them more independent and more useful, and at our Manual Labor Schools we would require an equal proficiency in the science of agriculture or some branch of mechanics as we do in the literary department for their graduation. But we do not believe the people are prepared to demand or properly to appreciate such a course.

"While therefore we do not feel prepared to recommend the adoption of the course recommended by Prof. Vawter at the present time, we respectfully suggest that the letter be published in our proceedings, so that the members of the Conference may give to the subjects therein brought before us that thought and reflection which they richly deserve, and be prepared at our next meeting to have the matters thoroughly ventilated and then be ready to favor or oppose legislative action."

Adopted.

The President brought before the Conference the subject of loca tion of Summer Institutes, and stated that through the liberality of Dr. Curry, agent of the Peabody Education Fund, they would be enabled to hold three institutes during the Summer, two for white teachers and one for colored, and desired that the Conference should select the places after hearing from the advocates of the different points as to the facilities and advantages each might offer.

From the Southwest the claims of Marion were presented by Superintendent Pendleton, and those of Wytheville by Superintendent Repass. The Conference then took a vote, and the roll being called, resulted: Marion, 18; Wytheville, 24. So Wytheville was declared selected.

For the other white institute, Superintendent Funkhouser presented the claims of Harrisonburg, and on motion of Superintendent Pendleton, Harrisonburg was unanimously selected.

For the colored institute, Farmville was unanimously selected. The Conference then adjourned to 10 A. M. Friday.

FRIDAY-April 18th.

Conference met at 10 A. M.; President Farr in the chair.
Opened with prayer by Rev. J. William Jones.

On motion of Superintendent Funkhouser, the President was directed to appoint a committee of five to nominate a Vice-President for each Congressional District.

The following were appointed under the motion: Dr. J. L. M. Curry, Rev. A. P. Funkhouser, A. A. McDonald, Judge George S. Stevens, and C. M. Loutham.

Superintendent Roller offered the following:

Resolved, That the Board of Education be requested to incorporate in its regulations a provision to the effect that Saturday shall never be used by teachers as a school day unless by special permission from the Superintendents.

Referred to committee, reported on favorably, and adopted.

Superintendent Funkhouser offered the following, which was adopted by a unanimous vote, viz.:

Whereas by act of the last Legislature the law authorizing the Board of Education to encourage meetings of teachers was so amended as to destroy the effective power of such meetings; therefore,

Resolved, That it is the firm conviction of the Superintendents of this State that "Teachers' Institutes" are the most available and fruitful source of help and inspiration to the public school teachers of our State.

Resolved, That we regret that any obstacles have been placed in the way of developing our institutes into the great educational forces which they should properly be made.

Resolved, That we believe that the duty placed upon us by statute, namely, "to promote the improvement and efficiency of teachers by all suitable and proper methods," is best discharged by the holding of Teachers' Institutes.

Resolved, That we will endeavor to hold them more frequently, and make them better than ever.

A letter was read from Hon. T. W. Bicknell, president of the National Educational Association, in regard to the annual meeting of that Association to be held in Madison, Wisconsin, commencing July 15th.

Dr. J. L. M. Curry, by request of President Farr, explained the objects of the Association and the meeting, and urged interest in the same on the part of Superintendents.

Superintendent McDonald, by request of the president of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Richmond, offered the following:

Resolved, That in the opinion of this Conference it would be wise and expedient for the Board of Education to place among the textbooks for use in the public schools of this State a text book on "Alcohol: Its Nature and Effects Upon the Human System." Adopted.

Gen. S. C. Armstrong, principal of the Hampton Normal and Col

legiate Institute, addressed the Conference on the subject of this school.

State Superintendent Farr then addressed the Conference on the subject of "Census of Teachers" and "Examination Questions." The Conference, in a body, at 1 P. M., repaired to the Executive mansion and paid their respects to his Excellency, Governor Wm. E. Cameron; after which a recess was taken until 4 o'clock.

AFTERNOON SESSION--4 P. M.

Called to order by President Farr.

This session was mainly devoted to the discussion of various subjects of importance relating to the duties of Superintendents, and was of a most interesting character.

The Conference then proceeded to ballot on the time for the next annual session of the body. Several dates were suggested, and on second ballot the second Tuesday in February, 8 P. M., was selected. The Committee on Constitution and By-Laws were instructed to report in full at next session.

NIGHT SESSION-Friday, April 19th.

Conference met at 8 P. M.; President Farr in the chair.

Prof. T. N. Conrad, President of Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College, was introduced, and delivered an excellent address on the aims and purposes of that College.

Prof. N. B. Webster, of Norfolk, also delivered an interesting address.

Prof. W. F. Fox, Principal of the Richmond High School and editor of the EDUCATIONAL JOURNAL, then addressed the Conference on the subject of the "Importance and Benefits of Proper School Literature."

Superintendent C. M. Loutham offered the following resolutions, which were adopted by a unanimous rising vote:

"Whereas in the discharge of our official duties we have always had the active sympathy and earnest co-operation of Hon. R. R. Farr, State Superintendent of Public Instruction; and whereas in all matters involving the interests of the public schools of the Commonwealth we have ever found him striving to achieve the best results with the means at his command; and whereas from the relation which we, as humble workers in the cause, sustain to him as the head of the educational system of Virginia, have been fully acquainted

with his interest in every detail of our great work, investing the same with the most active energies of his mind and the greatest sympathies of his heart; therefore,

"Resolved, 1. That it is the sense of this Conference that we have in the Hon. R. R. Farr an able, earnest and efficient officer, and one who, 'showing his faith by his works,' has, with unyielding energy, devoted his able powers of administration to the great task of building up the work of common school education in Virginia.

“2. That we hereby tender to him our unreserved thanks, expressing the hope that he may long live to illustrate his devotion to our State by the faithful, sensible and impartial manner in which he has administered the affairs of his great trust.

"3. That we extend to him our thanks for courtesies extended during the present session of the Conference, and assure him that our most pleasant recollections of the same will be those that point to the earnest efforts on his part to give to us the benefits derived from his more enlarged experience.

"4. That we shall retire from the deliberations of this Conference infused with new zeal for the cause of public education, whose chief custodian he is, and that, in all the operations of the work, whilst it is his duty to command it will be our pleasure to obey."

The committee to nominate vice presidents submitted their report as follows, and the nominations were ratified by vote of the Confer

ence :

First District, William Broun; Second District, Maj. R. G. Banks; Third District, Dr. J. L. M. Curry; Fourth District, J. E. Perkinson; Fifth District, Maj. J. A. Taylor; Sixth District, Prof. T. N. Conrad; Seventh District, L. A. Michie; Eighth District, W. H. Strother; Ninth District, Maj. A. G. Pendleton; Tenth District, H. S. Roller. Prof. Little again entertained the Conference by some interesting blackboard exercises.

The Conference tendered a vote of thanks to Prof. Little for his kindly assistance in the work of the Conference, and the pleasant manner with which he had entertained the members and visitors.

A vote of thanks was also unanimously tendered to Dr. J. L. M. Curry for the manifest interest in the sessions and valuable assistance rendered in making the meeting pleasant and profitable.

The president, secretary, sergeant-at-arms and porter were also remembered for courtesies, as well as the various railroads and hotels. The Conference at 11:30 P. M. adjourned to second Tuesday in February, 1885.

A SERIES TREATING OF THOSE STATES OF THE UNION HAVING A STRIKING POLITICAL, SOCIAL, OR ECONOMICAL HISTORY.

EDITED BY HORACE E. SCUDDER.

A HISTORY OF THE PEOPLE.

By John Esten Cooke,

VIRGINIA:
author of The Virginia Comedians," Life of General Lee," etc.
OREGON. By Rev. William Barrows, D. D.

EACH VOLUME 16MO, CLOTH, GILT TOP, $1.25.

The picture which Mr. Cooke draws of the great events of Virginia history glow with the brightest colors, and are arranged with a wonderful keenness for their picturesque elements. The historical portraits which he introduces are worthy of Vandyke, and the judgments which he hazards, even in contradiction to most modern writers, are backed and informed by a weight of evidence which must appeal to the candid reader. Mr. Cooke is to be congratulated on his little history, It is fresh, bright, and full of the most fascinating and dramatic scenes. It is a book of which not only Virginia, but the whole country, may well be proud.-Philadelphia Press.

*

*

The long and interesting story of the struggle of five nations for the possession of Oregon is told in the graffic and reliable narrative of William Barrows. It illustrates the best way in these busy days, so flooded with various literature, to produce history for the people-to-wit., by monographs. It is especially desirable that a history so vast and composite as that of the American States should be treated in this way. A more fascinating record has seldom been written. Careful research and pictorial skill of narrative commend this book of antecedent history to all interested in the rapid march and wonderful development of our American civilization upon the pacific Coast.-Springfield Republican.

IN PREPARATION:

* * *

CONNECTICUT. By Alexander Johnston, author of a Handbook of American Politics."

KENTUCKY. By Professor N. S. Shaler, Harvard University, recently Director of the Kentucky State Survey.

PENNSYLVANIA. By Hon. Wayne MacVeagh, late Attorney-General of the United States.

KANSAS. By Leverett W. Spring, Professor of English Literature in the University of Kansas.

MARYLAND. By William Hand Browne, Associate of Johns Hopkins University.

TENNESSEE. By James Phelan, Ph. D. (Leipsic).

CALIFORNIA. By Josiah Royce, recently Instructor in English Literature in the University of California; now Instructor of Philosophy in Harvard University.

SOUTH CAROLINA. By Hon. William H. Trescott, ex-Assistant Secretary of State; author of "The Diplomacy of the American Revolution."

And others to be announced hereafter.

**For sale by all Booksellers. Sent by mail, postpaid, on receipt of price by the Publishers.

HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN & CO.,

4 Park Street, Boston, Mass.