OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS COLUMN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14684, 18 November 1909, Page 5

OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS COLUMN

FOR SENIORS AND JUNIORS.

(Cbnducfcd by Magistkr, to whom all communications must be addressed.)

[Maoistf.r will bo glad to reccivo Nature notes, marked papers containing educational articles, diagrams, details of experiments, etc., of scholastic interest to teachers and pupils. Correspondents must use only one bide of tho paper, and whether using a pen Mima or not, must send both name and ADDaESS.J

A CLASSIC: JULIUS CESAR'S GALLIC WAR.

I wonder how many of my classical readers have seen this edition in the Giltfersleovc-Lodgo Latin series? It is edited by Messrs Towlc and Jenk, of the Roys' High School, Brooklyn, and is publiohed by D. C. Heath and Co., who have a London houso as w'ell as ono in Boston. It is a delightful edition, and, in addition to being used as a. text-book, would make a good present for a boy or girl who takes Latin seriously, and at the same time wants to get a comprehensive understanding of Cffisar aand his timet;. Though ccccntially for a student, it is also a most interesting book for tho averagcly educated man or woman who has a leaning towards history. To'clucidato tho text it contains IB full-paged maps, routo majM, and battle plans, in colours, and between 30 and 40 other illustrations, some full-paged also. Tho volumo is educative in the broadest tenso in that, it docs not isolate Casar and his. Gallic Wars from thoir surroundings. An atmosphere is created by an introduction of 48 pages, in wliioh the building up of tho Roman Empire is described in a few bold, graphic louchos; in which the constitution of army and navy is clearly outlined, and in which Casar's life is worked out in detail about a few outstanding events of his time. In ono portion tho characteristics of Caaar are focussed under tho.. headings "Ctesar as a Man," "C'icsar as a Soldier," Caisar as a Statesman," and " Ciesar as an Author." The text itself is free from all but minor marginal or foot-notes, except in Books VI and VII, where it is assumed that a note hero and there is sufficient, for the student who by this time lias acquired facility in reading at sight- Following tho text come 134, pages of copious notes and summari6lngH-, an appendix of nearly 100 pages, which is really a self-contained grammar

for the text, and containing illustrating examples from it; and 120 pages of vocabulary, in which, of course, the meanings have a special bearing upon tho text. What more is required to mako an ideal book? I imagine that there is many an " Old Boy" who will with pleasure peruse this piost enjoyable edition. A BOOK DAY.

Most of my space to-day is taken up with'a few notes on books, I had promised to mako out a library list for a country school During tho last threo or four weeks, however, I suppose I have been asked a score of times for advice upon sonjo Iwok purchase—a boy giving his mother a book, a gentleman giving a prize, a father giving a book to a boy who has joined tho Soouts, and so on. The books 1 have mentioned below ore mainly for boys and girls, but all tho series I havo mentioned—and they aro only a fewcontain books for "grown-ups" too, so that all ages and tastes can now be made happy with inexpensive yet neat, compact volumes.

Sinco writing the above X have read tho following on school libraries, in ono of tho latest '6SUC3 of tho Educational News, and think it is worth reading by all who take an interest in children That these young poople have often tastes and aspirations above their humbto surroundings, and that lihoy naturally wish to beguile their leisure hours in somo way tlmt will Lo pleasant and instructive, is very noticeable, How can their aspirations bo more pleasantly gratified than by tho judicious Use of tho school library? Give the young folks I lie pleaauro of taking home from tho school library and reading books of trawl. biography, fiction, and poetry, and you cannot fail to mako them happier and better. Tho reading of those books gradually loads to improved habits and tastes which will abide while life lasts. The teacher who has charge of a. schiol library has hero a splendid opportunity for making tho bond of sympathy between his pupils and himself stronger. Although young people should be encouragod to take out and read those books which they find most suited to their inclinations, yet a certain amount of wise guidanco is necessary, and Who should be more capable of bestowing it than tho teacher who has the welfare of the children at heart? The preferences of children for eortain kinds of books are most marked. Some care most for tho positive knowledge afforded by science, soiiio prefer tho stir and novelty met with in books of adventure and travel, whilst others enjoy reading tales of endurance and perseverance, the 'plain Jiving and high thinking' as revealed in many of our biographies. Wise and practical Samuel Johnson the biccr.tenary of whoso Dirth wo have just celebrated, said: ' I would not adviso a too rigid adherenco to a particular line of study.' Ilis words of wisdom may bo appliod not only to ' a particular line of study,' but to literature generally. Wo all read for either entertainment or instruction, and it is well to train tho young to minglo both, not allowing entertr..innient to absorb too many of their Iciiiuro hours. As tho body is bettor for clmngo of sceno and air, so is the mind hotter for a chango of mental atmosphe.re. Let us then endeavour by means of the school library, to foster in our young people that lovo of tho beat and highest in literature which will awaken their sympathies, quicken their moral sensibilities, and onlargo their vision, thereby checking the dwarfing inlluonco of necessarily narrow circumstances and stunted lives."

A FEW BOOKS SUGGESTED FOR A COUNTRY SCHOOL LIBRARY.

A fortnight ago I promised a country school to mako out a list of library books to cost about £3, and I suggested at the same timo that tho order might bo made out ' liow for transmission Homo, seeing ihat many are not proourablo locally; uid I further suggested that, if possible, ttaro might Iw a little less prodigality shown in connection with school prizes that tlio amount available for a school library might thus bo increased.

To commonco with, I should strongly recommend "Tho Royal Treasury of Story and Song Series," published by Nelson and Sons, for I know no series to equal it in its pwn line. Tho books arc graduated in difficulty, well and tastefully bound, the papor and printing aro of tlie best, and the pictures aro unexcelled—a largo percentage full-paged, and many of them aro reproductions, often in colour, of pictures by the best artists Tho numbers are:—lntroduction: "Golden Steps," 9d; (1) "Doors of (.■old,' 10d; (2) "Fairy Favours," Is; (3) •J he Hall of Heroos," Is 3d; (4) "Golden 9 ?■' ® "Tho Enchanted Garden, Is 6d; (6) "Tales That Arc Told," Is 6d; and to these should bo added "The J K ff ,', e -i\! llrd ? I J:" ls 6d ' and " T ho Garden of Childhood, ls 6d. This lot, comes to lis 4d.

L'rom Nelsons shilling oopyrights—sold hero as Is 2d—l choose "Tho Great Boer War,'"Life of John Nicholson," "Tho Forest (written by Stewart, Edward White nuthoi of "Tho Blazed Trail"), "From tho Capo to Cairo," "Lifo of Frank Buckland," "With Kitchener to Khartoum," and "The Golden Age." Total, 8s 9d.

From the sovenpenny library-sold here at 9d—l tako " Old Bob," " A Lame Dog's Diary,". "Eight-Days" (a novel dealing with tho Indian Mutiny), and "White Fang "—33. The sixpenny series—there aro already 50 issuod—gives mo "Old St-. Paul's" (Ainsworth), "Gulliver's Travels," "Westward Ho," "The Pathfinder," "Ivanhoe," " Konilworth," "Uncle Tom's Cabin," "Olivor Twist," "Tom Brown's School DayiC' "The Last, of the Moliicans," " Last Days of Pompeii " —ss 6d. Collins's llhistratod Pockct Classics, retailed at Is 3d, I think a great deal of. None aro copyright, however, as in Nelsons', hut of non-copyright and illustrated works at Is 3d I think this the best series. 1 solcct "Pickwick Papers," "Christmas Hooks," "Ilandy Andy," "Lamb's Tales from Shakespeare," "Windsor Castle"—7s M. Many of tho works of Dickens and Scott are in this series, and all illustrated. Blockie's School and Homo Library is a good scries also, and contains more books for girls than most other eerics at tho same pricc. From it I cull " Good Wives," Little Women," '"Tho Lamplighter," the three forming tho "Katy" group, "Cap- ! a t" , P o^'8 Life and Voyages," "Coral Island,' " Martin Rattlor," " Ungava," 'Riflo. Rangers" (Reid), "Swiss Family Robinson '—13s. Thousands of these have been sold in Australia and Tasmania for libraries. Many these arc now being i.rsued as a now series in a more attractive form and at tho sanio price. Everyman's Library, eold at 1$ 3d, contains many fine books, mostly for grown-ups, but "Tho Reign of King Cole," "Tho Rciga of King Oboron" (both illustrated), "lUb and his Friends," "Granny's Wonderful Chair," " Twenty Thouagd Leagues Under tho

Sea," "C'reasy's Decisive Battled of the World " (my copy cost me 7s 6d ninny years ago), " Anderson's Fairy Tales," "Grimm's Fairy Talcs" (both illustrated), and "The Life of Kir James Outram" (Trotter's) might well lie found in any library. Cost, lis 3d.

A very fine set standing in a. class by itself is the "Told Through the Ages" scries (Uiirrap and Co.). One cannot speak too highly of it—good, clear type on a slightly rough unglnzed paper, and exquisitely illustrated. From the 20 I take

"Legends of Greece and Rome." " Favourite Greek Myths," " Stories of Robin Ilood and his Merry Outlaws," ".Stories from Dickens." "Stories from Chaucer," "Stories from the Iliad," "Stories from tho Odyssey," "Stories of King Arthur and his Knighls." Total. 12s. This scries was published at from 2s 6d upwards, but a special edition, strongly bound ill cloth—not so ornate, yet ucal in appearance,—is now obtainable at Is 6d.

But perhaps I am not treating girls very liberally, though my experience is that girls enjoy a. boy's book. Take these from the Lily series at Is 6d each: "A Young Girl's Wooing," " A Day of Fate," " An Original Belle," "His Sombre Rivals," "Opening of a Chestnut Burr," " Driven Back to Eden " (all by E. P. Roe). " Knight, of the Nineteenth Century," "Melbourne House," "Daisy," "Daisy in the Field" (these threo follow in ordei named—at least. I think so), " The Old Helmet," " Wide. Wide World," 18s. Some of these, however, can lio got at Is each in other editions. Ward Lock's Youth's Library at Is 6d also contains a good selection. The " Ellis" series of Indian tales, 10 of all good, can be entered u|>—los. Two other sots of really delightful books stanu'ing out by themselves are " The Children's Heroes," and "Told to the Children" series (T. C. and E. C. Black). These are published at Bd, and each bcok has eight good coloured illustrations. As these aro very simply told ami well illustrated, I'll name some already given in other lists: "Undo Tom's Cabin," "Stories of William Tell," " Stories from the Crusades,"

"The Story of Stanley," "The Story of Nelson," "The Story of Columbus," Stories of Uobiu Ilood," "Stories of King Arthur's Knights," " Stories from Shakespeare," "Stories from Roman History," "Tho Story of Captain Cook"—7s Id. A slight—very slight—drawback is that the covers are in limp cloth. They can be obtained, however, in thicker covers at Is, but the dearer edition is not necessary. I simply mention the difference because all others I have mentioned have tho usual cloth cover.

Tho " All Time Talcs " series (George G. llarrap and Company), is a set I can recommend, and on no account omit " A Book of Nature Myths," "Old Celtic Tales." "Tho Adventures of the Caliph llaroun-el-Ra,schid," and " Northland Heroes." Tho first is particularly amusing and interesting, and I had to' read it through at. a. sitting—and it is a book easy enough for Standard I.

Well, I haves far exceeded the £3 limit, but remember that £3 cash will buy books I havo mentioned' up to the value of £3 12s, and that a third of this will be paid by tho Education Board. The sections I have mentioned can be reduccd pro rata. Perhaps many will think 1 have given undue prominence to fairy talcs. It so, road what Dickens says: " A nation without, fancy, without some romanoe, never did, never will, hold a good place under tlio sun. . . . What enchanted us in our childhood, and is captivating a million of young fancies now, has, at the same blessed' time of life, enchanted vast hosts of men and women who have done their long day's work and laid their grey heads down to rest."

Cut, though I have exceeded the £3 limit 1 haven't mentioned many for pupils below Standard 11. Hero arc a few that will not run into much. Cassell and Co. publish "„'Esop's Fablos" in words of one syllable, and " Swiss Family Robinson" ditto; tlisso are 6d. I think one or two inoro have been published on tho same principle, but I have not seen them. Those are really good books and I can strongly recommend them. Two other very good ones are Baccn's "A Fairy Talo," 32pages, 3d; and a continuation, 48 pages, at Id. The first is in words of three letters and the second of four. Thoy are marvels in their way, being ono continuous story.

Tho Nelsons have eight Id Picture Readers for infant classes, and tho Blackies have 16 at the same price; belli series have coloured illustrations. Other wins have cheap bocks also, but I haven't, dotails at present. ..

For Standard I the Blackies have a series jf a dozen at 2d each; and for Standards I and II tho Nelsons have, at Id, "Nellie and Dick" and "Fireside Stories," with others to follow. These the Nelsons follow with booklets at tho same price, for the succecding standards. About a dozen of these have appeared— I havo scon 10. Among them aro " Tho Picture Children" (two books), "Tho King of the Golden River " (Ruskin), " Lohengrin and Tales of the Southern Seas," and all aro beautifully illustrated. Tho Picture Children books contain 25 pictures of children by tho greatest artists, and becoming familiar with them alone is an education; and "Tales of the Southern Seas" arc Jlaori stories with page illustrations, a portion of ono being a very good viewtaken from Customs House Square, Dunedin.

Mention of " Tho King of tho Golden River," by John Ruskin, calls lo mind 'the Golden River Series of English Literature books, also issued by the Nelsons. 1 haven't socn any of thorn, but judging by what I havo read they would bo treasure trove to a child. Theso are beautifully illustrated —at least, J imagine so, judging by the firm's other illustrated books, aird cost only Is each.

It will bo noticed that l havo named no book above Is 6d in value; that is because I wanted to show that a good library of neatly and strongly hound books, most of them classics, can be built up at small cost. And I have mentioned just a few series out of many, I have had

another object in view, too. In Nelsons', Collins', ant l Everyman's Libraries at Is, there_ is a splendid selection for adult libraries, which in many of our country schools could bo run in conjunction with the public school. With a little trouble catalogues could bo niado out and tho school children exchange books for their patents, though I should like to see every country school opened a night a week lor book'browsing, to look over an illustrated paper or two, and to play draughts and chess. But that- is another story.

And here I think I shall conclude my

contract. Is tho selection, for a commencement. sufficiently wide? Let me say here, while I Ihink of it, that- in no case should I duplicate a book, not even at a penny.

Now lot mo make a suggestion or two

to tcachcre and conunittees. Send your money to eomeono in town to choose for

you—myself for want of a better; namo books that aro definitely wanted, and givo

a free hand for tho rest. There aro many not in any series that can be purchased at Is or Is 6d,—some of Ralph Connor's, Stevenson's, Ellen Thornycroft Fowler's, etc., etc., and a sprinkling of these could bo put in. Again, two six|»nnies can be bound together, tho two in a cloth bound volume costing 2s 3d or even less, whereas each separately in tho usual cloth edition would cost 2s lid for a library, and 3s 6d in the ordinary way. It, must bo clearly understood that I am not against putting books of a higher monetary value into a library, though they may have less literary value. For a. start I hardly care what a, boy or girl reads provided the matter is clean, wholesome wiping. Tho taste for true literature will coinc later on. I am afraid that wo often try to forco the standard of the adult,and of the matured mind uixjn tho impulsive, immature mind of the, child, forgetting the stages wo have passed through ourselves. Another suggestion—this time to teachers only. If possible, become acquainted with every book in the library. Pick the eyes out of ono or two, and get the children to do the same with others. You will be astonished at tho good taste some of the pupils will display. Ono teacher who has a pretty good school library, and also a private one, often reads a new book, marks it, a,nd thon passes it on to some of his pupils. Many books contain portions that are good for pupils, but the resi dry and even forbidding, and it is not reasonable to ask them to go through

<i lot of chaff for a few grains of wlieat-. A teacher's swift- eye ami critical mind can do a great deal here. SOME BOOKS FOR TEACHERS. No_ school library—or teacher's, I should say—is complete unless it has in it. Nature Studies and Fairy Talcs (two vol?.), published by Thonia s Nelson and Sons, at 3s 6d cach. They show how Fairy Tales aro to be studied, how presented to children, how they can be used to develop children's minds, give children a taste for tho beautiful in Literature and in Nature, ami at the same time how they can be coordinated with ot-hor subjects. Volume one is dividld into four parts,—(l) Theory of tho Scheme; (2) Fairy Tales and Poems Worked out. (practical); (3) Nature Studies; (4) Art Studies. Volume two is divided info fern sections, and each section into three divisions,—Summer, Autumn, and

Winter. In Ihe first section Fairy Tales | are worked out in cadi division; in the second, Poetry; in the third, Natural Objects; and in the fourth, pencil, chalk, and brush drawings—all four sections being co-ordinated. -Everything is very interestingly and logically worked out on the principles of llovbarl and Frocbcl. 1 wish I could reproduce a co-ordinated set of the lessons, livery teacher who handles ji'llc ones should stilt; these books closely, 'l'hey are unique. The fame firm has published, or is publishing—l have seen only two—a series of iive or si:; books railed "The Moral Instruction Series." Book V, " A Teacher's Handbook of Moral Lessons," contains 30 lessons on Ilabits, Manners, Patriotism, Justice, Zcal,_ Work, Truthfulness,' Thrift, Peace and War, and so on. Each lesson is a series of paragraphs enlarging upon ideas, given in heavy typo. The Iwok is for teachers, and is crammed full with suggestive thoughts. The price is Is 6d net. Bur the " Manual of Moral Instruction,'' containing a - concentric course, is even more lincly conceived and worked out. Take the lesson on Love, for instance. I I irst, there is the section for SlaniUrds 1 and II; then follows one for 111 and IV, in which the them© is given a wider upplication; the section for V and VI opens up wider still, working in Charitv,. Benevolence, and Philanthropy, and illustrated by pimples from history, examples beyond the grasp of the younger pupils; "then comes, the section for .Standard VII, in which the meaning of love is illustrated by the words "corps," "corporate life," " tho body politic "—in a word, it is made to open up the highest ty|ie of patriotism ami a world-citizenship. This, I think, is published at 2s 6d. I am sorry I cannot reproduce one of these concentrically-

worked-out lessons, too. Many have taken my advice im procuring other books I have recommended, and have not been disapt>oint<?d. I can safely recommend these books also. They aro thoroughly virile; thore is none of that inawkishness or preachincss so often associated with books on tho subjects dealt with. SCHOOL READERS. t I seo. that the question of school books is coming before the Otago Education Board, May I make a suggestion? Why not have a committee sot up, to consist, of representatives of the board, its inspectors, tho Teachers Institute, and of the executive of the Duuedin and Suburban School Committees' Assciation, with whom might bo 'associated Professors White and MiMarshall, director of tho Technical School? These could meet, draw up a scalc of points to be used in assessing book values. Then specimen sets could be procured from the leading publishers, and a selection made on the merit of the books themselves, whether produced locally or from beyond the Dominion. Wo ought to have tho best books tho Empire can produce, and no decision as to the series to be used should be arrived at until after the closest examination of all series arailable. CORRESPONDENCE. As I am giving so much space to-day to school libraries, I must Jiold correspondence over until next week, when I'll allow my correspondents full possession. No cuckoo notes yet, except a short ono from, a Leitli Valley schoolboy. But why didn't he watch the nest from day to day. Wait till I get hold o! him! A nice J'ttle budget of Nature notes to hand from the Lcith Valley School; I'll publish a selection next week. Other letters held over" West-ccaster's 11 and his friend's, Wairoa records, Nature Notes, Suburban School, ICaikoura; Mr Palmer's; "Boy Scout" (I want to give him a paragraph); " iTyndham South"; "Momona."

Will "M. I. A." forward name and address? See instructions at head of column, "J. A. ; " Outran 1 School.—Specimens sent aro the nymph of the Cicada (singing locust 'or cricket). " Anderson's Bay School Boy."—Tho fly is a pretty and fairly common one—Helophilus trilincatus, "J." —Beetle i 6 Odontia striata, " to bo killed whenever met with." Eweburn School.—Nymph of a, small dragon-fly. More particulars of these will be given next week.