Professor Frank H. Hall has worked out another series of arithmetics which he calls The Hall Arithmetics. In his former series there were three books; in this there are two, the "Elementary" and the "Complete." The success of the former series appears to have justified the same plan in the new, namely a spiral advancement in which the pupil at each recurring tenth page comes in contact with the same principle, only on a higher plane. For example, on page 17 of the advanced book the pupil is introduced to percentage. There are two pages of this, and then no more until page 27. Throughout the book, on each tenth page, this subject recurs. In the same way the subject of decimals, commencing on page 13 is found on 23, 33, 43, etc.; and miscellaneous problems on 20, 30, 40, etc. There are seven such groups. This affords a continuous review at short intervals without turning back, and turns the pupil's attention continuously away from mechanical processes to the imaging of magnitudes, which is the fundamental idea in the series. If the theory is true that a child's education should be always a rounded whole, complete at any stage, so far as it has gone, then these books mark a most desirable improvement in method in arithmetic. [Werner School Book Co., 240 pages, 35 cents; 448 pages, 60 cents.]

A companion volume to Uncle Sam's Soldiers noticed in these pages in the September issue is Our Navy in Time of War by Franklin Matthews. It seems superfluous to bespeak interest for a book with such a title, especially from young Americans. But if the cultivation of interest were necessary the means would be found in the sixty-five illustrations, and the fine list of chapter subjects. Incidental to the story of our navy is a large part of the stories of the civil and the Spanish wars. So we find a chapter on "The Famous Monitor," one on the "Alabama and Kearsarge Fight," one on Queer Boats Used in the Civil War," one on "Dewey's Victory at Manila," and one on the "Battle Near Santiago." It is an admirable boy's book, combining interest and instruction. [D. Appleton & Co., 275 pages. 75 cents.]

session of an education, though no amount of education alone can make a good teacher. While all teachers must know more than they teach, the power to impart to others is the important matter, and the one in which tact or ingenuity is absolutely the prime requisite. Moreover, she should be personally a social, intellectual and moral force in the community. The physician and the clergyman have immense opportunities for this uplifting of humanity, yet their advantages are small when compared with those of the teacher, which are practically unlimited. Encouragement and satisfaction in this field of labor never can be dependent upon results, for it is seldom that the teacher is permitted to know what the years of maturity owe to faithful care of the youthful days. The teacher's time is always one of seed-sowing, never of harvest.

THE ELEMENTS OF HUMOR.

Of the two ingredients of humor which Thackeray mentions, the first, love, is that which gives body, says Samuel M. Crothers in the September Atlantic; the addition of wit gives the effervescence. The pleasure of wit lies in its unexpectedness. In humor there is the added pleasure

of really liking that which surprises us. It's like meeting an old friend in an unexpected place. "What, you here?” we say.

This is the kind of pleasure we get from Dr. Johnson's reply to the lady who asked why he had put a certain definition in his dictionary: "Pure ignorance, madam."

The fact is that long ago we made the acquaintance of one whom Bunyan describes as "a brisk young lad named Ignorance." He is a dear friend of ours, and we are on very familiar terms with him when we are at home; but we don't expect to meet him in society. Suddenly we turn the corner, and we see him walking arm in arm with so great a man as Dr. Samuel Johnson. At once we are at our ease in the presence of the great man; it seems we have a mutual acquaint

ance.

Another element in real humor is a certain detachment of mind. We must not be afraid, or jealous, or angry; in order to take a really humorous view of any character, one must be in a position to see all around it. If I were brought before Fielding's Squire Western on charge of poaching, and if I had a pheasant concealed under my coat, I should not be in a position to appreciate what an amusing person the squire is. I should be inclined to take him very seriously.

The small boy who pins a paper to the school

master's coat tail imagines that he has achieved a masterpiece of humor. But he is not really in a position to reap the fruits of his perilous adventure. It's a fearful and precarious joy which he feels. What if the schoolmaster should turn around? That would be tragedy.

Now, neither the small boy nor the schoolmaster gets the full flavor of humor. But suppose at that moment an old friend of the schoolmaster happens to look in at the door. His delight in the situation has a mellowness far removed from the anxious ambiguous glee of the urchin. He knows that the small boy is not so wicked as he thinks he is, and the schoolmaster is not so terrible as he seems; in fact, that only a little while ago he was up to the same pranks he now finds so reprehensible. So, from the assured position of middle age, he looks upon the small boy that was and the small boy that is, and finds them both very good,-much better, indeed, than at this moment they find one another.

EDUCATIONAL, LITERARY AND GENERAL ITEMS.

J. B. Royce will have charge of the New Marion (Ind.) schools this year.

The superintendency at Bluffton, Ind., goes to Professor Wirt of the Greencastle High School.

The schools at Monroeville, Ind., will be in charge of H. H. Niekamp during the coming year.

F. W. Weck, class of '98 I. S. N. S. is elected assistant principal of high school of Washington, Ill. He has already begun work.

M. C. Jensen, who has been studying botany with Dr. Coulter at Lake Forest and Chicago university, has accepted the science work in the Academy at Ridgeville, Ind.

The Annual Boyd County Teachers' Institute was held in the new Central High School building in Ashland, (Ky.) Superintendent Weaver of Paris, Ky., was the instructor.

Mrs. Ella F. Young, formerly a district superintendent in Chicago, will be associate professional lecturer in pedagogy in the teacher's college connected with the University of Chicago.

Miss Rose Cox has been elected as an extra assistant in the department of psychology and method at the Indiana State Normal. Miss Anna C. Keating becomes an assistant in the library.

Dr. William P. Kane begins his administration as president of Wabash College October 1. The retiring president, Dr. George S. Burroughs,

takes a chair in the theological department of Oberlin.

Professor Isaac E. Neff, superintendent of the Portland, Ind., schools during the past year, goes to Kankakee next year as principal of the high school in that city. His work at Portland is highly commended.

The new manual of the Irvington schools has on the front page the cut of a fine new building just erected to replace the one burned last year. Superintendent Otis G. Stanton and his assistants are well equipped for a good year's work.

Miss Gertrude LaCroix, who has been teacher of languages for the past four years in the Ashland (Ky.) High School, has resigned to accept a similar position at Chillicothe, O. Her place has been filled by Mr. Fritz Hagen of Beloit, Wis.

Superintendent W. F. Byrket of Henry county, Ind., announces that a canvass of his teachers shows three-fourths of them in favor of the vertical system of writing. He desires all township and village schools to use this system to avoid frequent change.

Professor J. J. Schlicher of the Latin and German department at the Indiana State Normal has leave of absence for one year and will study in Europe. Miss Elizabeth A. Rose, assistant, will have charge of the department while Mr. Schlicher is absent.

A clear announcement to teachers and school officers in Ripley county regarding the purpose and requirements of the township institute shows that Superintendent Charles S. Royce has the interests of the schools at heart and the work well organized.

The vacancy created at Purdue University by the resignation of Professor A. W. Duff from the department of physics has been filled by the appointment of Dr. E. S. Ferry, a graduate of Cornell, and later a student at Johns Hopkins and the University of Upsala.

Dr. James Canfield of the Ohio state universty went some months ago to the library of Columbia university at New York. Dr. W. O. Thompson of Miami university succeeded him, and now Dr. David S. Tappan of Portsmouth, Ohio, succeeds Dr. Thompson as president of Miami University.

The teachers of the fourth congressional district, Kentucky, hold their sixth semi-annual meeting at Beaver Dam, October 19 and 20. Judging by an extensive program, a copy of which has been received through the kindness of the president, S. C. Stevens, the meeting will be a very profitable one.

The Southern Indiana Superintendents' Club will hold its annual meeting at Shelbyville, October 19 and 20. Dr. Burris O. Jenkins will lecture on the evening of October 19. Superintendent Tomlin is arranging for a full áttendance and a good time. The full program was not at hand in time for insertion.

A report of the LaGrange county institute, appearing in one of the local papers indicates that the meeting this year was an unusually good one. Professors McBeth and Baer and Dr. Burroughs were the principal instructors. There were several entertaining features distributed among the lessons, so that the week was enjoyable as well as profitable.

An examination of the manual of the Columbia City public schools leaves no doubt that the superintendent, C. L. Hottel, and his fine body of assistants are working for the good of the schools. The course of study is larger than either the commission or even college entrance requires, and is designed to benefit especially the large majority whose education ends with the high school.

The superintendent who prepares for his teachers a twenty-five page manual on such a subject as nature-study, defining its value and scope, and indicating the general field and outline for each grade, has a right to expect large results. Moreover, the work thus outlined is likely to have something like unity. Such a manual has been prepared by C. M. McDaniel of Madison, Ind., for his teachers.

The Rockville Republican, after speaking of the large enrollment in the Rockville schools and of various improvements made during the vacation, says "There are other new features which bespeak advancement of the schools and the sympathy of those in charge with progressive ideas of education." Such appreciation right at home speaks well for Superintendent Thornton and his corps of assistants.

In addition to a comprehensive statement regarding the course of study the manual of the Redkey, Ind., schools includes such features as county, township and city officers, a directory of the business men and women of Redkey, and other features well calculated to establish an interest between the school and the rest of the community. W. D. Chambers continues as superintendent, and Clyde E. Wilson is principal of the high school.

The many friends of Thomas E. Sanders will rejoice with him in his recovery from a long and serious attack of typhoid fever. In consequence

of this he has been advised to defer his plans for a year of study and engage in temporary work that will require more active physical exercise. The Jackson county teachers did both themselves and Mr. Sanders credit by expressing, during their institute, their appreciation of his services to the schools of the county.

The following note was received from Professor John A. Miller, after his article on another page was printed: "According to the computations made under the directions of G. Johnstone Stoney, the meteors will probably fall thickest about midnight of November 15. It is true, however, that they fell thickest on the morning of November 14 last year, and that two elements of uncertainty enter into these computations; hence the prediction can be offered only with reservation.

The Indiana state board of education has decided that the writing books furnished by Eaton & Co. under their contract with the board do not meet the specifications. However, the distribution has been made to most schools throughout the state and the matter meanwhile has been referred to a committee of the board, consisting of Messrs. Stone, Stott, Hester and Jones. This committee will report in November. In Indianapolis the handling agents refused to distribute the books without a specific order from Superintendent Goss, but this Mr. Goss declined to issue. It is understood that Eaton & Co. guarantee to make everything satisfactory.

The interpretation which Superintendent F. L. Jones places upon the school book law is causing considerable discussion. The poorer classes upon whom the cost of new books is a burden would have the changes come in gradually. Such men as superintendents Hester, Study and Carr take this same view and think the law itself justifies the gradual change. Superintendent Jones says the law is ambiguous, but maintains that it is undoubtedly far more desirable and beneficial to order the changes made at once. Where the change is made gradually there is endless confusion and the work of the schools is greatly retarded. It is a much better plan to make the change at once."

Reports of increased attendance are received from the Tri-State Normal at Angola. President Sniff is on the alert for whatever will improve his school.

The friends of the Eastern Indiana Normal University have been surprised at the unexpectPresiedly rapid development of that school. dent Kumler devotes his full time to its management and has called about him teachers of

rare ability and experience. It is safe to predict that the initial success of the institution will continue and grow.

President H. B. Brown of the Northern Indiana Normal School states that notwithstanding the smallpox scare during the summer the attendance now registers 142 more than a year ago at the same date. When it is remembered that last year was the largest and best in the history of the school the present increase is a sure mark of Valparaiso's prosperity.

Mr. Charles A. Bennett of the Bradley Polytechnic Institute, Peoria, Ill., announces a new periodical for October, to be called the Manual Training Magazine. It is to be published quarterly, and, as the title suggests, will be devoted to manual arts in American schools. come from the press of the University of Chicago, and the list of names showing persons interested indicates that the effort will be carefully made.

It is to

Messrs. Small, Maynard & Company's preliminary announcements for the autumn include some twenty-five volumes. In the Beacon Biographies they will issue Mrs. James T. Field's Life of Hawthorne; a Life of Thomas Paine, by Ellery Sedgwick; of John Brown, by Joseph Edgar Chamberlain; of Aaron Burr, by Henry Childs Merwin; and of Frederick Douglass, by Charles W. Chesnutt,-the volumes to appear at intervals during the next three months.

The Central Normal College at Danville, Ind., began its twenty-fourth year September 5th with a good attendance. The regular classes are large, even above the average. At first there was much sickness in the faculty, but now all are at the post of duty except Professor Hargrave, and he is improving. The college will do a strong line of primary work this year under the charge of Mrs. Olcott. Professor Kinnaman will spend the year in study. His work will be done by Mrs. Olcott, Professor Norman and Professor Spillman.

The periodical Arts for America has taken up the work of publishing, semi-monthly, a group of ten reproductions of famous art works intended for use in clubs and schools. These groups may be purchased at ten cents each, or at $2.40 subscription price per year. Both publications come from the Central Art Association of America and are designed to promote art among the people. The purpose is a most worthy one and with the present large interest in art among the schools the publications will be of much interest to teachers.

THE PURPOSE OF EDUCATION.

[These extracts are from a paper read by G. B. Morrison, Kansas City, before the N. E. A. at Los Angeles.]

The objects of life are happiness, contentment and usefulness to others. All of these depend upon our ability to adapt ourselves to the requirements of physical, moral and intellectual law. The most that can be done by a school is to give the pupil the power of self-help. Life demands of the young graduate that he be ablebodied, quick in adaptation, and willing to take hold of the first useful employment that comes to hand. He should possess a love for labor and find his chief enjoyment in overcoming difficulties. He must be ambitious, upright and honorable, and free from vicious habits. His mind should be trained into sympathy with modern things and with modern problems. He must be able to answer the question: "What can you do?" as well as "What do you know?"

High schools fail to prepare for life to the extent that they treat language, as anything else than a vehicle of thought, drawing as anything but a sort of universal language, and mathematics as other than a device for measuring quantity. The thought side in our schools should be strengthened by using fewer books and more laboratories; the expression side by the constant practice of portraying daily experiences by words, drawings, and figures. The thought and the industrial sides of education in our schools need strengthening by training in the manual arts. Our schools would be improved if they taught more labor and less discussion of the labor problems. It is the office of the high school to put the pupil into full possession of his best thinking and executive powers, and something is wrong with a college that requires a different preparation.

HOLIDAY EXCURSION TO HAVANA.

Superintendent Patterson of Edinburg, Ind., will conduct a special party to Havana, Cuba, leaving all points in Indiana on Saturday, December 23, 1899. Stops will be made at Nashville, Atlanta, Montgomery, Jacksonville, St. Augustine. Key West. A side trip will be made by water from Havana to Santiago. Matanzas by rail. For special information address

CHARLES F. PATTERSON,
Edinburg, Ind.

"THE LUCKY THIRTEENTH."

THE INLAND EDUCATOR, from the beginning, has directed its energies towards helping the district and grade teacher. Its aim has been to be a working companion, to stimulate without weakening. In furthering that aim it has arranged several series of articles which are practical in the truest sense of that term. But perhaps the fullest expression of that aim was in the determination to print and distribute as an extra issue of THE EDUCATOR a handbook on Reading and Literature in the grades, designed especially to accompany the Indiana readers, just revised by Professor Clark of Chicago University. Since it was wholly in addition to what we promised our subscribers, we felt wholly free to base it upon a particular set of readers, especially when it is remembered that more than 11,000 of the teachers of Indiana are on our subscription list. However we purpose to send this extra number-the lucky thirteenth-to all our subscribers, as it will have much of value for all, whatever ideas of reading may prevail where they teach. Only one condition attaches to securing it, viz., a paid up subscription.

The Handbook will be ready about October 15th and will then be mailed to every subscriber whose subscription for this year is indicated as paid on our books. It will be mailed to all others as they pay. We make this matter clear because we have received several letters from subscribers who do not seem to have read our announcements in which the conditions given above were clearly stated. Again, copies of this extra issue will not be sold singly. The only way to secure a copy is to subscribe for THE INLAND EDUCATOR. We are gratified at the great interest shown in this thirteenth issue, but must ask all to remember that there is a vast amount of detail work to be done in connection with such an enterprise and that it is necessary to be as accurate as possible in its prepartion. Please note then: This thirteenth number is furnished free to our subscribers in addition to the twelve regular issues; that it is, however, to be mailed to paid up subscribers and to all others as they pay; that it will be ready about the 20th of October.

This handbook will be quite unique in its plan and scope and will be of the greatest value to every teacher and student of literature.

THE INLAND EDUCATOR.

A JOURNAL FOR THE PROGRESSIVE TEACHER.

WALTER W. STORMS, Editor.

PUBLISHED MONTHLY AT

TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA.

BY

THE INLAND PUBLISHING COMPANY.

CHAS. F. PATTERSON, President.

ISAAC CRAFT, Secretary and Treasurer

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