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the Agricultural. New England sends 317 sludents; the Middle States, 28; Western and Southern States, 45; Canada, 5; Nova Scotia, 2; Indian Territory, 1; England, 1; India, 1. The number of instructors is 34, including two who are emeritus. The libraries contain 46,000 volumes.

YALE COLLEGE has eighty-seven professors. The annual catalogue of this institution, just issued, makes a very eucouraging exhibit. There are in attendance upon the University, in all its departments, 809 students: Academical, 527; Philosophical, 174; Medical, 20; Law, 21; Theological, 69. Of the Academical undergraduates there are 130 seniors, 134 juniors, 135 sophomores and 128 freshmen. The Theological and Philosophical departments have increased most rapidly.

HUMBOLDT College, Iowa, gratefully acknowledges the gift of five thousand dollars recently received from Mrs. Anna Richmond, Providence, to be "applied on the endowment fund of the Edward Everett Hale Professorship," so entitled.

A STUDENT in Middlebury College, reciting in trigonometry, defined a compass a four-cornered square box, standing on a three-legged tripod which always points to the north.

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YALE COLLEGE has established a new course of study, to be know as the Department of Political Science or the School of Journalism.

Odds and Ends.

SATIRE should not be like a saw, but a sword; it should cut, and not mangle. THE FUTURE DESTINY of the child is always the work of the mother.-Bonaparte. TO LAWYERS: Can you make a blind man liable for his bill, if it is payable at sight?

THE quickest way for a man to forget all common miseries, is to wear tight boots.

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THE SUFFICIENCY of my merit is to know that my merit is not sufficient.-St. Augustine.

THE MANNER of giving shows the character of the giver more than the gift itself. -Lavater.

THE Evening Post says: "Old sailors are never so much at sea as when they

are on shore,'

PRESERVE your conscience always soft and sensitive. If but one sin force its way into that tender part of the soul and is suffered to dwell there, the road is paved for a thousand iniquities.

"MR. SPEAKER," said a member of the Jamaica Legislature, discussing a bill for the regulation of the timber trade, "I know these timber merchants to be most egregious rascals-I was in the timber line myself twelve years."

A TABLE of the daily wages paid in this country for mechanical labor, shows that for nearly all kinds of handicraft work the average rate of wages is higher in the New England States than in the Middle, the Western or the Southern States.

A MEMBER of the English Parliament, Mr. Hermon, offers $1,000 for the two best articles on the prevention of colliery explosions, and it is encouragingly added, that bad spelling or defective grammar shall not influence the judgment of the Committee of Award.

QUEER BLUNDER.-During the year ending May 90, 1871, no homicides what. ever occurred in Vermont; but how great was the astonishment of the law abiding citizens of the old state, when they beheld in a table issued from the census office at Washington, the number of murders set down for Vermont during that period to be seventy-three. The number should have been credited to Virginia.

THE number of languages spoken is 3,064. The number of men is about equal to the number of women. The average of human life is about 23 years. Onequarter die before the age of 9. One-half before the age of 17. To every 2,000 persons, one only reaches 100 years. To every 100, only nine reaches 65 years; and not more than one in 500 reaches the age of 80 years. There are on the earth 1,000,000,000 of inhabitants. Of these 33,333,333 die every year; 7,780 every hour, and 60 every minute or one for every second. Thess losses are about balanced by the number of births.

The Academy of Science of Vienna has offered eight prizes for the discovery of comets during the coming three years. Each prize is to consist of a gold medal worth twenty ducats, or its value in money. The only condition is, that the discovery shall first be announced to the Academy. The first one has been gained by Herr Tempel, of the Marseilles Observatory.

Boston is aghast at the spectacle of a woman who had attempted to have some funds which were charitably raised and secured for herself and children after her husband's violent death, considered as a part of his estate to be divided.

A London critic says that James Russell Lowell has the reputation in Great Britain of being the best writer of prose in this country, and that he has few equals in England, where his style is much admired by the ripest scholars.

Literary Miscellany.

AMONG THE DEAD of the past year, the following prominent names occur: AUTHORS-Henry Longueville Mansel, Alice and Phoebe Cary, George Ticknor, Henry Alford, Charles Buxton, Alexander Dumas, Charles Paul de Kock, George Gottfried Gervenes, Charles Hugo, George Grote, Emile Deschamps, Count de Gasparin, Henry T. Tuckerman and Nathan Hale. CLERGY-Father Taylor, Dr. Ezra S. Gannett, Dr. E. Y. Higbee, and M. Darboy, Archbishop of Paris. SAVANSSir John F. W. Herschel, Sir Roderick I. Murchison, Mr. Becquerel, Charles Babbage, Augustus D. Morgan and Prof. W. Chauvenet. MUSICIANS--Auber, Mercadante, Thalberg, Harry Sanderson, Carl Anschutz, Henry Steinway and Thomas E. Chickering. EDUCATORS-Samuel H. Taylor, LL. D., Horace Webster and Joseph G. Cogswell. Covode, Ewing, Vallandighim, Slidell and Mason, are among the distinguished Americans who have died.

THE REV. THOMAS K. BEECHER, on visiting England for the second time after a lapse of 18 years, says that either the Yankees are infecting the British, or else the nineteenth century is toning both. The shop signs of London are now as ostentatious as those of New York; the newspapers are more like those of America. The Times being sold at half its former price, and the News being cheaper than the Tribune; the people are less insular and more communicative; the railways are no better than our own, but in some respects worse; "motion on the Erie is like sailing on oil, but in England we rattle in our seats like tin pails in a wheelbarrow;" and the travel of the underground railway in London is "cool, sweet and wholesome," and the cars all that could be desired-Exchange.

CALEB CUSHING.-He is one of the most wonderful men of the day. Without office and without official recognition of any sort, he is yet a power. We hazard nothing in saying that for the last three years of our Washington observation, no state paper has been written of any importance, or move made, or diplomatic agent selected, without calling in aid the pen or advice of this remarkable man. He reminds one more of a European statesman, one of that sort who accumulates years and information without age, and up to the last moments of a long career, is as valuable to his country as in the prime of manhood.-Washington Capital.

THE LIBRARIAN of the Imperial Library of Russia, Dr. Aloys Pichler, has just been caught carrying off the treasures confided to his care. Books bad been for a long time disappearing, and cloaks were forbidden in the apartments; but an exception to this rule being made, on account of his ill health, in favor of the Doctor, he was caught carrying off a ponderous folio under his raiment. Forth

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with his house was searched, and not less than 6,000 volumes stolen from the library were found there, with MSS. in great numbers. The books have been restored and the Doctor ordered to leave the country.

SAID HUGH MILLER : "The man with whom I served as apprentice was a mason, who put his conscience into every stone he laid," and it was that example of strict rectitude which made Hugh Miller a man of probity and honor, which will send his name ringing through the quarries of the future. To my mind there is not a more valuable point in the life of Dr. Adam Clarke, than when he, a youth in a store, whas told to make a piece of cloth hold out to a yard. Said his employer:

"Take this cloth, Adam; it measures four yards and seven eighths, I see it has shrunk a little. Come, take hold and pull it to the full yard."

No, sir," said Adam.

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Why not?" demanded the merchant.

"Because my conscience won't let me; it is wrong."

"Then," said the man," you are discharged."

"Very well," said Clarke, and that was all he said. From the yardstick he went to his books. It may be true that to this incident alone theology is indebted for one of the greatest of biblical commentators.—Interior.

New Publications.

BOOKS.

THE NEW AMERICAN SERIES OF READERS: Complete in Five Books. By EPES SARGENT and AMASA MAY. Philadelphia: E. H. Butler & Co.

One sees at a glance that this series is condensed into a compact and economical space-which is an argument addressed to the purse. Most of our series of readers are too numerous and plethoric, especially in the higher numbers. Looking further, we see these books are beautifully printed and illustrated, and strongly bound. So far, they at once recommend themselves to favor. The publishers also say they are cheaper than other series; and we would not ouerlook the large, clear type. Looking at the matter, we are pleased with the compositions for the lower and the selections for the higher books, and the gradation of lessons is well managed. On the whole, we judge these books to be well adapted to their purpose, especially in the country schools, of short sessions, where multum in parvo is a great desideratum. And graded schools can easily fill up the gaps, if they find any, with the various "Independent Readers," etc., or, with what is better, the occasional use of juvenile periodicals.

GUIDE TO COMPOSITION.-By T. S. PINNEO, author of " Primary" and "Analytical Garmmar," et. Published by Wilson, Hinkle & Co., Cincinnati and New York.

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This little book of 162 pages, 12mo., is a valuable addition to the sterling Eclectic Educational Series. Plain and appropriate instruction is given upon Spelling, Capitals, Punctuation, Words and Phrases, Sentences, Kinds of Composition, Figurative Language and Themes. We think the general use of this book, or someting like it, in all our common schools would be of great service to more than one-half of our teachers, as well as their older pupils, and of far more practical utllity than most of the abstract theoretical grammar that is taught. If this kind of grammar is taught at all, it should be copiously accompanied with just such cxercises as those contained in this book. We believe it would be a change greatly for the better, if composition-practical grammar-were made the basis, and such principles and simple rules of grammar introduced as a corrollary, as circumstances might permit. The latter is well enough; but the former-the "art of speaking and writing the English language correctly "-is indispensable. We have received two very promising books, notices of which we are reluctantly bliged to defer till next month-viz.:

SYPHER'S ART OF TEACHING-from J. M. Stoddard & Co., Philadelphia.

DICKEN'S SCHOOLS AND SCHOOLMASTERS-from A. S. Barnes & Co., New York and Chicago.

PERIODICALS.

The ELECTIC for February has a full length portrait of Lord Lisgar the present governor-general of Canada with a brief sketch of his life. It contains an admira. ble article on Church and State in Italy; a biographical and critical sketch of Sam uel Taylor Colridge, and a description of a Persian Passion Play; Tennyson's new Idyll. The Last Tournament is given entire. Besides these articles it has the concluding part of A Frenchman's Voyage Round the World; A Morning in the Tuileries; Mrs. Siddons; Forster's Life of Dickens; The Arts in Captivity; PaperMaking in Japan; Hawthorne's Italian Note Books; and The Voyage and Loss of the "Megara." In addition, there is the usual copious editorial miscellany. Published by E. R. PELTON, 107 Fulton Street, New York. Terms, $5.00 a year; two copies, $9.00; Single number, 45 cents.

THE LAKESIDE MONTHLY for January, 1872, devotes the whole of its columns to a reliable and deeply interesting history of the Chicago Fire. Its contents are: The Story of Chicago. Part 1. Before the Fire; A Glance at Chicago's History, Topography and Architecture; F. W. Foster; Our Trade and Commerce, Our Æsthetical Development Part 2. Burning of the City; Description of the Great Fire; The Fight for Life. Part 3. After the Fire; The Burnt-out People, and what was done for them; Among the Ruins; Reconstruction. Part 4. The Losses; Real and Personal Property; Commercial and Public Institutions; Institutions of Art, Science and Literature. Part 5. The Future; What Remains; New Chicago. Supplementary: The Fires of History; Science of the Northwestern Fires; Political Economy of the Fire. Published by the University Publishing Company, 10 West Randolph street, Chicago. $3.00 per year.

MORTON'S MONTHLY; A HOME AND SCHOOL JOURNAL of Popular Education. Vol. 1, No. 1, January, 1872. Published by John P. Morton & Co., Louisville, Ky. This Journal seems to be a revival, in a more vigorous form, of the Louisville School Messenger, three numbers of which were published last year. It starts off with good indications of usefulness and success. Besides its editor proper, Hon. H. A. M. Henderson, Superintendent of Public Instruction, will conduct an official department. We wish the enterprise and the cause of popular education in Kentucky all success.

THE INDEPENDENT.-This mammoth_and_sterling sheet still maintains its place in the front ranks of Journalism. It is Evangelical in its editorial utterances and yet liberal and tolerant. The best writers in all departments contribute to its columns. Its news items are gleaned in time from all parts of the country and the world. Its departments of Finance and Commerce contain reliable intelligence and some of the ablest articles ever written for the American public. It is sound in politics and critical in its reviews. Price, $2.50 per year in advance. Published by Henry C. Bowen, P. O. box 2787, New York City.

HARPER'S MAGAZINE, for February has a very fine variety of articles. We especially notice the articles" English in School, and the Pay-roll of Christendom." They treat on educational questions in a vigorous and suggestive manner. We would recommend our teachers to read them. The other articles are attractive. "The Drawer" is as interesting as ever," The Monthly Record of Current Events " is graphic and complete. Thd Scientific Record is especially valuable.

THE ILLUSTRATED CHRISTIAN WEEKLY has increased its circulation very rapidly of late, it having added since December 1, 1871, over 4,000 subscribers to its list. Surely an encouraging sign for the friends of pure family reading. It offers premiums from 20 to 100 dollars for the largest list of subscribers. Published at $2.00 a year, by the American Tract Society, 150 Nassau St., New York.

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THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE, for February, appeared in its usually attractive form, and with such matter as will afford instruction and interest to all of its readers. The following is a list of some of the many interesting articles: 'The story of the Hostages;' A day at Como;" Will he Conquer;" "By the Night Express;" ;" "Three acts in the life of a Danseuse.' All of which are from the pens of able and interesting writers. By addressing, Hammersley & Co., PubÎishers, etc., No. 701, Chestnut St., Philadelphia, with $2.50 enclosed, this valuable magazine can be had, commencing, if desired, with the January number.

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BY JACOB WERNLI, PRINCIPAL NORMAL SCHOOL, GALENA, ILL.

As Rev. B. G. Northop's report on Education in Switzerland has called forth no reply from the ranks of our teachers in the United States, thus far, I feel it my duty to make some short remarks in regard to the methods which the Swiss educators use in teaching arithmetic and geography, believing that many of our teachers, who certainly read that paper with satisfaction and pride, may with some profit read this statement. Let me also state at the outset, that no controversy is sought by me; improvement of our public schools is now, as in years past, my sole object. The sound. common sense of our educators may decide which methods are the best, the Swiss or the American.

It must be admitted, that in the common, and often in the higher schools of Switzerland, we shall find no text-book on arithmetic; it is regarded as unnecessary, a nuisance; the scholars commit no definitions, no rules to their memory; no books with analysis, and answers and rules, lead the struggling scholar on "the royal road to knowledge."

An Intellectual Arithmetic," placed in the hands of the young student to "get the lesson," and then recite to the teacher, would be regarded downright folly. No school superintendent, even in examinations of teachers, would ask for definitions of "fractions," "divisor," "sum," etc. The question, "What is a compound fraction?" would puzzle a scholar who in a few minutes would solve the most intricate problem in partnership, or interest. Algebra is not taught in common schools; it is regarded as belonging to the high schools. If these things are the essential properties of a good method of teaching arithmetic, verily, I must confess that our American schools stand very high on the ladder that leads to perfection; but Switzerland certainly takes her place modestly on the lowest round.

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