page 134 to find how "correct" are the data which relate to Rhode Island; and are informed that, "The 'General Assembly' holds its sessions annually, at Newport on the last Tuesday in May; and on the last Monday in October, once in two years, at South Kingston, and the intermediate years, alternately, at Bristol and East Greenwich. This second session adjourns every year to Providence." This statement would have been true twenty years ago (except that it was then "the first Tuesday"); but a constitutional amendment adopted in 1854 renders it now "null and void" from "on the last Monday" to "second session," inclusive. Such ignorance respecting our little State would have been excusable, perhaps, had the book originated in the "Far West"; but it does seem that our neighbor in Connecticut should at least have questioned our School Commissioner upon the subject, before certifying that the data contained in the book are "correct," down "to the present time," July, 1871.

We continue our inspection of the "Contents," and glance at the last item, "Census of 1870, page 93,"-plainly a typographical blunder. On page 193 we find a valuable table, "Census for 1870; and Seat of the Government of each State." The text of the Constitution of the United States occupies pages 161-179. The Amendments are also given in full, including the 13th, 14th, and 15th; but we have sought in vain for any explanation of the last three in the preceding text. Any text-book on this subject which shall meet the demands of the times must be of recent origin, or entirely re-written within the last year or two. The changes wrought in our government by the last three amendments are of great importance, and must not be overlooked.

Notwithstanding the imperfections that have been mentioned, this "Governmental Instructor" contains much valuable information. Many of the omissions which we notice are of such topics as might not be comprehended by the class of pupils for whom the book is designed.

HAGAR'S SEries of ariTHMETICS. Primary Lessons in Numbers. 16 mo., pp. 112. Elementary Arithmetic, 16mo., pp. 208. Common School Arithmetic, 12mo., pp. 324. By D. B. Hagar. Philadelphia: Cowperthwait & Co. These works by the well known Principal of the State Normal School at Salem, Mass., form two distinct courses; The "Primary Lessons and the "Common School" make the full school course, while the "Primary Lessons" and the "Elementary" form a valuable compendious course, sufficient for a majority of pupils (it being remembered that four-fifths of the children in our Public Schools do not go beyond the Intermediate School), and especially valuable for Evening Schools, embracing all the practical principles of Fractions, Denominate Numbers, Decimals, and Percentage.

In mechanical execution the publishers have done their work unusually well, . and have produced the most handsome set of text-books we have seen.

The copious illustrations are fine specimens of art, and are withal unusually well adapted to illustrate arithmetical processes.

In these works, mental and written exercises are combined in a practical system, and each subject is treated in a concise and lucid manner. The principles are first developed, then stated, and finally applied, and the rule thus formed.

The books are up to the times, and while well adapted to subserve the purposes of mental discipline, embody valuable modern methods of computation, and topics having direct relation to business as it is transacted at the present day. All obsolete matter and merely puzzling problems have been apparently excluded, and the topics developed in a systematic and philosophical manner. Perhaps more problems

EXCHANGES.

415 under some of the topics would have better suited some teachers, but we have never yet seen in any one or any dozen arithmetics problems enough to give that practice absolutely necessary to a thorough familiarity with arithmetical operations, nor would we desire to see an arithmetic filled with problems which should be found in Books of Problems, or deduced from practical business operations.

Few enough problems to necessitate the use of some outside the text-book, is to our mind a decided advantage. We recommend teachers and school officers to examine these books.

Prof. Hiram Orcutt, M. A., of Tilden Ladies' Seminary, New Hampshire, has prepared an important book, entitled "THE TEACHER'S MANUAL." The book contains six chapters: I. The Discipline of the School; II. The Teacher's Qualifications; III. The Dignity of the Teacher's Work; IV. Concluding Remarks to Teachers; V. The History and Importance of Common Schools; VI. Rules and Explanations for the Divisibility and Properties of Numbers.

The whole work is at once comprehensive and practical, and will serve the teacher as a professional guide in the arduous and responsible duties which he has undertaken. Thompson, Bigelow & Brown, Publishers: 25 and 29 Cornhill, Bos

ton.

BOOKS RECEIVED.-From Tillinghast & Mason,-Cutter's Physiology, J. B. Lippincott & Co.: Philadelphia; Half Hours with Modern Scientists; Two Sermons by President Woolsey; First Music Reader, C. C. Chatfield & Co.: New Haven, Conn.; Crayon Reader, G. P. Putnam & Co., New York.

From Woolworth, Ainsworth & Co,-Crosby's Greek Grammars; Bascom's Esthetics: Wilson's Treatise on Punctuation; Gillett's Federal Government; Bartholomew's Teachers' Guide; and No. 1 New Series Drawing Books.

Exchanges.

LIPPINCOTT for December offers a very readable and attractive miscellany. Among its numerous attractions we notice Charles Warren Stoddard's "My Long Lost Brother," a very sprightly story: a poem, "Monte Testaccio," by T. Buchanan Read; a narrative sketch, Trips on the River Platte," by R. M. Walsh; and an art article, The Sharpless Crayons," by J. W. Palmer. The present number also contains a new department, "Foreign Literature," in which are criticisms of leading French and German publications. By reference to the prospectus on another page, our readers will see what inducements the publishers hold out for the ensuing

year.

In the last OVERLAND the article of special interest to us is "Westminster Hall and its Echoes," by N. S. Dodge. Rarely have we met with a piece of description that was so perfect as a work of art. As one reads, the varied scenes with all their noted actors stand before him with a reality and vividness almost startling. The trial of King Charles is one of the best of the many episodes which make up the article. The characteristic sketches, for which the Överland has become noted, and justly so, find representatives in "Rose's Bar," by Judson Farley; "SageBrush Bill," by Dr. George Gwyther; and "Jo," by Prentice Mulford. Politics, History, and Local Geography also receive a due measure of notice.

HARPER begins its forty-fourth volume with the December number. "The Eternal City." so old and yet so new in interest to every student and lover of the beautiful in art and literature, is the topic of the leading paper. The illustrations to this article are unusually fine. "The Haunted Lake" reveals many of the facts in the life of Cooper, the famous novelist, and, like nearly all articles that introduce us into the life and habits of authors, takes its interest from the degree of admiration we have for the author himself. Lovers of the ancient will be interested in the "Old Norse Colonies of Greenland." In "The Arithmetic of God," the writer shows the difference between the divine and the hum in methods of estimating values; a study profitable for most of us.

We desire here to call the attention of teachers especially, to the value of the "Scientific Record" in Harper. Here are collected each month the latest facts

in all branches of science, so that one may keep himself thoroughly posted in any or all departments, and find material for almost daily use in his classes.

LITTELL Continues on in the even tenor of its way, fulfilling from week to week, with unusual success its pledge to give the best of transatlantic literature. If there is any publication that may be said to be well edited, it is the Living Age. The encomiums bestowed upon it by our best writers, as seen by reference to its prospectus, are only just and deserved.

December GODEY is unusually rich in the attractions for which it has so long been famous. We can hardly appreciate the value of all the contents of these marvellous compends of fashion, art, and household economy, but they find quick appreciation on the other side of the house, for whose keener sense and more delicate taste we opine they are prepared.

A pretty German legend, "The Count's Little Daughter," told in easy flowing verse, by Mrs. R. S. Greenough, wife of the sculptor, is the opening piece in SCRIBNER for December. There are three other poems, "The Flight of the Birds," " Mare Ignotum," and "The Blind Boy," while the best verses of all are found, we think, in the beautiful tale, "Esther Wynn's Love-Letters." Archæologists will delight in "Cyprus-Afloat and Ashore," in which, through description and illustration we are made acquainted with the days when the Phoenicians were masters of the Mediterranean, and Rome and Carthage were still numbered among the possibilities of time. The other illustrated articles are "Sights in and around Yedo," by Bayard Taylor; "Pictures from the Plains," by T. B. Thorpe; “The Boston Public Library," by J. Winser. "The Imperial Family of Russia," by Col. T. W. Knox, will, of course, interest all, for we must know all about the Grand Duke Alexis. In its editorial pages are to be found, as usual, richness and spice, wit and wisdom judiciously mingled.

OUR YOUNG FOLKS still continues to be a treasure-house of useful and entertaining knowledge for the youth of our land. The best talent of America is engaged in filling its colums, and the success which has attended the history of this maga zine shows how well the editors have understood and supplied the popular want. For 1872, the publishers promise to present matter of unusual interest and profit. See the rates for clubbing with THE SCHOOLMASTER.

THE NATION.-Five dollars per annum; Box 6732, New York City. We look upon the Nation as the ablest weekly journal published. It appears to be conducted without fear or favor in the interests of honesty and truth. It does not hesitate to attack corruption wherever it exists, nor does it to gain notoriety, run into those foolish excesses that some call radicalism. We recommend every teacher who wishes a journal that will give him weekly vivid and concise statements of events, and able discussions of vital and practical questions, to subscribe for this journal.

THE AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST is authority on subjects relating to the farm and garden. More than that, its contributors are able, and its articles very readable and attractive. Even the Young Folks" have their corner of innocent amusement and delight, and the house-wife makes and bakes her cakes and pies by the models of the Agriculturist. It hates humbugs, and teaches the truth in the most practical methods to benefit a noble department of labor.

THE ATLANTIC carries a good name through the year, and although it was not born in January, as were many of our magazines, it has a vitality which equals those of the sterner months. Our readers know the value of the ATLANTIC too well to drop it from their reading table, and many perhaps will be the wiser by adding it for the first time to their list of select literature. The December number yields its fruitage of good things, and tempts us to invite all of our readers to partake with us of its monthly feasts promised for the year 1872. See SCHOOLMASTER club list. THE ADVANCE, as its name indicates, is a leader among the religious newspapers of the West. The people of the East as well as the West would not willingly let it die, even though its materiel was buried beneath the ashes of Chicago. It comes to us as good as new, with not even the smell of fire upon its garments, and with a courage which commends, as it wins respect. In looking for a good family paper, send your letters to the ADVANCE, Chicago, and you will thank your advisers for valuable counsel.

2377