BUSINESS AIDS.-Every school should, at least once a year, in every class where the pupils are above eleven years of age, give practice in certain business forms. More than half the children of the best States see little of school-life after they are thirteen. Do not wait to have these things taught in any given class, or, having been taught, do not depend upon such past teaching. Practice, practice, practice, is what they need.

1. Write an "ad" for help in the kitchen; for a man on a farm or in a printing-office; for a boy in a store, or to learn a trade.

2. Write an "ad" of a house to rent, a horse for sale, or an excursion party.

3. Write a circular announcing your business as a tailor (boys), or as a milliner (girls); as an excursion manager; as proprietor of a summer boarding-house; as teacher on the piano; as teacher of a private school; as having opened a mending bureau.

4. Write an order to your grocer for five articles, specifying quality in some cases; to your hardware dealers for some part of your stove, so that he will know just what you want. 5. Write a promissory note, indorsing it.

6. Write a receipt; an order; a statement.

7. Write a telegraph message in ten words (a) telling why you failed to meet an ap pointment, and stating when you will meet it; (b) another, accepting appointment and fixing date; (c) another, inviting a man to lecture, giving date, place, price; (d) another, ordering goods, stating time and place of delivery.—Journal of Education.

INDEPENDENCE in school-work is a great desideratum. It seems an almost impossible task to get pupils to do their work unaided; and it is a serious question whether or not our methods of teaching aim at such results. Nevertheless, it is one of the great lessons that pupils must learn to carry into action in the world of work outside the school. There they will find that men and women stand or fall by their own efforts. Self-reliance is the needful quality, self-dependence the attribute to be cultivated. As things go now-a-days a man must be a law unto himself-self-sufficient and self-sustaining. Responsibilities await him—nay, are thrust upon him. He must act, unless, as with some serene souls, he can slip them upon the shoulders of some one else. Without confidence in self a man has a poor show of success in anything he may undertake. Our work should bear upon this; and whatever we do to make pupils confident and self-reliant is a distinct gain to them.

AT AMHERST the examination system has been entirely abolished, and a series of written recitations given at intervals throughout the term, at the option of the professor, has been substituted. This order of things is highly satisfactory to the students, and takes away the custom of cramming, which examinations held at long intervals are sure to foster. Class-honors at the end of the course are awarded in accordance with the total average grade of a student for the whole four years' course. This plan might be adopted very beneficially in other colleges.-Ex.

A LITTLE encouragement now and then often does wonders. Some pupils work the harder for an occasional stimulus; but it must be given carefully, and should only be given either for distinctively excellent work or for marked and deserving effort. Love of praise is inherent. "When," says Cicero, in his eloquent oration Pro Archia Poeta, “Themistocles, the greatest of the Athenians, was asked what sound or whose voice he heard with greatest delight, he is said to have replied, those by whom his own valorous deeds were best recounted." We would not have this love of praise pandered to, not at all; but we would have the pupil who makes what you know to be honest, earnest effort, whether or not it is always successful, made to know that you appreciate such effort. It will help him over many difficulties. Nothing is more ruinous than indiscriminate praise-nothing more out of place in the school-room, and nothing becomes so soon valueless.-Central School Jaurnal.

DIRECTIONS.

These Tables to be placed on Board separately, then as a whole. Note which terms are alike in kind in same operations, and also which terms logically correspond can not only say but see. Will serve as in different operations, and drill until pupil methods of tests and proofs, except in Case I, which does not admit of proof.

[For the JOURNAL.] Comparative View of Four Fundamental Operations or Four-pronged Addition.

II.

By C. B. TATE, Principal Training School, Bufordville, Bedford County, Va.

Continued ADDITION of same number.

To find sum of equal members.

One of the members and number of members given.

6 Multiplicand

One of equal members

95

7

6+6

་

Product

24 Sum of

66

66

Multiplication View.

Subtract downward.

Subtraction View.

[Continued Reversed Addition of same number.

Sum and one of equal members given

IV. To find the number of members.

Divisor

Repeated Subtrahend

One of equal members
Multiplicand

24

NOTE.-Figures in ordinary type represent terms always concrete in practice.

4

Dividend

Possible minuend
Sum of equal members
Product

Quotient

Number of equal members

"

Multiplier

Figures in bold type represent terms always abstract in logical or "last analysis." This point must be emphasized in drill.

EDITORIAL.

-Prof. Richard M. Smith, of Randolph-Macon, is very much in earnest about his scheme for the settlement of Virginia's debt. He has printed in pamphlet form the report on the subject made to the Senate in 1878, by General Bradley T. Johnson, then a citizen of Richmond and a member of that body. To this he has prefixed an address to the people of the State, with "some suggestions" on the subject. He now desires to put this pamphlet into the hands of 100,000 leading citizens of the State. The circulation of over 20,000 copies has been provided for, and he now appeals for volunteers to aid in distributing the remainder, either by contributions of money for mailing, or by undertaking the work in individual counties or cities.

We give him the benefit of this notice in the JOURNAL, and would gladly aid him in any other way, if we had any faith in the practicability of his scheme. We are sure his aim is noble and laudable, but we cannot see how it is to be accomplished by the means he proposes.

-The Local Executive Committee of the National Educational Association has decided that an exhibit of school work, calculated to show the present status of education in the United States, be made at Nashville during the session of the Association this summer. Accordingly a circular has been issued calling upon school officers and others interested in educational progress to take hold of the scheme and make the exhibition “national, instructive, and complete"'-a means of bringing the North, East, and West to know the South, and the South to know the other sections of our country.

We are heartily in favor of the proposed exhibition, and commend it to the attention of out State Board, and to the city and county superintendents throughout the State. But there is very little time now for preparation; and if Virginia is to be represented some plan ought to be formulated at once and the work begun. Don't let us make such another failure as at New Orleans. It will be better not to be represented at all than to make a discreditable exhibit. Circulars and other information may be obtained by addressing Superintendent Z. H. Brown, Chairman Committee on National Educational Exposition, Nashville, Tenn.

-California, we believe, is the only State in the Union which prepares and publishes its own text-books. Some other States may be similarly engaged, but the fact has not fallen under our observation. This one, however, is quite sufficient to inaugurate a great war on the subject, which, just now, is raging with great fury; and much literature is being printed and circulated to enlighten the dear people as to their interests and rights in the matter. The discussion is warm and interesting, and sometimes we feel a little inclined to take part in it ourselves. But, remembering the fate which commonly befalls intermeddlers, we forbear, and refer all who desire to be informed on the subject to the great publishing house of Van Antwerp, Bragg & Co., Cincinnati, who will, no doubt, be glad to furnish them all needed facts and arguments.

-We have long had a familiar acquaintance with the "Patent Outside," as we suppose nearly all of our country readers have. But we had supposed that it was the exclusive production of the wide awake, energetic, progressive "down-easter." Now, however, along with other immigrants of greater or less value, it seems to have invaded our "Sunny Southland" and to have taken up a permanent abode in the town of Charlotte, in the good old "North State," where the Southern Newspaper Union is prepared to meet any demand in that line that may be made upon it. The specimen sent to us shows excellent work, and compares most favorably with similar work which comes to this office in the shape of exchanges; and if our "country cousins" find it necessary or desirable to use the "Patent

Outside," we hope they will give our Charlotte friends a trial. Let us trade with our neighbors if we can without material injury to ourselves.

-We find quite a number of new names among our exchanges this month. We would be glad to call them all by name and give to each a cordial greeting. But lack of space forbids, and we can only tender them our best wishes for their success. May they live long and prosper," and each accomplish great good in its own sphere of action.

Book Notices.

ELEMENTARY CHEMICAL TECHNICS. By George N. Cross, A. M., Principal of the Robinson Female Seminary. 123 pages. Cloth. Price, $1.25. Eastern Educational Bureau, Boston.

Some teachers, well grounded in chemical theory, have had little experience in manipulation; others, accustomed to the conveniences of a well-equipped laboratory, are at a loss when brought face to face with the make-shift necessities of a poorly equipped laboratory. To both these classes of teachers it is confidently believed that "Elementary Chemical Technics" will prove a great boon.

The book contains a complete alphabetical index, is beautifully printed, with numerous cuts, and cannot fail to find a place convenient for reference on the table of a great many teachers of chemistry.

SIMPLE EXPERIMENTS FOR THE SCHOOL-ROOM. By John F. Woodhull, Professor of Natural Science in the College for the Training of Teachers, New York city. E. L. Kellogg & Co., New York and Chicago. 50 cents.

This is not a text-book on Natural Science. The experiments may be made by teachers wholly without previous experience. It is a book that will guide the user, by experimental methods, to a right comprehension of Elementary Science. There are ninety-one experiments in this book; the materials are very inexpensive, and can be got in any village, or are already at hand in nearly every kitchen. The time required will be about a year, if two lessons are given each week.

GUIDES FOR SCIENCE TEACHING, No. XIV. Hints for Teachers of Physiology. By H. P. Bowditch, M. D., Professor of Physiology, Harvard Medical School. Boston: D. C. Heath & Co., Publishers. Mailing price, 25 cents.

The author of this little book attempts to show how a teacher may supplement his textbook instruction by means of simple observations and experiments on living bodies or on organic material. The advantages of such a treatment are obvious. The pupil acquires a knowledge of the foundation on which the science rests, and the impressions made upon the senses aid the memory in retaining the facts communicated. The author has selected for discussion only those subjects which are capable of easy experimental illustration. SHINN'S COMMERCIAL SPELLER. Designed for Business Colleges, Normal Schools, Academies, and Advance Classes in Common Schools. By W. L. Shinn, President Western Reserve Business College. Cleveland, Ohio: J. R. Holcomb & Co., Publishers. Sample copy for examination, 28 cents.

Extraordinary claims are put forward for this work. "This is the only speller that prepares pupils for practical life." "It is no exaggeration to say it is unique and peerless." An examination does not sustain the claims. It contains much more of definition than of spelling, and the definitions are taken from Webster. Besides, the words selected are mainly technical. It has, however, some very valuable points.

STORY CARDS FOR PRIMARY CLASSES. Twenty lessons in reading and twenty

lessons in spelling. Supplementary to any Primer. By Laura F. Armitage. Boston: Eastern Educational Bureau, 50 Bromfield Street. Price, 25 cents, by mail.

These elegant story cards are 5x8 inches, printed on both sides, each having a pretty picture and a story about it on one side, and ten words for spelling, in "print" and "script" type, with the figures on the other. They are on colored Bristol board, the cards being yellow, blue and pink. The color of the card is stated—as "this color is yellow," "this color is blue," etc. Every primary teacher will find these cards of great service in teaching the little ones the art of reading. They will largely increase the interest of the pupils in their lessons.

THE TEACHERS' PSYCHOLOGY.

A Treatise on the Intellectual Faculties, the Or

der of the Growth, and the Corresponding Series of Studies by which they are Educated. By A. S. Welch, Professor of Psychology, Iowa Agricultural College. New York and Chicago: E. L. Kellogg & Co. Cloth, 12m0., 300 pages. $1.25.

A mastery of the branches to be taught was once thought to be an all sufficient preparation for teaching. But it is now seen that there must be a knowledge of the mind that is to be trained. Psychology is the foundation of intelligent pedagogy. Professor Welch has written a book that deals with mind-unfolding, as exhibited in the school-room. The author shows what studies do this appropriately, and where mistakes are made in the selec tion of studies. The book will prove a useful one to the teacher who wishes to know the structure of the mind and the way to minister to its growth. Interest in the volume is increased by the recent death of its author.

THE INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION SERIES. Volume VIII. Memory; What it is, and How to Improve it. By David Kay, F. R. G. S., Author of "Education and Educators," etc. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1888. Price, $1.50.

Messrs. Appleton & Co. are doing a valuable service to the teachers of America by the publication of this excellent series. The works themselves are classics, and their value is greatly enhanced by the Introductions of Dr Wm. T. Harris. The volume before us discusses with great fullness and clearness a subject which is of the highest importance to the teacher. One of the serious defects in our systems of education is the exaltation of the Memory to the neglect or degradation of other mental faculties. Mr. Kay gives some excellent instruction on the proper cultivation of the Memory, and our teachers cannot fail to derive great benefit from the study of his work.

Volume IX. The Mind of the Child. Part II. The Development of the Intellect. Observations concerning the Mental Development of the Human Being in the First Years of Life. By W. Preyer, Professor of Physiology in Jena. Translated from the original German, by H. W. Brown, Teacher in the State Normal School at Worcester, Mass. Price, $1.50.

In Volume VII of this series we have the observations of Professor Preyer on the early life of the child as they related to the development of the Senses and the Will. In this volume we have his observations as related to the development of the Intellect. These are perhaps the most careful, most minute and most long-continued observations ever made in this direction. They are valuable as directive of the observations of others; and, if confirmed, as forming a proper basis upon which the parent and teacher shall proceed in the education of the child. The translator has greatly increased the value of the work (Dr. Harris says he has doubled it) by the addition of a full Conspectus of Professor Preyer's observations, arranged chronologically by months, indicating the development of the child in each department.

LECTURES ON PEDAGOGY, THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL. By Gabriel Compayré, Author of "Histoire de la Pedagogie," Professor in the Normal Schools of Fontenay-aux-Roses and St. Cloud, and Member of the Chamber of Deputies. Translated, with an Introduction, Notes, and an Appendix, by W. H. Payne, A. M., Chancel