MODÈLES CLASSIQUES DE CONVERSATION FAMILIÈRE, Tirés des Meilleurs Auteurs Dramatiques Français de nos Jours, etc. Ouvrage éminemment utile aux étudiants de la langue, offrant aussi une lecture récréative et amusante à ceux qui savent déjà bien le Français. Par E. M. LADREYT. Boston: S. R. Urbino, Crosby & Nichols. New York: Blakeman & Mason, Fr. W. Christern. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. 1864. Nos. 1 and 2.

In an introduction upon the "Character and Design of this Work," the author informs us, in decidedly unique English, of the many advantages to be gained by a student desiring to learn French, from the use of these "Models of Classic Conversation." And, in the main, we agree with him. By making selections from the best authors, and weaving them into interesting reading-matter, he has rendered the acquisition of the idioms of the language, usually so hard to master, easy and delightful.

SCHOOL ECONOMY. A Treatise on the Preparation, Organization, Employments, Government, and Authorities of Schools. By JAMES PYLE WICKERSHAM, A. M., Principal of the Pennsylvania State Normal School, Millersville, Pa. Philadelphia:

J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1864.

A very thorough presentation of many good, though not particularly original thoughts, upon vastly important subjects. In some parts of the country, such a book is greatly needed. Too many communities are quite contented with their dilapidated old school-house, and are utterly indifferent to the system and methods of instruction carried on there. If such treatises as this could be freely circulated among them, they might be made to understand that a true education is a priceless boon, which cannot be had without great pains bestowed upon every thing relating to the school-its house, location, grounds, internal arrangements, apparatus; the teacher-his methods of impart ing knowledge, his moral character, influence, discipline; the studies of the pupil his capacities, health, etc., etc. These, and a hundred other matters, are carefully arranged and well considered by Mr. Wickersham. We cannot forbear quoting what he says about "Beauty of Location." It is in such direct contrast to the public sentiment of the last generation, which found expression almost invariably in a little, low, red school-house, standing immediately on the road, and without a tree around it to shield it from the blazing sun, or screen it from the

dust. "A school-house s "that the children who out in all directions upor wildness or quiet beaut lessons better than they books. We are taugh the objects that surroun mountains and peaceful v and shaded forests, rou boring plains and vessels pleasant gardens, village

distant river-all have tr and beauty for the heart. leave upon the susceptib a deep impression. Accus the beautiful in nature, h preciate the beautiful i structed, he will be mor low and the groveling, th vulgar, and to exempli 'How near to what is goo THE MANUAL OF CALIS

tematic Drill-Book with Schools, Families, and lustrated from Original sic to accompany the MADISON WATSON. Ne adelphia: Schermerhorn Chicago: Geo. & C. W. volume 8vo, tinted paper

This most beautiful, inte ful work, will supply a d long existed among expe cessful educators, for a com Book, of moderate size a shall furnish a well-devise course of physical training tended and varied to insur terest in schools. Altho almost wholly from "WATS OF CALISTHENICS AND GY changes and additions hav render it complete in itself.

The introductory direction planations, as well as the positions and classes of move are so simple, clear, and ex may be readily understood dinary reader. All modes o in connection with the mover including vocal and musical

The choice selections of Pi so liberally introduced, are r price of the book.

As the exercises are execu paratus, they may be emp sexes, in all places, and by ages and degrees of strengt judge that they would be r young as real amusement a rather than a part of thei

Published by Fisher & Brother. Philadelphia and Baltimore.

A very pretty series of sketches, imitating chalk upon a black ground. In the days of our own childhood, with what delight would we have seized upon a set of books like these; and how much whispering in school, whittling of desk covers, and punishment consequent thereupon, would have been spared us! Drawing is a matter that is too much neglected in all our schools; for the reason, perhaps, that teachers so generally know nothing about it themselves. It is a great pity that this should be the case, especially as a taste and aptness for it may be cultivated in almost every child. It is not expected to make artists in our public schools, nor is it desirable to give a great deal of time to the subject of drawing; but it is important to cultivate the eye and the hand to some extent in this direction, and, for this purpose, we commend the series of books before us to the consideration of teachers. Let them be placed in the hands of children, and very little additional instruction will be needed in order to give them ease in the use of the pencil.

THE SCHOOL-GIRL'S GARLAND. A Selection of Poetry, in Four Parts, by Mrs. C. M. KIRKLAND. First and Second Series. New York: Charles Scribner.

These two volumes are formed chiefly from the productions of the most distinguished English and American poets, and are intended to cultivate in the young a taste for what is good and beautiful. The selections have been made with great judgment. The compiler has not been happy in selecting a title for these volumes. The object which she had in view in preparing them might be attained, equally well, had they a name which did not appear to limit them to so small a class of readers. They really form a household garland; and should lie, convenient to the hand, in every sitting-room, to be read by every member of the family, male and female, old and young.

L'INSTRUCTEUR DE L'ENFANCE. A First Book for Children (studying the French). By L. BONCEUR. Boston: S. R. Urbino. New York: F. W. Christern.

There is no royal road to knowledge. In the study of the French, or of any other language, it must be, as the author of this little nronerly observes "line upon

223

be made a pleasing duty, and every department of science may be rendered attractive; but the labor requisite to thorough learning can not be materially diminished, as some persons imagine, by the devices of bookmakers. French in Six Lessons-Latin without a Master-Greek without a Dictionary-and all books of this kind, produce pleasing anticipations, which are, no doubt, worth the money that the books cost, but beyond this, they are of little value. The book before us does not pretend to make the acquisition of the French language a whit easier than it really is; but it presents the matter in a very pleasing and simple way to children, and is worthy of the perusal of all who are interested in this study, either as teachers or pupils.

THE FERRY-BOY AND THE FINANCIER. By a Contributor to the "Atlantic." Boston: Walker, Wise & Co.

This is one of a number of very pleasing and instructive books for the young, published by the above-named house. It is a narrative of the early life of the present Secretary of the Treasury, whose name is so familiar to every one, and whose power is felt throughout the length and breadth of the land. As such, it must be interesting to every one, and is, in fact, having a very wide circulation.

LA VIEILLE COUSINE; par E. Souvestre. LA POUDRE AUX YEUX; par MM. Labeche et Edouard Martin. LA BATAILLE DE DAMES; par MM. Scribe et Legouvé. LES PETITS OISEAUX; par MM. Labiche et Delacour. LA PETITE MAMAN; par Madame De M. LE BRACELET ; par Madame De Gaule. With English Notes. Boston: S. R. Urbino. New York: F. W. Christern. Philadelphia: F. Leypoldt.

These are modern French plays, selected and published with English notes, for the use of students in the French language. Some of them are well worth reading; others are not; but for the purpose intended, and especially for the use of young persons, the selections are very good.

ARITHMETICAL EXAMPLES, published by Ivison, Phinney, Blakeman & Co., New York, is a new book, just added to Robinson's Mathematical Series. The book contains over fifteen hundred carefully prepared prac tical examples, promiscuously arranged, and without answers, involving the application of all the principles and ordinary operations of arithmetic, designed to thoroughly test the student's judgment, and his knowledge of arithmetical rules and processes.

The most noticeable feature of this work,

and the large amount of facts, statistics, and information, of recent date, which are combined, and form the data in a large proportion of these examples.

This work is not designed for beginners, but for those who have acquired at least a partial knowledge of the theory and applications of numbers from some other work; and it may be used in connection with any other book, or series of books, on this subject.

An edition is printed exclusively for teachers, containing the answers at the close of the book, and when a supply is ordered for a class, the edition without answers will be sent, unless by special request the other is desired.

THE STUDENT AND SCHOOL-MATE, for June, contains Trials and Triumphis, Chapter V.; Step by Step, or Earth's Changes; The Kingliest Kings, a poem; You Never Will, if you Never Try; Jemmy Duncan's First Lie; The Dying Soldier; Curious Trees in Africa; Have Patience, a poem ; The Burial at Gettysburg, with figures to show positions in Declamation; Humors of the Draft, a Dialogue, last part; Teacher's Desk; Soft in the Morning Dew, with music.

It

This Monthly is really invaluable to the teacher and pupil. Price, one dollar per annum. Specimen number, ten cents. will be sent with the AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL MONTHLY, for one year, on receipt of $1.50.

THACKERAY THE HUMOURIST, AND THE MAN OF LETTERS. The Story of his Life and Literary Labours, including a Selection from his Characteristic Speeches, now for the first time gathered together. By THEODORE TAYLOR, Esq., Membre de la Société des gens de Lettres. To which is added, In Memoriam, by Charles Dickens, and a Sketch, by Anthony Trollope. With portrait and illustrations. York: D. Appleton & Company.

New

This book seems to realize very fairly the intention of the writer as expressed in the Preface, viz.: to fill an intermediate place between the newspaper or review article and the more elaborate biography which may be expected in due course." It does not, however, tell us very much more about Thackeray than what might be gathered from the newspaper articles that appeared at the time of his death; nor does it display

any really able criticism thor's works. An explan point may perhaps be fo space to which Mr. Taylo fine himself; or in the ha or, as is more likely, in bo looks like a hastily con "He has continually descr at this celebrated scho archway into which, square, still preserves an of the old monkish char borhood," p. 11. As a wh entertaining enough, and a condensed form all that of Thackeray's life and w ble until the "more ela appears. Is it not queer Sketches of English Soci the rejected contributions t Magazine, and that these

should afterward have be lished as "Vanity Fair," drew Thackeray from ob lished his reputation as a

MY CAVE LIFE IN VICKS ters of Trial and Tra New York: D. Appleton A clear and interestin powerfully written narrati officer's wife experienced most memorable sieges of heroic woman (we prefer t "lady"), seems to be as fearless amid all the horr brethren of the " sterner certainly capable of tellin her own eventful story, in a mass of interesting part found even in the volum ence of the press. The fo count of the singular me rebel courier conveyed le sieged town: "Taking a s he proceeded to its conflue sissippi, where he tied the the woods, and awaited the he took off his clothing, pla securely within them, bo firmly to a plank, and goin he sustained his head ab holding to the plank, and floated in the darkness t and on two miles down t burg, where his arrival w event of great importance, the city."