schools to a country like ours; on the defects which abound in them, and their sources; and on the means of improving and elevating them. Nor is it the least commendation of the work, that it breathes, throughout, a truly Christian spirit. The style is simple, intelligible and forcible; and we have only to regret a few grammatical inaccuracies-evincing some want of care-but which we trust will be removed in a future edition. It is no disparagement to the popular authors of 'Lectures on School Keeping,' and 'The Teacher,' to say that this work is calculated to be equally useful, in its appropriate sphere. THE NORTH AMERICAN ARITHMETIC, PART THIRD, for advanced scholars. By FREDERICK EMERSON, late Principal in the Department of Arithmetic, Boylston School, Boston. Boston, Russell, Odiorne & Metcalf, 1834. 12mo. pp. 289. In the belief that a treatise on arithmetic might be so constructed that the learner should find no means of proceeding in the exercises, without mastering the subject in his own mind, as he advances, and at the same time, should be able to proceed through the entire course, without requiring any instruction from his tutor, Mr. Emerson has employed some of the best years of his life in preparing the North American Arithmetic. With the First and Second Parts of the work, the public are already acquainted. The volume before us is the Third Part, and completes the series. The strongest foes to the multiplication of school books, must be constrained to say-if they examine this volume-that Mr. E. has rendered a great public service, in the entire accomplishment of what he regarded as a desideratum. For it is not too much to say, that the work is in no respect inferior to its predecessors, while it embraces some important improvements. The large size of the type, is not the least valuable of its recommendations, with 'those who have eyes.' No arithmetic with which we are acquainted, compares with it in this respect, (to say nothing of the large figures used to denote fractions,) the value of which can best be understood by the pupil who has wasted hours, and days, and weeks, in consequence of bad typography. We recommend it to all who are not too much accustomed or wedded to the old system, to adopt one which is more simple and rational. PROGRESSIVE EXERCISES IN ENGLISH GRAMMAR, PART. I. Containing the Principles of Analysis, or English Parsing. By R. G. PARKER, A. M., Principal of the Franklin Grammar School, Author of Progressive Exercises in English Composition,' and CHARLES Fox, A. M., Principal of the Boylston Grammar School. Boston, Crocker & Brewster, 1834. 12mo. PP. 96. · We are thoroughly tired of 'improved' grammars, under whatever name; but a grammar, for pupils, in type which can be seen with the 'naked eye,' and without a formidable array of long definitions, and unintelligible rules, is a real luxury. We like the work before us better than many others, especially in its arrangement, which is certainly natural, and its manner of instruction, which approaches so nearly to familiar intercourse between a good teacher and his pupils, and the simple, but frequent examples and illustrations of the former. We hope the authors will be encouraged to complete their series. WOODBRIDGE'S SCHOOL GEOGRAPHY. Recently published, the Seventeenth, Edition of the Rudiments of Geography for Schools, constructed upon the principles of Comparison and Classification, to aid the memory and discipline the mind-with enlarged descriptions of each State and Nation-a full series of Questions-with an improved School Atlas, in which the Maps of the four Quarters of the Globe are drawn on the same Scale, exhibiting each country in its relative size and situation. By Rev. WILLIAM C. WOODBRIDGE, A. M., Editor of the American Aunals of Education.' Author of a System of Universal Geography for Colleges. 6 RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE IMPROVED EDITION. From Rev. Samuel R. Hall, Principal of the Seminary for Teachers, Andover, Mass. Author of Lectures on School Keeping, &c. I introduced the first edition of Mr. Woodbridge's Rudiments of Geography into the Seminary of which I formerly had charge, and have continued to use the successive editions as they have been published. My uniform conviction has been, that it is a work of merit, far superior to any other on the same subject, with which I have been acquainted. This opinion has been strengthened by comparing its effects with those resulting from other text books occasionally employed. My opinion of the merits of the work is well expressed by an English reviewer, in the London Journal of Education. The new edition has been very much improved. The maps are drawn on an improved plan, and are remarkably correct. Au introduction, very valuable to young scholars, has been prefixed. SAMUEL R. HALL. Andover, April, 1833. (Signed) Extract from the London Journal of Education,' referred to in Mr. Hall's certificate. Mr. Woodbridge has well considered the question, How shall I best teach a child Geography? He has seen the confusion that reigns throughout the previously existing books of this nature, and has the merit of being the first to introduce the principles of comparison, classification, and generalization, hitherto quite forgotten, into this department of elementary knowlege. We have much satisfaction in being able to say, there is no fault in it, which radically affects its character. The division of the matter is well conceived. It has evidently been formed on experience, with a view to general practice. From the Rev. Thomas H. Gallaudet, late Principal of the American Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb. Having originally expressed my approbation of the general principles of Mr. Woodbridge's system of Geography, and lived to see these principles tested by a long course of experience, I most cheerfully again give my testimony in their behalf. The Rudiments of Geography well deserve the encomiums which some of the most experienced teachers have given it, and the late improved edition shows that the author has expended no small amount of time and labor in adding to it new excellencies. Easier and more mechanical modes of conveying knowledge may suit the indolent teacher and pupil, but there is such a progress now making in the intelligence of those who enter upon the office of instruction, that the principles adopted in Mr. Woodbridge's works must prevail. (Signed) THOMAS H. GALLAUDET. Hartford, May, 1833. From the Andover Convention of Teachers, and Dr. William A. Alcott, Boston, Author of A Word to Teachers, or two days in a Primary School,' &c. At the Convention of Teachers, recently held at Andover, Mass. repeated discussions were held on the comparative merits of School Books; and among others, of Geographies. Mr. Woodbridge's Rudiments of Geography' was decidedly preferred to all others. In this opinion of the members of the Convention, an experience of many years as a teacher and visiter of schools leads me to concur. There is, in my opinion, no School Geography extant, which, for the portion of the community for whom it is intended, is so eminently worthy of the public patronage; not excepting those who have even adopted the same plan, and profess to have made their im provements. WILLIAM A. ALCOTT, Boston, May 6, 1833. (Signed) Opinions highly in favor of the original plan and execution of Mr. Woodbridge's Geographical works have heretofore been received from the following very respectable sources: American Journal of Science, conducted by Professor SILLIMAN, Yale College. North American Review, published at Boston. National Gazette, edited by R. WALSH, Esq., Philadelphia. Journal of Education, published at Boston Review Encyclopedique, published at Paris. ASHBEL GREEN, D. D., late President of Princeton College Professor RALPH EMERSON, Andover Theological Seminary. Late Governor DE WITT CLINTON, New York. SIMEON DE WITT, Esq., Albany. Z. SWIFT MOORE, D. D., late President of Amherst College. N. S. WHEATON, D. D., President of Washington College. PHILIP LINSLEY, D. D, President of Nashville College. Professor D. HASCALL, Literary and Theological Seminary, Hamilton. Professors GooDRICH and KINGSLEY, Yale College. Professor EBENEZER KELLOGG, Williams College Dr. SAMUEL B. WYLIE, Philadel phia. Rev J L. BLAKE, Teacher, Boston JOHN P. BRACE, Principal of Hartford Female Seminary. Baron HUMBOLDT, of France, and FELLENBERG, of the Hotwyl Institution, have also given their opinious highly in favor of the system. The Prudential Committee of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions have made arrangements with the publishers for the publication of editions of the work in the modern Greek language, for circulation in Greece, and in the Tamul language, for circulation in Ceylon and other parts of Asia. For sale by the principal Booksellers in the United States. At trade prices, in quantities, by RUSSELL, ODIORNE & CO. and CROCKER & BREWSTER, Boston-N. & J. WHITE, New York-OLIVER STEELE, Albany-HOGAN & THOMPSON, Philadelphia-J. J. Me CARTER, Charleston-R. PATTERSON, Pittsburg. |