can Museum of Natural History, Central Park. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1884. The object of the author is to present in concise and plain language, in the light of the latest research and investigation, the life-histories of the various groups that constitute the animal kingdom. To adapt the book to the wants of inexperienced students technical terms have been avoided, except where no simple equivalent could be found. The common names of the various orders and groups are in every case followed by the scientific term for the convenience of the instructor or advanced student. In regard to classification also regard is had to the latest knowledge of the various forms that constitute the several groups. Interest is given to the volume by the introduction in the form of notes of personal experience relating to the habits of animals, &c., and a brief statement of the economic value of animals. The work is admirably illustrated, and forms a valuable addition to text-books on this interesting subject. PHILIPS' HISTORICAL READERS, No. 1; Stories from English History, No. 2; Early England from the Earliest Times to the Ascension of Henry II, No. 3; Middle England from the Ascension of Henry II, to the Death of Eliza. beth, No. 4; Modern England from the Ascension of James I to the Present Time. Boston: Boston School Supply Co. Price, No. 1, 30 cents; No. 2, 35 cents; No. 3, 52 cents; No. 4, 52 cents. No more successful effort has, perhaps, been made to present the history of England in a form interesting and attractive for children. The First Reader is made up entirely of stories from English history, and is designed to interest children in the subject, and to excite in them a keen desire to know more. The Second Reader presents clearly, accurately and systematically all that children can well understand of the events which led to the making and founding of the nation. In the Third Reader special attention is given to a delineation of the varieties of character presented by the leading men of the successive generations; and in the earlier lessons the foundations of the later history are laid with fullness and accuracy. In the Fourth Reader the lines of thought which prevailed in the earlier periods are followed up, and where the final result of any movement has not yet manifested itself, clear indications are given of the directions in which the national life is developing. As these volumes are designed for reading books as well as histories, special attention has been given to the style, both to adapt it to the capacities of those for whom it is intended and to secure the best elocutionary results. The volumes contain a large number of excellent illustrations and maps. The notes, though brief, add much to the value of the books without very much increasing their size. For sale by Randolph & English, 1302 Main street. Publishers' Notes. —Messrs. Ginn, Heath & Co., Boston, have in preparation a text-book for teaching temperance in the public schools, to be edited by Axel Gustafson, the author of "Foundation of Death," the work on the temperance question that has of late excited such a wide-spread interest. The Magazines. ST. NICHOLAS for November -Contents: Frontispiece, Great-Grandmother's Girlhood: The Princess' Holiday. Poem, illustrated; His One Fault. I., II., III., J. T. Trowbridge, two illustrations; The Youngest Guest at the Thanksgiving Dinner, picture; The Cooking-Class, illustrated, Louisa M. Alcott; Lorraine's Reason. Verses; Personally Conducted, I., Frank R. Stockton, four illustrations; Willow Ware, Poem, illustrated; A Startling Discovery, picture; Tales of Two Continents, Mikkel, I.. H. H. Boyesen; The Isle of Content, Poem; The Cruise of the Pirate Ship Moonraker, Illustrated; For Some Must Pipe While Others Dance, picture; The House That Jack Built, Poem, eight pages, illustrated and engrossed; A Queer Coasting-Place, illustrated; Little Mischief, Jingle; Asking a Blessing, full page picture; The Bicycle Boys, Verses; Ready fo Business first paper. A Retail Drug-Store, illustrated; A Dozen Little Dolls, Jingle, illustrated; Tea-Cup Lore, illustrated with tea-leaf pictures; Among the Law-Makers, Chapter I., five illustrations; One, Two, Three, Jingle, illustrated; Quite Prudent, Verses, illustrated; Work and Play for Young Folk, XIII., Metallic Band-Work and Nails in Decoration, illustrated, Charles G. Leland; A Prize Story for Girls, to be written by a girl; The First Convention of the A. A.; The St. Nicholas Almanac, illustrated: For Very Little Folk-Ha, Ha, Ha Off They Go! illustrated. LIPPINCOTT'S MAGAZINE for November.-Contents: On the French Broad, two papers, I., by Edmund Kirke, illustrated; A Holiday in Scotland, by Norman Pearson; John Bright as a Temperance Reformer, by the author of Study and Stimulants; Domestic Pets, by Catherine C. Hopley; Jack Miner's Wound, a Story, by Frank Park; American Authors and Artists in Rome, by Eugene L. Didier; A French Sewing Girl, by Sarah A. Alison; The Women's Paradise, by Theo. Child; also a continuation of the charming serial story, A Week in Killarney, by the author of Molly Bawn, Phyllis, etc., and several chapters of Mary Agnes Tincker's serial, Aurora, together with other short stories, poems, and articles of interest upon current topics THE ALLANTIC MONTHLY for November.-Coutents: In War Time, XXI., XXII., 8. Weir Mitchell; Francesca to Paolo, Julie K. Wetherill; Mistral's Nerto, H. W. Preston; The Embryo of a Commonwealth Brooks Adams; In the Haunts of the Mocking-Bird, Maurice Thompson: Crude Science in Aryan Cu'ts, E. P. Evans; Birchbrook Mill, John G. Whittier; Malta, J. M. Hillyar; Malice, Paul H. Hayne; Stephen Dewhurst's Autobiography, Henry James; The Consuming Fire, R N. Taylor; The Last Stand of the Italian Bourbons, William C. Langdon; De Senectute, F. Sheldon; Aivazofsky, W. J. Armstrong; The Song of Silenus, S. V. Cole; The Lakes of Upper Italy, III.; Grass, a Rumination, Edith M. Thomas; The Negro Problem, N. S Shaler; Knox's United States Notes; The Contributors' Club; Books of the Month. POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY for November -Contents: The Relations Between the Mind and the Nervous System, by William A. Hammond M. D; German Testimony on the Classics Question, by Frederick A. Fernald; Origin of the Synthetic Philosophy, by Herbert Spencer; The Future of the Negro in the South, by J. B Craighead; Pending Problems of Astronomy; Drowning the Torrent in Vegetation; What is Electricity? Chilian Volcanoes, Active and Extinct; The Chemistry of Cookery; Domestic Arts in Damaraland; Old Customs of Lawlessness; The Oil-Supply of the World, I.; Sketch of Professor James Hall, with portrait; Editor's Table: The American Association at Philadelphia-Harrison, Comte, and Spencer-is the Contrast Valid? Literary Notices; Popular Miscellany. THE NOVEMBER CENTURY.-The November Century marks the beginning of the fifteenth year of the magazine (the fourth under the present name), and also the beginning of the most extensive enterprise yet undertaken by its conductors-the recently announced series of papers on the civil war, by Generals Grant, McClellan, Rosecrans, and others in high rank. The first paper, on The Battle of Bull Run, is contributed by General Beauregard, who adds to bis description of the engagement a postscript on the subsequent conduct of the war on the Confederate side, and his own relations with Jefferson Davis. The illustrations, some twenty-five in number, are largely from photographs made during the war, or from recent sketches of the battle-field. The first part of the Recollections of a Private begins with the enlistment of the soldier, and continues the description of his life down to and including Bull Run, thus supplementing General Beauregard's account of that battle. That the variety of the magazine is not likely to be sacrificed to the war series is evident from the other contents of this issue SOUTHERN HISTORICAL SOCIETY PAPERS FOR JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER.-Contents: The Seventeenth Virginia Infantry at Flat Creek and Drewry's Bluff, Col. A. Herbert; General Sherman's March from Atlanta to the Coast, Col. C. C. Jones, Jr.; Reconstruction in South Carolina, Prof F. A. Porcher; Operations Around Petersburg-Gen. Hagood's Report of June 16, 17 and 18, '64; Letters from General Lee to President Davis; Organization of the Army of the Valley District; Two Anecdotes of Gen Lee, W B. Baker; The Cruise of the Nashville, T. S. Garnett, Jr.; Letter from President Davis; Morris Island, Miss Claudine Rhett; Reminiscences of Cavalry Operations, General T. T. Munford; Our Heroic Dead, James Barron Hope; The Surrender of Vicksburg; Artillery at the Southern Arsenals. Capt G. Davis; Capt. F. H. Hairston, Rev. E. Capers; Report of Major-General Fitzhugh Lee of the Last Campaign; Louisiana's Vote of Thanks to Virginia; Gen Bragg aud the Chickamauga Campaign, Capt W. M. Polk; Diary of Rev. J. G. Law; A Florida Boy's Experience in Prison, H G. Damon; Military Operations of Gen. Beuregard, Judge Ch. Gayarré; A Leaf from my Log-Book, W. F Shippey; "Eclectic History of the United States;" Death of Mrs. Sarah K. Rowe; "Sherman's Bum mers" and Some of their work; Notes and Queries; Editorial Paragraphs. OUR LITTLE ONES AND THE NURSERY FOR NOVEMBER.-Bright and sparkling. Price $1,50 a year. The Russell Publishing Co, Boston, Mass. OFFICIAL DEPARTMENT. . R. R. FARR, Superintendent Public Instruction, Editor. [The Journal is sent to every County Superintendent and District Clerk, and must be carefully preserved by them as public property and transmitted to their successors in office.] SUPERINTENDENTS' CONFERENCE.-As determined at its last session, this body will meet in the hall of the House of Delegates on the second Tuesday in February, 1885, and we desire to call the attention of superintendents and other members to its importance. The usual reduced rates of transportation and board will be secured in due time, and every member is expected to be present. At the last Conference the following resolution was offered by Judge Geo. S. Stevens, viz: That a committee of ten be appointed to prepare and report a constitution and code of by-laws for the government of the Conference. This was adopted and the following committee appointed, viz: Dr. J. L. M. Curry, Judge Stevens, C. M. Loutham, Prof. W. F. Fox, T. E. Barksdale, Rev. A. P. Funkhouser, E. B. Howle, Major A. G. Pendleton, A. A. McDonald, Major R. G. Banks, and Major E. B. Branch. It is earnestly hoped that this committee will be ready with its report, as it is essential to the perpetuity of our organization that a suitable constitution and code of by-laws for its government should be adopted at the coming session. The Conference elected the following vice-presidents: Ist district, William Brown. 2d district, Major R. G. Banks. 5th district, Major J. A. Taylor. 7th district, L. A. Michie. 8th district, W. H. Strother. 9th district, Major A. G. Pendleton. Ioth district, H. S. Roller. These gentlemen are urged to interest themselves in assisting to lay down a line of work to be pursued by the next Conference. Any suggestions that they may be pleased to make will be thankfully received and duly considered. In addition to the work heretofore pursued, it has been determined to hold, in connection with the Conference, an exhibition of the work actually done by the scholars in our public free schools, as is fully set forth and explained in circular No. 395, addressed to superintendents, and published in this JOURNAL. THE WORLD'S INDUSTRIAL AND COTTON EXPOSITION.-This great exposition will open formally the 15th of December, 1884, in the city of New Orleans. It will embrace one of the fullest educational exhibits that has ever been made in this country. We are endeavoring to collect an exhibit from this State, which will show the progress we have made in public education. The Superintendents were called upon to furnish maps of their cities and counties, school districts, and so on, and samples of work done by the students in their respective schools. Many of the superintendents have responded favorably, and all claim that if they had more time they could furnish creditable exhibits. In order to accommodate them and to do justice to our schools, we have determined to forward the best samples of the work exhibited at the next Conference to the New Orleans Exposition, and we earnestly invite the attention of teachers and pupils to this opportunity to exhibit the work of their respective schools. Please read the circular addressed to Superintendents, and remember that every teacher and pupil in the State is invited to contribute to the exhibition to be held in connection with the Conference of Superintendents, which takes place on the second Tuesday in February, and they can prepare their work and forward it to their Superintendent, or direct to this office, as they may prefer. All contributions must be forwarded on or before the first of February. CENSUS OF TEACHERS.-From the reports made by the respective County and City Superintendents of the census of teachers employed in their respective jurisdictions, which gives in detail the name, age, sex, color, intentions of each teacher as to making teaching a profession-nativity, where educated, length of time taught, &c., &c.-we are enabled to compile the following valuable and interesting information, which proves, in a striking manner, the value and progress of our public free-school system. We see that out of a total of six thousand two hundred and seventeen teachers reported,* two thousand two hundred and seven were educated in the public free schools of this State. The great vitality and future hope of the system exists in the fact that so many young people are engaged in teaching, there being four thousand and fortyfive between the ages of 18 and 30. Another great hope is found in the fact, that 4,709 teachers voluntarily report that they expect to make teaching a profession, and that only 573 report that they do not, and 918 are doubtful. It will also be seen that nearly all the teachers are Virginians. Many other valuable truths will be manifest from an examination of the statement. The great importance and value of the annual census of teachers, required to be taken by the Superintendents, cannot be over-estimated, as it furnishes accurate data for the examination of the true life of our public school system. We ask a careful examination of the following statistics: WHITE TEACHERS SPECIAL SUMMARY. Between the ages of 18 and 30, males, 1,176; females, 1,662; total. Between the ages of 18 and 30, males, 588; females, 619; total.. 2,838 1,882 1,207 290 "other than public schools, exclusive of colleges and insti *There were 6,371 teachers employed, and the discrepancy in this census is due to the fact that some Superintendents failed to file a supplementary report, and owing to the death of the Superintendent of Bath county, no report was received from that county. |