Editorial Notes.

Does good will exist in your school as this Christmas day comes around? Do the children love to come to the school? Do you meet each and all with cordial good will? There should be good will from the beginning to the end of the day. There should be a kind greeting, at the outset, to every pupil. The good teacher trains his pupils to enter the school room as he would enter a neighbor's parlor to salute and be saluted. If the pupil entertains hard feelings toward the teacher, or if he cherishes them towards the pupils, the mission of the school is failing there. The pupil is educated because he is loved.

There is a considerable number of the 400,000 who are doing the teaching of this country who want to be in the educational current." It is for these THE JOURNAL is made. It supposes its readers want to hold what they have and want to advance still further. It is a burning question, What is that article that will advance the readers of THE JOURNAL to a better comprehension of genuine education? As it is made up week after week it contains articles of priceless value, and one fact is often brought to the knowledge of the editors; readers of THE JOURNAL are a distinct class.

THE JOURNAL has often charged the teacher to be a leader. A letter lies before us in which the superintendent appears to be chairman of the library committee, one of the directors of the building and loan association, a trustee of the town improvement society, superintendent of the Sunday-school, an official in the church, one of the managers of a lyceum, a contributor to the village paper occasionally, also to an educational paper, often corresponding with graduates who are teaching in the county, a deliverer of several lectures during the year, a proposer of papers at various educational conferences-and that is not all.

The advancement of the movement for a more scientific education has not been owing generally to the superintendents. Few of them can be pointed out who have initiated reforms. If they have moved, it is because they have been compelled to, in one way or another. In these later days, however, a few men have been selected for superintendents on the ground of their comprehension of education.

The school-room must be a center of enlightenment and interest for the boys and girls belonging to its circle. The teacher who comes in the morning with something has a welcome. This incident lets us into the child's mind. Two boys were on the highway, one considerable in advance of the other. The one in the rear called out to the other to stop, promising an apple, but it produced no effect; he called again, saying, “I have something to tell you," and an immediate halt was the result.

A request often comes on a postal-card to send a copy of THE JOURNAL to a friend of the writer giving name and address. We appreciate these things immensely, and send a copy at once.

Any one receiving a copy will understand it is sent with the expectation of a subscription. Do not disappoint us. Have the courage to subscribe.

The Florida Meeting.

The annual meeting of the Department of Superintendence of the N. E. A. will be at Jacksonville, Fla, Feb. 18, 19, 20. The main subjects are :

1. What is the true function or essence of supervision? C. A. Babcock, Oil City, Pa.

2. What is the best use to be made of the grade meeting? E. C. Delano, Chicago, Ill.

3. Courses of pedagogical study for city teachers. W. S. Sutton, Houston, Tex.

4. The rural schools. B. A. Hinsdale, Ann Arbor, Mich., and others.

5. The vocation of the teacher. J. G. Schurman, Ithaca, N. Y.

6. Five co-ordinate groups in a course of study. W. T. Harris.

7. Present correlation possible. C. B. Gilbert, St. Paul, Minn.

8. Concentration and character. C. De Garmo, Swarthmore, Pa.

9. Isolation and unification as bases in a course of study. E. E. White, Columbus, O. O..

10. Organic relation of studies. W. N. Hailmann, Washington.

inaw, Mich. II. Results of child study. A. S. Whitney, E. Sag

12. Influence of the kindergarten spirit. J. L. Hughes, Toronto, Can.

13. The elementary school and the child. Arnold Tompkins, Champaign, Ill.

14. The high school and the graduate of the elementary school. Louis Soldan, St. Louis.

15. The college and the graduate of the high school. James H. Baker, Denver, Col. 16. City superintendents. Kansas City.

James M. Greenwood,

17. State superintendents. Chas. R. Skinner, Albany, N. Y.

18. County superintendents. Joel Mead, Jacksonville, Fla.

19. Child study. E. N. Hartwell, Boston. Mass. 20. Eucational questions of the New South. J. L. M. Curry, Atlanta, Ga.

As to Advertisements.

Thinking people read advertisements. And the reason is that they contain timely and valuable information. They are like the "notices" read by the clergy

man.

This number of THE SCHOOL JOURNAL is particu. larly rich in advertisements, and every one is worthy of perusal.

Books for holiday gifts will be found in profusion— and what gift is more desirable, and who are so appreciative of books, as teachers, and who are so likely to give them to the good boys and girls. It has been estimated that the public school children will receive at least one book on the average at Christmas time.

But these are but part of the many interesting features presented on the advertising pages. All are commended for careful reading.

The selection of THE SCHOOL JOURNAL for these important announcements, recognizes its representative character. Started on its career in 1870, it has steadily gained upon the esteem of the public. It spares no pains to know the educational world, to exhibit the currents of educational thought, and to direct educational opinion.

The advertisers recognize the hard labor spent on THE JOURNAL. That about every new school building to be erected has its cost, and other features given, is but one of the points that strike the attention of the careful reader. It is universally conceded that THE JOURNAL Well deserves the success it has achieved.

To all advertisers who have generously ordered in advertisements, and thus helped to make this issue so complete and beautiful, our best thanks are cordially rendered.

Nov. 28-30. Nov. 29-30. Nov. 29-30.

City.

Nov. 29-30. Nov. 29-30. Nov. 29-30. Nov. 29-30.

Nov. 29-30. Dec. 25-27. Dec. 25-29.

Fall and Winter Associations.

North Central Kansas Teachers' Association at Beloit.
Central Kansas Teachers' Association at Hutchinson.
Southwestern Kansas Teachers' Association at Arkansas

Northwestern Kansas Teachers' Association at Hill City.
Northwestern Ohio Teachers' Association at Tiffin.
Massachusetts State Teachers' Association at Worcester.
Michigan Schoolmasters Club at Ann Arbor.
Eastern Ohio State Teachers' Association.

Kansas State Teachers' Association, Topeka, Kan.
Illinois State Teachers' Association, Springfield, Ill.
Dec. 26, 27, 28.-Idaho State Teachers' Association at Moscow.
Dec. 26,-27,-28. Missouri Colored Teachers' Association, at Palmyra.
Mr. Joe E. Herriford, Chillicothe, Prest.

Dec. 26-27. Southeast Missouri Teachers' Association, Poplar Bluff, Mo. Dec. 26-28. Wisconsin State Teachers' Association, Milwaukee, Wis. Dec. 26-28. North Central Missouri Teachers' Association, Salisbury, Mo Dec. 26-28. Southwest Missouri Teachers' Association, Carthage, Mo. Dec. 26-28. Northeast Missouri Teachers' Association, Mexico, Mo. Dec, 26-28-Montana State Teachers' Association at Anaconda, Harmon, president, V. J. Olds. secretary.

W. E. Dec. 26-28. Indiana State Teachers' Association, Indianapolis (State House).

Dec. 25-28. Oklahoma Teachers' Association at Guthrie.

Dec. 26-27. New York State Council of Grammar School Principals at Syracuse. Pres't. D. E. Batcheller, Buffalo, Cor. Sec'y. H. De Groat, Buffalo.

Dec. 26-28. Colorado State Teachers' Association.

Dec. 26, 27, 28. South Dakota State Teachers' Association at Aberdeen. Wyoming Teachers' Association at Eranston, probably the last week in December.

Dec. 31-Jan. 1-2. Iowa State Teachers' Association at Des Moines. R. C. Barrett, pres.; Carrie A. Byrne, chairman ex. com.

Dec. 31.-Jan. 1-2.-Southern Educational Association at Hot Springs Arkansas. Pres't. J. R. Preston, State Supt., Jackson, Miss., Sec'y. Supt. James McGinnis, Owensboro, Ky., Tressurer J. M. Carlisle, State Supt. Austin, Texas,

Dec. 31.-Jan. 1,-2. Nebraska State Teachers' Association, at Lincoln. W. H. Skinner, Nebraska City, Prest., Lillian N. Stoner, Valentine, Sec'y.

Jan. 1-2. Western Arkansas State Teachers' Association, Hot Springs,.. Ark.

Jan. 1-3. North Dakota State Teachers' Association at Grand Forks. Jan. 2, 3, 4. California State Teachers' Association at Oakland. Feb. 18-20. The meeting of Department of Superintendence at Jacksonville, Fia. President, Supt. L. H. Jones, Cleveland, Ohio.

The fifty-first annual meeting of the Massachusetts Teachers' association will be held in Worcester. Nov. 29 and 30 The officers have prepared a superior program; an efficient local committee will provide for the comfort and convenience of guests, and railroads and hotels offer reduced rates. The meeting bids fair to be a most interesting and profitable one.

Secondary Education in England.

Till now the English elementary laws have been administered either by school boards or school committees, under the supervision of the educational department. The local or imperial funds pay fully five-sixths of the cost of education. School committees receive their appointment from the town councils, while school boards are elected by the taxpayers. County councils have control of technical education, and in some places the administration of grants for science and art education is also in their hands. Science and art teaching is under the oversight of the science and art department.

These are the facts regarding elementary, technical, science, and art education. In the matter of secondary education the state exercises no control. Its jurisdiction ceases with the schools which come under the provisions of the elementary education acts passed since 1870, and which provide for the educa tion of the children of the working classes only. At present the state has absolutely no concern in secondary education.

With a view to the establishment of a standard of efficiency in the middle class schools, the Royal commission was appointed eighteen months ago. The work is now finished, and it has adopted a series of recommendations. If these are put into execution the education department will be re-organized and the oversight of secondary, technical, and art and science education will be in the control of the county councils. The office of the new education department is to supervise, but not to supersede local action. The new national educational council is to be presided over by a minister who shall be responsible to parliament. This council will consist of twelve members, four appointed by the state, four by universities, and four chosen from the ranks of the teaching profession. The council will control the registration of teachers, and advise the minister on educational, judicial, and professional matters. It will have control of the elementary education department and the existing departments of art and science.

The local councils are to be supervised by this new state department, but they are not to be entirely made up of elected members as the school boards. In the counties the county council will appoint the majority of the board, others to be appointed by the crown. In large cities of over 50,000 inhabitants the borough councils and school boards and the crown will each

Religion in the Schools.

To obtain opinions of educators and others on this question Dr. Levi Seeley, professor of education in the New Jersey normal school, proposes by circular these questions:

1. Is religious education necessary to a properly developed character?

2. If so, are the American youth receiving such education? 3. Is the church (including the Sunday-school) accomplishing it? 4. Is the home accomplishing it?

5 Or are these two agencies combined (or any other agency) accomplishing it?

6. Is religious education necessary to good citizenship? 7. If so, ought the state to provide it?

8. Under our peculiar institutions and conditions, how far should the state go? (a) Sacred history and literature? (b) Doctrines and creeds? (c) Church history? (d) Moral lessons from the Bible?

9. Do you distinguish moral and religious instruction? 10. What are the chief obs acles to the introduction of religious instruction into the public schools?

II. What are the objections that will be raised?

12. Would you favor its introduction under such limitations as you have above expressed (if any)?

13. Are you willing that your answers to the above questions shall be made use of in connection with your name?

He requests also the position, the religious confession, and the signature of those who reply.

Iowa.

The State Teachers' association will hold its forty-first session at Des Moines, Dec. 31, to Jan. 2. If this did not draw a recordbreaking attendance it certainly is not the fault cf the managers, The official program which has just come to hand is one to be proud of. The conditions and interests of every educational worker seem to have been taken into cons deration by those who co-operated in its preparation. That the difficult problems of country school teachers receive their full share of attention is nothing unusual in Iowa whose state superintendent has for years given his best thought to them and is anxious to have the ungraded schools reach the highest standard of excellence. The reason this fact is especially mentioned is because the majority of state meetings fail to extend a helping hand to the struggling district school teacher.

There are a few of the topics announced for discussion:

How can we best unify the educational forces of the state for the promotion of popular education ?-Nature study below the high school -Prepar ation of the teacher.-The teaching of English -Basal studies: What shall they be?-Is the scientific study of psychology profitable to teachers? -Would the same energy expended in literature be more beneficial to the public school?-Vertical penmanship.—What may the county superintendent do to bring the graded and rural schools into a closer relationship?— Rural school libraries and how to secure them.-Why do so few pupils learn to think ?--Can some standard of high school work be made in Iowa and can secondary schools be classified in accordance with such a standard? -Grammar school discipline.-The demands of the country schools and how to meet them.-What can the county superintendent do to increase the salaries of rural school teachers ?-State certificates for primary teachers.— Ends and means in teaching drawing.-What should primary teachers expect of the children sent them from the kindergarten ?-How to teach music in the public schools.-Laboratory method in the high schools.University extension work of colleges.-Are there too many subjects being taught in the rural schools?-Most helpful lines of child study.-Grading the schools.-What is correlation and how much is advisable ?-Machine education. Illustrative board writing and drawing.-Character building. --Mentally deficient children.

These topics will suffice to show the character of the program.

There certainly is among them something of interest to every educational worker and something that will make him wish to attend the great meeting.

Of course, it is understood that these things are not all put down for the general associations. There are four departments, five sections, twelve round tables, and the educational council. each having its special meetings. Twenty-three meeting places are mentioned in the directory.

There are several novel features in the program, the most unique among them is the "Half-hour among the Kickers" put down for the afternoon of January? Those who join in it are, according to the program, "at liberty to kick at anything under the sun." Some of the wittiest among the Iowans are to make use of this opportunity to say some sharp things. Much healthy criticism and a great deal of merriment will be expected.

Those who wish to have the whole program should write to anyone of the following officers:

President, County Supt. R, C. Barrett. Osage; Secretary, Supt. W. F. Cramer, Iowa City; Vice-Presidents, Ira S. Condit, Red Oak; Anna E. McGovern, Cedar Falls; S. C. Carstens, Creston; Treasurer, Prof. G. W. Samson, Cedar Falls; Executive Committee: Carrie A. Byrne, LeMaro, chairman; Supt. A. W. Stuart, Ottumwa; Supt. H. C, Lamson, Atlantic; County Supt. R. C. Barrett, ex-officio, Osage.

Three educational libraries (valued respectively at $25, $15, and $10 are offered as prizes based on the amount of mileage paid by teachers in coming to the association, are offered to countries.

An examination for state diplomas and state certificates will be held Dec. 31, and Jan. 1. Applications should be addressed to State Supt. Henry Sabin, Des Moines.

Rhode Island.

Miss J. H. Ramage was appointed July 2 to teach in Cranston for one term by the school committee, nothing being said about an examination or certificate. Aug. 24 Supt. Almy notified her that examinations would be held. On Oct. 7 she went to the school, but Supt. A. forbade her to teach until she had been examined; she took charge, nevertheless; the examination began the next day and Supt. A. said her per cent. was too low and she must not teach. State Supt. Stockwell decides that the school committee "may" examine but are not obliged to, and hence the appointment by them was a valid contract. They appointed her, not requiring a certificate, and are bound by that.

Philadelphia.

The Ledger discusses the dismissal of six teachers from the Lyons school. It appears that they had united reluctantly in formal charges against their supervising principal; the local board thereupon dismissed the principal and the teachers and elected some ungraduated normal school pupils. The Ledger does not think that justice was done these dismissed teachers.

The vertical system of writing is gaining friends. One superintendent says: "An argument in favor of the vertical system is that it is especially adapted to children who show little taste for

penmanship, thus tending to make much better penmen of the mass of children than does the oblique system."

Chicago.

The pupils of the West Division high school (according to the Record) are in revolt against the principal, Geo. M. Clayberg. They were forbidden by him to enter a certain store on the corner of Honore and Congress streets-but seventy-five boys and fifty girls met there right across from the high school, and held a mass meeting. (The principal cannot prevent pupils who have left the school grounds from entering any or all stores.)

The teachers are to be assessed two mills on the dollar for the pension fund; this will yield $8,000 more than is probably needed. Ten teachers will go on the pension list. five voluntarily three women and two men, and five at the request of theboard. The pension is to be one-half the salary and not to exceed $600.

New York City.

TEACHERS COLLEGE.

During the months of November and December, a course of six popular lectures on the "History and Criticism of Sculpture will be given at Teachers college by Prof. Goodyear, on Friday evenings at 8:15 o'clock. All the lectures will be illustrated by a large number of stereopticon views, and the public is cordially invited to attend. Course tickets free of charge may be obtained at the college, the only condition being that in case the holder is unable to attend a lecture he will give his ticket to some one who can attend.

Prof. Goodyear will also give a course of twenty lectures on the "History of Art," which are planned especially for students of the college. The subjects will be taken up in chronological order and will cover Renaissance architecture, sculpture, and painting. They will be given on Monday mornings from 9:15 to 10 A M., beginning Nov. 11.

Prof. Goodyear is a most interesting lecturer, and one of the highest authorities on art history.

For those who are nervous and run down Hood's Sarsaparilla is the ideal building-up medicine.

Feed Them Properly

and carefully reduce the painfully large percentage of infant mortality. Take no chances and make no experiments in this very important matter. The Gail Borden Eagle Brand Condensed Milk has saved thousands of little lives.

Comfort in Travel

is realized in the highest degree on the famous fast trains of the Michigan Central, "The Niagara Falls Route," between Buffalo and and Chicago in connection with through trains from the east. Passengers are granted the privilege of stopping off en route at Niagara Falls, or if time will not permit. can obtain from the car windows, or the platform at Falls View the grandest and most comprehensive view of the great cataract. All day trains stop five or ten minutes. For full information inquire of local ticket agents, or address W. H. Underwood, Eastern Passenger Agent, Buffalo, N. Y.

Literary Notes.

A few months ago when a New York publishing firm announced that they proposed to sell books to consumers at wholesale prices many people took it as a joke, and the dealers smiled derisively. But the idea of selling direct to consumers is a good one, and is taking root in many lines of merchandise. An illustration of the great saving to the buyer afforded by this system of book-selling, is shown by the offer of Keystone Publishing Company, in another column, to ship direct to any reader a splendid $10.00 set of Shakespeare's Complete Works for the remarkably low price of $3.50. The books referred to have sold through the usual channels of trade at $10 per set. The edition is happily in large, clear type, easy to read, printed on specially made paper, with a dead surface,restful to the eyes; and well bound in cloth, in eight handsome volumes, with gold title and contents on back of each. These two points of large type and properly made paper, are things that now engage the intelligent reader more than ever before. No small type printed books should find their way into the family library. Each volume is light, of convenient size to handle, measuring about 6x9 inches, and I inch thick. The whole work comprises a total of about 4,400 pages. It is edited by J. Payne Collier, F.S.A., the great English Shakespearian commentator. Annotations accompany each page, being found at the bottom of the page in foot notes. There are full explanatory remarks upon each of the plays. The company agree to return money promptly to any one who is not satisfied with the books after seeing them. The special price at which they are now offered, is, we understand, less than the wholesale price, and will soon be advanced.

The Christmas number of Harper's Magazine is a magnificently illustrated one of about 170 pages. Much of the literary matter has a Christmas flavor, and is, as always in this magazine, by some of the best writers of the day. Among the more important features are the follewing. "In the Wood-Carver's Shop (tint plate), frontispiece drawn by Howard Pyle; "By Land and Sea," by Howard Pyle; "On SnowShoes to the Barren Grounds," by Caspar W. Whitney; "A Previous Engagement," a comedy (illustrated by Albert D. Sterner), by William Dean Howells; "From the Hebrid Isles (ten illustrations), by Fiona MacLeod: "An Interview with Miss Marlenspuyk," a story, by Brander Matthews, illustrated by W. T. Smedley; "The Banquet," a poem, by Charles G. D. Roberts;

The German Struggle for Liberty-VI., by Poultney Bigelow; "Briseis," a novel, part I., by William Black; "The Paris of South America," seven illustrations, Richard Harding Davis; "Huldah the Prophetess," a story, by Kate Douglas Wiggin; 'Editor's Study," by Charles Dudley Warner, etc. The magazine has an elegant and appropriate cover design.

The Review of Reviews, as its name implies, gives in readable form the gist of the best articles in the other magazines all over the world, generally on the same date that they are publ shed. With the recent extraordinary increase of worthy periodicals, these careful reviews, summaries, and quotations, containing the kernel of periodic literature, are alone worth the subscription price. Then there are brilliant character sketches, fully illustrated, of such notable personalities in every country and sphere of action as Pope Leo, the czar of Russia, Mr. Gladstone, Thomas Edison,-whoever is for the month most especially prominent. The leading idea of the magazine is to give the

as soon after the occurrence as possible.

easy, sold by druggists everywhere, guaranteed to cure. Only 10c.