VIEWS AND REVIEWS.

N..B. We shall notice such books only as may be presented for examination and review, except in instances when we believe that the interests of our readers would be promoted by a deviation from this rule. We can not promise an immediate attention to all books which we may receive, and must be governed by the condition of our columns, and by our ability to command time.

APPLETON'S CYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY: Embracing a Series of Original Memoirs of the Most Distinguished Persons of all Times. American Edition, edited by FRANCIS L. HAWKS, D.D., LL.D. D. Appleton & Co., N. York: Cincinnati, H. W. Derby & Co.: Columbus, sold by S. H. Burr & Co.-pp. 1058, large 8vo.

This is a reprint of an English book, got out during the past year under very favorable auspices, with American additions. The original work was undertaken on an enlarged plan, not attempted before it is claimed on any publication of the kind; each department, politics, law, history, military science, ecclesiastical affairs, and so through the range of human occupation, being committed to the special supervision of some eminent writer learned in the branch to which the subject of history himself belonged. In the preparation of the original work, the names of Sir David Brewster, in mathematical and physical sciences; of Professor Fergusson, in classical authors; Sir Arch. Alison and others equally eminent in history, politics, etc., appear, promising a degree of excellence calculated to secure confidence. It is profusely illustrated with miniature views and portraits, affording assistance to the curious reader on many points. THE YOUTH OF THE OLD DOMINION. BY SAMUEL HOPKINS. Boston: John P. Jewett & Co. Cleveland: Jewett, Proctor and Worthington. 1856. 12mo. pp. 473.

Capt. John Smith, the first and greatest of all the millions of John Smiths "that we read of," is here done up, not in dull historic style, but in animated, dramatic fashion, admirably adapted to arrest and keep up attention. We here see Old Virginia as it was in its youth. Its early heroes, English and Indian, men and maidens, pass before us with scenic impressiveness. It is a good book. Buy it. Read it.

ELEMENTS OF THE GERMAN LANGUAGE. A practical manual for ac quiring the art of Reading, Speaking and Composing German. By THEODORE SODEN, Prof. of German Language and Literature, at the Woodward and Hughes' High Schools, Cincinnati. Cincinnati : Applegate & Co., Publishers. 1856. .

Our knowledge of German is exceedingly nix- we are sorry for it. It would not be in good taste for us to speak in decided terms in regard to the merits of this work. But from Professor Soden's high reputation as a scholar and Teach

er, and from the commendation which his work has received from gentlemen competent to judge, we doubt not that it possesses high claims to the attention of all who are interested on the subject.

ELEMENTARY MORAL LESSONS FOR SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES, by M. F. COWDERY, Superintendent of Public Schools, Sandusky Ohio. Philadelphia H. Cowperthwait & Co., 1856.

In a former number of the Journal this excellent work was noticed. Since then a new edition, enlarged, improved, and illustrated by several very pretty cuts, has been issued by the well known house of Cowperthwait & Co. Our limits do not allow us to say all we would on this subject, but we do, with all our heart and soul, recommend these Lessons to all parents and Teachers. We know of no other book on the subject which is half so well adapted to purposes of moral instruction as is this work of Mr. Cowdery.

OUTLINES OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, by GEO. W. FITCH, illustrated by six maps and numerous engravings. Fifth large edition. New York: J. H. Colton & Co., 172 Williams St., 1856.

A former edition of this popular work was noticed in the Journal one year ago. We have examined it, so far as our time would permit, and, in our judgment, it is worthy of a place in all libraries. and in every High School. It treats on a subject which is worthy of the study of all, and its arrangement is peculiarly well adapted to use in institutions of learning.

COLTON AND FITCH'S INTRODUCTORY SCHOOL GEOGRAPHY, illustrated by twenty maps and numerous engravings.

COLTON AND FITCH'S MODERN SCHOOL GEOGRAPHY, illustrated by forty maps and numerous engravings. By GEO. W. FITCH. Maps on a new and uniform system of scales, constructed expressly for this work, by GEORGE WOODWORTH COLTON. New York: J. H. Colton & Co., No. 172 Williams St., 1856.

We yesterday, for the first time since occupying the tripod, saw the above works. Why they have been so long withholden from our notice we know not. But better late than never-we have them now. Our opportunity for examining them has been limited, but from what attention we have bestowed upon them, we judge that they possess very decided points of excellence. The maps are of a superior order, and the engravings are distinct, bold and beautiful. We commend them to the careful examination of Boards of Education, Teachers, and others.

TYPE OF THE TIMES, a Journal of the Writing and Speaking Reform. The number for June 1st is received. It is in large octavo form, 16 pages, and published semi-monthly, by Longley Brothers, Cincinnati. $1 per year.

That this attempt to reform the orthography of our language will ever result in success is not, in our estimation, quite certain. But the necessity for reform is so pressing, that every scholar and friend of learning should give good heed to all efforts made in this direction. We cordially commend the "Type" to the patronage of our readers.

CIRCULATION OF THE JOURNAL.

EXPLANATIONS.-I shows the number of subscribers which each county should afford, in order to render the Journal self-supporting; II the present number; III the surplus subscribers; IV the number yet required.

By deducting the surplus (479) from the deficiency, (1,575) it will be seen that 1096 more subscribers are needed to put the Journal upon a living basis. Can not this number be made up at once? It will be a shame to all concerned if the Journal shall stop from want of support. But we are decided in that opinion, that it must stop unless it is more liberally patronized. There are thirty counties which together afford but seventy subscribers. There are thirty-four counties which, all together, have not as many subscribers as Little Lucas, alone, sends us. It will be seen that Clermont has overtaken and passed Warren, and now stands third on the roll of honor, Lucas and Athens, only, leading in the race.

THINGS PERSONAL.

Dr. A. D. LORD, Superintendent of the Public Schools in Columbus, has been appointed Superintendent of the "Ohio Institution for the Education of the Blind," and he will enter on the duties of this office on the first of July.

WILLIAM T. COGGESHALL Esq., late Editor of the Genius of the West, has accepted the office of State Librarian, in place of J. W. Taylor Esq., whose term of office has expired.

Mr. H. W. PERSING has been chosen Superintendent of the Schools in Milan, Erie County.

Mr. C. S. ROYCE, at the close of a course of instruction in Phonetics, in the McNeely Normal School, received the present of a beautiful purse, containing thirty dollars in gold. We wish we had room for the admirable address which accompanied the presentation.

Mr. E. B. PIERCE has resigned the Superintendency of the Schools in Martinsville, Belmont County.

Mr. WILLIAM H. WELLS, for seven years the Principal of the Normal School at Westfield, Mass., has accepted the appointment of Superintendent of the Public Schools in Chicago. We rejoice that this distinguished Teacher has cast in his lot among the men of the West. He is one of the living Wells, that never fail in the dryest season. At this fountain may the young Suckers slake their thirst for knowledge.

NEWS AND NOTICES.

The following nominations have been made for State School Commissioner. ("Get the best.")

Democrat-H. H. Barney, of Hamilton county.

American-J. H. Kelly, of Perry county.

Republican-Anson Smyth, of Franklin county.

A Female Seminary, after the model of the Mount Holyoke Seminary, is to be established at Painsville, Lake Co., O.

An institution of the same character went into operation at Oxford, Butler Co., O., one year ago. It now numbers 152 pupils, and has for its Principal Miss Helen Peabody, formerly a Teacher in the Mount Holyoke School. Its first anniversary will occur on Thursday, July 17th.

We have received the Seventh Annual Report of the Massillon Union School, of which T. W. Harvey is Superintendent. This School seems still to flourish as of old, when that Prince of School masters-Lorin Andrews, was at its head. We regret that we have not room for extracts. In a future number we will present our readers with its "Course of Study."

We have received several books from the house of A. S. Barnes & Co.; also

Catalogues of Colleges, Schools, and Institutions, which shall be noticed in our

next.

The Toledo Public School Cadets, consisting of about sixty boys from eight to twelve years of age, gave a military exhibition on June 7th, at the High School Hall. Although an admission of twenty-five cents was charged, 1300 persons attended, and were greatly pleased with the performance.

A member of the Oberlin Theological Seminary desires a situation as Teacher, to commence about the first of September, and continue for six or eight months. He can give instruction in the Natural Sciences, or in the Languages, as the case may require. Address, Box 71,

P. S.

The best of references can be given.

Oberlin, Ohio.

STATE TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.

The next Semi-Annual meeting will be held in Mansfield, Richland county, on Wednesday and Thursday, the 2d and 3d days of July, 1856.

The session will commence in the morning of the 2d, at 10 o'clock. Rev. ANSON SMYTH, President of the Association, will deliver the opening address. At 2 o'clock, P. M., the Rev. J. B. BITTINGER, of Cleveland, will read a paper on The Will as an Educational Power." The evening address will be by the Rev. H. L. HITCHCOCK, D.D., President of Western Reserve College.

On the afternoon of Thursday, an address on the subject of Phonetics will be delivered by Rev. THOMAS HILL, of Waltham, Mass.

Reports from committees, and other business of importance, will come before the Association.

As Mansfield is easy of access from almost all parts of the State, and there are assurances of ample and pleasant accommodation, it is hoped that there will be a very large attendance of teachers and others.

JOHN HANCOCK, Chairman Ex. Com. of O. S. T. A.

CINCINNATI, May 20, 1856.

SPECIAL NOTICE.-All the officers of the Ohio State Teachers' Association are respectfully invited to meet at the Wiler House, Mansfield, on Tuesday, July 1st at 7 o'clock P. M. There is business of very great importance which demands consideration before the general meeting on Wednesday. The names of the officers are found in the January number of the Journal. Other active friends of the cause are invited to be present.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT.-I have received the following sums on the 14 per cent. fund, and credited the Association with the same: John Hancock (see May Jour.) $64; Mrs. L. M. C. Rolfe, $12; A. Freese, $10; W. H. Young, $5.25; A Smyth, $15; total, $106.25. A. SMYTH.