AMONG THE BOOKS.

THE CONVERSATION METHOD FOR SPEAKING, READING AND WRITING GERMAN. By Edmund Gastineau, A. M., assisted by Rudolf Tombo, Ph. D. New York and Chicago: Ivison, Blakeman & Co. Cloth. Pp. 534. It is very often said, "Learn a language as the natives learn it," or, "In learning a language use the natural method." This would be most excellent advice if it could be carried out, but unfortunately we cannot put ourselves in exactly the same position as the child who is learning to talk. He, from birth has heard no other tongue and so has none to unlearn, if one may be permitted to use the word.

In this book, however, Professor Gastineau seems to have adapted the "natural method," to the requirements of those who will be likely to use it. He has not discarded as useless the grammar, neither has he made it the foundation and superstructure of his work; but has brought it in as he says, “at the proper time and kept in proper limits," making it an assistance instead of a hindrance to our progress.

ALGEBRA EXAMINATION PAPERS; for Admission to Harvard, Yale, Amherst, Dartmouth, Brown, and to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, from June, 1878, to September, 1889, inclusive. Edited by William F. Bradbury, A. M., Head Master Cambridge Latin School. Boston: Thompson, Brown & Co. Half leather. Pp. 100.

It is without doubt of great assistance to teachers to be able to find suitable questions for examination of classes in the various branches of study. That such are not easy to secure without much labor on the part of the teacher every teacher is aware from experience.

The author and publishers of this book have laid the instructors of Algebra under deep obligation in securing, editing, and publishing this excellent list of questions. The book contains over one thousand examples well calculated to test the knowledge of advanced pupils in this fascinating branch of mathematics.

ANCIENT HISTORY FOR COLLEGES AND HIGH SCHOOLS. By William F. Allen and P. V. N. Myers. Part I. The Eastern Nations and Greece. By P. V. N. Myers, President of Belmont College, Ohio. Boston: Ginn & Co. Cloth. Pp. 369.

The author of Medieval and Modern History has here given us a book which will find many who will wish to use it in the classroom.

From a knowledge of the General History by President Myers which we have had the pleasure of seeing, we have been much interested in looking at this latest work of the same author, and are glad to recommend it to classical teachers.

The student who masters this book will have a very comprehensive knowledge of the peoples of which it treats, of their manners, customs, government, wars, and conquests. The numerous illustrations will be found of much value.

LECTURES, DISCUSSIONS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE SIXTIETH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF INSTRUCTION. Bethlehem, N. H., July 8-11, 1889.

Probably there is no series of sixty volumes which contains more valuable matter for educators than the published proceedings of the American Institute, of which we have before us the sixtieth.

The writers represented here and the subjects treated are such as to interest teachers of every grade, from Primary to College. If many of our citizens who are not educators could, or rather would read this volume and others like it, there would be much less misunderstanding and much less want of appreciation of the value of the "American Public School System."

LESSONS IN BOTANY. By Alphonso Wood, A. M., Ph. D. Revised and edited by Oliver R. Willis, A. M., Ph. D. New York and Chicago: A. S. Barnes & Co. Cloth. Pp. 220. Price, $1.00.

This book was written more than twenty years ago, and has been found very satisfactory in many high schools and seminaries. The revision by so excellent a botanist as Doctor Willis has brought it up to date and given the student all of Professor Wood's best work with all the latest discoveries, classifications and names. The immense strides which have been taken in perfecting the microscope have given the botanist opportunities for research and study, of which every student should take advantage and the results of which are carefully given in this revision.

THE ART AND SCIENCE OF CONVERSATION; and Treatises on other Subjects pertaining to Teaching. By Harriet Earhart Monroe. New York and Chicago: A. S. Barnes & Co. Cloth. Pp. 194. Price, $1.00.

In this finely gotten up volume are four parts each with several chapters, in each of which the teacher will find much of value.

We find it difficult to select one of any more value or interest than another, but all being from the experiences of an earnest and successful teacher are excellent.

There are sixty-two pages of "Chapel Talks' which will prove useful to every teacher and which embrace so wide a range of subjects that among them will be found one for nearly all occasions.

The methods of treatment and the subjects selected in " Subjects for Essays " are very well chosen. Part III., On Reading, is of particular value and should be studied carefully and thoroughly and then applied. Part IV., which gives the book its title, also has very much of excellence, and any teacher who reads this part alone will be repaid for the price of the book.

DENOMINATIONAL SCHOOLS. A Discussion at the National Association, July, 1889, with Papers by Cardinal Gibbons, Bishop Kane, Edwin D. Mead, Ph. D., and Hon. John Jay. Papers on School Issues of the Day. No. 1. Syracuse, N. Y.: C. W. Bardeen. Paper. Pp. 71. Price, 25 cents. Those who heard the four papers which comprise the matter in this pamphlet, when they were read to that great audience at Nashville, need no commendation of them, but will wish to have them in shape to preserve, and those who were not fortunate enough to hear them spoken by the writers will be glad that they can be obtained in so compact and handy a form.

THE EDUCATIONAL VALUE OF MANUAL TRAINING. Report of the Committee on Pedagogics of the National Council of Education, presented at the meeting in July, 1889, by William T. Harris, Commissioner of Education, with

discussions. Papers on School Issues of the Day. No. 2. Syracuse: C. W. Bardeen. Paper. Pp. 14. Price, 15 cents.

This report is of special importance at this time when so much is being said of Manual Training, and when so much is being claimed for and against it. The report and the discussion as here given should be read by "the people as well as by educators.

ART EDUCATION THE TRUE INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION. By William T. Harris. A Paper read before the Department of Art Education, National Educational Association, July, 1889. Papers on School Issues of the Day. No. 3. Syracuse: C. W. Bardeen. Paper. Pp. 9. Price, 15 cents.

Those who have heard or read No. 2 of this series will be happy for the opportunity of reading this paper. It is carefully written and worthy the study of every instructor in the land.

METHODS OF INSTRUCTION AND COURSES OF STUDY IN NORMAL SCHOOLS. By Thomas F. Gray, LL. D. Read before the Normal Department of the National Educational Association, July, 1889. Papers on School Issues of the Day. No. 4. Syracuse: C. W. Bardeen. Paper. Pp. 19. Price, 15

cents.

This report of the committee appointed at Chicago in 1888 to report upon the subject which forms the title of this paper, is one of which a prominent Normal School Principal has said: "We have never had so valuable a paper presented to this section." There is certainly much food for thought in the report, and many of our readers will be glad to possess it.

PEDAGOGICAL CHAIRS IN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. By B. A. Hinsdale, Ph. D. A paper read before the Normal Department of the National Educational Association, July, 1889. Papers on School Issues of the Day. No. 5. Syracuse: C. W. Bardeen. Paper. Pp. 11. Price, 15 cents.

Of this paper a well-known educator from one of our great states has said: "I regard the paper as complete, and in need of no comment other than praise."

HONORARY DEGREES AS CONFERRED IN AMERICAN COLLEGES. By Charles Foster Smith, A. M., Ph. D. Read before the National Educational Association, July, 1889. Papers on School Issues of the Day. No. 7. Syracuse: C. W. Bardeen. Paper. Pp. 9. Price, 15 cents.

Professor Smith has here given in a very readable form some hard hits at the indiscriminate bestowal of honorary degrees, which has for some time been the practice of too many of our American colleges.

ANGELIC CHORDS. A collection of Duets, Trios and Choruses, with English and German words, for Academies, High Schools and Colleges. Selected and arranged by Joseph Fischer. New York: J. Fischer & Bro. Toledo: Ignaz Fischer. Paper. Pp. 64. Price, 75 cents.

This little collection of twenty-four pieces is well arranged for nearly all occasions. In the collection are pieces suited for Songs of Welcome, Farewell Songs, for Christmas Celebrations, Concerts, Parlor Entertainments, etc., etc. An excellent feature of the collection is that the publishers are prepared to furnish orchestral arrangements for any or all the songs.

ULYSSES AMONG THE PHÆACIANS. From the translations of Homer's Odyssey. By William Cullen Bryant. Riverside Literature Series. Boston and New York: Houghton, Mifflin & Co. Paper. Pp. 72. Price, 15 cents.

This is an excellent piece of English, and just the thing for the class in English Literature.

EVOLUTION. Popular Lectures and Discussions before the Brooklyn Ethical Association. Boston: James H. West. Pp. 408. Cloth. Illustrated. Complete Index. Price, $2.00.

These fifteen papers or lectures upon different phases of the theory of Evolution are by some of the brightest lights in the world of liberal thinkers.

Among the subjects discussed are "Evolution of the Earth," "The Story of Geology," ,""Evolution of Vegetable Life," " Evolution of Animal Life," "The Descent of Man," "Evolution as Related to Religious Thought," and "The Effects of Evolution on the Coming Civilization."

The list of writers includes such names as Rev. John W. Chadwick, Dr. Lewis G. Janes, R. W. Raymond, Ph. D., Starr H. Nichols, and Rev. Minot J. Savage.

RUDIMENTARY PSYCHOLOGY FOR SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES. By G. M. Steele, LL. D., Principal of Wesleyan Academy, Wilbraham, Mass. Boston and New York: Leach, Shewell and Sanborn. Cloth. Pp. 264.

There is very little in this book which is new, nor does the author claim any originality in the discussions or speculations. It is rather an attempt, well carried out, to present in a clear and easily apprehensible form, the main facts of psychology. In his attempt to produce such a book the author has omitted the more abstruse portions of the subject, and still has had a due regard to the most recent authorities and scientific requirements, and the main facts of psychology. The work will be specially useful to young teachers, and it should find a large place for itself in high schools and accademies.

SEPT GRANDS AUTEURS DU DIX-NEUVIEME SIECLE. By Alcee Fortier, Professor of French Language and Literature in Tulane University of Louisiana. Boston: D. C. Heath & Co. Blue cloth. Pp. 196.

This volume in Heath's Modern Language Series contains brief discussions of the writings of Lamartine, Hugo, DeVigny, DeMusset, Gautier, Mérimée, and Coppée.

With the thought that the extracts and analyses of the several French authors here given may be an incentive to the student to study more thoroughly the works of French writers, the author has called her work "An introduction to Contemporary French Literature," and from the necessarily brief examination we have been able to give to her book we should say that her title was well chosen.

A PRIMER OF FRENCH LITERATURE. By F. M. Warren, Ph. D., Associate in Modern Languages in the Johns Hopkins University. Boston: D. C. Heath & Co. Blue cloth. Pp. 250.

This outline of French literature is arranged from lectures given at Johns Hopkins University, and has therefore certain particular requirements on the part of the student to meet. The notes have, however, been modified, and by enlargement and change, are so arranged that they will form an excellent basis for work in classes of different grades in this subject.

NEW YORK STATE GRADED EXAMINATION QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS. New York and Chicago: E. L. Kellogg & Co. Cloth. Pp. 220. Price, $1.00. These questions are excellently graded and will be found to be of much value to teachers in preparing for examinations of classes in the upper Grammar and High School grades.

Superintendent Draper is doing an excellent service to his state in his farsighted plans for the advancement of educational interests in the Empire State.