ifested indicates a prosperous career for the new organization. But little has been done for over a year past. The change now taking place is fully explained by the following circular: CHAUTAUQUA UNIVERSITY. After numerous unavoidable delays-delays arising from the change of secretaries, the continued illness of the general secretary of the Chautauqua Teachers' Reading Union, and other causes for which the officers of the Kansas Circle are not responsible--we are glad to be able, in accordance with the instructions of the friends of the Kansas State Teachers' Reading Circle at their last meeting at Topeka, to give in the accompanying circular full and definite suggestions embodying the information desired as to the organization of Teachers' Reading Circles auxiliary to the Chautauqua Teachers' Reading Union. * * * The advantages of belonging to a national organization like the C. T. R. U., which is a department of the Chautauqua University, need scarcely be enumerated. Among them are the recognition of the work done by the diploma given, signed by the officers of the University; the opportunity for reduced rates in the purchase of books in the course of reading; the privilege of the Socratic League, including the gratuitous receipt of the Socratic League leaflets; the suggestion of the post-graduate and collateral courses in addition to the prescribed work, with due recognition of the same; and, above all, the inspiration, sympathy, and assistance of a multitude of co-readers, as an incentive to the noblest effort. The State organization exists simply for the purpose of giving all possible co-operation and suggestion to facilitate the organization of local circles-thus arthering by the agencies at its command this noble movement for self-culture. All the advantages of the former State organization are preserved, while much is gained by the transfer of a large part of its machinery to the National Union. Shall we not have.rom the Kansas teachers a general response, and with the new year see our reading circles in active operation all over the State? * * J. H. HILL, Secretary, Emporia, Kansas. MARYLAND. A. R. TAYLOR, President. This circle is but a thing of yesterday. The present chairman of its board of directors was selected to read a paper on Reading Circles at the meeting of the teachers' asso lation in July, 1888, which led to the organization explained in the following circular, which Prof. Alex. Chaplain has kindly furnished: To the Examiner of County: Baltimore, August 23rd, 1888, DEAR SIR: At the last meeting of the State Teachers' Association the advisability of organizing a State Teachers' Reading Circle was fully discussed and decided upon, and a board of directors, consisting of the following persons, Prof. Alex. Chaplain, Easton; Prof. Jacob Goodman, and Mrs. M. A. Newell, Baltimore, was appointed for the inauguration and management of the same. The duties of the directors are to prescribe and to outline, if necessary, a course of reading, to arrange examinations, and to attend to all the literary and business interests of the circle. One of the great needs-perhaps the greatest need of our teachers-is more extensive culture. Many of them, while possessing fine disciplinary ability, perseverance, patience, and conscientiousness, are wanting in the general information so essential to the successful prosecution of their work. To supply this want, to some extent at least, is the prime object of the reading circle. Aside from the great good that would result to our schools and communities from the more liberal cultivation of our teachers, there is another important consideration--along with the increase of knowledge, the profession would increase in dignity and importance and would advance to a higher platform of social, intellectual, and political recognitionin short, would become the power in the land, which it deserves to be. Believing that the success of this effort depends very largely upon the co-operation of the examiners, the directors confidently appeal to you. Will you not use all the means in your power to awaken the interest of the teachers in your county? We would suggest that you send a circular letter to them setting forth your opinion of the importance of this work and urging them to connect themselves with it. The fee for membership is 25 cents per annum. The books prescribed by the directors will be furnished the teachers at reduced rates. The first meeting of the board of directors was held at the State Normal School Thursday, August 23, 1888, at which meeting the enclosed suggestions were adopted and a course of reading, embracing general culture, pedagogics, and mental philosophy, agreed upon for the first year. Full particulars regarding the price, etc., of the necessary books will be furnished in a later circular. We shall be pleased to hear from you in this connection and shall be grateful for any suggestions you may offer. Please oblige us by a reply by the 10th of September. All communications must be addressed to Mrs. M. A. Newell, State Normal School, Balti more. By order of the board. CHARLOTTE NEWELL, Secretary. The board of directors, each member of which is chosen for three years, selected at their first meeting the course of reading for the first year. In pedagogy this consists of Swett's Methods of Teaching; in mental philosophy, Allen's Mind Studies for Young Teachers; in general culture, Mackenzie's History of the Nineteenth Century. To "outline" one of these works was the duty of a member of the board. To Mr. Chaplain was entrusted Swett's Methods; to Mr. Goodman, Allen's Mind Studies, and to Mrs. Newell, Mackenzie's Nineteenth Century. From the "outlines" of the last work is selected the following illustration. The matter refers to the third part of the first chapter of Mackenzie's work: "Part III-1778.-Locate Ferney. Rousseau; his influence; the style and character of his principal work, Émile. "Necker; the public positions held by him; his compte rendu; his daughter, Madame de Staël. "The American Revolution in its probable relations to the French Revolution. "Lafayette; his influence in hastening the French Revolution; his connection with American affairs as a factor in determining his subsequent opinions and actions. "Benjamin Franklin; illustrate through him the effect of perseverance and energy; his influence at the French court. Give a brief sketch of the discoveries in electricity prior to Franklin. "Books of Reference.-Lives of the Most Eminent French Writers, by Mrs. Shelley; Green's Short History of the English People; Thier's French Revolution; Headley's Life of Lafayette; McMaster's Life of Benjamin Franklin, in the American Men of Letters Series." As few reports have been received as yet by the board of directors no positive statement can be made as to the membership, but it is estimated at 2,000. MICHIGAN. Information from this State is succinct though not encouraging. "The reading circle has ceased to be an organization in this State," says Superintendent David Howell, of Lansing. MINNESOTA. State Superintendent Kiehle writes: "A State teachers' reading circle was organized in Minnesota, but was soon abandoned on account of the difficulties attending a successful organization." MISSISSIPPI. Principal Haven, of the Winona Academy, reports under date of December 19, 1833, that the teachers of Mississippi have failed so far to effect a regular organization in the State. "The Teachers' Association," says Mr. Haven, "convenes on the 28th and 29th inst. and it may be that we will go into regular organization at that time. * * * I enclose you our circular to the teachers, which will give you about all that has been done as yet." From this circular it is learned that at the meeting of the State Teachers' Association held at Jackson, Miss., December 27-29, 1887, a resolution was adopted by unanimous vote favoring the immediate organization of a State Reading Circle. A committee was appointed to effect this organization. Purpose.-It is the purpose of this Reading Circle to arouse a spirit of reading among the teachers of the State, and thus to elevate the standard of scholarship and improve the teachers and the schools. It is also desired to bring about a community of feeling and interest; to secure a better understanding of the laws of the child's mental, moral, and physical being, and to bring the teacher nearer to a true profession. "All this can be easily secured if the county superintendents and leading teachers will determine to have it so; and it is hoped that the superintendents will not let their teachers rest until there is a working organization in every county of the State. It will be of incalculable benefit to the teachers in bringing before them the true greatness of the work in which they are engaged and in preparing them for better schools, more constant employment, and more remunerative returns for their work. "Teachers, like pupils, need stimulating. They do better work when they feel the necessity for it. May we not hope that the committee will be able to report fifty or sixty counties with organized circles at the next annual meeting of the State? It is possible; it is very desirable; it will be most profitable." Course. The work of the first year has been arranged to consist of the following stud The work of the first year is but the beginning. For each successive year additional work will be arranged. Thus the teacher will be supplied with an excellent working library of valuable books, gathered little by little and carefully studied in detail. Membership in the circle will enable teachers to secure these books at a very considerable reduction from the rates at which they are generally sold. The outlines of the work will be published for each month in advance in the Mississippi Teacher. They will be of great value to every member of the circle. The Mississippi Teacher is, by action of the State Teachers' Association, the State official organ, and as such should be in the hands of every teacher in the State. Administration.-The management of the affairs of the circle seems to be as yet vested in the committee of nine, which was appointed to effect an organization. The reading circle year is to begin with the first day of March, 1888, and consist of the nine months next following that date. Inquiries relative to the circle and its work may be addressed to any member of the committee. A stamp should be inclosed for reply. MISSOURI. "There is nothing being done in the way of teachers' reading circles, either State or local," says the State superintendent. NEBRASKA. "To the best of my knowledge this matter has been generally neglected in Nebraska for the last two years," says State Superintendent Lane. "The public school teachers are giving the time formerly devoted to the reading circle to professional study, while the Chautauqua circle seems to attract others." NEW JERSEY. The Bureau was promised an article on this subject from a competent hand, but unfortunately the promise could not be kept. NEW YORK. 1069 The report which Mr. Jerome Allen, of New York City, has furnished, at the request of the State superintendent, is as follows: "The reading circle of this State is not at present in a very active condition. It would be impossible for me to state all the causes for this circumstance, but I will say in brief it is mainly from want of interest in professional reading on the part of the rank and file of the teachers. The graduates of colleges and normal schools do not feel an interest in this reading, as they have already laid out a course of study and are pursuing that independent of any reading circle. The younger teachers who remain in the work but a short time and receive at best only second-grade certificates have no interest to improve themselves. They are living up to the demands of the community they are in, and, not intending to make teaching a life-work, they do not exert themselves to improve. "In my opinion reading circles should receive definite encouragement from the State superintendent of public instruction. A law should be passed authorizing him to give certain certificates to those who complete specified reading work laid down by the department. This might or might not be a prerequisite to the obtaining of a State certificate. If in some way it could be connected with State recognition it would be of But an organization without State recognition, or any public encouragement, great use. stands very little chance of meeting with success in this State. The effort has been made earnestly and thoroughly, and although the outlook of the New York State Reading Circle seemed at first to be promising, yet the result has shown that it did not meet with that encouragement from the teachers and officers that was necessary in order to make it a complete success. NORTH CAROLINA. "We have but one circle," says the State superintendent, "and it is connected with the assembly [Teachers' Association of the State]." Subsequent enquiries have failed to elicit further information. OHIO. It may be inferred that the Ohio circle is strictly a teachers' organization from the following extract from its last circular: "While our organization is known as a Teachers' Reading Circle, its work is of special value to all who are intending to become teachers. "A large number of pupils who have recently completed the course of study in the high schools of our State expect to engage in the work of teaching. To all such the reading circle offers an excellent opportunity for further improvement and for some degree of special preparation for their important work." Course. The success of the reading circle during the past year has been such as to warrant the board of control in arranging work for a sixth year. Nearly two hundred diplomas have already been given to those who have completed the work of four years. The receipts of the treasurer for the past year indicate a paid membership of more than one thousand, and the reports from the various counties show that fifteen hundred teachers have taken the course as a whole or in part. In order that the work of the coming year may be made more interesting and valuable to members the board of control has arranged with different persons to furnish a series of helpful articles upon the subjects presented in the different departments of the course. These articles will appear from month to month in the columns of the Educational Monthly, beginning with the September number. The work should be commenced in the early part of the school year in order that it may be completed in June. Those who complete the Readers may begin with any year they choose Certificates are given to all members who complete in a satisfactory manner the work of any year. work of any four years are entitled to a diploma without additional payment. The diplomas are presented at the annual meeting of the Ohio State Teachers' Association. All members who are entitled to diplomas and who wish to receive them should send their names to the corresponding secretary of the board of control on or before June 1, in order that they may be properly prepared in advance of the meeting. COURSE OF READING SELECTED FOR THE SIXTH YEAR (1888-89). I. PEDAGOGY.-Compayre's Lectures on Teaching, or Calderwood on Teaching. II. LITERATURE.-Shakespeare's Henry IV, Irving's Knickerbocker's History of New III. HISTORY.-A selection from the "Old South Leaflets," as follows: No. 1. Constitution of the COURSE OF READING PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED. FIRST YEAR-1883-84. I. IN PEDAGOGY, one of the following: Hailman's History of Pedagogy, Krusi's Pestalozzi, Quick's Educational Reformers. II. In ENGLISH POETRY, one of the following: Longfellow, Whittier, Lowell-life and poetical works. III. IN AMERICAN HISTORY, the discovery and early settlement of North America, to 1776. SECOND YEAR-1884-85. I. PEDAGOGY.-Currie's Common School Education, or Calderwood on Teaching. II. LITERATURE.-Shakespeare's Julius Cæsar, and Irving's Sketch Book. III. U. S. HISTORY.-The Revolution and the Constitutional Period to the close of the War of 1812. IV. NATURAL SCIENCE.-Brown's Physiology, or Science Primer of Physiology and Hygiene. THIRD YEAR-1885-86. I. PEDAGOGY.-Payne's Lectures on the Science and Art of Education. II. LITERATURE.-Shakespeare's Richard III, and the Merchant of Venice, Scott's Ivanhoe, and III. HISTORY.-United States History from the close of the War of 1812 to the present time. FOURTH YEAR-1886-87. I. PEDAGOGY.-Sully's Teacher's Hand-Book of Psychology. II. LITERATURE.-Shakespeare's Hamlet, and As You Like It, Selections from Wordsworth. FIFTH YEAR-1887-88. I. PEDAGOGY.-White's Elements of Pedagogy. II. LITERATURE.-Shakespeare's Henry VIII, and Hawthorne's Twice Told Tales. III. HISTORY.-Any brief history of the United States to be supplemented by the History of Ohio. (Barnes' General History of the World, for such as have begun but not completed it, may be taken as a substitute for the history of the United States.) IV. Gregory's Political Economy or Chapin's First Principles of Political Economy. Administration.—There is no constitution, nor are there by-laws for the tate circle, the local circle adopting its own form of government. The governing body is a board of control composed of nine members, one of whom, the State commissioner of public schools, has membership by reason of his office. Every member of the reading circle is expected to pay each year a membership fee of 25 cents. This should be paid at the beginning of the year, when the circle is organized, to the treasurer of the local circle, and should be transmitted by him to the correspond ing secretary for the county, who will remit the same to the treasurer of the board of control. Individual membership receipt blanks will be furnished to each county. In the circular for 1888-89, the board of control say: "The amount received for membership fees is absolutely needed to meet the expenses of the reading-circle. As parchment diplomas are now given, the expense is much greater than heretofore. We have had in the past many readers who were not members. It is hoped that in the future all readers will pay the small fee that is required, and thus hecome members of the State circle, and help to defray the necessary expenses of the organization. "In counties where there are no local circles individuals can read the course, and by remitting their membership dues directly to the treasurer of the board of control they will be recorded as members of the Ohio Teachers' Reading Circle. "The board of control requests the teachers of each county to elect at their next institute a corresponding member, and to report the name at once to the corresponding seeretary of the board. It will be the duty of the member thus elected to superintend 'he organization of local circles, to distribute such circulars and documents as may be issued by the board from time to time, and to procure and fill out certificates for those who desire them. He should also make an annual statement to the corresponding secretary of the board of control of the number of local circles and members, and of the work done in |