paper-the first of two-is contributed by Dr. B. E. Martin, on "Old Chelsea," and consists of chat about the literary and other localities and celebrities of that fast-changing quarter of London. The climax of the war is reached in the military series at the battle Gettysburg, which is to be described by Generals Hunt, Longstreet, Doubleday, Law, and Alexander. In fiction, besides the tenth part of Mr. Howell's novel, "The Minister's Charge," there is a short story of the East and West, by Mrs. Mary Hallock Foote, " The Fate of a Voice," and the first part of a new novel by Frank R. Stockton, entitled "The Hundredth Man" Among the "Bric-a-Brac" miscellany is a satire by Bill Nye, entitled "Documentary Proof of Self-defense.

ST. NICHOLAS for November.-Frontispiece, "The Last Walk on the Beach." A City of Old Homesteads, six illustrations. Jingles. The Knavish Kite, jingle. The Blind Lark, headpiece and two illustrations, Louisa M. Alcott. A Song of Singers, poem Sixteen and Six, verses, illustrated. Victor Hugo's Tales to his Grandchildren. The Man who Drove Downstairs. Historic Girls, VI, Edith of Scotland. Juan and Juanita, Cb. I, three illustrations. Talking in their Sleep, poem, Edith M. Thomas. Hide and Seek, verses, illustrated. Boring for Oil, initial and nine illustrations. Richard Carr's Baby, head-piece and two illustrations. Jingle. Kandikew, poem. In a Flamingo Rookery. Molly's Poetry: A Cheerful "Thanatopsis," poem. St. Nicholas Dog Stories: XX, Cæsar, a Dog of Spain, three illustrations, XXI, Two Venetian Dogs, two illustrations. A Little Captive, verses. The Brownies in the Gymnasium poem, three illustrations, Palmer Cox. Dolly's Lullaby, song, two illustrations. Jack-in-the-Pulpit, illustrated.

THE SOUTHERN BIVOUAC. The November issue of the Southern Bivouac is full of articles of general and varied interest. The article on the "Rice Fields of Carolina," describės very graphically one of the most picturesque features of Southern agriculture. It is fully illustrated. J. W. A. Wright contributes a second paper on "War Prisons and War Poetry," in which he gives a number of the songs popular during the war in prison and out. Lafcadio Hearn has a charming character sketch entitled "The Last of the New Orleans Fencing-masters." Thomas M. Boyd, who was a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute when General Stonewall Jackson was professor, gives some personal reminiscences of the great soldier. O. B. Mayer has a story of the Revolutionary war entitled "The Two Marksmen of Ruff's Mountain," the scene of which is in South Carolina. G. C. Conner closes his valuable paper on Mexico. Horace D. Warner has a short paper on "The Summit of the South," and, altogether, we have in the November issue of the Southern Bivouac a number of unusual merit.

POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY, Contents for November -North America in the Ice Period, by Professor J. S. Newberry, illustrated Origin and Results of Sunday Legislation, by Rev. A. H. Lewis, D. D. The Mental Faculties of Monkeys. by Mme. Clémence Royer. Recent Advances in Solar Astronomy, by Professor C. A. Young. Chevreul at a Hundred, illustrated. Geology of the Atlantic Ocean, I, by Sir William Dawson. Some Outlines from the History of Education, III, by Professor W. R. Benedict. Comte and Spencer on Sociology. The Hickory-nuts of North America, illustrated. The Hygienic Treatment of Consumption, by Dr. B. W. Richardson, F R. S. Trade Distinctions in Alcoholic Liquors. Thistles, by Grant Allen. Inebriate Maniacs. Sketch of Edward S. Holden, with portrait. Editor's Table: An Unhappy Survival; The Recent Earthquake; The British and French Associations. Literary Notices. Popular Miscellany. Notes.

LIPPINCOTT'S MONTHLY MAGAZINE. With the November number Lippincott's Monthly Magazine increates its size to two hundred pages, and starts on a new departure, which gives it an unique place in periodical literature. A complete novel by John Habberton, entitled "Brueton's Bayou," is incl¬ded in the table of contents, and this feature will be continued in every successive number. Frances Hodgson Burnett, Julian Hawthorne, Edgar Fawcett, Mrs. Lucy C. Lillie and others will follow. As soon as "A Bachelor's Blunder " has reached its conclusion (in December), the serial publication of fiction will be entirely discontinued. As to "Brueton's Bayou," it is a remarkably clever study of life in an out-of-the-way corner of the Southwest. This miscellaneous contents of Lippincott's are largely devoted to journalism in all its phases. A timely article by Felix L. Oswald discusses "Our Earthquake" in a popular yet thoroughly scientific manner, and Lew Vanderpool contributes an article of exceptional interest, Ludwiz of Bavaria, a Personal Reminiscence," being some notes of an interview with the so-called "Mad Monarch." "The Monthly Gossip" contains some pleasant chit chat, and a new department entitled "Book-Talk," contributed by the editor, discusses books and other literary topics. The poetry is contributed by T. R. Sullivan, Marion Manville, and Frederick Nichols. Price $3 per annum.

THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY for November. Contents-The Peckster Professorship, J. P. Quincy A Memory of Theocritus, James B. Kenyon A Korean Coup d'Etat, Percival Lowell. French and English, third paper. Philip Gilbert Hamerton. Studies for Pictures, Margaret Deland. The Golden Justice, XIV, XV, William Henry Bishop Wo d-Fears, Sophia Kirk. The Wood-Thrush, Lucy Larcom. The Germs of National Sovereignty in the United States, John Fiske. In the Clouds, XXVI, XXVII, Charles Egbert Craddock. To a Maid Demure, Andrew Hedbrooke. Henry Hobson Richard son, Architect, Henry Van Brunt. The Blindman's World, Edward Bellamy. Epic Russia France under Mazarin. The Contributors' Club. Books of the Month.

The AMERICAN KINDERGARTEN AND PRIMARY TEACHER for October fully sustains the promises given in the first number. Opening with "Teaching Vocal Music to Young Children," by Professor Andrews. A close study of apparently obtuse children is given in "An Experiment in Teaching," by W. E. Partridge. In "Mothers in Council" Dr. Allen follows up her plain "Talks with Mothers, in Number Two she gives invaluable advice. "A Stitch in Time," by Mrs. A. Elmore, relates an incident from real life, the reading of which will doubtless strengthen good intentions in motherhearts.

OFFICIAL DEPARTMENT.

JL. BUCHANAN, Superintendent Public Instruction, Editor.

[The Journal is sent to every County Superintendent and District Clerk, and must be carefully preserved by them as public property and transmitted to their successors in office.|

First Virginia Teachers' Reading Association.

Among the agencies employed to increase the efficiency of teachers, reading associations occupy a prominent place. Though of recent origin, these associations have become very popular, and now exist in many of the States. Teaching is rapidly rising to the rank of a profession. The public is beginning to understand that the teacher, no less than the physician and lawyer, needs a professional training. It is not enough that the teacher be acquainted with the various branches in which he gives instruction; he should also understand the leading educational principles deduced from a study of childnature, and be able to use and devise scientific methods. The progress made in the last few years in the science and art of teaching is no less remarkable than the growth of popular education itself. The teacher who aspires to a respectable rank in his calling cannot afford to remain ignorant of what representative men in his profession have thought and written. The progressive teacher must read standard educational works. Reading associations are helpful in providing a judicious course of reading, and in furnishing a choice educational library at small cost.

VIRGINIA TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.

The object of this circular is to call your attention to the First Virginia Teachers' Reading Association" which was organized, Au gust 12, 1884, at the Normal Institute held at Wytheville. During its existence of two years, more than four hundred teachers have availed themselves of its advantages. At the second annual meeting, held at Salem, August 2, 1886, the following officers were elected for the ensuing year:

President-Hon. John L. Buchanan, Superintendent of Public

Instruction.

First Vice-President-Professor F. V. N. Painter.
Second Vice-President-Miss Bettie Urquhart.

Secretary-Professor William F. Fox.
Treasurer-Superintendent William M. Graybill.

BASIS OF ORGANIZATION.

The organic basis of the Association is as follows:

1. This body shall be known as the FIRST VIRGINIA TEACHERS' READING ASSOCIATION.

2. The object of the Association shall be to pursue a course of educational reading.

3. The officers shall be a President, two Vice Presidents, a Secretary and a Treasurer, to be elected annually by ballot.

4. All white persons in Virginia, engaged in educational work, may become members of this Association by authorizing the Secretary to enroll their names and paying the annual fee.

5. The annual fee for membership shall be fifty cents.

6. The course of reading shall extend through two years, and consist of standard works on educational subjects.

7. The course of reading shall be prescribed by a committee of three, to be elected biennially.

8. Examination questions on the books read shall be sent annually to the members of the Association, to be answered and returned to the Secretary, who shall keep a record of the standing of each member.

9. After the completion of the course, the officers shall award a certificate to each member who has maintained throughout a creditable standing.

10. After the expiration of two years, a more extended course of reading may be prescribed for those holding certificates.

COURSE OF READING.

The Committee on Course of Reading, consisting of Hon. John L. Buchanan, Professor F. V. N Painter, and Professor L. R. Holland, have selected the following standard works as the course for the ensuing two years.

First Year-Raub's "Methods of Teaching"; Raub's "School Management," and Tracy's "Anatomy, Physiology, and Hygiene." Second Year.-Johonnot's "Principles and Practice of Teaching"; Painter's "History of Education," and White's "Elements of Pedagogy."

Three or four months will be given to the study of each volume.

By special arrangement with the publishers, the books of the course will be furnished at little more than one half the retail price. The two years' course, which will cost about $7, will provide the teacher with a choice library covering the whole field of the art, science, and history of education. No teacher in Virginia should neglect to avail himself of this opportunity.

DIFFERENT SECTIONS.

The

The Association is at present divided into three sections. teachers that joined two years ago constitute Section A. As directed at the last annual meeting, the Committee on Course of Reading recommend to this section for its third year Brooks's Mental Science and Culture." The teachers that united with the Association a year ago and have read the books prescribed, constitute Section B, and will continue their reading with the second year's course laid down in this circular. Those becoming members the present year will form Section C, and begin their reading with the first year's course. The members of Section B, who may have omitted any of the books, should procure them before the end of the present year, as no certificate will be awarded to any person who has not read the entire course.

COST OF BOOKS.

The prices at which the books of the course will be furnished to members of the Association are here given approximately. The variation from these prices will in no case exceed a few cents:

Raub's "Methods" (retail price, $1.50),

Raub's "School Management" ($1.25),

Tracy's "Physiology" ($1.25),

Johonnot's "Principles" ($1.50)),

Painter's "History" ($1.50),

White's "Pedagogy,"

Brooks's "Mental Science" ($1.75),

$0.94

The books will be supplied by the Secretary, or his agent, who is allowed a commission of ten per cent. for his trouble.

HOW TO BECOME MEMBERS.

It is the earnest desire of the officers to increase the membership to at least one thousand. Teachers wishing to become members will

inform the Secretary, Prof. Wm. F. Fox, Richmond, Va., enclosing him at the same time, by money order, postal note, or registered letter, the annual fee of fifty cents, and ninety-four cents additional for Raub's "Methods of Teaching." This should be done without delay.

Those who joined at the Salem and Staunton Normals should order at once Raub's "Methods of Teaching," enclosing, if not already paid, the annual fee in addition to the price of the book. The members of Section B should enclose the annual fee to the Secretary, and $1.15 additional for Johonnot's "Principles and Practice of Teaching," the first book of the second year's course. Members of Section A can order, without the annual fee, Brooks's "Mental Science and Culture," costing $1.20.

CONCLUSION.

The co-operation of all friends of education is cordially solicited in the effort to increase the membership of the Association. The County Superintendents especially can be of great assistance; and with their interest and aid, there is no good reason why the Association may not speedily become a highly important factor in raising the standard of teaching in our State. No teacher can read the prescribed course, or any considerable part of it, without becoming more intelligent and efficient in his work.

The Augusta County Superintendency.

The decision of the Court of Appeals, in the case of Roller vs. Jordan, sustains the opinion of the Attorney-General, published in the September JOURNAL, which was, that the ruling of the court, in the case of Pendleton vs. Miller, restored to office only four of the displaced Superintendents.

We congratulate all parties concerned that this vexed question has been finally settled. The opinion of the court is as follows:

ROLLER vs. JORDAN.

In Pendleton vs. Miller, decided at this term, this court held that the regular terms of county and city superintendents of schools, under the constitutional amendment adopted in November, 1884, (see Acts of 1874, page 208,) commenced on the 1st July, 1877, and expired with the 30th June, 1881. The