1873.] Books, LIPPINCOTT'S MAGAZINE for Jan. 1873, is a number of great interest. The first article, on "Iron Bridges, and their Construction," with its beautiful illustrations, is worth twice the price of the number, to say nothing of a dozen other interesting articles. HARPER'S NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE contains a great variety of excellent matter from such authors as Miss Thackeray, Wilkie Collins, and Charles Reade; and is also rich in illustrations of all sorts of vehicles, from an ancient These, Roman chariot to a street car. with "The British Museum and its Reading-Room," etc., make a series of "Object Lessons," of great value in every family. THE January number of SCRIBNER'S A HAND-BOOK OF ENGLISH LITERATURE This work consists of two octavo volumes of about six hundred pages, the first devoted to British, the second to American authors. The fact that the compiler of these volumes was appointed to prepare a course of reading in English literature for the Latin school in Boston, shows the estimate in which he was held by a compe tent committee. The correctness of their estimate is evidenced by the work before us. He begins with an historical introduction of great value to all who are unacquainted, or but partially acquainted, with the sources and development of the language; and this, by the way, includes many a man who would not be willing to acknowledge equal ignorance of the Latin and Greek languages. The specimens of British authors are divided very conveniently into six periods: from Chaucer to Spenser; from Spenser to Milton; from Milton to Pope; from Pope to Wordsworth; from Wordsworth to Tennyson, and contemporary authors. Each of these periods is accompanied with a list of authors of more or less note, from whom no specimens have been given; so that it answers the double purpose of selections from the best authors, and a pretty full dictionary of authors, so arranged as to be very convenient for reference. A brief biography is given of each author from whom selections have been made, and the selections are long enough to be of interest, and to exhibit the mode of thought, and the style of the writer. Of the good taste and judgment manifested in the selections, we cannot speak too highly. This is the great merit of the work. Every selection is character. istic of its author, and interesting to the reader. Witness the selections from Carlyle, De Quincey, and Macaulay, taken at random. As naturalists from an essential organ can construct extinct species of animals, and determine their habits, so a competent critic could from these specimens gather the peculiarities of thought and style of the authors, which, of course, is just the purpose for which the compiler intended them. Of the volume cf American authors, essentially the same may be said. It is on the same general plan, commencing with an interesting historical introduction, and dividing our literature into three periods. The same may also be said of the character of the selections. We should be glad to see these volumes in all our high schools, and lying upon the table in every family, where they would not only afford much rational entertainment, but prove constant and efficient educators. ENGLISH OF THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY. Published by Ginn Brothers. One of the most hopeful signs of the times is the fact that more attention is given to the study of the English language and literature in our high schools. The general principles of the structure of sentences. and the functions of the several parts of speech, may be learned in our grammar schools; but, "it is only by a careful study of literature that a thorough acquaintance with a language can be gained." But to study the whole of the literature of our language is the work of a life-time; and the most obvious way of imparting something of its spirit, with the growth and development of the language, would seem to be to place before the pupil representative specimens of the masters, in chronological order. Beginning, then, with the fourteenth century, when our language, though transitional, was so far formed as to be used by one of our greatest poets, it would seem desirable to examine it carefully, that we might appreciate the changes through which it has been and is passing. The author of this book has given us "The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales," and "The Knight's Tale," accompanied by notes and a glossary, that will be of great assistance to any teacher, and enable him to make it interesting and profitable to his pupils. Every one who teaches grammar, even in our grammar schools, will understand the development and structure of modern English much better, and be better qualified to teach it, by the study of this work. DICKENS' CHILD'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND. Published by Harper & Brothers, New York. Thousands of children will rise up and call the Harpers blessed for putting this book into a neat, convenient, and cheap form for the school-room; and those committees who are wise enough to adopt it as a text-book, will share in the blessing. Like all really good books for children, it is contagious and runs through the family. We have seen a boy of ten and his grandfather of sixty reading it together with equal interest. SOCIAL CHARADES AND PARLOR OP. ERAS. By M. T. Calder. Published by Lee & Shepard. This little book will furnish many pleasant evening entertainments, with its familiar airs of "Capt. Jenks," "I want to be an Angel," "Annie Laurie," etc. The dialogue contains humor enough to make it interesting, and it is characterized by purity of sentiment and language. The young folks will gladly sing in character, and we are sure there will be rounds of applause from the old folks. COMMENDATORY NOTICES. CITY OF BOSTON, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, Gentlemen, I am glad you have undertaken the publication of the "Teacher," for you have the means of improving its character and of extending its circulation. Not that its character has not been good. I have read it for twenty-five years, and I hope to read it for twenty-five years more, if I live so long. Every teacher in the State ought to subscribe for it and read it. And it would be a very good plan for all progressive, ambitious teachers out of the State to do the same. I believe the gen. tlemen who are to do the editorial work the present year are able, sound, and wideawake educators, and that they will make a valuable paper. Yours, very truly, JOHN D. PHILBRICK. OFFICE OF GENERAL AGENT OF BOARD OF EDUCATION, } MESSRS. ALFfred Mudge & SON : - BOSTON, Jan. 4, 1873. Gentlemen, I am gratified to learn that you have assumed the publication of "The Massachusetts Teacher," and that Professor Tweed - than whom I know of no better man for such a position - has consented to serve as its Resident Editor. I trust that of the six or seven thousand public-school teachers in the State of Massachusetts, a sufficient number will be found to give this Magazine a more liberal support in the future than it has had in the past. It is not very creditable to them that in so many towns not a single copy is now taken; and that at several Teachers' Institutes I have ascertained that only two or three per cent of the teachers in attendance subscribed for this or any other educational publication. I am confident that with judicious effort it will be possible to increase greatly the subscription list; and that the debt now resting upon it, incurred through the apathy of those who should have aided in its support, may thus soon be discharged. Yours, truly, ABNER J. PHIPPS, General Agent of Mass. Board of Education. 33 PEMBERTON SQUARE, BOSTON, Jan. 7, 1873. PUBLISHERS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS TEACHER: Gentlemen, — I am glad to see that you purpose a greatly-increased circulation for our honored educational monthly. It has done noble service, and the end is not yet. I have read every number of "The Massachusetts Teacher" from the very first. As it has closed its twenty-fifth year, I must have read three hundred numbers, and more than eleven thousand (11,400) pages. I have all the volumes neatly bound in my library, and hope to add many more to the set. In looking over the volumes, I find articles bearing upon all grades of schools and almost all departments of education. I recall a few of the subjects treated : — English Literature, Mental Philosophy, Chemistry, Botany, Reference Books, Admission to High Schools, Classical Study, Optical Defects, School Children, Grammar, the English "Blue Coat School," Composition, Corporal Punishment, Committing Lessons to Memory, Class Drill, Geography, Arithmetic, Reading, Physical Culture, Object Teaching, "Two Hours in a Primary School," Phonetic Teaching, Oral Teaching, Kindergarten, Thoroughness, The Bible and Character, Geometry, Study and Health, Industrial Education, Drawing, Music, History, Latin Pronunciation. The full reports of Educational Meetings are valuable, as are also the numerous items so carefully gathered under the head of "Intelligence." Please continue the "Massachusetts Teacher" to my address. Yours, very truly, CHARLES HUTCHINS. Springfield, MASS., Jan. 2, 1873. ALFRED MUDGE & SON : Dear Sirs, - No educational journal in this country can show a better record than the "Massachusetts Teacher "; certainly none can present so strong an appeal to the support and sympathy of Massachusetts teachers. Those who assume the responsibility of its conduct for 1873, propose to work for the cause of education at large, but will aim especially to make this journal the organ of Massachusetts educators. All who feel an intelligent interest in the schools of the State, and the work they are doing, should help "The Teacher" by subscribing for it, and by contributing to its circulation and efficiency in every practicable way. MESSRS. MUDGE & SON : M. C. STEBBINS, A. M., Principal Springfield High School. CAMBRIDGE, Jan. 1, 1873. "The Massachusetts Teacher" is devoted to the discussion of topics specially pertaining to the teacher's duties; and though the subjects are old, as long as young teachers are every day entering the profession, their discussion will be new to some, and, above all things, important as long as there are children to be taught. A wellconducted Magazine serves to bind closer together those who write and those who read its pages. For the present year a resident editor, well qualified to make its pages rich with thought and racy with wit, will have general oversight of the "Teacher," and monthly editors, including talent not inferior to any in the teacher's profession, will write for its pages. As the business management is in the hands of one of the largest and most enterprising printing-houses in Boston, the delays which have almost unavoidably happened in the issuing of the "Teacher" will not be likely to occur. We bespeak for it a hearty reception by all, and especially by the teachers in Massachusetts. W. F. BRADBURY, Hopkins Master Cambridge High School. NEWTON LOWER FALLS, Jan. 13, 1872. ALFRED MUDGE & SON : Gents, — I take pleasure in saying that I have been a constant reader of "The Massachusetts Teacher" from the commencement of its publication to the present time. I have nearly every number on file, and find in their perusal and re-perusal much to interest and instruct me in my professional work. I hope and believe that the present arrangements for its publication is a guarantee of its success and usefulness. It should be the leading exponent of the teacher's work in Massachusetts, if not in New England. Make it as you propose, - fresh, lively, able, and practical, — and the teachers of Massachusetts will come to its support, and give it its proper place in their daily work. Very truly yours, LUTHER E. LELAND. SPRINGFIELD, Jan. 10, 1873. A. MUDGE & SON :Gentlemen, Massachusetts ought to have a school journal, and it ought to be so managed that teachers will feel kindly towards it. I presume that no “commendatory words" from me would be of much avail, and doubtless anything will be too late for the purpose named in your letter; but I do most heartily rejoice that the business of the "Teacher" will be in the hands of business men; and that, in addition to those who have written for it hitherto, other able men will write for its pages. While I am not at this present moment informed what parties are held responsible for the body of the work, from what I know of the Resident Editor, I feel sure that, so far as he is concerned, it will be fresh, spicy, and interesting. Yours truly, E. A. HUBBARD. WOBURN, Jan. 9, 1873. ALFRED MUDGE & SON : Gentlemen, I have always regarded "The Massachusetts Teacher" as a journal of much importance and real value to teachers. I still believe that no teacher can afford to be without it. I would recommend "The Massachusetts Teacher" to all school teachers who desire to keep themselves acquainted with what is going on in educational matters, and to those who desire to keep alive in themselves that professional enthusiasm so necessary to success. J. W. DICKINSON. |