of the laboratory and hospital practice, and also of the examinations. The interest in the study of Oriental languages in Germany is indicated by the attendance upon the Berlin seminary of Oriental languages. In the winter semester of 1893-94 there were ninetyseven attendants; the course in Chinese attracted the largest number of students i. e. forty-seven; Arabic was the choice of twenty-nine. Dr. Wiedersheim of the University of Fribourg, has published a valuable monograph upon the preparation of gymnasium pupils for superior instruction, in which he urges that more attention be paid to drawing, the natural sciences and geography. He advises that the time required for these studies be secured by modifying the courses in Latin and Greek, especially by reducing the amount of purely grammatical study.

GREAT BRITIAN.

The proposition for a teaching university for London that has been under consideration in various forms for about twenty years, has just reached an interesting stage. Two deputations appeared before the Prime Minister, January 24, for the purpose of advocating two opposite propositions in respect to the matter. Dr. Huxley was the spokesman of one and was supported by a brilliant company, including among others, Sir Henry Roscoe, Mr. Anstie and Prof. Sylvanus P. Thompson. Nearly all the collegiate institutions of the metropolis, the theological colleges and medical schools were represented in this body, as also was the senate and committee of convocation of London University. These several corporate institutions have been brought to the support of the same proposition. This is to expand the constitution of the existing London University in such a manner as to coördinate the higher institutions of the city and bring them into organic relations. In other words, to form the new teaching University out of the separate institutions already existing for higher education.

The second deputation that was presented the same day was either opposed to the union in toto or else desired the reconstitution of the present London University.

Both sides argued their case with great force and effect. It was the general impression that the Premier favored the proposition for union. The same afternoon the "Convocation" of London University met, to the number of four hundred, and voted in favor of the union.

From present indications, it seems that this will be the scheme eventually adopted for the new University.

The Metropolitan Board Teachers' Association has entered an indignant protest against the encroachments upon the private time of the teachers caused by the perpetual increase in the number of extras. The strain not only tells upon the women teachers, but vigorous young men break under it.

Even the Board itself regards the assistants above forty years of age as worn out, a tacit implication that the Board requirements are too severe.

The 9th of February will hereafter be known as "Salary Saturday," as on that day of the present year, by a concerted plan of

action, the classified teachers in the chief cities of England combined in a protest against the treatment accorded them, in the matter of salaries, as compared with other public servants. It appears that 2,700 qualified schoolmasters, holding government diplomas, receive less than £75 ($375) annual salary on the average, while even boatmen in the "Customs Outdoor Office" receive from £55 to £80 ($275 to $400) annually. Examining officers in the customs range from £110 to £340 ($550 to $1,700). Other comparisons reveal an equally unsatisfactory condition for the teachers.

The new post of Director of Special Inquiries and Reports," which has been created by the Education Department, has been given to Mr. M. E. Sadler, well-known in connection with the Oxford University-Extension Movement. The duties of this newly created office resemble in some measure those of our National Bureau of Education, whose operations have been studied by those charged with the development of the English office.

The death of Miss Francis Mary Buss, which occurred Christmas Eve, has been the occasion of many eulogies in which her life work is passed in review. In her administration of the North London Collegiate School for girls, she showed great executive ability, while her broad scholarship, positive convictions and wide experience in the world of affairs made her a most efficient leader and counsellor in all movements affecting the higher education of women, the interest to which her life was devoted.

The Educational Institute of Scotland celebrated its 21st anniversary at Glasgow, in the University buildings, in January. Particular interest attached to the meeting, as it was held in the city where the society originated. With one exception, the papers presented were by university professors or teachers of secondary schools, a fact which emphasizes the unity of educational work in Scotland.

Dr. Henry Craik, Secretary to the Scotch Education Department, made a forceful argument for thoroughness in the elementary school work and deprecated the efforts to turn the school into a workshop for anticipating apprenticeship. Kindergarten and the Fröebel principles seem to have little attraction for Scotch educators, and the efforts of a few women to work up an interest in the subject were evidently not appreciated.

"English Literature in Schools" was the subject of an interesting paper by Prof. Ker of University College, London. He advocated grammatical exercises, especially the analysis of sentences, and composition, or rather construction exercises. He would, however, have these kept entirely distinct from the study of English master-pieces. The means of securing well qualified teachers in rural schools formed the subject of one session of the Congress. Permanent tenure, a fair salary, with progressive increase independent of the number of pupils and a pension after a certain term of service, were held to be indispensable conditions. The serious exercises of the Congress were interspersed with the usual dinners and social gatherings.

SPAIN.

The training of the young in patriotism has been made a feature of elementary schools in Spain. An official circular, addressed recently to all school directors, orders that, within six months after the

notice is received, a shield bearing the national arms shall be placed on the front of every public school; also, that the national flag shall float over the Normal schools during the hours of instruction. Children are required to salute the flag when they pass into the school yard, and to accompany the salute with a national song.

ARGENTINE REPUBLIC.

A statement made by the President of the Republic shows that, notwithstanding many obstacles, public instruction continues to prosper; the number of schools increased by 213, from 1892 to '93, and the number of scholars by 3,275. The executive power favors the extension of schools of arts and mines, and will protect such establishments in the provinces maintained by religious orders. These, it is said, give excellent results. The situation of secondary instruction is equally satisfactory. In six colleges maintained by the state, the number of students increased by 295; an analagous progress is noticed in the normal schools, although the number of teachers holding diplomas is much below the requirements. The institute for deaf mutes and the school of mines at San Juan have followed the march of progress.

The Normal School of Commerce has a new programme. The studies comprise three years. Each week the scholars are required to visit the large manufactories of the Capital. The number of students enrolled in the University of Buenos Ayres in 1894 was At the University of Cordova, the number of enrollments

was 125.

A. T. S.

THE AMERICAN COLLEGE FOR GIRLS AT

CONSTANTINOPLE.

It is a well known principal that general progress in educational thought in any land, depends largely on the material and political prosperity of the country. There are, however, exceptions to this rule, and educational progress sometimes takes place under the most adverse circumstances.

The American College for Girls at Constantinople came into existence in what is apparently the period of greatest darkness, and greatest need, in the Turkish empire, and has struggled for life against the disapproval of the government and the poverty of the people. Notwithstanding this, its growth has been remarkable during the five years that have elapsed since it obtained its charter from the state of Massachusetts.

It is the only college in Turkey for the higher education of women, and has a sphere of influence unparalleled among educational institutions. Its students belong to all the nationalities of the East, and come from all parts of Turkey and the surrounding countries. They come from the regions of the Tigris and Euphrates of the far east; from Russia and Armenia; from Bulgaria and Roumania on the

north; from the Dardanelles and the Grecian islands and Macedonia, and occasionally from Greece. One student has been enrolled from Albania, and has now returned to her country and is teaching the first girls' school opened for the Albanians.

At present no Mohammedan girls are allowed to attend the college, although some have attended in the past, and the attempt is now often made by the more progressive among the Mohammedans to send their daughters, an attempt which is in every case soon frustrated by the Turkish authorities. The Armenian, Bulgarian and

Greek nationalities predominate among the students.

The power of the college consists in the introduction of the American system of education, which is everywhere granted to be a training in the spirit of self-reliance and independence. One result of this training is seen in the fact that this college is one of the few that has entirely adopted the system of self-government. The whole internal discipline of the college is in the hands of the students, who constitute "The College Self-government Association," possessing a constitution, and electing regular officers annually. This association has been in existence three years and includes all the college students. The first president was a Bulgarian from Constanza, Roumania, Miss Yova Miloshoff; the second a young English girl, Miss Rand of Constantinople, and the present president is an Armenian, also from Constantinople, Miss Araxe Matteossian. The officers consist of a president, vice-president, an executive committee of five members, and seven proctors. The order of the college has greatly improved since the responsibility for its maintenance rests with the students, and other good results of this system are increased self-control on the part of the students, greater dignity of bearing and character, and last but not least, a knowledge of the rules of parliamentary law, which is of course necessary in conducting the meetings of the association. These are some of the present good results, but we also hope that the influence of the republican principles thus learned will be felt in the future history of the nations to which these students belong.

The curriculum of the college, is, from the nature of the case, unique. The languages, both ancient and modern, are well taught, and courses are offered in ancient Greek, Armenian, Slavic and Latin, in French, German, modern Greek, Armenian and Bulgarian. All the teaching in the regular college classes is in English, and the standard is being raised as rapidly as possible in the literary, scientific and mathematical courses.

The socialistic results of the influence of a college of this kind. upon the nations that send their daughters to it cannot be overestimated, and the women of the United States should take great satisfaction in having established such an institution in Turkey, in the time of its greatest need.

P.

AMONG THE BOOKS.

To accommodate readers who may wish it, the publishers of EDUCATION will send, post paid on the receipt of price, almost any book reviewed in these columns.

BECKONINGS FROM LITTLE HANDS is a most interesting and suggestive little book, the outgrowth and fruit of close contact with child-life at its best. The author, Patterson Du Bois, here takes the reader into his confidence and allows her, or him, to observe the sweet outworking of child-nature in the house, guided and guarded by tender and appreciative parental love. These eight studies will help every right-minded parent and teacher to better understand child life, and more fully to enter into and help children to solve their problems. He shows us here, in these glimpses of his own children, how easy it is to crush or harm the unfolding lives of sensitive little ones, and how beautiful is the relation between a loving parent and the sweet, rightminded child eager to seize new truth and help solve the problems of early life. Coarse natures will not understand this teaching. And for many children it will not answer, being too near an ideal relation, but for those who can enter into it, it will prove very rich and comforting and uplifting. Every parent and teacher should read this book and ponder over it. Philadelphia: John D. Wattles & Co.

The trustees of the Gilchrist Educational Trust decided to send, in 1893, five women teachers to the United States for the purpose of studying and reporting upon secondary schools for girls and training colleges for women. Five able and experienced teachers were selected, came hither, visited all the famous schools in the East, traveled west as far as Denver, gathered facts, interviewed school officers, collected an immense amount of school literature, returned home and wrote reports of their visits, which have now been printed, and may be read by all interested in learning what pedagogical experts of England think of our system of schools. Their reports make extremely interesting reading, for the experts were full of enthusiasm, free from prejudice, and as ready to recognize good points as to note defects. Their remarks on our crudity of methods and apparent lack of a system must appeal to all who are vaguely conscious of these defects, but have not fully weighed their seriousWe commend these books to all teachers and school officers; a reading of them cannot but be productive of good. The titles of the several books are Training of Teachers in the U. S.; Education of Girls in the U. S.; Methods of Education in the U. S.; and Graded Schools in the U. S. Published by Macmillan & Co., New York.

ness.

THE WRITER, by George L. Raymond, L. H. D., is one of a series of handbooks upon practical expression, consisting of a correlation of the principles of Elocution and Rhetoric applied to every detail of English composition. The work is in two parts, the first treating of Style, the second of Theme. Numerous rules are furnished, with many examples for illustration. The exercises are many, and require from the student careful work in their arrangement and improvement. The book will prove of great value, not only in the schoolroom as a textbook, but with those who prepare matter for publication. Every teacher will find the book a suggestive and helpful one for the schoolroom and the library. Published by Silver, Burdett & Co., Boston.