technical exhibit, would be unjust, and in many cases the most valuable teachers would become the victims of the injustice. SALARIES DURING VACATION.--Mrs. Flipkins' views of this interesting question may be found in this number. That refined and enlightened female is the exponent of a class-how large a class? COUNTY INSTITUTES. SONOMA COUNTY TEACHERS' INSTITUTE.—Petaluma is a good place in which to hold an Institute. The Petaluma Theater is an excellent building for such a purpose. The success of the late County Institute was in part owing to these advantages, but the main element of success was the zeal of Superintendent Jones and a body of intelligent, earnest, progressive teachers, male and female. Seldom have we heard the philosophy of education more ably or thoroughly presented. The mental glow and professional enthusiasm were often at a white heat. The educational movement is forward in Sonoma County, and will be accelerated by this Institute. With a little more of class exercise and illustration of methods of teaching, our satisfaction with this Institute would be even greater. (The proceedings have not reached us yet, Mr. Secretary.) BUTTE COUNTY TEACHERS' INSTITUTE. -The Institute was held at Oroville. Its special feature was the presentation of several classes of children from the schools of the county, whose performances were indeed creditable to their respective teachers. We venture to say that the programmo was, in our judgment, the most judicious of any that we have ever seen, presenting almost exactly the right things, and just enough of each. The session was made up of Institute work, and was not wasted in frothy declamation. The popular impression was happy, and the result must be beneficial to the cause of Education in Butte County. Supt. Burnham and his teachers are evidently alive and awake, and their motto is, Onward. Our buggy ride from Oroville to Marysville by starlight, was not in the programme, and was more romantic than sensible. It made us sick, and served us right. CONTRA COSTA COUNTY TEACHERS' INSTITUTE.-The impossibility of being in two places at once, prevented us from attending the Contra Costa County Institute at Pacheco. The "Dep." was there, and either represented or misrepresented us after his own fashion. Dr. Carr, of the University, and Prof. Carlton, of the State Normal School, were there, and of course did good service. All pronounce the session a success. Success may always be expected when the leader knows what to do, and has the energy to do it. Supt. Thurber has "a zeal that is according to knowledge," and Contra Costa therefore is fortunate in having the services of a good Superintendent. NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL CONVENTION.-The Incomplete Programme of the National Educational Convention, which will assemble in St. Lonis on Wednesday, the 22d of August next, came to hand too late for insertion in this issue. As far as made, the programme is good. The persons named to read papers are sufficient guarantee of interest and profit on the occasion. HESPERIAN COLLEGE, WOODLAND.-We enjoyed the pleasure of attending the Commencement exercises of Hesperian College, at Woodland, on Friday, May 12th. The number graduated was six-Almina B. Ruggles, John M. Henry, Glendora A. Hurlburt, Wm. H. Ludden, Annie E. Pierson, Frank A. Pedler. The productions of the entire class were of an elevated tone, intellectually and morally. The Valedictory by Frank A. Pedler was almost perfect in conception and delivery; graceful, earnest, pathetic. The Baccalaureate Address by President Martin was a rouser. Subject: "The Present Age." Strong in thought, earnest in purpose, and highly polished and brilliant in rhetoric, the strength of arm and keenness of weapon sent every point home to a large and appreciative audience. The occasion was one of unmixed pleasure to us, and left us with the impression that Hesperian College is doing a good work. WE HAVE ERRED.-We are to be blamed, and must make our confession. The discussion on "Normal Fractions" has assumed a character unsuited to our taste and improper for an educational journal. It is our rule rigidly to exclude all personalities. This is the first departure from it—and will be the last. But we have a word to offer in extenuation of our offense: the discussion drifted into its improper channel so gradually and imperceptibly, that the mischief was done before we knew it. Then came an illustration of the old adage that one wrong leads to another. Fair play demanded that a party assailed with personalities should be allowed to strike back. And so the matter proceeded. We won't do so any more. That is (or will be) true repent ance. CLOSE OF THE VOLUME.-This number closes the eighth volume of the TEACHER. In some respects, the volume has been more satisfactory to our readers than its predecessors. Especially in the quantity and quality of original matter has it excelled. For several consecutive months every article was original. Our acknowledgments are due to our esteemed correspondents and editorial associates for their valuable contributions. We bespeak a continuance of their kindness. We modestly venture the prediction that the next volume of the TEACHER will be the best of all. We have good reasons for saying this. Our readers will mark the issue. With thankfulness and kindest wishes to all, we make our bow. CORRECTION.-Mr. Jerome Banks, teacher of the Centre District, Solano County, is the holder of a First Grade State Certificate. Mr. B's. name was accidentally omitted when the list of the names of persons holding such certificates was published in the April issue of the TEACHER. TRUSTEES, READ.-The "Talk" of Dr. Rose, published in this number, is worthy the especial attention of School Trustees. His suggestions are practical and sensible. We know many Boards of Trustees who should blush as they read! Almost everything he says they ought to do, they have not done. The district school-house and grounds should be made comfortable and attractive at least decent. There are signs of rapid improvement with regard to these matters in some localities visited by us. There are signs of improvement needed in still more. BOOK TABLE. MANUAL OF GEOGRAPHY, a complete Treatise on Mathematical, Civil and Physical Geography. By M. F. MAURY, LL. D., author of "Physical Geography of the Sea," etc. New York: University Publishing Company, 155 and 157 Crosby street. Memory, attention, interest, depend upon each other in this order. There must be interest to secure attention; there must be attention to secure memory-and we might add without a clear memory even knowledge once obtained is well nigh valueless. This book of geography has an interest peculiarly its own-that which arises not so much from the author's evident deep scientific knowledge and happy classification of phenomena, but that interest which comes of personal inspection and visit. The reader finds that his author gives him knowledge at first hand-has the glow and freshness of Nature upon it. An inaccurate statement in it is so rare that one even of the kind about to be mentioned is the more noticeable. On page 71 we find, "The only United States navy-yard on the Pacific coast is at San Francisco." The United States navy-yard is at Mare Island, about. twenty-three miles from San Francisco. Notwithstanding this and a few other microscopic blemishes, we regard the book as a real acquisition to our school literature. The rectifications of maps in accordance with late events; the "orographic views"; and the pages on Map Drawing deserve special mention. THE Board of Managers of the EIGHTH INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION OF THE MECHANICS' INSTITUTE, with a view to promote the study of Drawing in the public day and evening Schools of California, herewith offer the following Premiums, to be awarded at the close of the Exhibition, to the classes and ages as annexed. CLASS 1.-Mechanical Drawings and Designs. CLASS 4.-Marine Drawing. CLASS 5.-Still Life Drawing. The pupils competing will be divided into three grades, ages being as fol There will be a first and second Premium awarded tɔ each class and grade, or thirty-six premiums in all;—the First Premium being a Silver Medal, and the Second Premium a Bronze Medal. No male pupil over eighteen years of age, or female pupil over sixteen years of age, will be permitted to compete. The classification does not include Oil or Water Color. All schools desiring to compete, must give notice through the Principal to the Board of Managers, before the 25th day of July next, and the Drawing must be placed in position before Tuesday, August 8th, at 11 o'clock A.M. Evening Public Schools for Drawing. 'The following Premiums will be awarded by the Mechanics' Institute to regular attendants of the Evening Public Schools for Drawing: SWEEPSTAKE PREMIUM.-Best architectural or Mechanical Drawing, either a design or from a model, but not a copy of a drawing,--A set of Drawing Instruments, (of the value of seventy-five dollars,) to which is added by the President of the Mechanics' Institute, Fifty Dollars, coin. PREMIUM FOR BEST MECHANICAL DRAWING Silver Medal. PREMIUM FOR BEST ARCHITECTURAL DRAWING-Silver Medal. PREMIUM FOR SECOND BEST MECHANICAL DRAWING-Bronze Medal. PREMIUM FOR SECOND BEST ARCHITECTURAL DRAWING--Bronze Medal. The Competitor who carries off the Sweepstake Premium is not eligible to compete for any further premium. Notice of intention to compete must be made through the Principal or Drawing Master of the class, before the 25th day of July next, and the Drawings must be placed in position before 11 o'clock A.M., Tuesday, August 8th. A. S. HALLIDIE, President. California Institute for the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind. Composition...... DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. PAGE. 197 263 268 312 344 354 134 272 360 77 295 JULY.-The Teachers' Excursion, 19; Reform, 19; Text-Books, 20; San Francisco SEPT.-Semi-Annual Apportionment of School Fund, 78; California Educational DEC.-Official Journeyings, 178; Los Angeles County Teachers' Institute, 178; San Bernardino County Teachers' Institute, 179; State University-Organization of College of Mechanic Arts, 181; Book Table, 181. JAN.-Rules for Grading and Course of Study for the Public Schools of Califor- nia, 203; Official Journeyings, 209; Sacramento County Teachers' Institute, 209; Colusa County, 209; Stockton, 210; Book Table, 211. FEB.-County Teachers' Institutes, 244; Official Journeyings, 245; James Denman, Esq., 246; Uniformity of Text-Books, 247; Collection of Delinquent Special School Taxes, 247; To County Superintendents, 248; New School Officers, 248; Circular, 249; Opinion on Sections 98, 99 and 100, California School Law, 250; MARCH.-Semi Annual Apportionment, 282; State Normal School, 289; Progress in San Joaquin County, 289; Sonoma County Items, 289; Mendocino County Items, 289; Santa Clara County, 290; Lake County, 290; Los Angeles County, 291; Siskiyou County, 291; Burning of Lincoln Grammar School, 291; Book Table, 291. APRIL.-District Library Books, 315; State Certificates, 318; Normal School Cer- tificates, 322; Introductory Remarks of State Superintendent O. P. Fitzgerald, 323; Annual Report of Dr. W. T. Lucky, 325; State Board of Education, 329; State Normal School, 330; Election of Public School Trustees, 330; Educational Items, 331; Calaveras County, 331; Solano County, 331; Napa County, 331; Yolo County, 332; Stanislaus County, 332; To County Superintendents, 332; MAY.-National Education, 363; To School Superintendents and Trustees, 364; Preparatory Department of the University of California, 364; State Teachers' Institute, 365; Educational Items, 365; Mr. Brannan's Practical Labor School, 365; Back to the Old Home, 366; San Francisco Boys' High School, 366; The Great Question, 366; Female College of the Pacific, 366; State Normal School, 367; A Veteran Retired, 367; Superabundance of Lady Teachers, 367; The Mills Institute, 367; San Jose, 367; University of the Pacific, 368; San Jose Institute, JUNE.-Educational Items, 394; A Strange Oversight, 394; Change of Location, 394; City Superintendent of Oakland, 394; Promotions in our City Schools, 394; County Institutes, 395; Sonoma Teachers' Institute, 395; Butte Teachers' Insti- tute. 395; Contra Costa Teachers' Institute, 395; Hesperian College, Woodland, 396; We Have Erred, 396; Close of the Volume, 396; Correction, 396; Trustees, Do As You Would be Done By.... EDITORS' DEPARTMENT. 353 JULY.-Joint Teachers' Institute for Lake and Mendocino Counties, 15; Siskiyou |