MITCHELL'S SERIES OF GEOGRAPHIES.

MITCHELL'S NEW SERIES.

FIRST LESSONS IN GEOGRAPHY.
NEW PRIMARY GEOGRAPHY.

NEW INTERmediate GEOGRAPHY.
NEW ANCIENT GEOGRAPHY.

ANCIENT ATLAS.

MITCHELL'S OLD SERIES.

PRIMARY GEOGRAPHY.

INTERMEDIATE GEOGRAPHY.

SCHOOL GEOGRAPHY AND ATLAS.
ANCIENT GEOGRAPHY AND ATLAS.
GEOGRAPHICAL QUESTIONS.
BIBLICAL GEOGRAPHY.

The Publishers of Mitchell's Geographies call the attention of Teachers, School Directors, and others interested in Education, to Mitchell's New Series, lately published, with all the adornments and attractions of art, and with all the perfection of copper-plate map engraving. These books, enumerated above, are in every particular up to the present time, the Geography of to-day. The Publishers beg to call attention to a few points here stated:—

I. The Comple.eness of the Series. The subject is taken up at the lowest point, beginning with the First Lessons', intended for young children who have just learned to read, and is carried forward by a regular succession of books on a uniform plan, as far as it is ever taught as a school study.

II. The Uniformity of the Series. This has been secured by having an experienced geographer permanently employed upon the work, carrying through the entire series, in a uniform manner, every change or improvement. The scholar, in passing from a lower book to a higher, has nothing to unlearn. There are no impediments growing out of discrepancies in the maps, or changes in the names and definitions. III. The Thoroughness with which the Series is kept up to the times.- Geography is essentially a progressive science. At the present time this is eminently the case. There is hardly a nationality in the world which has not materially changed its boundaries in the last ten years. Scientific and commercial travelers also are yearly transferring large regions of the earth's surface from the unknown to the known. The proprietors of Mitchell's Series employ constantly a skillful geographer, with a competent corps of assistants, whose sole business is to keep up the work of continual revision, and to transfer immediately to the maps and to the texts every change required by political revolutions or by the progress of scientific discovery. IV. The Extreme Beauty of the Maps. This marked feature of the work has been steadily maintained. The maps in this respect may safely challenge comparison with those of any School Geographies published in any part of the world. For lateness of information they have no equal in Germany, England, or America. This beautiful delicacy of finish not only makes them more attractive to the eye, but aids the scholar essentially in studying them. Every thing on the maps is perfectly clear, sharp, and plain.

V. The Freshness and Beauty of the Pictorial Illustrations.— In stead of the old hackneyed subjects, half fabulous, half distorted, and wholly repulsive, these books contain elegant pictures, made from original designs, by professional artists, often from photographs taken on the spot, and representing truthfully to the eye scenes and persons of living interest in this present age of the world.

VI. The Care Bestowed upon the Pronunciation of the Geographical Names.- The pronunciation of each geographical name is given as it occurs in the body of the book. Besides this, at the end of the several volumes are Tables of Pronunciation, alphabetically arranged. The pronunciation adopted is that approved by the most distinguished linguists and travelers of the day.

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The merit of introducing and establishing a system of Chirography that has become so firmly rooted that a return to the old modes of teaching would be no sooner thought of than a return to the old wells and pumps by the inhabitants of a city blessed with a copious aqueduct of pure water, belongs to the authors of this system. To their genius and industry is the world indebted for the system that has brought harmony out of chaos, and regularity out of confusion, by a few simple rules based upon a correct philosophy in applying NATURAL MUSCULAR FORCES to the production of written forms; and to them, more than to all others, are the schools throughout our country indebted for the great advance in this branch of education.

Particular attention is requested to our Manual of Penmanship, Oblique Lines for teaching the proper slope in writing, and The New Writing Tablets, all of which are entirely original with us, and are of the utmost importance to teachers. Send for circulars.

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SPRINGFIELD, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29- 10 O'CLOCK A.M.

The Association met in the Representatives' Hall, and was called to order by the President, Hon. Newton Bateman.

Prayer was offered by Rev. G. D. Henderson, of Granville, after which The President delivered his Annual Address.

On motion of Mr. W. Woodard, of Chicago, the President's Address was referred to a committee consisting of Messrs. Woodard, S. M. Etter, of Galva, and J. F. Eberhart, of Chicago.

Mr. Richard Edwards, as Principal, presented his report of the condition of the State Normal University. In response to the question of Mr. Charles Adams, President of the Jacksonville Female College, Mr. Edwards gave the method of selecting students for the University, and stated that there were no surplus funds. Mr. Edwards also spoke of the prosperous condition of the two literary societies connected with the University. He thought it was partly due to the fact that students on entering the institution are admitted into one or the other of these societies by lot, thus avoiding any ungenerous rivalry. Both sexes unite in these societies: the young men debate, while the young ladies read selections or essays. Some times they unite in a dramatic representation. Each of the societies has a library, and that of the University, considering all things, is quite extensive.

The Association then took up for discussion the question Should a system of State Teachers' Institutes be connected with the Normal University?

Mr. B. G. Roots, of Tamaroa, had long felt that it was advisable to hold institutes in connection with the University. One reason why that held last September was a partial failure was that the circulars announcing the institute were sent to the commissioners, as if they

were the educational men of the state, which is not, as far as Egypt is concerned, the fact. Some commissioners did n't take the trouble even to read the circular through. The only point in his mind was whether the institutes should be under the direction of the Principal of the University, or of the State Superintendent. He favored their being held at the University, because it is near the centre of the state, and especially because it would bring teachers to know more of the institution. He thought if teachers generally would go to Bloomington and improve their time for a week there would be fewer counties unrepresented there.

Mr. Edwards did not regard the fact that only fifteen persons attended the last institute as any cause for discouragement. He should be just as ready next fall to hold another, feeling that if the friends of education were interested in it it would succeed. He considered himself obliged, in one sense, to carry out the well-matured instructions of the State Association, and wished, if nothing else were done, a committee might be appointed to consider the feasibility of organizing a system of institutes in connection with the University.

Mr. E. A. Gastman, of Decatur, thought the institute should be held at a time when teachers were not in their schools, which was not the case this year.

Mr. Oliver Springstead, of Magnolia, thought the teachers of the Normal should go out to county institutes.

Mr. Eberhart thought there should be a session of at least six weeks for the benefit of those who intend to teach but can not attend the regular sessions of the institutes held in different parts of the state. Mr. Edwards moved the appointment of a committee of thirteen to take the whole subject into consideration. Carried.

Mr. S. H. White, of Chicago, announced a slight change in the programme as printed, to accommodate several members who could not be present till Thursday.

The President announced that his last report as State Superintendent was ready for distribution, and invited the members to help themselves. He also read a note from Hon. O. M. Hatch, Secretary of State, inviting members to visit the State Library at any time during the session.

The Association then took its noon recess.

The Association resumed business, Vice-President Francis Han

ford, of Lockport, in the chair.