Mr. Johnston has made a successful study of one part of the people-his own family and families allied to it. Had the same quality of service been performed for every family living here in 1732 and before, what abundant material would be available for perfect history. But some one objects that in such case, "the world itself would not contain the books." Possibly, but family history is the essence of town history, so town of state, and state of national history. When so constructed, the last would possess value and completeness. It would embrace race and rulers, as geography embraces the landscape-plateaus and salient mountains. Mr. Johnston's work will amply interest not only the genealogist but the general intelligent reader. One fact we cannot fail to notehow often the sturdy little Commonwealth of Connecticut has enriched the other states of the Union! (New Orleans: J. J. Graham & Co.) With the recent edition of 'Un Drama Nuevo' one more masterpiece of Spanish literature is placed within reach of American students. Professor Matzke has shown good judgment in his choice of a book to edit, since this drama of Tamayo y Baus, though produced in Madrid in 1867, is practically unknown in America. The work ranks among the most striking literary productions of the present century-a play within a play, with our old friends Shakspere and Yorick in entirely new roles. the former, however, playing a subordinate part. The little edition before us contains an introduction on the life and works of Tamayo, and notes in which some of the difficulties of the text are explained. (New York: William R. Jenkins.) 'In the Days of the Pioneers,' by Edward S. Ellis, is the third volume of the 'Boone and Kenton Series.' The scene is laid on the Ohio River just before General Wayne's expedition against the Indians in 1794. The story is full of not unwholesome adventure and is sure to interest boys, for whom it is written. The conclusion contains a brief account of the battle of Fallen Timbers, and short biographical sketches of (Philadelphia: Daniel Boone and Simon Kenton. Henry T. Coates & Co.) From the same publishers we have 'A Girl's Ordeal,' by Lucy C. Lillie. Professor F. L. Pattee has just issued 'Reading Courses in American Literature,' designed to furnish to classes and private students a guide to the best literature of the Udited States. The author treats under five subdivisions-the Colonial, Revolutionary, First Creative (1812-1837), Second Creative (1837-1861), Present-the authoritative historians, the literary characteristics, the representative authors, and their representative works for each period. Full lists of editions and publishers are given. The little book is well designed and well executed. (New York: Silver, Burdett, and Co.) 'Department Ditties' is published by Thacker, London (5s.): 'Barrack-Room Ballads' by Macmillan ($1.25). "The Seven Seas' by Appleton ($1.50). There is a cheap American reprint of the first two volumes. Notes and Announcements. The Free Public Library of Philadelphia has placed all the volumes needed in the various university extension courses in this city on separate shelves in the women's reading room, where they may be consulted by students. A second set of the books for the Crusades course is likewise placed in the Germantown branch. The December free lectures of the Kensington Ethical Society are: Dec. 5, "The Condition of Labor in the Coal Regions,' Mr. George Chance; Dec. 12, "The Russian Peasant and Count Tolstoi,' Miss Jane Addams; Dec. 19, 'Co-operation vs. Competition,' Miss Diana Hirschler. These lectures begin at eight o'clock. The Rev. Kenneth S. Guthrie, Ph. D., will deliver free lectures in the parish house of the Church of the Incarnation, Philadelphia: Dec. 4, 'Longfellow;' Dec. 11, 'de Génestet;' Dec. 18, "Tegnèr;' Jan. 8, 'Ibsen;' Jan. 15, 'Lowell and Holmes;' Jan. 22, 'Rückert;' Jan. 29, Lanier and Taylor;' Feb. 5, Vrchlicky;' Feb. 12, 'Becquer and Bryant;' Feb. 19, 'Leo Tolstoi.' These lectures begin at eight o'clock. The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, "in a desire to extend the influence of the foundation as far as possible," offer the public a varied series of lectures supplementing the regular courses of the university. The lecturers and courses are: Dr. David Murray, 'Education in Japan;' Professor Charles R. Lanman of Harvard, "The Poetry of India' (the fifth series on the Turnbull foundation); Dr. Richard Burton, 'The Modern Novel' (on the Donovan foundation); Professor William Knight of St. Andrew's, 'Wordsworth,' 'Coleridge,' 'Shelley,' and 'Keats;' Professor Woodrow Wilson, 'Leaders of Political Science;' the Rev. Professor Cheyne of Oxford, 'Phases of Jewish Religious Life after the Exile.' The last series will be delivered as well in the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Hilaire Belloc is expected to return to Philadelphia at the beginning of January. His return will recall to Philadelphians the extreme success that attended Mr. Belloc's lecture season in America a year ago, when he delivered one hundred lectures under the auspices of the American Society of University Extension in Philadelphia and vicinity. Mr. Belloc's record as a university man is exceeding brilliant. At Oxford he won the Brackenbury scholarship in History, a first class in the History School, and was elected president of the Oxford Union-the highest honor in the gift of the undergraduates. Mr. Belloc's experience of life is noteworthy. He served with the French ar tillery on the German frontier and on the staff of the Pall Mall Gazette, London. In addition to sound scholarship, Mr. Belloc possesses a fascinating personality and a literary gift that has already won merited recognition for his volume of 'Verses and Sonnets' (London: Ward and Downey) and 'The Bad Child's Book of Beasts' (London and New York: Arnold). He has collaborated as well in the volume of 'Essays on Liberalism, by Six Oxford Men' (London: The Cassell Publishing Co.). BALL-BEARING DENSMORE TYPEWRITER UNITED TYPEWRITER & SUPPLIES Co. 102-104 South Tenth Street, Philadelphia Lecture Announcements of the American Society of CENTRE. Association Local. University Extension. AUTUMN COURSES, 1897. At the time THE CITIZEN goes to press the following courses have been definitely arranged: Thomas W. Surette.. Great Composers: Romantic Period. Nov. 11, 18, 25, Dec. 2, 9, 16. Henry E. Shepherd Clyde B. Furst. Henry W. Elson Thomas W. Surette. Joseph French Johnson Joseph French Johnson Clyde B. Furst. Albert H. Smyth . Albert H. Smyth . Frederick H. Sykes Thomas W. Surette. Thomas W. Surette. Woodrow Wilson. James Harvey Robinson . . The Greater English Novelists Great Composers: Classical Period Medieval English Literature French History and Literature Great Composers: Classical Period Present Problems The Greater English Novelists Victoriah Poets Great Composers: Classical Period Great Composers: Classical Period WINTER COURSES, 1898. CENTRES IN PHILADELPHIA. Afternoon Lectures (Spe cial course) Hilaire Belloc Afternoon Lectures (Spe cial course) Bliss Perry The Crusades American Literature American History Victorian Poets OUT Dec. 7, Jan. 4, Feb. 1, Mar. 1. Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, Dec. 6, 13. Nov. 10, 17, 24, Dec. 1, 8, 15. Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13. Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31, Feb. 7, 14: Feb. 21, 28, Mar. 7, 14, 21, 28.. Jan. 11, 18, 25, Feb. 1, 8, 15. Mar. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Apr. 5. Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28, Feb. 4, II. Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25, Mar. 4, 11. Feb. 21, 28, Mar. 7, 14, 21, 28. OF PHILADELPHIA. The Crusades Hilaire Belloc The Crusades Hilaire Belloc The Crusades Hilaire Belloc Frederick H. Sykes Hilaire Belloc Clyde B. Furst. Hilaire Belloc James E. Keeler. Thomas W. Surette. Thomas W. Surette. William H. Goodyear. Victorian Poets The Crusades Great Composers: Romantic Period. Feb. 17, 24, Mar. 3, 10, 17, 24. Feb. 21, 28, Mar. 7, 14, 21, 28. Jan. 14, 21, 28, Feb. 4, 11, 18. 21 Courses. 244 Municipal Affairs A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED TO THE CONSIDERATION OF CITY PROBLEMS FROM Among the contributions which have appeared in the numbers already issued are: A Bibliography of Municipal Administration and City Conditions. By Robert C. Brooks. Paper, 8vo. 224 pp. 50 cents (separately). Why New York Should Own Its Gas Supply, A Controversy. By Hon. Edward M. Grout and Allen Ripley Foote. Public vs. Private Operation of Street Railways. Affirmed by Hon. John DeWitt Warner. Denied by Edward E. Book Reviews, Digests of Periodical Literature, Bibliographical Index, etc. The December Number will Contain: A Discussion of Municipal Ownership of Electric Lighting Plants. Tenement House Reform. Municipal Gas in Philadelphia. Civic Service of the Merchants' Association of San Francisco. And other articles by eminent authorities upon City government. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE, $1.00 PER YEAR. SINGLE NUMBERS, 25C. EACH. Address all communications to COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATION, 52 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK CITY Magazine Readers, Attention! Three One-dollar Magazines for $2.45 I offer any one of the four combinations for $2.45. Mailed to one address, or each Magazine to a separate address for a full year. Ask for catalogue. $245 $245 We are Agents for all American and Foreign Publications. We refer you to any of the leading J. W. GRUMIAUX, NEWSPAPER AGENCY, LE ROY, N.Y. Ask for catalogue of our prices on other publications. Vol. III. The Citizen January, 1898. No. 11 The office of THE CITIZEN is at 111 South Fifteenth Street, Philadelphia, Pa. THE CITIZEN is published on the first day of each month, by the American Society for the Extension of University Teaching. All communications should be addressed to the Editor of THE CITIZEN. Remittances by check or postal money order should be made payable to Frederick B. Miles, Treasurer. Advertising rates furnished upon application. THE CITIZEN is on sale in Philadelphia,-111 S. 15th street, the Central News Co. and its agents, Wanamaker's, and Jacobs's, 103 S. 15th street; New York. Brentano's, 31 Union Square; Washington, Brentano's, 1015 Pennsylvania avenue. Entered, Philadelphia Post-office, as second-class matter. Riley's 'The Rubáiyát of Doc Sifers'-Mrs. Steele's 'In the Permanent Way'-W. W. Jacobs's 'The Skipper's Wooing'-Virginia L. Dunbar's 'Cuban Amazon'-Shepherd's 'History of Proprietary Government in Pennsylvania'-Henry and Paul van Dyke's 'The Age of the Renascence'-Farrar's' The Bible, Its Meaning and Supremacy'-James's 'The Message and the Messengers'-McLellan and Ames's 'Public School Arithmetic'-McCaskey's 'Lincoln Literary Collection'. WITH THE MAGAZINES 261 262 263 . 265 267 THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY Life and Education. THE recent convention of the educators of the Middle States at Poughkeepsie readily affords a criterion of some features of the present trend of public education. The convention was marked by the large and increasing representation of high-school men, who made it clear that they are directing their work more and more to prepare students for college, while on the other hand the college professors present recognized and welcomed the movement of the schools. No aspect of present day education is of more significant or more hopeful import than this drawing together of high-schools and colleges. Surely, when the public schools shall foster the desire and prepare the way for the higher education, and the colleges shall recognize the capabilities and resources of the schools of the people, we may hope for some long steps toward a more rational co-ordination of studies and notable economy of time and effort. Professor Sharpless, of Haverford College, in gers of provincial and sectarian narrowness, but they are sources of light at the very doors of the communities in which they stand, for the loss of which no distant light, however powerful, would compensate. Manned by university trained men, the small college need not stagnate, need not teach discredited theories. Endowed with the advantages of healthful location and a system of living in common, it offers opportunities for the cultivation of manly virtues and the affections of brotherhood which are apt to be lacking in the great universities of cities. The position of these latter in respect to the technical professions is undisputed. That the small college can afford equally good training in preparation for the general activities of life is likewise indisputable. The differentiation of the methods and curriculum of the small college, that it may attain its real scope, is, however, essential to the success of its mission. ANY party-system that depends for its existence upon what has been called the cohesive power of public plunder must see that its very existence is at stake when confronted with a merit system that secures permanence of office to the public servants. Could New York have kept Tammany from the public coffers for five years longer, Tammany Hall would have been ruined, and its administration discredited with its own supporters. The political boss who rules a State with contracts, employment, money at his command, knows that his occupation is gone the moment the basis of supplies is taken from him. There was, therefore, in the recent New York election a struggle for very life on the part of the machines. There is an equal fierceness to be looked for in the present attitude towards the civil service law of politicians of the stamp and under the leadership of Mr. Grosvenor of Ohio. The attack now imminent on the civil service is one that calls for wide-spread protest. The merit system is not a partisan measure but a measure of necessary public protection, instituted by a Republican and developed by a Democratic president. But against its integral maintenance the worst elements of both parties seem to be coalescing. Fortunately at this crisis the most convincing evidence is forthcoming of the beneficial results of the operation of the act. The PostmasterGeneral reports that "the amount of mail handled has increased 77.2 per cent., while the working force has increased but 48.6 per cent., and the pieces of mail handled correctly to each error in distribution has increased from 3,694 to 11,960." The Secretary of Agriculture states that "the persons obtained by certification from the eligible list of the civil service, as a rule, have been more competent and efficient than those obtained before the force was brought within the classified service." The Commissioner of the census of 1890 gave it as his judgment that if the civil service qualifications. had been required for clerks and collectors the country would have been saved two million dollars of the cost of the census. The annual message of President McKinley shows no disposition on his part to weaken the efficiency of this system, though he intimates a disposition to modify it in minor details. "The system has," the President says, "the approval of the people, and it will be my endeavor to uphold and extend it." That this attitude will tend to render Mr. McKinley unpopular with Congress, as Mr. Cleveland was, is nowise doubtful. It is the duty of the hour to strengthen his hand against the spoilsmen in support of the just and efficient administration of government. DURING the past five months one of the most notable industrial struggles of the century has been in progress in the engineering trades of Great Britain. The contest began in a local strike organized by the Society of Amalgamated Engineers for the establishment of an eight-hour day in London, but it soon broadened into a national struggle between the Federation of Employers and the allied tradesunions of England. The costly contest must soon end in a compromise, for the resources of both sides are nearly exhausted after this battle royal on the industrial field. The original object of the strike, the eight-hour day, may not be realized immediately, but this great struggle will unquestionably hasten the general adoption of the shorter working day throughout the United Kingdom. Industrial history shows that such stubbornly contested strikes as that of the English engineers almost invariably issue in the temporary triumph of organized capital over organized labor. But if labor is contending for a reasonable and proper object the triumph of capital is usually brief, for the laborer recovers rapidly from defeat and is ready for renewed attack before the capitalist can repair his losses and rally his forces for defence. Thus the eight-hour day which may now be withheld at tremendous cost to the employers is likely to be quietly conceded later to avoid another struggle more disastrous to the masters than to the men. For in this case thechief end sought by the workmen is reasonable and |