meeting that the colonies had little to learn from the mother country in respect to school hygiene. The importance of the subject is generally recognized throughout Australia, and Mr. James L. Hughes, Chief Inspector of Schools, Toronto, pointed with pride to twenty years' experience in the schools of the Province of Ontario, where a special manual of school hygiene is used, and the instruction given by the regular teachers in the regular school course.

The preparations for the London Council on School Hygiene have excited much interest in our own country, and have led to the formation of a School Hygiene Association, with the purpose of fostering interest in the general subject, as well as securing adequate representation of the United States in the said Congress.

THE SWEDISH SYSTEM OF PHYSICAL TRAINING

The Swedish or Ling system of gymnastics is the subject of a monograph by Captain Lefebure, of the Belgian Grenadiers, director of a well-known military school of Brussels, and recognized throughout Europe as an authority on the subject of physical training. The monograph, which is profusely illustrated, presents a synthetic analysis of the principles upon which the system is based, with detailed descriptions of the means by which it is carried out. It is altogether the most complete and most intelligible account of the system that has been published. In his preface the author points out that the physical education of the Swedish youth comprises gymnastics, manual work, plays and sports. His purpose is to explain this remarkable organization, and by the aid of photography to set it before the reader in living form.

It is noticeable that manual training (sloyd) is regarded as an integral part of the whole scheme of national education, intellectual, social and physical; and as such has been brought into close relatiou with the gymnastic system. It is natural, then, as the author observes: "that the influence of the Central Institute of Gymnastics at Stockholm should have been directed to prevent those physical deformities, which are due to the bad positions taken by pupils during the manual training exercises. On the walls of the school workshops are displayed pictures representing the positions which the artisan should maintain in the use of every tool employed." Every director of a workshop is expected to see that these models are faithfully followed.

The introduction to the monograph named is by M. G. Demenij, Professor of Physical Education in the schools of Paris, and Chief of the Physiological Laboratory of that city. M. Demenij is not blind to certain limitations of the Swedish system, regarded especially from the æsthetic standpoint. His critical judgment gives the more value to his commendations of the system in general." It is remarkable," he says, "in respect to the simplicity of the exercises, their gradation and their classification; in these respects it fills serious deficiencies of our own system. It is desirable, then, to adopt its principles; they are based upon the physiology of the human frame; but it is not necessary to follow their applications in every detail."

HOLIDAY COURSES OF INSTRUCTION

The University of Oxford, " Delegacy for the Extension of Teaching," has published an interesting program for the summer meeting to be held at Oxford during the month of August. The meeting is open to all students, English and foreign; and for the convenience of those who cannot stay the whole time, is divided into two parts: Part I, August 1-14, inclusive; Part II, August 14-26, inclusive.

The general scheme of lectures has been arranged with two purposes in view :

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"(1) To carry on the sequence which has been maintained for many years past by illustrating the history, literature, science, fine art and architecture of the seventeenth century; a period for the study of which Oxford affords unique opportunities.

"(2) To illustrate the place of Oxford in national history by exhibiting the connection between the local history of Oxford and the general course of English history."

Great interest attaches to a special section devoted to social economics, which will deal particularly with the contrasted ideals of socialism and individualism.

Among important holiday courses to be held on the Continent during the present year, are those at Jena and Königsberg, Germany; Geneva and Berne, Switzerland; Paris, Grenoble and Nancy, France.

TRIBUTES TO M. BERTHELOT

The death of M. Berthelot deprives France of one of the most illustrious scientific men of modern times. The French Parliament voted a public funeral as a tribute to the services he has rendered his country, and popular interest in the event was greatly increased by the pathetic circumstances of his death, which was occasioned by the shock of the news of the death of his wife, whom he survived but a few minutes. As Mme. Berthelot had shared in the labors of her husband, so was she associated with him in the funeral services which took place at the Panthéon.

M. Berthelot illustrated in a very remarkable manner the union of those intellectual powers which distinguish the savant with administrative talent of a high order; hence, he was called, more than once, to serve his country in the conduct of national affairs. He was Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1895-06, and had been previously Minister of Public Instruction (1886-87). He was also a member of the superior council of public instruction, and was largely instrumental in bringing about the reorganization of the programs of the secondary schools of France, which has raised scientific studies to the same level as the classics, and in increasing the facilities for scientific research in the universities.

The funeral oration of this eminent man was pronounced by the present Minister of Public Instruction, M. Briand, who, recalling the intimate friendship between Renan and Berthelot, applied to the latter the well-known saying of his friend, "The true way of worshiping God is to know and love whatever exists."

A. T. S.

Earth and Sky. By J. H. Stickney. No. II. A Second and Third Grade Nature Reader and Text-Book. A charming little volume for young pupils, seeking to bring before their minds their own relation to the natural world in such a way as to appeal to imagination and reflection. There are attractive illustrations scattered throughout the volume. The Readers of this series are intended to provide in a graded school that which intercourse with older people supplies in outside life—namely, a stimulus to thought and investigation. They are sure to interest the child, and lead him onward to observe for himself things which he needs to know in his environment. Ginn & Co. Price, 30 cents; mailing price, 35 cents.

In the Days of Goldsmith. By Tudor Jenks. Believing that former biographers of Goldsmith have brought to the front his eccentricities and somewhat slighted the manly phases of his career, Mr. Jenks has very successfully attempted in this concise and clearly written life, to give his readers an idea of Goldsmith as a man who "won and held the friendship of England's brightest minds." For the help of younger readers the book has an appendix giving important dates and biography. A. S. Barnes & Co. Price $1.00 net.

Once Upon-a-Time Stories. By Melvin Dix. The popularity of this little book should almost be assured by its title, which is so suggestive of a delightful hour for the wee folks. Certainly a fascinating collection of old-time stories has been made and all are capitally illustrated; another commendable feature of the book is the size and clearness of the type used. Longmans, Green & Co. Price, 25 cents.

The Richmond Second Reader. By Celia Richmond and Harriet Estelle Richmond. This reader contains a most admirable selection of familiar stories re-told briefly but fascinatingly, and in a manner perfectly comprehensible to the little folks. Each story is illustrated by pictures so well chosen that they add much to the charm and life of the story. The introduction now and then of bits of verse from authors children love, gives variety to the prose lessons. This little reader will, without doubt, prove one of the most acceptable yet published. Ginn & Co. Price, 40 cents.

Forest Friends. By John Madden. These woodland adventures are from the actual life of the author, who, as a lad in the forest lands of Michigan, spent many a day in field and wood gaining experimental knowledge of the ways of wild creatures, and becoming, as he tells us, a "friend of all the forest folks." Particularly interesting is a chapter of this book which gives in fascinating detail the "Habits and Tragedies" of the Ruffled Grouse, and the manner of grouse hunting, all of which will strongly appeal to the boy reader. The closing chapter of word pictures of tropical and Northern forests is delightful. A. C. McClurg & Co. Price, $1.25.

Class-Room Management, its Principles and Technique. By William Chandler Bagley. Mr. Bagley is superintendent of the training department at the State Normal School, Oswego, N. Y. He is well known as the author of another educational book called The Educative Process. He is a suggestive and helpful teacher of teachers. The volume in hand is intended for students of pedagogy in the universities, training schools and normal schools, who are preparing themselves for teaching in the elementary grades. He gathers his

material chiefly from observation in the class rooms of successful teachers. He confirms the results of such observation by careful study of the best books on the subject, drawing also from his own personal experiences. All practical teachers who study this helpful volume will receive inspiration and attain a higher degree of success; for the author is a master in his field and has the gift to teach others. The Macmillan Company. Price, $1.25 net.

Finger-Posts to Children's Reading. By Walter Taylor Field. Parents, teachers, librarians, Sunday-school workers, in fact, all who love children and are dealing with them will enjoy this little volume. It will help those who wish to introduce the child to the great writers of literature, to see how they can do this by themselves getting upon the level of the children's intelligence, and selecting for them such pages in literature as will interest and instruct the young mind. There are most excellent suggestions in each chapter. We especially commend the second chapter, the title of which is "Reading in the Home." There are undeveloped possibilities in this subject which may mean much to many parents and many children. The volume is bound and printed and is published by A. C. McClurg & Co. Price, $1.00 net.

The Short Story, its Principles and Structure. By Evelyn May Albright. The object of this volume is to set forth some standards of what is good in story writing. This is done by chapters on gathering material, the motive, the plot, mechanism, unity of impression, the title, the character, the setting, realistic element of fantasy, emotional element and the spirit of the author. Illustrations are furnished from the practiced masters in the field of story telling. There is a quick demand for short stories in the literary world of the day, and many amateurs are essaying in this direction, and the book should find a wide reading among this class.

School Grammar. By William H. Maxwell, superintendent of schools, New York City. Superintendent Maxwell's name and reputation are a sufficient guarantee of the quality of this work. It is a comprehensive volume containing all the material necessary for an elementary or a high-school course. It will prove especially helpful to the large class of students who leave school after completing the grammar-school course, but who wish to perfect themselves in grammar so as to be on a footing with graduates of high schools. The book covers fully the requirements of the Syllabus in English issued by the New York State Department of Education. The topics are presented in logical order, and details are omitted. The classification of errors in speech is particularly practical. The American Book Company. Price, 60 cents.

Commercial Raw Materials, Their Original Preparation and Uses. By Charles R. Toothaker. The subject of commercial and industrial education has become prominent within two or three years. It has entered the field of the public schools to stay. It is practical and has a direct relation to the business life which so large a proportion of our school children enter. Thus far the teaching of this subject has been largely visionary; but materials and textbooks are being rapidly produced, so that the study is assuming shape and fixing its principles. The present volume is conveniently arranged and describes briefly the leading materials which enter into the commerce of the world. The substances are shown in their origin in the animal, vegetable or mineral kingdoms, and the various processes are described through which they pass to their

final use by man. Maps are included, showing in poles the parts of the world from which these substances are chiefly obtained. Teachers of commercial geography will find the volume indispensable unless they have already prepared something which fills the same place; and even then they would like to compare the author's words with their own. Ginn & Co. List price, $1.25; mailing price, $1.35.

Guide Books to English. By Ada Van Stone Harris and George B. Gilbert, Books one and two. In the preface to the book there are some admirable hints in regard to instructing young children in language. The aim of such instructions is designed to be "to secure free and accurate expression of thought both oral and written." The first thing is to arouse thought and the desire to express it. The second step is to encourage the children to express their thoughts, and the third, giving them a knowledge of the principles of correct expression. These demands are met admirably in these books, which present in short sketches matter that is of interest to young readers and at the same time that is good literature. There are prose and poetic selections, letters, conversations, questions, pictures and review exercises. Reading is made interesting, indeed, in these days in comparison to the school days of former generations. We feel confident that practical teachers as well as parents will find a wide use for these charming volumes. Silver, Burdett & Co.

The Arthur of the English Poets. Howard Maynadier. This book is the outgrowth of a series of lectures at Harvard University and Radcliffe College. The author gives much accurate and interesting information in regard to the origin and growth of the Arthurian Legends, which have so enriched both poetry and prose in English literature. No specially new theories regarding this subject are propounded; rather the aim has been to make available such information as exists in regard to these interesting legends. The poet Tennyson has awakened an almost universal interest in the subject, through his Idyls of The King, and. similar poems. Any one would not, in these days, be considered well educated who was not more or less familiar with these poems and their sources. The thoroughness of the present author's work makes it possible for the interested reader to become well acquainted with the history and the legends that lie at the basis of so much of English literature. A complete index adds to the helpfulness of the book. The volume will be of special service to the literature classes of our schools and colleges. Houghton, Mifflin & Co. Price, $1.50 net.

University Hymns, with Tunes Arranged for Men's Voices. By Prof. Harry P. Jepson, Department of Music, Yale University. This book was compiled with special reference to public and social worship in Yale University. It is admirably adapted for a similar use in any congregation of young men. The tunes are largely familiar ones, and the use of the book cannot fail to promote both social and religious interests. The mechanical work is excellent, and among the many volumes of the kind, this one is sure to find its place in the schools and colleges of the land. A. S. Barnes & Co.

From Trail to Railway through the Appalachians. By Albert Perry Brigham. The study of American History and Geography in the upper grades of the grammar schools will be helped and made interesting by this book. It traces the development of the great roads across the Appalachians, telling where they are, why they run as they do, and what their history has been. Much incidental historical information is communicated in regard to the great migrations through the passes of the mountains from the seaboard to the West. On the side of geography, the essential physiographic features of the Eastern United States are given as a part of the narrative. Instances in the lives of the great explorers, such as Boone and Robertson, and other biographical data are woven in. The book will make an excellent supplementary reader for the classes named. It is profusely illustrated. Ginn & Co. List price, 50 cents.