subject. The author is entirely without prejudice or bias, and is free of any cult. His criticisms are honest and bravely uttered; his convictions sure and earnestly expressed. The major part of the book contains selections from famous fictionists, from Beowulf to Sterne. Boston: D. C. Heath & Co.

I HAVE CALLED YOU FRIENDS, is the title of a very pretty Easter book, by that delightful artist, Irene Jerome. The text is made up of extracts often very brief, in prose and verse, from Helen Hunt Jackson, John W. Chadwick, Charles Kingsley, W. C. Gannett, Emerson, Susan Coolidge, Paul H. Hayne and the Bible. The illustrations, in pansies, butterflies and illuminated letters, are exquisite. It is a beautiful gift book for Easter time. Boston: Lee & Shepard. We have also examined, with much interest, Miss Irene Jerome's BANNERS, Joy Banner, Rest Banner, Every-Day Banner, and What Will the Violets Be. Each consists of four panels, beautifully decorated in colors and gold, attached by pretty ribbons, with choice extracts from leading authors, as Dr. Gannett, Emerson, Lowell, Browning, Havergal, Dr. John Hall, Drummond, Howell's, Whittier, etc. Some of these words are wonderfully uplifting. Take these from Dr. John Hall as a sample: "Kind looks, kind words, kind acts and warm hand-shakes, these are secondary means of grace when men are fighting their unseen battles." They touch the secret springs of sorrow as well as of love. The flowers on these banners are violets, sweet peas, bachelor's buttons and nasturtiums. Boston: Lee & Shephard. Price, 50 cents each.

A notable and timely book is published by The Arena Publishing Company, Boston, on HYPNOTISM; HOW IT IS DONE; ITS USES AND DANGERS, by James R. Cocke, M. D. Dr. Cocke has made a very thorough and careful study of his subject, working by the hypnotic method with various classes of patients and recording his observations in a strictly unbiased, scientific spirit. One chapter is devoted entirely to the treatment of alcoholism and other drug habits by hypnotism. In the rapidly growing literature of this interesting subject this book will take an important place. It closes with a very extensive bibliography. Cloth, postpaid, $1.50.

THE GERMAN UNIVERSITIES, their character and historical development, by Friedrich Paulsen, professor of philosophy and pedagogy in the University of Berlin, is reproduced in a translation by Edward Delavan Perry, professor in Columbia College, New York. Professor Paulsen's admirable outline of the work of Universities in Germany forms in the original the introductory part of the work published under the direction of the German government in connection with its educational exhibit at Chicago in 1893. With German thoroughness the history and relations of the universities in the fatherland is outlined, and the work will stand easily first of its kind in the estimation of all students of the higher education. New York: Macmillan & Co. $2.00.

THE SCHOOLMEASTER IN COMEDY AND SATIRE, published at $1.40, by the American Book Company, is a companion volume to "The Schoolmaster in Literature," which was accorded a generous reception by the educational public Several humorists, Pope, Swift, Dickens and others, have left us pictures of education which have become famous. Humor and satire have been favorite instruments by which to call attention to educational abuses. Some of the classics in this line, as well as some more recent examples, have been gathered into this readable volume. The needs of reading circles and round tables have been kept in mind and there are abundant pedagogical notes and questions for review and examination.

SELECTIONS FROM RUSKIN, with introductory interpretations and annotations, by Mrs. Lois G. Hufford of the Indianapolis, Ind., High School, is a judicious presentation of the life, aims and work of this great master of English, for school use. Boston: Ginn & Co.

IN SCHOOL HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES, by Edward S. Ellis, A. M., a new method is adopted, as follows: First, a clear, succinct grouping of the most important historical incidents. Second, a series of exhaustive questions on these incidents. Third, a division of the subject matter into topics to be elucidated by the pupil. Fourth, subjects for compositions. Fifth, well-chosen questions for discussion. If taught by a thorough application of this method, United States history will become a fascinating and helpful study. This book is attractively published in "The Werner Educational Series," by the Werner Company, Chicago and New York.

LE TOUR DU MONDE EN QUATRE-VINGTS JOURS, by Jules Verne, is a wellknown book dressed in new garments for easy French reading. Abbreviated edition, with English notes, by A. A. Edgren, Professor in University of Nebraska. Boston: D. C. Heath & Co., 35c.

To facilitate the study of Natural History a series of illustrated guide books is being issued by Bradlee Whidden, Publisher, 18 Arch Street, Boston. We have two numbers in hand,- FERNS AND EVERGREENS OF NEW ENGLAND, TREES AND SHRUBS OF NEW ENGLAND. We cannot speak too highly of these booklets, each of which covers its branch completely and contains correct drawings of each subject. The ordinary reader, with these guide books in hand, can easily identify any and all species, and the study of natural history becomes a pastime. Each, Oblong 12 mo., paper, net 50 cents.

A recent novelist has asserted that only in French history can there be found romances suitable for the purposes of fiction. Rev. A. J. Church, of London, has discovered in English history romances or stories that charm and enthrall fully as much as any romance ever conjured by a Froissart. In STORIES FROM ENGLISH HISTORY, Prof. Church has demonstrated that there are romantic elements in English history, and that they can interest and delight readers of all ages. His stories are under three different headings, Stories Under the Romans; in Saxon Times; and under the Norman Kings and their Successors. The stories are told in Prof. Church's best vein, and are in language readily understood by young readers. The book will be a capital one for the schoolroom and for the home. It will delight all members of the family. New York: Macmillan & Co.

Volume XI, of the Clarendon Press Series of German Classics, is Halm's GRISELDIS, edited, with biographical sketch and notes, by C. A. Buchheim, Ph. D. This is one of Halm's most famous dramas, and the theme is one long used in story and verse. The critical analysis of the poem is a fine piece of writing, the notes are excellent, and the biographical sketch complete. New York: Macmillan & Co. Price, 90 cents.

A very interesting, clearly written and thorough work is Professor Oliver F. Emerson's THE HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, designed for college classes and for teachers of English. A happy medium has been preserved between a too condensed and too minutely technical treatment of the subject and a book has been produced which is thoroughly readable as well as worthy of profound study. It is published in substantial cloth binding by Macmillan & Company, New York; price, $1.25.

THE EVOLUTION OF THE MASSACHUSETTS PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, by George H. Martin, A. M., Supervisor of Public Schools, Boston, is vol. XXIX. in D. Appleton & Co's International Educational Series. The author points out the fact that the educational experience of Massachusetts has been vicarious. She has settled one after another, not only for herself but for the other states, often after long and bitter discussion and criticism, the principal educational questions of the age, such as the adoption of particular studies; the amount of instruction to be given in each branch; when to begin and end the use of corporal punishment; the education of girls; the grading of schools; religious instruction, etc., etc. While it has often happened that some one feature has been more perfectly developed in some other state than in Massachusetts. Yet no other has had, on the whole, so rich and profitable experience. Hence the student of educational problems is driven to her history for the best results of educational evolution. Mr. Martin has done his work of research and of restatement thoroughly and well. The book deserves the place that has been accorded to it in this great series, and reflects honor upon its author and his native state.

FIRST LATIN READINGS, by Robert Arrowsmith and George M. Whicher, consists of extracts from Eutropius, Nepos, Cæsar, Gellius, Cicero and Livy. The selections are sufficiently varied to make them satisfactory for all classes in sight reading in Latin or in general reading. The notes are somewhat meagre, but a specially prepared vocabulary aids materially in supplying the paucity of notes.

To the Series of Nature Stories for Young Readers is added ANIMAL LIFE, by Florence Bass. It is designed for supplementary work in primary schools and is admirably adapted to that end. The stories are brief, are interestingly told, and in language easily read by primarians. Boston: D. C. Heath & Co.

PUSHING TO THE FRONT, or Success Under Difficulties, by Orison Swett Marden, should be in the hands of every young person in the land, and it will have many older readers also. For awakening the intellectual life, stimulating to manly endeavor, for inspiration and practical suggestiveness, we know of no book of modern times which will equal this volume. We understand that it is having a large sale, and it ought to. It has a high purpose and fulfils its mission with rare insight and tact. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Co. $1.50.

PERIODICALS.

The Bostonian has obtained the completion of its first volume, with financial success, and with the approval of a large circle of appreciative readers. The home of The Bostonian is at 6 Mt. Vernon street, Boston, Mass.-In addition to the Napoleon history, the April Century has several unique articles; one of the most interesting is an account of the" oscillator" and other electrical inventions of Nickola Tesla, by T. C. Martin, editor of The Electrical Engineer. The first chapters of "The Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc," in the April Harper's Magazine indicate a remarkably fresh treatment of an old subject. The author's name is not disclosed, but we think that in the literature of the year a first place will be accorded this romance if the interest of the opening chapters is sustained to the end.-Harper's Weekly, Bazaar, and Young People are up to their usual standards of excellence.-A talk with the author of "Trilby," Mr. George Du Maurier, reported by Robert Sherard in McClure's Magazine for April, tells a pleasant story of a young author, who finds himself almost accidentally famous. Glimpses are given of his present home life and ways of working, both as artist and author, and portraits accompany the article.- -One of the most appreciative tributes yet made to the memory of Robert Louis Stevenson, is that of C. T. Copeland in the April Atlantic Monthly. It is accompanied with a short memorial poem by Owen Wister.-In the April number of The Forum, Miss Alice Zimmern writes about "Women in European Universities," telling of the progress they have made toward securing equal privileges with men, and giving many other interesting facts. Dr. C. Hanford Henderson contributes to the Popular Science Monthly, the second of his articles on "Manual Training," with careful statements of actual results already obtained.

1

A

EDUCATION,

DEVOTED TO THE SCIENCE, ART, PHILOSOPHY AND

VOL. XV.

LITERATURE OF EDUCATION.

HAS THE NEW ENGLAND ACADEMY OUTLIVED

ITS USEFULNESS?

GEORGE M. STEELE, LL. D., AUBURNDALE.

The type of school indicated above became common during a transition period in our educational history. Throughout New England, except in a very few of the larger cities, no provision was made for public education beyond the common district or grammar schools. Scarcely any means existed for college preparation and cognate training, save private instruction furnished by the parish minister. It is true the attainments necessary for matriculation were not extensive, consisting of rudimentary English, a little Latin and less Greek, arithmetic as far as the rule of three, and, somewhat later, ancient and modern geography were demanded. It was quite a step in advance when the whole of arithmetic was required. Probably a year's study by an average boy of fourteen or fifteen would amply qualify him for admission to Harvard. A considerable number of men not very aged can remember that two years of Latin with the concomitant Greek for half the time were sufficient to get ready for any New England college. But, small as the amount of instruction required, it was not till the academy was devised that any institutional facilities existed for this purpose.

These schools were at first mainly intended to supply local demands, the boarding school and seminary being a later development. It is true that a good academy would attract a few students from neighboring communities not so highly favored, but for the most part the pupils were from the immediate

vicinity. So popular did the idea of these schools become that before 1840 nearly one hundred of them had been incorporated in Massachusetts alone. A few of these were, for the time, well endowed, but generally they were dependent on tuition for their support, the buildings and sites being contributed by publicspirited citizens. There were some instances in which aid was received from the state.

The influence of these schools on the intelligence, culture and civilization of the people has been universally recognized, and yet it is doubtful if full justice has been done in this respect. Says Mr. Martin, in his recent "Evolution of the Massachusetts School System": "They reached an immense multitude of young people. In 1786, Lancaster had received from six to eight thousand pupils, of whom, perhaps, four hundred had been fitted for college. Westfield had sent out over eight thousand persons. Lawrence, at Groton, nearly eight thousand. New Salem not less. than seven thousand. In eighty or ninety years-three generations these four schools alone had brought into a scholarly atmosphere had kept under the instruction of scholarly men and women, for a longer or shorter time-not less than thirty thousand young men and women,- ten thousand to a generation; and these are only four of more than a hundred such schools."

-

The development of the high school system necessarily diminished the demand for these private institutions. As those multiplied, these decreased in number, and of those that after a few years remained, only a few continued to be considerable factors in the educational work. Some of the more richly endowed, or otherwise more favorably conditioned, maintained their importance and even greatly widened their influence. They became celebrated, not only throughout New England but in remote parts of the country. Some became, and are now, great seminaries, and others, while attracting fewer students, have been distinguished for the high character of their training. Others, still, were transferred to the towns in which they were located and became public high schools and a part of the general school system.

Because of this great change in the educational situation, a considerable number of intelligent persons have been led to the conclusion that there is no longer any proper place among us for