Critical analysis and keen discrimination as to essentials are the qualities that make Rosenkranz ever helpful as a guide to educators in the theoretic study of their specialty. It was for this reason that Dr. Harris placed the translation of "The Philosophy of Education" by Rosenkranz, as the first volume in the "International Education Series." Among the educators of our own country, Dr. Harris, himself, stood without rival in this same respect. The critical acumen. and philosophic insight of his prefaces to the series referred to are of permanent value and would justify their collection into a separate volume by themselves.

But to return to the matter of experiments. An interesting example of government action in this respect is afforded by the English Board of Education which has recently offered special grants to secondary schools for the purpose of meeting expenses incurred by such schools in respect of special educational experiments approved by the board. The first result of this policy is embodied in a pamphlet on the teaching of Latin at the Perse School, Cambridge.

In the prefatory note the board state that they do not necessarily commit themselves to approval of the methods of work advocated therein, but have every reason to believe that the account of the experiment will be of real value to persons engaged in teaching.

The movement for child study which has reached large proportions in this country and is rapidly extending in Europe, comprises within its scope, a variety of investigations, researches and experiments, and there is at present, urgent demand for the correlation of the results of these varied and often widely differing orders of investigation, especially as related to the practical work of education. In several recent conferences and congresses this has been attempted. For example, in the second International Congress on School Hygiene, held at London in 1907, the proceedings of which have been published in three volumes under the editorial supervision of Doctor Kerr, medical officer of the Education Board of London and his Assistant Doctor Wallis. The important relation that hygiene bears to the entire welfare of the child seems to justify the comprehensive program presented at this Congress; in fact, it covered almost every class of investigation to which the child study movement has given rise.

Among the investigations that are yielding important results applicable to the conduct of schools may be mentioned particularly investigations as to the signs and causes of arrested development and as to the causes and effects of school fatigue. Both of these subjects were fully considered in the London Congress. They are also subjects of extended presentation in successive numbers of the Année Psychologique prepared under the direction of Doctor Alfred Binet.

On an entirely different plane, namely, that of the exact sciences, experiments and researches are now going on which, while their chief practical results pertain to the great manufacturing industries of the

present time, are yielding also, lessons of importance to the conduct of education. A recent lecture by Professor Emil Fischer, of the University of Berlin, delivered on the occasion of the inauguration of the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Wissenschaften, emphasizes the industrial bearings of such investigations as follows:

The industries closely connected with science, such as the chemical and electrotechnical industries, fine mechanical engineering, production of metals, industries connected with fermentation, and last, but not least, agriculture, have also undergone in our hands a development envied on almost all sides by other nations.

Only a month ago the Nobel prize for chemistry came for the sixth time to Germany; this constitutes 60 per cent. of all the Nobel prizes hitherto awarded for chemistry. During the same period of time two and a half prizes were awarded to Germans for physics and three and a half for medicine. Dr. Alfred Nobel, unfortunately, did not provide for the remaining natural sciences.

There is an important lesson for educators to be drawn from this class of investigations which is indicated in the following passage from the lecture already cited:

It is well known that the greater number of German scientific investigators are teachers at universities of polytechnics. During the last ten years a scheme of practical enducation of the masses has developed, which affords to all students the possibility of acquiring a thorough training in experimental science, and which provides. our industries with an army of scientifically educated workers. But this very education of the masses tends mentally to exhaust the teacher to a great extent, certainly to a higher degree than is desirable, or indeed compatible, with the creative power of the investigator.

This danger has been most keenly appreciated by teachers of chemistry, to which body I myself belong. It is, therefore, no mere accident that in our circles of recent years the cry for new laboratories should be at its loudest; an appeal for laboratories which should. permit of research in absolute tranquility, unencumbered by the duties of teaching.

A. T. S.

Book Notices.

An Outline for the Study of American Civil Government. With Special Reference to Training for Citizenship. For use in Secondary Schools. Prepared for the New England History Teachers' Association by its Committee Ray Greene Huling, Wilson Ryder Butler, Lawrence Boyd Evans, John Haynes, and William Bennett Munro. 187 pages. The Macmillan Company. This is a notable contribution to the subject of civics. The Committee was appointed by the Association and for several years worked at the subject, securing information and suggestion from everywhere, which when collected, was digested, classified, and reduced to usable shape, and now forms the body of this splendid report. It is unquestionably one of the ablest and most valuable reports made by a committee of teachers. The subject is treated comprehensively and exhaustively. Every phase of it is considered, every topic discussed, every question answered. If the subject is taught by the use of this outline there will be a revival of interest in civics in secondary schools and a quickening among teachers and pupils alike. The application of the purpose of the study, the training for citizenship, is emphasized with impelling force; the student may forget the facts studied but he will not be able to get away from the sense of moral responsibility resting upon him as a citizen of this republic; that purpose runs through the book and no student can escape its influence. For this, if for no other reason the book is timely and eminently valuable. We most heartily commend it to all teachers of civics, whether in secondary or elementary schools.

The English Language. Book One. Language and Literature. By Sarah Withers, Principal of Training Department, Winthrop College, and James P. Kinard, Professor of English in Winthrop College. Price 40 cents. The Macmillan Company.

The object of this series is first to train the child in expression of his exporiences and thoughts, and second to help him to see and feel the beauty of literature. The authors have wisely based most of their lessons on literature, choosing only the very best material for illustrative work, material in which ideals abound. The development of language power and appreciation is most deliberate, as befits the grade of the pupils, the pictures, poems, and stories being selected with commendable care to the end that they may not be beyond the comprehension of the pupils. Conversation is made a distinct and persistent part of the lessons, and letter writing is featured. The authors have studied the needs and capabilities of the school children, and have made a book that meets these. Its features of excellence will declare themselves to all teachers of the fourth, fifth and sixth grades.

A Practical English Grammar. For Upper Grades. By John Tilden Prince, Ph. D., Agent of the Massachusetts Board of Education. Price 60 cents. Ginn & Co.

The aim of this book is to present in simple form the most important facts

of correct English construction and to provide abundant practice in the application of them, with the object of accomplishing certain definite practical results, as: such a knowledge of the relations of words in sentences as will give the pupils ability to analyze intelligently the best literature in our language; such a knowledge of the common principles and rules of construction as will help the pupils to express themselves correctly in language which they are likely to use; and such a knowledge of the inflections and relations of words as will aid in acquiring a foreign language. If these results are secured by a use of this book, and they seem likely to follow its use, it were well Dr. Prince had made the grammar text book. It is distinctly an upper grade book, following the use of a simpler text. It is in all ways a dignified, practical, thorough, sensible textbook on grammar.

Teachers' Voluntary Associations in the United States. By Carter Alexander, Ph. D., Assistant Professor of Educational Administration, University of Missouri. Contributions to Education, No. 36. Price $1. Published by Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City.

The investigation into this subject was begun in 1908 by Dr. David Snedde and has been prosecuted under his direction, the intention being to make a survey of the significant phenomena in the important associations of the country. The topics include studies in the differentiation and specialization of teachers' associations, their work in legislation, for the economic better! ment of teachers, and the place of women in the associations. A summary of conditions and conclusions, together with a full bibliography serve to make the monograph a timely and valuable contribution to those who are interested in this movement of teachers. All association officers will find the work especially illuminating and helpful.

Education in Sexual Physiology and Hygiene, by Philip Zenner, M. D. Cincinnati: The Robert Clarke Co. Price, $1.00 net.

We have read this little book from beginning to end with much interest. It is a wise doctor's sane advice on a subject about which our youth are too often left entirely in the dark, at a time when they ought to receive some information about the reproductive organs. It is wisely called "a physician's message." Dr. Zenner, who is Professor of neurology in the medical department of the University of Cincinnati, would have parents and teachers instruct growing boys and girls touching the issues of life and the sacredness as well as importance of the subject, and not have them learn of these things from vile associates and books and papers, or from quack doctors who advertise in order to fatten on their fears. Proper knowledge in season would save a vast amount of fear and suffering and crime.

Children's Classics in Dramatic Form-Book One, by Augusta Stevenson, formerly a teacher in Indianapolis Public Schools. Illustrated by Clara E. Atwood. Houghton, Mifflin Company. Price $.30.

This is a form of the book so popular with children, the primer. The short stories and fables which are so dear to childhood, such as the one of The Hare

and the Tortoise, The Honest Woodman, etc., are moulded into little playlets which may be read or acted out by the little folks. Children always delight in reading parts or playing characters. The author's aim is defined in the foreword "to arouse a greater interest in oral reading; to develop an expressive voice; and to give freedom and grace in the bodily attitudes and movements which are involved in reading and speaking." We feel confident that the author's purpose will be carried out in the series of books of which this is the first volume.

Elements of Algebra, by Arthur Schultze, Ph. D., Assistant Professor of Mathematics, New York University, Head of the Mathematical Department, High School of Commerce, New York City. The Macmillan Co. 85 cents net. The aim of this book is to shorten the usual course in algebra, at the same time furnishing all the essentials of the subject. The distinctive features of the book are: all unnecessary methods and cases are omitted; all parts of the theory which are beyond the comprehension of the student or which are logically unsound are omitted; the exercises are simple; topics of practical importance, as quadratic equations and graphs, are placed early in the course. "Applications taken from geometry, physics, and commercial life are numerous, but the true study of algebra has not been sacrificed in order to make an impressive display of sham applications." The development of the subject is deliberate and gradual; the beginner in it will find his way one of interest and steady growth.

Industrial Studies, United States, by Nellie B. Allen, State Normal School, Fitchburg, Mass. Ginn & Company. 65 cents.

Here is a book packed full of useful knowledge which every school boy ought to know. It is a great thing to become familiar with the industries which bind the nations together. Children of the upper grades who study this book will know the size, climate, soil and drainage of our great country, and its waterways and railroads. They will never forget what they learn here about our great crops of corn, cotton, wheat, and other grains and fruits, and about sugar, coal, iron, gold, silver, etc.; about the raising of cattle, sheep and our great lumbering and fishing industries. This is a very informing book. But our author does not get the corn crop big enough by 500,000,000 bushels; also on page 264, line six, is an almost ludicrous mistake.

Children's Classics In Dramatic Form, Book Four, by Augusta Stevenson, formerly a teacher in the Indianapolis public schools. Illustrated by Clara E. Atwood. Houghton, Mifflin Company. 50 cents.

This is an admirable book for its purpose, which is "to arouse a greater interest in oral reading," with expressive voice and grace and freedom in bodily attitude. Here are sixteen interesting and thrilling stories, which children will greatly enjoy and forget themselves in personating. Among the heroes who figure here are William Tell, Lafayette, Daniel Boone, and Don Quixote. Each tale is based on fact, but is worked out for dramatic effect. We heartily commend this book. Publishers, as well as author, have done their part well.