UP THE BALTIC; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN NORWAY, SWEDEN, AND DENMARK. A Story of Travel and Adventure. By Wm. T. Adams (Oliver Optic).

As an historical novel often gives a more vivid and better knowledge of the general history of a country than a history, whose special facts are all true, - so this geographical novel, which will be read by all boys who can get hold of it, will increase their knowledge of geography more than routine exercises on this subject, in many of our schools.

CROSS AND CRESCENT; OR, YOUNG AMERICA IN TURKEY AND GREECE: By Wm. T. Adams. Published by Lee & Shepard.

This is the ninth volume of the "Young Americans Abroad" series, and is certainly not inferior to any of its predecessors, all of which have had an extensive sale, which is the best test of success. Like the others, it attempts to give a knowledge of the geography of the places mentioned, and something of the manners and customs of the people. These facts are ingeniously woven into a story which will prove interesting to boys, and they will thus get incidentally what much of the direct instruction of the school fails to give. Children must have some interest in the countries whose geography they are studying, or it fails to leave any permanent impression; and this is just what the story imparts.

THE DRAWING-ROOM STAGE: A series of original Dramas, Comedies, Farces, and Entertainments for Amateur Theatricals and School Exhibitions. By George M. Baker. Published by Lee & Shepard.

The design of this book is to furnish original and healthy entertainment for the home circle, the exhibition hall, and the school. In accordance with this design, the characters and the action require no elaborate costumes or scenery, and the sentiments and language are such as not to give offence to the most fastidious. We think them admirably adapted to the purposes for which they are intended.

AN ONLY SISTER. By Guizot De Witt. Published by Harper & Brothers.

A beautiful little volume with a beautiful title, and the story justifying the title

and its general appearance. It is a book that all girls will be interested in and benefited by.

THE ETYMOLOGICAL READER. By Epes Sargent and Amasa May. Published by E. H. Butler & Co., Philadelphia.

The discussions at the recent Teachers' Association on the subject of grammar, indicate at least dissatisfaction with the present modes of teaching it. We think there is reason for this. But to say that grammar should be dropped from our course of study because we have taught it badly, would seem to argue defective logic. That less attention should be given to teaching grammatical rules, most of which, according to Dr. Latham, are either false or unnecessary, we admit; and we are glad to see that the study is likely to be rescued by a broader and more scientific statement of principles in our text-books. Until recently, technical grammar in our schools has been confined, almost exclusively, to syntax. The works of Trench and Marsh have done much to interest teachers in etymology, and now we are glad to welcome "The Etymological Reader" as a book for use in our high schools. We are sure that the study of that branch of Etymology which treats of derivation will be made more attractive and interesting by the use of this book. We commend it to the attention of all those teachers who would learn how the science of etymology may be simplified and made attractive, and who are not converts to the theory that because the depredations of squirrels are confined to the outside rows, the way to prevent such depredations is 66 to have no outside rows."

OLIVER OPTIC'S MAGAZINE for January opens with the first instalment of a new story by Oliver, another by Kellogg, another by Mrs. Hatch, and a host of good things.

We wonder what our sensations would have been, if, when a boy, we could have welcomed monthly a magazine like this. We have some recollection of the interest felt when "Thomas's Almanack" made its annual appearance, and the earnestness with which we plunged into the wit and humor, and puzzled our heads over the riddles and charades.

But nothing has done more to convince us that we were born too soon, than a glance at this magazine, with its instructive and interesting pages.

The method of teaching the rudiments of the English Language as given in Hart's First Lessons in Composition is no experiment Its author is a teacher of forty years' experience,

A Teacher of Teachers, and in this little book he presents the matured fruits of his life-long work in teaching this par. ticular branch of study. The plan of the book

Is the Blended Result

of thoughtful study, earnest observation, critical examination, honest comparison, mature reflection, practical experience, and successful class-room work. It contains nothing chimerical,

Nothing Experimental.

Years ago the outline was framed, and year by year, something has been added, something taken away. modified in some respects, and extended in others. At each successive step, the

Crucible of the School-Room,

a school-room of teachers, was applied, until the plan of the work was wrought out to a successful conclusion.

When these facts are taken into consideration there is no reason to wonder at the

Remarkable Success

attending its publication. There probably has been no book published in this country for many years which has created so much interest among teachers, and been so generally introduced as Hart's First Lessons in Composition.

It has

Swept Broad-Cast over the Land. In the ungraded schools of the country as well as in the graded schools of the town and city, it is found side by side with the Spelling Book and the Reader, and by its tendency to cultivate and improve the power of expression, it is revolutionizing the whole work of teaching. To the teacher who desires to advance the educational interests of the pupils committed to his care, we say,

Try this Book,

you will like it, it has been a success in thousands of schools, it will be a success in yours, children will be interested,

Parents will be Pleased,

and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that your pupils have started aright in the study of the English language.

There is not a School

but in which a class can be formed for its advantageous use. Any pupil able to read tolerably well, can use it to advantage. Any teacher who has classes studying the rudiments of find it Grammar, Geography, and Arithmetic, will A Valuable Addition

to the course of study pursued by his pupils, while at the same time it can be used with

great benefit by advanced classes that have not sufficient time to devote to an extended course of Grammar or Rhetoric.

Thousands of Children

are studying the elements of the English Lan guage in the manner set forth in this book with

Enthusiasm and Delight,

and we are fully persuaded that when its merits are generally known, its use in our Common Schools will be almost universal. We could fill volumes with testimonials which we have

received relative to its remarkable adaptability

to the wants of children, but the book itself is its own best recommnendation. Dr. Hart has been engaged for more than

One-Third of a Century

He

in the practical duties of the school-room, and for years past has made a specialty of the subject of which the present volume treats. thus brings to his work a full knowledge of the wants of both teacher and scholar in this im

portant branch of education, and he has spared no pains to make the book eminently practical and adaptable to the school-room.

Thousands of Teachers have hailed the publication of this book with delight. It fills a vacancy and supplies a want which has long existed. We ask for it a careful, thorough examination, and a trial

In the School-Room.

We trust that you may be induced to give this book such a trial, and when completed, that your pupils may successively and successfully continue the

Study of the English Language

as presented in the course of which this book is the first step, and which includes the following volumes:

First Lessons in Composition.
Composition and Rhetoric.

A Short Course in Literature, English
and American.....

$ 90

1 50

1 50

the country. A greater help to the teacher never was invented. By the increased power

tions of Learning.

Please Address,

A Manual of American Literature.