up by every private school in city or country. The series consists of a collection of cards, each set representing an order in natural history, colored in a very beautiful manner by Mr. Prang. Take, for instance, "The Waders." A striking and familiar instance of the birds of this class is given in a large card of a bird, admirably drawn by a careful artist, and beautifully colored in chromo. With this are a dozen small colored cards, representing the various classes of waders. Then a circular in this package of cards contains questions which the teacher is to put to the children to obtain from them the differences and resemblances in this family of birds, and then the differences from other families. A similar arrangement is made of plants; they are divided by their methods of growth, or their leaves, or some other natural feature, and each scholar must find out for himself the resemblances and differThe chromo pictures of flowers and leaves are surprisingly good. In fact, it is remarkable that Mr. Prang has been able to present such beautiful work at so moderate a cost. These colored cards contain a gallery of nature, and the dullest teacher or the most ignorant parent can teach natural science with no appreciable difficulty. The analysis of each order, and the questions which should lead the child to observe, are simply and clearly given in the printed circulars accompanying each package. It is obvious that this series can be extended without limit, and very refined scientific instruction can be given in this simple "object method," even on difficult topics. ences. We quote from the "Plan of Instruction" the following excellent remarks by Prof. Calkins : : "Those who live in cities have but few opportunities for observing a sufficient number and variety of animals or of plants, to enable them to make the necessary comparisons, to learn how to group them into families or classes. Even those who reside in the country fail to notice one half of the peculiarities of the animals and plants which they see every day, that they would observe had they been properly trained before they were ten years of age. What proportion of the inhabitants of any town know whether the most common animals that chew their cuds have front teeth on their upper jaws? How many people have observed whether these same cud-chewing animals get up on their fore feet or their hind feet first? How many can tell whether those animals which hunt others, and feed on their flesh, possess ears that differ in shape, and in the position on the head, from those that feed upon vegetable substances? How many children know why rats, mice, and squirrels are able to crack nuts easily; and why cats, dogs, and sheep cannot eat them? How many know that our most delicious fruits and berries belong to the same family as that beautiful flower the Rose? How many know that the onion, the garlic, and asparagus are family relatives of the beautiful lily of the valley? Do persons living in the country, even, usually notice whether the vines of hops, beans, and other twining plants wind around their supports in the same way, or even whether the vines of the same kind of plant always wind in the same direction? Children may be trained to notice all these things, and hundreds of other interesting facts, and thus acquire habits of careful observation, which will become invaluable to them in after years. All this can be accomplished without interfering, in the least, with their progress in any of the important studies now pursued in school. Indeed, the habits of self-acquisition in knowledge, which this training to observe nature will give, would materially aid their progress in other subjects. But beyond and better than all else, children become ennobled in their tastes and manners by studying nature. The careful observation of the beautiful forms, structures, and colors of plants and flowers will exert a refining influence upon the minds of children. To watch the habits and observe the structure of animals will cause children to love them more, and treat them with greater kind ness. MIDDLESEX COUNTY TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION. THE Twentieth Annual Meeting of the Middlesex County Teachers' Association will be held at the Town Hall, Malden, April 3d and 4th, 1873. President.-G. A. Southworth, Malden. Vice-Presidents. - James C. Parsons, Waltham; R. H. Fletcher, Cambridge; G. E. Allen, Newton; Miss C. C. Turner, Arlington; Miss Susan P. Banks, Waltham. Executive Committee.-Wm. A. Wilde, Malden; Miss Emma F. Monroe, Cambridge; Joshua A. Davis, Somerville; Miss Sarah E. Foster, Newton; Caleb Murdock, Charlestown. Secretary and Treasurer.- John S. Hayes, Newton. The Association will organize on Friday, at 10 A. M., for preliminary busi ness. At 10.30. A paper, "Relations of Common Schools to Practical Life." Levi C. Wade, of Newton. At 11. Class Exercise in Music. Henry G. Carey, of Malden. At 11.20. Discussion, "Ought scholars to be detained after schoolhours for study?" G. T. Litchfield and W. E. Eaton, of Charlestown. At 2. Paper. "Daily Preparation of Teachers for their work." A. G. Boyden, Prin. of Bridgewater Normal school. At 2.30. Class Exercise in Numbers. Francis Cogswell, of Cambridge. At 3. Paper. "The Efficiency with which the German Government carries into execution its System of Education." I. School buildings, furniture, apparatus, and text-books. II. The Teacher's profession, character, preparation, and social posi tion. III. Character and quality of instruction given, and manner of impart ing it. IV. At 4. Examinations, how conducted. N. T. Allen, of Newton. NOTE. During the sessions of the Association, questions pertaining to methods of instruction and discipline, or to any other matter upon which light is needed, will be collected and answered at this time. Each teacher is requested to bring one. EVENING SESSION. At 7.30. Short Address on Living Educational Issues. Thos. Emerson, Supt. Newton schools; B. F. Tweed, Supt. Charlestown schools; H. F. Harrington, Supt. New Bedford schools; Joseph White, Secy. of State Board of Education, and other prominent educators. At 8.30. Class Exercise in Calisthenics. Pupils of Malden High School. SATURDAY SESSION. At 9. Election of Officers and other business. At 9.30. Class exercise in Chemistry, Experimental. A. P. Gage, of Charlestown High school. At 10.30. Paper. "Culture of the Imagination." W. G. Sperry, of Beverly High school. At 11. Paper. "The Use and Abuse of Philosophical Instruments in our public schools." N. B. Chamberlain, of Newton. If opportunity offers, the following topic will be discussed: "The Proper Use of Text-Books in the School Rooms." N. B. Heretofore it has been the custom 66 than the observance" more honored in the breach to neglect the Saturday session. As a subject in which all progressive teachers are interested - that of the Study of the Natural Sciences in Grammar schools—is to be made prominent, it is hoped that every teacher will be present. NOTICE. All friends of education are invited to attend the Convention and participate in its exercises.. The names of members of the Convention will be registered, and the number in attendance from each town in the county will be published in the reports. The usual hospitalities will be extended to members of the Convention. Free return tickets will be furnished on the Boston and Lowell, Boston and Maine, and Fitchburg Railroads, on application to the Secretary. Trains leave Boston for Malden on B. & M. R. R., at 7, 7.45, 9.15, 10.15, II. 30 A. M. 12.35, 1.30, 2.30, 3.30, 4.30, 5.10, 5.35, 6, 6.20, 6.50, 7.30, 9.30, 11.15 P. M. Return, -6.23, 7.20, 7.40, 8.07, 9.12, 10.44 A. M. 4.22, 4.35, 5.36, 6.48, 7.02, 8.50, 10.35 P. M. 12.23, 1.50, 2.40, 3.43, Trains leave Boston for Malden on Saugus Branch R. R. from Eastern Depot at 6.45, 8.20, 9.15, 10.10 A. M. 1, 3.30, 4.50, 5.50, 6.25, 6.30, 7.10, 9.40 P. M. Return, -6.18, 6.23, 7.28, 8.27, 9.36, 10.53 A. M . 9.09 P. M. 12.34, 2.39, 5.14, 6.34, ESSEX COUNTY TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION. THE Fortieth Annual Meeting will be held in Normal Hall, Salem, on Friday and Saturday, April 4 and 5, 1873. Friday A. M. 9 1-2 o'clock, Business meeting; 10 o'clock, Health, O. B. Merrill, Newburyport; II o'clock, Corollaries, Park S. Warren, Methuen. Friday P. M. 2 o'clock, Astronomy, Wm. G. Goldsmith, Andover; 3 o'clock, Ought the study of Latin to be required in our High Schools? John W. Perkins, Salem. Friday Evening, 7 1-2 o'clock, Lecture, Walter Smith, Boston. Saturday A. M. 91-2 o'clock. Business meeting; 10 o'clock, Importance and Scope of an Educational Journal; II o'clock, How should English Lit erature be Taught? Edwin L. Sargent, Lynn. It is hoped all will prepare to take part in the discussion of these papers. The usual railroad facilities will be extended to those attending the Association. JOHN L. STANLEY, Secretary. A. H. THOMPSON, President. MASSACHUSETTS ASSOCIATION OF TEAChers. THE Sixth annual meeting of the Massachusetts Association of Classical and High School Teachers will be held in Boston, in the Hall of the English High School, Bedford Street, on Friday and Saturday, April 11th and 12th, 1873, commencing at 10 A. M. Subjects for discussion : 1. Single or double sessions in High schools. (10.15 A. M.) 2. The best means of cultivating facility and propriety in the use of English. (11.15.) 3. Are our High School courses of study suited to the needs of Girls? (2.30 P. M.) 4. Is it expedient to enlarge the range of requirements for admission to College? (3 45.) 5. Optional studies in High Schools. (Saturday, 9 A. M.) 6. Should German be substituted for Greek as a requirement for admission to College. (10.) 7. Natural History - what to do, and how to do it. (11.30.) 8. The difference between the aims and results of secondary education in Europe and America. (12.30.) A full attendance is requested. Brief essays on most of the topics will be presented. It is hoped that every teacher will prepare himself to take part in the discussions. W. C. COLLAR, President. JNTELL NTELLIGENCE. MASSACHUSETTS. BOSTON.- Died at Jamaica Plain, Feb. 21, Henry C Bullard, aged 40. Mr. Bullard was from Milford, Mass., and studied at the Normal school in Bridgewater. He taught school for some years in Manchester, N. H., and then came to the Quincy school in Boston, where he continued to teach till about two years since, when declining health compelled him to desist. A year ago he passed several months in Florida, but returned with but little improvement and has since steadily declined. He was a member of the Shawmut Church in Boston, and an earnest and most efficient worker in church and Sunday school. His trust in God, especially during the last few months, has been firm, and apparently without a shadow of doubt; and death found him not only ready, but longing to go. Congregationalist. JULIA A. VALENTINE, a teacher in the Quincy school, and daughter of the late Charles E. Valentine, former master, died of typhus fever at the residence of her mother in Grantville, at the age of 21 years. The eldest but one of a large family, she felt called upon, on the death of her father, nearly three years ago, to assume many duties and responsibilities, which she has most faithfully and effi ciently discharged. As a teacher, she was anxious to do her whole duty, and her success was marked, and fully appreciated by those who knew her in that capacity. But that home which depended upon her so much - how much, few can know-again calls for, and again receives, the heartfelt sympathy of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.-Journal. THE new Atherton school-house will probably have a four-faced public clock. THE Fourth Music Reader, published by Ginn Bros., has been adopted by the Boston school board. TEACHERS CONFIRMED. Sarah F. Litchfield in the Prescott Grammar school; Florence H. Drew and Abbie M. Nye, Primary teachers in the Prescott school; Emily V. Smith in the Bigelow Ayer, and Annie B. Carter in the Sherwin Primary school; Annie E. Walcutt, Louisa district; Margaret E. Schouler in the Franklin Grammar school, and Margaret Crosby in the Franklin Primary school. BOSTON has sent a large number of articles to the Vienna Fair to represent the quired for packing them. They represent city schools. Thirty large cases were rethe school architecture, fittings, furnishings, apparatus, books, maps, charts, and globes. THE Hancock school, J. W. Webster, master, gave a most commendable exhibition in elocution at a recent anniversary exercise. |