Unfortunately the acquisition of knowledge, does not teach liberty and equality, for the lower classes desire to be upper classes instead of glorying in the opportunities they have in their own station in life. In general, history, science, and mathematics form the basis, with the laws of health permeating the whole structure. It is suggested that physical and moral training will make finer creatures of mankind through eradicating disease, stupidity, and vulgarity. Marriage will be regulated by limiting it to those who have attained "a certain standard of general and physical moral culture." "Gentle-folks ought to lead the way in plain living and high thinking."

Ruskin's views, although far in advance of his day, furnish an adequate support for the scientific methods of such renowned educators as Herbart, Pestalozzi, and Froebel. His writings have two dominant thoughts: the rightful influence of moral ideas in the formation of character, and the need of an accurate study of the facts of nature and child life.

Lost Visions

Men claim the soul most deeply moved

Through melody which strikes the ear. . . .

At times it seems that slender tones

Can bring lost visions back all clear.

Forgotten scenes will then rush in

Upon the soul's far sight, unblurred.
Thus chords of memory, long mute,
Are set to music, passion-stirred.

FREDERICK HERBERT ADLER.

The pressure of the contributed articles in this number of EDUCATION makes it necessary to limit the American Notes rigidly. Many things come to our desk which we would like to pass on to our readers. It is a matter of real satisfaction to all who have interest in the progress of the human race that so many men and women are giving so much thought and study to educational subjects. It may be safely said that education has become as important in the thought and interest of the people, if not more so, as trade and politics. It is something that concerns everybody, the young and the old, the ignorant and the learned, the rich and the poor, the native and the foreigner; and nowhere is this more evident than in America,—with its conglomerate citizenship. Every number of this magazine has, in its contributed articles and editorials and advertisements, promoted this subject. The magazine will continue to do so, as it approaches now its fiftieth year and volume. It will always stand for real education of the young and the old, the native and the foreigner. Its ideal is usefulness, rather than profit.

We are making these statements partly because we have just read in the daily press the announcement that two well-known educational magazines are combining,-which, it would seem, means that one of them, which has had a conspicuous place in the ranks for some years past, is practically giving up its corporate individuality. We are sorry! We believe that it will be missed. We shall miss it.

The "Educational Review" is merging with "School and Society." The announcement is as follows, as quoted here from The Science Press, viz.:

The merging of two of America's best known educational magazines will take effect November 1st, when the "Educational Review,"recently acquired from Doubleday, Doran & Company by the Science Press, will be combined with "School and Society." The magazine will be published weekly throughout the year under the editorship of J. McKeen Cattell with the coöperation of William McAndrew. The "Educational Review" was established in 1891 by Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler, now President of Columbia University, and was under his editorial direction for twenty-nine years. Dr. Frank P. Graves, formerly Dean of the School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania, and now New York State Commissioner of Education, acted as editor for four years, after which time William McAndrew, recently Superintendent of the Chicago Schools, became editor. "School and Society" was established in 1915, and since its founding has been edited by Dr. Cattell. During its history it has absorbed the "School Journal," established in 1874, and "The Teacher's Magazine," established in 1878.

Dr. George D. Strayer of Columbia University recently advocated as the minimum play area to be provided in connection with an elementary school, five acres; a junior high school, ten acres; a senior high school, twenty acres; so says The Playground and Recreation Association of America.

"Children's own desires and tendencies in play are the best guide in choosing playground equipment and materials," was the concensus of opinion. "Get the child's viewpoint," advised Charles H. English, executive secretary of the Playground Association of Philadelphia. "Children like simple playthings to which they have contributed a part," he announced as the result of a study involving 16,000 school children in Chicago.

A budget for 1929 of $380,358, more than a thousand dollars a day, was adopted for the Playground and Recreation Association of America. More than five thousand communities last year turned to the Association's correspondence and consultation service for advice in all phases of recreation work, said Joseph Lee, president, explaining an item of $31,000 for this work. It was stated that $40,000 would be allotted to research and publications; $43,600 to the National Recreation School in New York City; $23,000 to field service in colored communities; and $175,000 to direct field service in communities.

A nation-wide study of community music activities, the first of its kind, was announced as a new undertaking of the Association. By making complete inventory of resources for amateur music in America, the study will form a basis for field service, stated Augustus D. Zanzig, former lecturer on music at Harvard University, who will direct the study. The aim is "to provide opportunities for every one to find as much delight and nourishment of spirit as he or she can through music, especially through actually participating in it.”

Ten per cent of the school population of the United States, or about 3,000,000 children, have measurable defects of hearing, reports the Joint Committee on Health Problems in Education. The committee has recommended, among other things, a uniform law in all states and cities requiring an annual examination of the hearing of school children as a part of the general annual health examination, emphasis on the means of preventing deafness, and, ultimately, the opening of clinics in the schools. In regard to the education of the moderately deaf, training in special classes in "an environment of speech" rather than in institutions, with instruction in lip-reading, is recommended.

Book Reviews

TOWARD THE LIGHT. By Mary Fels. Published by George Dobsevage, 110 West 42nd St., New York, N. Y. Price $2.50.

A book that is well worth reading. It is an individual restatement of the fundamentals of personal religion; not of the Creeds, but of an individual experience, which can be had by any one who longs for it and lives and acts as the author of this book advises. The reviewer was educated at a New England "Prep. School" and College, and took the full three-years course in a professional Seminary, which was supposed to be strictly "orthodox"; but he is able to say that he finds himself in accord with the spirit of this book and gladly recommends it to thoughtful readers.

We acknowledge the receipt of the following books, each well worthy of elaborate review; but our space is inadequate to review them as we would like. They are on the market and it will pay the reader to investigate them.

THE STORY OF AMERICA. Book Two. The F. A. Owen Company, Dansville, N. Y. The price is 72 cents. Book One has been reviewed in EDUCATION.

From E. P. Dutton & Company, New York, N. Y., four separate volumes in the well-known "Everyman's Library," viz., THE WAY OF ALL FLESH, by Samuel Butler, with an Introduction by William Lyon Phelps; THE PURPLE LAND, by W. H. Hudson, with an Introduction by Theodore Roosevelt; THE PRIVATE PAPERS OF HENRY RYECROFT, by George Gissing; and EREWHON, OR OVER THE RANGE, by Samuel Butler, with an Itroduction by Francis Byrne Hackett. These are books that are admirable for summer reading. Their size suggests the overcoat pocket, whence they may be drawn conveniently, in the train, or as the automobile is halted for the lunch hour when on a long journey, or when one wishes to while away a dull evening at the hotel. The series covers a large number of titles, and they multiply like mushrooms (edible ones) over night! They demonstrate the literary productivity of the Anglo-Saxon race. The price of these books is only 80 cents each.

FEDERAL AID. By Austin F. Macdonald, Ph.D. (University of Pennsylvania). This is a study of the American Subsidy System. It discusses such subjects as the American Subsidy System, the Evolution of Federal Aid, Forest Fire Prevention, Agricultural Extension Work, Highways, The National Guard, Vocational Education, etc. Price $2.75.

From the Macmillan Company: THE AMERICAN AND GERMAN UNIVERSITY. By Charles Franklin Thwing, LL.D., Litt.D., L.H.D. Price $2.25. Traces and explains the influence of the German University on American thought and scholarship and teaching during the past century. The book is interesting to every scholar, and to those, especially, who are teaching in our colleges and universities here in America.

The Productive Presses of The T. Y. Crowell Company, New York City, are constantly producing fine books on all sorts of human interests, all of them interesting, scholarly and informing. We have received recently the following:

CROWELL'S DICTIONARY OF ENGLISH GRAMMAR. By Maurice H. Weseen, Associate Professor of English in the University of Nebraska. This book should be on every desk where writing is done. By means of black-face type every word that the modern reader or writer stumbles over or misuses stands out on its appropriate page, and it is clearly defined and made usable. Price $4.50 net,-and well worth it.

HISTORY OF MODERN PHILOSOPHY. By Horatio W. Dresser, Ph.D. $3.00 net. The author's treatment of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy is a "classic" which will assure the attention of scholars, at once, for this later work. It is divided into two parts, the first covering the period from Bacon to Kant, and the second from Kant to the present day. All the leading philosophical teachers between whiles are brought upon the stage, and one gets at least a "birdseye" view of their differing theories. A comprehensive volume upon a profound subject which lies at the basis of real progress in human affairs and practices.

LIVING LATIN. For the Junior High School. Book One. By Claire C. Thursby, M.A., and Gretchen Denke Kyne. Illustrated by Rodney Thomson and George M. Richards. The Macmillan Company. There are many new features in this book that will instantly commend themselves in the minds of teachers and pupils. The stories are interesting. Each lesson begins with a Latin story. The student acquires from one to eight new words in each story. Full discussion of grammatical principles follow the story. There are plenty of exercises. A feature is made of Derivative work. The reviewer has taught Latin, and he can truthfully say he wishes he had been the owner of a book like this at that period.

FRENCH TOPICAL EXERCISE PAD. By B. Simon, New Utrecht High School, Brooklyn, N. Y. Globe Book Company. Useful and stimulating to students of French. List price 40 cents. Publishers at 175 Fifth Ave., New York, N. Y.