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Notes of Books.

LITTLE BOOKS.

Step by Step; or, First Lessons for Children; and Early Lessons, No. II. Nelson and Sons, London, Edinburgh, and New York-These are sensible and useful books, and superior far to the tens of thousands of others, which positively do more harm than good. Why should a child be made to go through a whole volume of unmeaning eb, ebs, and ob, obs, and ub, ubs? Such a system moulds an infant's mind into a mere mechanical form, and destroys all chance of interest and thought; whereas instruction in real words, first used alone, and then placed in short intelligent sentences, as adopted in the books before us, is most advantageous and profitable, and calculated to encourage habits of perseverance and reflection. We only fear that Messrs. Nelson and Sons' books are too nicely got up to be quite within the reach of the laboring classes, but we strongly recommend them to all who take an interest in the education of the young.

The Little Philosopher; or the Science of Familiar Things: in which the Principles of Natural and Experimental Philosophy are systematically developed from the Properties and Uses of Familiar Things. Part IV. The Animal Kingdom. By Thomas Tate, F.R.A.S. Longmans, London.-This little volume forms one of an interesting and instructive series of Reading Books specially and most admirably adapted for "young people." The language is exceedingly plain, and the wood cuts, which are profusely scattered through the book, are peculiarly good. We think that Mr. Tate has succeeded in producing a work which will be deservedly popular both among children and "young people," and which from its low price (one shilling) will be within the reach of all classes. "The Little Philosopher" would be a most acceptable present for an intelligent child, and might be used with others of the series as a prize book for junior classes at school.

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Class Book of Elementary Geography. By William Rhind, F.R.P.S. &c. Edinburgh: Sutherland and Knox. London: Simpkin, Marshall, and Co. Pp. 112. 1858. This is the most complete and interesting book of the kind which we have seen. It is admirably adapted for schools, and is written in such a style that the scholar who uses it will feel a natural desire to continue his studies in some larger treatise It is divided into thirtyfour sections, and contains much useful and practical matter which we have not seen elsewhere in any similar kind of book. The section on political geography is peculiarly good, and the historical allusions which it has been found necessary to introduce are very superior and telling. We hope to see Mr. Rhind's Elementary Geography, which is both cheap and good, take the prominent place it deserves as a general class book.

Tabular views of the Geography and Sacred History of Palestine, and of the Travels of Saint Paul. Intended for Pupil Teachers and others engaged in Class Teaching. By A. Ě. White, Shoreham School, Kent. Griffith and Farran, London.—It is devoutly to be hoped that "pupil teachers and others" will have the good sense to avoid this absurd little book. It is objectionable in many ways, and contains an exact sample of the style of instruction which it has ever been our aim and object to discourage. When there is so much to be learned that is useful and profitable for their after-life, it seems hard to waste the precious hours of children in teaching them that Hermon, or Old Man's Mountain is the highest peak of Anti-Lebanon, and is eleven thousand feet in height; or that Salmon is a hill near Shechem, once covered with snow, and remarkable because Abimelech cut down some boughs from its trees; or that Esdraelon, or Valley of Jezreel, or Valley of Megiddo, is South of Galilee, of a triangular shape, having an area of two hundred square miles, and being five hundred feet above the level of the sea. This is really the style of the book throughout. Children are to devote their valuable seed time in learning that "Aijalon is in the valley of Aijalon "that "Timnath Serah is on the North side of the hill of Gaash," and that "Ashdod is built on the summit of a verdant hill." We hope that there are many pupil teachers who could enlighten Mr. A. F. White, and teach him his responsibilities, but we most earnestly

trust that there are none who will follow his style of instruction and make religion a thing of hard names instead of a solace and comfort to the heart.

Le Lecture Français, ou Choix de Morceaux en Prose et en Vers; des plus célébres Ecrivains Français, a l'usage des Ecoles et des Jeunes Gens en général. Par Dr. William Lundy, M.A., M.R.C.P. Londres: Chez Whittaker et Cie.-This is a very pretty and improving little book, and contains some of the most beautiful passages from such writers as Racine, Fénélon, Rousseau, Béranger, and others. It will be a useful help to the forward French scholar, and has an advantage over many books of a similar kind in consequence of the selections (about fifty in number) being peculiarly well made. In the Tables des Matières we have. Religion et morale, &c. Descriptions et Tableaux. Discours et Morceaux Oratoires. Moeurs des Peuples, Portraits, &c. Scènes Comiques. Scènes Comiques en vers. Scènes Tragiques. Poésies Diverses.

LIST OF NEW BOOKS.

Adams's Elements of the English Language, post 8vo.
Alfred the Great, (King,) The whole works of, 2 vols.
Angley's Hezekiah and Sennacherib, a Parellel, foolscap 8vo.
Bacon's Works, by Spedding, Ellis, and Heath, Vol. 5.

Barnes's Notes on Ancient Britain and the Britons, foolscap 8vo.

Barr's Scripture Student's Assistant, new edition, 12mo.

Barth's Travels in North and Central Africa, Vols. IV. and V.

Bedford's Blazon of Episcopacy, 8vo.

Bidlake's Text-Book of Elementary Chemistry, foolscap 8vo.

Bohn's Historical Library, "Pepy's Diary, by Braybrooke," Vol III.

Bohn's Illustrated Library, "Hunt's book for a Corner."

Bohn's Scientific Library, "Humbolt's Cosmos, by Otté and Dallas, Vol. V."
Buonarroti's (Michael Angelo) Life, by Harford, second edition, 2 vols.

Chess Board of Life, (The,) foolscap 8vo.

Cotton's Sermons and Addresses at Marlborough College, 1852-8.

Crabbe's Poetical Works, new edition, illustrated, foolscap 8vo.

Cruden's Complete Concordance to the Sacred Scriptures.

Dally's Guide to Jersey, Guernsey, Sark, &c., with Map.

Elmham's Historia Monasterii S. Augustini Cantuariensis, edited by Hardwick, royal 8vo.
Franciscana Monumenta, edited by Brewer, royal 8vo.

Framjee's The Parsees, their History, Manners, and Religion.
Gordon and Glendinning's The Pinetum, 8vo.

Greyson's Correspondence, Selections from, new edition.
Gubbins's Account of the Mutinies in Oude, 8vo.

Hall's Treatise on Plane and Spherical Trigonometry, 5th edition.
Hind's Rise and Early Progress of Christianity, fourth edition.
Hogg's Merchant's and Iron Trades' Guide, third edition, 12mo,
Humbolt's Cosmos, translated by Sabine, Vol. IV, Part I.

Hymer's Treatise on Differential Equations, second edition, 8vo.
Hyms for Little Children, Music by Gauntlett, quarto.

Jones's the Aquarian Naturalist, post 8vo.

Junior School English Grammar, 12mo.

Kenrick's Roman Sepulchral Inscriptions, post 8vo.

Knights Popular History of England, Vol. IV., 8vo.
Lee's Patronilla and other Poems, foolscap Svo.
Liddell's The Seven Deadly Sins, 12mo.

Macnair's Christian Sabbath, or Rest in JESUS, 12mo.
Mangnall's Historical and Miscellaneous Questions, new edition.
Marcet's Conversations on Natural Philosophy, thirteenth edition.
Mill's British India, fifth edition, by Wilson, Vol. IX., post 8vo.
Netter's Fasciuli Zizaniorum Magistri Wiclif, edited by Shirley.
New Reading Series, "English History," 12mo. S. P. C. K.
Otté's Landscape Photography, foolscap 8vo.

Prout's Drawing Book of Landscape and Buildings, new edition.

Ramsay's Geological Structure of Merionethshire and Caernarvonshire, 8vo,

Reeve's Titles of Jehovah, Lectures during Lent, 1858, 12mo.

Roche's Fables Nouvelles, 12mo.

Reynold's Science and Art, "Geology, edited by Readwin."

Robertson's Gathered Lights, illust. the Lord's Prayer.

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OXFORD MIDDLE CLASS EXAMINATIONS.-The lists of the successful candidates at the recent examinations were issued on August 11th. The total number of candidates who offered themselves for examination amounted to 1,223; namely, 423 senior and 800 junior, of whom 496 have proved successful. Of this number 216 were senior and 280 junior candidates. We make the following extracts from the lists:

SENIOR CANDIDATES. SECTION A.

(ENGLISH.)-FIRST DIVISION.

The names in this division (fourteen in number) are given in the order of merit.

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SECTION B. (LANGUAGES.)-FIRST DIVISION.

The names in this division (twenty-five in number) appear in the order of merit.

Clifford, C. W.

Proprietary S. Edgbaston, (first.)

King Edward's S. Birmingham, (nineteenth.)
Collegiate S. Gloucester, (twentieth.)

SECTION B. (LANGUAGES.)--SECOND DIVISION.

Mackenzie, A.

Washbourne, J. A. R.

Beale, J. S.

Drewett, W. H.

Grimley, W. H.

Masefield, G. E.

Mitchell, F. W. V.

Waddell, T. B.

Beale, J. S.
Titley, W. J.

..

Proprietary School, Edgbaston.
Grammar School, Burton-upon-Trent.
King Edward's School, Birmingham.
Park School, Birkenhead.

Proprietary School, Edgbaston.
King Edward's School, Birmingham.

SECTION C. (MATHEMATICS.)-FIRST DIVISION.

In this division (ten in number) the names are given in order of merit.

Grimley, W. H.
Holliday, J. R.
Patterson, W. R.

Proprietary S. Edgbaston, (sixth.)
King Edward's School, Birmingham (tenth.)

SECTION C. (MATHEMATICS.)-SECOND DIVISION.

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JUNIOR CANDIDATES.-FIRST DIVISION.

The names (thirty-one in number) are given in the order of merit.

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New Kingswood School, Bath (sixth)
New Kingswood School, Bath (twentieth.)

SECOND DIVISION IN ALPHABETICAL Order.

Grammar School, Chesterfield.
Grammar School, Cheltenham.
Proprietary School, Edgbaston.

The College School, Gloucester.
Sutton Coldfield.

Grammar School, Denmark Hill.

Middle School, Charles Street, Leicester.
Ullesthorpe House, Lutterworth.
Grammar School, Cheltenham.
Blue Coat School, Gloucester.
Proprietary School, Edgbaston.
College School, Gloucester.
Armitage School, Rugeley.

THIRD DIVISION, IN ALPHABETICAL Order.

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THE MEMORIAL OF 41 of H. M. Inspectors of Schools to the Lord President against the substitution of their several reports by one general one from the Committee, to the Queen, is before us. It is but too manifest that a majority of the reports have, for years past, failed in giving fully or forcibly the very facts upon which the memorial bases the claims of the subscribers to their continued publication. The memorial is also unjust to the office; which does not design to suppress the inspector's views but simply to condense them. It makes the grave mistakes of being self praise and undue praise. Two of H. M. Inspectors, Messrs. Gordon and Wilson, have written to the office their dissent from the memorial; and the Rev. Mr. Norris, Mr. Symons, and the Rev. Mr. Binns have not signed it. The Lord President replies in a temperate letter declining to revoke his decision. The whole is published as a parliamentary

paper.

The prize of twenty pounds (placed at the disposal of the Council of the Society of Arts by the Rev. F. Trench and J. MacGregor, Esq.) and the society's silver medal, offered for a writing case suited for the use of soldiers, sailors, emigrants, &c., will be awarded according to the following conditions: 1, Weight; none will be received weighing above five ounces when empty. 2. Size; the size in length and breadth must not exceed that necessary to hold note paper. 3. Ink; the case must not contain ink in a fluid state. 4. Durability; it must be made of a substance not liable to be spoiled by wet and which will protect the contents from injury. 5. Cheapness; the retail price, with guaranteed supply, must not exceed 1s. 6d. Competitors are desired to take notice that the council reserve to themselves the right of withholding the prize should there be no article of sufficient merit brought under their notice. The articles sent in for competition must be delivered at the Society's House, Adelphi, London, W.C., on or before the 1st January, 1859.

The following are the Education Grants from Government to Romish schools: In the year 1852, £7, 559. 8s. 74d.; in 1853, £9,789. 7s. 103d.; in 1854, £10.907. 12s. 94d.: in 1855, £13,272. 11s. 104d.; in 1856, £19,115. 1s. Od.; in 1857, £25,894. 7s. 7d.; total for six years, £86,608. 9s. 8d.

STATISTICS OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA.-The following statistics of this colony, made up to the end of 1857, appear in the Adelaide papers:-" "The population of the colony is supposed to amount to 109,917 souls, comprising 55,735 males and 54,182 females. The births for the year amounted to 2,640 males and 2,543 females, together, 5,183; the marriages to 1,218, and the deaths to 1,304, namely, 728 males and 576 females. The number of vessels arrived for the year was 414, of an aggregate burden of 106,310 tons. By these were conveyed to the colony 5,385 male adults, 2,150 female adults, and 1,551 children, making a total of 9,086 souls. The vessels departing from the colony for the year were 404, conveying away 1,854 male adults, 1,013 female adults, and 573 children, being a total of 3,440 souls. The number of emigrants arrived at the public expense during the year was 3,965, of whom 2,422 were males, and 1,543 females. The estimated value of imports for the year was £1,623,052. 5s. Of these the re-exports a mounted to £214,388., leaving a balance of imports consumed in the colony of £1,408,664. 5s. The exports, the produce of the colony, amounted to £1,744,184, which added to the imports re-exported made the total estimated value of exports £1,958,572. The revenue for the year amounted to £726,325. 19s. 2d, consisting of general revenue, £451,525. 19s. 2d.; and loans for public works, £274,800. The expenditure amounted to £664,366. 1s. 8d, being £480,234. 14s. for general purposes, and £184,131. 7s. Sd. for public works. The land sold by public auction and private contract during the year amounted to 177,718 acres, realising the sum of £215,076. 8s. The auction sales amounted to 120,392 acres which realised an average price of £1. 6s. per acre; and the private sales to 57,326 acres, averaging £1. Os. 4d. per acre. The quantity of land under cultivation was 235,966 acres, of which 175,865 acres were cultivated for wheat. The stock in the colony at the end of the year consisted of 2,075,805 sheep and lambs, 310,400 cattle, 26,220 horses, 1,647 goats, and 38,199 pigs. The average price of farm produce for the year was as follows: Wheat, 7s. per bushel; barley, 6s. 3d. per bushel; oats, 1s. per bushel; potatoes, £12. 5s. per ton; hay, £5. 7s. 6d. per ton; butter, 1s. 6d. per pound; and cheese, 8d. per pound. The Commissariat contracts for bread for the year were at rates varying from 14d. to 24d. per pound, and for meat from 24d. to 4d. per pound."

Questions and Answers.

INSPECTOR'S REPORT.-First. May a Teacher, holding a Certificate of Merit, engage in any other employment in his leisure time, for instance, during the vacations?-Second. When a school has been inspected, has not the Teacher a right to a copy of the Report, or at least to so much information respecting it as may enable him to correct any evils complained of, or to adopt any improvement suggested; and are not the managers of the school obliged to give him such information?

A TEACHER OF SEVEN YEARS STANDING. Answer.-"Obliged" is a strong word. They certainly ought to do so, directly they receive it themselves.

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