ignore their environment in carrying on their business. This is certainly true. But they can refuse to permit the corrupt elements in this environment to find encouragement in their own acts. While they cannot ignore any elements of the environment, it is plain that they should take their stand among the morally upright and not with the immoral and corrupt. What we are pleading for, Mr. Tucker undoubtedly approves and would practice. Moral duty is not less binding upon corporations than upon individuals.

An Editor's Vacation.

PROVINCETOWN (Cape Cod), Aug. 18, 1897. Dear Journal:

As I read in the papers of the oppressive heat suffered by the western people, I congratulated myself again and again on the perfectly comfortable temperature that we enjoy here on the extremity of Cape Cod, surrounded, except a neck about two miles wide, by the Atlantic ocean. Even when the sun shines the brightest, its rays are so tempered by the sea air that they are not at all oppressive.

A glance at a good map will show that Cape Cod is a very peculiar piece of topography; but one cannot realize how peculiar it is till he pays it a visit. If he comes by rail, for the cars run the whole extent of the Cape, he will notice the sand hills, the forests of scrub pine, and the numerous ponds of blue water that abound on every side as, turning eastward, he begins to leave the main land of the state. Passing on, the cultivated lands grow less, the trees grow smaller and less numerous, and the peninsula narrows till scarcely two miles of land separate the waters of the bay from those of the ocean.

Much of the landscape is not very cheerful, even in summer. What must it be in bleak November or December? And yet these barren shores were the first to welcome the pilgrims in the Mayflower; for they made their first landing here at Provincetown, as is duly attested by a memorial tablet erected in front of the town hall. But this neck of land, called Cape Cod, is not only inhospitable in appearance, it is fearfully dangerous at times. The "back" side of the cape is strewn with wrecks, and the United States life saving stations are found only a few miles apart, along the whole course of forty or fifty miles.

But this apparently desolate region has been inhabited for more than two hundred years by a people who are among the hardiest, most intelligent and thriving of all the people of this historic old commonwealth of Massachusetts. They have gained much of their subsistence from the sea; but they have developed the scanty resources of the soil. In many places respectable farm crops are cultivated, and land fit for the production of the famous cranberries will yield a larger revenue per acre than the best prairie soil of Illinois.

Provincetown, the "jumping off place" of the cape, has a picturesque situation. A good map will show that the land at the end of the Cape bends around to the west, throwing out a long arm of sand to the south, on the west side of the harbor, which is beautifully land-locked and very safe. If the above description is understood, it will be seen that the harbor is entered from the south, which the visitor without previous instruction would hardly expect. The harbor, with sail-boats, steamers and visiting craft, is always an object of interest. Last week three of Uncle Sam's war ships, the Iowa, Brooklyn, and Texas, rendezvoused here for two or three days.

At the head of the harbor the town stretches along nearly from east to west, for more than two miles. The main street runs parallel with

the shore. It is very narrow, with a narrow plank sidewalk on the north side only. Many of the best dwellings, and nearly all the stores are on this street; but where the width of land between the shore and the sandhills in the rear will allow, many of the pleasantest homes are found on the back streets and the cross streets. The houses are thickly crowded together, standing at all conceivable angles. They are of all styles of architecture, and vary in age evidently, from a hundred years to a few months. And yet I never saw a town where every house, with scarcely an exception, suggested more clearly a comfortable home. grounds are usually small, but neat, well kept, ornamented with pretty lawns and flower beds. The place was settled in 1680, and now has about 5,000 people.

The

I am told that the fishing business of the town has fallen off greatly within a few years, but of late more people seem to be finding out that it is a charming place for summer rest. Quiet, access to market, facilities for bathing, rowing, fishing and for rambles among the pine-clad hills, make an almost ideal place for a few days' outing. If more extended expeditions are desired, they can easily be had. Four hours' ride on the steamer will take one to Boston, and the circuitous journey by rail can be made in about the same time. Yesterday

we made a trip, by rail and boat, to Cottage City, occupying about thirteen hours. To-morrow we purpose a picnic trip to Highland Light, on the ocean side. Quite a good many teachers are spending their rest days here this summer. Among them is Superintendent Seaver, of Boston. E. C. H.

N. E. A. Notes.

BY OUR REPORTER.

The time-honored conflict between the "governing class" and "the people" broke out again at Milwaukee. There was a slight outbreak at St. Paul when President Canfield used the speaker's gavel to break in pieces the tables of parliamentary law. President Skinner resorted to no such drastic measures. His strict adherence to parliamentary law was quite as effective in maintaining the power of the "patricians."

The constitution is constructed in the interest of a strongly centralized government of the N. E. A. The only voice the members have in the choice of officers is in the selection of the nominating committee, composed of one member from each state. The active members of the N.E. A. in each state, have the right to choose the member of the nominating committee for that state. This nominating committee virtually determines. who the officers and directors shall be, The officers and directors are the association during their term of office, in everything except the programs of the departments, and they constitute, together with those who have already borne the honors, or are now in the prescribed course of training for them, the governing class. They naturally wish to remain in power, and the ambitious members naturally wish to secure their share of the honors. The patricians have governed heretofore to the general satisfaction of the large class who are indifferent as to who does the ruling so long as the affairs of the association are conducted honestly and with due regard to the educational

needs of the time, and with judicial fairness. The "patricians" have hitherto been somewhat careless of the wishes of the other active members in choosing the nominating committee. Naturally they desire a nominating committee that will recognize the value of their services. They have been accused of disregarding the expressed wishes of the members in some of the states, and of putting those on the nominating committee who would serve their interests. Especially bave they been accused of opposing the continuance of members on the nominating committee from year to year until they have learned enough about the management to act independently. The other class favor a continuance of the same representatives in office until they have become familiar with the workings of the association.

**

At the Milwaukee meeting the active members demanded that the representatives from each state should select the committeeman from that state. The board of directors recognized the justice of this demand, and reported a resolution favoring it with certain limitations. Some of these limitations must be removed before profound peace will reign. But the resolution adopted is a long step toward the full recognition of the one single right which the constitution gives to the members to a voice in the management of the affairs of the association. A majority of the members are indifferent as to who rules, but they believe in fair play and will eventually see to it that every active member has an opportunity to exercise all the rights granted by the constitution.

evening. At the latter George P. Brown, for many years an active member, is reported to have made some criticisms on the present purpose and method of the council which were relished by some, and were unpalatable to others. A strong committee has the matter under advisement for a year. Their report will determine the future of this organization.

* *

The German-American teachers have a national association which was held in Milwaukee at the time of the N. E. A. The matter of becoming a department of the N.E. A. was considered but the decision was that nothing would be gained by such affiliation. The wisdom of this conclusion will not be questioned. The N.E. A is committed to the principle and The practice of education by the state. German Lutheran and Catholic schools consider state schools better than none, but hold that parochial schools give the best education.

*

* *

If the railroads do not block the way it is probable that the next meeting will be held in Washington, D. C. The eastern roads generally combine to prevent the holding of the convention in the east. If not Washington then Omaha will probably be the convention city next year.

*

**

One of the prominent "patricians" publicly called the movers for an opportunity to vote for a representative on the nominating committee "self-seeking and irresponsible." Perhaps there were such among the movers, but it would be equally true to say that the present patricians are some of them self-seeking and irresponsible. Such a question is not to be settled in the interest of individuals but rather in the interest of the N. E. A. and of justice. THE JOURNAL belongs to that great majority who do not care a great deal who are the officers, provided they are representative educational men

and women and are chosen according to the principles of representative government. If the N. E. A. management cannot trust a fair vote and a true count then the time has come for a general movement against it. It is hardly the right thing to call names in cold blood until the new management has placed itself squarely upon the platform of right and justice, as these are understood in a free government.

We declare that we have the fullest confidence in both parties, for they are all honorable men." Let the people have a fair chance to become patricians, for that is a laudable ambition. But the great majority will insist that whether of the people or the "patricians" the officers shall be chosen from among the best men and women. This has generally been done, though it would be easy to point out exceptions even under the present excellent rule.

*

It was a common remark that the two greatest events of the convention were the evening lectures by Dr. Lyman Abbott and Dr. Vincent.

Milwaukee weather was on its good behavior on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. But on Thursday and Friday it

wearied in well doing and gave us a foretaste of what is in store for the unregenerate.

* **

The election of Supt. J. M. Greenwood to the presidency was an honor to both the association and to Mr. Green wood. The question has been asked often, why his long term of faithful service and his acknowledged fitness for the place was not recognized before the management entered upon the payment of political debts some years ago.

(To be continued.)

The McMurrys' Publications. It is probable that no book published during the last four or five years has had so wholesome an influence in stimulating the teachers of the country to higher ideals and more rational methods of teaching children than the little volume known as McMurry's General Method. It is an interesting, clear, and inspiring discussion of the purposes of school education, and the different psychical processes that are involved. A new edition of this book has just been published, which brings the number of copies issued to date, to 35,000. Probably no book in America is used in so many teachers' classes and is seriously studied and discussed in so many of the monthly meetings of teachers, held in the cities and towns of the different states. As a combination of the two influences, called inspiration and guidance, it is more nearly ideal than any other single book of its size.

THE METHOD OF THE RECITATION.

The companion book of this is The Method of the Recitation, which discusses the principles and processes of class-room work, in the different branches, as well as the ends to be sought by the teacher in each stage of learning. This volume is rich in suggestions as to methods of teaching the common school studies, but strives to free the teacher instead of subjecting him to the rule of some mechanical device.

The publication of this long expected volume has been deferred because of unexpected delay in preparing the manuscript. The authors are Drs. Charles A. and Frank M. McMurry, and they are both very busy men and too far apart to make it possible to secure the frequent conferences that the preparation of the volume has required. But it is now so near the end that we can assure our readers that it will be ready for shipment on or before October 15. Those desiring to use the book in their classes are re

"Prof. M. V. O'Shea, formerly professor of

psychology and child study in the School of Pedagogy at the University of Buffalo, and just now called to the University of Wisconsin as professor of the science and art of teaching, is in attendance at the summer school. The University of Wisconsin has created a school of education co-ordinate with its schools of law and economics, and Mr. O'Shea has been called there to build it up. It is to be provided with means sufficient to make possible the study of the practical as well as the theoretical aspects of education in all its phases. This is a new move, for none of the American universities as yet have well equipped schools of education, excepting possibly Columbia, which has a teachers' college as an adjunct. Cornell has been working for such a school, but none has yet been established. Professor O'Shea is a graduate of Cornell. He is an extremely brilliant young man, and is recognized as an authority in his department. He has engaged in much literary work, contribuing to the Atlantic Monthly, the Popular Science Monthly, the North American Review, the Outlook, the Chautauquan, and educational journals east and west. One of his strongest fields is

lecturing."

The foregoing comes to us as a clipping from the public press, and we cheerfully give it a place in our columns. It might be misunderstood to say that the University of Wisconsin has been without a department of education thus far. Professor Stearns has long filled with ability one of the best chairs of education in any university and is a very strong man with age and experience. Mr. O'Shea will prove a valuable addition to that faculty.

BROOKLYN, N. Y. Public-School Publishing Co.

A copy of the child's book, "Stories of Indian Children," was duly received, for which please accept my thanks. My little granddaughter wanted me to read it to her and show her the pictures. When I had finished it she asked me to read it again. She then asked her auntie to read it, and likewise her mother. I think this is a very good commentary on this unique little book. Very sincerely,

MRS. W. W. HANLY,

1068 Dean St., Brooklyn.

Does this mean you? The Public-School Publishing Co. can sell you a good flag, a good organ, a good kodak, a good stereopticon, or good picture of Washington or Lincoln, on such terms as will save you money. Write and ask us, and satisfy yourself that this is so.

TO OUR DELINQUENT SUBSCRIBERS.

A contemporary publishes some facts that may interest some of our subscribers. We are forced by custom to continue to send THE JOURNAL until ordered stopped. Most subscribers would seriously object to any other practice on our part. The following are rules that have become law in most states:

"Subscribers who do not give express notice to the contrary are considered by publishers as desiring to continue their subscriptions from year to year.

To order periodicals stopped without paying up arrearages does not prevent publishers from continuing to send such periodicals until the amount due is paid up in full.

If you have credit or ever expect to have any you can not afford to neglect your newspaper accounts. A word to the wise is sufficient.

If subscribers move to other places and neglect to give notice to publishers, and papers or periodicals are sent to the former address, who is to blame and who is responsible because it is not received, and who should pay the subscription?

Dissatisfaction will not exempt a person from liability for the subscription price of a book or newspaper taken from the postoffice.

Failure to receive a copy of a newspaper without fault of the publisher is no ground for refusing payment of subscription.

If subscribers pay in advance they should give notice to the publishers at the end of their subscription period if they do not wish to continue taking it.

Many persons yearly cause themselves much trouble and incur unnecessary and sometimes serious expense, in allowing small debts to run and fail to respond to communications sent by the commercial agency or attorney, when notified to settle up the indebtedness.

Business courtesy demands an answer to a business letter and the business man who does not answer a business letter is not courteous, and has no one to blame but himself when made defendant in a law suit.

It is an acknowledged principal of common law that any person taking, receiving or making use of any article of value (except an executed gift) is liable for payment of the same."

The Indianapolis Business University graduated 75 this year.

There are 16,134 more children of school age in Indiana this year than last.

W D. Edmunds, of Gardner, Ill., will teach next year in Wayland Academy, Wisconsin.

Supt. W. G. Coburn of Battle Creek, Mich., is re-elected for his third year at $1,800; this is $150 increase.

J. C. Black, formerly superintendent of schools of Michigan City, is now president of the State Normal school of Idaho, at Albion.

Frank Damrosch, the well-known musical director, has been secured to supervise the teaching of music in the public schools of New York city.

Miss Agnes Cook, daughter of President Cook, of Illinois State Normal University, has been engaged as assistant in rhetoric at the University of Illinois.

Miss Gertrude Hull resigns her position in the High School of Bloomington, Ill., to take a position in the West Side High School, Milwaukee, at an advanced salary.

Dr. J. H. Martin, of Moore's Hill College, Ind., has retired upon his laurels, which have been honorably won. Perhaps his most substantial and enduring laurel is a good farm.

The regents of Michigan University have appointed Harry L. Hutchins, dean of the law department of the university, to fill the position of president during President Angell's mission to Turkey.

Professor Malone, principal of the high school of Salt Lake City, has resigned and has gone to Ohio to engage in business. He returned, however, to give the annual address at the commencement, June 4.

The Columbus Indiana High School has a unique plan for filling its halls with works of art of a high order, both sculpture and painting. Send a letter of inquiry to the principal if you wish to know about it.

The Baroness Bertha Von Bulow is on a visit to America in the interest of the free kindergarten. Her aunt, Baroness Von Marenholtz-Bulow, was the leader of the kindergarten reform in Germany for many years.

An examination of the Illinois Course of Study for the Common Schools will show that the contributions to it by Editor C. M. Parker, of The School News, are of great value. His Course in Language Study is especially good.

Supt. J. R. Hart, of Lebanon schools, Ind., has completed a course of study and been graduated by the Indiana University, and has been an efficient and growing superintendent of schools all the time. Certainly where there's a will there's a way.

E. E. Hutchins has been elected county superintendent of Hamilton county for the seventh consecutive term, and E. G. Machan, of Lagrange, and C. W. Osborne, of Union, for their ninth consecutive terms. These are notable records.

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