To this end Chas. F. Johnson's English Words, Elementary Study of Derivations (New York: Harper & Brother) ought to be a valuable aid, for it is only by a knowledge of the original meaning of a word's ancestry, as it were, of the ore whence it is coined, that accuracy in the use of that word can be attained. Mr. Johnson tries to guide us to such knowledge of the origin and relationship of words and their uses in his scholarly little volume, and does so in an interesting and untechnical way. It is a good book to have within easy reach in the study and on the teacher's desk in the school-room.

We note with much pleasure that Lancaster County at last has a brief yet sufficiently full local history for use in its schools. It is called A Brief History of Lancaster County, by I. S. Clare, edited by Anna Lyle (Lancaster, Argus Publishing Co., $1.15,) and gives with especial fulness the early history of the Indian tribes, first settlement by whites and colonial life up to the Revolutionary War. Mr. Clare's experience and well-known ability as a popular condenser and compiler have succeeded in giving us in this volume a very interesting narrative, with which young people and adults alike, in Lancaster county, should be acquainted. Our children need to know more of the geography and history of their immediate vicinity. It is altotogether wrong to drill them in the history of far-off lands and leave them ignorant of their own county. Every school in the state ought to study its county history along with general history. The book is well printed and bound, and has numerous interesting illustrations. It will be found as interesting for home reading as it will be useful for school work. What we have said of local history is equally true of local science. Young folks ought to study the geo. logy, botany, etc., of their home fields, forests. streams, and hills. And such a book as Alex. E, Frye's Brooks and Brook Basins (Hyde Park, Mass.; Bay State Publishing Co.,) will both inspire and help them to do this. It is designed to teach them to observe and discover near by facts and their relations. It is untechnical yet really scientific, entertaining and popular in style, well illustrated, and cannot but be useful in and out of school.

More and more the inductive method of study. ing languages is winning its way into favor. Its advantages are well illustrated in An Inductive Latin Primer (New York: American Book Co.,) by Wm. R. Harper and Isaac B. Burgess. Like the same authors' "Inductive Latin Method" it is meant for an elementary Latin book. It is easier, shorter and less formal than the "Method," and can be used without a sep. arate grammar, if desired. Its maps, plans, and illustrations are an added attraction. The brief treatise on English Grammar accompanying it, if studied as designed in connection with the Latin, will give the pupil a clear and com. prehensive knowledge of the essential elements of the language. The book is an admirable one in every way. The same firm have pub. lished also one of the most practical and thorough text-books known to us on The Human Body and Its Health, by Wm. Thayer Smith.

It is short yet interesting, reliable, and full of good sense, giving clearly all that need be known on the subject by the school children.

Two excellent mathematical text-books are Advanced Arithmetic for Secondary schools, High schools, Academies, Seminaries, and Normal schools, by Jno. H. French (New York, Harper & Brothers,) and Plane and Solid Geometry, by Seth T. Stewart (New York, American Book Co). Both these books are characterized by clearness of arrangement and expression, admirable adaptation to the wants of the school room, and thoroughness of method and treatment. Teachers would do well to examine them carefully.

A new and valuable work is found in the Application of Algebra to Arithmetic, by Sylvanus Shimer, A. M. of South Bethlehem. (J. B. Esser, Publisher, Kutztown, Pa.) The author, a teacher of long experience, here uses the algebraic equation to simplify all mathematical operations, so that theory and practice proceed together, each aiding the other, with the result of more intelligent mastery of the subject. The work includes, as supplementary aids to its general plan, logarithms, plane trigonometry, geometry and experimental equations. It presents also the mechanical powers and their application to practical life. It is designed as a self-instructor, for the use of teachers, high schools, academies, etc. The arrangement is good, the problems numerous and well chosen, and the book should be very suggestive and especially useful in the hands of the self-reliant student.

Sometimes a magazine varies its plan of make up for a single number, in a way that makes that issue unique. The Cosmopolitan published one number some months ago filled entirely with contributions from women. In the same way the May issue of this monthly will be noteworthy on account of the change in the style of illustration. With hardly an exception, the number is entirely made up of original works of art, and all by the best artists that could be found. The names of Walter Crane, the English decorator, W. M. Chase, E. W. Kemble, F. Remington, C. S. Reinhart, etc., are enough of themselves to distinguish the issue.

The Ladies' Home Journal, Philadelphia, has a strong and attractive prospectus for the present year, 1892. Mrs. Gladstone is to write a series of practical articles for mothers on "Hints from a Mother's Life;" Mr. Howells' next novel, a story for girls, will appear in the Journal; Mamie Dickens, the eldest daughter of Charles Dickens, is to write eight reminiscent papers on My Father as I Recall Him;" Mrs. Burton Harrison, author of "The Anglomaniacs," will portray "Social Life in New York," which Mrs. Admiral Dahlgren will also do for Washington, and Mrs. Reginald DeKoven for Chicago; Mrs. Henry Ward Beecher will continue to tell of "Mr. Beecher as I Knew Him;" Mrs. McKee, President Harrison's daughter, is to write on the training of children; Palmer Cox's "Brownies" will appear all the year; Robert J. Burdette is to have a regular humorous department; Sarah Orne Jewett's next novel will be printed, while Chauncey M. Depew, Mr. Wanamaker, Mrs. Ex-Secretary Whitney, and a score of other "diners-out," will tell whether or not the use of wine is decreasing at fashionable dinners.

Boys and girls, both young and older grown, do not miss this secret of happiness for yourselves and others: Be kind-and show your love now! Do not wait until some late to-morrow; or until the eclipse of death has come to eyes that now beam with a light clear and bright and tender. One day I met my father on the road to town. "I wish you would take this package to the village for me, Jim," he said hesitatingly. Now, I was a boy of twelve, not fond of work, and just out of the hay-field, tired and hungry. It was two miles into town. I wanted to get my supper and to dress for singing class. My first impulse was to refuse and to do it harshly, for I was vexed that he should ask me after my long day's work. If I did refuse, he would go himself. He was a gentle, patient old man. But something stopped me-one of God's good angels, I

"FATHER JOE."

think. "Of course, father, I'll take it," I said heartily, giving my scythe to one of the men. He gave me the package. "Thank you, Jim," he said; "I was going myself, but somehow I don't feel very strong to-day." He walked with me to the road that turned off to town, and as he left he put his hand on my arm saying, "Thank you, my son. You've always been a good boy to me, Jim." I hurried into town and back again. When I came near the house, I saw a crowd of farmhands at the door. One of them came to me, the tears rolling down his face. "Your father!" he said. "He fell dead just as he reached the house. The last words he spoke were to you." I am an old man, now, but I have thanked God over and over again, in all the years that have passed since that hour; and those last words were, "You've always been a good boy to me."

FRIEDRICH VON FLOTOW.

The hands are such dear hands; they are so full; they turn at our demands so often; they reach out, with trifles scarcely thought about, so many times; they do so very many things for me, for you-if their fond wills mistake we may well bend, not break. They are such fond, frail lips that speak to us. Pray, if love strips them of discretion many times, or if they speak too slow or quick, such things we may pass by; for we may see days not far off when those small words may be held not as slow, or quick, or out of place, but dear, because the lips are no more here. They are such dear, familiar feet that go along the path with ours-feet fast or slow, and trying to keep pace-if they mistake, or tread upon some flower that we would

take upon our breast, or bruise some reed or crush
poor Hope until it bleed, we may be mute, not turning
quickly to impute grave fault: for they and we have
such a little way to go-can be together such a little
while along the way-we will be patient while we
may. So many little faults we find; we see them, for
not blind is Love. We see them; but if you and I
perhaps remember them some by-and-by they will not be
faults then-grave faults- to you and me, but just odd
ways-mistakes, or even less-remembrances to bless
Days change so many things-yes, hours;
We see so differently in suns and showers.
Mistaken works to-night

May be so cherished by to-morrow's light,
We may be patient: for we know
There's such a little way to go.