COLUMBUS. Mr. Joseph Sullivant has voluntarily retired from the office of school director in this city, having faithfully served the public in that capacity for thirtyone years. On the occasion of his retirement from office, he delivered an address in the High School Hall, in which he gave a very interesting history of the schools from their organization to the present time. The growth and progress of the system have been very great, and to Mr. Sullivant, more than to any other person, is this prosperity due. He has been a most earnest friend of the High School, and has successfully resisted all efforts to cripple or pervert it. Resolutions were passed by the teachers highly but justly complimenting Mr. Sullivant for his efficient services as a member of the board of education, requesting a copy of his address for publication, and soliciting the favor of placing his bust, at their own expense, in the High School Hall. The work has already been executed by a competent artist, and is much admired. CUMMINSVILLE. The public schools of this town have this year enrolled 580 pupils, with an average attendance of 94 per cent. The present building is overcrowded, and a new house, of sufficient capacity to accommodate from 700 to 800 scholars, will be erected this summer. Twelve teachers are employed with M. S. Turrill as principal, and the same course of study, classification, and grading is used as in the Cincinnati schools. A normal department is connected with the school, and in it several are every year prepared for successful teaching. The district has a large population in proportion to its wealth, and, as a consequence, the board is unable to pay as high wages as some of the adjacent towns, and, hence, the schools have frequently suffered from the loss of their best teachers. Last fall an adjoining district offered one of the lady teachers a salary of $20 per month in advance of what she was receiving, and more recently she had a similar offer from Dayton, but she declined both offers on the ground that it was her duty to fulfill her engagements at Cumminsville. The result is, that the board has voluntarily increased her salary and that of several other teachers who have faithfully stood at their post. CIRCLEVILLE.-The Democrat speaks in high terms of the progress of the schools, and thinks that Supt. Smart fully understands his business. The number of pupils enrolled the winter term was 1,002; the average daily attendance, 872; the average daily absence, 25: and the per cent. of attendance, 97-high school, 99; common schools, 95. Both the enrollment and the attendance are better than ever before, but the high per cent. of attendance is largely due to the "ninety per cent. rule", which excuses pupils whose standing is 90 per cent., from test examinations for promotion, with the further premium of a monthly holiday. There were but three cases of truancy in the entire term, and the absence was almost wholly due to sickThe Circleville schools once stood in the very front rank, and we are glad to see them moving toward their old position. They now employ seventeen teachers. ness. ALLIANCE. The public schools are under the supervision of W. H. Dressler, and are in good condition. The per cent. of attendance for the past eight months was 91; the entire number of different pupils who received instruction, 710; and the daily average number belonging, 516. The school facilities are not as good as the schools a fact which speaks well for the teachers, but not so well for the board, though some allowance is to be made on account of the rapid growth of the town, making it difficult to keep improvements fully abreast. IRONTON. The public schools have an enrollment this term of 1,400 pupils with 18 teachers, and are in a very satisfactory condition. The course of study in the high school requires four years for its completion, and embraces in mathematics, algebra, geometry, plane trigonometry, and surveying; in natural science, physiology, botany, natural philosophy, chemistry, geology, and astronomy; in language, Latin, Greek, French, and German-all but Latin being elective; and in addition, English history, ancient history, rhetoric, Kame's Criticism, political economy, mental and moral philosophy, and the Constitution of the United States. Regular courses of lectures are given by Supt. Hirst and Dr. N. K. Moxley, the latter on physiology. The school has a fine chemical and philosophical apparatus and a good library. The pupils sustain two literary societies. The senior class this year numbers eleven. We regret the necessity of declining an invitation to be present on the occasion of their graduation. VAN WERT.-The whole number of pupils enrolled in the schools during the month ending May 7th, was 557; average daily attendance, 486; average daily absence, 34; per cent. of attendance, 94; number of pupils tardy, 28; number neither absent nor tardy for the term, 152-all of which is a good record. The schools are in charge of Geo. B. Lane.-The Van Wert County Teachers' Institute meets at Van Wert the week beginning June 7th. TIFFIN. The teachers have appropriated one-half of one per cent. of their salaries and the school board an equal amount for a Teachers' Library. This will give about $80 a year. There is also a small fund for general library purposes.-The schools are well directed, and are making steady progress. The teachers are specially pleased with their success in teaching map-drawing. Miss Helen M. Freeman, of Binghamton, N. Y., has taken charge of the High School, succeeding Miss Prosens, who resigned sometime since on account of ill health. She was a very successful teacher. GALLIPOLIS.-Supt. Caldwell is doing an excellent work, and he is heartily sustained by an earnest corps of teachers and a liberal and enterprising board. He has made himself felt throughout the county. Few counties in the State are making more encouraging progress in school affairs than Gallia. GREENFIELD. The public schools were closed the last of March, the school funds being exhausted in the payment of teachers and the purchase of a suitable building for the primary grades. The schools will be opened at the beginning of the next school year, under more favorable auspices. A new course of study, covering a period of eleven years, has been adopted and published, and everything is ready for systematic and thorough work. The whole number of pupils enrolled this year was 494, with eleven teachers. MT. AUBURN YOUNG LADIES' INSTITUTE.-We recently had the pleasure of a brief visit to this well-known institution. It is "beautiful for situation", presenting a delightful prospect, and happily combining the advantages of city and country. The school-rooms are well arranged and neatly furnished, and the boarding hall is a model of taste and comfort. The faculty is composed of experienced and liberally educated teachers, and the course of instruction will compare favorably with that of the most thorough institutions of its class in the country. Prof. Norton took us into his chemical laboratory, and initiated us into the secrets of the "Spectrum Analysis." We were shown the analysis of several of the rarer metals, including the two last discovered. Prof. Norton is one of the most skillful experimenters in the West, and we know of no man that can get so many illustrations from a few pieces of simple apparatus. His synopses of the different sciences are also very exhaustive and accurate as the "Synopsis of Lessons in Botany" included in this number as an "Extra", bears witness. WE call attention to the card of Prof. Welch's Gymnastic Normal Institute, located at West Brattleboro, Vt. Prof. Welch is a teacher of gymnastics at Yale and Dartmouth Colleges, and at the Wesleyan University, Middletown, Ct. He is strongly recommended by Dr. Dio Lewis, and Dr. Holbrook. TEACHERS' INSTITUTES AND ASSOCIATIONS. The following persons will make engagements as Institute Instructors in July and August: Prof. A. Schuyler, Berea, 0.-Arithmetic, English Grammar, and Geography. Prof. W. G. Williams, Delaware, O.-English Grammar. Supt. W. D. Henkle, Salem, O.-Will attend two or three Institutes. Supt. W. E. Crosby, Lima, O.-Elementary Instruction and Theory and Practice. Supt. Jno. C. Kinney, Morrow, O.-Elocution, English Grammar, etc. H. U. Johnson, Prin. Normal Institute, Orwell, 0.-Geography and Eng. Grammar. Geo. C. Woollard, Cincinnati (Corryville), O.—Primary Instruction based on Pestalozzian Principles. Mrs. J. H. Jones, Cincinnati, (Box 167, Newport, Ky.)-Primary Instruction, including Object Teaching, Phonic Reading, etc. U. T. Curran, Cincinnati, O.-Common Branches and Theory and Practice. Prof. M. C. Stevens, Salem, O.-Mathematics and Theory and Practice. Supt. H. A. Thompson, Troy, 0.-Arithmetic. We are also requested to announce that Peter Keam and John Wickleborough, of the Cincinnati Schools, will teach Map Drawing; J. W. Van Sickle, Cheshire, Gallia Co., O., Physical Geography; and David W. DeLay, Ewington, Gallia Co., O., Reading and Elocution. W. H. Venable, Cincinnati (381 Ninth St.), has prepared three or four lectures on educational and literary topics, which he will engage to deliver at teachers' gatherings in Ohio or Indiana. Prof. S. R. Thompson (named above) has had considerable experience as an institute instructor in Pennsylvania, and is highly commended. He is principal of one of the State Normal Schools of West Virginia. We have not heard from Messrs. Andrews, Tappan, Hancock, DeWolf, Cowdery, Stevenson, but we hope they may each be able to do some institute work. Mr. Harvey's time is already engaged, and Capt. Mitchell has several engagements. COSHOCTON COUNTY.-The first teachers' institute conducted in this county for many years, was held at West Bedford the last week of April. About fifty teachers were present. The instruction of the first three days was given by Pres. Tappan, of Kenyon College, who also gave two evening addresses. His services gave great satisfaction. The writer was present Thursday P.M. and Friday, giving four lessons and two evening addresses. Dr. Link, principal of West Bedford Academy, gave two lectures, which were well received. Considerable time each day of the session was devoted to the discussion of questions on theory and practice, and we were much pleased with the freedom and spirit with which the members participated. The exercises awakened a very great interest in the community. SANDUSKY COUNTY.-We learn that the teachers' institute held at Fremont the first week of April was very successful. The instructors were Prof. A. Schuyler, of Berea, Supt. Stevenson, of Norwalk, and Supt. Ross, of Fremont,-each of whom gave an evening lecture. The exercises closed with an examination, at which forty applicants for certificates were examined. HAMILTON COUNTY.-The county teachers' association met at Curran & Kuhn's Academy on Saturday, May 8th. The attendance was somewhat smaller than usual, owing to imperfect announcement, but a large number of the earnest teachers of the county were present. We had the pleasure of "dropping in" for a few minutes. The association is doing a great work for the schools outside of the city. It is proposed to hold a two weeks' institute at Glendale in August, with Messrs. Hancock and Harvey as principal instructors. CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.-A teachers' institute was held at St. Paris, March 19th and 20th, with an attendance of over fifty teachers. Miss Mary Woods read an able paper on "Woman's Rights and Wrongs", which was published in the Citizen and Gazette, and the association resolved" that every intellectual advantage and opportunity should be given to women on the same terms as to men, and that equal labor should receive equal pay without regard to sex "-to the sex of the laborer. Dr. J. G. Blair was invited to conduct a normal school at St. Paris, in the summer. MEETING OF SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS.-The Association of School Superintendents will convene in the city of Cleveland on Monday July 5, 1869. The following is the programme of exercises adopted by the Executive Commmittee: Monday evening, Inaugural Address, by President M. F. Cowdery. On Tuesday, reports will be presented as follows: "The Work to be done in Teachers' Meetings ", A. J. Rickoff, of Cleveland; "Duties of Principal Teachers", W. E. Crosby, of Lima; "Means to be Adopted for the Prevention of Tardiness and Absenteeism ", J. W. Legg, Mechanicsburgh; "The Literary Culture of Teachers ", Thos. W. Harvey, Painesville. The meeting is expected to be one of great interest, and all heads of graded schools are respectfully invited to attend and take part in its proceedings. JOHN HANCOCK, Chairman Ex. Com. -WE are requested to say that much good might accrue from an exchange of geological specimens between teachers at the coming meeting of the Association. Those interested should go prepared. BOOK NOTICES. CECIL'S BOOKS OF NATURAL HISTORY. In Three Volumes: I. Beasts; II. Birds; III. Insects. Each 16mo., 200 pp. Handsomely Illustrated. By S. H. PEABODY, of the Chicago High School. Chicago: Clarke & Co. These works contain pleasing and instructive descriptions of the most interesting families of beasts, birds, and insects-descriptions so combining scientific facts and pleasing incidents as to attract and profit the young. Each book is beautifully illustrated, and both illustrations and typography are fine specimens of art. While these works are not intended for use as text-books, they furnish numerous facts and illustrations for Object Lessons and Oral Instruction, and hence are of special value to teachers. The retail price is $1.25 per volume, and $3.50 a set. They will be sent to teachers, postage prepaid, for $2.60 a set. THE FIRST SIX BOOKS OF VIRGIL'S ENEID, with Explanatory Notes, a Lexicon and a Map; together with an Appendix containing Dr. S. H. Taylor's Questions on Virgil, and a Metrical Index. By EDWARD SEARING, A.M., Professor of Latin in Milton College, Wisconsin. New York and Chicago: A. S. Barnes & Co. This new edition of Virgil contains only that portion which is usually read, and this is accompanied with a good lexicon, adapted to the text. This arrangement not only saves a great amount of time usually wasted in hunting through the mass of matter crowded into a large lexicon, but it also saves the expense of such a work. Everything necessary to the mastery of Virgil is embodied in 420 pages, 8vo., and in a very convenient and attractive form. The text is in large and clear type, the Latin words, both in the lexicon and in the notes, are in bold-faced letter, and the book is made of cream-tinted paper, making the page soft and pleasant to the eyea very important consideration in a classical text-book. The text is Conington's, which is equal to any; the Notes are drawn from Conington, Henry, Bryce, Heyne, and other eminent annotators; and the Lexicon is chiefly taken from the Latin-English Lexicons of Andrews, Crooks, and Schem. In brief, the author has gone to the very best sources for his materials, and his selection and arrangement of them show critical scholarship and good judgment. We are pleased with the work, and take pleasure in commending it. THE STUDY OF LANGUAGES brought back to its True Principles, or the Art of Thinking in a Foreign Language. By C. MARCEL, Knt. Leg. Hon. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1869. 12mo. 228 pp. This is a brief and concise summary of the author's larger treatise, entitled "Language as a Means of Mental Culture and International Communication." The aim of the author is to unfold a natural method of learning a foreign living language. This method consists of four successive steps, viz: 1. The art of reading. 2. The art of hearing. 3. The art of speaking. 4. The art of writing. In the first step, the learner is made to attack the printed text of a foreign tongue by means of a translation, both grammar and vocabularies being wholly ignored. "Grammar ", says the author, "affords no assistance in reading." The foreign words are not to be spoken by the learner, and no attention is given to pronunciation. In the second step, the learner is made familiar with the spoken language by hearing his teacher speak passages, already made familiar by translation, and this is continued until the learner easily follows the speaker in continuous discourse. In the third step, the pupil speaks the language himself, first after his teacher (no attention being given to the printed text), and then alone. When he has mastered all the elementary sounds and can converse easily, he then reads the written language. The art of composing in the foreign tongue completes the course. It will be observed that this method is essentially the same as that by which the child masters his vernacular. While the work is intended specially for teachers and learners of modern languages, it is replete with principles and suggestions of great interest to the teacher of the English language. It closes with a chapter on "Mental Culture" and another on "Routine", which we specially commend to all teachers. COMMON SCHOOL ARITHMETIC; Combining the Elements of the Science, with their Practical Applications to Business. By JOHN H. FRENCH, LL.D. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1869. We have examined this work with care and with much satisfaction. In several important features, it is a departure from the beaten track and a departure in the right direction, and alike in method and details, it bears evidence of critical thought and investigation. We know of no written arithmetic which so happily carries out the inductive method. Not only are most of the processes developed inductively, |