special attention to this latest and best edition of Bunyan's life and two chief works.

HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. By George
Park Fisher, D. D., LL. D. With Maps. New

York: Charles Scribner's Sons. 8vo., pp. 741.
Price, $3.50.

In noticing Dr. Fisher's admirable "Outlines of Universal History" some time since, we called attention to the author's remarkable power of condensing without detracting from the interest and the connected style of his narrative. This power is, if possible, displayed still more strikingly in the volume before us. In size, it is no larger than an ordinary manual of church history. Yet it is in no sense only a manual. It is a comprehensive, connected, and very interesting historical work, containing considerably more of the facts and details that usually constitute a history than many works of double its size. It ranges all its facts around the fundamental principles, and along the great currents, of Christian thought and life so clearly as to show forth the unity of the history from first to last: at the same time, it brings out the intimate connection between ecclesiastical and secular history, the relation between the church and the political, social, literary, and educational life of each period. As the author says in his preface, he has tried, and we may add has admirably succeeded in the effort, "to bring out more distinctly than is usually done the inter-action of events and changes in the political sphere, with the phenomena which belong more strictly to the ecclesiastical and religious province.. It is true that compressed

statements must be made; but the important point is, not what amount of space is occupied, but whether the exposition is clear and exact." The volume supplies a want long felt among students of history. Just such a work has been needed, especially in our colleges. It fills a place in which it has no peer and scarcely even a rival.

LETTERS, SENTENCES, AND MAXIMS. By Lord Chesterfield. With a Critical Essay by C. A. Sain-Beuve. New York: G. F. Putnam's Sens. 24mo., pp. 327. "Knickerbocker Nuggets" is the title given to the series of exceedingly pretty little volumes, of which this is the eighth. Chesterfield was the great authority of his time, during the last century, on all questions of manners and behavior in polite society. But he was also much more than this; above all, an acute observer and thinker and a most graceful writer. His letters to his son are famous, and deserve to rank among the classics of the language, and to be carefully studied as models of epistolary style. This is their chief value to-day, though at the same time they are full of shrewd worldly wisdom, and instructive as illustrating the manners. customs, morals, and modes of thought in England a century ago. The book is beautifully made in every respect.

THE STORY OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN. His Origin, Development, Decline, and Destiny. By Elbridge S. Brooks. Boston: D. Lothrop & Co. Illustrated. Squ. 8vo., pp. 312. Price, $2.50. If the American people is ever to think, legislate, and act justly, or even intelligently, on the Indian question, it will only be after it has become thoroughly acquainted with the true history of that much abused race, as it is for the first time recorded in this attractive volume in simple, clear, calm, judicial, and on that account most interesting manner. And it is our opinion that such acquaintance must be made, if it is to be effective, by our boys and girls who ere long will become editors, legislators, and voters.

Certain it is that if we can get them to read such books as this they will not be handicapped by the ignorance and prejudice now prevalent among those Publishers and author whose places they will take.

have shown equal wisdom and skill in making the volume a bright and entertaining boy's book, and yet not detracting thereby from its accuracy, thoroughness, and authority as a genuine history of the subject, from the times when the Indian was sole lord of the land, up to the present, when he is a mere outcast and relic, with certain extinction staring him in the face, unless his white brother speedily bring forth fruits meet for repentance. Though Mr. Brooks has written many excellent books for the instruction and moral elevation of our boys and girls, we venture to say he has never written one calculated to do more good, and none for which we are more grateful to him, than this "Story of the American Indian." It ought at once to go into every school library in the country; it would do good in our Sunday-school libraries as well. THE Issued RIVERSIDE LITERATURE SERIES. monthly. Price, $1.25 yearly, or 15 cents per single number. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Co.

The latest issues of this admirable series, containing nothing but classic productions of the best American writers, are an Extra Number, consisting of portraits and brief biographies of twenty of America's best known authors and poets; and Number 51, containing Dr. Holmes's delightful sketch entitled "My Hunt after the Captain," "The Physiology of Walking," and "Great Trees," the last a valuable essay for use on Arbor Days. It has also an interesting Introductory Essay on Holmes's prose writings. Number 32 is devoted to Abraham Lincoln, containing Lowell's famous essay on him, Walt. Whitman's "O Captain! my Captain," Lincoln's immortal Gettysburg speech, Emancipation Proclamation, and other Addresses and Papers of his, besides materials for a sketch of his life, and several excellent Programmes for celebrations of his birthday. The number is one of even more than ordinary interest and value for school use.

THE STORY OF KEEDON BLUFFS. By Charles Egbert Craddock. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Co. 16mo. Price, $1.

This is the second book Miss Murfree has contributed to our juvenile literature. "Down the Ravine" was a collection of short stories. This is all one story, located in the Tennessee mountains, whose wild and picturesque scenery and bracing air are seen and felt on every page. The heroine "Rosamondy" is a perfectly natural aud altogether lovely character, such as we have too few of in books for boys and girls. The story is full of action, the plot interesting, the tone bracing and wholesome, and the entire book one that will be eagerly read by healthy young folks, and will do them good. Older folks, moreover, find it just as interesting. It is a good book to get for the school library, and would do more good in the Sunday-school library than three-fourths that are now in it.

MODERN ITALIAN POETS.

art.

Essays and Versions by W. D. Howells. With Portraits. New York: Harper & Brothers. 12mo., pp. 370. Price, $2. The publishers have done well to make of this volume one of the most perfect specimens of their The fine raw-edged paper, beautiful typography and press-work, the tasteful binding, gilt top, and parchment back, are a fitting dress for what we believe will prove to be the work of Mr. Howells that will endure longer than any other he has yet written, and which certainly is of most permanent value. In his always charming style, he gives us here not only

what is virtually a history of Italian poetry during the last hundred years an important period, and one of which we have had but little adequate treatment in English-but he also gives us a very fairly representative anthology of the same, himself translating as sympathetically and skilfully as few others could have done, many of the fairest flowers of the Italian clime to bloom on American soil. The biographical sketches, critical estimates, as well as the whole historical survey of the period, are truly admirable, and give such a clear and definite view of that part of Italian literature as cannot be found anywhere else. To the general reader the book will be full of interest; to the student of literature it will be invaluable. The poor engraving of the eleven portraits is the only thing in the whole book that is not perfectly satisfactory.

THE FABLES OF FLORIAN. Fully Illustrated by J. J. Grandville. Translated from the French by Gen. J. W. Phelps. New York: John B. Alden. 8vo., full gilt, pp. 122. Price, $1.

Mr. Alden has never made a more attractive book than this, nor ever used better paper or done better printing. The contents consist of fifty-one fables, written during the last century, immensely popular then among young and old, and still entertaining and instructive. They have been translated into many languages, and passed through no less than a hundred editions. The book is worth having as a literary curiosity, if for no other reason. Young folks, however, will enjoy it for the sake of the fables themselves, and for the graphic and expressive pictures. In its present handsome form its popularity ought to take a fresh start.

PLANETARY AND STELLAR WORLDS. By Gen. O. M. Mitchell. New York: John B. Alden. Square 12mo., Cloth, pp. 183. Price, 30 cents.

By Sir

THE STORY OF THE EARTH AND MAN.
John W. Dawson, F. R. S. New York: Jno.
B. Alden. Illustrated. Squ. 12mo., Cloth, pp.
195. Price, 40 cents.

Both of these works are too well known to need any commendation from us. Since Gen. Mitchell wrote his lectures there have indeed been important discoveries made in astronomy, yet the general principles he teaches and so clearly explains and illustrates are still the same. Principal Dawson's work is well up to the times, and is as good a popular account of the geological formation and history of the earth, and of man's geological place, as any we know. The paper and print of the books is good, the binding less so; both are worth double the price asked. They can only be had direct from publisher by mail. LYRICS AND SONNETS. By Edith M. Thomas. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Co. 16mo., gilt top, pp. 136. Price, $1.25.

A MASQUE AND OTHER POEMS. By S. Weir Mitchell. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Co. Crown 8vo., gilt top, pp. 63. $1.50.

Two of the most beautifully made books published this season; and the contents of both are worthy of the form in which they are presented. Miss Thomas is, in our opinion, the best female poet we have in America. Her former volume, "A Masque of the New Year," at once gained for her this position. And this dainty volume of "Lyrics and Sonnets' but establishes her rank more firmly. There is a delicacy combined with strength, a realistic accuracy of observation joined to the purest, loftiest idealism and depth of insight, that distinguish her at once as a true poet and not merely a skillful versifier. Her poetry is worth reading and keeping. And so,

INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL SCIENCE. By A. P. Gage, Ph. D. Boston: Ginn & Co. 12mo., pp. 353. This book, which is especially prepared to meet the wants of high school teachers, is evidently the work of one as competent as he is enthusiastic, and therefore it has the quality, rare in such a text-book, of arousing both the interest and the enthusiasm of the pupil. It treats clearly, thoroughly, and even entertainingly of Matter, Dynamics, Heat, Electricity, Sound, and Light; illustrates every principle and law with numerous practicable experiments, and hints for further experiments; and with its abundant illustrations, makes in every respect a most acceptable and elementary work on Physics.

EASY LESSONS IN FRENCH. By James A. Harrison, LL. D., Litt. D., and R. E. Blackwell, M. A. Philadelphia: John E. Potter & Co. 12mo., pp. 410. Price, $1.25.

Classes in French, whether private or in our schools and colleges, will welcome this attractively. made volume as an exceptionally clear and simple, yet sufficiently comprehensive and thorough, textbook on the subject. It is superior in many respects to most similar works. Its arrangement is simple and progressive; its method fresh and sensible; its abundance of exercises and frequent review questions being specially commendable. A thorough mastery of its contents will give any one a fair knowledge of the language.

AN OLD ENGLISH GRAMMAR. By Edward Siewers, Ph. D. Translated and Edited by Albert S. Cook, Ph. D. Second Revised and Enlarged Edition. Boston: Ginn & Co. 12mo., pp. 273. $1.25. It is coming more and more to be recognized that for thorough comprehenston of the English language and literature a thorough acquaintance with Old English is essential. Hence its study is being included in the curriculum of all our colleges. And for such study Siewers' Old English Grammar has long been recognized as the best text-book in existence. Prof. Cook has therefore conferred a boon upon American students by translating the work, and materially enhancing its usefulness by his thorough and conscientious annotation and editing. The present edition has material improvements over former ones. We commend it to the favorable attention of all teachers of literature.

THE ELEMENTS OF PSYCHOLOGY. A Text-Book. By David J. Hill, LL. D. New York: Sheldon & Co. 8vo., pp. 419.

The series of text-books on the Elements and the Science of Reetoric and Logic, and the present volume on Psychology, has the merit of having grown out of the experience of the class-room, the author, President Hill, having prepared them from his lec tures delivered before his students at Bucknell Uni versity. He does not attempt to advance any new theory of psychology, but follows Hamilton quite closely in his terminology, classification, and methods. At the same time, and this we consider a chief merit of the book, he indicates the views of most other psychologists of the most varying schools, his references being full and serving as a valuable guide to

students in their further study and reading. The arrangement of the book is clear and practical, and makes it one eminently fitted for use in the class room. THE PROGRESS OF LEARNING. A Foem. By George Lansing Taylor, LL. D. New York: John B. Alden. Squ. 12mo. pp. 46. Price, 25 cts. The reading of this poem was a feature of the centennial celebration of Columbia College, N. Y., on April 18th of last year. In the very pretty form in which it has now been published, it will prove a desirable memento of the occasion, and will be sought for by all who have ever been in any way connected with that college, It will, however, not be confined to them in its interest; for it is really a metrical outline of the history of education from the very earliest ages and in all countries up to the present, and is therefore of value to all who are concerned with the subject of education anywhere. Indeed, it is much better history than poetry. WHAT WORDS SAY: A Practical Analysis of Words, for Use in Elementary Schools. By John Kennedy. New York: Kennedy & Co. 12mo., pp. 176. The end to be attained by this book is undoubtedly a good one. Everyone ought to know the real, original root-meaning of the words he uses. He who studies Greek, Latin, French, and German, will get this knowledge therefrom. But comparatively few study these languages. To them this work will prove invaluable, as it gives them what they could not get anywhere else. We do not, however, think that it will be extensively used in primary schools, except, perhaps, by teachers, who will find it a helpful book, and useful for reference.

THE INTERSTATE PRIMER SUPPLEMENT. By S. R. Winchell. Chicago; Iuterstate Publishing Co. 12mo., pp. 134. Price, 25 cents.

A well printed little book, meant to be used supplementarily with the ordinary primer and first reader as a kind of drill book in the spelling, reading, and correct use of the shorter words of the language. It offers a great variety of combinations in which the same words are used, yet combinations that make sense, and so will help yonng pupils more speedily to recognize new words, and the sooner to be able to read at sight.

FOURTH NATURAL HISTORY READER. By the Rev. 7. G. Wood, M. A. Boston: Boston School Sup ply Co. 12mo., Illustrated. Pp. 296.

In noticing the lower grades of these Readers of the "Boston School Series," we called attention to what we considered their merits, and also their defects, which they share with every Reader which makes the facts of science most prominent and the primary and literary quality a secondary consideration. As incentive and introductory to the study of natural history, the books are excellent; they are also well printed and beautifully illustrated.

LESSONS IN ENGLISH GRAMMAR. By Alfred K. Welch. Chicago; John C. Buckbee & Co. 12mo., pp. 237. Price, 70 cents.

The motto of this handsome volume, from Herbert Spencer, well expresses the principle underlying its methods and arrangement, and the spirit and purpose of the whole. The motto is: "Between a mind of rules and a mind of principles, there exists a difference such as that between a confused heap of materials and the same materials organized into a complete whole." It proceeds inductively, trying to teach principles from examples, theory from practice. It is admirably clear and thorough in arrangement, giving to each separate topic a separate lesson, and fully illustrating every rule propounded. For ad

vanced grades especially, the book is one of the best for gaining a good understanding, and facility in the application, of the principles of the English language. LECTURES ON THE SCIENCE AND ART OF EDUCATION, with other Lectures. By Joseph Payne. New Edition. New York: E. L. Kellogg & Co. 16mo., with portrait, pp. 343. Price. $1.00.

Since the publication of these valuable lectures, nearly 7,000 copies have gone into the hands of American teachers. Since cur first notice of the book, the present edition has been published from new plates and in handsome form, with other improvements that enhance its usefulness and value to teachers. These consist mainly of marginal topic-titles, full analyses at the end of each lecture, and a copious index, so that a glance at once shows the reader where he may find any topic treated in the volume. MISTAKES IN TEACHING. By James L. Hughes. Revised Edition. New York: E. L. Kellogg & Co. 16mo., pp. 115. Price, 50 cents.

HOW TO SECURE AND RETAIN ATTENTION. By James L. Hughes. Revised Edition. New York: E. L. Kellogg & Co. 16mo., pp. 100. Price, 50 cts. Both these little books, now brought out in the neat and convenient series of Kellogg's "Reading Circle Library," have long been well and favorably known to educators. Through a thorough revision of former editions, with considerable new matter by the author, in this new form their value and popularity wil be increased. They are both of them full of common sense and sound, practical advice and instruction, such as teachers need in their everyday work; and written in an eminently readable, clear style. TEACHERS MANUALS. Numbers 1 to 6.

Edited by

A. M. Kellogg. New York: E. L. Kellogg & Co. Paper covers. Price, 15 cents each.

This a series of short, crisp, exceedingly practical essays on important subjects by authors of recognized authority on their several subjects. Mr. J. G. Fitch writes on " The Art of Questioning" in No. I, on "The Art of Securing Attention" in No. 2, and on" Improvement in the Art of Teaching" in No. 5; Mr. Sedgwick on "Stimulus in School," in No. 3; Miss Yonge in No. 4 on "Practical Work in the Schoolroom;" and Dr. Gladstone in No. 6 on “Object Teaching."

Whittier's Portrait.—Just before completing his eightieth year last December, Messrs. Houghton, Mifflin & Co. had a new life size portrait of the dear old Quaker poet made, by all odds the truest likeness and finest portrait of him ever secured, which they offer at the very low price of $1. Nothing more appropriate could be secured for adorning the walls of a school-room, library, or study than this handsome portrait, together with several or all of the other lifesize pictures of Longfellow, Lowell, Emerson, Hawthorne, and Holmes, which can be had at the same price. We know of their excellence, because we have had three of them hanging in our study for years, and should have them all if we had room. They are works of real artistic merit, not mere cheap prints, but fit to adorn the most elegantly furnished room. It adds greatly to the interest of the celebration of the poets' birthdays to have their portraits before the audience,

The Atlantic Monthly for February contains a new and important poem by Lowell, entitled “Endymion,” besides three other notable poems, three serial novels of great merit, and a number of articles of unusual interest and value to educators and students. It is a magazine teachers ought to appreciate above all others. (Houghton, Mifflin & Co., $4 per year.)

ORGAN OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMON SCHOOLS

Vol. 36.

THE

HE meeting of the Department of Superintendence of the National Educational Association assembled at the Franklin School Hall, Washington, D. C., Feb. 14, at 10 o'clock a. m., for a three days' session. The attendance of representative educational men and women, from all sections of the United States, was unusually large at the opening of the session, and representative of every department of school work.

The Association was called promptly to order by the president, Newton C. Dougherty, Supt. of Schools, Peoria, Illinois. An opening hymn was sung by a class of pupils from the Franklin School, and prayer was offered by Rev. C. C. Meador, of Washington. In the report here given, for which we are indebted to our enterprising and excellent contemporaries, the New England Journal of Education and the New York School Journal, we present the various important subjects discussed at as great length as our space will permit.

MANUAL TRAINING.

Mr. Charles H. Ham, of Chicago, Illinois, read a very able and suggestive paper on the question, "How and to What Extent can Manual Training be Engrafted on our System of Public Schools?"

The effort to avoid labor is the chief curse of the human race. Idleness is a social crime. Work is the law of life, and hence the duty of all. It is the most potent of educational forces. Illustrations of this fact may be found in the extremes of art-in the early Italian painters