Wise
Normal College Echo
Vor, II. ALBANY, N. Y. DECEMBER, 1893. No. 5
CONTENTS.
Lirerary. PAGE.
‘The Star in the East 1 | Aw Agassiz Carrer
‘Mary’s Little Lamb. x | Lecture ...
‘My Snow-Child - 3 | Tus Par Detta Erection. 10
Does it Move? 3 | Ecuozs . ro
A Christmas Carol 4 | Persowats. a
Chaucer’s Love of Nature and of Man 5 | Avumnr Noes n
Eprrortat, Nores. .. = 6 | Hic ScHoor No Bay
Eprroruats. KINDERGARTEN 12
Regents’ Report - 6 | Tus Breos’ Parry. n
‘The Best Profession, 7 | Aone our EXcHANGES . B
A Visrr ro Exeruanra.. 8 | Amon THE CottzcEs 13
A Soctat GarHuring 9 | Epucatiowan Norss B
ABBREVIATING 9 | Boox Reviews. a
Arrsr Coo1inc.. 9 | Booxs Recervep - 4
Apprss To Time. 9
THE STAR IN THE EAST.
P from the east, where the ocean waves wild
Ceaselessly break on the rock-beaten strand,
Rising from ocean, shines Lucifer's light,
Guiding Aurora, who shines o'er each land.
Bright is her coach, drawn by milky-white steeds,
Rosy her fingers, and flowery her way;
Gently she parts the dark curtains of night,
Through drives Apollo— the god of the day.
Star in the east, thy clear light is a blessing,
Heralding daily the beams of the sun,
Shining afar through night's dark, gloomy cavern,
Bringing fond hope to the soul of each one.
Out of the east, in the year of our Lord,
Shepherds at night saw a star bright and clear,
Angels sang loudly,— ‘‘A child is now born,
Saviour of men— peace on earth — do not fear.”
Kneeling they prayed, and the angels bent low,
Gladly they welcomed the new Light of Day.
Christ came to earth and the word was fulfilled,
Eagerly sought they the babe where He lay.
Star in the east, with thy love-kindled beam,
Shine on forever, the world needs thy light.
Herald of life, rouse our souls from their sleeping,
Raise them to God, till they rest in His sight.
James Rowert Waite, June, '93.
MARY’S LITTLE LAMB.
An Annotated Edition for the study of English Classics.
By Bo Pzxp.
Prefatory Note.
‘The name of the writer of this poem is lost
among the myths of antiquity. Indeed one
school of critics contends that the production is
that of many minds rather than of one author,
and that the parts were cemented together by
some master genius of a succeeding age. Evi-
dently this idea is simply copied from a similar
theory about the Iliad, We contend for the
doctrine of unity of authorship. Yet the poem
has doubtless been polished as it passed through
the poetic mind of the ages; and had we the
earlier forms of the work, the prototype would
probably differ as much from the present readings
as do the earlier and later forms of Chevy Chase.
The rythm of the lyric is simple.
index is needed, further than for the first line,
which is slightly defective :
Ma | ry had | a lit | tle lamb,
No metrical
2 THE NORMAL COLLEGE ECHO.
It was a most felicitous conception, that of
making this poetic story of a dainty quadruped
begin with a line of four small feet. Thereis a
pleasing, but perhaps an imaginative tradition
that the lamb became a pet from having a fore
foot injured in infancy, and that the first foot of
the poem was made defective as a delicate refer-
ence to that fact. The metre of the poem is so
perfect that the syllables, tripping from short to
long, seem to photograph in fancy’s mind the
skipping of the lamb.
Text.
Mary! had? a little? lamb;
Its fleece was white as snow;¢
‘And everywhere that Mary went,
The lamb was sure to go.
It followed her to school one day,
Tt was against the rule.®
It made the children laugh and play"
To see the lamb at school.
And so the teacher® turned it out;
But still? it!” lingered near,
And waited patiently” about,
Till Mary did appear.
Notes.
1.— Mary. We give the common reading.
Many older editions have “Lucy.” In fact the
oldest MSS., written on parchment and owned
by the State Breeders Association of Sackett’s
Harbor, have “Lucy.” A Vatican edition
makes the name “ Jennie,” but the “ie” is evi-
dence of modern interpolation, Such nomen-
clature is expected in the catalogues of academ-
ies, and female seminaries, but is decidedly out
of place here.
2.—Had, i. e., possessed; not, of course, in
law, for Mary was a minor. Her pa was the
real owner; Mary, as far as the lamb was con-
cerned, standing én loco parentis.
3. — Little, One commentator objects to this
word as tautological, used in connection with
lamb. We cannot agree. The popular concep-
tion of lamb is mainly gained from the market.
‘Taking into consideration the mastodonic bones
found in the lamb from the butcher’s, the word
is not useless.
4. — Snow. This simile is the only ground for
the theory that this poem is by the author of
“Beautiful Snow.” It is not a safe conjecture.
5.— Followed. This is strikingly true to na-
ture. The lamb follows; it never leads; it is
your true partisan; it is no mugwump.
6. — Rule, This line causes the critics trouble.
It is improbable that the teacher, foreseeing such
an event, should have formed a specific regula-
tion against the bringing in of lambs. To get
over this objection, certain commentators argue
that the teacher, after the dictatorial manner of
his kind, promulgated an ex post facto law to
cover the case. More likely the teacher, having
been bothered by pets, had passed a resolution
prohibiting four-footed animals of any kind; this
rule would have been binding in case of sheep.
7.— Play. Dr. Wolf, in commenting upon this
passage, cites the expression, claiming that while
the children would naturally laugh, they would
not play (¢, ¢., play tag or truant, ef a/.) any more
on account of the sheep’s presence. He sug-
gests the emendation:
“The pupils amusement did display.” But
this reading lacks the Anglo-Saxon fire of the
original. Evidently the criticism of the learned
doctor is captious. A tendency on the part of
the Wolf to censure the lamb dates as far back
as AEsop.
8.— Teacher. \t is generally accepted that this
was amale teacher; tradition saysso; the context
infers it. We are distinctly told that the teacher
himself turned out the lamb. A woman would
have stood on the desk and had one of the big
boys do the “firing.” ‘The story that the teacher
afterward went to college, received a diploma
printed on this very sheep’s skin, and came back
to marry Mary is romantic, but not trustworthy.
9.— Still. Some editors try to twist this word
around, construing it as an adjective used in the
predicate; thus it would be that the lamb loafed
about in a quiescent state. It is far better both
logically and zodlogically to take the word as
meaning notwithstanding, and allow for any
amount of bleating.
1o.— Jt, The continued use of the neuter
pronoun shuts off speculation concerning the
gender of the lamb, whether it was male or
female, or whether it was not.
11. — Patiently, e¢ al. The pathos of this
passage is touching; it brings out the deepest
sympathy for thelamb, During the struggles of
the patriotic tariff tinkers in the congressional
lobbies, this martyr-like spirit of the juvenile
South-Down is often cited as the strongest
argument for the higher protection of wool.
12.—We conclude the text here. The story
is told. Other stanzas are sometimes published
THE NORMAL COLLEGE ECHO. 3
in editions of the poem they contain a sequel;
but they add nothing of literary value. They
aretame. Here is one;
“What makes the lamb love Mary so?”
The eager children cry
“Because she loves the lamb, you know,”
The teacher did reply.
This smacks too much of Sunday-school litera-
ture. To such talk from the teacher, the
youngest freshman could have replied, that the
converse of a proposition is not always true; and
any fond but rejected lover would have rebuked
him for his unnatural reasoning. Indeed, if we
are to admit such stanzas to our editions, we
might as well close with something like the
following :
“And why to it said you ‘ha-ha’?”
Inquired the teacher stern ;
“ Because it said to us ‘ bah-bah’”
‘The pupils did return,
E. E. Race, ’93.
MY SNOW-CHILD.
I cannot find the snow-child
T made the other day;
My pretty little snow-child,
She must have blown away.
I carved her from a snow-drift,
And oh! I took such care
To shape her trailing garment,
‘And smooth her floating hair.
She held her arms toward me,
Her lips, they almost smiled.
I'm sure, I’m sure she loved me —}
My beautiful snow-child !
Did she think I wasn’t coming,
It rained so yesterday ?
‘And was she tired waiting
For me to come and play?
T’'ve searched in every corner —
Oh dear ! what shall I do?
Come back my little snow-child,
Come back and take me too.
H.S. D.
DOES IT MOVE?
FEW centuries ago a mad star-gazer said of
the world, it moves, and for many years
there were scoffing by many and serious consid-
eration by a few. The gist of much current dis-
cussion was, “Does it move?” Many learned
doctors, with fine drawn logic, demonstrated that
it did not move, could not move. Meanwhile,
diurnally and annually the earth and all the solar
system, the universal world to the unlimited
fathoms of space were sweeping through their
mighty circuits expressing the great laws that lay
beyond the ken of these little minds.
To-day we smile at the ignorance of these
people, but the question is still with us, having
passed from its physical to its spiritual aspect.
The question is still agitated, “ Doesit move?”
And, although the Galileo of the Nineteenth Cen-
tury from his watch-tower tells of the great pro-
gressive forces that govern life, and although the
modern Columbus sailing the seas of thought
through the darkness of superstition tells of a
shore toward which humanity is sailing, many
deride, some dare to hope, and a few strong and
positive spirits speak words of strength and ex-
ultant prophecy to their fellow-men.
We have the question in various forms: “Is
life a failure?” ‘Has there been so great a poet
since Homer, any art to equal Greece?” Our
magazine articles discuss, “Is there actual pro-
gress in society?” Decadence in this century ?
Lately there has risen in Europe a wail from a
misanthropic perverter of Buddha’s teaching tell-
ing how the world is “Drifting Backward to
Nirvana.” If we are drifting backward, life is
worse than a delusion. It is the vile torture of
a cruel force that has created us; at best we are
living on the deadening perfume of an empty
vase. But truth from the inmost soul cries,
no —a thousand times, no!
It is incomprehensible how life can be so rad-
ically, indeed so wilfully, misjudged.
would have an adequate conception of the trend
of present-day influences, we must understand
the past. History and social phenomena, indeed,
present much to confuse even the clearest under-
standing. The growing activity of the human
soul is a thing of such marvelous complexity, so
many counter-currents of resultant causes clash,
there are so many periods of out-flashing light,
so many dark, downward revulsions, that history
reads like a strange, inexplicable chimera. But,
although there is so much to puzzle one, this
truth we must deduce from the study of the
world life, that it moves naturally and mightily, al-
though soslowly that faith sometimes falters. But
consider the history of creation from the time the
universe was a floating vapor to the time of
4 THE NORMAL COLLEGE ECHO.
the last earthquake. What could be more stu-
pendously slow? Yet do we ever think of com-
plaining of the order of beautiful development
we see there?
How infinitesimal is even the existence of
the human race compared with the age of the
world? How young is the world compared with
the universe?
If we measure our patience by years or centu-
ries, what do we know of time? Of what consid-
eration is time in the accomplishment of great
purposes? Shall it take longer to evolve a
world than to evolve man who is to dwell thereon
and subdue it? ‘he universe had its ages of
chaos, darkness, wild strugglings, and seemingly
destructive outbreakings and upheavals. Shail
the human soul be perfected with less struggle ?
Which is the greater consummation, a physically
developed world or a spiritually developed
humanity ?
If we fail to see the progressive principle in all
things, the whole meaning of life is perverted.
If that which has been is that which shall be, and
there is no new thing under the sun, then let us
worship the past and keep our heads over our
shoulders but hope for nothing better. But such
an attitude contradicts the fundamental necessity
ofour being. The living present is all that can
avail for one, not the life that hasbeen. Why set
the past above the present? ‘There is absolutely
nothing that is or can be attained in life that is
a final end in itself, What is the mission of any
excellence but to produce a higher excellence?
Let those who stand in the dark corners of the
earth, not, alas, few nor hard to find, and who
raise their voices in a retrospective wail over the
“good old days,”’ look ahead on the earth.
Think of the binding interests that in the last
century have sprung up between nations, classes,
and individuals. See the sweeping ties that
unite all civilized humanity in these days, and
are stretching on and laying their grasp on
savagery. We annihilate space and time. Con-
sidering social life, where has there been such an
awakening to the brotherhood of men, such a
broadening spirit of humanity ?
The greater regard for the oppressed, the
larger spirit of love and happiness, the considera-
tion for childhood, the higher education of
women, the desire to relieve the poor, to bring
light and beauty into lives that know only toil,
the endeavor to open the unawakened masses to
the same sources of culture that the highest
enjoy, the national liberty, the freedom of
thought, and the growing inclination of all
classes to think, are all the outcome of our
modern civilization,
Look ever forward. Comprehend life in its
large and vital meaning. Because a great
thinker, an artist, or a poet lived in a past age, do
not say wisdom and beauty culminated there.
Do not say because in the past one of great
virtue and spiritual force inspired the world, that
truth and religion culminated there. What do
you know of the possibilities of religion, which
has been defined as “The life of God in the
heart of man,” or “The culmination of truth?”
Study well the forces that led to the production
of these points of excellence, and remember that
laws of development are not for one age and
absent from another, but that they run through
all lives, that they have given us a present where
all this venerated past is ours, a present with an
excellence which continually increases and fore-
shadows an unlimited future.
Remember that life and development, being
and progress are inseparable. Ever be ready to
hold your beliefs more and more inclusively.
Belief is not necessarily truth, and as belief is to
truth, so is being to becoming, Be not satisfied
with being, but be ever eager for becoming. Be
copious, vehement, spiritual, bold, place no limit
to life or any entity of life, for the universe is his
who can take it. Let every human soul make
this truth his most vital faith as he works in and
for the world.
“ Yet [doubt not thro’ the ages one increasing purpose
runs,
And the thoughts of men are widened with the process
of the suns.”
H. W. B., ’95.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL.
‘AIR LUNA clad in bright array
Usurps the place of vanquished day,
And stars, the torches of the night,
‘The vaulted heavens fill with light.
Sleep’s mantle o’er the slumbering world
In sweetest mercy is unfurled,
‘And mortals, fevered with the strife,
Forget in sleep the cares of life.
But lo! beneath the stars’ kind light
The shepherds watch their flocks by night,
And, kneeling lowly on the ground,
Adore the Saviour newly found.
O carols sweet by seraphs sung !
‘Thy tidings through the years have rung,
And man by sin and wrong debased
Has found in heaven a resting place.
©; Bik,
THE NORMAL COLLEGE ECHO. 5
CHAUCER'S LOVE OF NATURE AND OF
MAN.
F all the renowned poets given us by our
great language, of all the noble characters
found among men of letters, there are none of
whom the English-speaking race can be more
proud than of Geoffrey Chaucer, the gentle poet
who wrote in the earliest dawn of English litera~
ture, the great man whose whole soul went out in
a deep love to Nature and to man, and who first
caroled forth his delight in them in sweet, me-
lodious strains. Unlike the modern poets, Chau-
cer does not analyze his feeling toward Nature.
He seeks for no hidden soul beneath her glories,
but gives us only the direct impression made on
his senses — “senses as open and delicate as a
little child.” The truth and freshness of his
morning pictures have been aptly compared to
the celebrated “Castle Landscape” of Rem-
brandt. We seem to see the rosy light creeping
slowly over the velvet uplands, and to feel the
buoyancy of the cool air. We listen while
“The busy lark, messenger of day,
Saluteth in her song the morning gray,
And fiery Phoebus riseth up so bright,
That all the Orient laugheth of the light.”
Another important phase in Chaucer’s love for
nature is his affection for birds. He rejoiced in
their coming that heralded the bright spring, and
delighted to watch them flitting in and out of
their bowers, calling to their mates, and singing
so blithely in the wood that it rang
‘‘ Like as it should shiver in pieces small.”
Not only in tender appreciation but also in
faithful observation this fourteenth century author
may well be compared with Thoreau and John
Burroughs. Winter with “sword keen and cold,”
and “large black nights” could not attract his
gentle spirit as could dainty Spring. The ocean
and mountain had little charm for him, yet with
rare fidelity to nature, he studied and interpreted
every varying mood of gloom or grandeur. His
“Wan Sea” has a savoring of the true Anglo-
Saxon element of awe and superstition.
Gladly we turn to the peaceful seclusion of
characteristic English homes and their surround-
ings. he fair dwelling of the Reeve, situated
on a heath, and shaded by green trees; the
hamlet — so poor that it might almost be called a
stable — which sheltered that bundle of patient
matronly virtues, Griselda; the baronial castle
with its old-fashioned garden in which “sweet
Emily ” walked — all are vivid, all homelike.
Much as Chaucer loved Nature it did not
crowd out from his heart and life a deep affection
for man. In that motley array of pilgrims, jour-
neying along in jolly fellowship to Canterbury,
there was not one with whom he did not speak
between sundown and bedtime. What cared he
whether they were gentle knights or poor plough-
men? It was enough for him to know that they
were men, with human joys, loves, and sorrows.
He took them as he found them, laughed at folly,
condemned wickedness, pitied suffering, and
praised goodness.
It is his power of sympathy that makes his
satire so kindly, His humor is genial, and
peeps out at us in all his stories, making us
laugh in spite of ourselves at what may be our
own failings. We almost see the twinkle in the
poet’s eye as he introduces a certain gallant
knight who had made a journey to find what the
gentler sex liked best in the world. We listen to
the long weary search among the people of many
countries, and anticipate the result — that every-
where the most pleasing thing to women is to
have sovereignty, as well over their husbands as
their lovers, and to be first in mastery.
In the true humorist, it is said that humor and
pathos go hand in hand. Chaucer was highly
sensitive to the bitterness and dissonance of life,
but mingling his laughter with his tears, he
accepted all things in childlike trust, and as a
result his characters are immortal.
The lesson of this poet is not merely one in
philanthropy or benevolence, it is one in practi-
cal democracy, in the value and sacredness of
the common, the near, the universal. The tales
of humble life so faithfully drawn, and springing
from a nature rich in human love and sympa-
thies, could not fail to broaden the minds and
interests of the people of the fifteenth century,
and kindle in all hearts a more kindly feeling
toward the poorer classes. ‘‘ He hates without
bigotry; he loves without folly; he worships
without idolatry.”
‘As we study the works left us by Chaucer, as
with him we wander into realms of quiet and
delight, more and more do we agree with the
great poet who sung long years ago:
“Dan Chaucer, well of English undefiled,
On Fame’s eternal head-roll worthy to be fyled.”
Exoise C. WHITNEY, ’95.
6 THE NORMAL COLLEGE ECHO.
THE
NORMAL COLLEGE ECHO.
PusitisHeD MONTHLY BY THE STUDENTS.
Terms.—$r.oo per annum, in advance ; $x.a5 when not paid by
February rst; single copies, x5 cents.
Conducted by
GEORGE A. BROWN,’ © | -
GEORGE C. STREETER, 'o4,
Assisted by
CuartorTe E, Lansine, '95,
‘M. RanpotpH Spicur, '96.
Echo Artist,
Managing Editor.
Business Manager.
Havewa S. Curtiss, ’94,
May A, Barwin, ’05,
HgimyS. Datwyy'og 2 4) ges
Contributions and items of interest are earnestly solicited from
students, graduates and others.
In accordance with the U. S. postal law Tux Ecxo will be sent
until all arrears are paid and notice of discontinuance is received.
Address matter designed for publication to the Editor-in-chief,
business communications to the Financial Editor, Normat Cortecr
Ecuo, College Building, Albany, N. Y.
WEED-PARSONS PRINTING COMPANY, - - PRINTERS,
EDITORIAL NOTES.
Have you been to the new observatory ?
THERE seems to be an unusual amount of
midnight oil burned this year.
Wuen you see a number of students wearing
chrysanthemums into chapel in the morning, just
understand that some one has given a party the
evening before.
Tue Ecuo rejoices as from time to time it
hears of the successes of our alumni. We also
highly commend that spirit that aids another in
securing a position.
THE interesting communication to the readers
of the Ecuo, “A Visit to Elephanta,” is from
Miss Christina H. Lawson, June, ’86. Miss
Lawson is connected with a mission school at
Bombay, Hindoostan.
Tus year the §. N.C. will have no commence-
ment exercises in February. The students who
complete their course at that time will receive
their diplomas in June. The societies, however,
will give their customary mid-winter publics.
Tur Ecuo is preparing for each delinquent
subscriber a Christmas gift which shall consist
of a bill for $1.25. If you do not wish to receive
such a reminder you may avoid it by promptly
remitting $1.00 to our business manager.
One of our students from the country saw the
other day on a street car the placard: “Skating
in the park.” He thought the authorities were
remarkably kind to inform the public where
pleasure was to be had free of charge. Then he
learned that the street-car company was setting
a trap to “ketch” an honest nickle.
SHOULD a principal or superintendent come
into the class-room and take the class out of the
hands of the teacher? No! In so doing he de-
feats the very end that he is supposed to accom-
plish. Any man can conjure up a few “won-
ders” that will startle and win the admiration
of the class for a single recitation. But the
principal who will do so at his teacher's expense
stoops to an act beneath his position. He de-
stroys every particle of confidence that the pupils
may entertain for their teacher, and he places
before her an obstacle almost impossible for her
to overcome.
Every student should make the vacation a
time of rest; if you have used your time ju-
diciously there will be no occasion for spending
your vacation in study.
A TEACHER should never forget there are
rights, inherent to the pupil, which he or she is
bound to respect. There is a point beyond
which the teacher may not pass. ‘here are
limits at which the right of the teacher to dictate
ceases, although his right to advise remains, Do
you always respect those rights?
REGENTS’ REPORT.
FEW days ago the Hon. Melvil Dewey issued
his report as secretary of the board of
regents. This report makes a fine showing in
regard to the remarkable growth of regents sys-
tem during the last five years.
The report forms a basis upon which to build
a vigorous plea for financial support from the
State.
We are told that our common schools exist
only through the natural care of our colleges;
THE NORMAL COLLEGE ECHO. 7
that New York stands first in prosperity because
of her regents system; that in their last war the
German University conquered France; that
France during the last quarter of a century has
contributed most lavishly for a higher education,
and as a direct result, her progress stands the
marvel of the nations. He boldly advocates
that the whole people should be taxed that a very
few may be highly educated.
Every true friend of education is proud of the
record that our secretary has made, and all join
in supporting him. But does he not ask too
much of us when he asks us to accept all of
these statements? Do they not carry wide of
the truth? Have we forgotten that some of the
stars of the first magnitude that our country has
lent to the galaxy of nations were not representa-
tives of higher education ?
The master mind that led our Revolutionary
armies, that made our constitution a reality and
stamped its character upon a mighty nation was
not the product of higher education.
The man who stood at the helm during the
stormy years of the Rebellion and about whom
the heart of the nation beats to-day never had a
year’s training in the schools. The man who
marshalled the greatest army since Xerxes re-
ceived little education outside of West Point.
‘The man of to-day who works the miracles of the
nineteenth century never went to school ten
weeks.
Nor is the number of diplomas conferred by
our colleges the true basis upon which a tax
should be levied. How many of our graduates
use their training simply to adorn social circles
or to sharpen their wits to get a living other than
by honest means? How many use their training
to double the world’s sunshine and to lift those
less favored in life to a higher plane?
THE BEST PROFESSION.
ISHONESTY in business, fraud and cor-
ruption in politics, a synonym used quite
often for a lawyer, is a word beginning and
ending with the same letters, “humbuggery and
quackery” in medicine, sensationalism and
worldliness in the pulpit are some of the charges
that the above-named vocations hurl at each
other. The clergy have even more serious things
said about them, as the following incident in
Dr Beecher’s life will illustrate. After listen-
ing to a sermon delivered by a young preacher
Mr Beecher asked him how long it took him to
prepare it. The young man replied lightly, that
he spent an hour the previous night in thinking
over his text, but the greater part of his dis-
course was extemporized. Mr Beecher did not
smile, but said he was interested in knowing, as
he spent two weeks in preparing the same
sermon,
Now what injurious epithets or opprobrious
terms are attached to the profession of teaching
or to teachers? If any, they are few and not
Is it because the persons who
devote themselves to teaching are so scrupulously
honest and have so much more moral integrity
and nobleness of purpose than those engaged in
other pursuits? It is generally believed that an
honest man will be honest under whatever cir-
cumstances he is placed, but every day we are
surprised to find that we made a wrong diagnosis,
or else no man can be called more honest than
another until he has been placed under similar
conditions. A young man taught ten years and
during that time his reputation was good in
every respect. He went into business and sud-
denly went to Canada. Is there good ground
for saying that the teacher's profession isa bright
one? Sentiment has a strong influence, and we
are, perhaps, inclined to ascribe the virtues to
the teacher’s profession that we think ought to
be there, but reviewing as impartially as we can,
the various callings in life, we believe that teach-
ing is the cleanest, purest, and noblest work that
there is to-day. It is almost free from tempta-
tions, it is growing better and is being better
rewarded from year to year. The earnest, ener-
getic teacher has every reason to feel encouraged
at the outlook for his chosen profession.
FJ. By
in common use.
—_——
SS ete
8 THE NORMAL COLLEGE ECHO,
A VISIT TO ELEPHANTA
NE morning, rising before daylight, and tak-
ing a gari, we drove to Apollo Bunder, where
we were to take a boat for the cave of Elephanta,
situated on an island six miles from Bombay.
How strange every thing seemed as we drove
through the native town! Scarcely asound was
heard in the streets, and all along the road the
natives were still lying fast asleep, rolled up in
their cotton sheets.
Reaching the dock, we stepped into a steam
launch and were soon moving across the harbor
past craft of every kind and size, from the tiny
row and sail-boats to the ocean steamer and war-
ships lying at anchor in the harbor. Suddenly
from out the sea the sun rose in all his oriental
blaze and glory, and there was a hasty lowering
of canvas to shut out his fierce rays.
After a sail of an hour and a half, we stopped
near the island of Elephanta and getting into a
smaller boat we were rowed to the pier, which is
built of concrete blocks placed about a foot apart
and only wide enough to allow us to pass over them
in single file. The tide was out and those blocks
that had recently been under water were slippery.
We drew a breath of relief when at last we reached
solid ground. Here were coolies with chairs at-
tached to long poles waiting to carry people up
to the cave which is on the top of a hill. Much
to their disappointment only one of our party
let them carry her up in state, — she was afflicted
with rheumatism. The rest of us preferred to
walk. The ascent is made by means of a long
flight of stone steps. So gradual is the ascent
and so broad are the steps that it is like mount-
ing terrace after terrace. On either side grow
palms and the famous banyan trees, with a thick
undergrowth of shrubbery.
Reaching the top a magnificent view was
spread out before us. Near at hand was the sea
in its beauty, yonder were the white domes and
tall spires of Bombay glistening in the sunlight,
and beyond were the mountains dimly seen
through the haze. The bungalow of the man
who has charge of the cave stands here. Thither
we went, and on the veranda in picnic fashion,
made ready chota hazri (little breakfast), for which
our early rise and the sea air had given us a keen
appetite.
Chota hazri over, we proceeded to the cave.
First we entered a large hall about fifty feet
square. The roof of the cave rests on twenty-
six pillars. On the wall facing the entrance is
carved a three-headed bust representing Siva,
which is the leading character in all the groups
of figures in the cave. The center group repre-
sents Siva in the character of Brahma the creator,
the one on the right as the destroyer and the one
on the left as the preserver of life. The figure
representing Siva as destroyer has twisted snakes
instead of hair. One figure, having four arms and
representing the active and the passive in nature,
is sixteen feet nine inches high. On the right is
a vestibule, and on the three walls are carved
hideous figures on portions of which is a red
paint. The Hindu worshiper strikes his head
against these painted portions and receives a red
mark upon his forehead,
Stepping down from the central hall and cross-
ing a court-yard to the left, we come to another
small chamber or chapel, on the walls of which
are groups of divinities showering flowers upon
Siva and Parvati. Some of the figures in the cave
are gigantic. In some of the groups elephants,
snakes, and men are strangely mixed, and some
of the figures are truly hideous.
This cave and all its figures were cut out of
the solid rock by the Hindus about 1,500 years
ago and was used by them as a temple, They
say that it was miraculously built. It is still vis-
ited by them on a certain great festival day which
occurs every eight moons.
When the Portuguese invaded India nearly 400
years ago, in their zeal to destroy idol worship,
they fired shot from cannon into this cave. Several
of the pillars were destroyed and many of the
figures were marred or broken.
The influence of the Gospel is doing for the
Hindus what the Portuguese with force failed to
do, for it is bringing them from the darkness of
tion and idolatry to the light of the true
and living God. “Not by might, nor by power,
but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.”
Curistiva H. Lawson, June, ’86.
THE NORMAL COLLEGE ECHO. 9
A SOCIAL GATHERING.
O* TUESDAY evening, November 28, be-
tween the hours of 8 and (?), No, 84 South
Hawk street was the scene of a very pleasant
social gathering. The young ladies at that place,
realizing the fact that Normal College students
have few opportunities for social enjoyment, ex-
tended invitations to a number of the young
gentlemen in college and entertained them in a
manner which, for the time being, banished all
thoughts of study.
“The lady of the house” is usually an object
of terror to the “young man,” but not so in‘this
instance, for Mrs Bates welcomed the guests
with a cordiality that left no doubt of its sincerity.
The young men forgave her if she did inadver-
tently remark on being introduced, “Ah! yes, I
believe I’ve seen you before,”
After a half hour spent in conversation, games
were introduced and enjoyed until refreshments
were announced. Here the young ladies dis-
played their tact in obviating any possibility for
embarrassment by passing around a plate con-
taining blank cards and instructing the gentlemen
to draw one. By holding the cards to the light
each gentleman discovered the name of the lady
whom he was to escort. As regards the excel-
lence of the refreshments it was another case
where “actions speak louder than words.”
On returning to the parlor Miss Ketchum en-
tertained the party with two very amusing recita-
tions, which were thoroughly appreciated. After
this Miss Hintermister rendered some excellent
instrumental music, and Mr Sleight, in an ob-
scure corner, amused the ladies with fortune-
telling and “sleight” of hand performances.
Altogether it was an enjoyable occasion and
one long to be remembered by those who were
fortunate enough to be present.
Those invited were Messrs Sleight, Daring,
Freeman, Turner, Woodard, Streeter, Bless-
ing, Frost, and Stanbro.
ABBREVIATING.
ER mother named her “Mary,” that good old-
fashioned name,
And all through school she wore it, contented with the
same.
But when she'd graduated and left the school behind,
She dropped the ‘r” and May became —’twas so much
more refined.
She’s married now, and off the hands of her endear-
ing pa,
Still more her name has been reduced — her youngest
calls her “ma.”
AFTER COOLING
FELT a fire within one day,
‘And thinking ’twas the muse,
Made haste to give my soul full sway
*Gainst all of earth’s abuse.
I soared into the infinite —
Oh, what ecstatic bliss !
Alas! next day I found that it
Was only “‘stuff” like this.
Like Hogg, the Scottish poet, when
My muse turns out an elf,
I find, “I dinna always ken
Just what I meant myself.”
PER.
ADDRESS TO TIME,
Thou fiend of iron empires in all time
The king of love, and terror, and dismay,
Who crumbled Nineveh and Babylon, and climbed
The heights of Babel, with its crest at play,
Wreathing the lichen, sweeping it away
Grain by grain, until to common mould
The structure vast is levelled! in thy way
The road of nations. Life grows palé and cold—
‘A sombre span, a rosy dream, and man’s brief tale is
told.
Great chronicler of earth’s phenomenon! height,
‘And depth, above, around, mysterious all!
Here rolled the sea in ancient days; there the
Spread its crape curtains in the coral hall
Of shrouding sea-weed; yonder mountains tall,
Arose from out thy brine, blue Ocean! wave
On wave, thou o’er it rolled of waters, where the call
Of screaming vulture now succeeds the rave
Of thee, thou City of the Silent, thou wide and common
grave.
ight
Thou laved the foot of Pompeii; Pharaoh fell
Upon thy bosom; but thou art forced by Time
From out thy lair; Sad, like a passing bell,
Thy wavelets beat with slow and measured chime,
Against the stones of Venice! in thy slime
‘The ocean monarchs play; but Time has all
In his control; he scathes the mountain pine,
And shakes the towers of Pisa; note the fall
Of great Memnonium, of Rhodes’ Colossus; Time has
done it all.
War shook Jerusalem; Time saw the scattered heaps
Of temples, palaces; he frowned, and they were not.
‘Thebes fell before his sickle; he vigil keeps
O’er Tyre and Sidon; Gomorrah’s temples rot
Beneath a putrid lake; Time's ashes blot
Gray, lonely Tadmor from the cosmic page!
His foot is on the Pyramids! to his plot
Voluptuous Rome has mouldered in her rage,
Nurse of dead empires! the mighty wonder of the living
age!
Cholula’s Pyramid, the Temple of the Sun,
Has felt his ravage; the Rocky Mountain Gates
Absorb his viperous breath; his voice has rung
‘Along Niagara’s cataract; his hand the dates
Has watched in solid rocks: Man, trembling, waits
To list the mountain plunge, to view the bow.
Hung o’er its awful front. ‘Time yearly flakes
to THE NORMAL COLLEGE ECHO.
The stones away, and like some wrathful foe,
Drives it unto the north, as wolves the timid doe!
Iam a drop in Life’s great ocean! O thou,
Grand leveller of all distinctions! I
Crave no gift of thee; I only bow
Before the Lord of Nature; thou dost deify
Thine own peculiar greatness. I do defy
The powers that shook the majesty of Rome,
And hushed Memnonium’s sunrise melody;
They cannot grasp the soul; its mighty tomé
Will radiate to God, beyond the blue of yonder dome.
GC. S.’o4.
AN AGASSIZ CHAPTER.
INCE our last issue active measures have
been taken for the formation in this college
of a chapter of the Agassiz Association,
The teachers and students interested in scien-
tific study and investigation held a meeting, at
which Prof. Wetmore presided, and discussed
the need and means of promoting original scien-
tific research among the students of this college.
It was decided that the formation of a chapter
of the Agassiz Association would be the most
feasible means of accomplishing the desired end.
Accordingly a committee consisting of G. C.
Streeter, W. E. Freeman and Minnie E. Waite
were appointed to secure a charter and take all
other necessary steps for organization. And we
trust before we again go to press to see the
chapter in active operation.
LECTURE.
N Thursday, December first, Prof. E. W. Wet-
more delivered in the chapel an interesting
and instructive lecture before the Albany Kinder-
garten Association on the subject of “The Sun.”
The lecture, illustrated by stereopticon views
made from photographs, and treated ina clear and
concise but comprehensive manner, held the at-
tention of the audience from beginning to end.
First, the subject of eclipses was spoken of and
the early theories and the history of observations
discussed. Next, the modern methods of observa-
tions were described and the instruments shown
and explained, after which the composition of
the sun, as shown by spectrum analysis, was ex-
plained in a manner which was clear and forcible.
On the whole, the presentation of the subject
was one of the most clear and forcible we have
ever heard and the audience departed highly
pleased with their evening's instruction.
THE PHI DELTA ELECTION
The officers elected by the Alpha chapter of
the Phi Deltas for the quarter ending February
3, 1894, are as follow
President,
Vice-President.
Seoretary
Financial Secretary.
Treas et cocoveies
Chaplain.
Marshal .
Inner Guard.
Outer Guard.
Literary Critic.
George C. Streeter.
Andrew D. Warde.
Newton J. Ferguson
Charles M. Frost.
. John McLaury.
M. Randolph Spicer.
Jesse F. Turner.
Mervin Losey.
George A. Brown.
George N. Sleight.
ECHOES.
INTER.
Sleighing.
Haye courage, the holidays are nearly upon us.
We're going home, December 22, not to return until
January 8.
‘The first real snow storm of the season arrived Sun-
day, December 3.
What meant those white chrysanthemums, Friday,
December 8?
Remember your subscription is $1.25 if not paid be-
fore January 1.
The Albany Business College celebrated a reunion,
Wednesday, November 23.
“To Vespers” at All Saints seems to be a favorite
trip of some of our students.
Many were the sighs of relief at the stroke of one
o'clock, Wednesday, November 29.
“Old Moses” has housed himself in his winter quar-
ters.
Recently students frequent the library in unusual
numbers in the latter part of the afternoons.
A large number of the students spent the short vaca~
tion either at home or with friends elsewhere.
Although we all did justice to the Thanksgiving
turkey, even now we are ready for the Christmas
victim.
Work was begun again, but rather reluctantly, Mon-
day morning, December 4, after the few days of rest
and pleasure.
Lantern slide exhibitions were given by the Camera
Club in the college chapel, Thursday evenings, Novem-
ber 23and December 7.
Our Alumni seem glad to get back, as was proven by
the number of familiar faces at the college, Friday
following Thanksgiving.
THE NORMAL COLLEGE ECHO.? Ir
Christmas exercises with a tree and all the accom-
panying delights are being arranged for the little people
of the kindergarten, for Friday, December 22.
In reviewing our Alumni Notes we find six of our
graduates have been elected school commissioners. We
also find no less than four who have joined the ranks
of Cupid’s victims.
PERSONALS.
M R GEORGE N. SLEIGHT is quite seriously ill.
Miss Grace Jones visited the college, Monday, De-
cember 4.
Miss Mae Roff, of Cohoes, visited the college, Mon-
day, November 27.
Misses Foster and Whitney visited the kindergarten,
Friday, December 8.
Miss Janet Davidson, of Albany, visited the college,
Friday, December 8.
Miss Harriet Bishop spent the vacation at her home
in New Haven, Conn.
Miss Eugenie Hintermister visited friends in New
York, during the vacation.
Miss Janet Robeson spent the Thanksgiving vaca-
tion at her home, in Newburgh.
Miss Duckworth has been obliged to spend a week at
her home in Ilion, because of sickness.
Prof. Abram Onderdonk, of the Albany High School,
visited the college, Monday, December 4.
Miss Holliday gave a spread, Thanksgiving Eve, to
several of the young ladies of the college.
Miss Aitken entertained her sister, Miss Kittie Ait-
ken, of Johnstown, Monday, November 27.
Miss Mattie Sheffer, of Gallupville, Schoharie county,
visited the college, Tuesday, November 21.
Mr Stockwell, a student at the Library school, spent
the day, Monday, November 27, at the college.
= Miss Margeret Aitken and Miss Harriet Carpenter en-
joyed the few days at their homes in Johnstown.
Mr Roy Ehman, '97, of Hamilton College, spent
‘Thanksgiving with his sister, Miss Dora Ehman.
Miss Katherine Lozier, accompanied by Miss Helena
Pierson, spent Thanksgiving at her home in Newburgh.
Miss Madge Speidell was entertained by Miss Alice
Lynch, at Canajoharie, during the Thanksgiving vaca-
tion.
Prof. A. N. Husted and daughters visited friends at
Pleasant Valley, November 30 to December 2, inclu-
sive.
Mrs Mooney visited friends in Watertown, from
Wednesday, November 29, to Monday, December 4, in-
clusive.
Miss Eloise Whitney was entertained at the home of
Miss Katherine Toohey, at Schuylerville, during the
vacation.
Misses Nellie Jones and Lilla M. Bohanana, of Utica,
spent Tuesday and Wednesday, November 28 and 29,
at the college.
Miss Mary Boughton spent Thanksgiving at Newark,
N. J., stopping at her home at Mariner's Harbor, before
her return to college.
Prof. E. W. Wetmore delivered a lecture on the Sun,
before the Kindergarten Association in the college
chapel, Tuesday evening, November 28.
Mrs Burke and Miss Gratia L, Rice, institute instruct-
ors in primary methods and drawing respectively,
visited the college, Wednesday, December 6.
The Teachers’ Institute at Schenectady, the week of
December 11-15, was addressed by three members of
our faculty, Miss Russel, Prof. Wetmore and Dr Milne.
Supt, George E. Dixon, of Cohoes, visited the col-
lege, Monday, December 4, for the purpose of obtaining
ideas with regard to a chemical laboratory for the Egbert
High School.
ALUMNI NOTES.
’80. PROF. ABRAM H. WIGGINS, who is now
teaching at Rensselaer Falls, called at the
college, Monday, November 27.
Chas. Rivenberg, of Central Valley, is school com-
missioner in the first district, Orange county.
Miss Arnold, '93, spent Thanksgiving with her
cousin, Miss Root.
81, Miss Julia Donner was married to Mr George
Herbert Studley, Thursday, November 9.
"83. Charles D. Hill, of Port Leyden, has been elected
school commissioner in the first district, Lewis
county.
°85. Miss Kate Hasbrouck visited the college, Wednes-
day, November 22, and thinks of returning in
February.
Miss Myra Ingalsbe, of Hartford, N, Y., has been
elected school commissioner in the second district,
Washington county.
Miss Annie E. Deale is now a member of the
faculty of the Albany Business College.
Miss Celia A, Lobdell has been recently married to
Mr R. E. Coon, of New Hamburg, N. Y.
Willard M. Clark, of Middletown, has been elected
school commissioner in the second district,
Orange county.
°87. Miss Nellie Farnham is an assistant in the public
school at Athens, N. Y.
88. Miss Elizabeth F. Knox was married, Saturday,
November 11, at Brewster, N. Y., to Mr Harvey
Oliver Powel. Mr and Mrs Powel will here-
after reside at River Falls, Wisconsin.
"89. Miss Cora H. Davis, of Whitesboro, is school com-
missioner in the first district, Oneida county.
Mr B, Sheridan Clark, of Cape Vincent, N. Y.,
holds the same office in the third district, Jeffer-
son county.
90. Miss Helen Dunn is an assistant in the public
school at Athens, N. Y.
’gt. Miss Emma P. Cronkheit was married to Mr
Joseph H. Kellogg, Wednesday, November 29,
at Sandy Hill, N. Y.
12 THE NORMAL COLLEGE ECHO.
92. Mr George P. Allen visited the college during the
Thanksgiving vacation.
Mr Orin Q. Flint, principal of the public school
at Athens, visited the college, Thursday, Novem-
ber 23.
Miss Marion E. Carpenter is teaching at Giffords,
Staten Island.
‘93. Miss Ida E. Martin, of Port Chester, was enter-
tained by Miss Carrie Balcom the few days
vacation.
Miss Grace Seaton spent Thanksgiving with Miss
Anna Hasbrouck, who is teaching at Plattekill.
Miss Catherine M. Rider spent Thanksgiving with
friends in the city.
Prof. R. H. Bellows, of Fort Plain, spent Friday
and Saturday, November 24 and 25, in the city.
Prof. Alvin A, Lewis, of Margaretville, spent
‘Thanksgiving and the day following in the city.
Prof. E.E. Race, of Crown Point, was the guest
of G. C. Streeter during the Thanksgiving vaca-
tion,
Prof. Nathan Lowe, of Tottenville, was a familiar
personage at the college, Friday, December r.
Prof. Raymond E. Brown, of Granville, called on
his old college friends, Friday, December r.
Miss Georgianna Roberts, of Norwich, visited her
Alma Mater, Friday, December r.
Miss Grace Long called at the college, Monday,
December 4.
HIGH SCHOOL NOTES.
AT the auarterly election of the Quintitian Society the
following officers were elected:
President... Miss Lottie Hungerford.
Vice-Presideni Miss Mae Miller,
Secretary. Miss. Clara Selkirk.
Miss Hattie Morey.
Miss Anna Van Allen.
Funior Editor. Miss Dora Ullman.
Critic. Miss Nettie Goldthwaite.
At the last election of officers held by the Adelphi
Society the following were chosen:
President. . Mr Ira Jagger.
Senior Editor
Vice-President. Mr R. J. Hotaling.
Secretary. Mr Edgar Van Hoesen.
Treasurer Mr A. Moyer.
Miss Mary Nichols is detained: at home on account
of illness.
Mr Hallenbeck again took his accustomed place,
after having recovered from his illness.
The Adelphi Literary Society will have the pleasure
of listening to a series of lectures to be given by the
members during the remainder of the school year.
KINDERGARTEN.
CIRCULAR from San José, Cal., announces
a class for the study of child-culture. We
quote from the announcement;
“This is an age of study. Clubs and classes
multiply on every hand; classes in literature, art,
history, science; clubs for scientific study of
music, physical culture, chemistry of cooking,
political economy, scientific charity, One has
scarcely a friend or an acquaintance who is not
a member of some class or club It is the aim
of this circular to call the attention to anew study
for this year — the study of child-culture. * * *
A. child, an immortal being, is certainly as legit-
imate an object of respectful study as a star-fish,
or a microbe, ora plant. He is as important as
a freshly exhumed hieroglyphic stone, or a bone
of an extinct species, and is not he, ‘The living
poem,’ worthy of as careful and concentrated
thought as the masterpiece of literature or the
languages of foreign countries? Not that we de-
cry research, observations, and study in all these
fields. Not at all. We simply wish to express
that the scientific study of children is of deep
importance; that it should claim a portion of the
time of every person of culture; and that it is an
interesting study, not dry and heavy as some
suppose.”
THE BIRDS’ PARTY.*
‘The birdies had a party
One pleasant summer day;
The first to come was Canary,
In dress so bright and gay.
Next came Master Red-breast,
And pretty Blue-bird true:
‘Then Oriole came flying,
And Humming-bird came too.
The last of all came Parrot,
So brightly dressed in green.
Tt was the gayest party
That ever had been seen.
‘The grand march was the first thing,
And two by two they tread.
First Parrot came with Red-breast,
So soft and quiet they led.
Canary came with Humming-bird,
And last upon the roll
Came pretty little Blue-bird
‘And golden Oriole.
THE NORMAL COLLEGE ECHO, 13
Then they had some dancing,
And round and round they flew;
Then up into the tree-tops,
Then back again in view.
At last they had refreshments,
Some crumbs upon the ground,
‘They hopped around and ate them,
And never made a sound.
‘The birdies said, “‘ We thank you,
‘We've had a lovely time,
And now we'll say good evening.
‘We'll come again some time.”
Emma Louise Dorr, ’94.
* The young ladies of the kindergarten course’each haying writ-
ten an original game for the pupils, we publish the above specimen
of their work.
AMONG OUR EXCHANGES.
HE exchange column of ‘The Student” would be
improved by giving it more space.
‘The “Nassau Literary Magazine” has been received,
and the highest compliment would fall far short of its
merits.
The topic of the Fair seems to be a mine of almost
inexhaustible resources to contributors in our ex-
changes.
Some of our exchanges are actually frivolous enough
to follow the dictates of fashion and don a new winter
gown. Among these are ‘The Crucible,” “The Stu-
dent” and “' The Vidette.”
The few straggling hairs on the upper lip of the fresh-
man may be likened to the Bible definition of faith, in-
asmuch as they are the substance of things hoped for,
and the evidence of things not seen.
‘The department variously known as“ College World,”
“Among the Colleges,” etc., as a rule gives too many
musty statistics. We would also advise the writers of
some of these in this manner—‘‘Be sure you are
right; then go ahead.”
The October number of the “Bucknell University
Mirror” shows that it has caught the true spirit of jour-
nalism. But it is a pity that a paper so wide awake in
other respects should not have a distinct exchange
column.
The writer of the article entitled “ The Cholera Pa-
tient,” in the November number of the “ Brooklyn High
School Recorder,” would do well to turn his evident
literary abilities to better advantage by selecting less
harrowing subjects, and leaving such topics to the realm
of paper-covered novels.
AMONG THE COLLEGES.
HO beat Harvard? Yale.
Who beat Yale? Princeton.
Who beat Princeton? Nobody.
Who beat Pennsylvania? Everybody.
Attendance on chapel at Columbia is voluntary, and
yet is increasing continually.
All but one of President Cleveland’s cabinet are col-
lege graduates. So much for a college education.
‘The Regents of the California State University have
appropriated $5,000 for the University exhibit in the
Mid-winter Fair,
The Columbian League, an organization of college
men, has for its aim “purer purposes and a more re-
fined honor in politics.”
A court of under-graduates has been organized at
Princeton for the purpose of punishing students who
are accused of dishonesty in examinations.
The sophomores of Columbia have declined to accept
the freshmen’s challenge to a “‘rush,” and for their
action have been severely criticised by the senior classes
of this and other colleges. All praise be to them!
The “rush” is a time-honored institution, but may the
time soon come when it, and hazing also, shall be con-
signed to a peaceful oblivion,
EDUCATIONAL NOTES.
ENEVA is making efforts to establish a kinder-
garten there,
At the Chicago University the title of professor has
been dropped.
An International Exposition will be held in San
Francisco, from January 1 to June 30, 1894.
Dental inspection has been introduced into the pub-
lic schools of Detroit by Mrs S. G. Holden.
M. Jules Steeg, who is a correspondent of the “Rome
Pedagogique,” a French educational journal, has many
flattering comments upon Colonel Parker's Normal
School.
The model library of 3,000 volumes shown by the
‘American Library Association at the World’s Fair is to
be sent to the Bureau of Education at Washington for
use and exhibition.
‘The seminary for the study of American Educational
Problems, which was established by the American So-
ciety for the Extension of University Teaching, numbers
among its students graduates of Brown, Harvard, Cor-
nell, University of Michigan, and many other insti-
tutions.
14 THE NORMAL COLLEGE ECHO.
A number of Egyptian papyri, bought for the public
library in Geneva, have been examined by Mr Nicoli,
who claims to have discovered among them fragments
of the Iliad and Odyssey, and also a small portion from
the Orestes of Euripides, a thousand years older than all
the other texts.
Pope says : “The proper study of mankind is man.”
Why wait until man has reached his growth before we
begin to study his mind and nature? Why not begin
with the child?
The board of public instruction in Albany has already
enforced the requirements made by the State board of
health in regard to vaccination.
Inquiries have been made lately by men interested
in education, as to whether boys who excel in athletics
are as a rule ofa high grade of scholarship. ‘The replies
were varied, but in the main discouraging to the advo-
cator of athletics, their arguments being that the
length of time required for proficiency in athletics pre-
cludes very much study.
BOOK REVIEWS.
A First Book in Latin. Turti and FowLEr, Bos-
ton, Mass.: Leach, Shewell & Sanborn. Price $1.00.
‘This volume on First Work in Latin is one destined to be of
great use and value both to the progressive teacher and the zeal-
ous student of the Latin language. The binding is tasteful and
attractive and the typography is in nearly every case correct.
A few pages of introduction are devoted to Pronunciation, Parts
of Speech, and other necessary grammatical points. ‘The real
work in Latin begins with a paradigm illustrating the First De-
clension. A few forms of verbs are. introduced in the first lesson
to make the translation lively and interesting, Every word and
principle of syntax is repeated in three successive chapters to
Make sure that they will be remembered. The story of Book
Tof Ceesar's Commentaries is given in condensed form for two
Teasons, viz.: some teachers, because of the difficulty of the first
book, prefer to commence with the second, and having had this
work the students are familiar with the first and get the connected
story; orif the first book is immediately begun the work is made
much easier by this introductory work. The selections given for
sight reading are very useful, as is the work on the conjugation of
regular and irregular verbs. ‘The vocabulary is complete and
comprehensive, consisting of about seven hundred words.
‘One who has thoroughly mastered the work contained in this
book will have little difficulty inadvancing rapidly in Caesar,
The Abbot. By Sir Watrr Scorr, Barr, Ameri-
can Book Company.
In adding this volume to their already unexcelled list of English
classics, the publishers have placed within reach of our schools a
work which is too well known to require any;comments.
‘This novel, founded upon the fascinating story of the beautiful
but unfortunate Queen Mary, setting forth so attractively the
manners and customs of that time, illustrating Scott’s power of
bringing near to us the remote and historical, and full of the
powerful imagination displayed to such a great extent in all his
Works, will fand a warm welcome both from the progressive teacher
Rnd from the interested pupil. ‘The originality and the animated
Style of the work make it a book which will command the interest
and attention of the reader whether young or old, z
‘We congratulate the publishers on theit wise selection, for this
work fs certainly one which can be used very appropriately and
Rdvantageously in our schools. ‘The binding, which is a very
attractive and suitable one, is uniform with the other volumes. At
the end of the book is a glossary explaining the unfamiliar words
of the text, thus enabling the pupil to understand fully all that he
reads,
Education and Educators. By Davin Kry, F.R.G. S.
Syracuse: C. W. Bardeen.
‘The personal interest which the author feels in education and
his conviction that in it lies the hope of uplifting and perfecting
the human race have led him to present to the public in this vol-
ume his ideas on a subject of universal interest and importance,
As the aim of education is to prepare a person for performing
all the duties which may devolve upon him in this life and for en-
joying a future existence, the utmost care should be taken in
formulating methods for training and developing the faculties of
the mind, The world is a school; and whatever calls a faculty into
exercise trains and educates it, and is therefore an educator. The
hereditary transmission of qualities is an important principle upon
which educators may build. The author believes that in conse-
quence of this evolution we may yet hope to see in the human
Yace a degree of perfection of which we can now form only a
partial conception, and which shall efface the effects of the evil and
crime which have swayed the race for so long a time.
‘The notes, which are very profuse and complete, have been se~
lected with excellent judgment from the best sources which litera-
ture affords on this subject, and all who would avail themselves of
the knowledge and experience of the vast number of live think-
ers and workers in this field can not fail to appreciate the author's
very successful attempts in this direction.
A work so logically arranged, so comprehensive, and so interest
ing in its presentation of the subject, must commend itself to all
‘who are interested in the development and training of the mind,
A Syllabus of Psychology. By WiLIAM M, Bryant.
Chicago: S. C. Griggs & Co.
In this book, designed to bea guide for the teaching of Psychology
in high schools and academies, the author gives the public the re-
sults of his years of experience as a teacher of this subject. In his
effort to present a clear, concise, practical outline he has succeeded
admirably, Nowhere else in so little space is such a comprehen-
sive treatment of the subject to be found.
‘Po the student studying the subject, or the teacher who is com-
pelled to teach it without thorough preparation, we can recommend
no better work, while the well selected list of reference and hand-
‘books furnishes a suitable guide for further study of the subject.
£ Handy Helps in the History and Literature of the
United States. By Anniz E. Witson. Louisvill
John P. Morton & Co.
This brief manual, which comes to us this month, should be in
the hands of every intelligent young person in the United States.
Older persons will find it a convenient aid to memory and an
invaluable assistant in many ways,
Everybody should be familiar with the history of hisown country.
‘This manual gives under each administration the President, Vice-
President, Cabinet, Chief Justice of the Supteme Court, with a list
of American books and authors, together with as comprehensive a
glance through that period as can be given in a single paragraph,
‘On the last page is found a list of the present reigning sovereigns
of Europe. The material for the outlines is selected from the best
sources, and the work is pleasingly and systematically arranged.
BOOKS RECEIVED.
Elements of Civil Government. By Wa. A. Mowry.
Boston, Mass.: Silver, Burdette & Co.
Ninety Lessons in Arithmetic. By ELesHA Curtiss,
A.M, Rochester, N, Y,: Educational Gazette Co.
CC BY 4.0