party and invariably exhibit her bare arms, it's because you are anxious to make those bones at her sides conspicuous, isn't it?

As to busts, madam, I don't know exactly what they are, and I am ashamed to talk about such things; but since you've mentioned it, I'll merely remark that if the article in question weighs anything, it's well her mother hasn't one; for if she had, she'd want another servant girl to help her carry it up and down stairs.

BRAINS VERSUS TEXT BOOKS.

An artist, admiring the work of a successful professional brother, asked: "With what do you mix your colors to produce such fine effects? "With brains, sir," was the answer. When we hear teachers anxiously asking each other what books they use to advance their pupils in knowledge, we are reminded of this anecdote. If the teacher is true to himself and to his calling, it matters little what text-books may be in the hands of his classes. The successful teacher must prepare himself for every recitation. He must never appear before his class without being "master of the situation." Should circumstances occasionally rob him of the time necessary for imbuing himself with the essence of the subject, he might better defer the recitation.

The teacher will seldom find a perfect text book. And he should always be ready to point out the errors in each day's lesson. He should be able to cite different authorities when the text books disagree upon certain questions. Too many of our school books are imperfect in many particulars. But, if the teacher use "brains" properly, he can teach us thorough lessons, and make more enduring impressions upon the mind of his pupils, than he could were all the text books invariably perfect while he himself was at all deficient. No teacher has a moral right to adopt, unquestioned, the assertions and opinions of school book makers.-Am. Ed. Monthly.

RULES FOR SPEAKING.

1. Don't choose a piece too big for you or too long for the audience.

2. Learn the author's name; when, why, and where he spoke or

wrote.

3. Read your selection very carefully several times before you begin to commit it to memory.

4. Study tone, time, emphasis, inflection, gesture, etc., and get them as nearly right as you possibly can. Ask your teacher about

them.

5. Learn your piece well before you try to speak it at all.

6. Wear a neat, plain dress. Attend to hair, teeth, hands, nails, and shoes.

7. Walk to the platform quietly, firmly, and gracefully. Don't hurry. Don't swagger as if you didn't care.

8. Get into the right place, near the front, before you bow.

9. Bow by easily and gracefully bending forward body and neck. 10. Commence in a moderate tone, just loud enough to be clearly heard by all in the room, unless the piece begins with some sudden excitement or strong feeling.

11. While speaking, try to imagine yourself the original author or speaker. Make the piece your own. THINK what you do. MEAN what you say.

12. Don't stand still through the whole speech. Change your posture as the subject changes. But don't swing or move the body constantly, and don't keep restlessly stepping about all the time.

13. Don't use any gestures unless you know their force and meaning.

14. You may use gestures not marked in the piece.

15. When you get through, bow without hurry, and go back as you came.

16. Be WIDE-AWAKE, thoroughly IN EARNEST all the time.

PROF. KNOWLTON in Cal. Youths' Companion.

DIRECTORY LIST OF COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS.

COUNTY.

LINCOLN MONUMENT FUND.

TEACHER.

DISTRICT.

AMOUNT.

S. D. Simonds..
Miss Hunt..

Mrs. E. J. Bassett

Miss R. M. Palmer..
N. B. Garbrick.
Miss A. Hall..

G. T. Chase.
S. M. Sherer.
Miss Phelps.
A. P. Taylor.
Miss L. Ross.
T. W. Jenness

M. M. Gay

Miss De La Mater

C. C. Haywood
D. M. Hatch..
Mrs. Wheelock.
Emily Abbott..
S. Williams..
M. V. Ashbrook
A. Thurber....
Esther Putnam.
H. S. Raven.
Carrie Stevens.
Miss Hall

J. T. Jones.
Mrs. L. Carter
James Denman..
Miss A. Brinkerhoff..
Miss H. F. Williams.
D. C. Stone....

COWDERY'S MORAL LESSONS.-As the use of this book is required by the State Course of Study in every school in the State, it will be the duty of all teachers to procure themselves a copy, and the duty of Trustees to require them to do it. County Superintendents will enforce the requisition. The Moral Lessons are among the most important of the State course, and must not be neglected in a single school.

SCHOOL LAW.-A sufficient number of copies of the School Law, with the rules and regulations of the State Board, have been sent to the various County Superintendents, to supply each district with two copies-one for the Clerk, and one for the school and teacher. Trustees and teachers can obtain them by applying to the County Superintendents.

Besident Editors' Department.

THE EL DORADO COUNTY INSTITUTE-Held in Placerville, July 31st to August 5th, was attended by all the teachers in the county, with two exceptions. Evening lectures were given by Rev. W. C. Mosher, Rev. C. C. Pierce, and by the State Superintendent, who was present during the entire session of the Institute. The exercises were of a practical character, and no time was wasted in discussing abstractions. The various teachers who were appointed to present topics acquitted themselves well, notwithstanding the hot weather.

A session of the County Board of examination was held during the week, at which twelve applicants were examined. The Board used the last questions of the State Board, and set the following standard: 1st Grade Certificates, 70 per cent., and two years' experience in teaching; 2d Grade, 60 per cent. and one year's experience; 3d. Grade, 50 per cent.

The schools of the county seem to be in good condition. We visited the old town of Coloma, and lectured in the evening on the subject of Education. Mr. Marshall, who made the discovery of gold in digging a race for a sawmill in 1848, has given up mining, and “located” a pretty vineyard on one of the steep hillsides overlooking the town. Coloma is now famous, not for its mines, which are "panned out," but for its luscious peaches and fine wine.

The school at Gold Hill is taught by S. A. Penwell, Ex-County Superintendent. The people are building a new school house at a cost of $1,000.

Robert Taylor, who holds a State Diploma, is teaching successfully at Kelsey. Mr. Rattan teaches at Reservoir Hill. He is an enthusiast in Natural Science, and has made a fine botanical collection of the flora of this, county. Mr. Rattan and Mr. Pease, another teacher in this county, intend to make the tour of Europe next year, and visit the World's Fair at Paris. They are both teachers who will do credit to the State.

Mr. Makinney is succeeding well in the Placerville school. At a recent exhibition the sum of $200 was realized for the benefit of the school. A school for the colored children is to be opened next term.

Placerville, like many other mining towns in the State, is rather dull, and times are hard, but the people maintain their schools.

Rev. C. C. Pearce, City Superintendent, takes an active interest in school matters. E. B. Conklin, County Superintendent, an educator of experience in both private and public schools, has taken hold of his work in earnest, and we feel confident the business of his office will be faithfully and efficiently performed.