ly and practically valuable to the rank and file of the teaching profession. It is a work which will be referred to constantly in public libraries, taking its place as a standard in the reference room. Private libraries making any pretence to pedagogical completeness will find these volumes a necessity. They mark an era in educational progress.

Brooks's English Composition, Book One. By Stratton D. Brooks, Superintendent of Schools, Boston, Mass. Cloth, 12mo, 294 pages. Price, 75 cents. American Book Company, New York, Cincinnati and Chicago.

This book meets the high school requirements for the first two years in composition and rhetoric. Both in the oral and in the written work, emphasis is placed on the thought side of composition, to which form, although shown to be important, is made secondary. The pupil is trained how to think as the first condition of progress in writing. The many themes covering narration and description, and the adequate number in exposition and argumentation, give the pupil the confidence which comes from frequent repetition of an exercise. Each theme differs from the one preceding it by a single point on which, for the time being, the greatest emphasis is laid. The subjects suggested for themes are those in which high school pupils are interested and on which therefore they can write with spontaneity. The logi cal arrangement of material is subordinated to the needs of the pupils. The subjects are presented in their simplest forms at the point where it is felt that the pupils need them, and are extended later when the increased power enables the pupils to cope with the more difficult phases.

Rising in the World, or Architects of Fate. Pushing to the Front or Success Under Difficulties. The Secret of Achievement. By Orison Swett Marden, Author of "Be Good to Yourself," "Getting On," "The Miracle of Right Thought," etc. Editor of Success Magazine. Thomas Y. Crowell & Co. Price $1.50 each.

These are books in Dr. Marden's "Inspirational Books" series, full of sound common sense, suggestion, stimulation for young people of both sexes. No young man or woman who reads Dr. Marden's books can help having loftier ambitions, larger vision, and stronger courage for life's battles. Amid all the cheap trash of modern fiction these books stand like lighthouses to guide and to warn and they will save life and property and give happiness and bless. ing to thousands.

The Story of the Roman People. An Elementary History of Rome by Eva March Tappan, Ph. D., Author of "European Hero Stories," "The Story of the Greek People""American Hero Stories," "Our Country Stories," ‚""England's Story," etc. Editor of the "Children's Hour." Houghton, Mifflin & Co. Price $.65.

An admirable brief story of the main events in the history of Rome, richly illustrated, and adapted to the elementary grades in the public schools and to all young readers. There is a page of notable dates in the life story of Rome. The arrangement of the material and the full index make the contents easily accessible for reference and review.

The Old Testament Narrative, separated out, set in connected order and edited by Alfred Dwight Sheffield. Illustrated. Houghton, Mifflin Company. Price 75 cents.

This edition of the Old Testament Episodes is full and scholarly. It presents the entire history of Israel from the earliest times to the rededication of the temple by the Maccabees. The results of modern scholarship are evident in the Editor's treatment of the text. The use of this book in the secondary schools should remedy the widespread and inexcusable ignorance of college students in this subject.

The American Year Book. A Record of Events and Progress in 1910. Edited by S. N. D. North, LLD. under direction of a Supervisory Board representing National Learned Societies. D. Appleton & Co.

All departments of learning and of human activity are covered by this comprehensive volume. Whatever happened in the whole world in 1910 that was notable, in history, law, government and administration, in economics, industries, science and engineering, literature, education and religion is succinctly and clearly set forth. The classification is such that all facts are made immediately available. The book is a convenient and necessary reference work for those who need to lay their hands quickly upon the latest and most reliable statistics.

The Teaching of Agriculture in the High School. By Garland Armor Bricker, M. A. (University of Illinois), Assistant in Agricultural Education, Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Ohio State University; with an Introduction by Dr. W. C. Bagley, Director of the School of Education, University of Illinois. The Macmillan Company. Price $1.00 net. Instruction in agriculture has entered the curriculum to stay. It is a subject that lies close to the heart of the people. It is a fundamental human interest. A large number of books are being prepared upon the subject, and an increasing number of teachers are fitting themselves to give instruction in it. As a result scientific farming has made rapid progress and this occupation has acquired new dignity and there have been marvellous practical results. Professor Bricker's book is a careful presentation of the subject from a pedagogical point of view. It tells how to organize the course, describes the aims and methods, gives a list of classified exercises, etc. It is at once comprehensive and explicit.

The Outlook to Nature. By L. H. Bailey. New and revised edition. The Macmillan Company. Price $1.25.

Written in a delightful style by an observer and lover of nature and an educator who has attained eminence in the line of scientific and popular nature study. This book will show how to approach the subject and to cultivate a taste for this most delightful of all branches of learning. The chapters give the substance of a series of lectures given in Boston under the auspices of the Twentieth Century Club. They are good reading not only for teachers but for all persons who would enlarge their powers of observation and increase their delight in the good and beautiful things of the natural world.

A Laboratory Manual for the Solution of Problems in Biology. By Richard W. Sharpe. Instructor in Biology in the DeWitt Clinton High School, New York. American Book Company. Price $.75.

This Manual has been designed especially to accompany and supplement G. W. Hunter's Essentials of Biology. It is intended to suggest to the teacher various biological questions for laboratory work and for discussion, and is not necessarily to be put into the hands of the pupil. Detailed directions are given for 56 problems in biology and although many of the experiments seem impracticable because of the nature of the materials and apparatus necessary, still there are a great many valuable suggestions contained in the book. Used with judgment, it may be adapted to suit the practical needs of almost any high school biology course.

The broad, practical aspect of biology in relation to every day life is obvious. Especially noteworthy and unique in this respect is the last part of the book which deals with such topics as "Foods and Dietaries", where food values, patent medicines, etc. are discussed; "Personal and Civic Hygiene", which considers causes and prevention of disease from the point of view of the individual and the public health.

The text of Episodes from Caesar's Civil War and the Text of Nepos' Lives for Sight Reading. American Book Company.

This book contains selections for sight reading, without note or comment. Essentials of Biology. Presented in Problems by George William Hunter, A. M., Head of the Department of Biology, De Witt Clinton High School, New York. American Book Company. Price $1.25.

The urgent need for a general treatment of the subject of biology in a manner comprehensive to the secondary school pupil has long been felt. The "Essentials of Biology", planned expressly for this purpose by one most competent to judge of what is actually wanted, amply fulfills this need and it is being rapidly introduced into the schools of New York and elsewhere.

The presentation of the subject of biology is throughout with singleness of purpose; that of being practical. An understanding of man as an organism and his relation to the living world is the fundamental principle about which the material presented is grouped. Thus, the economic aspect of biology is continually emphasized, and the suggestiveness of the book in this respect is stimulating to the young mind to observe the living world about him.

The plan is general. No attempt is made to treat plants and animals separately, though in the main, three divisions of the text are apparent; viz., botony, zoology, and human physiology. There are many excellent diagrams and illustrations. At the end of each chapter a carefully selected list of references is given, including both elementary and advanced texts.

New Geographies-Second Book, by Ralph S. Tarr, B. S., F. G. S. A., Professor of Physical Geography at Cornell University, and Frank M. McMurry, Ph. D. Professor of Elementary Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, with many colored Maps and numerous illustrations chiefly photographs of actual scenes. The Macmillan Company. Price $1.10.

In this revision of the text of the second book in the series approximately one-half of the entire text has been rewritten, while much of the remainder has been modified to some extent. These changes make the book a radical improvement over the original volume. The series now is unique in its presentation of the facts of geography, bringing to pupils in elementary grades a set of texts, maps and illustrations that are preeminently adapted to young students. The books are rich in all that makes books attractive and valuable; they are teachable, interesting, stimulating, informing. The facts of geography are presented in a most charming manner to learners; geography teaching is a distinct delight with these books in hand; learning a continued pleasure.

Heath's Modern Language Series. TARTARIN DE TARASCON par Alphonse Daudet, "En France, tout le monde est un peu de Tarascon." Edited with notes and vocabulary, by Richmond Laurin Hawkins, Instructor of French, Harvard University. D. C. Heath & Co. Price $.45.

LES ORIGINES DE LA FRANCE CONTEMPORAINE, b. H. A. Taine; extracts with annotations and biographical sketch. By J. F. Louis Raschen, professor in Lafayette College. American Book Company. Price 60 cents.

EKKEHARD-AUDIFAX UND HADUMOTH. Вy J. V. von Scheffel. Edited with notes, exercises, and vocabulary by Charles Hart Handschin and William F. Luebke, professors of German in Miami University. American Book Company. Price 60 cents.

KINDERTRANEN. By Ernst von Wildenbruch. Edited with introduction, notes, vocabulary, and exercises by A. E. Vestling, Instructor in German in Yale University. Henry Holt & Company.

Roof and Meadow. By Dallas Lore Sharp. With illustrations by Bruce Horsfall. The Century Co. publishers. $1.50 net, postage 14c.

This is a "school edition" of a series of charming sketches, real naturestudies written in an interesting style. From a city roof the author studies a considerable number of birds, suggesting this new way to city dwellers of getting at some of the delightful revelations of bird life. Other chapters tell of woodchucks, foxes, snakes, kittens and several different kinds of birds. This is an excellent volume for spring and summer supplementary reading.

Handwork Instruction for Boys. By Dr. Alwin Pabst, Director of School for Training Teachers of Handwork, Leipsic. Translated from the German by Bertha Reed Coffman. Price $1.00.

This book is a notable addition to the literature of educational handwork. In a masterly way it discusses handwork from the sociological, technological, psychological, and art points of view. It traces instruction in handwork through the history of education, points out its place in the several types of schools, and gives a rapid survey of modern systems of handwork in the leading civilized countries of the world. It is a book that has long been needed.

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The Pupils' Arithmetic. Book Three, 256 pages; Book Four, 235 pages. By James C. Byrnes, Julia Richman, and John S. Roberts, all of the New York City Schools. The Macmillan Company. Price 35 cents each.

We have favorably commented upon the earlier numbers in this series of arithmetics; it is a distinct welcome that will await the appearance of these later volumes. The authors have wisely restricted their exercises to the immediate needs and capabilities of the pupils to use the books; on no page is there evidence of forcing the young minds by presenting problems and exercises, beyond the grade ability. The books are featured by a large number of exercises, and of practical problems, simple and in clear terms; careful grading of exercises and problems, the avoidance of long numbers and lengthy processes; a rapid and comprehensive review of all topics taught in previous grades, and a full treatment of each topic in preference to the spiral treat

ment.

A Short History of the American People, by Edna Henry Lee Turpin. With an introduction by S. C. Mitchell, Ph. D., President of the University of South Carolina. 478 pages. Price 90 cents. The Macmillan Company.

The book aims to tell the story of the American people in a connected way, to the end that their present and past problems may be intelligible and interesting to young students. The book is not a series of detached dates and incidents, neither is it a recital of wars and conquests; it is, rather, the history of a people dominated by a high ideal—to found a government on the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity; to reclaim a wilderness; to make a home for the oppressed of every nation under the sun. The narrative is told with graphic power; it is simple, clear, impartial, spirited, and readable. The treatment of the causes of the civil war and the events thereof, is most dispassionate and unbiased; we know of no better in any history for the young to study. Teachers will find the book inspiring and stimulating as a text book; and interesting in that it treats as fully of the achievements of peace times as of the prowess of arms in war times.

Latin for Beginners, by Benjamin L. D'Ooge, Ph. D., Professor of Latin, in the Michigan State Normal School. 12mo, cloth, 348 pages, illustrated, with four colored plates and map in color. $1.00. Ginn & Co.

This is an inviting beginner's book in Latin, made attractive not alone by colored plates and abundant cuts, superior paper and new type, but by a method of approach and progress that is full of excellent features. Some of the distinctive points of the book are: the forms are presented in their natural sequence-closely related subjects are not separated; the vocabulary is limited to about six hundred words, a large percentage of which occur five or more times in Caesar; every tenth lesson contains a review of the forms and vocabulary learned in the previous nine; there is constant correlation of English constructions and Latin usage; connected Latin for translation is introduced early and made prominent throughout the book; and to bring it well within the grasp of immature minds, the book is characterized throughout by a satisfying fullness of statement and simplicity of language.