that American colleges would produce a select body of scholars fit to match the first wranglers of Cambridge, the double first of Oxford, or the doctors of philosophy and science of the scientific schools of Europe. The great defect of our American system of education is the want of a sufficient number of upper or secondary schools, between the elementary schools and the colleges, to enable abler youths to pass from the former to the latter. He sketched the systems of secondary schools in Germany and Great Britain and showed how defective and inadequate is secondary instruction in the United States. The remedy proposed was, first, the establishing of preparatory schools by private endowments and, secondly, by State- and city-endowments. The man who endows a first-class academy deserves more credit than he who founds "a weakling college." He urged that the ninety millions' worth of unappropriated land belonging to the General Government should be devoted to the encouragement of secondary schools in the Eastern, Middle, and Western States, and in the Southern States one half of it should be devoted to secondary schools and the other half to aid and encourage the establishment of common schools. He urged that no more of this land should be given to the so-called agricultural colleges or to schools of science and technology, at least until a special inquiry has been made into the actual work now done by these institutions. He stated that in no country in the world has agriculture been much benefited by mere agricultural schools. In all Germany there are but six agricultural schools, and some of these are 66 very feeble institutions." Cornell University, with its $900,000 endowment from the agricultural-land-grant, graduated only two agricultural students in June last. He also maintained that no part of this ninety millions should be given to colleges. The address produced a deep impression on the large audience present.

Prof. Edward S. Joynes, of Washington and Lee University, Virginia, made a spirited reply to Dr. McCosh's reference to the condition of education in the Southern States. Ho said that Virginia was doing nobly for the elementary instruction of her children, both white and black, and added, "Let the North be patriotic and generous to their southern brethren; let there be equal treatment." Dr. McCosh replied as spiritedly, that he meant that the South should be assisted in her heroic efforts to elevate all ber people. This little episode created quite an excitement and much enlivened the proceedings. Prof. Roche, of Baltimore, added a few remarks.

The session of Wednesday morning was devoted to a discussion of Dr. McCosh's paper on "Upper schools." Speeches were made by Dr. Eli T. Tappan, of Kenyon College, Ohio; Hon. J. P. Wickersham, of Pennsylvania; Dr. Daniel Reid, of the University of Missouri; Dr. Charles Hammond, of Massachusetts; Dr. J. H. Raymond, of Vassar College, New York; Dr. Joseph White, of Massachusetts; President Eliot, of Harvard; Superintendent W. T. Harris, of St. Louis, Missouri; Mr. Ross, of Seneca; Dr. G. P. Hays, of Washington and Jefferson College, Pennsylvania; Prof. E. D. Blakesley, of the Potsdam Normal School, New York; Mr. Root, of Missouri; Prof. Atherton, of New Brunswick, New Jersey, and Dr. McCosh.

President Tappan, of Ohio, stated that the high schools of that State do not prepare one-tenth of the students who enter Ohio colleges. They are doing different work. He urged the multiplication of preparatory schools.

Superintendent Wickersham, of Pennsylvania, urged that the number of public high schools should be increased and that the attention of boys should be directed to a higher education, and not so generally to business. There should be a heartier sympathy between the colleges and the common schools.

Dr. Reid, of Missouri, spoke in favor of every land-grant made by Congress for industrial education; great advantages had been derived from them in Missouri.

Dr. Hammond, of Massachusetts, urged the importance of preparatory schools in addition to the public high schools.

President Raymond, of New York, spoke strongly in favor of schools preparatory to college. There is nothing to take the place of the academies which are "dying out.* The high schools should meet the emergency.

Dr. White, of Massachusetts, said we must carry on the high schools by force and the academies by love. The poor boy must have an opportunity of securing as good an education as his rich neighbor. The agricultural college gives a liberal education, and we want intelligent farmers and mechanics.

President Eliot, of Harvard, believed it to be a positive evil to have such incomplete statistics as those used by Dr. McCosh; they mislead. Massachusetts's high schools do not fill her colleges. Harvard does not receive over 10 or 15 per cent. of her ste dents from the high schools of Massachusetts or over 30 or 35 per cent. from that source in the country generally, but they come principally from private schools. Massachusetts is endowing private academies, which are preparatory to college. Denominational schools are a difficulty. The interference of the national Government in educational interests weakens them. He deprecated asking the Government for aid in any good work which we ought to attend to ourselves. It was pernicious and demoralizing.

Superintendent Harris, of St. Louis, reviewed the supervision of schools in this country and spoke in favorable terms of the high schools. They now afford an educa

tion really better than was obtained in our colleges at the beginning of this century. He thought the university should change.

President Hays, of Pennsylvania, advocated the establishing of strong preparatory schools instead of weakling colleges and hoped a committee would be appointed to report at the next meeting what changes in the high schools are necessary to meet the requirements.

He

Prof. Blakesley, of New York, spoke of the evil of underrating education. condemned commercial colleges in unmeasured terms as completely demoralizing to the boys in the land. What was needed was a liberal education, and boys should be directed to seek the highest and best education obtainable.

Prof. Atherton, of New Jersey, spoke in favor of agricultural colleges, and especially of the last land-grant.

Dr. McCosh closed the discussion. He disclaimed any intention to cast aspersion upon any locality. What he proposed was to aid the common schools where needed. He advocated colleges for females as well as males. He took the best statistics that could be got, but they were not claimed to be perfect. According to the last report, 4,171 pupils in high schools and 4,000 in academies in New England were preparing for college. He did not think the religious schools would effect any harm; let them all go on together. He proposed to give this last $90,000,000 conditionally, that the districts shall give an equal amount. He had no very high opinion of agricultural schools.

The session closed after the transaction of business, including the appointment of Dr. Reid of Missouri, Prof. Joynes of Virginia, and Dr. Creery of Maryland a committee to report resolutions on the death of Dr. William H. McGuffey.

At the evening-session an able paper by Richard Edwards, president of the Illinois Normal University, on "How much culture should be imparted in our free schools?" was read by I. N. Carlton, of Connecticut. It advocated the highest culture practicable. It was discussed by Superintendent Wickersham, of Pennsylvania, who be lieved that our high schools would grow into higher schools and finally end in the college or university. He could put no lower limit to public education. Prof. W. P. Atkinson favored the system of free schools, but not a compulsory education beyond the elementary branches.

A paper on "The relation of the General Government to education" was read by Prof. G. W. Atherton, of Rutgers College, New Jersey. It was a paper of great practical interest and received much attention. The conclusion reached was that the nation must educate, and practical ways were pointed out in which this can be done. It was advocated that the proceeds of the sales of public lands should be devoted to the purposes of education and that the agricultural colleges should have their share.

Dr. George P. Hays of Pennsylvania, D. B. Hagar of Massachusetts, E. S. Joynes of Virginia, Newton Bateman of Illinois, and R. G. Williams of Vermont were appointed a committee to report on the changes needed in high schools to make them preparatory to the colleges.

The session of Thursday morning opened with miscellaneous business.

M. A. Newell, president of the State-board of education of Maryland, described and ably defended the school-system of that State, and he was sustained by Rev. Dr. Van Bokkelen.

Superintendent John Hancock, of Ohio, advocated the propriety and importance of State- and national action in support of schools. He believed that it was proper for the Government to establish a great national university. He offered the following resolution; which, after reference to the committee on resolutions, was unanimously passed:

"Resolved, That, in the opinion of this association, the proceeds of the sales of the public lands should hereafter be set apart by Congress, under such conditions as it may deem wise, as a perpetual fund for the support of public education in the States and Territories."

The resolution was strongly advocated by Prof. Atkinson, of Boston.

Addresses on "Education in the South" were delivered by Hon. W. G. Brown, Statesuperintendent of Louisiana, and Hon. J. C. Gibbs, State-superintendent of Florida, and a lively discussion took place between Prof. Atherton, M. A. Newell, and Dr. McCosh on the paper read the previous evening by Prof. Atherton. President Fairchild, of Kentucky, and Professor Joynes, of Virginia, spoke of the school-privileges in the South.

Ex-Governor Horatio Seymour, being in the hall, was called upon and introduced by President Northrop. He was received with applause and spoke briefly and to the delight of the audience on the general subject of teaching and education.

The evening-session was also devoted to business and brief addresses. Among the resolutions reported by the committee, and unanimously adopted by the association, was one discharging all permanent committees who have neither met within the past year nor reported to the association at the present meeting. This discharges the committee on a national university.

Dr. Hammond, of the special committee on the Japanese indemnity, reported a reso

lution, which was adopted, recommending the unconditional relinquishment of the fund to Japan, and a committee, consisting of the officers of the association and one member from each State, was appointed to memorialize Congress on the subject.

· Dr. Daniel Reid, chairman of the committee, reported appropriate resolutions in regard to the late Dr. McGuffey, which were adopted.

Brief and stirring addresses were made by President Northrop; Prof. J. M. Langston, of Howard University, District of Columbia; Hon. Joseph White, of Massachasetts; Rev. Thomas K. Beecher, of Elmira; Prof. Edward S. Joynes, of Virginia; Superintendent J. H. Binford, of Richmond, Virginia; Superintendent McIver, of North Carolina; Prof. Rounds, of Maine; Superintendent Jillson, of South Carolina; and Superintendent W. G. Brown, of Louisiana.

President Northrop made the announcement that the enrollment at this meeting of the association had been far greater than that at Boston last year or at St. Louis the year before, and the association adjourned sine die.

The officers elected for the coming year are as follows: President, S. H. White, Illinois; secretary, A. P. Marble, Massachusetts; treasurer, John Hancock, Ohio; vicepresidents: Dr. James McCosh, New Jersey; Dr. G. P. Hays, Pennsylvania; J. W. Dickinson, Massachusetts; James H. Binford, Virginia; Miss D. A. Lathrop, Ohio; Mrs. M. A. Stone, Connecticut; W. J. Phelps, Minnesota; Dr. Daniel Reid, Missouri; E. J. Fairchild, Kentucky; W. R. Creery, Maryland; John Swett, California; and N. A. Calkins, New York; counselors: B. G. Northrop, Connecticut, at large; John Eaton, District of Columbia, at large; C. C. Rounds, Maine; J. H. French, Vermont; Allen A. Bennett, New Hamp shire; Joseph White, Massachusetts; J. C. Greenough, Rhode Island; H. E. Sawyer, Connecticut; G. L. Farnham, New York; H. B. Pierce, New Jersey; G. P. Beard, Pennsylvania; M. A. Newell, Maryland; J. Ormond Wilson, District of Columbia; E. S. Joynes, Virginia; Alex. Melver, North Carolina; J. K. Jillson, South Carolina; G. W. Walker, Georgia; J. C. Gibbs, Florida; Miss Isabel Babcock, Mississippi; W. G. Brown, Louisiana; T. J. Mulvany, Arkansas; Mr. Shackelford, Kentucky; W. D. Henkle, Ohio; A. C. Shortridge, Indiana; E. C. Hewett, Illinois; Miss Rectina Woodford, Michigan; E. A. Charlton, Wisconsin; A. Armstrong, Iowa; O. Root, jr., Mississippi; P. G. Williams, Kansas; and A. P. Benton, Nebraska.

On Friday the members of the association, with invited guests, made an excursion to Watkins's Glen.

Elementary department.—This department, N. A. Calkins, of New York, president, met in the Opera House on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, afternoons. The entire session of Tuesday was devoted to a discussion of the subject of elementary reading. It was introduced by an elaborate paper on "The thought and sentence method.” by George L. Farnham, of Binghamton, New York. This was followed by a paper on "The phonetic method, with pronouncing orthography," by Edwin Leigh, of New York. The subject was further discussed by Dr. Adolf Douai, of New Jersey; W. N. Barringer, of Newark, New Jersey; Mrs. A. J. Rickoff, of Cleveland, who spoke with great acceptance; Charles O. Hurlbut, of Paterson, New Jersey; E. A. Sheldon, of Oswego, New York; Mr. Ross, of Seneca, New York; Prof. Goodwin Clark, of Boston; Mr. Freeborn, of Wellsville, New York, and Mr. Abbott, of Brooklyn, New York. This was probably the most thorough discussion of the subject that has yet taken place in any educational meeting in this country, and we advise all who are interested in primary teaching to purchase a copy of the proceedings when published. The second session opened with an interesting paper by Dr. Malcolm McVicker, of Potsdam, New York, on Principles and methods of teaching arithmetic." He alleged that every principle and process should be presented objectively, and fully illustrated his method of eye-teaching. His views were sustained by J. H. Hoose, of Cortland, New York, and G. L. Farnham, of Binghamton, New York.

An eloquent and effective paper was next read by Henry F. Harrington, of New Bedford, Massachusetts, on "What should be the leading object of American free schools?" His answer was that the great purpose of popular education is "to bring to the highest possible state of efficiency that sum total of all the powers of the pupil's being, purely and nobly interacting and interdependent, which is termed manhood." Only the complete and perfect man can be relied on to make the upright, trustworthy, and orderly citizen. This thought was fully elaborated.

At the Friday's session. Prof. J. W. Dickinson, of Westfield, Massachusetts, on be half of a committee appointed last year, submitted a report upon the Kindergarten, which elicited considerable discussion, participated in by Mr. Barringer of New Jersey, Mr. Richards of Washington, and others. Miss Amy L. Bradford, of North Carolina, proposed to try the Kindergarten in her school.

Mrs. Krause, of New York City, read a valuable paper on "What Fröbel's system of Kindergarten-education is, and how it can be introduced into the public schools." The paper elicited an interesting discussion, participated in by both ladies and gentlemen. Miss Payson, of Chicago, and Miss Kate French, of New Jersey, approved of the views of the paper. Prof. Z. Richards, of Washington, presented his views on the subject of school-houses and recreation.

Resolutions were adopted recognizing the Kindergarten as a potent means for the

elevation of primary education; recommending the establishment of Kindergärten, public and private, and also of a normal school for the spec al purpose of training Kindergarten-teachers; and calling attention to the importance of initiatory experiments to determine the best methods of connecting the Kindergarten with our present school-system.

A brief and practical paper was next read by Superintendent A. J. Rickoff, of Clevelaud, Ohio, on "School-hours for children under 10." He would not keep children at first in school more than three hours a day, and until 9 years of age not more than four hours a day, and above 9 years of age not more than five hours a day.

The session closed with an excellent paper by Prof. A. Eiswal, of Savannah, Georgia, on "The education of the emotional nature."

The officers elected for the ensuing year are as follows: President, Henry F. Harrington, New Bedford, Massachusetts; vice-president, Miss Hannali Cummings, Kirksville, Missouri; secretary, George B. Sears, Newark, New Jersey.

Normal department.-This department, A. G. Boyden, of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, president, met each afternoon at Staneliff Hall. Tuesday's session was devoted to the consideration of a paper by Dr. Richard Edwards, of Illinois, on "Duties and dangers of normal schools," which was read by Prof. D. B. Hagar, of Salem, Massachusetts. The paper elicited an interesting discussion, participated in by R. G. Williams, of Vermont; J. H. Hoose, of New York; C. C. Rounds, of Maine; Oliver Airey, of Wisconsin; George P. Beard, of Pennsylvania; I. N. Carlton, of Connecticut; M. A. Newell, of Maryland; C. H. Verrill, of Pennsylvania, and others.

The second session was opened with a discussion of the question, "What should the normal schools aim to accomplish in the teaching of natural science?" Mr. Dwight, of New Britain, Connecticut; J. C. Greenough, of Rhode Island, and Mr. Winters spoke on the subject.

This was followed by the reading of a very logical and thoughtful paper on “Elementary and scientific knowledge," by Prof. J. W. Dickinson, Westfield, Massachusetts. Miss Delia A. Lathrop, of Cincinnati, read a paper on "Training-schools," in which the subject of normal training was discussed under the heads of normal schools, teachers' institutes, and training-schools. This was one of the ablest and most valuable papers read at Elmira. It elicited an earnest discussion, participated in by Mr. Brown, of Maine; E. C. Hewitt, of Illinois; John Hancock, of Ohio; D. B. Hagar, of Massachusetts; H. B. Buckham, of Buffalo, New York; Zalmon Richards, of Washington; E. A. Sheldon, of Oswego, New York; and E. T. Tappan, of Ohio. Miss Lathrop congratulated the speakers on the fact that they had not sacrificed truth to gallantry in discussing her paper.

The closing session well sustained the interest manifested from the first. Prof. C. C. Rounds, of Maine, introduced a resolution affirming it to be the sense of the department that all normal schools should have practice-schools. It was passed after a discussion in which Prof. C. H. Verrill of Pennsylvania, Dr. McVicker of New York, and others took part.

Prof. Henry B. Buckham, of Buffalo, New York, read a thoughtful and valuable paper on "The relation of scholarship and method in normal schools." He took the position that scholarship should not be subordinated to method in normal instruction; neglect method rather than scholarship. It gave rise to a spirited discussion, in which Prof. Carlton, of Connecticut, and Dr. McVicker, of New York, took a prominent part.

The officers elected for the ensuing year are as follows: President, J. H. Hoose, Cortland, New York; vice-president, W. N. Hailman, of Louisville, Kentucky; secretary, Miss Roolison, of Cincinnati.

Department of higher instruction.-This department met Tuesday afternoon in the City Hall, Dr. Daniel Reid, of Missouri, president pro tem. President Charles W. Eliot, of Harvard College, presented a report on a national university. He gave a somewhat facetious account of what the National Educational Association has done about a national university since 1869, reaching the conclusion that the permanent committee appointed at St. Louis has never had a moment's existence, and that the association is"thus far free from all responsibility for whatever may have been done since August, 1871, about a national university." He next examined the two bills on the subject which were introduced into the Senate in 1872, and then proceeded to discuss the true policy of our Government as regards university-instruction. He denied that it is the duty of Government to provide and control educational institutions, affirming that this conception of government is abolescent everywhere. Our Government is not the guardian of the nation's morals. It is no more the duty of Government to direct secular education than to conduct religious education. As religion is properly left to voluntary support, so may the people be left to provide suitable universities for the education of their youth. The very essence of republicanism is self-reliance, and hence the Government should perform no function which any private agency can perform as well. The subsidizing process saps the foundations of public liberty. Let us cling fast to the genuine American method of public instruction--the American voluntary system-in which the higher grades of instruction are provided by permanent en dowments administered by incorporated bodies of trustees.

Chancellor Wedgwood, of Washington, followed with a paper in favor of a national university. Dr. McCosh, of New Jersey, opposed a national university, but he believed the Government should look after schools and morals. He alluded to the fact that Harvard had repeatedly received aid from Massachusetts. Dr. Reid, of Missouri, gave a history of the establishment of State-universities by grants of public lands, and added, that he believed in a national university. He did not fear such appointments as those of Bache, Henry, and Peirce. Messrs. Sprague, of Washington; Hancock, of Ohio; Harris, of St. Louis; and Atherton, of New Jersey, spoke in favor of a national university, and Messrs. Atkinson, of Iowa; Joynes, of Virginia; Vail, of Rochester; and Root, of Missouri, against. No action on the subject was taken by the department.

The second session was held in the chapel of the First Presbyterian church. A snggestive and scholarly paper on "The study of the classics" was read by Prof. Edward S. Joynes, of the Washington and Lee University, Virginia. It took a strong position in favor of the study of the ancient languages, pronouncing it the noblest element in modern culture.

The paper was discussed by President Eliot, of Harvard, who stated that linguistic study in early life is necessary to the after-study of the sciences; Prof. John R. Roche, of Maryland; Prof. Meres, of Hamilton College; Rev. F. G. Surbridge; and Professor E. G. Youmans, of the Popular Science Monthly. Prof. Youmans stated that Count Rumford and Prof. Faraday absolutely ignored a classic education, and that Prof. Tyndall has no knowledge of Latin and Greek. President Eliot replied that these distinguished scientists were exceptional representatives of remarkable genius. Lincoln was not liberally educated, but his Gettysburg speech is unsurpassed, and perhaps unsurpassable. The average boy is not thus educated. Prof. Atkinson thought that this speech by Lincoln pointed a lesson. He believed that Latin grammar had made many a man a dunce who, without it. might have been a genius. The closing session was devoted to a paper by Prof. W. P. Atkinson, of Boston, entitled "A liberal education for the nineteenth century." The main drift of the paper, which was full of well-turned hits, was against the study of the classics to the extent that has been demanded. It provoked a very spirited discussion, which was participated in by Dr. Reid, of Missouri; Dr. Hammond, of Massachusetts; Professor Meres and President Brown, of Hamilton College, New York; Prof. Bennett, of Syraense University, New York; Prof. Joynes, of Virginia; President Hays, of Pennsylvania; and President Tappan, of Ohio.

The officers elected for the ensuing year are as follows: President, Daniel Reed, of Missouri; vice-president, W. P. Atkinson, of Boston; secretary, George P. Hays, of Pennsylvania.

Department of superintendence. This department, Superintendent W. T. Harris, of St. Louis, president, met on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in the Joy Lodge-Rooms. At the first session, Superintendent A. J. Rickoff, of Cleveland, read a paper on "School-house-plans," illustrating the same with drawings upon the blackboard. Special attention was given to ventilation and light.

Superintendent J. H. Binford, of Richmond, Virginia, read a suggestive paper on "The relation of school-boards to superintendents." The subject was discussed by Superintendent Packard, of Saratoga; Superintendent Hancock, of Cincinnati; Superintendent A. Armstrong, of Iowa; Superintendent Wickersham, of Pennsylvania; Superintendent Rickoff, of Cleveland; Superintendent Creery, of Baltimore; Superintendent Marble, of Worcester, Massachusetts; and Superintendent Sawyer, of Connec

ticut.

At the second session, a paper by Chancellor Eliot, of Washington University, St. Louis, on "Western university-education," was read by President Harris.

A paper on "Leigh's method of teaching reading," by Superintendent William M. Bryant, of Burlington, Iowa, was read by J. H. Binford, of Richmond. It was an able defense of Dr. Leigh's method. The subject was further discussed by Prof. Hnribut, of New Jersey; J. W. Bulkley, of Brooklyn; Superintendent Harris, of St. Louis: Superintendent Farnham, of Binghamton, New York; Superintendent Shortridge, of Indianapolis, Indiana; Superintendent Wilson, of Washington City; and Dr. Leigh, nearly all of whom commended the method.

Superintendent Rickoff, of Cleveland, chairman of the committee, submitted a report recommending that a meeting of the department be held in Washington City some time next winter. The report was adopted, and the officers of the department were constituted a committee to call the meeting.*

Superintendent J. H. Binford, of Richmond, Virginia, was elected president for the ensuing year and Superintendent A. Armstrong, of Iowa, secretary.

* The meeting above referred to was held in the legislative hall, Washington, District of Columbia, on Thursday and Friday, January 29 and 30. Representatives were present from Texas, South Carolina, Vrginia, West Virginia, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island. Mass eba sets, New Hampshire, Ohio, and Indiana. Important business was transacted, looking to a uniformity in #chool-statistics, promotion of the bil for aiding education from the proceeds of the sales of public lands, and proper representation of educational interests at the centennial. The convention then adjourned to meet at Detroit, in August.