England goes by the name of "common things." We have ourselves pretty strong opinions upon the subject if we had room to state them. We think it would be safe with only a blackboard, a pile of slates, a map of the world, and the daily newspaper, for a live teacher to keep a better school than is kept by many a cast-iron teacher with the help of all the school-books that ever were published, and all the machinery of school rules that ever was devised. We are afraid that routine is killing our schools, that it is the necessity of getting classes up to pass examinations and earn medals, that is in the way of real learning. Machinery and routine never can take the place of life, though we do not deny that machinery and routine have their place when great multitudes of children are gathered together. These remarks may not seem very apropos to the title at the head of our notice, but they are more so than they appear. We could not help thinking as we looked through the admirable address of Ex-Gov. Andrew a live man, if ever there was one, an honor to his State and to the nation, — what an admirable lesson was here for a live teacher and a live school- what a blessed time it will be when teachers, depending on themselves and without the fear of schoolcommittees always before them, shall be allowed to train their children to think, and shall learn the art of teaching history, geography, arithmetic, political economy, and patriotism and pride in their native land, out of such an address, crowded as it is with valuable facts and statistics, and from such a man as we have here!

HOPE AND HAVE; or, FANNY GRANT AMONG THE INDIANS. By Oliver Optic.

HASTE AND WASTE; or, THE YOUNG PILOT OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN. By Oliver Optic. Boston: Lee & Shepard. 16mo, pp. 612.

Two juveniles by an author who needs no introduction, and which a jury of youngsters, to whom we submitted them, pronounced "prime."

CANTARA: or, Teacher of Singing: a complete Musical Text-Book, for schools of every grade. Edited and arranged by Francis H. Nash and George F. Bristow, Teachers of Music in the Public Schools of New York City. New York: A. S. Barnes & Co. 8vo, pp. 144.

A book of exercises, of whose merits we are unhappily too ignorant to judge; but we rejoice to see cheap musical text-books multiplying, and hope the time will come when music will be as indispensable an element in public school teaching as reading or ciphering. The admirable results exhibited at our late convention show what can be done in this direction by accomplished and devoted teachers.

MAURICE-POITEVIN: Cours théorique et pratique de Langue Française adopté en France par le Conseil de l' Instruction Publique. Grammaire Française Elémentaire. New York: A. S. Barnes & Co. 12mo, pp. 191.

This is an elementary French grammar, in French. The fact that it is adopted by the Council of Public Instruction in France is guarantee of its excellence We should think it would be a good plan for pupils somewhat advanced to use it, or at least to read it through.

By William B

12mo, pp. 94.

PRINCIPLES OF LINEAR AND PERSPECTIVE DRAWING.

Fowle. New York: A. S. Barnes & Co.

A reprint, we believe, of an old work by a well-known author.

AN AMERICAN FAMILY IN GERMANY. By J. Ross Browne. Illustrated by the author. New York: Harper & Bros. 12mo, pp. 381.

A collection of what look like very amusing papers, which first appeared, we believe, in "Harper's Monthly." They are profusely illustrated by the author's own pencil. Beside the chapters which give the book its title, it also contains "A Whirl Through Algeria," and "A Visit to the Salt Mines of Wieliczka." The illustrations to the last are particularly good.

GREAT IN GOODNESS. A memoir of George N. Briggs, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, from 1844 to 1851 by William C. Richards. Boston: Gould & Lincoln. 12mo, pp. 452.

Governor Briggs was not a great man, but it was fit that he should have a memorial in the shape of a biography, for he was eminently a representative man, and a representative of a class, with whom, more than with any other, rest the destinies of our republican institutions; the class we mean of sturdy, self-reliant, God-fearing men of humble origin, who are the architects of their own fortunes, and who, without great genius, great wealth, or great learning, become the honored and trusted servants of their fellow-citizens in the administration of public affairs. Rising from the people, and belonging to them, these men understand their wants and wishes. Bred up in the stern school of poverty, they have learned some of life's best lessons by struggling manfully with difficulties, and bravely overcoming obstacles. Their sterling integrity, and truly religious spirit, have been found in many an emergency a far better reliance than the shining talents, or the mere outward polish and culture of far more brilliant men. It is to the strong sense, and sound principle of this middle class, more than to all else, that New England owes her success and her prosperity. Governor Briggs deserves special notice at our hands, as an earnest and consistent friend of popular education. The only college from which he graduated was a country farm-yard, but he was at all times a supporter of all measures that would give to the coming generations better opportunities for mental improvement than he enjoyed himself.

AN INTELLECTUAL ARITHMETIC: with an Introduction to Written Arithmetic. By G. A. Walton. Boston: Brewer & Tileston. 16mo, pp. 176.

An addition to Mr. Walton's well-known series," a connecting link between the Pictorial Primary and the Written Arithmetic, reviewing and extending the lessons upon simple numbers of the former, and illustrating by small concrete numbers the principles applied more abstractly and with larger numbers in the latter."

THE FIFTH READER. By Richard Edwards, Principal of the Illinois State Normal University. New York: Mason Bros. 12mo, pp. 478.

This book, like that of Mr. Philbrick's noticed in our last number, contains a large proportion of extracts from the authors of the day, and so is a live book,

interesting to the pupils for whom it is intended. A good feature is the occa sional analysis of a piece by a series of notes and questions Few would believe the little intelligent knowledge derived from the mere reading of pieces by children, if that reading is not followed up by careful questioning and oral explanation. Mr. Edwards, in his analyses, has taken a step in the right direction. The lessons are preceded by a phonic analysis of the sounds of the language, which will prove a useful addition.

SYSTEMATIC HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY ANATOMY AND HYGIENE. By T. S. Lambert, M. D. Second Edition. New York: Wm. Wood & Co. 12mo, pp. 420.

We are not competent to pass judgment on the scientific merits of this book, as compared with other similar treatises. We can only say that great pains seem to have been taken to digest and systematize the information, that the wood-cuts are very clearly executed, and that the book contains an appendix of thirty very well-drawn anatomical plates.

CHRISTIAN ETHICS, or the Science of Duty, by Joseph Alden, D.D., LL.D. New York: Ivison, Phinney, Blakeman & Co., 12mo, pp. 170.

A very concise didactic treatise on Ethics. It looks to us both meagre and dry, but it might serve as text for the commentary of a good teacher. The subject of morals, to be made interesting to the young, must be treated in a more genial fashion illustrations must be drawn from the records of history and the experience of life.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE NEW HAVEN CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT for the year ending Sept. 1, 1866. CATALOGUE OF THE OFFICERS AND STUDENTS OF YALE COLLEGE, 1866-7. OBITUARY RECORD OF THE GRADUATES OF YALE COLLEGE. PUBLIC ACTS RELATING TO COMMON SCHOOLS IN THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT, Jan. 1866. FOURTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE STATE REFORM SCHOOL OF THE STATE OF CONNECticut. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT. AN ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF CAMBRIDGE from the School Committee concerning a recent case of Corporal Punishment in the Allston Grammar School. TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO. GRADED COURSE OF INSTRUCTION FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF CHICAGO, with accompanying directions to teachers. THE TEACHERS' EXCURSION; an Essay read before the Teachers' Institute of San Francisco, by Miss Laura T. Fowler, of the Lincoln Grammar School, published by the Teachers' Excursion Party. FIRST Annual CataLOGUE OF THE STATE NORMAL SCHOOL OF MARYLAND. REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE of the Town OF REHOBOTH. ANNUAL EXAMINATION OF THE ALBANY FEMALE ACADEMY. CATALOGUE Of the IlliNOIS NORMAL UNIVERSITY. REPORT OF THE STATE TEACHERS' CONVENTION, held at the Academy Hall, Houston, Texas, July 4, 1866. TWELFTH SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF THE CITY OF BOSTON. ELEVENTH ANNUAL CATALOGUE OF THE SOUTHWESTERN NORMAL SCHOOL, LEBANON, OHIO.

We should be ungrateful to the many friends who have favored us with educational documents, if we did not at least return our thanks for their favors. Many

of them contain matter of weighty import, to which we hope to return when we can arrive at that blessed time when we can have a little more leisure to devote to editorial duties.

THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY. Boston: Ticknor & Fields.

It is superfluous to praise a magazine which everybody reads. We can only record our opinion, that it is, on the whole, the best original periodical which the country produces, and we do not believe its enterprising publishers will allow, any of the many new ventures to excel it. The present No. contains an interesting account of John Pierpont, more extracts from Hawthorne's note-book another instalment of Miss Palfrey's novel, a gossiping Account of Broadway

etc.

EVERY SATURDAY. Boston: Ticknor & Fields.

Neat and cheap. No one can complain that he does not here receive his full money's worth. In addition to an agreeable selection of shorter articles from English periodicals, Miss Thackeray's charming story "The Village on the Cliff," is reproduced, as well as Mr. Yates' novel "Black Sheep," from All the Year Round.

THE INDEPENDENT. Henry C. Bowen, publisher. 5 Beekman Street, New York.

We are as far as we can well be, from sympathizing with the school of theology of which the "Independent" is the leading organ; but we read it nevertheless from week to week, with ever-increasing interest and pleasure. And, after all, of what small, what very small account, are abstract questions of theology as between men who are all equally in earnest for the right, who equally desire to serve God and help their fellow-men, and lead a life on earth which they can afford, when the end comes, not to be afraid or ashamed of. And accordingly we desire to hold out the right hand of fellowship to a paper which is constantly uttering such brave and manly words for freedom; which is so liberal, so gener ous, so progressive. New York City is the great sink and cesspool of the nation; but we need not despair even of the city of the World and the Herald, — the city, a portion of which is fitly represented in Congress by gamblers, jail-birds, and prize-fighters, by Fernando Wood and John Morrissey, while it has the Independent and Theodore Tilton.

EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NEW ENGLAND FEMALE Medical COLLEGE.

We take from this report the following interesting facts in regard to the spread of medical education among women. It is an honor to Boston to have originated a movement so important:

"The study and practice of the healing art have now become recognized branches of female education and employment in our own country, and our example is beginning to be followed in Europe.

"Some years ago a letter came to the officers of the college from the Duchess of Fleury, in the Kingdom of Sardinia, asking for particulars respecting the

plan and course of education in the institution. A medical college for women was opened in London in 1864, and the first graduated doctress in England, having received her degree from one of the examining and licensing corporations of the profession, has recently been installed with much ceremony as physician in a hospital for women and children. A young woman in Paris; having achieved the position of Mistress of Arts, has been allowed by government ntal authority to enter upon the attainment of a full medical education. Two ladies have been regularly admitted at the Medical School in Zurich, Switzerland, and some months since a medical officer in the Russian service made particular inquiries in New York in reference to the medical education of women in this country, having been requested to do so by the Emperor, in consequence of the desire of ladies in St. Petersburg to obtain a medical education.

"There can be no better evidence that female physicians are a natural and legitimate want of society, than the ready response to the idea in our own and other countries. The New England Female Medical College, opened in Boston in 1848, is the oldest institution of the kind in existence, and to our city and commonwealth is due the credit of having initiated this great and philanthropie movement. In no part of the world is there a better field for the success of the enterprise than in New England, for nowhere is there a higher grade of female

education."

APPLETON'S MATHEMATICAL SERIES. A Practical Arithmetic by G. P. Quackenbos, A. M., upon the basis of the works of George R. Perkins, LL.D. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 12mo, pp. 324.

"The great distinguishing feature of this book," says the preface, "is that it is adapted to the present state of things The last five years have been five years of financial changes, specie payments have been suspended, prices have doubled, the tariff has been altered, a national tax levied, etc. No arithmetic that ignores these changes should be placed in the hands of youth. Time is too precious to be wasted in learning things wrong, only to unlearn them on entering into active life. Our examples are adapted to the present, the prices given are those of to-day, the difference between gold and currency is recognized and taught, and the rates of duties agree with the present tariff; the mode of computing the national income tax is explained; a full description is given of the different classes of United States securities, with examples to show the comparative results of investments in them."

This is certainly the right way to make a practical arithmetic. The book, like all the Messrs. Appleton's school-books, presents a very neat appearance. THE LIVING AGE.

Our venerable friend The Living Age

we know not how many volumes it counts, but their number is an evidence of the public appreciation — brings us punctually its excellent selection from English political journals, its lighter articles from the magazines, and its well-selected serial novel. The Living Age is good anywhere; but if we lived in the country and could take but one magazine, and wanted to get the best variety for our money, we think we should not hesitate long about investing our eight dollars in Mr. Littell's miscellany.