BARNARD'S JOURNAL OF EDUCATION.-We have received the June number of this invaluable educational quarterly. It contains a steel engraving of J. S. Goodnow, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Kansas, and H. D. McCarty, second President of the Kansas State Teachers' Association, with a biographical sketch of each. It also contains a fine cut of the Oswego State Normal and Training School, with a sketch of the organization of the institution. Among the valuable papers of this number are the following: The Educational Duties of the Hour, by S. S. Greene, President of the National Teachers' Association; Object Teaching, its General Principles, and the Oswego System, by S. S. Greene; Normal Schools in the United States, by Richard Edwards, Principal of the Illinois Normal University; Education as an Element in Reconstruction, by J. P. Wickersham; A National Bureau of Instruction, by A. J. Rickoff; Formation of Moral Character, by M. F. Cowdery; Public Instruction in Austria; and sketches of Educational Conventions and Associations in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Missouri, Delaware, Texas, Alabama, Maryland, District of Columbia, Florida, Arkansas, Mississippi, Oregon, West Virginia, and Kansas. There ought to be one hundred subscribers for this journal in California. The articles in this number alone are worth the subscription price for the year-only $4.50 in currency. Address Henry Barnard, Hartford, Conn. AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF INSTRUCTION.-We have received a very pleasant and pressing invitation from B. G. Northrop, President of the Institute, to attend the next meeting, to be held at Burlington, Vt., on the 7th, 8th, and 9th of August, 1866. The programme is a tempting one, and if we could get there, we would like to go. It is one of the disadvantages of living so near the setting sun, that we must lose all the pleasant gatherings of eastern educators. Thank you for the invitation, Mr. Northrop, but the continent is too wide. NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS.-Mr. Northrop is also President of this Association, which meets in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Monday and Tuesday, August 13th and 14th, and we are again tempted to go East to this important meeting; but the law does not allow a State officer to leave the State without special permission of the Legislature, and we really cannot get away. ROLL OF HONOR OF RED BLUFF PUBLIC SCHOOL.-Term commencing September 25th, 1865, ending June 9th, 1866. W. A. Sanders, teacher. Miss Ella S. Tuttle, Miss Sarah E. Baker, Miss Zuritha J. Eachus, SAN JOSE TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.-The last monthly meeting of this association was well attended. Lectures were given by Prof. Knowlton and Supt. Swett. This association has the largest and best teachers' library in the State. NOTICE. The graduates of the State Normal School can have their Diplomas by calling at this office. The State Certificates which were issued to the following persons, on the results of the last examination, can be obtained by calling for them at this office : Diploma-Mrs. Ira G. Hoitt. 2d Grade Certificates-Miss Clara C. Howell, Miss M. S. Richardson, Miss Phoebe Palmer. 3d Grade Certificates-Mrs. Mary Humphrey, Miss M. Brady, Mrs. Lois W. Hopkins, Miss Zillia M. Hyde, Miss M. E. Dames, Mrs. Kate McLaughlin. CITY INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.-A few days since we had the pleasure of visiting this excellent institution, which now numbers one hundred and fifty boys and twenty-five girls. It is under the superintendence of Col. Wood, who evidently is a good business manager. Through the active interest of Director Kennedy, the school has been graded, the city series of text-books adopted, and the school rooms rearranged and refitted, with the intention of making the school, in all respects a first class public school. John A. Moore, of the State Normal School, has recently been appointed one of the teachers. The position will test his Normal training. We intend to visit this school again in a short time, and will then give a detailed report of it. DISTRICT CLERKS.-In accordance with the provisions of the Revised School Law, two copies of the CALIFORNIA TEACHER are now mailed to each District Clerk-one for the use of the Board of Trustees, the other for the District School Library. It is the duty of the District Clerk to deliver one copy to the teacher of his district, for the use of the school and the teacher, to be kept on file at the school house. If any Clerks fail to receive their copy, they will please forward their address to this office. As the "District Clerks frequently changed, any new Clerks will of course take from the office the CALIFORNIA TEACHER, even though it still be sent to the address of the former Clerk. are COUNTY AND CITY SUPERINTENDENTS.-A copy of the TEACHER is now sent to each County Superintendent, and each City Superintendent. If any fail to receive it, they will notify us of the fact. INYO COUNTY. This new county is rapidly organizing its schools, under the direction of County Superintendent Earl. The rate of county tax is thirty-five cents on a hundred dollars. One school is already in operation. When will Mono County organize a school? CLARK'S GEOGRAPHY is meeting with great success. The author has favored us with two or three additional pages of a "pronouncing vocabulary," in which each name is divided and accented, and the pronunciations of doubtful syllables are represented in italics. It will prove of great assistance to those especially whose knowledge of Spanish is imperfect. STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.-The American Normal School Association does not take the papers. Even Brother Edwards, of the Illinois Teacher, to whom we had given credit for knowing everything, has demonstrated in his journal for May (page 158) that he is more than three years behind the times. In the "Register of Normal Schools," supposed to be official, the high priests of the . Eastern synagogue ignore the existence of the California State Normal School entirely. We do not thank them for it. We wish to be counted "inside" on that question. Our State Normal School opened in the city of San Francisco on the twenty-third of July, 1862, and has been doing good service ever since. The CALIFORNIA TEACHER, which commenced its vigorous existence with the month of July, 1863, made special reference to our State Normal School in its first volume nearly a dozen times; in its second volume, fourteen times at least, and in its third volume, nearly as many times more; so that these Atlantic Coast brethren are, as Paul once said of certain other individuals, "without excuse." We trust that Prof. George W. Minns, the Principal of the California State Normal School, who is now on leave of absence at the East, will further enlighten the benighted people of those parts. In the mean time, Prof. Carlton, the acting Principal, informs us that nearly a hundred students are in attendance; and we are assured in our minds that the Golden State will persist in having a State Normál School, whether the same be recognized abroad or otherwise. STATE NORMAL SCHOOL REPOrt for Month ENDING AUG. 4TH, 1866. LITERARY NOTICES.-The following new works have been received: AN ALGEBRA AND AN ARITHMETIC. Adapted to the Course of Instruction usually pursued in the Colleges and Academies of the United States. By P. A. Towne, formerly General Principal of the Barton Academy, Mobile, Ala., Professor of Mathematics, Clinton Liberal Institute, N. Y. Louisville, Ky.: John P. Morton & Co. pp. 282 and 360, respectively. We have examined these books with some satisfaction and some disappointment. The author claims no more than he deserves, and he deserves no more than he claims. The definitions in both books are concise and accurate, and the rules are short and clear; but we can see no great improvement, in these particulars, on the many other excellent works on the same subjects. The treating of decimal fractions in connection with decimal notation is a new arrangement for books of this style, but Dana P. Colburn has the same feature. The examples are carefully graded and very judiciously varied, and as instruments to be used by competent instructors, it is saying very much to say that they are fully equal to the very best published. But we are disappointed at receiving so little from a source so rich in what we need most. Mr. Towne, with his thirty years' successful practice in the class room, should give us his methods of introducing and developing each particular point, as Colburn has done. We want more Normal and less Text book. The perspicuity which shines on every page of these books shows that the whole subject has been thoroughly digested in the author's mind, and systematized from a teaching standpoint; and he owes it to the profession to exhibit his explanations, illustrations, and demonstrations, in the place of the bald solutions and rules which he has given us, and which we can get elsewhere. These remarks do not apply to the Algebra, which contains something we have long looked for in vain, namely: a popular treatment of the higher equations and the principles upon which their solution depends. M. GOODRICH'S SERIES OF SCHOOL READERS. Edited by Noble Butler, A.M. Louisville (Ky.): John P. Morton & Co. A First School Reader, pp. 72; a Second School Reader, pp. 144; a Third School Reader, pp. 216; a Fourth School Reader, pp. 264; a Fifth School Reader, pp. 384; a Sixth School Reader, pp. 551. This series of Readers is used extensively in Kentucky, and is worthy of use anywhere. The selections are well made, the works are well printed, and the teacher who had them in school would be unskillful if he did not succeed with his reading exercises. In this State, where the Public Schools are already supplied with Willson's noble series, and teachers are not allowed discretion in the selection of books, the field is not open for rival publishers, nor would there be a gain in changing the system. Still, the series published by Messrs. Morton ís one which teachers would be interested in, and would well repay their attention. SPARE HOURS. By John Brown, M. D. Boston: Ticknor & Fields. San Francisco: H. H. Bancroft & Co. pp. 458. This is not one of the newest of books, but the announcement that a second series of "Spare Hours" will be soon forthcoming has sent us back to renew some pleasant hours spent over this first series, published about three years since. It is a collection of essays on various subjects, first and foremost of which is that choice specimen of heart story-telling called, "Rab and his Friends," which once read, will not soon be forgotten. The essay on "Education through the Senses" touches the vocation of our readers, and the sketch of Arthur Hallam-for whom "In Memoriam" was written by Tennysongives information which every literary person will be glad to obtain. Then the theologian has his tastes consulted in the article on "St. Paul's Thorn in the Flesh: What was it?" We are sure it is never too late to notice a volume so full of quiet humor as this. THE COMMON SCHOOL SPEAKER. By Noble Butler. Louisville, (Ky.): Jno. P. Morton & Co. pp. 359. This book contains two hundred and eighty-six selections for recitation, "designed chiefly for young pupils," the compiler says, but containing, as we think, a sufficient variety for all pupils in the common schools. Though not a new work, it is as good as new, except that the eloquence evoked by the recent war is not represented. Should another volume of similar size be published to contain these later specimens of eloquence, the two would furnish every school boy with an abundant supply of matter for his weekly declamations. THE SUNDAY MAGAZINE for 1865. Edited by Thomas Guthrie, D.D. London and Edinburgh: Strahan & Co. San Francisco: A. Roman & Co. pp. 954. The leading principles of religious thought are the same the world over, and what is adapted to the wants of Christian families in England or Scotland will be welcomed elsewhere by those who believe in the same Scriptures. We believe essentially in the holy Catholic church; and the Sunday Magazine, by whatever name its editors and writers may be known among the churches, goes far to make the universal church truer to the thought of its Founder. We know of no more profitable method of investing five dollars towards the "proper observance of the Sabbath," of which we hear so much, than by putting this volume in families so situated as to be unable to attend the churches. Attractive stories of a religious character, historical sketches, grave articles from grave divines, poetic gems from various European writers; in short there is here an original scrap book carefully compiled, handsomely published, and dedicated to the uses of the evangelical portion of the world. We are glad to know of its great success elsewhere, and trust that on this coast it may prove a solace for many weary hours. GOOD WORDS FOR 1865. Edited by Norman McLeod, D.D., London: Strahan & Co. San Francisco: A. Roman & Co. pp. 934. Readers of Littell's Living Age, or any other republication from British periodicals, will remember the frequent appropriation therein of articles from the volume before us. The publishers of Good Words aim seemingly at the preparation for the week of a magazine as suitable for all hours as is the Sunday Magazine for the hours that men are accustomed to regard as especially sacred. We find in this volume the whole of Alexander Smith's novel, since republished by Ticknor & Fields, " Alfred Hagart's Household," and the whole of Charles Kingsley's novel," Hereward, The Last of the English," also republished. Then there is a series of articles, since published in book form in England, upon "Christ, the Light of the World ;" a series of Essays by Henry Rogers, on various subjects, and an interesting set of papers by the Editor, about a Journey in the East. We are glad that Messrs. Strahan & Co. have opened communication with America by means of these columns. The motto of this volume, taken from old Herbert," Good Words are worth much and cost little," is suggestive of the fact made known to us by Roman & Co., that the price of the volume is four dollars and a half, and we may add that they are the sole agents on this coast. |