Monteith & McNally's National Geographies.

CRITICAL OPINIONS.

From R. A. ADAMS, Member of Board of Education, New York.

I have found, by examination of the Book of Supply of our Board, that consid. erably the largest number of any series now used in our public schools is the National, by Monteith and McNally.

From BRO. PATRICK, Chief Provincial of the Vast Educational Society of the CHRISTIAN BROTHEES in the United States.

Having been convinced for some tine past that the series of Geographies in use in our schools were not giving satisfaction, and came far short of meeting our most reasonable expectations, I have felt it my imperative duty to examine into this matter, and see if a remedy could not be found.

Copies of the different Geographies published in this country have been placed at our command for examination. On account of other pressing duties we have not been able to give as much time to the investigation of all these different series as we could have desired; yet we have found enough to convince us that there are many others better than those we are now using; but we cheerfully give our most decided preference, above all others, to the National Series, by Monteith & McNally. Their easy gradation, their thoroughly practical and independent character, their comprehensive completeness as a full and accurate system, the wise discrimination shown in the selection of the subject matter, the beautiful and copious illustrations, the neat cut type, the general execution of the works, and other ex cellencies, will commend them to the friends of education everywhere.

From the "HOME MONTHLY," Nashville, Tenn.

MONTEITH'S AND MCNALLY'S GEOGRAPHIES.-Geography is so closely con nected with Astronomy, History, Ethnology, and Geology, that it is difficult to define its limits in the construction of a text-book. If the author confines himself strictly to a description of the earth's surface, his book will be dry, meager, and unintelligible to a child. If, on the other hand, he attempts to give information on the cognate sciences, he enters a boundless field, and may wander too far. It seems to us that the authors of the series before us have hit on the happy medium between too much and too little. The First Lessons, by applying the system of object-teaching, renders the subject so attractive that a child, just able to read, may become deeply interested in it. The second book of the course enlarges the view, but still keeps to the maps and simple descriptions. Then, in the third book, we have Geography combined with History and Astronomy. A general view of the solar system is presented, so that the pupil may understand the earth's position on the map of the heavens. The first part of the fourth book treats of Physical Geography, and contains a vast amount of knowledge compressed into a small space. It is made bright and attractive by beautiful pictures and suggestive illustrations, on the principle of object-teaching. The maps in the second part of this volume are remarkably clear, and the map exercises are copious and judicious. In the fifth and last volume of the series, the whole subject is reviewed and systematized. This is strictly a Geography. Its maps are beautifully engraved and clearly printed. The map exercises are full and com prehensive. In all these books the maps, questions and descriptions are given in the same volume. In most geographies there are too many details and minute descriptions-more than any child out of purgatory ought to be required to learn. The power of memory is overstrained; there is confusion-no clearly defined idea is formed in the child's mind. But in these books, in brief, pointed descriptions, and constant nse of bright, accurate maps, the whole subject is photographed on the mind.

16

MATHEMATICS.

DAVIES' NATIONAL COURSE.

ARITHMETIC.

1. Davies' Primary Arithmetic,

2. Davies' Intellectual Arithmetic,

3. Davies' Elements of Written Arithmetic,.

4. Davies' Practical Arithmetic,

5. Davies' University Arithmetic.

TWO BOOK SERIES.

1. First Book in Arithmetic, Primary and Mental. 2. Complete Arithmetic.

ALGEBRA.

1. Davies' New Elementary Algebra,

2. Davies' University Algebra,

3. Davies' New Bourdon's Algebra.

GEOMETRY.

1. Davies' Elementary Geometry and Trigonometry,

2. Davies' Legendre's Geometry,

3. Davies' Analytical Geometry and Calculus,

4. Davies' Descriptive Geometry,

6. Davies' New Calculus,

MENSURATION.

1. Davies' Practical Mathematics and Mensuration,

2. Davies' Elements of Surveying,

3. Davies' Shades, Shadows, and Perspective,

MATHEMATICAL SCIENCE.

Davies' Grammar of Arithmetic,

Davies' Outlines of Mathematical Science,
Davies' Nature and Utility of Mathematics,

Davies' Metric System,

Davies & Peck's Dictionary of Mathematics,

17

DAVIES' NATIONAL COURSE of MATHEMATICS.

ITS RECORD.

In claiming for this series the first place among American text-books, of what ever class, the Publishers appeal to the magnificent record which its volumes have earned during the thirty-five years of Dr. Charles Davies' mathematical labors. The unremitting exertions of a life-time have placed the modern series on the same proud eminence among competitors that each of its predecessors has Successively enjoyed in a course of constantly improved editions, now rounded to their perfect fruition-for it seems & lmost that this science is susceptible of no further demonstration.

During the period alluded to, many authors and editors in this department have started into public notice, and by borrowing ideas and processes original with Dr. Davies, have enjoyed a brief popularity, but are now almost unknown. Many of the series of to-day, built upon a similar basis, and described as "modern books," are destined to a similar fate; while the most far-seeing eye will find it difficult to fix the time, on the basis of any data afforded by their past history, when these books will cease to increase and prosper, and fix a still firmer hold on the affection of every educated American.

One cause of this unparalleled popularity is found in the fact that the enterprise of the author did not cease with the original completion of his books. Always a practical teacher, he has incorporated in his text-books from time to time the advantages of every improvement in methods of teaching, and every advance in science. During all the years in which he has been laboring, he constantly submitted his own theories and those of others to the practical test of the class-room -approving, rejecting, or modifying them as the experience thus obtained might suggest. In this way he has been able to produce an almost perfect series of class-books, in which every department of mathematics has received minute and exhaustive attention.

Upon the death of Dr. Davies, which took place in 1876; bis work was immediately taken up by his former pupil and mathematical associate of many years, Prof. W. G. PECK, LL.D., of Columbia College. By him the original Series is kept carefully revised and not allowed in any way to fall behind the times.

DAVIES' SYSTEM IS THE ACKNOWLEDGED NATIONAL STANDARD FOR THE UNITED STATES, for the following reasons:

1st. It is the basis of instruction in the great national schools at West Point and Annapolis.

2d. It has received the quasi endorsement of the National Congress.

3d. It is exclusively used in the public schools or the National Capital.

4th. The officials of the Government use it as authority in all cases involving mathematical questions.

5th. Our great soldiers and sailors commanding the national armies and navies were educated in this system. So have been a majority of eminent scientists in this country. All these refer to "Davies " as authority.

6th. A larger number of American citizens have received their education from this than from any other series.

7th. The series has a larger circulation throughout the whole country than any other, being extensively used in every State in the Union,

Davies' National Course of Mathematics.

TESTIMONIALS.

From L. VAN BOKKELEN, State Superintendent Public Instruction, Maryland. The series of Arithmetics edited by Prof. Davies, and published by your firm have been used for many years in the schools of several counties, and the city of Baltimore, and have been approved by teachers and commissioners.

Under the law of 1865, establishing a uniform system of Free Public Schools, these Arithmetics were unanimously adopted by the State Board of Education after a careful examination, and are now used in all the Public Schools of Mary Jand.

These facts evidence the high opinion entertained by the School Authorities of the value of the series theoretically and practically.

From HORACE WEBSTER, President of the College of New York.

The undersigned has examined, with care and thought, several volumes of Davies' Mathematics, and is of the opinion that, as a whole, it is the most complete and best course for Academic and Collegiate instruction, with which he is ac quainted.

From DAVID N. CAMP, State Superintendent of Common Schools, Connecticut. I have examined Davies' Series of Arithmetics with some care. The language is clear and precise; each principle is thoroughly analyzed, and the whole so ar ranged as to facilitate the work of instruction. Having observed the satisfaction and success with which the different books have been used by eminent teachers, it gives me pleasure to commend them to others.

From J. O. WILSON, Chairman Committee on Text-Books, Washington, D. C. I consider Davies' Arithmetics decidedly superior to any other series, and in this opinion I am sustained, I believe, by the entire Board of Education and Corps of Teachers in this city, where they have been used for several years past. From JOHN L. CAMPBELL, Professor of Mathematics, Wabash College, Indiana. A proper combination of abstract reasoning and practical illustration is the chief excellence in Prof. Davies' Mathematical works. I prefer his Arithmetics, Algebras, Geometry and Trigonometry to all others now in use, and cordially re commend them to all who desire the advancement of sound learning.

From MAJOR J. II. WHITTLESEY. Hovernment Inspector of Military Schools. Be assured, I regard the works of Prof. Davies, with which I am acquainted, as by far the best text-books in print or ne subjects which they treat. I shall cer tainly encourage their adoption wherever a word from me may be of any avail. From T. McC. BALLANTINE, Prof. Mathematics Cumberland College, Kentucky. 1 have long taught Prof. Davies' Course of Mathematics, and I corvinue to like their working.

From JOHN MCLEAN BELL, B. A., Prin. of Lower Canaãa College.

I have used Davies' Arithmetical and Mathematical Series as text-books in the schools under my charge for the last six years. These I have found of great efficacy in exciting, invigorating, and concentrating the intellectual faculties of the young.

Each treatise serves as an introduction to the next higher, by the similarity of its reasonings and methods; and the student is carried forward, by easy and gradual steps, over the whole field of mathematical inquiry, and that, too, in a shorter time than is usually occupied in mastering a single department. I sincercly and heartily recommend them to the attentio. of my fellow-teachers in Canada. From D. W. STEELE, Prin. Philekoian Academy, Cold Springs, Texas.

I have used Davies' Arithmetics til I know them nearly by heart. A better ceries of school-books never were published. I have recommended them until they are now used in all this region of country.

A large mass of similar "Opinions" may be obtained by addressing the pub ishers for special circular for Davies' Mathematics. New recommendations are Sablished in current numbers of the Educational Bulletin.

DAVIES AND PECK'S

CONDENSED COURSE OF MATHEMATICS. CONCISE, CONSECUTIVE, AND COMPLETE.

Elementary Section.

1. Brief Arithmetic, . . $0.50 2. Complete Arithmetic, $0.90

Advanced Section.

1. Analytical Geometry, $1.25 2. Practical Calculus, . $1.25

(Resumé.)

DAVIES & PECK'S ARITHMETICS.

OPTIONAL OR CONSECUTIVE.

The best thoughts of these two illustrious mathematicians are combined in the following beautiful works which are now for the first time offered to the public, sumptuously printed, and bound in crimson, green, and gold. Davies and Peck's Brief Arithmetic,

$0.50

Also called the "Elementary Arithmetic." It is the shortest presentation of the subject, and is adequate for all grades in common schools, being a thorough introduction to practical life, except for the specialist.

At first the authors play with the little learner for a few lessons, by object teaching and kindred allurements; but he soon begins to realize that study is earnest, as he becomes familiar with the simpler operations, and is delighted to find himself master of important results.

The second part reviews the Fundamental Operations on a scale proportioned to the enlarged intelligence of the learner. It establishes the General Principles and Properties of Numbers, and then proceeds to Fractions. Currency and the Metric System are fully treated in connection with Decimals. Compound Numbers and Reduction follow, and finally Percentage with all its varied applications.

An Index of words and principles concludes the book, for which every scholar and most teachers will be grateful. How much time has been spent in searching for a half forgotten definition or principle in a former lesson !

Davies and Peck's Complete Arithmetic,

$0.90

This work certainly deserves its name in the best sense. Though complete, it is not, like most others which bear the same title, cumbersome. These authors excel in clear, lucid demonstrations, teaching the science pure and simple, yet not ignoring convenient methods and practical applications.

For turning out a thorough business man no other work is so well adapted. He will have a clear comprehension of the science as a whole, and a working acquaintance with details which must serve him well in all emergencies. Distinguishing features of the book are the logical progression of the subjects and the great variety of practical problems, not puzzles, which are beneath the dignity of educational science. A clear-minded critic has said of Dr. PECK's work that it is free from that juggling with numbers which some authors falsely call "Analysis." A series of Tables for converting ordinary weights and measures into the Metric System appear in the later editions.