It was a fortunate day for the study of history, as well as for the cause of education in general, when it began to dawn upon men that not quite the whole realm of historical truth can be bound up in a four or five hundred page book. This idea originating in the higher institutions. of learning-particularly the German universities gave rise to the seminary plan of study, and in recent times has been gradually sifting down in its essence to the secondary schools, so that now it is to be presumed that there is not anywhere a teacher of history who does not appreciate in some degree the inadequacy of that method which relies exclusively upon the use of a single text. In forming an estimate of the history work which is now actually being done in the high schools of our state, therefore, it becomes a matter of vital importance to know the extent to which students are encouraged and required to make use of libraries and broaden their information by collateral reading.

While it is doubtless true that in high school work-unless conducted by a very exceptional teacher under very exceptional circumstances the text-book method is best, yet one of the greatest educational blessings which the high school can bestow upon a pupil is a keen realization of the fact that no one man has ever been able to analyze and set forth the facts of human history, or even any considerable portion of them, in such a way as to render the careful reading of other writers unnecessary. Aside from considerations of general culture and enlightened citizenship, it is believed that the value of history work in the high school is by no means to be measured by the greater or smaller amount of actual historical facts acquired by the pupil, but is in reality to be measured by the inclination and ability developed in the pupil to use books intelligently, judiciously, and effectively. It

is of greater moment in the teaching of history in the high school to give the student an inspiration which will lead him to read widely and judge intelligently throughout all his after life than merely to pour a meager quantity of dead facts into his reluctant memory and in doing so forever disgust his finer nature.

With this idea in mind and with the desire to to see in how far our history teachers believe in such a principle and act upon it in their teaching, inquiry was made as to whether or not their students are required to use library facilities in the preparation of their work from time to time and to what extent this sort of work is actually done. Of course replies to this question were subject to considerable vagueness. After eliminating such meaningless answers as "It depends," or, "As far as possible," the results appear about as follows: In 44 of the 53 schools which maintain a course in United States history collateral use of library facilities is required; in English history the proportion using library work by way of supplement to the text is 25 out of 53; in Grecian and Roman history, strangely enough, the proportion is higher, being 18 out of 20; while in general history it falls very low— only 20 out of 71. These figures in themselves indicate a great deal, but they may be made more significant by a further classification of our data. Obviously the extent to which collateral reading is required varies extremely. I know of no better way of collating the very heterogeneous answers upon this point than by arranging them under three words-(1) "much," (2) "some," (3) "little" recognizing, of • course, that no very sharp lines can be drawn between such general terms. this basis, however, it is found that in United States history 27 schools report "much" use of the library, 6 "some" use, and 11 "little" use. In English history 14 report "much" use, 7 "some" use,

On

and 4 "little" use. In Grecian and Roman history 8 report "much" use, 4 "some" use, and 6 "little" use. In general history only 10 report any systematic attempt to secure collateral work on the part of pupils. Some reasons for the very manifest neglect of library work in general history will be indicated in connection with another subject to be treated in a following paper.

Although I hesitate to draw rigid conclusions on this point, it is certainly to be inferred from the tenor of the reports that while, with the exception of general history, these figures might seem to indicate that in approximately half the schools there is a somewhat extensive use of library facilities, yet the school in which a good collection of standard historical works is accessible and in which the teacher is actually able to lead all the pupils to an habitual and effective use of these books is an exception as rare as it is commendable. And yet it is not to be imagined that the fault lies wholly, or even for the greatest part, with the teacher. Over and over again in answer to my question came the familiar plea that while the value of library work is appreciated by the teacher and while effort is made to use the facilities at hand, yet satisfactory work of this sort is rendered virtually impossible by the sad lack of books. As one teacher pathetically declared, it is difficult to accomplish much that is worth while in the use of collateral readings when the only books accessible are a copy of Swinton's General History and a half dozen of Abbott's Biographies. It would seem that in too many instances where there is the semblance of a library for history work the books in it are old, wornout desk copies, as uninviting in external appearance as they are antiquated in their contents. While there is revealed a lamentable indifference on the part of a very few teachers, we are led to believe that the great majority are attempting to utilize such resources as are at their command. But there is something radically wrong when high school students in towns of eight and ten thousand people (and, if the truth were told, in some much larger) have practically no facilities for broad

reading and for laying the foundation of the only true and effective study of human history. One wonders whether the high schools in many of these same towns have not well-equipped laboratories for use in the study of physics and chemistry; if so, it is indeed well, but we must learn that it is as great folly to expect the teacher of history to accomplish that of which his subject is capable when deprived of library facilities as to expect the same of the teacher of physics when totally deprived of laboratory equipment. There must be increased effort to remedy those defects of history teaching which are due to enforced slavery to a single textbook (1) by engendering a progressive spirit among all who are in any way responsible for high school education so that liberality and sound judgment shall alike prevail in the provision of materials for the most effective study of history, and (2) by inspiring teachers of history with zeal which shall become contagious among pupils and lead to a greater measure of well-balanced and sustained interest in history work.

Closely connected with the question of collateral reading is the yet more vexed problem of original sources. From an inquiry as to whether or not the use of original materials is attempted in high school work it was ascertained that such effort is made by twenty-six teachers of United States history as against nineteen who give no attention to it. In English history this ratio is eighteen to thirty-one; in Greek and Roman history it is seven to nine; in general history only a very insignificant number make any claim to the use of original sources. From statements made in a number of reports it is fair to conclude that considerable effort is being made along this line in all history courses except general history, and that it is being increased from year to year. Of course there are many obstacles in the way of an effective use of original materials by high school students, among which may be indicated (1) lack on the part of teachers of an appreciation of the importance of such work, (2) difficulty of procuring the necessary books and documents, and (3) scarcity of time. It is worthy of note that

the second of these hindrances at least is being rapidly overcome by the publication of such works as Professor Hart's "Source Book of American History," and Dr. Lee's "Source Book of English History." It is to be hoped that the other difficulties may likewise be removed.

It has been suggested frequently that high school students are too young and inexperienced to be expected to use original sources profitably. The force of this proposition depends wholly upon the nature of the sources used and the methods followed in using them. Of all things liable to abuse in history teaching, the use of original materials in secondary schools certainly stands in the front rank. And yet it is well maintained by many of our best teachers that history can not be

taught most effectively in the high school. without a judicious use of original sources. Space forbids a consideration of the merits of the question. Suffice it to say that, while there is manifest need that the courses in history as presented in our high schools be enriched by leading the pupil to feel the pulse of history at first hand, still the wise teacher will be very careful to guard against indiscriminate and ineffective effort of this sort-ineffective, as a rule, because attempting to accomplish

too much.

In a following paper we shall consider the matter of text-books and arrangement of courses of study in history as revealed by the data recently collected among the schools of the state. Indianapolis.

One of the ear-marks of the good teacher is the ability to attend to the various details of the work. The many little duties incident to the management and instruction of a school, when considered in the aggregate, have great significance. Many of these little things are mechanical but none the less essential. To neglect these signifies general failure; to attend to them implies the very essence of good management and instruction.

The attention to details is largely the work of the objective mind. It means the full play of the senses as well as the faculties. To be able to instruct is good in its place, but it is comparatively useless without its counterpart, good management. Each supplements the other. Everything is right and proper in its place, but hurtful out of its place. The subjective obliviousness to surroundings so desirable to the scholar may in-, dicate a high degree of mentality, but it would be a poor quality and a demoralizing factor to a common, grade or district teacher in a room with forty or fifty average American children. Many of these

seemingly little things are in reality great, and when viewed in relation to other things, they are "exceeding wise." Many of them add a culture and discipline of their own, and perhaps play as important a part in the formation of character as the more apparent work of the school.

We suggest a few of the more important details that should receive the consideration of thoughtful teachers.

PROMPTNESS.

It should be an infallible law of the school that it open and close at the exact time specified. This should also be true of the recitations and the intermissions. Pupils are accustomed to give six hours to the school work, but any excess of time is usually given grudgingly and results in waste of energy. The pupil feels that his rights have been taken from him, and he rebels against any such practice, but aside from this, a business principle has been violated. Time is money. What belongs to this can not be given to that in the economy of exchange. Even adults

become restless and annoyed when a little more of their time is taken than they have promised.

The business world knows no excuse for the failure to keep appointments. Banks close at the precise moment. Factory whistles always blow on time. Promptness is the cardinal virtue of the business world and the public schools should set the example and insist on the rigid adherence to the law. Certainly no individual has any moral or legal right to use extra time belonging to another. If extra time is given it should be the voluntary act of the giver. Much care should be exercised in the arrangement of programs, each branch receiving its due proportion of time and it should be understood that the program is made to follow, not for an ornament.

The teacher who has a time for everything and who does everything in its season is begetting habits among his pupils that will tell for the best in whatever vocation they may be engaged in the future.

YARD SUPERVISION.

Reasonable freedom should be given to the games and plays of children. As long as they are not injurious, and innocent in their nature, they should be approved, but it must be remembered that children are not altogether capable of self-direction even in play. They are liable to engage in objectionable exercises. The average boy is quite changeable in his pastimes. Games soon grow old and he seeks new amusements. One day he may take to ball and the next day to marbles, the next to climbing flag poles. Proper suggestion as to games seems not only necessary but very beneficial.

Yard supervision must be liberal at all times and not partake of the nature of faultfinding. It seeks to prevent rather than to cure evils. It will encourage all that is best on the playground as to character of amusements and it will interfere only when injuries and improper conduct are likely to occur.

HEATING AND VENTILATING.

Not only the health of teacher and pupils depends upon good physical conditions, but to a great extent the success of the school. The average temperature of the schoolroom, the constant supply of fresh air, regulate brain work. Impure

air dulls the faculties. Headaches, sluggishness, indigestion result. If the ventilation is inadequate, which it is in many schoolrooms, the windows should be thrown open and the rooms thoroughly cleansed with fresh air at the intermissions. It is not consistent to teach the laws of health and practice the laws of disease. Every year the schoolrooms breed a crop of pale and sickly teachers. and pupils. The vitiated air and the overheated rooms certainly lie at the foundation of many physical disorders. To shut children up in hot, ill-ventilated rooms is as wrong morally as to feed them upon putrid flesh. The life-giving oxygen is not limited in quantity and should be used as generously as nature has supplied it.

LINES AND PASSING, POSITION IN CLASS, ETC.

Quiet, orderly movements and proper position are a part of good decorum. There is culture and disciplinary value even in knowing how to walk. Bodily habits influence mental habits. Common politeness, correct movement, have a tendency to induce clear and concise thinking. If pupils could move to the sound of music, the value of the exercise would be increased. The pell-mell method of leaving the schoolroom, so common in many of our schools, is not only a bad break of manners but it reacts unfavor

ably upon the general discipline of the school. If the pupil leaves the school with polite habits, good bodily movements and carriage, his more intellectual acquirements will carry greater weight and value.

SLATE AND BOARD WORK

Should be scrupulously neat and accurate. This should be true of all kinds of written work. Slovenly work, whether