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us a history of West Point, and the Military Academy, which may be regarded as authentic..

West Point being the key to the upper Hudson, and commanding all communication between New England and the West, its importance as a military station was early recognized; and in the Revolutionary war, both the contending parties made strenuous attempts to secure it. In 1775, the Point and Martelaer's Rock, opposite, were appropriated by the Federal Congress, with consent of the Provincial Congress of New York, and fortifications were erected. The British plan of concentrating their forces at Albany and New York, and patrolling the river with sloops and cutters, was thus frustrated. In 1778, by order of Congress, a chain and boom of prodigious strength were stretched across the river, which at this point is only fourteen hundred feet wide, and moves very sluggishly. The boom was formed of huge logs, 18ft. long and 15in. in diameter, united by an iron band on each end, and a chain of two-inch iron in the middle. According to the bill of the contractors, 186 tons of iron were wrought into bolts, chains, swivels, and bands for this boom. The chain was equally massive, and is said to have weighed 186 tons. The average weight of the links which now remain is 114 lbs. Capt. Boynton's account of Arnold's treason is well told, and is more detailed than that generally given, the letters found upon Andre, and the proceedings of the court-martial in the case of that unfortunate young man, being fully reproduced. These documents tend to place Andre in the most favorable light, and serve to increase our detestation of Arnold's ingratitude.

The necessity of a military academy appears to have been conceded at a very early period, for we find that in October, 1776, the Federal Congress appointed a committee of five to prepare a plan of such an institution. This committee never reported, and the academy was not formally established until 1802. In 1888 it was organized upon its present basis. Capt. Boynton gives details respecting the course and methods of instruction, showing that in grade, as a polytechnic school, the Military School is equal to any in America or Europe. Himself a graduate, he may be pardoned for his excessive admiration of

the institution. The "History of West Point" is pleasantly written, and deals less in statistical detail than might be expected. The frank admission in the Preface restrains us from criticising its literary merits. It is well illustrated with maps and plates, and the frontispiece is an elegant lithograph of large size, representing the West Point of 1780.

The study of international law has never obtained its proper place in the college curriculum, partly because its importance is not appreciated, and partly, perhaps, because the text-books in general use are ill-adapted to their purpose. This should not be so. The subject is practically far more important than the speculations in metaphysics, which are so carefully studied. Most of the ordinary text-books should be discarded, and works of a different character substituted. Gen. Halleck's abridgments of his larger treatise is a decided advance upon its predecessors. In comprehensive grasp, in terseness of style, and vigorous common sense is far superior to any kindred work. Besides the topics usually discussed it contains a careful analysis of the laws of war. The necessity of this division was demonstrated by the ignorance of even our educated men during our late civil war. The author is afflicted by no morbid feeling of pity for the student. No cursory perusal will suffice for the preparation of a lesson; hard study will be essential. Indeed, the conciseness of the style will be found the only obstacle to its introduction; but this, so far from being a fault, is truly a virtue, and our book-wrights would do well to give us similar works on other topics.

Of the many popular works on natural history, comparatively few possess any great degree of merit. To the few, Mr. Wood has added one which must take a high place. Assuming little previous knowledge on the part of the reader, he classifies animals according to their methods of constructing habitations. Thus we have the burrowers; those that suspend their homes in the air;

(3) ELEMENTS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND LAWS OF WAR. By H. W. HALLECK, LL.D. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. 12mo, pp. 380.

(4) HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. Being a Description of the Habitations of Animals, Classed according to their Principle of Construction. By the Rev. J. G. WOOD, M. A., F.L.S. New York: Harper & Bros. 8vo. pp. 651. $4.50.

those that are real builders; those that make their habitations under the water; parasites; those that build on branches; and in the last chapter, miscellanea, or those that can not well be classed in the preceding groups. While the main object of "Homes Without Hands" is to describe the various habitations of animals, the work is full of interesting details concerning the habits of the occupants. In these Mr. Wood is careful to distinguish between fact and mere romance, so that in several places he ruthlessly destroys many notions cherished by us from childhood. We had regarded the owl and rattlesnake as the bosom friends and welcome housemates of the prairie dog, with which they formed a happy family. To our utter disappointment Mr. Wood denounces them as heartless intruders, devourers, seeking free board and lodgings. We were always overcome with admiration as we contemplated the self-sacrificing devotion of the rabbit and eider duck in stripping off their fur and down to provide comfortable restingplaces for their young. But Mr. Wood is not romantic; he admires no such thing; he does not believe it. He maintains that these animals would undergo more selfdenial if they should disobey their instinct, for so he terms the devotion, and asserts that the skin of the rabbit gives no evidence of irritation or inflammation after the plucking out of the fur.

"Homes Without Hands" is a work of rare merit. To overpraise it would be difficult. We have read it through, and have begun it a second time. We found not one page uninteresting or wanting in truly useful information. It contains many statements which if properly studied by agriculturists might be productive of great advantage to themselves as well as to the animals.

Elizabeth Twining's "Plant World" is a strange book, not because of its subject but because of the manner of treating it. Never before have we seen a work on scientific matters so thoroughly suited to the wants of that large class of readers, who are neither children nor adults. The author aims to give general information concerning the structure and uses of plants, rather

(5) THE PLANT WORLD. BY ELIZABETH TWINING. London and New York: T. Nelson & Sons. 12mo. pp. 414. $2.50.

than to impart purely technical knowledge, and is successful. The moral teachings conveyed on each page are excellent and unobtrusive. On the whole the language is well chosen, though "these kind" and other equally objectionable expressions sometimes occur. The book has been published in elegant style, and is embellished with several illustrations in oil colors.

The main lack in the many pretentious biographies of President Lincoln is that they tell us little of the man. From the periodicals we know Lincoln the lawyer, politician, and President; from the biographer we seek a knowledge of Lincoln as he was in his family and among his friends. In his little volume Mr. Carpenters gives the desired supplement. Wishing to produce a painting commemorative of the Proclamation of Emancipation, the author obtained permission to visit the White House, where he remained for six months. His book is not a biography, but a collection of incidents calculated "to portray the man, without any attempt at idealization." It contains also numerons historical scraps not generally known, among which is an interesting account of the Proclamation of Emancipation and the causes which led to it, received directly from Mr. Lincoln himself. The book is written in a style of undisguised affection and enthusiasm which renders it almost fascinating.

"Royal Truths" is the title of a book' which is made up from Henry Ward Beecher's published sermons, of such extracts as are fitted for standing alone. The history of the book has been given by the daily press. It was first published in London, without Mr. Beecher's knowledge. The selections are short and can be read when most books would not be taken up.

"The Kemptons" is a well-written temperance story for the young. It is properly called "a tale of truth." Without improbable statements, it will hold the attention of the reader from the first chapter to the end. Teachers who make presents to their

(6) SIX MONTHS IN THE WHITE HOUSE WITH ÀBRAHAM LINCOLN. By F. B. Carpenter. New York: Hurd & Houghton. 16mo, pp. 359. $2.00.

(7) TICKNOR & FIELDS, Boston. $1.75.

(8) M. W. BODD, Publisher, New York. $1.25.

'pupils would do well to select such books as this.

The same publisher has issued a very pleasant story by Mrs. Lamb, entitled Capt. Christie's Granddaughter." This, too, is a well written moral tale for the young, and is worthy a place on the teachers' list of gift books.

Dr. Trall's book on Sexual Physiology 10 certainly gives evidence of much study, but whether profitable or not, those more familiar than we with medical matters must decide. The work is in a new direction, and discusses many subjects little noticed in most physiological treatises. It contains several novel theories upon the "law of sex." That of Sixt, which the author adopts, is quite well supported by facts, though, upon the whole, we cannot perceive that it is better substantiated than that of Thury, some time since published in Silliman's Journal. The chapter on "Regulation of the Number of Offspring" is. rather eccentric, and, seeing that the work is intended for popular reading, contains some information which might have been omitted without injury. The chapter on "Philosophy of Marriage" is in several portions preposterous, and is out of place in a scientific treatise. Taken as a whole, this is the best work on esoteric man yet published for general circulation. However, no previous work that we have seen is worth reading.

Mr. Moens, who has gained a wide celebrity by his experience among the Italian brigands, has published an account" of his captivity. Aside from our interest in the author's afflictions, we find much that is attractive in the book. The information respecting the brigands, their manner of life, their opposition to the existing kingdom, and the disposition of the peasants, is worthy of note, and is entirely novel.

By the first series of "Spare Hours" 12 Dr. Brown fairly established his reputation as

(9) M. W. DODD, Publisher, New York. $1.25.

(10) SEXUAL PHYSIOLOGY. By R. T. TRALL, M.D. New York: Miller, Wood & Co. 12mo, pp. 312. $2.00.

(11) ENGLISH TRAVELERS AND ITALIAN BRIGANDS. By W. J. C. MOENS. New York: Harper & Bros. 12mo, pp. 355. $1.75

(12) SPARE HOURS. BY JOHN BROWN, M.D. Second Series. Boston: Ticknor & Fields. 16mo, pp. 426.

His

one of our most pleasing writers.
essays resemble those of the "Country
Parson," but have less egotism, and are
more instructive. Of the second series,
some are practical, as the "Lay Sermons
on Health" others are anecdotes, well
told and with excellent morals. The essay
on Bibliomania, by J. S. Brown, is an able
defence of a much ridiculed and equally
wronged class. The "Jacobite House-
hold" is a bit of domestic history illustrat
ing Scottish life in the eighteenth century.
It is well for Dr. Brown that his essays con-
tain so much real worth, otherwise they
would not be tolerated. The style is in
utter defiance of all rhetorical and gram-
matical rules, and abounds in barbarisms
of the worst kind. But these essays were
evidently written without thought of critics
or care for them, and we can only add our
testimony in behalf of their sterling worth.

Mr. Babbit's systems of teaching penmanship seems to be eminently simple and practicable. He reduces the art to a few simple clements, and provides a systematic drill on these, avoiding every unnecessary mark and combination. With each copy are examples of errors which pupils are likely to fall into, while the accompanying explanations show how they are to be corrected and avoided. The plan is a good one; so too is that of having the copies on detached slips. With these the pupil can have his copy always before him, and next the line he is writing; and unless the teacher is very remiss, can never fall into the common habit of neglecting the copy and following his own writing after two or three lines have been written on a page. The plan of giving on the back of each slip a printed verse or note, or business form for the pupil to write, is also good, since it prevents the writing exercise from becoming one of mere imitation.

For the most part, the copies are well written and engraved. The principal faults noticed are too heavy shading of capitals, and an occasional attempt at originality which does not always result in an improvement on the simple and graceful letters of the elder Spencer. Legibility, however, is made a cardinal virtue of the system; and generally every line is cut off that does not tend to accomplish that end.

(13) BABRITONIAN PENMANSHIP. New York: E. D. BABBITT & Co. Price $1.50.

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NE PLUS ULTRA BOOK-HOLDERS.

VERY one that has attempted to follow the advice of Jeffrey-always to read with pen in hand-has had occasion to regret that the great reviewer neglected to tell how he managed to hold his books while his hands were employed with pen and paper. Certain it is that one cannot long continue his method of reading--excellent though it be-without so severely taxing his patience and the muscles of his back as to make him covet at least one extra pair of the multitudinous hands of Briareus.

The thousand and one contrivances of wood, and leather, and wire, that have been devised for holding books open at such an angle that they may be easily read, and yet leave the reader's hands free to use a pen or pencil, are evidences of a popular want; and, for the most part, are unsuc cessful attempts to meet it.

It would seen that every possible condition of cost and beauty and finish had been met, time and again; but the one great desideratum, something to hold a book of

any size, firmly and smoothly open at any page, no matter how thick or thin either side may be, seems to have been left for Mr. D. J. Stagg, of this city, to devise. His recent invention, "The Ne Flus Ultra Adjustable Fingers," despite their clumsy name, are a clever contrivance for accomplishing with great simplicity and neatness the end desired. The cuts show some of the various styles of book-holders which he makes.

The "fingers" work independent of each other, so that it does not matter where the book is opened; it will be held smoothly and firmly in place at any page. We have seen and tried many styles of book holders, but none so simple and convenient as these. Some style of them should be on every reading-stand, and attached to every school-desk. It is useless to expect children to sit erect in school so long as their books lie flat upon the desk. Stand their books up so that they can be read without stooping, and then we may reasonably require them to maintain a proper position.

EDUCATIONAL MONTHLY.

VOL. III.

DECEMBER, 1866.

No. 12.

SEC.

PEDAGOGICAL LAW.

ARTICLE VII.

The Law as to Religion in Schools.- Concluded.

EC. 1. MARYLAND.-It is the duty of every man to worship God in such manner as he thinks most acceptable to Him, and all persons are equally entitled to protection in their religious liberty; wherefore, no person ought by any law to be molested in his person or estate on account of his religious persuasion or profession, or for his religious practice, unless under color of religion any man shall disturb the good order, peace, or safety of the State, or shall infringe the laws of morality, or injure others in their natural, civil, or religious rights (Const. of Md., B. of R., art. 33). No other test or qualification ought to be required on admission to any office of trust or profit, than such oath of office as may be prescribed by this constitution or by the laws of the State, and a declaration of belief in the Christian religion; and if the party shall profess to be a Jew, the declaration shall be of his belief in a future state of rewards and punishments (Id., art. 34). In order to carry out faithfully the spirit of these constitutional provisions, every teacher in Maryland should be a believer in the Christian religion, or, at least, in a future state of rewards and punishments. Persons who do not so believe, should not be licensed, or if any are already licensed, their licenses should be revoked. The examiners in this State may very properly inquire whether the candidates for licenses believe in the Christian religion or in a future state of rewards and punishments-—for such an inquiry is a part of their legitimate duty at the examination. But they have no right to go further than the law requires. If, for example, an applicant for a certificate declares that he believes in "a future-state of rewards and punishments," or "in the Christian religion," then he can be questioned no further on the subject; or if questioned, he may refuse to answer. If he says he believes in a future state of rewards and punishments, the law can require nothing more, for the Constitution prohibits any further test. It is a little singular that this Constitution, which does not secure full religious liberty, is the only one of thirty-five now before us which has the phrase "religious liberty" in it.

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