FIRST STEPS IN MUSIC. By GEORGE B. LOOMIS, Indianapolis, Ind. Price, 15 cts. a copy; $1.50 per dozen.

This little book presents a simple course of instruction in Music, adapted to the primary classes in our schools-the very grades in which the study of music should begin. Children should not only be taught to sing but they should be taught, at an early age, to read music; and it is the design of this excellent work to show how this may be done. It presents the simple rudiments of the subjects in a progressive series of easy exercises, accompanied with such instruction as will make the way clear to teachers of very slim musical qualifications. Indeed, the text is designed for the guidance of the teacher and not for the study of the pupil. We are glad to learn that this book is the first of a progressive series to be prepared by the same successful and eminent teacher.

A TREATISE ON PHYSIOLOGY AND HYGIENE:

For Schools, Families and Colleges. By J. C. DALTON, M.D. With Illustrations. New York: Harper & Brothers. As a treatise on physiology this work is very satisfactory, but it gives comparatively little attention to anatomy and hygiene. Indeed, the structure of the organs is described only so far as may be necessary to permit the clear presentation of their functions, and, in these anatomical references, few technical terms are used and these are explained either in the text or in the copious glossary which is appended. All this we feel disposed to commend rather than criticise, since some school physiologies are burdened with anatomical facts and terms; but we cannot approve of the slight attention given to hygiene. This subject needs to be fully and scientifically treated in works of this character. Anatomy and physiology as school studies are but means to an end, and that end is a thorough knowledge of hygiene-a knowledge widely and pressingly needed. Our youth need to understand the subject of ventilation and diet, the effects of alcohol and tobacco on health, etc.-subjects scarely touched upon or wholly ignored in this treatise. But physiology is happily treated. Its important and interesting facts are presented in their natural order and relations, and the whole subject is unfolded in a simple and yet scientific manner. The illustrations are few but good, and the entire mechanical execution of the book is excellent.

MARKS'S FIRST LESSONS IN GEOMETRY. Objectively presented and designed for the use of Primary Classes in Grammar Schools, Academies, etc. By BERNHARD MARKS. New York: Ivison, Phinney, Blakeman & Co.

It is held by President Hill, of Harvard College, that geometry in its perceptive phase the perception of forms-should be taught to children, even before analytical reasoning upon numbers is attempted. This view is shared by many eminent educators, and a still greater number believe that such training should at least precede the study of advanced arithmetic. Mr. Marks has succeeded in practically embodying this theory in a series of lessons well adapted to sub-high school pupils, and even to primary classes. In matter his little book is not wholly unlike Dr. Hill's, but it adopts the catechetic or Socratic method. Each fact is drawn out by skillful questions. The diagrams are also larger and more numerous. We commend the work to teachers as a valuable aid in oral instruction.

ELEMENTARY HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES: With numerous Maps and Engraving. By G. P. QUACKENBOS, LL.D. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1868. The first edition of this work was published in 1860, and the test of actual use has shown it to be well adapted to beginning classes. It is written in a simple and attractive style, and fact and story, event and incident are united in a continuous and attractive narrative. In the present revised edition several new maps are introduced with other improvements, and the whole is brought down to July, 1868.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF RAILROADS AND TELEGRAPHS, for the year ending June 30, 1868. By GEO. B. WRIGHT, Commissioner.

No one who examines this massive report of 460 pages will question the industry and competency of the officer entrusted with the oversight of the railroads and telegraphs of Ohio. The report contains a mass of information as important as it is surprising, and yet it is no mere ill-digested compilation. Facts and statisties have been subjected to thorough scrutiny and made to yield valuable deductions for practical guidance in the future development and management of these great interests. We wish that all our public offices were filled with men as competent and trustworthy as Gen. Wright.

BARTHOLOMEW'S DRAWING BOOKS. New Series. In Twelve Numbers.
Woolworth, Ainsworth & Co.

Boston:

We have received the first three books of this series and the ninth which is the first of the books devoted to animals. Each book contains twelve lesson plates, executed in superior style, and twenty-four pages of excellent drawing paper. The lesson plates are one half the size of the drawing pages and are printed on separate insets. This affords the requisite space for the copying of each lesson twice. Book 1 treats of horizontal and vertical lines, and their combination in plain figures. Book 2 treats of inclined lines and plain figures, together with curved lines and plain figures composed of them. Book 3 treats of linear perspective as illustrated by geometrical solids, combining light and shade. This analysis of the first three books shows the progressive character of the entire series. Each book contains full instructions respecting the lessons presented in it. We are not prepared to commend the copying system of teaching drawing, but we can say that we have seen no books based on that system superior to this new series by Mr. Bartholomew.

SCHOOL LYRICS: A Collection of Sacred Hymns for Devotional Exercises in Schools. New York: Harper & Brothers.

The compiler has performed his task with great care and wisdom, and the result is a convenient and compact collection of two hundred and sixty standard hymns, remarkably free from sectarian bias and breathing the highest devotional spirit. The little manual is well adapted for use in the family circle as well as in the school-room.

SPENCERIAN COPY BOOKS. Nos. 7 and 9. Latest Revision. New York: Ivison, Phinney, Blakeman & Co. 1869.

These books are respectively the higher numbers of the Business and Ladies' Series. Book 7 contains as copies a series of business papers which, in phraseology, use of capitals and style of execution are model specimens of the best usage of praccical accountants and business men. The hand-writing combines legibility, rapidity, beauty and variety-is, in short, the incomparable Spencerian. Book 9 presents models of business papers with cards, billets, etc.-all executed in a most beautiful style. But the unique feature of the book is a full page letter,-the finest specimen of epistolary taste and beauty that we have yet seen.

CHAMBERS' MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS with Answers; Embracing Science, Literature, Arts, etc. By W. CHAMBERS, F.R.S.E., F.G.S. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. Sold by Geo. W. Gleason, Columbus, Ohio. 210 pp.

This English work has a two-fold design, viz: (1) to afford a test of one's knowledge of the various subjects treated of, and (2) to furnish candidates for examination the means of speedily reviewing those points on which they are likely to be tested. Any well-informed person will derive pleasure and profit from a perusal of its pages. It is multum in parvo.

CONSTANCE AYLMER. A Story of the Seventeenth Century. By H. F. P. New York: Charles Scribner & Co. 348 pp. 1869. Sold by Geo. W. Gleason, Columbus, O. This is an interesting story of Christian life among the early settlers of New York. No one can read it without a deeper respect for the faith which can be the strength and joy of the soul in all of life's vicissitudes and disappointments.

THE NATION. Published Weekly in New York. Price $5 a year.

We sometimes feel annoyed at the supercilious and fastidious spirit which pervades this paper, but its marked ability and fearless independence always win our interest and respect. Every page of it shows not only talent, but, generally, a thorough knowledge of the subject considered.

HARPER'S WEEKLY. Splendidly Illustrated. Harper & Brothers, New York. $4 a year.

Price

This finely illustrated paper presents weekly a most interesting and valuable history of current events. Its brief and pointed articles on public questions bear the stamp of mature conviction and breadth of view, and are characterized by independence, fairness, strength and vigor. The illustrations are alone a power in the land.

NEW BOOKS RECEIVED.

LOOMIS'S TREATISE ON METEOROLOGY. Harper & Brothers, New York.

GRAY'S SCHOOL AND FIELD BOOK OF BOTANY. Ivison, Phinney, Blakeman & Co., New York.

LEIGH'S MCGUFFEY'S NEW ECLECTIC PRIMER, and LEIGH'S MCGUFFEY'S NEW PRIMARY READER. Wilson, Hinkle & Co., Cincinnati.

SYPHER'S SCHOOL HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA, and WILSON'S AMERICAN JUROR. J. B. Lippincott & Co., Philadelphia.

ROLFE & GILLET'S HAND BOOK OF CHEMISTRY, and CAMPBELL'S NEW GERMAN Course. Woolworth, Ainsworth & Co., Boston.

BURT'S PRACTICAL ENGLISH GRAMMAR. A. H. English & Co., Pittsburgh.

YONGE'S LANDMARKS OF HISTORY, (in three books), OTTO'S BEGINNING GERMAN, and WHITCOMB & OTTO'S GERMAN AND ENGLISH CONVERSATIONS. Leypoldt & Holt, New York. Sold by Robert Clarke & Co., Cincinnati.

WILLIAM'S & PACKARD'S SYSTEM OF PENMANSHIP. In Nine Numbers. Slote, Woodman & Co., New York.

AN ORGAN AS A PREMIUM!

To the person who secures the largest number of subscribers to the OHIO EDUCATIONAL MONTHLY between January 1st and December 1st, 1869, I will present a TAYLOR & FARLEY PORTABLE ORGAN. PRICE, $75.00.、 This is a fine instrument for schools. Other liberal premiums are offered. Send for specimen copies and circulars.

SUBSCRIPTIONS.

The Subscription Price of the MONTHLY is $1.50 a year; four or more copies at the rate of $1.25 a copy-sent to the same or different post offices. Additions to clubs at club rates. A sample copy will be sent on receipt of a stamp to prepay postage. Subscriptions begin with the January or July number.

For Ten Cash Subscribers at club rates ($1.25), an extra copy of the MONTHLY will be sent one year; for Six Cash Subscribers, a copy will be sent six months. Circulars containing a full list of Premiums, with Testimonials, will be sent on application. E. E. WHITE, PUBLISHER,

Address.

COLUMBUS, OHIO.

We once visited a school where a teacher was conducting a recitation in geography. She sat behind the desk with the book. open before her. Her finger, which vigorously followed the text, appeared to play a more important part in the lesson than mind or heart. We have occasionally seen teachers "from whose very finger tips seemed to flow inspiration ", but we have yet to see one to whom inspiration comes through the finger tips.

As we saw the list-less pupils, and heard their half uttered sentences, we thought, "What waste and folly! Acres and miles of the broad earth spread out before these little martyrs, over which they might roam gathering knowledge for present and future use, but they are bound to a text-book, forced to feed upon its dry straw, by a teacher who is incapable of mixing with the straw the meal of personal enthusiasm."

To some the work of breaking away from the words of an author and diving deeper and soaring higher than his thought even, may seem too great. But they are wrong. Every teacher in our common schools may know all the text gives on any particular topic,-know it so thoroughly as to come to the recitation with no book to which she must give the attention which should be given to her pupils. But, more than this, she may open her

*Teacher in the Minnesota Normal School.

eyes wide for facts in nature that illustrate the statements of the bookman, and present these to the class. She will be delighted to see how contagious such a habit is. In a few days the children will bring to the recitation more examples from the outside world that tally with the author's words, than the teacher can well dispose of. Let the book furnish an occasional text, but never permit it to rob the class of the benefit and pleasure of "getting up the sermon."

We can conceive that a lesson on as dry a theme as government, might be made juicy by right handling. Let us imagine that our pupils know the physical features of our State, its chief productions, occupations, towns, etc., and are now ready to consider government, which is usually disposed of in few words by our geographers. Since our aim is to develop mind, make it keen, strong, able to do its own work after a time, and to give it a healthful appetite, we shall not be troubled if we be a week or more on this subject. Indeed, the only thing we shall permit to trouble us, will be lack of interest on the children's part. By proper care, we can fortify ourselves against this evil.

LESSON FIRST.

As an introduction, question the pupils with regard to the motives their parents have in sending them to school, and their motives in coming. The substance of their answers will be that they come for the purpose of learning. The teacher then calls attention to some evil that is more or less common in all schools; as, whispering.

Teacher. A few moments since, while Dora was studying, I saw Susie whisper to her. What do you think Dora did? Children. Stopped to listen. (Or, if not, very good.) Children. Answered back.

T. Susie's whispering would stop what?

C. Dora's studying.

T. Why was Dora studying?

C. To learn.

T. The school is for what?

C. For learning.

T. If studying were often stopped, would the school be made better or worse?

C. Worse.

T. Just now what stopped Dora's studying?

C. Whispering.