am one of you, yesterday, today and forever. Sincerely, Mitchell, S. D. MARTHA BURT TURNEY, '72.

The last quarter of our year began yesterday and it promises to be as busy as the preceding ones. I am head of the department of French and Spanish in the high school and because the department is so crowded that three teachers are trying to do the work of four, am teaching the full six periods, four classes in French and two in Spanish. Then I am the "roll teacher" of the senior boys, which means that I look after the records and excuses and play the part of guide, philosopher and of friend to the seventy-three boys of the senior class. Then as a part of the work of the third year French class we are preparing to give Racine's "Athalie" on the 25th of May. By way of filling up my leisure moments I am doing work for D. C. Cook & Co.'s Sunday School publica tions, and trying to put into written form such other odds and ends of ideas as occur to me from time to time. You will thus see that I haven't much opportunity for getting into mischief. Yours, etc.,

Seattle, Wash.

Ms. Edith Barnum O'Brien:

CAROLINE M. SHELDON.

Your kind note asking me to write a few words for the Normal Magazine received, and I cannot refuse your request, although I am in the midst of business cares I look bag with great pleasure upon the years which I spent at Potsdam, and I have watched with great interest the growth and development of the institution.

One of the greatest pleasures of my life is to meet from time to time my old pupils, and to hear from them. an account of the successes that have followed them in their educational work. It is a great pleasure to know almost without an exception they have been successful, and I enjoy meeting them and visiting them in their homes.

During my twenty-seven years of educational work I have no pleasanter remembrances than those of the five years which I spent as Principal of the State Normal and Training School at Potsdam. For the last twelve years I have devoted myself to the activities of a business life, but I have not lost my interest in the cause of education. While I shall keep my residence in Colorado, I shall spend most of my time in New York City (Office 12 Broad way), for several years to come, and it will be a pleasure for me to welcome here at any time any of my old pupils.

I am very proud of the position that the Potsdam Normal holds among the educational institutions of the State, and I am sure that the same thought is impressed upon the school now as in former days, namely, that the character of the school is the sum total of the character of every instructor and pupil connected with it.

I enjoy reading the Normal Magazine, and believe that it has done very much to promote the interests of the school and to keep the old pupils in touch with the interests of the institution. With kind regards to all connected with the School, and a large measure of love to my old pupils, I am, yours sincerely,

New York City.

California School System.

E. H. COOK.

Californians believe that they have one of the best school systems in the United States. From the Kindergarten to the Doctor of Philosophy degree at the University the schools are free alike to all classes and all their advantages open to both sexes. Our system provides for a year of Kindergarten, eight years of elementary grades four years of college and two or three years of graduate work leading to higher academic degrees. All this is open to every child of the state and the opportunities for self help are so abundant that no boy or girl of ability and perseverance has ever to encounter a closed door.

High Schools are found in ever part of the state and the diploma from these admits without examination to the State University or to any one of our five Normal Schools

In

The student entering a Normal School on a High School diploma may in two years be graduated and certificated to teach in any of the elementary schools. four years time the student may leave the University with a diploma and certificate to teach in any elementary or high school.

We tax ourselves very liberally for the support of schools. A large state tax is raised and so distributed among the counties that the more populous and wealthy portions help to support schools in the sparsely settled and poorer districts. An additional county tax is levied for the schools of each county which augments the state tax and heightens local appreciation of schools as each locality thus bears directly a part of the burden. In addition to state and county tax each city levies a special tax, for city schools cost more than country schools. As a result of this liberal support our rural schools are in session from seven to nine months each year and city schools for ten months.

Teachers in the rural schools and the smaller towns receive from $60 to $75 per month for the time taught; in city elementary schools from $60 to $80 per month the entire year. High school teachers receive larger salaries ranging from $80 to $140 per month. The salaries of principals and superintendents range from $1000 to $4.200 per year.

In San Francisco teachers in the primary and grammar schools are appointed on competitive examinations and after serving a two years probation are appointed for life. In other cities although elected annually, teachers practically have a tenure of efficiency. The number of professionally trained teachers is increasing, educational standards are being raised and professional spirit growing through County Institutes and State Teachers'