Thanksgiving Day. The pupils took part in the exercises, which were appropriate both for the day and the occasion. The house was filled to overflowing with friends of the school. The building has but one room-neatly finished and furnished with new furniture and a set of new outline maps. Springfield built a new house which does credit to the district, but the grounds are too small. No improvement is apparent in the matter of ventilation and heating for these new buildings.

CAMBRIA-Supt. Leech: The County Institute was unquestionably the best we ever held in Cambria county. Four members of the School Board of Allegheny township have been summoned before the judge by order of the Court, to show cause why they should not be removed for not providing schools within reasonable distance of the patrons. The case comes up January 26th, for a hearing.

CARBON-Supt. Beisel: Lansford borough added three teachers to its last year's corps making the present number seventeen. Miss Maud Orwig, a Vassar College graduate, is assistant teacher in the High School. Lehighton has employed T. Lloyd, of Lansford, to teach vocal music in all the schools. Upper Towamensing has supplied all its schools with slate blackboards.

CHESTER-Supt. Walton: The Malvern public school library has increased during the last four years from ten to one hundred and sixty-five volumes. This increase has been accomplished in three ways: 1. Penny collections from the pupils; 2. By sale of old school books, which the Board turned into the fund; 3. By a book reception given by the pupils to their friends and the citizens of the town, each visitor having been invited to bring a book. A large number of books have been added to the Franklin School library in West Nantmeal. It is now probably the largest rural school library in the county.

CLARION-Supt. Beern: We are having local institutes every Friday evening and Saturday. Some leading teacher or the County Superintendent speaks at the evening session. Meetings are arranged by district committees. Two meetings are often held the same day in different parts of the county. November 29th and 30th a very satisfactory meeting was held at Greenville in Limestone township, and on the same date an institute was held at New Bethlehem. These meetings are growing in interest and in popular favor, and much good is resulting. I desire to compliment the Greenville, Tylersburg and Ashland people on the large audiences.

COLUMBIA-Supt. Johnson: A successful local institute was held at Mifflinville for the townships of Main, Mifflin, and Beaver. Interesting and practical papers were read by several of the teachers, Misses Aten, Meyer and Reinbold, and H. M. Grotz. Prof. E. K. Richardson, of Berwick, gave a good address in the forenoon on Civil Govern

ment, and in the afternoon spoke about the happy and sad side of school life. Prof. Wm. Noetling made an able and practical address on "The Education for the People." The Superintendent talked for a short time on the subject, "Definite Plans Essential to Success."

FRANKLIN-Supt. Zumbro: The County Institute was a great success. The Opera House was crowded at every session, and much interest manifested by teachers, directors and patrons. Every teacher in the county was present, and more than half the directors. The instruction was of a high grade and will prove beneficial. The subject of reading was well presented by Dr. Byron W. King, of Pittsburg, and I am sure that much good will follow in the teaching of this highly important and much neglected branch. A very profitable Local Institute was held Nov. 29 and 30, at Fayetteville; but owing to the death of a brother-in-law I was unable to be present. The county has been divided into twelve local institute districts, and it is expected that each will hold an institute. The course of study has been fairly inaugurated, and already its good effects can be seen.

FULTON Supt. Chestnut: The last two years have wrought a great change in nearly all our schools. The teachers in general are working very hard, and it is telling. The directors in general are taking much greater interest. This has been a year of deep thinking on school affairs. Brush Creek has built a two-room house at Akersville. It is fine and was badly needed. Union built another fine one. The Local Institutes are at work and doing for us what no other agency can do. Public flag-raisings are frequent now.

HUNTINGDON-Supt. Rudy: The County Institute was a large and enthusiastic meeting. The large hall was well filled at every session, and the interest manifested by the general public was never greater. Three Local Institutes were held during the month.

JUNIATA-Supt. Marshall: Our County Institute was the largest and most enthusiastic ever held in Juniata. All the teachers (110) were in attendance, and rendered valuable service during the week to make the Institute a success. A teachers' session was held each morning from 8.45 to 9.45. The discussions were spirited and interesting, and, I believe, profitable. Our court house was too small to accommodate the audiences. The order and attention were very good. Our instructors were Brumbaugh, Philips, Lyte, Noss, Eckels and Supt. J. M. Berkey. No stronger corps of instructors has ever appeared before our Institute. The evening sessions were entertaining and profitable. Part of the work of Institute was the adoption of a course of study for the district and village schools of our county, and a course of study and reading for our teachers.

Drs.

LACKAWANNA-Supt. Taylor: Local Institutes were held at Dalton and at Jermyn. The Dalton meeting was attended by a majority of the teachers in Ransom, Newton, South Abington, Glenburn, La Plume, Dalton, West and North Abington, Benton, and Scott. Two sessions were held, morning and afternoon. Among the speakers were Principals E. D. Bovard of Jermyn, R. N. Davis of Archbald, N. A. Peck of Moscow, G. A. Gray of Clark's Summit, and Superintendent John E. Williams of Drumore. Much credit is due Principal F. L. Thompson, of Dalton, for arranging so excellent a programme. The Jermyn Institute was attended only by the Jermyn teachers. The programme consisted largely of actual teaching and criticism of the work. This county has recently lost two excellent school men, in the death of Charles E. Anderson, Secretary of the Benton Board, and John B. Daniels, President of the Taylor | Board. Both were men of high character and earnest workers for public education. In them the children have lost two faithful friends.

LEBANON-Supt. Snoke: The County Institute was one of the most successful gatherings of the kind held for a number of years. Monday evening was given over to literary entertainment conducted by Hon. Henry Houck. The participants were all teachers, and the entertainmenl proved very popular. I am more than ever convinced that this is the proper kind of work for the first evening of a Teachers' Institute. The Directors' Association held a highly successful session on Tuesday. Five directors were appointed to attend the meeting of the State Directors' Association. Every district in the county was represented, and a deep interest in the work of directing the public schools was manifested. The teachers of the two Annvilles, Londonderry, two Cornwalls, W. and N. Lebanon, Jackson and Bethel districts, hold monthly meetings. History of Education, Literature, Psychology and School Management are made special studies. Much good is accomplished by the teachers in these gatherings. Klinefeltersville, Avon, and Cleona have flourishing lyceums. At a joint meeting of the first and second, recently held at Avon, over 300 spectators were present. Mr. Ralph K. Derr and Miss Lucy Spencer, two of our most active teachers, have resigned their positions. We are sorry to lose their services.

LAWRENCE-Supt. Watson: New school buildings have been erected in Shenango, Union, and Wayne districts. All of these buildings are neat and substantial structures, furnished with all the modern improvements. I have visited 114 rooms, and find an improvement over last term.

LUZERNE-Sept. Harrison: Pittston is making an addition to the Junction building. The new rooms in the Oregon building are among the most pleasant in the

city. Exeter borough has purchased four organs and two sets of Johnson's encyclopedia, and have put into their schools the Smead-Wills system of heating and ventilating. This borough has made rapid progress in educational affairs.

MIFFLIN Supt. Cooper: Our County Institute was a complete success. All our teachers were present. Our instructors did excellent work. The attendance all through was good. The Directors' Association met and discussed a variety of interesting topics. Five directors volunteered to attend the meeting of the State Association of Directors. I have visited 91 of our 124 schools. Lewistown high school held an entertainment in the opera house on Thanksgiving evening to raise funds for school purposes. The Doctor Burrowes Monument Fund was presented to our teachers, and one teacher of each school district appointed to solicit subscriptions.

MONROE Supt. Zerfass: The County Institute was the principal event in the educational affairs of the month. The instruction during the entire week was of superior merit, the attendance of the teachers very good, the interest menifested by the public never greater. The corps of instructors consisted of Profs. Henry W. Elson, E. L. Kemp, Chas. H. Albert, I. D. Gresh, A. H. Hibshman, Drs. E. E. White, N. C. Schaeffer and Mrs. E. Lamb. For evening lecturers we had Col. Bain. Dr. White and Dr. Schaeffer, and for one evening's entertainment, the Arion Lady Quartette. A series of ten local institutes throughout the county has been announced for the winter.

The

MONTGOMERY-Supt. Hoffecker: new high school building of Whitplain township, was formally dedicated November 20th, in the presence of a large audience. Addresses were made by Col. J. A. M. Passmore, Rev. Mr. Wehler, Hon. Jones Detwiler, Freas Styer, esq., and County Superintendent Hoffecker. The new building cost about $4000. The high school was first started several years ago and has gradually grown into favor. Popular opinion in the township is now strongly in favor of the high school. Cheltenham township had a gala day on November 23d. The George H. Heller school celebrated its one huudredth anniversary on that day. It is believed to be the oldest public school in Montgomery county. Addresses were made by Thomas Williams, esq., president of the School Board: Miss Carrie V. Speck, principal of the school; Prof. J. L. Shroy, Wm. G. Audenried, esq., B. R. Myers, Hon. Henry Houck, Supt. Hoffecker, and a lady teacher who taught in the old building fifty years ago. Public school sentiment is healthy in Cheltenham district.

NORTHAMPTON-Supt. Hoch: An interesting Local Institute was held at Bangor. There were present 80 teachers, a number of directors, and many others. Mrs. Lamb, principal of the Model School of the East

Stroudsburg Normal, was present and gave valuable assistance. I have noted improvements in the following districts: Bath put in steam heat; Williams furnished each room with the county map, and painted several houses; Upper and Lower Nazareth built a number of out-houses; Lehigh erected separate out houses in every district.

NORTHUMBERLAND-Supt. Ira Shipman : Teachers' reports show an increased enrolment and good average attendance of pupils; they also show that schools are poorly visited by parents and guardians. Delays in the shipping of supplies ordered have been the chief obstacles to progress during the present term. Arbor Day was appropriately observed in several districts, Turbot township taking the lead. More local institutes and teachers' meetings have been held this term than heretofore.

PERRY-Supt. Arnold: Our County Institute was held in November. Of the 191 teachers, 186 were enrolled. The instructors were Dr. Chas. C. Boyer, Prof. Chas. H. Albert, Supt. W. A. Beer, Prof. Wallace P. Dick, Prof. O. J. Morelock, and Miss A. E. Radford. Rev. F. G. Weidenhammer had charge of the music. Evening lectures were given by H. W. J. Ham, Judge Alfred Ellison, Hon. M. W. Howard, and an entertainment by the Franz Wilczek Concert Company. Many papers were presented and much work was done by our teachers. Addresses were made to the directors on Thursday-Directors' Day-by Supt. Beer, J. B. Lahr, esq., of Millerstown, Rev. F. T. Wheeler, of Bloomfield, and David Kistler of N. E. Madison. The following books were adopted for study and reading for the ensuing year: Putnam's Manual of Pedagogics, Howland's Practical Hints for Teachers, Shimmell's Pennsylvania Citizen, Scott's Lady of the Lake. Arrangements were made for holding seven local institutes during the year.

PIKE-Supt. Sawyer: The County Institute held at Milford was a success in every particular. Beside the home talent, instruction was given by Hon. Henry Houck, Profs. Geo. P. Bible, J. C. Paul, Chas. H. Albert, and Rev. Mr. Vannema. A fair percentage of teachers responded to the first roll call and were present throughout the entire week. Teachers were attentive and eager to obtain all that was to be had in the line of instruction. The evening sessions brought out the people in large numbers, so that the court house was too small to accommodate all who came. It was a great pleasure to note the interest manifested by the public in the teachers' convention.

SOMERSET-Supt. Berkey: The County Institute was held during the last week in November. Of the 295 teachers employed all but four were present and enrolled. The attendance of directors and other citizens was unusually large. The instructors were Drs. Schaeffer, Schmucker and De Motte, Profs. Tompkins, Meese, King and

Gresh. Evening lectures were delivered by Dr. De Motte, Prof. Emmett, and Dr. Palmer. A musical programme was rendered by the Mozart Sextette of New York. By common consent this was the best institute ever held at Somerset.

VENANGO-Supt. Bigler: The County Institute was in many respects the best that has been held up to date. Our instructors

were as follows: Dr. Yoder, Dr. Perrin, Hon. Henry Houck, Prof. Thomas, Prof. Carmichael, Miss McCloskey, and Mrs. Little. Our evenings were filled by Hon. J. C. Sibley, Franz Wilczek Concert Company, Prof. John B. De Motte, Hon. Henry Houck. The Directors' meeting was a great success. Many prominent professors, teachers, and directors spoke on topics of interest to the convention, and Deputy Supt. Houck made a speech which captured the convention. We arranged to have sixteen local institutes in the county.

WASHINGTON-Supt. Tombaugh Our County Institute was the largest and most enthusiastic meeting we have ever held. Nearly all the teachers were present and the opera house was packed at each session. Burgettstown will dedicate a fine six-room brick school house December 6th. We expect to hold many Local Institutes during this term of school.

WAYNE-Supt. Kennedy: The Annual Institute was very successful. Only five teachers were absent, two on account of sickness. The instruction was very satisfactory. The instructors were: Dr. Schaeffer, Supt. R. M. McNeal, Miss Anna Buckbee, Byron W. King, and Prof. Geo. W. Twitmyer. The evening lectures and entertainments were by Dr. Schaeffer, Byron W. King and Wm. B. Green. All agree that this was one of our very best Institutes. All but six of the schools are now in operation. Those visited thus far are nearly all doing good work, while good reports reach us from all sections. Honesdale has for two years past employed a special teacher of drawing and penmanship. The special law regarding outbuildings is generally obeyed.

YORK-Supt. Gardner: East Hopewell township increased the term to six and a half months. West Manchester erected a fine brick house at Bear's Station, where a new school has been organized. Manchester township enlarged the school-house at North York, and created a new school.

BETHLEHEM-Supt. Farquhar : Of the 965 pupils attending the public schools of Bethlehem, 493, or nearly 451⁄2 per cent.. can read in the Fourth reader; 519, or nearly 53.8 per cent., study geography with the aid of books. In the first, second and third years the teacher must be the storehouse of geographical facts for the children. 519 study spelling from a book. They learn to spell a great many words they never think of using. We teachers can do the same. far the larger portion of the first year scholars know how to hold a reader in their

By

hands and follow the line while they read their little sentences, which they understand as well as you and I, and they are proud of their accomplishment. This is the end of the third month only.

BRADFORD-Supt. Miller: A most successful City Institute was held during Thanksgiving week. Supt. Fox Holden of Olean, Supt. T. S. Bell of Salamanca, and Prof. Chas. A. Black of Towanda, addressed the teachers. All the city teachers attended the meetings and also a large number of the country teachers.

CHESTER-Supt. Foster: Another room was opened in the new Larkin Building during the month, making the number of pupils now occupying the building 475, with 15 teachers.

DANVILLE-Supt. Houser: A new Standard Dictionary has been secured for the high school; also an International for the 4th ward. An additional supply of wall maps has been purchased for the rooms in which history is taught; they are also used to a certain extent where the pulp maps are not made by teacher and pupils. One of the Gibbs' Armillary spheres is now in each ward. Three new teachers' desks have also been provided. The directors are beginning to visit the schools. This is grati-❘ fying not only to teachers but also to patrons, who for the time being have placed their own rights and the welfare of their children in the directors' hands. During the past month visits were made by J. D. Howery, J. H. Montague, W. E. Lunger and Dr. E. A. Curry. All the directors are subscribers to The Pennsylvania School Journal. The teachers without exception nobly responded to the Burrowes Memorial Committee in its call for aid. They are not willing that the resting-place of our pedagogical hero shall longer remain unmarked by a memorial stone.

:

HAZLE TOWNSHIP (Luzerne Co.)-Supt. Mulhall Night schools were opened in nearly all of the districts throughout the township with the usual experience a fluctuating attendance in many of the schools for a few weeks, and then a collapse for lack of attendance. It does seem as if there were a need of some improvement or reform in this matter. Every year our directors are hampered with petitions from many districts to open night schools, and each succeeding year it is the same old story. These schools fall through for want of attendance every time. Now it seems to me that in places where they have shown their inability to maintain a night school for any reasonable time, year after year, school directors should not be required again to open such schools. By opening a night school for a few weeks, the township is put to almost as much expense in the way of furnishing books, lamps, etc., as if they were to keep open three or four months.

LEBANON-Supt. Boger: A noticeable feature of our County Institute was the very

considerable and regular presence of the clergy of the city at most of the sessions. One of these gentlemen pronounced Dr. Arnold Tompkins' lectures "good enough for sermons.'

MAHANOY CITY - Supt. Miller: Our schools are somewhat smaller this year than last, on account of the enforcement of the rule of the Board requiring vaccination.

MIDDLETOWN-Supt. Weber: Our schools, under the direction of the teachers, are taking the necessary steps to have a life-size portrait of Dr. Burrowes occupy a conspicuous place in each and every school in the borough. By doing this we give the "widow's mite" towards the worthy project of erecting a suitable memorial over his last resting place, while at the same time there will be placed before the pupils of Middletown the portrait of a man whom to look upon will be a privilege. There will be inspiration exerted by his mute presence, when his noble self-sacrificing work for the schools of the Keystone State is known and considered.

NEWPORT Twp., (Luzerne Co.)-Supt. Dewey Four new rooms will be ready for use the first week in December. Teachers are reading The School Journal with much pleasure and profit.

POTTSTOWN-Supt. Rupert: Our Board has recently purchased six beautiful and substantial mineral cases, 8 ft.x4 ft., for our museum. These cases are filled with minerals and ores which are used in connection with the regular work in geography.

SHARON-Supt. Canon : Appropriate Thanksgiving services were held in all of our schools; and the pupils of each school brought donations for our worthy poor. Both the parents and children were very much interested in so worthy a cause, and the contributions far surpassed our most sanguine expectations. The committee on distribution, appointed by our worthy President, made proper division of these provisions and found a sufficient quantity to supply one hundred and five different families. The lessons taught by these little acts of charity will long be remembered by the children. Four evening schools were opened during the month, and they are well attended by our boys.

TYRONE-Supt. Kauffman: The number of schools in our borough is twenty-eight the total enrollment is 1267. The new building situated on Park Avenue and 8th street, contains four rooms with all modern improvements, is furnished throughout with single desks of sawed and quartered oak, and is heated and ventilated by the Smead-Wills system. A full four years' course of study was adopted by the Board, and is now in successful operation. The course includes four years in Latin and two in Greek. Music is a regular part of the course and will be taught in all grades of our schools at the opening of the winter term, January 6th, 1896.