose was 7:30 on Dec. 31st. In 1896, Sept. 21st, it rose at 5:46 and set at 5:59 varying only one minute from 1889 same date. The latest it rises in 1896 is 7:41, Dec. 25th, and the earliest it sets is 4:16 on Dec. 4th.

Although the setting and rising is practically the same for Sept. 21st each year, why should there be a variation of ten minutes in the latest setting and a variation of 12 minutes in the earliest rising, thereby changing the length of Dec. days 22 minutes? Is the above correct or is it an error of the almanac? Will you please explain in next JOURNAL and greatly oblige Yours truly,

F. G. SKEELS.

Sharon, Wis., Dec. 14, 1896.

[There is very evidently here an error in the almanac used by our correspondent. In the latitude of Madison the latest sunrise is Dec. 31st, 7:30 A. M., and the earliest sunset is Dec. IO, 4:22 P. M. There is practically no variation in these data from year to year.-ED.]

AN INTERESTING MOVE AT THE PLATTEVILLE NORMAL SCHOOL.

DR. J. W. STEARNS -Dear Sir:-The enrollment of the Platteville state normal school for the first quarter of the present school year was as follows: Normal department, 448; preparatory department, 43; grammar department, 50; intermediate department, 36; primary department, 33. Total 610.

The county superintendents of Grant, LaFayette, Iowa and Crawford counties asked us to offer during the fall term a ten weeks "teachers' course. They induced many of their teachers to take this course. This accounts for the large enrollment during the fall term. We expect a smaller attendance during the remainder of the year.

Yours truly, JAMES CHALMERS.

Platteville, Dec. 15, 1896.

WISCONSIN CITY SUPERINTENDENTS' CONVENTION.

Some notes of the third annual convention of city superintendents, held at Oshkosh Nov. 27-28th, may be of interest to readers of the JOURNAL. This body is not large and has not sought to gain general attention, but it is composed of men who have much influence, and the practical work undertaken indicates that it must be counted with as one of the chief forces in shaping the educational policy of Wisconsin. The banquet hall of the Hotel Athearn was the place of meeting, and the formulation of an elementary course of study as a model for guidance of school officers was the immediate practical task discussed this year. There were no regular papers, but topics for discussion were outlined by the executive committee, and the talk upon them was earnest and pointed. A committee was appointed by the chairman, Supt. Dudgeon, to prepare a course of study for consideration at the next meeting in May, consisting of Superintendents D. D. Mayne, of Janesville; B. T. Davis, of Oshkosh; H. L. Terry, of Waukesha; C. F. Viebahn, of Watertown, and A. A. Upham, of Whitewater. The discussion indicated a belief that the existing programs need considerable modification, by dropping some subjects now generally included, by omitting, transposing and simplifying topics in other subjects; by introducing some work now reserved for the high schools, and transferring to the high schools work now done in the grades.

Geography and language work received considerable attention. Whether in geography the analytic plan, beginning with the world as a whole, or the synthetic plan, beginning with the locality, or a combination of both plans should be preferred; whether physical geography should be made the basis of this instruction; the place of geography in the scheme of instruction, and the stages and methods suited to the grades; map drawing and the use of text-books, these were some of the chief topics relating to the first. As to language,

the hindrances to the formation of correct habits; the need of keeping abreast the growth of thought and expression, so that language exercises may be efforts to give expression to the thought of the pupil; natural science and history as affording material for language training, such were the chief themes.

A very pleasant reception was tendered the superintendents at the normal school by the resident normal and public school teachers on the evening of the first day. Music, a dialogue by two young ladies, and five minute

talks by several superintendents, made up the program, followed by a social occasion.

At the hotel were interesting displays of report blanks, records, devices, etc., used by different superintendents for systematizing and rendering efficient their work, which were diligently examined and criticised.

It will be seen that the meeting was practical and full of interest, and that results of permanent value to the schools of the state may be confidently expected to come from the meetings of this body. Supt. D. D. Mayne, of Janesville, was elected president for the next year. X.

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THE ASHLAND LIBRARY MEETING.

Being in Ashland last Friday afternoon I dropped into the library meeting in session there and becoming interested I stayed throughout. In the first place I was impressed by the Vaughn library. Although not large, its pleasant rooms and tasteful fittings give it an air of home comfort and ease.

The meeting itself was very interesting. I was particularly struck with the enthusiasm for library work. The members were, as one speaker said, "a band of plotters, scheming and planning to lure wayward children into the libraries." Mr. Hutchins, the genial chairman of the Wisconsin library commission, presided, and one could not but gain something of an inspiration from his remarks made as occasion offered upon different subjects but always very practical and to the point. Another inspiring and lovable person was present, one who, with the help of her husband, has done so much for Ashland, Mrs. Vaughn. Her interest in libraries is not merely a passing one but it has been the aim of her life to furnish some kind of free reading matter to the people of her city. Others present were Mr. R. G. Thwaites, Secretary of Wisconsin Historical Society; Senator Stout, of Menomonie; President McNiel, of Superior normal school; Miss Stearns, of the Milwaukee free library and Miss Schrieber, of Milwaukee normal school.

I shall not attempt to go into a detailed report of the meeting, but will touch upon a few particular points that struck me as important and interesting.

In the talk made by Mr. Thwaites upon the collection of local historical materials, he laid special stress upon the idea of collecting and saving things of local interest. From all indications now we expect the world to run on for thousands of years longer, and just as the things of a century ago are interesting to us,

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