AMONG the lesser lights we have The Common School Teacher (Ind.), which put on the material body two and a half years since, and Parents' and Teachers' Monthly (Ohio), born last August. A few other of the octavo (bound) journals have not reached our office for some time though we have seen no account of their funeral dirge.

Of the quartos, whose ages are not indicated by their faces, as some make one, while others make two or three volumes yearly. The New York School Journal appears to be first in honorable mention. In the March number is found "Vol. X, No. 294." Of the three weekly papers we place this journal second only to its "consolidated" neighbor. When we begin to rank the journals of our country, this one must appear among the best.

American Journal of Education brings "No. 3, Vol. X," with its last number. We believe it was first to "consolidate." It has had an extensive circulation and has accomplished a grand work for the Western States.

New England Journal of Education, weekly, is pre-eminently first of its class.. With the January number it began volume five. So far this is the only complete success in "consolidation," having devoured soul and body of some half dozen monthly papers.

The School Bulletin and New York State Educational Journal has announced "Vol. IV, No. 51." The Bulletin is always full of spicy articles, but is void of classification of the matter presented. To verify the above criticism: We have given the March issue the usual monthly reading and not until writing the line alluded to did we find the article entitled, "Our new departure."

NUMBER eleven of The Educational Weekly has received its usual welcome. There was an attempt to swallow some ten or a dozen State journals of the Northwest. The morsel being too large it was so divided as to admit about a half dozen papers. This desirable and successful "consolidation " was made and so announced in the first issue, January 4. This is a formidable rival of the Eastern weeklies, and deserves the patronage of the entire Northwest. Of our foreign exchanges, we know but little. The Schoolmaster, London, England, bears the following, "Vol. XI, No. 270." This weekly paper is one of the most readable of all papers reaching us. As we said in a former issue, it should

have thousands of readers in America.

The Journal of Education, London, England, from its make-up and value of contents indicates old age. We find in the February number" New Series, No. 14." This is a quarto of the usual size, with a prominent degree of neatness. Of the monthlies we consider the journal decidedly the first.

WE have taken no notice of exchanges that have not reached us since January. We solicit an exchange with all educational journals. If there are any discrepancies in the above notices we should be pleased to stand corrected.

THE ECLECTIC TEACHER.

The ECLECTIC TEACHER is worthy the support of all the teachers in the South; in fact, no teacher in the Southwest can afford to be without it.-[EDWARD WISE, Principal Southern Normal School, Jonesboro, Tenn.

You make a good journal.―[A. M. KELLOGG, Editor N. Y. School Journal.

I am pleased with your journal, and wish you abundant success.-[GEO. A. YATES, Principal Third District School, Covington, Ky.

"

We wish our friend Prof. J. W. Thompson, at Lonoke, the most abundant success with the ECLECTIC TEACHER AND SOUTHWESTERN JOURNAL OF EDUCATION. Every teacher in the State ought to take it or some other good educa tional journal. We are glad to learn also that Prof. Thompson's school is prospering so finely.-[Spirit of Arkansit's.

I am highly pleased with the SOUTHWESTERN JOURNAL. It will deserve the patronage of all teachers and school officers. [S. C. Scorr, Jasper, Ala.

In a letter to Mr. Thompson, State Editor for Arkansas, Hon. J. W. Fish, Superintendent of the Public Schools of Little Rock, says: "At the next meeting of teachers, I shall urge them to become subscribers to the ECLECTIC TEACHER. I shall do all in my power to assist you in your efforts. You should have fifty subscribers in this city."

Were I limited to one school journal, I should certainly select the ECLECTIC TEACHER, for it is so far the most valuable work of the kind yet started in this country. For my part I rejoice at its success, and hope it may continue indefinitely. [L. G. MARSHALL, Superintendent City Schools, Cynthiana, Ky.

THE second meeting of the Kentucky Teachers' Association was grand success. Nearly one hundred teachers were present. The programme was well carried out. Much enthusiasm was manifested, especially on the second day. The sentiment in favor of public schools was such as to predict many good things for the schools of Lexington. So highly pleased were the Superintendent and teachers of Lexington city schools that they asked another meeting there to be held as soon as practicable. It would truly misrepresent the teachers of Lexington were we not to mention the fact that all representatives received free entertainment. A large majority enjoyed the hospitality of private families, while a few were quartered at the hotels. It would be useless to state that a large majority of those live, enthusiastic teachers of the "Athens of the West" are subscribers to the ECLECTIC TEACHER.

THE Central Kentucky Teachers' Association met in Lexington on the 30th and 31st of March. Mr. James O. Harrison, the Superintendent of the Lexington city school, made the welcome address, and President Vance the response. The programme was fully carried out, and some excellent addresses made. The discussions upon the subject brought out some spirited remarks from members. Mr. H. A. M. Henderson's address upon "The Condition and Progress of the Common Schools in Kentucky" was listened to with marked attention. The programme was enlivened by readings by Miss Nannie Dawson and Mr. Rusk. Prof. Gould delivered a lecture upon "Darwinism" on Friday night. Resolutions were adopted favoring a change in the school laws; so that county boards for the examination of teachers may be abolished, and district boards be

appointed by the State Board of Examiners; requesting the publication in the ECLECTIC TEACHER of all addresses made before the meeting; urging local taxation in support of a higher order of public schools; asking from the County Associations an annual appropriation of three dollars in support of the District Association; indorsing the ECLECTIC TEACHER and requesting the Secretary to furnish a report of this meeting for publication in the same; and thanking the good people of Lexington for their hospitality.

About eighty teachers were present, representing ten counties out of the fourteen composing the district.

Superintendent Henderson, the Presidents of seven colleges, and quite a number of other educators of reputation not engaged in teaching public schools, were at the meeting.

W. S. J.

STATE DEPARTMENTS.

[Correspondence, contributions, items, personals or other matter of local nature should be forwarded to the proper State Editor. All business communications, or contributions intended for the general departments, should be addressed "ECLECTIC TEACHER Co.," Carlisle, Ky.]

ARKANSAS.

HON. GEORGE W. HILL...... .........State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
JULIUS W.THOMPSON..
..Editor, Lonoke.

-The schools of the State, we are glad to learn, are more largely attended than at any time within the past ten years. From every part of the State the intelligence reaches us of more hopeful times for those interested in educational matters. Popular education is daily receiving accessions to the ranks of its advocates from persons hitherto enemies to any free school system. This is as it should be. Keep it before the people that ignorance costs more than intelligence

-We had the pleasure of attending the monthly meeting of the teachers of the Little Rock Public Schools on the 31st of March. We formed several pleasant acquaintances-Professors Fish, Hale and others. This is the first one of these meetings we have attended, but they must be of incalculable benefit to the teachers in them. There is a free interchange of ideas with regard to everything connected with the profession. Superintendent Fish gave us some suggestions as to order, recitations and punishments. The subject for discussion was, Should Corporal Punishment Be Abolished from Our Schools?" The subject was discussed at length by Prof. Kimmel in the negative, and by Miss Hattie L. Meyer in the affirmative. Both arguments were logical and exhaustive. After the discussion, time was given us to present the claims of the ECLECTIC TEACHER, which we did, but with what success is yet to be seen.

-The people of the State must submit to be taxed for the education of the children of the State. Wherever ignorance exists, there its twin sister, crime, is to be found, for they go hand in hand. They must be driven from our fair land, and to accomplish this we must educate our children to a high standard of moral excellence, and we can only do this by necessary and appropriate legislation and taxation. "Education is essentially necessary to the welfare of individuals and the prosperity of the State. Hence parents should not only be willing but anxious to give their children the benefits of the best schools within

their reach." The public school system is bound to make headway. It is gaining advocates every day. Repeal the old, complicated laws that hang around the system. Institute in their stead a concise and practical working law-a law that all can interpret; a law that will reach every individual in the State; a law that will look to advancement and development of our educational interests. Lay aside the croakings about hard times, cost and poverty. There is no investment that will pay us better than to invest our taxes in school houses and the employment of qualified and practical working teachers. With a law having in view the interests of the State, and not of individuals, we will soon see all over the State schools second to none. Let us then, teachers, be up and doing. Our profession is a noble one, and deserves all our higher energies and nobler aspirations to make it still nobler, and to urge upon the people the necessity of popular education, and to arouse them to action is a duty we owe alike to them and to ourselves.

GEORGIA.

HON. G. J. ORR.....

B. M. ZETTLER............

....State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Editor, Macon.

Prof. R. D. Shuptrine has charge of the Thomaston High School, assisted by Miss Mary Turner and Mrs. Thurston.

-The Agricultural College at Dahlonega has a military department under charge of Lieutenant Joseph Gerrard, of the United States Army.

-The Executive Committee have not yet agreed upon the place of meeting of the Georgia Teachers' Association in August. Influence is manifested for Gainesville.

—Prof. C. B. La Hatte has succeeded to the Presidency of Gainesville College. The institution is in a flourishing condition, having about one hundred students in attendance.

one.

Captain Mallon, of Atlanta, suggests a meeting of the leading friends of public education in the Southern States. "Could we not," asks he, "do something to stimulate educational progress in the South?" The suggestion is a good What say our friends in Alabama, Mississippi and other Southern States? -Superintendent Fleming, of Augusta, in a letter inclosing his subscription to the ECLECTIC, writes: "I am anxious to do what I can to promote the welfare of the profession into which I have recently been inducted. A man who does not feel a pride in his profession ought to abandon it." A good sentiment that!

-Hon. G. J. Orr, State School Commissioner, is mentioned as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention to meet in June. He would make a capital member, and the importance of right legislation on public school matters in our State demands that this interest be represented by men familiar with the practical details of the work.