a teacher for the young as well as for the old; and where newspapers are the best we most naturally look for the best schools.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.-All communications, designed for notice in any number of THE TEACHER, must reach the editors before the fifth of the month preceding. We shall welcome articles, of a practical nature, from whatever source they come. Should any subscriber have in his possession selections which he desires to have inserted in THE TEACHER, it will cost him little to forward them with the request, which will receive at least a respectful consideration. Proceedings of Institutes, notice of changes in the location of teachers, the opening of new schools, and whatever pertains to the history of education in our State, and on the coast generally, will be valuable for us. Address "THE CALIFORNIA TEACHER, Box 1,977, San Francisco." Where answers are required before publication, inclose stamp for return postage.

PUBLISHERS OF NEW BOOKS-will confer a favor upon our readers by sending copies to THE CALIFORNIA TEACHER of such as may be either of special interest to instructors, or of general interest to thoughtful minds. In all cases it is desirable that the price be stated. Our review will note the publishers' name, the number of pages, the price, and the place where the volumes may be obtained.

STATE TEACHERS' INSTITUTE.-A full report of the proceedings of the recent Institute, together with most of the addresses delivered, will speedily be published. The volume, aside from its intrinsic merits, will be valuable as preserving for the future historian the spirit manifested by the earnest teachers of California and Nevada in these stirring days. An appendix will contain, among other things, a full report of the County Superintendents' Convention, the questions proposed by the State Board of Examination, and the names of the successful candidates for State Certificates; and a reprint of Prof. Minns' admirable address, before the preceding Institute, at Sacramento, on "Moral Instruction."

STATE NORMAL SCHOOL. The second term of this Institution, Ahira Holmes, Principal, closed on the fifteenth of May. The week preceding was chiefly spent in an examination of the students, which was partly written and partly oral. The exercises were very satisfactory, evincing careful study and thorough teaching. The Committee of Examination, appointed by the Normal Board, consisted of State Superintendent Swett, City Superintendent Tait, and Prof. Swezey; and were assisted by the Principal and Dr. H. Gibbons.

Four young ladies received the honors of the Institution: Miss Bertha Comstock, Miss P. Augusta Frink, Miss Nellie Hart, and Miss Louisa Mails. The prospects for a large class next term are very encouraging.

W. H. WELLS, Esq., City Superintendent of Schools, Chicago, has recently been elected member of the Illinois Board of Education for six years. Mr. W. has also been reëlected Superintendent of Schools for the city, and his salary

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Resident Editors' Department.

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has been advanced to $2,500. We have, in this country, no more efficient and enlightened educator than he.-N. Y. Teacher.

GUYOT'S WALL MAPS FOR SCHOOLS.-The members of the State Teachers' Institute will need no reminder of the admirable map of South America which was used by Prof. Minns in his lecture on Physical Geography. A new map of the United States on the same plan will soon be published. No series of maps yet produced can be compared with these; so far as we have seen they are first, and there is no second." Their author is justly regarded as authority in Physical Geography, and these results of his labors will increase his reputation among all teachers who can appreciate the subject.

MICHIGAN. Much of the Annual Report of the Superintendent of Schools (Hon. J. M. Gregory), is devoted to course of study and methods of instruction. The subject of primary teaching, especially, is admirably presented, and due prominence is given to the all-absorbing topic of object-teaching. Among the improvements recommended in the school system are: 1. More effective supervision by County Superintendents in place of Town Inspectors. 2. A change in the method of distribution of the two mill tax. It is now redistributed to the districts in each town on the taxable property therein. 3. More efficient library system. 4. Normal classes in high schools and colleges. 5. Township library. 6. Codification of the school laws. Michigan has a State University organized on a magnificent scale, richly endowed, and doing effective service. Her Normal School is prosperous. The academies and colleges are reported as in a gratifying state of prosperity. There are 4,268 district schools. The number of children between five and twenty years of age is 261,323. The total expenditures for common schools during the year was $762,977 19.---New York Teacher.

ILLINOIS STATE TEACHERS' INSTITUTE.-In this State the Institute occupies one week. In Illinois a State Institute is to be held for at least six weeks; but let the teachers of Illinois apply themselves diligently to the work of selfimprovement, and after a few years they may be able to succeed with one week's Institute as we do. Seriously, we are glad to know that Illinois is manifesting so energetic a spirit in this matter of thorough preparation for her teachers, and we look forward to the time when California can do as well.

QUACKENBOS' GRAMMAR.-This work has received almost universal commendation. It has recently been adopted for use in the public schools of Chicago, and more recently still by the State Board of Education in California, as appears from the circular of text books in the present number of THE TEACHER. Mr. Quackenbos has had remarkable success in the preparation of school books; but among them all he has produced none more satisfactory than this latest volume from his pen. The publishers have stated some of its features with a clearness and modesty rather unusual in such announcements. See advertisement.

SUBSCRIBERS TO THE TEACHER.-The result of a few efforts made by our friends to secure subscribers, has shown that the people are willing to take an educational journal, and wait only to be asked. Our very low price was fixed by the Institute Committee expressly for the purpose of bringing THE CALIFORNIA TEACHER into the hands of all who can read at all. If the members of the Institute would do their part of the work with the go-ahead, thorough spirit that belongs to our State, we might have 1,500 or 2,000 subscribers within six months. "The more, the merrier."

A lady went out the other day to procure subscribers for THE TEACHER, and sent us eleven dollars as the summing up of her few hours work; and our energetic contributing editor of Colusa County, besides inserting at his own expense a capital advertisement in the local paper announcing THE TEACHER, has sent us thirteen dollars for thirteen copies. We shall hope to receive large lists from other friends at an early day.

NOTICE. We stop the press to announce that the Board of Trustees of the State Normal School have decided to open the next session of that Institution on Monday, August 3d. The Board of Education of this city are making arrangements to secure more desirable rooms than have heretofore been used by the school. Students should arrive in the city on the Friday or Saturday preceding, in order to avail themselves of the assistance which may be rendered for obtaining boarding-houses and rooms. We are unable at this late hour to give details. It is hoped that a prompt attendance may be given by all who desire to pursue a proper preparation for the responsible office of teacher in the public schools of California.

Department of Public Instruction.

SCHOOL REPORTS.-The Reports of Teachers, Trustees, and County Superintendents will be made this year for ten months-from Nov. 1st, 1862 to August 31st, 1863. The circular to Trustees, under the head of "Public School Teachers' Report," reads as follows: "The report this year will be made for ten months-from Nov. 1st, 1862 to October 31st, 1863." The error was a slip of the pen; it should read, of course, "August 31st, 1863." Teachers will confer a favor by making their reports promptly on the first of September. In reporting the average number belonging, and the average daily attendance, teachers, this year, are requested to make the estimates as nearly as possible. Next year the registers will report with absolute exactness.

Teachers are requested to report the following statistics: Whole number of boys enrolled; whole number of girls enrolled; total number of pupils enrolled; average number belonging; average daily attendance; per centage of attendance; total number days attendance, from register; total number days absence, from register; total number times tardy, from register; number attending school between four and six years of age; grade of school; number of classes in school; date of teachers' taking charge of school; date of teachers' leaving school; length of time the teacher has taught the same school; number of school days in school term or year; monthly salary of teacher, board included; amount of salary received from rate bills; number of volumes in school library; provided with State school register; provided with revised school law; journal of education taken by teacher; attended State or County Institute; what kind and value of school apparatus; size and fitness of school room; grade and date of teacher's certificate; text books used and studies pursued.

The following "Instructions to Teachers" are printed on the back of the "Public School Teacher's Report :"

"Teachers are required to make the within report to the District School Trustees, and to forward a duplicate copy to the County Superintendent, on or before the fifth day of September of each year, and in case of retiring from school before the close of the school year, they must furnish a full report to the School Trustees, and to the County Superintendent, for the school term during which they shall have been engaged in teaching.

"Section thirty-four of the Revised School Law reads as follows: 'SEC. 34. No teacher shall be entitled to receive any portion of the public school moneys as compensation for services rendered unless such teacher shall have made a full and cor

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rect report, in the form and manner prescribed by law, to the County Superintendent, and to the Board of School Trustees.'

"Section thirty-five of the School Law reads as follows: SEC. 35. All teachers of public schools shall keep a register of all the scholars attending such schools, their ages, daily attendance, and time of continuance at school, and such further statistics as may be required by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and shall deliver such register, at the close of their term of employment, to the School Trustees of their districts.' "Teachers are requested to pay particular attention to accuracy in reporting the average number belonging to school, the average daily attendance, and the per centage of attendance, in the form and manner prescribed in the State school register."

SCHOOL CENSUS MARSHALS. The following statistics are required to be reported by the School Census Marshals: Names of parents or guardians; number of boys between 4 and 18 years of age; number of girls between 4 and 18 years of age; total number of white children between 4 and 18 years of age; number of white children under 4 years of age; number of white children between 18 and 21 years of age; number of white children under 21, born in California; number of children between 4 and 6 years of age; number of children between 4 and 6 years of age attending public schools; total number of children reported as attending public schools; total number of children reported as attending private schools; number of children between 6 and 18 years of age not attending any school; number of Indian children; number of Mongolian children; number of negro children; number of deaf and dumb, irrespective of age; number of blind, irrespective of age.

REPORTS OF COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS.—The following report is required of County Superintendents: Report of the County Superintendent of Public Schools to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, for the county of from September 1st, 186-, to August 31st, 186-, inclusive. Name or number of school district. Name, or number, and grade of school. Statistics from returns of School Census Marshals: Number of boys between 4 and 18 years of age; number of girls between 4 and 18 years of age; total number of white children between 4 and 18 years of age; number of white children under 4 years of age; number of children between 18 and 21 years of age; number of children of all ages under 21, born in California; number of children between 4 and 6 years of age; number of children between 4 and 6 years of age attending school; number of children of all ages attending public school; number of children attending private schools; number of children between 6 and 18 years of age not attending any school. Statistics from returns of Teachers and Trustees: Total number of pupils enrolled on public school registers; average number belonging to public schools; average daily attendance; per centage of attendance; number attending school under 6 years of age; number of calendar months during which school was maintained; monthly salary, board included, paid each teacher; length of time teachers have taught the same schools. Financial Report: Valuation of school houses and furniture; valuation of school libraries; valuation of school apparatus; amount of school fund received from the State; amount of school money received from county taxes; amount of money received from interest on township school fund; amount of money re