-Miss Lillie Scheibe has resigned as Assistant in the Plymouth High School. Mr. S. J. Haley, lately from Bradford, England, takes her place.

-A history class has been organized in Elkhorn by fourteen young ladies, using a text book on the French Revolution with topical work outside.

-The State University has a very large attendance. Pres. Adams has won the regard of the students as few Presidents have done so early in their work.

-G. C. Buck, first assistant in the Richland Center High School, has resigned, to become Principal at Tower, Minn. Miss Alice Berryman succeeds him as assistant at Richland

Center.

-Downer College opens with a little larger attendance than last year, notwithstanding the hard times. A steam heating plant has been put into the building, which is a great improvement upon stoves.

-Jules Peterson of Grantsburg, Wis., a member of the Senior class in the School for the Deaf at Delavan, broke his neck and died instantly in a football game at that place with the Beloit College team. Football is a barbarous sport.

-The township library law has been observed in fourteen of the seventeen towns of Lafayette county this year, four additional towns adopting it this season. Thus the county takes rank among the foremost in the State in this important educational movement.

-The Walworth County Teachers' Association met Saturday, Oct. 21st, at Elkhorn,

with about seventy in attendance, mostly graded school teachers. Principal G. T. Edwards of Elkhorn was elected President, Miss

Spooner of Delavan, Vice-President, Miss Coburn of Whitewater Secretary, and M. Taylor of Elkhorn, Treasurer. The next meeting is to be Dec. 9th, at East Troy.

—J. H. Gould, for many years teacher in Wisconsin, and for eight years Principal at Lake Geneva, died at that place Oct. 24th, aged forty-six years. He was a member of the Eighth Wisconsin Infantry, "the Eagle Regiment" during the Civil War, and was an active member of the Prohibition party. He was well known to the leading teachers of the state, and will be regretted by them.

-The enrollment at the several State Normal Schools on Oct. 5th was as follows: Normal students at Whitewater, 134; at Oshkosh,

248; at Platteville, 200; at River Falls, 184; Milwaukee, 145; making a total at all the schools of 911; other students (in model schools and preparatories) at Whitewater, 124; at Oshkosh, 267; at Platteville, 122; at River Falls, 109; at Milwaukee, 113; a total in this class of 735. The total of both classes in all the schools was thus 1,646.

-Ground has been broken and a foundation put in at Stevens Point for the new Normal School there. At Superior difficulties have arisen to delay initiation of the enterprise. The lot selected by the Board could not be secured, and a new one which is felt to be satisfactory has not yet been fixed upon. The city council has voted $30,000 for the purchase of a lot, and negotiations on the subject are still in progress.

-The addition to the Oshkosh Normal School erected with the $19,000 voted by the Board of Regents for this purpose is in the form of an east wing, corresponding to the west wing which has been used for the model departments. It is two stories in height above the basement, the upper story being devoted to a study room for the young women of the Normal department, and the lower providing four new recitation rooms. This will relieve the crowded assembly room, and provide accommodation for classes which have been held in the dark rooms of the third story, one of which was little better than a hall or passage way, as well as for the new classes necessitated by the growth of the school.

-Edgewood Academy, near Madison, was burned Nov. 17th. The academy was under the charge of the Dominican Sisters, and occupied the old residence of Gov. Washburn on the shores of Lake Wingra. This was a spacious mansion in the old colony style of archbeautiful itecture, situated in large and grounds. The sisterhood had just erected a new building for the school near to the house and connected to it by a passage way. This was completed, and would have been occupied by the school in a few days. Both buildings were completely destroyed. The fire seems to have

taken from a defective flue in the old homestead. Three young girls attending the school were suffocated to death in the smoke, and one of the sisters in the room with them was rescued in an insensible condition, but has since recovered.

-Superintendent Hardy, of La Crosse, favors frequent re-classification of pupils in the graded schools. In his last report he says: "Yearly promotions and classifications do not

give a sufficient elasticity to the system of graded public schools. Yearly promotions do not gvie the opportunity for reclassification that the conditions demand. When pupils so diverse in ability and attainments are chained together by the graded the system for a year, the evils are intensified. The bright, strong pupils are held back and made to mark time with the slow and dull; they lose ambition and become indifferent and lazy; or the slow are hurried over the lessons too fast and become confused and discouraged. By reducing the time By reducing the time of promotion and re-classification to half-yearly intervals, or even shorter in the lower grades, the steady, vigorous, ambitious pupils have an opportunity to move upward more rapidly, and the slower ones will not be discouraged by falling back and going over again a whole year's study. Thus the bright pupils are more rapidly advanced by allowing them occasionally to jump a grade or half-year interval to make up the studies of that interval on reviews. On the other hand the slow, dull pupil would be obliged to go over again only the studies of a half-year, and thus would be in less danger of becoming discouraged. This plan is more in the interest of the slow than the very bright. The slow are in the majority, and experience has taught us that the slow are not always really dull, but are late in developing. true of both nations and individuals that 'the race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong.'

It is

-A new Academy has been opened this fall at Mr. Horeb in Dane county. The residents of that vicinity are nearly all Norwegian Lutherans and the academy is naturally under that influence. But it does not belong to the church organization as such, but is governed by the Trustees independently. The money to put up a fine brick building was raised in the neighborhood. The Trustees, who are the leading business men of the place, say that they prefer an Academy to a State High School, as it gives a better opportunity to country boys and girls to study at the times and in the ways that will acccmmodate them best. There is already an attendance of fifty, mostly from out of town, and the winter term. it is expected there will be a hundred. The principal, Rev. P. A. Strommac, is a native of this country, of Norwegian parentage, and a man of fine education and much experience as editor and literary man. He has original ideas on the subject of education. He has

agreed to send us one or more communications on the Norwegian "People's High Schools" which are a peculiar feature of Norwegian education, intended to meet the

wants of the farmer, distant from cities. The instruction in the Academy is in English, except one course in Norwegian. The Academy thus aids the inevitable transition from one language to the other, instead of hindering it, as some church schools do.

FROM OTHER STATES.

-The school board of Pocatello, Idaho, has decided that no unmarried man shall be em

ployed as a teacher. The bachelors are not This is a wise provision. It prevents flirtations between teacher and pupils. It helps out the old maids who wish husbands and prevents men from looking after children at school who have not had actual experience in the business at home. A man who has been trained by a woman knows better how to train others. -Exchange.

-Drexel Institute, Philadelphia, has published in the form of a brochure, sumptuously printed and illustrated, the account of its origin, scope, and aim, as they were described last year in Frank Leslie's Illustrated Weekly. A postcript gives a summary of the work done, and the departments added to the Institution since the foregoing article was published. Eleven departments, 1,600 students in annual attendance, and 8,000 volumes in the library is a fine record for two scant years of work.

-In the Workingman's School, 109 West Fifty fourth Street, New York moral instruction is given in the primary grades of the schools, including a study of fairy tales and fables, stories from the Bible, the Odyssey, the Iliad, and from Greek mythology. Once a month parents' meetings are held, their object being to familiarize the parents with the methods pursued by the school, and to bring about a more effectual co-operation between the home and the school in the education of the individual pupil.

-A year ago the resting place of sturdy old Myles Standish at Duxbury, Mass., was unknown. It is now marked by a large boulder on which is chiseled "Myles Standish." A mounted gun is placed at each corner of the burial lot pointing outward, on the posts of masonary nearly four feet high. On posts 18 inches from the ground are the shot, four on chains swing from the corner posts, enclosing each post. There are six posts. Heavy

the lot and under the chains is a wall of small stones 18 inches high.-N. E. Journal of Education.

-At the Bristol County, (Mass.), Teachers' Association, Pres. Eliot, of Harvard Univer

sity, said:

"Teachers in high schools who have watched boys drop out during the carlier part of the course have often wished that they and the hundreds who yearly leave the grammar schools for the machine shop, could have the training in 'concrete' geometry that would make their shop-work a continuation of their education,-not, as many of them feel it, a social descent. These boys who leave school to learn pattern-making, for instance, are absolutely wronged by never having had an opportunity to study geometry. Again, this concrete geometry would of itself develop demonstrative geometry, which is one of the best brain stimulants, and would therefore affect every kind of work that they might engage in. Whether there is any reason why boys in America should defer Latin, French, algebra, and geometry to the age of fifteen, when boys in all other civilized countries learn the same branches from three to five years earlier-some even seven years eerlier-is a question that has not yet been answered. The change in grammar school work is bound to meet with opposition, but it is nevertheless bound to come, in spite of the fact that possession is nine points.

-The N. E. Journal of Education says of the present move to supplant Supt. A. P. Marble, of Worcester, Mass., that for the past five years Dr. Marble has "quietly faced the waters that threatened to overwhelm him, and has serenely outridden every commotion. There has been nothing like it, either in the brilliancy of the opposing attack or in the skill and force of his sustaining qualities. The situation cannot be understood outside of Massachusetts. There has been no assault made upon Dr. Marble's character, and no intelligent attack upon his educational spirit or methods. Really the only present charge is that he succeeds in outwitting all combinations against him, hence he must be a politician to beat politicians, and no politician should be a school superintendent. Many of the best people' in Worcester have identified them: selves with the 'anti' movement and have waged a long and tactful war against him, defeating him in many a caucus and election declaring him defeated after every election for several years, but as yet he has not been removed. This year, for the first time, he was really endangered by political tactics, the like of which has never been charged against him. What started out as a high-toned opposition has ended in a comedy and a farce. The candidacy of Dr. J. M. Rice, the Forum 'expert,' as the opponent is a great comedy act, and in

Normal School Section:-What can the Normal School do for the Country School?-Pres. John Hull, River Falls. Discussion by A. J. Hutton, Platteville, and Supt. J. E. Florin, Dunn county.

The Model School: Its relation to observation and prac tice-Miss Alice E. Shultes, River Falls, Miss Nfna Vandewalker, Whitewater, W. C. Hewitt, Oshkosh.

What sort of Psychology should the Normal School teach? a "Round Table," led by Pres. Albert Salisbury. Common School Section. -Method of general geography, illustrated by special reference to Wisconsin-Miss Cornelia E. Rogers, Whitewater.

Discussion by Miss Jennie Stimble, La Crosse, and Miss Ada L. Brandt, Milton Junction.

How to cultivate a taste for profitable reading in connection with School work-W. L. Morrison, Mauston. .Discussion by Henry Wernecke, Newtonburg.

WEDNESDAY EVENING.

Recent school legislation in other states-State Supt. O. E. Wells.

Report of Standing Committee on Legislation-L. D. Harvey, Chairman.

Music and sociable.

THURSDAY, DEC. 28th A. M.

How can the superintendent best affect the teaching in the schoolroom-W. R. Moss, of Wausau. The Teacher's Tenure of Office-G. W. Peckham, of Milwaukee.

Reports of Committees. Unfinished Business. Election of Officers.

THURSDAY AFTERNOON.

A Convention of County Superintendents has been called by the State Superintendent to meet immediately after the annual meeting of the Association. For that reason the usual County Supt. Division has been merged in the general program.

Aside from the program some other features of the meeting deserve attention.

A Reception Committee with Dr. J. W. Stearns Chairman, will aid in promoting acquaintance, and making the social conditions enjoyable. Each evening will be partly given up to such purposes.

An invitation has been given to the Association to visit the University of Wisconsin, and pains will be taken to show such places of interest as are available during the vacation. Some former students will wish to revisit familiar scenes, while many other teachers will be glad of the opportunity.

The exhibits of books, physical apparatus, kindergarten and other supplies, a full exhibit of the systems of drawing of some of the leading houses, and the World's Fair Exhibit of the Normal Schools, will certainly repay careful inspection. It is expected that several single exhibits will occupy each a large room. On account of the expense involved in each case, these can not often be made so complete.

Another feature of interest, if not an attraction, is the Houghton, Mifflin & Co. Library Prize, announced in the last number of the JOURNAL. This is to be given to the county having the largest enrollment at this meeting, distance from Madison considered. There are some evidences already of a lively interest in the result.

A Local Committee will have headquarters in the Capitol, for serving the interests of all members. Tuesday, they may be found at the office of the State Superintendent.

Besides the usual purposes of headquarters, rooms will be provided for such groups or bodies of teachers as wish to confer on matters of common interest, or form auxiliary organizations; as will doubtless be done by the city superintendents.

RAILROADS.

By observing the following suggestions, all members of the association may secure the lowest possible excursion rates.

Buy a one-way, full-fare ticket.

Take a CERTIFICATE RECEIPT from the selling agent with every ticket bought, and bring to the Railway Manager of the Association, J. N. Humphrey, at Madison. When properly stamped, this will be accepted with ONE THIRD fare by the station agent in purchase of a return ticket to the starting point.

Over the C. & N. W., C., M. & St. P., and Ill. Cent. lines, buy through to Madison ONLY; over the C., St. P., M. & O., buy to Madison if possible, otherwise to Elroy; over Wis.

Cent. to Waukesha or Portage, only; over G. B. W. & St. P. and "Soo" lines, to any convenient junction point, over C., B. & N., to

Tickets may be bought and certificates obtained, Dec. 22 to 28; these will be accepted in purchase of return tickets until Dec. 30. Reduced fare return tickets can be bought only at the points named above.

Since a new rule of the Western Passenger Association requires an attendance of 250 to be shown to secure reduced fare, it is important that all members bring such certificates, and hand them to the Railway Manager at the earliest practicable moment.

All members who follow these directions are guaranteed the reduced rate.

HOTELS.

Park Hotel: $2.00 per day; fires extra. Capital House: $1.25 per day; steam heat. Steam heat.

Hotel Van Etta,
Hotel Ogden,

Hotel Schulkamp,

One in a room; $2.00 per day. Two in a room; $1;50 per day. Simon's Hotel, 107 S. Butler St., $1.25 and $1.00 per day; steam heat.

University Hotel, 450 W. Gilman St.; $1.00 per day; steam heat.

Accommodations for those who prefer, in boarding houses and private families, at $1.00 per day.

Those who wish to secure places beforehand should write to Secretary R. B. Dudgeon, Madison, stating definitely the kind of place desired, and for how many persons.

SUPERINTENDENTS' CONVENTION.

To Superintendents: In accordance with Sec. 166, R. S., a convention of superintendents will be held at Madison, beginning December 28th, and continuing two days. A brief outline of the program is enclosed.

The meeting of the Wisconsin Teachers' Association will immediately precede, and superintendents who attend this convention may have the advantage of its sessions. It is expected that this meeting will be one of unusual interest and profit. Superintendents can hardly afford to miss this opportunity.

The convention will be peculiarly fortunate in its ability to secure the help of eminent teachers in its work. We have in former meetings so carefully considered the technical duties of the county superintendent that it seems desirable to broaden and enrich our program. It is hoped that many members of the association will remain to take part in our exercises. All topics will be open to discussion. Presentations and discussions must be brief and pointed. The definite assignment of subjects will not preclude others, nor release any one

from the necessity of preparation upon the program, or upon any other matter which may properly be brought before the convention. The question box may be helpful in securing attention to matters deserving consideration.

The times and places of holding the other conventions will be announced about the first of January.

Reduced railroad rates will be given. Take agent's receipt for the amount paid for each ticket you use. Do not buy round trip tickets. Tickets good going from December 22d to 26th, inclusive. Reduced rates will also be given by hotels. Respectfully, OLIVER E. WELLS, State Supt.

November 21, 1893.

There was no "fall

mal school is concerned. ing off" in the enrollment at the opening of the year. To-day the enrollment is 281-54 more students than desks. If we count in the preparatory school, the enrollment is 71 more-16 more pupils than desks. These 70 young people are asked to sit in recitation rooms, wherever they can find an opportunity, or to remain at their rooms, coming to the building only for recitations.

The model school is not crowded because the attendance in each room is limited to the number of desks. Twenty-one pupils were denied admission to this school because of lack of desks. In this normal school the gain this year is found in the upper classes. More students have entered, holding a second grade teacher's certificate, during the first weeks of this year than the total number of students similarly prepared during the preceding five years. The number in the present Senior class is more than three times that of the preceding class. Yours Resp'y,

Oshkosh, Nov. 11, 1893. L. W. BRIGGS.