-We are under obligations to Supt. H. H. Bower, of Girard, for a copy of their new school manual containing revised course of study and general rules and regulations. Supt. Bower and his corps of twelve teachers are giving excellent satisfaction.

The Southwestern Teachers' Association convened at Hamilton January 20 and was opened with prayer by Superintendent J. W. McKinnon of Middletown. Selec

tions on the harp by Miss Kensinger were followed by the introduction of the incoming president, Superintendent Hailman of Dayton, by the retiring one, Superintendent McClure of Oxford.

The special object of the meeting was the discussion of State Normal Schools. Principal M. F. Andrews of Linwood opened the discussion, calling attention to the non-professional equipment of too great a per cent of Ohio's teachers, citing the advantages enjoyed by other states through their normal schools and pleading that the children of this state be given caretakers with skill and training not inferior to that secured to less valuable life through the State Agricultural College.

State School Commissioner Bonebrake followed in an address in which he read and explained the principal clauses of the Normal School Bill introduced in the State Legislature by Representative Seese.

The best means of securing the

enactment of the bill was discussed by Superintendents Dial of Lockland, MacKinnon of Middletown, W. I. Crane of Dayton, and W. P. Cope of Hamilton.

A resolution approving the bill as read and asking the General Assembly to support it, was unanimously adopted and a petition in accordance with the resolution was circulated and signed.

The third annual session of the State Association of Boards of Education opened at the Great Southern Hotel, Columbus, January 25, with a general representation from all parts of the state. Several women members of boards were present.

State School Commissioner Bonebrake made an address of welcome which was responded to by J. M. Weaver of Dayton, president of the association. A round table discussion followed in which "The Purchase of Supplies and Apparatus” was first given given consideration. "Should Local Applicants be Given Preference in the Selection of Teachers?" caused a spirited discussion. T. J. Godfrey, one of the trustees of the Ohio State University, said that in his city, graduates of public schools were not employed as teachers until they had taught school somewhere else or attended an outside normal school or university. He said it is a mistaken idea that the graduates of schools have a claim on a community, because it has educated them almost free of

cost. He thought some outside experience was absolutely necessary.

William G. Bruce, editor of the School Board Journal spoke in regard to boards of education. He said there was a movement looking to the concentration of power in boards of education. He favored large and, if need be, noisy boards in preference to small high-toned, exclusive miniature boards. By reducing the size of the board much of its representative character is lost. Mr. Bruce opposed the centering of too much power upon the superintendent. He said too often with small boards, the superintendent and president had the entire authority, the chief work of the board being to audit the bills.

Mr. Bruce spoke of the reduction of the size of the board in New York City. He said first-class men were selected, but that the small board was not as satisfactory as the large board. He said the busiest lawyer, banker or physician did not necessarily make the best member of the board of education. Often he would not have time to devote to the board.

Mr. Bruce said aristocratic school boards, small in number, too often turned practically all the work over to the superintendent.

Mr. Bruce said it was wrong to give the superintendent entire control over the selection of teachers and supplies. He should take the initiative but the board should decide. Mr. Bruce said it was not possible to run the schools as a fac

tory is run. In a factory, the stockholders know of its success by earnings in dollars and cents, but with schools it is different.

At the afternoon session a paper on "What Legislation is Needed for the Improvement of our Ohio School System" was read by R. S. Thomas of Akron, and Mrs. Mary E. Moore of Xenia and Richard G. Boone of Cincinnati read papers on the "Necessity for the Better Training of Ohio Teachers."

At the evening session Dr. W. O. Thompson of Ohio State University made an address on the growth and development of the school system of the state. It is needless to say that Dr. Thompson handled his subject in his usual clear and forcible style.

On Friday, January 26, the morning and afternoon sessions were combined. Frank L. Packard of Columbus read a paper on "School Architecture and Hygiene.' After the election of officers and the disposal of general business the association adjourned at 12:30.

The officers for the ensuing year are as follows: President, W. S. Hoy, Wellston; secretary, James A. Williams, Columbus; executive committee, Charles T. Inman, Akron; D. J. M. Weaver, Dayton; Mrs. Vina D. Gartley, Sidney.

-Through an arrangement made with the executive committee of the N. E. A., we are able to furnish their publications upon the following terms:

Report of Committee of Twelve (Rural Schools), 25c.

Report Committee on Coll. Entr. Requirements, 25c.

Report of Committee on Public Libraries, 15c.

Report of Committee on Normal Schools, 15c.

Set of the above-named four reports to one address, postpaid, 75c. Price per copy for ten or more copies, to one address, by express, prepaid:

Report Committee of Twelve (Rural Schools), 20c.

Report Committee on Coll. Entr. Requirements, 20c. Report Committee Libraries, 13c.

on Public

Report Committee on Normal Schools, 13c.

Price per copy for 100 or more copies to one address, by freight, at purchaser's expense, F. O. B., Chicago:

Report Committee of Twelve (Rural Schools), 15c.

Report Committee on Coll. Entr. Requirements, 15c.

Report Committee on Public Libraries, 10c.

Report Committee on Normal Schools, IOC.

We trust that many of our readers will take advantage of these offers and send in their orders for these valuable reports. All orders should be accompanied by cash, P. O. order or draft made payable to O. T. Corson, and will receive prompt attention.

For full particulars relative to. the contents of each of these reports, see October MONTHLY.

The commencement exercises. of the eighteenth graduating class of the Columbus Normal School occurred on Thursday, January 25. The Schoolmaster in Literature was the general subject of the essayists of the evening. "Ichabod. Crane" of "Sleepy Hollow" who must have created merriment for all because of his queer make-up both in appearance and disposition; "Mr. Squeers," the well known. character of Dickens; "The VillageSchoolmaster," Goldsmith's creation of old English days; "The Hoosier Schoolmaster" with all of his experiences, and Eugene Field, the "Children's Friend," were the ones chosen from a field so rich in literature. "Miss Pinkerton's School on Chiswick Mall" was used. to show the difference between boarding schools of that day and those of the present day.

On account of illness the editor was compelled to cancel his engagement to make the address to the class and Dr. Richard Boone of Cincinnati very kindly took the place thus made vacant and made a most happy and pleasing address.

Miss Margaret W. Sutherland, principal of the Normal School, then delivered the class of thirtyfour girls Over to Professor Shawan, thus parting in a way with that many more of "her girls." The diplomas were distributed by Ed

ward F. Heinrich, chairman of the normal school committee.

BOOKS AND MAGAZINES.

Ginn & Co., Chicago, Ill.: "Milton's L'Allegro, Il Penseroso, Comus and Lycidas." Edited with introduction and notes by Tuley Francis Huntington, A. M. Mailing price 30 cents.

"Friends and Helpers." Compiled by Sarah J. Eddy. A very helpful book in teaching the lesson of kindness to animals. Mailing price 70 cents.

I-II

Ovid's Metamorphosis with autobiography. Edited by William T. Peck, D. Sc. Mailing price 55 cents.

D. C. Heath & Co., Chicago, Ill.: "Alice and Tom, or The Record of a Happy Year." By Kate Louise Brown. The volume is nicely printed and bound and contains a beautiful picture of free, healthy, hearty child-life. Price 40 cents.

"Pope's The Iliad of Homer," Books I, VI, XXII and XXIV. Edited with introduction and notes by Paul Shorey, Ph. D., of the University of Chicago.

Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston, Mass.:

"The Iliad." Books I, VI, XXII and XXIV. Translated by William Cullen Bryant. With introduction and notes. Number 137 of

the R. L. S.

The MacMillan Co., New York City:

"Our Nature Birds." How to protect them and attract them to our houses. By D. Lange, Instructor in Nature Study, St. Paul Public Schools. A very valuable book for both teachers and students.

Werner School Book Co., Chicago, Ill.:

"Four Famous American Writers." A Book for Young Americans. By Sherwin Cody, author of "Four American Poets." The four writers whose lives appear in this book are Washington Irving, Edgar Allen Poe, James Russell Lowell, and Bayard Taylor. This book of 256 pages is beautifully printed and bound, and contains matter admirably adapted for the use of pupils in the sixth and seventh years of school work.

We are indebted to J. P. McCaskey, editor of the Pennsylvania School Journal for a half dozen pictures-specimen numbers of the "Lincoln Art Series."

These are dollar pictures, of large size (22x28 and 24x30 inches), and fine engravings only. Pictures not so good often sell for much more in the stores. The publisher offers these in quantity for schools at a very low rate. They are described in a fine illustrated pamphlet of sixteen pages, which will be sent on application to the publisher, J. P. McCaskey, Lancaster, Pa.

Rand and McNally of Chicago, have just issued a very complete

and valuable "Atlas of Two Wars" containing large scale maps of the Philippine Islands, and South Africa.

Allyn and Bacon, Chicago.

Oliver Goldsmith, "The Vicar of Wakefield," a tale supposed to be written by himself. Edited by R. Adelaide Witham, Latin School, Somerville, Mass. Introductory price, 40 cents.

Plane Trignometry, Lyman and Goddard. Introductory price,

$1.00.

Some of the topics editorially treated in the "American Monthly

Review of Reviews" for February are the Nicaragua Canal proposition, now before before Congress, the Treasury and the Banks, Mr. Beveridge's speech in the Senate on the Philippine question, our tariff policy in Puerto Rico and Cuba, the meaning of "neutrality" in the Boer war, and the strength and weakness of the Boer position.

Among the many valuable articles in the February "Atlantic," two are of special interest to teach

W. J. Stillman contributes a graphic and entertaining account. of his school and college days,— including the then inevitable district-school teaching,-filled with anecdotes and realistic descriptions of the men and manners of the time. His sketch of the strong and singular personality of Dr. Nott, the eminent President of Union College, is especially lifelike and valuable.

"St. Nicholas" for February is unusually attractive as a valentine number. "The Story of the Sphinx," by Emma J. Arnold,

"Two

Valentines," by Tudor Jenks, "An Unsuccessful Colony," historical story, by Elbridge S. Brooks, are some of the most intereŝting numbers.

"Lippincott's" for February contains "The Bread Line," a complete novel by Albert Bigelow Paine. During the year Mrs. Margaret Deland, Captain Charles King, Louis Zangwill and others will contribute complete novels.

Among the many interesting articles to be found in the February "Forum" the ones on "Needs of the Southern Colleges" by Hon. J. L. M. Curry, Agent for the Slater and Peabody Funds, and "University Extension in Agriculture," by A. C. True, Director Experiment Stations, U. S. Dept. Agriculture, will be of interest to teachers.