To give some idea of the antiquity of this kind of paper, it may be added that it was in use long before the year 484 B C. Belonging to a period quite as ancient was the second kind of that made from the skins of sheep and goats, called mempaper, brana parchment. The hair was taken off and the skin was made smooth by the use of pumice. A remarkable fact in connection with writing on parchment was that the ancients often used the same piece twice or even three times. They did this by rubbing or washing the writing off. Such parchment was called palimpsest which means "scraped again." In 1816, a famous scholar, Niebuhr, found a manuscript containing the writings of St. Jerome. His practiced eye detected evidences of an older writing, and by the use of some chemical preparation, he brought out the work of a celebrated Roman author. Writings of well known ancient authors were found under portions of the Old Testament. The third kind of writing material was the waxen tablet, which the Romans used for almost any purpose, but chiefly in writing letters and making notes; and which school-boys used for writing exercises or working out problems. The writer once saw a photograph of a terra-cotta figure representing a Roman lad with a tablet in hand looking mournfully upward, as if appealing to his heathem gods to help him with his knotty "sum." The tablets were made of wood, generally beech or fir, sometimes citron wood, covered with wax There were several sizes, none of them very large, one kind called pugillares, small enough to be held in a partly closed hand. The Romans took the wood, cut and polished it a little, and then smeared wax on one side. In order to prevent the wax of one piece from rubbing against that of the other when they fastened two pieces together with wire, they left a rim around the wood. The wire fastening the backs of the tablets served as a hinge. When a writer had finished his letter, he placed the tablets together, bound them with a strong string, tied them into a knot, placed wax upon the knot and stamped it with his signet ring. Here a curious fact may be mentioned. Many of the Romans were either too lazy or else too industriously occupied in war or speech-making, to unite their own letters, so their secretaries who were nearly always slaves or freed men wrote for them, and as it was not the custom to sign names to letters, the only signature that letters had was their stamp of the signet ring. Letters began in this way: "M. Tullius Cicero to C. Julius Cæsar, greeting." The shortest letter perhaps of ancient times was the one written by Cæsar to his lieutenant Cicero, brother of the orator, when Cicero was besieged by the Gauls. It was written in Greek, and the translation is "Cæsar to Cicero: Expect help." Now, as you have learned what the Romans used as paper, the next matter is to tell you what kind of ink they had. When they used paper made from papyrus, they wrote with ink composed of lampblack and gum. With parchment, they used a mixture of gum and oak-galls. Sometimes they made an ink by boiling and straining the dregs of wine. It is said that occasionally they used as ink the black fluid emitted by the cuttle-fish. That the ink was of excellent quality and very lasting we know from the fact that even to this day on certain fragments of ancient Egyptian papyri the writing is legible. In addition to the commonly used black ink, the Romans had red, green and purple ink. The emperors wrote their names with a costly red ink which all others were forbidden to use. There was also invisible or sympathetic ink, which would appear only when heat was applied or some chemical preparation was poured upon the paper. A Roman author (Ovid) tells us that people occasionally wrote with fresh milk, and that the characters could be seen only when coal-dust was sprinkled upon the paper. Single and double inkstands, the latter for ink of two kinds, some round in shape, others hexagonal, with covers were found at Pompeii. All the stationary needed by a writer has now been mentioned except the pen and pencil. and pencil. With the papyrus and with parchment the pen used was called calasnus, a reed of nearly the same shape as our old-time quill pen. It was split like our pens, and so had the name "cloven-footed." Certain Asiatic people use this reed even now. With the waxen tablets a sharp iron instrument called a stilus was in use. One end was sharpened for scratching on the wax, the other end was flat, and was used as au eraser. Erasing was performed by smoothing the wax and thus rendering it capable of receiving new impressions. When a writer desired to draw lines on parchment, he used a leaden plummet, made out of a small round plate. This served as a pencil and ruler. It may be interesting next to consider how the ancients sent their letters and other mail matter. There were no post-offices or post routes. Under the empire there was a system of couriers but they carried only state dispatches. When a person wrote to a friend, he had to send his letter by a special messenger or by some friend who happened to be going in the desired direction. In the former case, when a man in Rome wished to write to a friend in Greece, he had of course to pay his messenger's expenses. Naturally, therefore, only the well-to-do could afford the luxury of letter writing. Poor people wrote no letters if they had to be sent to a distance. On the walls of a house in Pompeii, Doctor Rich tells us was found the picture of a letter folded and sealed with directions. Near this picture were representations of pens and pencils of the old times. These pictures and others found there have thrown a wonderful light upon the subject of Roman stationary. A. P. MONTAGUE (In Youths' Companion). Editoral Note:-From the old papyrus we get our word paper, and from liber the word library, a collection of books. The impression of the signet ring was called the "sign manual;" and so now we say that we sign a paper or a letter. You perhaps know that there are some illiterate people who, even now, sign legal papers by making their mark thus: His (X) Mark. Tehama County. Almost all the schools re-opened during the first weeks of September, C. C. Swafford is again principal of the Red Bluff Union High School. His assistants are F. P. Johnson and Grace L. Henley. Principal G. K. Bingham enters upon his eleventh year in the Red Bluff Grammar School, R. L. Douglas is vice. Corning retains Principal A. W. Glover for another year, the remainder of the corps is new. O. E. Graves who has efficiently filled the office of superintendent is again a candidate. We trust he will be re-elected. Under his supervision the schools of the county have forged to the front. Miss Mollie Owens is his opponent. Miss Lena K. Nangle is again at Proberta where she has taught for the past four or five years. Miss Rose Lowrey one of our well-known teachers was married during the summer to Geo. B. Champlin Jr. of Tehama, Miss Maud Bond became Mrs. Taft. Ex-superintendent L. W. Valentine is a candidate for county as sessor. Ex-superintendent Myron Yager owns a nice home near Manton and teaches school in the Pine Grove District near his place. Ex-superintendent Belle Miller taught during the summer at Cascade where she has held forth for several years. Mrs. Robert Burgess, formerly Miss Dora Gilmore and one of our best teachers, died during the summer of a lingering disease. She had been married but a year or two. A commercial course has been added to the High School of Red Bluff. J. D. Sweeney began his eleventh term as principal of Tehama on September 19th, Miss Virginia De Shields has taught eight years in the same school. Miss Belle Mathews also teaches there again. Frank Houghton, present assemblyman, and candidate for State Treasurer on the Populist ticket, is clerk of Burton District. A. J. Chittenden formerly County Treasurer, now an aspirant for Assessor is clerk in Independent District. R. H. Blossom, the well-known farmer, is President of the Board of High School Trustees of Red Bluff. With such men as the above taking an interest in our schools success is assured. Del Norte County. Situated as it is, in the extreme northwestern corner of the State, Del Norte County is comparatively unknown as an educational factor. During the past four years we have had the pleasure of quite an extended acquaintance with Supt, Leishman and from him we have learned that his county is rapidly coming to the front educationally. Here was organized the first County High School under the McGowan Act and now the school is occupying a new and commodious building in Crescent City. Supt. Leishman and his County Board of Education feel that they are very much hedged in formulating a Curriculum for the high school as owing to the small attendance of pupils desiring preparation for matriculation to the State University or for a professional life, the school is in great danger of lapsing. The years course has been much changed to meet the conditions and in all probability the course will every year be made of a more commercial nature that in the past. The Course of Study for the Primary and Grammar Schools shows a marked improvement during the past four years, and the corps of teachers is the equal of any in the State and is largely made up of home talent who have received their training under home teachers. Notwithstanding the distance from the normal schools, three young lady graduates of the high school have been attending the San Jose Normal and before long many of the positions in Del Norte County will be filled by professionally trained teachers who have received their ducation in Del Norte County. Department of Supervision State Board of Education. JAMES H. BUDD......... Items of Interest for Trustees, Parents and Teachers. ..Governor, Sacramento. A. H. RANDALL,... Pres. State Normal School, San Jose. SACRAMENTO, Sept. 26, 1898. To the Superintendents and other Officers of the Public Schools of California: By the appointment of the Governor of the State, I have been designated to fill out the unexpired term of Hon. Samuel T. Black, the late Superintendent of Public Instruction, who has resigned this office in order to take the Presidency of the Normal School at San Diego. In assuming the duties of the office, I wish to assure all that during my incumbency, especial pains will be taken to give satisfaction to every one, and to maintain the high reputation that this office has always had for courtesy and diligence. It will give me pleasure to visit any schools that may be in need of inspection; to attend any Institutes that may hold session before the expiration of my term; and to look after any and all other interests that may increase the efficiency of the schools of the State. Sincerely yours; CHARLES T. MEREDITH State Superintendent Public Instruction. A meeting of the State Board of Education was held in the the office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction Saturday, Sept. 11, there being present State Supt. Samuel T. Black, Professor C. M. Ritter, President of the Chico Normal School; Professor A.H.Randall, President of the San Jose Normal School; Professor Martin E.Kellogg, President of the State University; and Elmer E. Brown, Professor of Pedagogy, also of the State University. Text-book Sales. Secretary Black handed in the following report, which was approved: Gentlemen: I was directed at the last meeting of your honorable body to request Charles H. Keyes to foward the manuscript of the Advanced History of the United States at once. In response to my letter to Mr. Keyes, I received the said manuscript on or about May 25th, and immediately forwarded it to President Kellogg, Chairman of the committee to secure expert opinion on said manuscript. The number of text-books sold since January 1, 1898, is as follows: 61 old first readers........ $4.65 9 90 17 82 3,661 44 4,711 28 10,337 revised third readers.. 9,633 revised fourth readers.. 3,341 spellers..... 5,722 primary number lessons. .... 80,981 advanced arithmetic...... 4,548 25 5,105 49 2,585 25 1,544 40 4,192 02 7,999 lessons in language.......... .............. 1,999 75 12,822 revised English grammars...... 6,026 34 4,312 United States history.. 3,018 40 9,126 Elementary geography 4,653 00 6,814 advanced gegraphy.. 6,950 28 2,632 physiology. 2,293 civil government... Total....... 1,316 00 1,054 78 $51,309 08 I also hand herewith the State Printer's statement of the number of text-books on hand September 1, 1898, as follows: First reader (revised). Second reader (revised) Third reader (revised). Fourth reader (revised). Speiler..... 26.938 3,716 7,764 13,004 4,499 The committee appointed to secure the services of an expert to examine the manuscript of the United States History being prepared by Professor Keyes reported as follows: "We have secured for the purpose named Dr. Kendrick C. Babcock of the University of California, and Mrs. Rose V. Winterburn of the Stockton public schools. Dr. Babcock has completed his part of the examination and has presented us with his report. Mrs. Winterburn has made a good beginning upon her part, and expects to bring it to completion in about two weeks. She has presented us with a brief report of progress. "We would recommend that Dr. Babcock be paid for his services the sum of $150 from the amount appropriated for the purpose." On motion of Superintendent Black, the report was accepted, and Dr. Babcock was ordered paid. Action Deferred. The Committee on Credentials for diplomas reported recommending that in the cases of Jessie A. Chandles, Lydia Chandles Steves and Minnie E. Alderson, applicants for life diplomas of the grammar-school grade, and of Philip M. Condit, for educational diploma, high school grade, action be deferred upon granting said diplomas, and that in the case of Annie Vogeli, an applicant for life diploma, high school grade, action be deferred and the Secretary of the State Board correspond with Miss Vogeli and obtain the course of study of Amador County relative to high school work. The report was adopted. Diplomas Granted. The committee further reported recommending the granting of diplomas to the following persons, and the report was accepted and the diplomas granted accordingly: Normal Documents-Mary A. Backer, Viola Backus, Franklin K. Barthel, Juliette A. Burns Grace A. Conaway, George D. Culver, Alvena E. Decoto, Blanche A. Emery, Nellie D. Foss, Jean F. Graham, Catherine L. Gray, Florence G. Hammond, Carrie E. Heil, Walter B. Hill Mary C. Holburn, Benjamin F. Hudspeth, Mary B. Killefer, Clara A. Laughlin, Alice Ledgerwood, Annie Lowry, Ellen A. Lynch, Sarah A. Mitchell, William Mitchell, Flora R. McIsaac, Lola D. McLellan, Marion A. Orcutt Mrs. F. Viola Huff Pann, Mary Louise Parry, Sophronia H. Peckham, Louise Pfau, Mary V. Reager, Hazel W. Salmons, Genevieve Savage, Ludena Sayre, Cora M. Slater, Rosa B. Smith, Flora E. Stewart, Fred H. Tebbe, Rachel H. Tuck, Mrs. Elsie D. Cutter Tweedy, Annie J. Welch, Ella Wood, Lulu G. Wood, Katherine L. Woodford. Life Diplomas of the high school gradeLewis B. Avery, Lucullus K. Grimm, Blanche E. Leviele, George E. Morrill, Mary Polk, Frank S. Reager, Jessie Smith, Andrew Sorensen, Annie Stewart, Charles E. Taylor, Minnie A. Taylor, Irving Townsend, George H. Stout, Thomas Downey, Paul G. Ward. New issue life diplomas granted on old diplomas, which were granted on county recommendation-Helen Armbruster, Mary J. Canham, Mary E. Carson, Margaret B. Curry, Eulalia A. Day, Mary Magner, John W. Martin, Lizzie Matthews, Marguerite Moore, Bell McNicoll, Angus McPhee, Harriet A. Spalding Hattie E. Whirlow, Jennie H. White, Jennie V. Clyborne. Educational diplomas of the high school grade-Warren Loree, Wilbur James Mac Neil, Wm. W. Payne, Geo. H. Rhodes, Robert C. Root, Clyde Gibson. Life diplomas of the grammar school grade -Agnes J. Ahern, Amy C. Algeo, Ida F. Anderson, Mrs. J. S. Babson, Emma Badgley, Mabel Baker, Naomi D. Baker, Sarah M. Bak. er, Lew Ball, Jennie A. Beardsley, Margaret Ellen Bertrand, Mary M. Bevans, Lena Booth Mollie I. Brewer, Mrs. Josie S. Broadhurst, Annie S. Brogan, Mrs. Minnie R. Browne, William J. Burns, Laura J. Campbell, Bella Cassin, Lilly Casady, William H. Castle, Mrs. lanthe A. Cooke, J. H. Creighton, Althea S. Corey, Lillie M. Crowell, Alice S. Culverwell, Mary J. Dolan, May Donovon, John W. Dun. can. Stella Finkeldey, Dessie M. Frye, Adele M. Goodrich, Janie Hall, Carolyn L. Hankins Josephine Harrigan, Augusta Wright Hobe, Florence E. Hoge, Edwin Early Howard, Marguerite Howard, Mrs. Robert I. Irons, Sophia F. Jones. Anna Keagle, Neva Lane, Emma F. Leibold, Agnes Leland, Joseph Baker Lent, Anne E. Lewis, Eda Loomis, Annie Lyon, E. N. Mabrey, Edmund T. Manwell, Clara L. Martin, M. R. Miller, Mrs. Laura M. Miller, Maggie Monahan, Minnie A. Monahan, John B. Monlux, Sarah F. Mount, Annie F. McCauley, Jean McDaniel, Sadie M. McDermit, Jennie McDonald, Kate McLaughlin, Ellen H. Neylan, Edward B. Oakley, Theresa Margaret. Otto, Mrs. Ella Palmer, Luella Palmer, Harriet I. Patterson, Sylvester E. Payne, Lois A. Peckham, Augustus S. Perkine, Abbie F. Phillips. Albert Howe Pierce, E. W. Pinkley, Margaret Isabel Poore Sadie Purcell, Marion Race, Oren Nelson Raney, Minerva Etta Reed, Myrtle M. Riddle, Julia E. Rix, Nellie Rogers, George L. Sackett, Martin E. Sayre, Alice Schendel, Nora Scott, Jonas Soldner, Lily Irwin Squires, Bertrand R. Ste. vens, Fannie Keith Thomas, Nettie A. Thomp. son, B. M. Trautwine, Mrs. Maggie McC. Trowbridge, Amanda Van Orden, Minnie L. Wagner, Gertrude Wheeler, Kate Whyte, Belle Wilkins, Florence A. Williams, Clarence A Winchester, Adelia A. Witt. Educational dipomas of the grammar school grade-Minnie Adams, Belle Alexander, Oba C. Algeo, Augusta F. Anderson, Mrs. Maggie Anderson, Edna L. Allen, W. E. Bacon, Helen Markell Baer, Lulu Claire Bahr, Mrs. C. F. Bartlett, Nellie M. Beirnes, Alice H- Blanchard, Winnie L. Blakemore, Josephine Rebecca Boyle, Margaret C. Burke, Lilian E. Boynton Mary E. Burke, Mary Fahy Burke, Alice G. Byrne, Elizabeth Cable, Marion Judson, Cheatham, Jane D. Christiansen, Mrs. Susan R. Codd, Nettie L. Craighan, William P. Cramsie, Edson N. Cuddeback, Zora De Witt, Kittie E. Dexter, Ella G. Dohn, Will A. Dower, Mabel V. Duden, Daniel Cromwell Farnham, Hilda Fleming, Edward A. Freeland, Carrie J. Garsey, Florence Glennan, Catherine E. Gloster, Jean F. Graham, Maud M. Green, Rosa Hall, Floy Hardy, Magdalena Hetzer, Lottie E. Hiett, Clara Hogan. Edward B. Homer, Charles C. Hughes, Frank Hulbert, Nellie Hunsaker, Josie H. Inglis, Anna C. Jewett, Adella M. Keeler, Josie T. Kenny, Lulu Lewis, Mabel Lincoln, Nellie Marcus, Mamie Meinecke, Mathilde Meysan, Freda Youde Miller, Walter S. Moore, Virginia Moriarty, May E. McDougald, Arthur I. McSor ley, Lena K. Nangle, Annie W. Neff, E. M. Nuckolls, Maria Nolan, Agnes, C. O'Connell, Margaret M. O'Rourke, Rosa G. Papina, Mrs. C. A. Perkins, Margaret Pope, Mary Purdy, Esther Rhine, Jennie Richards, I. E. Rollins, Eva Roseberry, Agnes Sehultz, Luella Smith, Margaret E. Smith, Sara L. Smith, Matilda Thronsen, Gertrude E. Treanor, Ella Maud Truscott, R. Izer Turner, Edward Wall, Winifred Wear, John H. Willms, May E. Wolf, Sophia R. Wurst, Gertrude H. Yager, WESTERN CHOOL Miss Mary F. Ledyard of San Jose has been elected supervisor of the Los Angeles Kindergarten System. The Art Building at Stanford, donated by Mrs. Barron will be quite an addition to the handsome buildings at the University. Edgar E. Muller of San Diego, resigned because of a cut in salary, and has accepted the principalship of the Honcut school in Butte County. Rice S. Eubank, who has been Instructor of the Natural Sciences in the Normal, Ashland, Oregon, has been engaged as Professor of Latin and Greek in the University of Minneapolis, Minn. His position in Ashland will be filled by his wife. Mr. G. H. Boke principal of the San Rafael High School has resigned to accept a fellowship in Jurisprudence in Harvard University, where he will study for several years. Mr. R C. Bentley will be his successor, Mr. Bentley taught at Martinez last year in a private High School. S. E. Coleman of State University '96 has been appointed to the position of professor of mathematics in the Los Angeles High School. He is a graduate of the Los Angeles Normal School as well as of the State University. He also spent two years in post-graduate studies at Harvard, and for a time taught physics in the Oakland High School. Edmond S. Meany, a member of the American Historical Association, was elected to the chair of history in the University of Washington September 14. There were seventy-seven candidates. Mr. Meany is a nephew of Anthony J. Meany, who was a State Senator and for many years Sheriff of Marin county, Cal. Mrs. M. A. Meany, the mother of the successful professor, is visiting her father, Alexander English, at Santa Cruz. The free text-book system will be inaugurated in all the public schools of the city when they open for the winter term, Monday the 12th. At the school election held last fall the voters of the city by a large majority, decided that they wanted free books and supplies, and the school board has completed arrangements for carrying the system into operation with the commencement of the schoo.- Washington Spokesmen Review, Sept. 1. Miss Helen Ballard of the State University class of '94, has been appointed to take charge of the English grades in all the city schools of San Diego below the High School. This making of the study and teaching of English in these lower grades a matter of special research will be considered a post-graduate course for the young lady. The proceeding is an entirely new one for the University and for the schools of the State. It is a step toward the more systematic study of English in the high schools the theory having been first adopted last year at the State Normal School in Chicago that the study of English must begin in the pri mary grades. Miss Ballard is the author of "The Love of a Fool," a story in the Century Magazine for May. Pres. Jordan of Stanford will deliver an address at the inauguration of Pres. Graves of the University of Washington, Nov. 10th. F. H. Turner of Sierra, Supt. of Schools, gives notice that a Teachers' Institute will be held in Downieville, Oct. 25th, 26th and 27th. Supt. Gregory of Jacksonville, Oregon, reports the following visit to a model school: "A visit to the school in District No. 19, Antelope Creek, was very much enjoyed, and gave opportunity of observing a number of indications that point to a successful term of school. Pupils on the playground were well behaved and enjoyed their games heartily, without any rudeness. When school called there was instant and willing obedience to the summons. In the school room, during the study period, the pupils were at their work, and in the recitation there was earnestness. The general exercises at the opening of the morning session were well calculated to arouse interest and at the same time impart practical information. Pupils and teacher seemed to be in sympathy with each other and ready to work together." Supt. Perham of Berkeley, in his annual report, makes the following interesting com ments: "Under the supervision of the Pedagogical Department of the University of California, about twenty students have assisted in the instruction of the primary and grammar grades. This work proved in most cases very satisfactory and gave the teachers some needed relief. The plan will be continued the coming year, wherever arrangements can be made for class rooms. It is hoped to make it specially effective in helping teachers who have large classes or where there are children who need individual attention in some one line of work. "About forty teachers' meetings have been held during the year and thru them much has been done to unify the work in the various grades, to bring about unity of action and a closer bond of fellowship. Besides the regular meetings there have been frequent meetings of the teachers called for the purpose of consultation and advice. "The superintendent has made over six hundred visits to the various class rooms and has tried to keep in touch with every phase of the school work from the first grade thru the high school. This has been a period of transition and has had its trials and vexations for all concerned. This period is now closed and we can look forward to happy results in the year to come. I wish to thank the teachers for the spirit of loyalty they have manifested and the zeal and efficiency with which they have labored. I wish to thank the Board of Education for the many favors received and for the hearty support accorded me as your executive officer." The Port Townsend Leader thus writes of some people the readers of the JOURNAL know: "Hon.F. J. Browne, State Superintendent, is known to all in Port Townsend, and all feel a just pride in the fact that he, who is at the head of educational affairs in Washington, was for years a resident of this city. "Mrs. Carrie Shaw Rice, the only woman who has ever been on the Washington State Board of Education, will be here the entire session. Beautiful in person and charming in manner, she cannot fail to please any audience. "Prof. Alex. B. Coffey, of San Francisco, the newly elected Professor of Pedagogy in the State University of Washington, will be here all the time of the institute. "John L. Tait, Pierce County Superintendent, and A. C. Jones, Professor of Philosophy, President of Vashon College, will be here the entire session." Miss Minnie Coulter, a graduate of Stan ford, 1898, is a candidate for superintenden of schools of Sonoma County on the De mo cratic ticket. A new high school has been established at Fowler. Prof. Hamilton Wallace, the wellknow educator will probably be the principal of the new school. Among Stanford people who will be absent this year are Professors W. H. Hudson, E. H. Griggs, J. M. Stillman, C. N. Little, A. B. Clark E. E. Farmer, A. W. Smith and M. R. Smith. Supt. Hart of Polk County, Oregon, held his annual institute at Dallas. Supt. of Public Schools, J. H. Ackerman, one of the most successful institute conductors in the West was among the instructors present. The resignation of President Martin Kel. logg of the University of California was received by the regents during the past month. Dr. Kellogg will remain at the head of the institution until charter day. His career as educator and citizen has been full of honor and unsefulness. An article on his life and work will appear in later issue of he ̈J. NAL. Supt. F. P. Davidson, of the City of San Diego, in beginning the work of the schools, addressed the teachers as follows: "I trust the vacation has brought for you the needed rest you deserve. I hope you feel physically able for the duties that lie before you, and that the most efficient work of your lives is just ahead of you. "In this line, let me suggest that while the vacation is the particular time for restoring our energies, it should not be the only time. Regular, systematic efforts should be made by every teacher of youth, to keep strong and vigorous, bodily; for only in this condition are we fit to cope with the arduous work of our profession. Especially from the standpoint of the child, it is important that we be not lacking in physical energy. I am fully persuaded, from observation and from experience that the larger proportion of the difficulties and discouragements, that see overtake us can be traced to a torpid liver, or other like malady, rather than to other causes. to "A distinguished teacher once told me that his attention was called to this matter very strikingly in this way: He had flogged a boy most unmercifully just at close of school. The boy took it kindly and remarked on leaving school to some of his companions, that he did not feel angry with his teacher, because it was his day for having the ague. "Let us avoid, as far as possible, the ague days in our schools. When we are physically well, we see things differently, we look thru different glasses; our mental grasp is clearer. To teach well, we must be well. "Of course, I do not wish to be understood as placing a low estimate on all the other' good qualities requisite for a teacher's success. Thoro intellectual preparation, student habits, cultivation in its broad sense-all are necessary, and all these, I am sure, you personally possess in goodly measure and will strive to possess in still greater measure; but I must insist, that with all our careful habits, we still often fail in getting the best results for reasons which I have stated. "I hope, therefore, in my visits among you, to find cheerful teachers. Moroseness and despondency have no place in the school room. 'Give me, O give me the man who sings at his work. He will do more in the same time; he will do it better,' says Dickens. "To this end, I hope to contribute all in my power toward making your work pleasant; and I trust that the continued sunshine with which we are surrounded, in our lovely home by the sea, will not be all on the outside; but will pervade our school rooms to the contentment and happiness of all, as far as it is possible." A short time ago Chas. Edwin Marham, poet, scholar and principal of the Tompkins School, married the talented, Miss Annie Murphy, writer, teacher and associate editor of a number of the State Series text-book. Now again we chronicle the wedding of Frederic Burk, Superintendent of Santa Barbara schools, formerly of Clark University, to the charming daughter of Rev. M. Frear of Oakland, California. We once of fered a cook book as a premium to any of our subscribers that should have the temerity to get married. But it would be an intrusion to send so common an article to Professor Burk who revels in psycology. So we send a late copy of the New England Journal of Education wherin Winship calls him General Burk the Cervera of the American School System, that the Atlantic (the magazine) had bottled up. - Prof. Hieronymous, who last year was connected with the Los Angeles Normal school, was in town yesterday in the interest of what he terms an educational "extension" work. It is to be modeled after the university extension work of the University of Chicago, but instead of confining it to one school as is the case there, here the several schools that stand for 'higher education in Southern California will be back of the movement. These schools are Throop Polytechnic Institute, Los Angeles Normal school, University of Southern California and Claremont College. Briefly stated, the plan is for the benefit of those who wish to take advanced work but who cannot attend school. Lectures will be given by educators of the highest rank and the work will be carried on in all the principal towns of Southern California, from Santa Bar bara to San Diego. It is proposed to bring lecturers from the principal educational institutions of the East and the instruction given will be of the highest grade. Prof. Hierony. mous will this year give his entire attention to this work. Regent J. B. Reinstein of the University of California is in Europe in connection with the Phoebe Hearst architectural plan. He is at Antwerp, Belgium, where all interest just now centers on the part of those who look forward to the time when the col.ege buildings at Berkeley shall be the grandest which the best architects in the world can devise. The committee who decide the awards is most unique in character-four of the most eminent architects of modern times assembling in a European capital to pass upon the plans which are to make the State University of California a monument of architecture. Its personnel will consist of R. Norman Shaw of ondon, J. L. Pascal of Paris, Paul Wallott of Dresden, and Walter Cook of New York. This body of men, assisted by Regent Reinstein and B. R. Maybeck of Berkeley, examined on Sept. 29th the designs sent in for the preliminary contest. No expense whatever will be spared by Mrs. Phoebe Hearst in this final contest. details have not yet been arranged, it is understood that thru Mrs. Hearst's generosity each of the ten architects selected from the preliminary competition will be invited Berkeley for a more detailed study of the university site. The final contest will close early in May. Altho the to A man, not a grammarian relates the following incident: "One lady that I knew, whilst busy at her toilet, felt something crawling on her shoulder. She screamed and called her husbaed, and he had just time to knock the centipede off before biting her in the neck." G. Stanley Hall, the president of Clark University will be the drawing card at the next California Teachers' Association. The executive committee are making active preparations for the Santa Rosa meeting. It is the intention to make the meeting scintillate with scholarly brilliance. San Luis Obispo Notes. Supt. Messer was defeated for re-nomination by A. F. Parsons, who is the Republican candidate for Superintendent of Schools. Miss Spafford beat ex-Superintendent Armstrong in the Democratic Convention by one vote. Hon. Edward L. Hutchinson, once a prominent teacher in Los Angeles city and county, accompanied by Judge James G. Maguire, also once a teacher, were in San Luis Obispo on the 19th and 20th, renewing old acquaintances. As speakers, Judge Maguire and Mr. Hutchinson demonstrated to what climax of eloquence teachers may aspire and reach the honored position of Governor and Lieutenant Governor. even Mr. Thomas P. Brown, eldest son of the late LeRoy D. Brown, who graduated from Santa Monica High School, and the Normal Department of Nevada State University, has engaged as Principal of Verdi public school of Nevada. The examination of pupils for promotion below the eighth year is meeting with great disfavor in some places. Tax-payers complain of the additional expense to the county. These examinations are conducted by the County Board of Education. Notwithstanding many oral objections, our popular county board show no immediate signs of discontinuing the practice establishes under Mr. Messer's administration of school affairs. Dr. Warren B. Brown, junior student at Stanford University, has been re-employed at Cuesta, near San Luis Obispo, for the entire year, for three consecutive years, raising the standard of the school. His long experience and up-to-date work wins him favor and popularity wherever he goes. Prof. Pitcher, who is engaged upon work here as Principal of the San Luis Obispo High Schooi, is a graduate of the University of California. He made a good record in Los Angeles County, and is giving excellent satisfaction to trustees and patrons here. LITERARY NOTES. W. Handbook of Nature Study. By D. Lange. The author urges teachers to follow his plan and "attend nature's own school in fields and forests, and at lakes and streams." He has gathered his subject matter, in groups of natural associates, out of doors. By this method a great variety is given to the lessons, altho they follow naturally upon each other. The variety keeps interest from flagging, and the natural association of the subjects continues the thread of interest without a break. Special attention is given the early lessons "about home" to simple garden work and its elementary philosophy. In the next section the nature study is of life by pond, lake and stream. This is followed by a study of the geological action of water in a gulch, ditch, or washout. The lessons in the volume are designed to cover a course of three years, and are specially commended for ungraded work in country schools for children from eight to eighteen years of age. Some idea of the scope of the work will be gathered from the fact that the last section deals with "Animate and Inanimate Nature; plants, animals and man in their relation to one another." The book is carefuily and excellently illustrated thruout. Nature Study Reading, Vol. II. Harold's Rambles. By J. W. Troger, A. M., B. S. Appleton & Co. 40 cents. Intended for supplementary home reading The Hiawatha Primer. By Florence Hol- This beautiful volume is a new departure in educational text-books. In the words of the publishers, "it assumes that the object of learning to read is to acquire the ability to read when young the writings of the best authors." It is the result of Miss Holbrook's work in her Forestville School at Chicago, and combines all the desirable qualities of a reading primer, with those of the most delightful story-book ever given to a child. The illustrations are in themselves well worth the price of the whole book. Nothing so artistic and yet so thoroly adapted to its purpose has been put into the hands of teachers for many a day. There is no doubt that all progressive educators will welcome and use this book, for its system is the result of a thoro understanding of the needs and capacities of children. It is a first book in reading and yet contrives to give its young readers a glimpse of the fairyland of literature. The publisher's name is sufficient guarantee of perfection in the material part of the work. We offer One Hundred Dollars Reward for any case of Catarrh that cannot be cured by Hall's Catarrh Cure. F. J. CHENEY & CO., Props, Toledo, 0. We the undersigned, have known F. J. Cheney for the last 15 years, and believe him per fectly honorable in all business transactionand financially able to carry out any obligations made by their firm. WEST & TRUAX, Wholesale Druggists, Toledo, O. WALDING, KINNAN & MARVIN, Wholesale Druggists, Toledo, O. Hall's Catarrh Cure is taken internally acting directly upon the blood and mucous sur faces of the system. Price 75c. per bottle. Sold by all druggists. Testimonials free. Hall's Family Pills are the best. PERRY PICTURES! ONE CENT EACH By the Hundred, Postpaid. 900 SUBJECTS For Picture Study, Language, Literature, History, Geography, Historic Ornament. 20 for 30 cents. 21 Be sure to see our pictures of Historic Ornament Send 2-cent stamp for 16-page illustrated catalog. Mention WESTERN JOURNAL OF EDUCATION. Address, Entertainments for Christmas. THE PERRY PICTURES CO., Malden, Mass. THE. A. VANDER NAILLEN School of Practical, Mining, Civil, Mechanical, 933 Market Street, San Francisco, Cal, HEALD'S San Francisco BUSINESS COLLEGE 24 Post Street, San Francisco California, is the leading Commercial College west of Chicago, Instruction includes Bookkeeping, Shorthand, Typewriting, Penmanship, Mechanical Drawing, Modern Languages, English Branches and everything pertaining to a business education. Thoroughly equipped DEPARTMENTS OF ELECTRICAL, CIVIL & MINING ENGINEERING, SURVEYING, ASSAYING, Etc., have been successfully added to the College's educational facilities. Twenty-four teachers. Individual instruction. Pupils can commence at any time. Sixteen thousand graduates. Established 34 years. Thoroughly practical courses Write for catalogue or College Journal. |