In This number closes the fortyninth year of the MONTHLY, and we are happy to state that it has been of such a character as to place the editor under renewed obligations to his friends for their most cordial and earnest support. this, the sixth year of the present management, we have had a larger number of expressions of appreciation and encouragement than in any previous year, and we desire to express in this formal but sincere manner, our hearty thanks to all our patrons and friends. The index which accompanies this number shows very clearly the character and scope of the volume for 1900, which contains over 600 pages, and which it is believed, furnishes a reasonably accurate and complete history of educational affairs in the state for the past year. We hope to make the volume for the coming year-the half-century year still more complete and helpful, and to this end earnestly solicit the continued support and cooperation of all who are interested in educational work. Will not all who read this article kindly call the attention of their friends, who are not subscribers, to the MONTHLY, and thereby aid us in increasing the subscription list? We shall gladly send sample copies to any person upon request, and pay a liberal commission to any teacher who will send us one or more new subscriptions at the club rate of $1.25 each. THAT the "cigarette habit" seems to be on the increase is sadly true. All teachers and friends of the boys who are in danger of contracting this habit should persevere in their efforts to eradicate the evil. The excellent article found in this issue on "A Breath," written by Supt. J. A. Culler of Kenton, should be read by both teachers and parents. It is scientific, sensible, and helpful, and, if its suggestions are acted upon in the teaching of the important subject of Breathing, good results will necessarily follow. VOLUME I of the Report of the Commissioner of Education of the United States for the year 1898-99, is a valuable document full of information of great importance to all who are interested in educational work. Education in Great Britain and Ireland, Australasia, Belgium, Central Europe, Sweden, Philippines, France, Italy, and other countries is discussed at length. Chapters on The History of American Text-Books on Arithmetic and Confederate Text-Books (18611865) are very interesting and suggestive. In the year 1898-99, there were enrolled in the schools and colleges, public and private, 16,738,362 pupils, an increase of 50,719 over the previous year. Of this number, there were enrolled in public institutions, 15,234,435, and in private institutions, 1,503,927. The average length of the school term was 143.2 days, being an in over previous years produced by the increase in population in towns and cities which have a longer school term than the country. IN the introduction to a "Modern Atlas" published in 1815, we find the following rather doubtful compliment to the "Fair Sex": "Geography is a study so universally instructive and pleasing that it has for nearly a century been taught even to females, whose pursuits are foreign from serious researches. In the trivial conversation of the social circle, in the daily avidity of the occurrences of the times, pregnant indeed above all others with rapid and important changes that affect the very existence of states and empires, geography has become a habitual resource to the elegant female, as well as the profound philosopher." The educational "world do more." DECEMBER is a good month in which to make sure that pupils are in the grades or classes where they belong, i. e., where they can do the most good for themselves. The tendency in the average school under the average teacher and principal or superintendent, at the end. of the year, is to be overly kind. and lenient in the matter of promotions, and, as a result, many pupils have passed who are really unable to do the work of the next grade. Others are sent on on trial with the agreement which is too often entirely ignored afterwards, that if the work is not properly done from the beginning of the next term, they are to be sent back to the grade class below. The work of all such pupils should be carefully estimated and considered, and if it is not such as to indicate that they are in their proper place, the demotion should take place as agreed upon. We are well aware that this is not in accord with some of the modern ideas, but it is nevertheless in the interests of the child. As great evil may result from a child's undertaking to do work a year or two in advance of its preparation and ability as from its being kept back of its proper position, and with all that is said about the evil that comes in these days from too rigid courses of study, and too much insistence upon thorough work, etc., we are of the opinion that ten pupils are being harmed by an attempt to crowd them beyond where they belong where there is one who suffers from being held back. In studying the best means of promoting deserving and well prepared pupils, the necessity of occasionally demoting those who are not deserving or well prepared must not be lost sight of. SOME time since the New York World asked editorially, "Who is the 'dull boy'?", and then proceeded to answer its own question as follows: "To the Greek professor he is the boy who cannot learn Greek. To the professor of mathematics he is the boy who cannot learn cal culus. To the whole literary or classical faculty he is the poor fool whose brain will only absorb facts of physics and chemistry. To the witty man he is that awful creature who sits solemn over the latest joke or epigram. To the serious man he is the laughing jackass who persists in treating life as a comedy. "In brief, the dull boy' is the square peg whom somebody is trying to fit into a round hole." ers There is considerable humor and some truth in the preceding. It is too often true that teachers - especially high school teachers and college professors - judge a pupil's ability entirely by the interest he shows or does not show in their special branch. In too many instances pupils who are not dull are driven out of school because of a lack of effort on the part of teachdue either to laziness or indifference to find out what the interests, abilities, and adaptabilities of such pupils are. In all such cases the only pity is that the teacher does not have to go instead of the pupil. On the other hand, it will not do to become too sentimental in dealing with the supposedly dull boy and try to hunt easy things for him to do on the supposition false in many instances that he is "born short." Quite frequently instead of being "born short," he is born lazy, and needs. a little of the old-fashioned stirring up that has helped many a boy to arouse himself to do something before it was too late. WE recently stood at the grave of David Wilmot in the cemetery at Towanda, Pa. On the little monument which marks his last resting place is the following inscription: DAVID WILMOT, Born January 20, 1814. Died March 16, 1868. Aged 54 years. "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall ever exist in any part of said territory, except for crime, whereof the party shall be first duly convicted." In the presence of this this monument many thoughts come to one of the awful struggle which culminated in the civil war, and the many attempts to settle by compromise what had to be settled finally by a terrible conflict. The great principle embodied in the language of the "Ordinance of 1787," the "Wilmot Proviso," the Constitution of Ohio and many other states, and in the thirteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States, is now a part of the government under which we live, and the boys and girls in our schools ought to be made to feel in just so far as possible the tremendous cost of the establishment of this great principle. Long after the monument over the grave of David Wilmot has crumbled into dust, the fact that he introduced the celebrated "Proviso" into Congress at the request of Judge Brinkerhoff of Mansfield, Ohio, who is its real author, will be remembered, and this remembrance will constitute his real monument. EDUCATIONAL NEWS. -All subscriptions to the MONTHLY at the institute rate were taken with the express understanding that the amount, $1.25, was to be paid before December 1, 1900. This was made plain to all at the time, and the NOVEMBER MONTHLY Contained a special notice calling special attention to the matter. In view of these facts, the only conclusion which can be reached regarding those who have not paid is that they prefer to have a little longer time, and pay the full rate of $1.50. This amount is now due under the agreement, and we shall be glad to have a remittance from those who still owe at their earliest convenience. If for any reason any of our subscribers have failed to understand the agreement, as outlined above, an immediate remittance of $1.25. with a statement of such misunderstanding, sent direct to the editor, will be accepted. Otherwise, we shall expect the full amount, $1.50, from each. We very much prefer that all should have settled within the specified time at the reduced rate, but upon the expiration of the limit, December 1, 1900, fairness demands that the agreement be carried out to the letter in treating all exactly alike. cess. -The Anti-Cigarette movement. in Columbus public schools, with Frank V. Irish as leader, is a sucA state league has also been organized and Prof. Irish will carry on this work in other cities of Ohio as soon as Columbus schools are thoroughly organized. --The Southwestern Ohio Teachers' Association held its fall session at Hamilton. In his inaugural address, President R. G. Boone, of Cincinnati, discussed "Civic Relations for Children." He believes that the time has passed when merely formal economic, ecclesiastical or religious education will meet the requirements, and that the boys and girls in our schools must have such civic education as will equip them for citizenship. "The Nature and Function of the Ideal," was the subject of an address by Supt. Henry G. Williams, of Marietta, and "Educational Lines" was discussed by President Ayers, of the University of Cincinnati. The attendance was large. -What is considered the best meeting of the Northeastern Ohio. Teachers' Association for years and years was held at Alliance, Saturday, Oct. 27. It was best in attendance, in excellence of program, and in the spirit and uplifting effect. Over 600 were present. Superintendent Morris, of Alliance, and his corps of teachers, worked the local end of the meeting. The large assembly hall was decorated with |