Its general purport is that the deceased boy was of a violent and unruly disposition, and untruthful in his statements; while the monitor, Copeland, who has now left the school, always bore a very high character.

The Huddersfield School Board have discovered, to their cost, that honesty is not always the best policy. They informed the inspector of certain irregularities having occurred in connection with one of their schools, and, as a reward for their honesty, the Education Department fined the school for its bad discipline. They have passed a resolution requesting their lordships, under the circumstances, to remit the fine.

REVIEWS.

The Schoolmaster's Drill Assistant. By Commander F. M. Norman. London: Bemrose & Sons.

We have noticed this book once or twice on previous occasions, so that we need only here point out that it has reached the tenth edition, and has been "revised and enlarged." The chapter on "Dual-desk Drill" has been added to the work in this edition.

Odes and Elegy by Thomas Gray. With Introduction and Notes. Collins' School Classics.

We have here a short life of Gray, the text of the Odes and Elegy, with six pages of short useful notes, for the small sum of twopence. We wish the price of the book had been somewhat increased and the notes on the Elegy been more at length. But doubtless the chief object of the series is to offer in a cheap form, well and clearly printed, the text of our great poems, and this is perfectly done in the little book before us. Annotated Poems of English Authors. Edited by Rev. E. T. Stevens and Rev. D. Morris. The Lady of the Lake. Canto I.

THE notes appended to this series are unusually full and unusually good. They occupy on an average two-thirds of every page. They explain all the difficult words in the passages, frequently giving the derivation and quoting similar modes of construction in other authors. The work is issued in paper cover and in cloth; the cloth binding would be found more serviceable for class work. A short life of Scott and a sketch of the subject-matter of the first canto of the poem is given as an introduction to the work.

Inorganic Chemistry. By Dr. W. Kemshead. Enlarged Edition.

London: W. Collins, Sons, & Co.

THIS is an enlarged edition of a work we reviewed some time ago, and the fact that another edition has been called for shows that it has been found extensively useful. It is "adapted for students in the elementary classes of the Science and Art Department," and it appears to be in every way suitable for use in this way. Dr. Kemshead remarks in his preface, "My aim throughout has been to express in as clear and simple language as possible the earlier principles of the science, so as to fit the book for the use of mere beginners, but at the same time to be sufficiently full and accurate that it might be useful as a text-book in the hands of more advanced students." The work is well printed on good paper, conveniently divided into paragraphs and profusely illustrated with suitable diagrams.

Inorganic Chemistry. Vol. 11. The Metals. By T. E. Thorpe, Ph.D. W. Collins, Sons, & Co.

In this volume of "Collins' Advanced Science Series " Dr. Thorpe divides his subjectmatter into ten chapters, Chapters I.-IV. dealing with the Principles of Chemical Philosophy, Spectral Analysis, Electro-Chemical Decomposition, Crystallography, and the Metals. In the remaining six chapters the metals are classified under six groups, beginning with the monad metals and ending with the hexad metals. The subject is treated with fulness and clearness and well illustrated with diagrams and figures. In this edition, which is the second that has been issued, a copious index has been added, and a list of 200 questions given, arranged under the heading of the ten chapters.

The Gem Geography. By J. A. Butterworth. Part I. England and Wales. Bemrose & Sons.

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We do not like the title to this work, and we are of opinion that the compiler has made a mistake by pushing a good notion into extremes. The "Gem Geography" is a book of maps, and, because in past times it has been too much the practice to use geography books without atlases, Mr. Butterworth would remedy this by using atlases without geographies. He says, the system has been tried with the most satisfactory results," but any new system, energetically and enthusiastically taken up will have such results. We are afraid that with only average energy and without the enthusiasm the results would not be so satisfactory. We have here England and Wales displayed in twentyfour small maps, one showing the coalfields, another "miscellaneous information," and the others dealing with separate districts of the country, as the six northern counties, the southern counties, &c. We have also here the southern counties displayed in six different ways, the first map showing the outline of the counties, the second the names on the coast-line, the third the mountains, the fourth the rivers, the fifth the towns, and the sixth the trades. A book of this kind would produce excellent results in the hands of a teacher who approved of the system and worked it out with thoroughness. It would be a capital book to place in the hands of a boy or girl fond of geography.

The Youth's English Grammar, for Use in Junior Classes. By T. Austin Bullock, LL.D. New Edition. London: Simpkin, Marshall, & Co. Manchester: John Heywood.

We have before expressed an opinion of the worth of this book as a working English grammar for junior classes. We are informed that this edition has been enlarged by eight pages, while it is evident the paper and binding are much superior. New and clear directions are given for parsing and analysis. These improvements have been effected without any increase in the price. The great value of this work lies in the simplicity of its rules and the fulness of its exercises. By the first the difficulties which ordinarily attend the subject are removed, while by the second a positive element of interest is introduced. We can understand a child using a book of this kind confessing to a liking for grammar. The part relating to the rules of syntax is especially well done. We advise those of our readers who are not acquainted with this work to procure a copy and examine it for themselves, when we are convinced its value will be apparent.

SHORT NOTICES.

Cassell's Library of English Literature, Part 28, contains sketches of the Wesleys, Whitefield, Cowper, Johnson, and Newton. It is perhaps the most interesting number that has been yet issued. It is attractively illustrated by woodcuts and portraits. The School Newspaper has an illustration of the Mosque of Omar, and contains its usual amount of interesting and instructive reading. We have received several numbers of the Educational News, and the Irish School-Teachers Journal, which we are glad to see ably represent the teachers of Scotland and Ireland.

DR. BULLOCK'S ILLUSTRATED SCHOOL HISTORY OF ENGLAND.-We understand another new edition of this history is about to be issued, and that the work has now been written up to the present year (the opening of the Russo-Turkish War). A number of new engravings have been introduced, including a handsome frontispiece of the Queen, and altogether the get-up is very superior.

THE LONDON SCHOOL BOARD ON SPELLING REFORM.

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Y a majority of 19 to 12 the London School Board have agreed to send a memorial to the Committee of Council on the spelling question, asking their lordships "to take steps for obtaining a Royal Commission to inquire into English spelling, with a view to such reform as is required in the interests of elementary education." The memorial is somewhat disingenuous, inasmuch as though it states with some parade that "upwards of 100 provincial school boards" have expressed their agreement with spelling reform, it does not state the far greater number of these boards who refused to concur in this Quixotic scheme. Lord Sandon and the Duke of Richmond will doubtless ask this question, and in answering it the deputation will be giving the text for the reply that will follow, viz., that public opinion having strongly pronounced against the required change, it would be folly to issue a Royal Commission to make a report that would simply be so much waste paper—at least as far as legislation in the present century is concerned. The authority of the National Union of Elementary Teachers is involved; but if Lord Sandon reads the report of the last conference he will see that the question was passed over with contemptuous acquiescence. Paragraph 3 is foolish. The Government are supposed to regret that the Government grant is diminished by bad spelling. We can imagine the countenance of the Chancellor of the Exchequer while this is being read. Again, "candidates are rejected in large numbers for bad spelling by the Civil Service examiners." Of course they are; and if their spelling was perfect the examiners would have to reject them for something else. The memorial seems to assume that the business of the country is at a standstill because there are not forthcoming a sufficient supply of clerks whose orthography is satisfactory. The 4th paragraph consists of padding. "The question more deeply concerns the Government." Lord Beaconsfield would doubtless shrug his shoulders here, and think of the Eastern question, and the "obstructives," and the Indian famine, and the decline of trade. The vision of thousands of children kept by Act of Parliament from agricultural labour because they are unable to master our intricate spelling is supposed to move the tender feelings of county members; and Lord Beaconsfield has been a county member himself. The memorialists have, however, spread a net for their own feet in this paragraph. They acknowledge that the question affects the Government more deeply than it does themselves. Thereupon the Duke of Richmond may well retort that the Government are tolerably

well content with things as they are, and therefore the school boards, who are confessedly concerned in a less degree, may be easy in their minds. Paragraph 5 states a woman's reason—a thing is so because it is so. If the Government change the spelling in elementary schools and in Government papers the country will follow. Why? Because it will. The memorialists know very well that if the Times newspaper continued printing in the old style while the Government papers were printed in the new that nine out of every ten educated persons would follow the Times and its satellites. The Government have not the power to change the spelling of the country. If it can be done at all it must be done by the Universities, not by the Government. The rhodomontade that "our working population will be better fitted to compete with those of Continental nations," as a result of spelling reform, is unworthy of the London School Board. They might as well state that owing to the increased perusal of temperance literature drunkenness would decrease, and that attendant on the general spread of intelligence trade would revive, the exports would be doubled, and members returned to the Commons House of Parliament equal in education and practical sagacity to the members of the London School Board. Paragraph 6 attacks the English alphabet. It is "redundant, defective, and inconsistent." It is grudgingly conceded that "it may not be necessary to add to our alphabet":

What is certainly wanted is, that existing letters should be used definitely and consistently; that it be decided, after inquiry, what forms representing the same sounds should supersede the rest; and whether exceptions should be allowed in order to mark connection or diversity in thought; and, if allowed, whether it is not desirable to mark such exceptions in the books used for elementary instruction by peculiarities of type.

Words substantially the same in etymology, in sound, and in meaning are spelt in different ways, because introduced into the language at different times. Such spelling confuses the scholar, and is no help to the sense.

A considerable number of words are misspelt through mistaken etymology, and this misspelling conceals both the sound and the meaning.

Nor must it be forgotten that there are about 2,000 words which are spelt differently in standard dictionaries.

We trust that all Lord Sandon and the Duke of Richmond will say to this is that they will instruct the inspectors to accept either way of spelling the 2,000 words alluded to. As for disfiguring our books and newspapers by "peculiarities of type," we are not afraid of any such senseless innovation. The memorialists go on to state what they would like the Royal Commission to be instructed to do::

But they have no hesitation in indicating the conditions that any acceptable method must satisfy. They have no desire that a new style of spelling should be enforced on the whole community, or that anything should be done which shall make the study of our literature more difficult or lessen the value of books printed on the present system. As educators, approaching the subject on its practical side, they seek chiefly to secure greater simplicity and consistency, to minimise anomalies, and yet, at the same time, to preserve whatever is helpful to knowledge and thought. Your

memorialists hope that such a result would follow an official inquiry, and they have the conviction that the best solution of the difficulties which beset the whole subject of spelling will be found in attending to the practical purpose they have in view. In addition to the suggestions already made, your memorialists submit as questions well worthy the consideration of the Education Department and of a Royal Commission (1) the removal of any regulations that at present impede the introduction of new methods of teaching the ordinary English reading and writing; (2) the various plans suggested for reforming the spelling itself, with a view to determine what system would secure the greatest amount of benefit with the least inconvenience; (3) whether it is desirable to attempt a partial reform, retaining whatever is valuable as suggesting the etymological affinities of words, or a thoroughly reformed spelling for optional use alongside of our present system; (4) the best means of giving official sanction to any improvement that may be decided upon.

We shall be glad to hear the last of this question; and we believe that if the Committee of Council agree to receive the deputation Lord Sandon. will say the last word. Spelling reform will then descend to the limbo of exploded schemes, and take its place with the decimal coinage and metrical system of weights and measures. The reform of the currency is a matter the Government has within its power, and it would enormously simplify operations in arithmetic, and render "our working population better fitted to compete with those of Continental nations." For some reason or other, many years ago, the Mint ceased to issue the halfcrown, and substituted for it the florin. This alteration was supposed to be the thin end of the wedge for introducing the decimal system. But now the halfcrown appears again. We hear nothing of the decimal coinage and the metrical system of weights and measures; and, as a consequence, our working population will still be placed at a disadvantage with those of Continental nations. And perhaps by this time next year we shall hear as little of spelling reform. The nineteen members of the London School Board will be sadder and wiser men, and will have learnt that a few more Quixotic schemes of this kind will reduce the institution to which they belong to the level of one of those "provincial boards" to which they refer in such condescending terms.

THE BLUE-BOOK FOR 1876.

(Eighth Article.)

S the old proverb says "It is well to be off with the old love before you are on with the new," we hasten to complete our notices of the Blue-book for 1876 before its successor for

1877 is issued.

Mr. Stokes inspects the schools in the Metropolitan Division of Southwark. He deprecates the school board plan of having uniform fees in their schools. What he says on this point seems very sensible :

In school board schools the attempt is made to secure uniformity of fee within each of the schools. The policy of the regulation seems doubtful, since every neighbourhood contains a variety of classes among those depending upon the elementary