the favorable consideration of the several School Boards in the county. Birmingham has been obliged to build an addition to one of its school-houses and to employ another teacher. In East Bradford, West Vincent and Tredyffrin also it has been found necessary to employ an additional teacher.

CLARION-Supt. Beer: An educational mass meeting was held at the Clarion State Normal, October 22d and 23d. Rev. W. O. H. Kershner, Dr. J. N. Fradenburg and Prof. C. E. Rugh read scholarly and inspiring papers on "My Philosophy of Life." The County Superintendent read a paper on "The High School." The Child Study Association met on Saturday forenoon and laid out work for the time until the meeting of the Institute. An interesting local institute was held at West Monterey.

Clearfield-Supt. Weaver: The complete roll of teachers for the county institute is 432, an increase of twelve over that of last year. Morris township is building a four-room brick house, to be ready by the first of the year. The directors of this township require all the teachers to assemble at one place on the last Saturday of each month and hold an educational meeting or forfeit a day's wages. At this meeting all report books are submitted for inspection to the District Supt., G. M. De Haas, and the Secretary. The teachers of Decatur and Lawrence townships have also organized themselves into an association for mutual help and instruction. I believe the educational interests of the county are advancing.

CLINTON-Supt. Snyder: The Superintendents and Principals met in Renovo October 30th. The subjects discussed were "How can the County Institute be made more successful?" "Truant Schools," and "Reading." Mr. Roberts, President of the School Board of Renovo, took an active part in the discussions. He is much interested in the schools, and has well-defined views on many educational questions. Supt. Miss Collins, of Cameron county and Prof. Stauffer, of Emporium, were present and participated in the exercises. Renovo is a good school town.

CUMBERLAND-Supt. Bryner. The following districts hold educational meetings monthly: Southampton, Newtoв, Penn, Dickinson, Middlesex, N. Middleton, and Upper Allen. Be it said to the credit of the directors in these districts, that they have passed resolutions requiring such meetings to be held. Large audiences of patrons and a general awakening of interest is the result. We will hold four local institutes during the winter, as follows: at Mechanicsburg, Newville, Mt. Holly, and Shippensburg. An educational revival at each place is expected.

ERIE-Supt. Morrison: At the annual County Institute, which was in every way a success. O. T. Corson, J. W. Redway, Margaret McCloskey, William Most, Inez D. Shipman, James R. Burns, Lucia Barney, Supt. H. C. Missimer, and Theodore Car

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michael, were the corps of instructors. The evening lecturers were Dr. Crawford, Col. Copeland, and Gen. O. O. Howard. Madam Geneva Johnston-Bishop Company gave an entertainment. Educational meetings were held in Wayne, Millcreek, Girard, Fairview, Conneaut, Washington, North East, Harbor Creek, Elk Creek, Venango and Springfield. Flags were raised over two school houses with appropriate exercises. The Erie County Round Table of Superintendents and Principals was held November 20th in the office of the County Superintendent. The subjects discussed were Summer Schools, the Compulsory School Law, and Physiology. Springfield has been obliged to secure an additional teacher on account of the overcrowded con

dition of her schools. The compulsory school law is being enforced quite generally.

FRANKLIN-Supt. Zumbro: Three large school buildings were erected in our county this year and are now ready for occupancy, namely, Monterey Academy, in Washington township, for two schools; Alto Dale school, in Quincy township, in which four schools are consolidated, and Cove Gap, in Peters, the advanced grade here being brought from what were three ungraded schools.

FULTON-Supt. Chestnut: Nearly all the schools visited are doing well. In a few the work is poor. Some will never learn to teach. Attendance in general is very good. Locals are doing a good work. Brush Creek has rebuilt two houses, putting in slate boards and patent furniture. This district has now four fine houses out of five. Union built a good new house, giving her the finest rooms of all the districts in the county.

HUNTINGDON-Supt. Rudy: The County Institute was well attended, only five teachers being absent. The instruction was exceptionally practical and well received. The large audience present at every session indicated the interest manifested by the general public. The evening entertainments were well patronized and generally appreciated.

JUNIATA-Supt. Marshall: Our annual institute was one of the most interesting and instructive ever held iu the county. We had an unusually strong corps of instructors in Supt. L. E McGinnes, Prof. F. H. Green, Drs. Geo. W. Hull. Wm. A. Mowry, and Byron W. King. For the evenings we had Rev. H. S. Gilbert, Prof. F. H. Green, Col. H. W. J. Ham, Dr. Byron King, and the Ariel Sextette. These evening meetings were educational, elevating, and entertaining. Every good citizen in Juniata now feels deeply interested in the annual institute, because it is a rally for education which quickens the life of the public schools for a whole year. Death has invaded our ranks and taken from us G. W. Towsey, one of our best and most experienced teachers, and S. M. Beale of the School Board of Tuscarora township, who was not only a good director, but a model citizen and a

Christian gentleman who exerted an ennobling influence over all with whom he came into contact.

LACKAWANNA-Supt. Taylor: Three special examinations were held this month to accommodate night teachers. October 12th I attended a meeting of the Associated Board of Health in Scranton and read a paper on "Ventilation of School Buildings. October 27th was spent at the Luzerne County Institute. With the monthly review questions sent out at the end of September was enclosed a circular letter to teachers, calling their attention to Arbor Day, with certain recommendations and suggestions. The following is the text of our Autumn Arbor Day circular:

To the Teacher: Dr. Schaeffer, our State Superintendent of Schools, has issued a proclamation in which he appoints Friday, October 22, 1897, as Autumn Arbor Day. He says, "The observance of this day has led to the planting of millions of trees. It has made the rising generation familiar with the uses and the charms of our forests. Many of the pupils of our public schools have learned how the reckless and wanton destruction of forests may ruin and has ruined some of the richest countries on the earth. They have been taught the relation of trees to our water supply, without which neither man, nor his crops, nor his beasts of burden can survive. They have been taught that a sufficient flow of water can be preserved only by preserving the forests on our hillsides. The observance of Arbor Day has helped to create the public sentiment which is back of our recent legislation on forestry, by which a department of agriculture has been established, a commissioner of forestry appointed, and provision made for the purchase of three forestry reservations near the head-waters of the Delaware, the Susquehanna, and the Ohio, each 40,000 acres in extent. In view of these facts, it is the patriotic duty of every teacher to see that Arbor Day is properly observed by his or her school.'

In addition to the excellent reasons given by Supt. Schaeffer for observing Arbor Day, I wish again to call attention to the necessity of improving the appearance of our school grounds. These school homes should be made as beautiful and attractive to our children as possible. More than three hundred trees were planted by the teachers of this county last year, and also many flowering shrubs and vines; but much still remains to be done.

"Try to interest your scholars, the school directors, and the patrons in this work. Where trees are to be set, do not plant at random, but make a symmetrical arrangement, so that the ground will look well when the trees are grown. Every teacher may with the help of scholars, directors and patrons, do something to make the school more pleasant than it was before. Please report before November 1st how Arbor Day was kept in your school."

In November I visited all the schools in Greenfield, Benton, N. Abington, W. Abington, Newton, and Ransom townships, and some of those in Scott, Lackawanna, and Dickson City. The attendance has been much better than last year, ranging from 75 to 96 per cent. In nearly all of these visits I was accompanied by one or more directors. In nearly every case I found the houses in good repair and comfortably heated. Efforts will be made this year to establish or add to school libraries. In a circular letter of suggestions to teachers, I emphasized the importance of this feature of school work. The county has been divided into seven Local Institute districts, and committees have been appointed to take charge of this work. One has been held at Archbald, and preparations are being made for others.

LEBANON-Supt. Snoke: The county institute this year was the most successful I ever conducted. Every lecturer came fully up to our expectations. Never before was the profession of teaching magnified to so high a degree by the instructors. Our teachers must have gone back to their respective posts of duty with a deeper sense of responsibility than they have felt before. Successful teachers' meetings have been held in a large number of districts. Of the 215 schools in the county, 152 have been visited. The majority of these were found in a very satisfactory condition. The attendance is excellent.

LUZERNE-Supt. Harrison: Our annual Institute was held at Wilkesbarre. with an enrollment of 790, the largest in the history of the Institute. Our instructors were Dr. C. C. Rounds, Dr. R. H. Holbrook, Prof. Geo. P. Bible, Prof. H. E. Cogswell, Miss Anna M. Cronan, and Dr. Nathan C. Schaeffer. Our lecture and entertainment course was made up of Dr. Thos. H. Dinsmore, Jr., Rev. Sam P. Jones, and the Lyric Ladies of Chicago. The interest through

out the week was excellent. The teachers will read this year Painter's History of Education and White's School Management. Union township has purchased Webster's International Dictionary for each school.

MIFFLIN Supt. Cooper: Our county institute, held in Lewistown, was a grand success. Our instructors merit lasting praise for so complete a manifestation of skill and ability in the science and art of instruction. This noble band of inspiring workers consisted of the eloquent Dr. S. D. Fess, of Ada, Ohio, Supt. F. C. Bowersox, of Middleburgh, Miss Enola B. Guie, of Wilkesbarre, Prof. C. C. McCall of Harrisburg, and the musical director, Prof. Gresh, of Milton. Teachers and patrons went home in an enthusiastic frame of mind. Hon. J. Q. Stewart, of the Department of Public Instruction, made a telling address to the directors assembled on Wednesday. It was pointed and instructive-a general shaking up of the "dry bones." Come again, Brother Stewart! Hon. Henry Houck

was present one day and created enthusiasm with his unbounded humor, common sense remarks, and helpful suggestions.

NORTHAMPTON-Supt. Hoch: The County Institute was held in the assembly room of the Easton High School. We enrolled 440 teachers, the largest number ever reached. Every teacher within my jurisdiction was enrolled. The meeting was very successful and satisfactory. Our instructors were Hon. N. C. Schaeffer, Drs. S. C. Schmucker, H. W. Elson, Geo. W. Hull, Byron W. King, Misses Gertrude Edmund, Miriam S. Skidmore, and Ida S. McMullan, and Prof. C. W. Parker. On Wednesday the Directors' Association met. A report on the State Directors' Association was presented by Dr. G. N. Swartz. School legislation was discussed by the County Superintendent, and an address delivered by Dr. Geo. W. Hull. Five directors were elected as delegates to the State Convention to be held at Harrisburg this winter, their expenses to be paid out of the Association funds. Six local institutes will be held this season as follows: At Portland, November 27th; Hellertown, December 4th; Bangor, December 18th; Northampton, January 8th; Bath, January 15th; Nazareth, 22d. The Reading Circle Committee adopted White's Elements of Pedagogy, and Rosenkranz's Philosophy of Education for next year's work.

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The dedication of the Garfield school at Pen Argyl, December 3d, was an occasion of unusual interest. The opening address was made by Mr. Charles J. Fitzgerald, President of the School Board. Mr. Fitzgerald gave a number of interesting reminiscences of his school days, comparing the opportunities and means provided for youth of the present day for obtaining an education with those of years ago. He also spoke of the work done by the School Board in completing the new school building. After music by the orchestra, Mr. Chas. E. Gold, vice-principal, gave the history of the Pen Argyl schools. Rev. William Bullock followed in an address to the directors. saving in teachers' salaries is not always a wise saving in the management of the schools. The people of the town should take sufficient interest in the schools to offer a prize to the scholar writing the best article upon some subject. This would lead the scholars, in competing for the prize, to read and study good books, instead of wasting their time, possibly, in reading trashy literature. After singing "America," Principal W. A. Wetzel spoke of early education in Pennsylvania: Previously to 1834 there was no system of public instruction, although many schools had been established in the State before that date. In our own county flourishing schools existed in Nazareth, Bethlehem and Easton. The Moravians are closely connected with the educational history of Northampton county. Dr. Wetzel paid a fitting tribute to George Wolf, one of Northampton county's illus

trious sons. Wolf was the Governor who in 1834 successfully urged the Legislature to pass the much-needed educational bill. Thaddeus Stevens was mentioned as the man who saved the bill when its opponents tried to defeat it in the legislative session of 1835. Hon. Thomas H. Burrowes as Secretary of the Commonwealth had the delicate duty of organizing the system and enforcing the unpopular school law. Dr. Wetzel called attention to the picture of Dr. Burrowes hanging on the wall of the High School room, and presented to the school by Mr. Brittain, a member of the School Board. A storm of opposition arose throughout the whole State when the law of 1834 was passed. The peace of many a county was disturbed, said Dr. Wetzel, by fighting, in which often a bloody nose was the only reward of the rustic champion of free education. In one town it was decided that those favoring the law should cross a certain stream near by, while those against the law should remain behind. A rush for the stream left the opponents of the public school far in the rear, and they have not caught up with the procession to this day. Next followed a description of the district school-house with its rudely constructed seats and desks, and windows made of greased paper. In Upper Mt. Bethel township the lease of the lot on which stood one of these early buildings stipulated that the lot should be used for school purposes "as long as wood grows and water runs." birch is still to be found on the hills of Mt. Bethel and the Delaware still continues to roll up its sand in the valleys on its way to the sea. So Mt. Bethel's educational future is still tolerably secure. After an address by Rev. Mr. Howell, the exercises closed with the hymn, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty," and the benediction.

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NORTHUMBERLAND-Supt. Shipman: The average attendance in nearly all our schools is greater than for the corresponding months last year. The Pollard Synthetic method of reading has been adopted in the Northumberland schools. Teachers' meetings or local institutes are held in many districts.

SULLIVAN-Supt. Meylert: Forksville, La Porte and Lopez have purchased the International Cyclopedia. This will prove a valuable acquisition to these schools. Flag raisings with appropriate exercises were held during the month at Hillsgrove, Estella and Forksville. A new heater has been placed in the school building at Forksville, greatly adding to its comfort and convenience. Two very successful local institutes were held during the month at Sonestown and Dushore.

UNION-Supt. Stapleton: The new school building in Lewisburg is now occupied. It is a model of completeness. On the first floor are four school-rooms; on the second floor, the High School, with recitation and laboratory rooms, library, and Principal's office. Single desks are used in the main

room; the recitation rooms are furnished with opera chairs. The County Teachers' Association met in Lewisburg, October 30th. About sixty teachers were present. The meeting was an enthusiastic one, tending to encourage teachers and to arouse them to greater professional zeal. Papers read and discussed were on The Study of the Child; The School as a Means of Moral Training; The Teacher outside the School-room; The Township High School; Recent School Legislation; Correlation of Studies, etc. These meetings are'a necessity. It is gratifying to note the signs of improvement both inside and ontside of the sehool-room. More of our teachers have organized for self-improvement and for the advancement of the educational interests of the district than ever before. Our County Association represented six per cent. of the teachers, and great interest was manifested. Directors have also made many improvementsnotabiy in making special provision for playgrounds and in the matter of outhouses.

WARREN-Supt. Putnam: The local institute held at Garland was well attended by teachers, patrons, and pupils. The papers and discussions were of a character to arouse interest. The meeting was very profitable. Institute will be held in each district during the year. The compulsory law is being rigidly enforced in several districts. Triumph township has a regular truant officer, who is doing his duty faithfully.

WASHINGTON-Supt. Hall: The month has been a busy one. Institutes were held in different parts of the county on Saturdays. I attended four, and the dedication of the new building at West Middletown. The new structure occupies the site of the building destroyed by fire a year ago. There are two rooms on the ground floor-large, welllighted, and furnished with all the modern improvements found in first-class schools. Prof. J. F. Frazer has been elected principal for the coming year. The outlook for good work is encouraging. The directors have wisely built for their people an edifice of which they may well feel proud. Mrs. Hall has assisted me during the month in my school visits, giving much aid especially to primary teachers. Directors' Faculty Day, the 30th, was almost universally observed. The work being done at these meetings is telling for good upon the schools. They are conducted as Round Table talks where each teacher and director talks freely. Children's Arbor Day was generally observed by the teachers, and many encouraging reports have come in, showing work done far beyond anything of the kind in the history of our schools. We expect to keep the good work begun this year imoving, until every school ground is as attractive as the most beautiful homes. Our school homes are taking a new lease on life. Globes, maps, and charts have been brought forth from their hiding places, and are now doing good service.

Stoves are kept polished and the walls are being beautifully decorated with work and some fine pictures. Directors are unusually active in looking after the schools. We are delighted with the outlook. November 19th has been set aside as Parents' Day.

BRADFORD-Supt. Miller: There are enrolled in the schools at the present time 2700 pupils, being an increase of 100 over the enrollment at the corresponding time last year. No additional rooms were opened at the beginning of this year, and all our schools are very much crowded. A new school building has becone a necessity, and will be provided. An educational meeting was held on Friday, October 15; addresses were made by Dr. C. C. Rounds, of New Hampshire, and Dr. C. C. Miller, of Ohio, also by the Superintendent. The meeting was attended by a majority of the Board and many patrons. 300 volumes have been added to the Library, and much physical and chemical apparatus has been added to the Laboratory. Salaries have been increased somewhat for the present year. The schools are in a most prosperous condition.

CARLISLE-Supt. Shearer: All grades, from the secondary to the high school inclusive, are required to furnish the superintendent with one specimen of each pupil's written work at the end of each month. This is done with ink on specially prepared paper. In the high school and grammar departments essays are required; in the intermediate, reproduction work; and in the secondary, miscellaneous. All the schools had informal Thanksgiving Day exercises on the day appointed. At the high school (white) Rev. H. B. Stock, pastor of the St. Paul Lutheran church and an alumnus of the school, made the address at the colored high school, Revs. Laws, Holland,, and McCord, pastors of colored churches, officiated.

DU BOIS-Supt. Greene: It has been observed for several years that the children of a certain sect do not make as good progress in school work as other children do, though apparently as bright and intelligent as any other pupils. They seem to lack interest, and they invariably leave school at an early age. They scarcely ever reach the higher grammar grades, and not one of them, we believe, has entered the high school during the past four years. The influence of the poor work done by these children while in school has been to lower the standard of scholarship in all the schools of one of the wards. This lack of interest on their part could not be understood. Their parents are industrious, intelligent, and law-abiding people. Recently, through our efforts to enforce the law relating to the attendance of children between the ages of eight and sixteen, facts were revealed which seem fully to explain their lack of interest. At least a number of these children, according to the admission of parents, are being educated in a foreign language while attending the public schools. Not only are they taught to

read and converse in this foreign tongue, but they are also required to pursue certain elementary studies therein, as well as a great deal of matter relating to their religion. This work is regarded by them as of first importance, and the public school as only secondary. We do not know how generally this course is pursued among these people, but in some homes at least these studies are pursued with a religious fervor and a patriotic zeal. It seeme to be a cherished hope among them that at some time in the uncertain future they may return to their Scandinavian home. In that event it would be considered a disgrace for their children to be unable to speak and read the language of their fatherland. So far as the facts have been ascertained, they hold that the education of their children, especially that of the girls, should be completed at the age of fourteen. If their religious instruction has been sufficient at that age to enable them to receive church confirmation, they are garded as exempt from further study or attendance at school. Frequently they are compelled to leave school even before that age on account of the great mental strain placed upon them by the seemingly enormous amount of work required of them outside of school. These ideas seem to have taken such a hold upon these people that some of them, at least, appear totally unable to understand how any law can be enacted which will compel them to send their children to school until they are sixteen years of age. We think it is a matter for the board of directors to decide as to whether these are legal reasons for non-attendance at schoolFrom Report to School Board.

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FOSTER TWP., (Luzerne Co.)-Supt. Gabrio: A township High School has been established at Woodside, with Prof. H. E. Hoffman in charge. The course of instruction is as follows: English literature, grammar, composition and orthography; arithmetic-written and mental, algebra and plane geometry; physics and physiology; geographyphysical, political and mathematics, civil government and general history; drawing and penmanship.

GREENSBURG-Supt. Wyant: The dedication of our new High School building was the event of the month; it cost $100,000. President Holland, of the Western University of Pennsylvania, made the address.

HAZLETON-Supt. Harman: The Act of Assembly granting cities of the third class the right to levy taxes for school purposes upon the city assessment has relieved our district of the financial straits of last year, when we were compelled to use the county assessment. As a consequence some salaries were raised, needed books and supplies were purchased, and Johnson's Encyclopedia was placed in the 'A' Grammar schools.

HAZLE TWP. (Luzerne Co.,)—Supt. Mulhall: All our teachers, excepting one, attended the County Institute. A number of them were appointed to take notes of the

various lectures given there with a view to a discussion of them at our district institute. HUNTINGDON-Supt. Cleaver: The great educational event of the month was the County Institute. Practical teachers, persons connected with school work for many years, these were the teachers of our teachers, and this Institute was indeed a valuable one. In our borough schools we are striving to have, not classes only, but individuals to make advancement. Careful classification of pupils from time to time is what is needed. Because two pupils are alike in grade this month, does not mean that they should of necessity be together next month or two months hence. Our schools are crowded, having in the lowest primary grade 105 pupils; this is divided into halfday sessions. In several of the other grades there are from 50 to 59 pupils. Our new High School building is nearing completion; this and the employment of perhaps three or four new teachers will render conditions more favorable for good instruction. Thanksgiving day gave an opportunity to be thankful by giving, and liberal was the response of the school children.

NEW BRIGHTON-Supt. Richey: Dr. Edwin G. Conklin, of the University of Pennsylvania, lectured to our teachers, pupils and citizens, in Central High School Hall, November 14th. His subject was "Evolution." Dr. Clarence G. Child, of the same University, lectured November 20th, on 'Conceits of the Elizabethan Period." Both of these lectures were highly appreciated by all who heard them.

NEWPORT TWP., (Luzerne Co.,)-Supt. Dewey Drawing and vocal music are continued this year under the direction of special supervisors. Seven night schools were opened in November. SOUTH CHESTER Supt. Hockenberry : The Superintendent has organized a class in pedagogy consisting of those teachers who have not advanced to a grade of certificate higher than the provisional. The class meets weekly. We are making a critical study of Dr. Chas. A. McMurry's "General Method." Much interest is manifested in the work. The Superintendent assigns certain topics for more critical study in sources outside the text-book, and the work of some individual is reported each week.

TITUSVILLE-Supt. Pease: During the month we occupied the new rooms in the addition to the Elm street building. These are the finest rooms in the city-well lighted, well ventilated, and commodious. Two only were completed; two more can be finished as required for future use.

WILLIAMSPORT-Supt. Lose: In visiting the primary schools I now find several pupils in each school who are a head taller than the rest. This is one result of the compulsory law. We have a very efficient attendance officer, and we have tried to bring about a willing compliance with the law rather than to use force.