not concern themselves with what goes before or what comes after it. "How to get rid of the poor teachers, how to secure and retain the good ones, is the most vital question of all in our public school system." THE teachers' institutes will soon be in session in the different counties in the state, and thousands of earnest teachers will assemble, at the hottest season of the year, in the midst of their vacation time, and at great personal inconvenience and sacrifice to themselves, to study under the guidance of their instructors the different subjects to be taught, the best methods of teaching them, and to gain something of that enthusiasm and inspiration which always characterize a well conducted institute, It has been the writer's privilege in the past to visit each county institute in the state at least once, and the majority of them several times, and we have always been impressed with the loyalty of the teachers to their work as indicated by their attendance and attention. It is safe to say that in no other vocation or profession are so many persons who are willing to put themselves at so much personal inconvenience for self-improvement as are found. among the teachers. We regret that an annual attack of hay fever and asthma makes it impossible for us to do any work from the middle of August to the first of October, and that as a result we are deprived of the pleasure of working in many of the counties which hold their institutes within this period, but we extend our best wishes to all the instructors and teachers in the approaching institute campaign, and trust that much professional enthusiasm will result from their meeting together. In this connection it seems fitting to call attention to a few of the many interesting statements found in the minutes on an "Old-Time County Teachers' Institute" held in Findlay, Ohio, in 1852. These minutes were recently reproduced in "The Morning Republican" of that city a copy of which was mailed to us by some unknown friend to whom our thanks are due. We note that the "Ohio Journal of Education" published at that time at Columbus under the auspices of the State Teachers' Association received hearty endorsement; that among the committees appointed was one composed of three members on "Criticism on Elocution"; that the clergymen, editors, and many of the legal profession attended and took part in the exercises, and that the citizens of Findlay made provision for the gratuitous entertainment of the teachers who were in attendance. We regret that we cannot publish these interesting minutes in full, but are glad to give space to the following quotations which are of interest for several reasons: "The Institute was conducted with dignity and gentlemanly bearing in so far as our observation extended-that would have done no discredit to any deliberative body. Those who lectured upon the various subjects belonging to their professions, showed a thorough acquaintance with their several topics and spoke with ease and fluency, highly pleasing to the audience. The criticisms, although at times. not a little severe, did much to sustain interest in their deliberations. In speaking of this, however, we would not be understood as reflecting in the least against the learning or intelligence of any; for we believe that the occasion for criticisms were less frequent than is common in similar assemblages. "The teachers in attendance appeared to feel that their profession sustains a most intimate relation to the virtue, happiness and prosperity of the society in which they la-. bor; and, although in many localities imperfectly appreciated, they showed a strong desire to prepare themselves for their arduous labors. That the 'laborer is worthy of his hire' is conceded in all cases, unless it be the school teachers. Many regard money paid to teachers as 'gifts to charity,' for which no return is expected. The effect of this is that too many teachers follow teaching as a temporary business, because they receive no encouragement to qualify themselves and devote their whole attention to the work. This unfortunate state of facts, however, is gradually giving way to more correct views on the part of the public, and contentment on the part of the teacher in his calling. Teachers' Institutes are doing much to correct these difficulties. "We have understood that there are a few persons in this country who have been very much alarmed from certain rumors, circulated without foundation, that the Hancock County Teachers' Institute had no other object in view, in assembling the teachers of the county together, than to make a systematic attack upon the wages in this county for their labor. It is also said that some of these 'alarmed friends of education' have determined to do without a school rather than employ any teacher who has attended the Institute. We cannot belive that there is one such person in the county; if there is, he should immediately emigrate, as he is certainly too 'small potatoes' for this locality. The teachers assembling had a nobler purpose in view than this; they wish to be better qualified for their duties. But should they, after accomplishing this object, neglect the others, they would be unpardonable. We want well-informed, steady teachers and should we get them, it matters not what it costs, we are made rich. "The teachers appeared much pleased with the benefits of the Institute and design holding one regularly each year hereafter." We suggest in this connection that there is no doubt much interesting educational history of our State to be found in the Institute Proceedings of the different counties which will well repay the time and effort to resurrect and reproduce it. WITH this issue the fifth year of the MONTHLY under its present management ends. These years have not been free from anxiety, care and discouragement, but they have been characterized by a high degree of helpful encouragement and cooperation on the part of our friends for which we are profoundly grateful. Encouraged by the experience of the past we enter upon another year with an earnest desire to be true to the best things, and helpful in the broadest way to the earnest teachers who constitute our supporters and readers. At the coming institute we again ask our friends to say the word which is always so helpful to our agents in securing subscribers, a large number of which are necessary to the success of any educational journal. We shall do our best to make the MONTHLY worthy of the continued support of its old friends, and hope to add many new ones to the list. We call attention to the following as a few of the reasons why Ohio teachers should read the OHIO EDUCATIONAL MONTHLY, and we shall be very thankful to all our friends who will help us in the work: I. Each issue the coming year will contain solutions of some of the more difficult problems found in the Institute Syllabus on Arithmetic. 2. Special articles each month on Geography and History of Ohio. 3. Special O. T. R. C. Depart ment. THE TRIP TO CHARLESTON. In addition to granting excellent rates to the Charleston meeting, the railroads are also doing all in their power to arrange the trip so as to give the greatest possible amount of pleasure and profit to those who attend. The following Itinerary has been arranged for the Ohio party: Ohio teachers and their friends are to rendezvous at Cincinnati by way of the most convenient line not later than 7 p. m., Thursday, July 5. Arrangements may be made for sleeping car accommodations from Columbus, Cleveland, Toledo and Cincinnati at practi cally the same price, providing enough apply to justify the local lines in chartering cars for that purpose. These cars will run through without change, stopping over en route as per Itinerary. The price of a double berth from Cincinnati to Charleston (continuous passage) is $4.50, but in stopping over at Chattanooga, the rate will be Cincinnati to Chattanooga, $2.00 per berth. The same cars will, after a lay-over at Chattanooga, be operated as parlor cars, Chattanooga to Atlanta, seat fare being 75 cents per capita. From Atlanta to Charleston, under the proposed schedule the berth rate will be $2.00, making $4.75 total. At Cincinnati a special train will be formed, leaving by way of the Queen & Crescent at 8 p. m., July 5, and reaching Chattanooga at 8 a. m., July 6. The most interesting scenery en route is to be seen from Oakdale south as the valley scenery of the Tennessee is entered on the morning of FRIDAY, JULY 6. At Chattanooga carriages will meet the Ohio delegation at the train and conduct them to the Read House, the leading hotel of the city, where breakfast will be served and a lunch put up for the entire party to be served in Chickamauga Park. The cost of the breakfast and lunch will be $1.00 for each individual. Each person should have a good breakfast before taking the long drive of 35 miles which follows. THE DRIVE. Leaving the hotel at 9 a. m., the party will go direct to the National Cemetery, where lie 12,876 of the nation's dead. The next point of interest will be Orchard Knob, Grant's headquarters, where the general plan of the campaign will be explained. The ascent of Mission Ridge will then be made, following the line of attack in that famous battle. The point of greatest interest on the ridge is the location of Bragg's headquarters, marked by a steel observatory 75 feet high. The drive from this point over the National Boulevard to Chickamauga is one of the most beautiful and interesting in this country. The scenery is charming and changing, the roadway smooth and restful, and almost every spot on the wayside marked by monuments and tablets, showing historic interest. The drive through the Park will include a careful examination of the lines of battle where the hardest fighting took place. Stops will be made at the Viniard House, Rosecrans' headquarters, and Snodgrass Hill. Lunch will be eaten at the latter point. At this place Thomas made his final stand, repelled seven determined charges and gained the name of the Rock of Chickamauga. His defense of this position saved the complete rout of the army and gave Rose crans time to prepare for the defense of Chattanooga. No other battle-field is so well marked as this, giving the teacher and student of history such an opportunity to study the movements of great armies under fire. The return drive will be by the way of Rossville Gap to the foot of the Lookout Mountain Incline or to Chattanooga, as the parties may desire. The Charlton and Chickamauga Stables are under contract to furnish carriages and drags at $1.00 per individual. RAPID TRANSIT. Those who prefer to do so, can take an electric car to Chickamauga Park and back. This line leads to the Park, but does not enter it. On returning a similar run can be made to Mission Ridge. In either case, more or less driving will be necessary. LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN. Arrangements have been, made with the Read House, which has the management of the Lookout Inn, for supper, lodging and breakfast at 75 cents per meal or lodging, provided that there are 150 or more in the party or parties. Nothing can be more delightful than a night on Lookout Mountain. The sunset on a clear day is charming, and the sunrise. just as attractive, if one cares to turn out early enough to see it. The scene of the "Battle Above the Clouds" is at your feet and the val ley of the Tennessee spreads out like a map before you with explanatory tablets of steel at your service. All guests of the Read House are entitled to a round trip rate of 30 cents on the Lookout Mountain Incline. Those taking lunch and breakfast are guests. Others will have a rate of 50 cents, if the numbers justify it, otherwise the price is 75 cents. SATURDAY, JULY 7. A special train will leave Chattanooga for Atlanta at 7 a. m., Saturday, July 7, via Southern Railway. Rome and Dalton, made illustrious in the Civil War, are passed by the train. Reaching Atlanta at noon, the party will stop over until 8 p. m. This will give ample time to see the beautiful city of Atlanta and to visit many of the scenes of Sherman's military operations. With a good dinner and supper the party will be ready to resume its march from "Atlanta to the sea." SUNDAY, JULY 8. Leaving Atlanta at 8 p. m. over the Georgia Railroad, the train I will reach Charleston, S. C., about 8 a. m. on Sunday morning. This will give time to locate, get rested, attend services and see many points of interest before the great meeting begins. RETURN TRIP. The return trip will be made at the pleasure of the individual at |