EDUCATIONAL PUBLICATIONS OF THOMPSON, BIGELOW & BROWN. TWO NEW BOOKS IN THE EATON MATHEMATICAL SERIES. I. Bradbury's Elementary Geometry. Containing all the essential propositions and theorems in less than one hundred pages, with practical questions for review at the close of each book, and theorems for original demonstration; designed for High Schools, Academies, and Normal Schools. By WM. F. BRADBURY, Master in Cambridge High School, and author of Eaton's Elementary Algebra, etc. Price, $1.00. II. Bradbury's Elementary Trigonometry. Containing a practical and comprehensive presentation of Plane Trigonometry, together with the necessary tables. By WM. F. BRADBURY, author of Elementary Geometry, etc. In one vol. Price, $1.00. The Elementary Geometry and Trigonometry. In one vol. Price $1.50. It is well known that a large number of the theorems usually given in similar works are unimportant in themselves and in no way connected with subsequent propositions. By wasting time on things of little practical value, the pupil is frequently unable to complete the subject. In these works it has been the design of the author to present only the propositions essential to a practical knowledge of the subject, and it is believed they are better fitted than any similar work to the present classification and grade of the best High Schools. The plan of the works possesses several original features which will commend themselves to all good educators. Though published but a few weeks they have already been adopted in many of the best schools and academies, and are received everywhere with great favor. Educators will do well to examine them. III. The Teacher's Manual. By Prof. HIRAM ORCUTT, A. M., Principal of Tilden's Ladies' Seminary, N. H. 12mo, 270 pp. Price, $1.00. This work records the results of a long and successful experience in the management and instruction of schools, and will be found of special value to young teachers. A concise history of the origin and growth of the Free School System is also given. It has received the indorsement of many of the most prominent educators. etc. ATTENTION IS INVITED TO Eaton's Elementary Algebra, by Wм. F. BRADBURY, author of Elementary Geometry, A concise work, yet full enough to prepare for college and for teaching. The large number of practical problems for solution; also the omission of unimportant topics, and its superior plan and arrangement make the work especially desirable for High Schools and Academies. It has been adopted and is the only Algebra used in the High Schools of Charlestown, Worcester, Lowell, Cambridge, New Bedford, Fitchburg, Somerville, North Bridgewater, Saco, Dover, Rutland, Stamford, Stonington, etc., etc. Eaton's Series of Arithmetics, are believed to be the most popular and most generally used of any in New England. School Committees and Teachers wishing to secure the best textbooks in Mathematics are invited to correspond with the publishers of Eaton's Series. THOMPSON, BIGELOW & BROWN, ALSO PUBLISH Smellie's Philosophy of Natural History. Price, $2.00. (Specimen pages mailed on application.) Worcester's Elements of History. Price, $1.88. Philbrick's American Union Speaker, by Hon. JOHN D. PHILBRICK. Price, $2.25. Cushing's Manual of Parliamentary Practice. An indispensable handbook for every member of a deliberative body. Price, 65 cents. Copies of above, except Teachers' Manual and Cushing's Manual, sent for examination on receipt of half price. Copies of Teachers' Manual and Cushing's Manual sent by mail on receipt of price. Descriptive Catalogue of above and of other valuable school publications sent on application. Liberal terms for first introduction. THOMPSON, BIGELOW & BROWN, Nos. 25 and 29 CORNHILL, BOSTON. THE MASSACHUSETTS TEACHER. VOL. XXVI. JANUARY, 1873. No. I. IN assuming the responsibilities of Editor of the "Teacher," we can make no promises, except that of an earnest endeavor to do the best we can. With little experience as an editor, and that so long ago that most of the teachers of the present generation have been spared the trouble of reading the numbers that we edited, and with no special adaptation that we are aware of, our success must depend to a great extent on the monthly editors, who will hereafter furnish material, and be responsible for the first twenty pages of each number. We hope that this will be borne in mind; and if every one who sees something wanting will make a note of it, and furnish a well-written article to supply the want, we think we shall not lack for matter to fill the prescribed number of pages. Another satisfaction will be to know that we have utilized grumbling, a feat, we believe, for which no patent has yet been issued. Science and manipulative skill have done much in our day to confer value on what has been deemed worthless; but if our invention is successful, we think we may fairly claim to be not least among inventors. We hope soon to be able to exhibit a model of our invention, by which a grumbler is converted to a first-class contributor. There are many questions in regard to education forcing themselves upon the community, on which legislative and town committees will be called to act, and which, if not discussed by those competent to speak wisely, will be by others. Thus, the relative claims of science and literature; a feasible method of making our schools more practical for the mass of scholars; the course of study in the several grades; and improved methods of instruction, are questions that excite an interest coextensive with education itself, and should be discussed, not only by theorists, but by practical teachers. We therefore invite all who have definite ideas on these and kindred topics, to lay them before the teachers of the State in the columns of "The Massachusetts Teacher." Upon normalschool teachers, and those connected with the higher institutions, it becomes a claim. Teachers whose school experience extends only over a period of five or ten years, have no adequate idea of the change which has been effected in the profession of teaching since the establishment of "The Massachusetts Teacher"; and it is in great part due to this journal, and to the State Association, that this change has been effected. There are a few of us who remember the meetings of the county associations, thirty odd years ago; but there are not many of us who ever spoke at those meetings. The lectures were given and the discussions were carried on almost exclusively by clergymen. There was a Journal of Education published in the State, and an excellent one it was; but few of the articles were contributed by public-school teachers. It was a kind of "declaration of independence" when the State Association was formed, limiting membership to practical teachers, and establishing a journal which was to be the organ of the Association. Acting as one of the monthly editors for a couple of years, we have no hesitation in saying that the preparation for those numbers required more reading and writing on educational topics than we had ever done before; and we doubt not many other teachers of the State who performed the same duty derived equal benefit from it. Nor are we willing to admit that "The Massachusetts Teacher" has been a failure as an educational journal. On the contrary, we think it has been a credit to its contributors and editors, and never more so than during the past year. If it has not proved a financial success, it is because many who have received substantial benefit from it, in increased salaries, and a higher estimate of their labors, have failed to contribute to its support. |