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Part 4. Music for concerts and singing school Hymn and Tune Book will have a rapid and ex exhibitions. tensive sale, and will do much to hasten the introduction of congregational singing. God speed the work.

The whole is designed as a complete Singer's Manual, adapted to singing schools, the choir, the social circle, concerts and exhibitions. Each part is sufficiently full for the purpose, and the selections both of secular and sacred music are well chosen. The book seems well adapted to the variety of purposes for which it is designed. So good a selection of such various styles of music is rarely seen. It deserves the attention of all interested in the cultivation of music.

THE SABBATH HYMN BOOK.-By Profs. Park and Phelps, and Dr. Lowell Mason. Mason Brothers, New York.

This book of Psalms and Hymns has been waited for by many congregations. It is compiled by three persons eminently qualified for the work, and therefore a superior book was expected. Those who have been awaiting its appearance with such expectations will not be disappointed. It is, in our opinion, the best hymnbook yet published.

It contains a very choice collection of 1290 hymns and psalms, which are arranged in a manner more systematic than anything hitherto attempted. The arrangement of subjects, which is understood to be the work of Prof. Park, is unequaled. There are five distinct indexes, which add much to the convenience of using the book. One index gives the first line of every verse in the book. The type is excellent.

We are informed that an edition of this work is soon to appear from the press of Sheldon, Blakeman & Co., adapted to Baptist churches, by President Wayland.

GREENLEAF'S NATIONAL ARITHMETIC.-New
Electrotype Edition. R. S. Davis & Co., Bos-
ton. 1858.

We find this work in many respects an im-
provement on the previous edition. Its rules
are more concise and accurate; its arrangement
has been somewhat improved; some important
additions have been made; and many mistakes
corrected. We will take this occasion to remind
teachers that Father Greenleaf's mathematical
works embrace a complete series of arithmetics,
adapted to every grade of schools from the pri
mary to the high school; a popular algebra; and
a new work, just out, on geometry.

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last named is a practical book for the common
school. It conveys a vast fund of useful infor-
mation upon subjects connected with Physical
Science in a very pleasing and attractive manner.

The work on Natural Philosophy is divided
into 19 chapters, commencing with the Applica
tion of Force, and ending with Electro-Magnetism.
The arrangement is good, divisions natural, and
the style exact, perspicuous and pleasing.
division into sections and paragraphs, the ar
rangement of type, large and small,-togeth-

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We understand the authors are now at work on The Sabbath Hymn and Tune Book, which will be published in about four weeks. It will contain the hymns of this book, set to appropriate tunes, and thus be adapted to congregational singing. The custom of quartet singinger with the questions arranged in the margin of is decidedly distasteful to us, and we think little the page will commend the appearance of the would be hazarded in predicting that its days are book to all. numbered. It is certainly to be hoped so.

The Sabbath Hymn Book, and The Sabbath

The Principles of Chemistry is an extended treatise, adapted to a full course of instruction

full, thorough, systematic, and teachable. It is remarkable that the man who was the author of the two elaborate works mentioned first could write a book so well adapted to children as the little work, How Plants Grow.

In High Schools and Academies; and, while it abounds in practical applications of the principles of chemistry, it is full and thorough in the discussion of principles. The development of the several branches of the subject is very clear and comprehensive. We should be better pleased, however, if the discussion of the impondera-importance of the cultivation of plants and flow. bles were more full and scientific.

We rejoice that our schools have such an abundance of text-books upon these important subjects, which pertain so much to practical life, and at the same time are so well adapted to discipline the mind, and to lead it to think and investigate.

THE MOTHERLESS CHILDREN.
300 pages. -
PLAY AND STUDY. 260 pages. By Mrs. Mad-
eline Leslie. Shepard, Clark & Brown.
These two volumes are the first numbers of a
series of juveniles, the remainder of which will
be published the present season. They are fine-
ly written stories for children and youth, and es-
pecially adapted to holiday presents for the
young. The first is a story of orphanage, illus-
trating the trials and temptations of the young,
and the happy results of Christian nurture.

The second is an interesting tale of school days, very suggestive of practical hints to pa rents and teachers, showing how they may aid their children and pupils in the invention of their own amusements for their relief and stimulus in study.

For sale by Snow & Greene.

MANUAL OF BOTANY of the Northern United States. 739 pages, with 14 plates. Price $2.50. Introduction to Structural and Systematic Botany. 555 pages, with 1300 cuts. Price $2.00.

First Lessons in Botany and Vegetable Physiology. 236 pages, and 360 cuts. Price $1.00. How Plants Grow, a Simple Introduction to Structural Botany, with a popular Flora. Price 75 cents. 233 pages and 500 cuts.

By Prof. Asa Gray, M. D. Ivison & Phinney, New York.

The above named series of Botanical works are a credit to American scholarship. They are

The attention of teachers is directed to the

ering shrubs by the letter from the Hon. Judge Staples, published in this number, in the Official Department. We hope the teachers will remember the sentiment of that letter and the books at the head of this notice until next spring and then send for these books to help them carry out the suggestions of the letter.

MRS. WILLARD'S HISTORIES.-Published by A. S. Barnes & Co., 51 and 53 John street, N. Y. 1. Abridged History of the United States. A book of 409 pages, to which is added the United States' Constitution. Designed as a text-book for common schools.

2. History of the United States. A book of 523 pages, including the Constitution and ques tions on the history. Designed as a complete text-book for high schools and academies.

3. Universal History. Giving an epitome of the world's history from the creation down to modern times.

BARNARD'S AMERICAN JOUYNAL OF EDUCA
TION. September, 1858.
F. C. Brownell,
New York and Hartford. Price, $3.00 per
year, quarterly.

This number of the ablest educational journal in America has 20 articles of rare interest and value, and is embellished by 5 portraits on steel The article on President Dwight, by Professor Denison Olmstead, LL. D., is worth the price of the book.

We will furnish the work together with THE SCHOOLMASTER for $3.25 a year.

THE SONG WREATH.-By W. Williams. Shepard, Clark & Brown, Boston. 1858.

An admirable book of school songs. It contains, besides a treatise of great value on the elements of music, over 90 songs, about 35 pieces of sacred music, ten of which are chants.

.

The R. J. Schoolmaster.

VOL. IV.

DECEMBER, 1858.

For the Schoolmaster.

"What Shall We Read?"

THE question is no longer "Shall we read?" The thousands of books of every class, and the hundreds of thousands of newspapers and magazines, which, like water and air, are present everywhere, have long since effectually decided that point. The London Mail in commenting on Lord Brougham's recent speech on "Popular Literature" at Liverpool, shows reason to believe that every man in England, with but trifling exceptions, is a subscriber to a newspaper, and generally a reader of two. Does not the immense circulation of the New York Tribune, of the Times, of Harpers' Weekly and Harpers' Monthly, and of the "story papers" indicate the same state of affairs in this country? Instead, therefore, of any longer questioning the expediency of reading at all, the inquiry of the earnest and reflecting is rather, "What principle shall guide us in the choice of books?"

"How can we make our reading more interesting and more improving?" These questions, important at any season, are especially worthy of our attention now, when we are just commencing to spend the long December evenings in the quiet pursuits of the fireside. Apart from professional scholars, there is a class of general readers, to whom the ques

NO. 10.

tion, "What shall we read?" is daily occurring. They are perfectly aware of the noble harvest which is to be reaped by the reader. They see the golden grain waving around them. But where shall they first put in the sickle? How shall they discern the tares from. the wheat? Where shall they store away their gains, so that they may be perfectly preserved, and ready for use at the slightest notice? I think I hear a reader of this class say, "I am ready to make any exertion to become a well-read man, so highly do I value the mental satisfaction, the conversational versatility, and the social position, which I observe that other men secure by the possession of extensive and accurate information. I have even practiced great self-denial in pursuing a rigid course of reading much against my inclination. I am thus able to say that I have read the whole of Hume's History of England,' of Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire,' and of Rollin's Ancient. History,' but I do not feel that I have gained

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to have read any book through continuously, except Pilgrim's Progress and the Bible. But you will probably answer, "I know myself too well to follow such advice as this. It would to be sure save me many a tiresome hour of uninteresting reading. But once give myself up to the desultory course you propose, and I shall read nothing thoroughly. Besides so perverse are my inclinations that were I to trust to them for guidance, I should read many works which would vitiate my morals and corrupt my heart. The bee seeks honey from flowers of sweetest odor, and sometimes gathers deadly nectar from Kalmias and Andromedas."

and queens, and emperors, much less the par- go on all his life hoping to move the world by ticular events of each reign. I believe that tugging patiently at the short end of the lever. in some way or other, or at some time or oth-But the wise man will take advantage of the er I shall reap the fruit of all this toil. I am principle and will pass eagerly on from height even willing to carry my self-denial farther, if to height never thinking of the toil. Thereit would be of any use. What more can I fore I advise you to read only what interests do?" Nothing more, my friend, so far as you. Never continue your reading after you labor and earnestness are concerned, but vast- are forced to rub your eyes to keep awake. ly more in respect of the results, and that too Never finish a book simply for the satisfaction in a delightful and easy manner, if you only of saying you have read it, when from a want set to work in the right way. Your case is of interest you are gathering from it no intelnot different from that of many a one. Oth-lectual treasures. Dr. Johnson is said never er heroes, as brave as Theseus, sought to extricate themselves from the labyrinth of the Minotaur, but he alone threaded its mazes with ease and security, guided by Ariadne's magic clue. You will perhaps be surprised, when I tell you that the reader's talisman, amidst the mazes of literature, is CURIOSITY. The virtues of self-denial, and patience are worth cultivating for their own sakes, but they do not form after all the most reliable guides to lead us up the pleasantest avenues to the Temple of Wisdom. I have no sympathy with the philosophy which prompted the frontispiece of "Webster's Spelling Book," where a good genius is seen showing a youth the Temple of Knowledge, and pointing out a Hold, not so fast, my friend, you have your steep and rocky pathway thither, with no way-self created the difficulty. I did not advisc side flowers, nor welcome grove to cheer him on, and no singing bird, nor tinkling rill to fill his ear with enchantment. Whe, that has been over the way and tasted the sweets of learning, or listened to the charm of her voices, will acknowledge the picture? Trusting to the testimony of such, I can say with assurance that curiosity and interest are the best guides of the reader as well as of the student. For without interest and curiosity the attention cannot be secured, without attention there can be no memory, and without memory there is no gain. He, who refuses to acknowledge this simple intellectual law, may

you to read every thing which your inclination and your curiosity dictate, but nothing that they do not. Surely you do not mean to say that you have curiosity about nothing but what is dangerous. No food that is not palatable can be very wholesome, but many a poisonous morsel has a pleasant taste. It is your curiosity in strict subservience to your judgment, and not either independently, which must be your guide in reading. There are innumerable good newspapers, and entertaining volumes of travel, and lively biographies, and well written novels, which never fail to gratify your curiosity, and arrest your atten

Then

tion. Why not be satisfied with these? But no curiosity about it. Perhaps in reading very probably your judgment after all tells your newspaper, which you should never negyou that you should be acquainted with other lect to do, you meet with some historical aland higher subjects, such as history, philoso- lusion, as, for example, to the treachery of phy, poetry, and science, which will never be- King John, which you would like very much come familiar if you follow curiosity alone. to understand. Do not delay to search out Perhaps the story of the French lady and the its explanation, while your curiosity is fresh. ants may be of service to you. A lady drop- You had better not, however, look in Hume ped a large lump of sugar suddenly before an for it yet, for ten to one you will lose your inant for it to eat, but the little animal was so terest in the matter before you have looked terrified that he turned away in great affright, through all the pages about the regency of and did not dare to approach it again. John, and his unfraternal conduct towards his the lady sprinkled some grains of sugar at a lion-hearted brother. Turn to some "Child's distance from the ant, and by gently placing her finger before it, and changing its course little by little, at last brought the tiny creature where the sugar was. Soon he tasted it, and liked it so well that he went and called all his friends. Now you can use an artifice with yourself something like that which this lady employed with the ant. Do not suddenly place before yourself Hume's England, or Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Em pire, or Grote's Greece, or even Bancroft's United States, and thus terrify yourself at the outset with the magnitude of the uninviting work. Whether you give up the work in disgust after reading a little way in the introduction upon the origin of the races, or continue with determination till you have waded through all the volumes, which your former reading has not fitted you to appreciate and enjoy, you will in either case be acquiring a distaste for the whole theme, and a disincli- charm of reading complete histories consists nation to approach it at any future time. But in learning more about events with which we if, on the other hand, with an ever watchful already have a general acquaintance. eye you take advantage of every turn which had better therefore not attempt to continue your curiosity takes towards the subject for the perusal of the extended history any farwhich you desire to cultivate an interest, you ther than curiosity prompts, but awaken it by will soon find yourself like the ant devouring a return to the compendium or child's book. with avidity, what at first you approached While you are reading about Richard, the only as a duty. Suppose, for instance, your Lion-hearted, you will be very likely to find judgment prompts you to acquire a knowledge your curiosity excited about the Crusades. of the history of England, while yet you have Now is the time to make the history of those

History," like Dickens', or Pinnock's Gold-
smith's, or better yet to that delightful juven-
ile book, "Tales of the Kings of England,"
and you will find the whole subject explained
in a page or two. I am much mistaken, how-
ever, if you will be willing to leave the mat.
ter here. Once engaged with one of these
charming children's books, which the wisest
are often not ashamed to read, and to admire,
your curiosity will not allow you to lay it
down till you have read all it contains about
Richard and John, and their unfortunate
father, King Henry II. You will be glad to
read also in this connection the picture of
their time in Scott's" Ivanhoe." After these,
you will appreciate and enjoy that part of
Hume which treats of their reigns, and feel
a genuine satisfaction in meeting facts which
you already know, and finding them accom-
panied by fuller details.
Indeed the great

You

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