New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-10-05
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

I'm tlis comprehensive volume. In connection WIN tne
general subject the author presents number OF livery
pictures illustrative Of the condition OF the early settlers
i'm the West previous to any systematic attempts for tne
promotion OF education. For long time the people
were too poor to construct roads. The land was pro
ductive bat there market for the produces heuee
the inhabitants were unable 10 provide the means LOT III
teleetual culture through want Of ready money Inc
natural consequence the destruction OF AL tasie anu
desire mental Improvement The poverty OF the people
was aggravated by the unho,lthiness OF the country
Tie general style Of living enhanced the evil WHISKY
drinking was universal Bacon, venson, and corn OF
wheaton bread were the chief articles OF Diet Ihe
dwellings OF the pioneers log huts put up IN inc
wilderness with material but forest trees ana 10 too
INT axes and angcrs There little furniture except
what was made With their hands Bcdseads were CON
strcod OF rails supported crotched sticks The hoors
wore made puncbc0ns hewn from the Eastwood OF
tup tree Split blocks with legs served rs chairs ana
longer ones formed benches serving several chairs 10
one garrett reached by ladder from the corner OF
the room did the duty Of store lumber and sleeping
rooms Kitchen utensils, 10 great extent, were
made OF wood. Tin cups, as drinking Nosses'
were luxury which few could afford. wasrDoWl was
dug ont in top of stump near the door Ihc pocket
knife and huntngkniie Of the bacEwoodsnan were scd
in turn at the table 10y the different members OF the lam
ny The clothing OF fax ana wool produced on the
farm and woven aud made up in the house Shoes were
moi common The women, at least, went about ther
work without them When they were used at all, they
were heavy cOw-hdc shoes and worn in Summer Wlhcrt
stockings Moceasns OF dressed deerskn were much in
nsc Money was little used, and came 10 be little needed
The people lived almost without commerce There were
indeed some schools, but they not carried far
enough 70 create a relish for further study.
few weather planters, at later period, coulu
have their private schools, or send their chill
ren away for education But the mass of the people had
nc basis either in their culture or in their financial posi-
ton, for systematic attention to mental Improvement
After rapid survey of the history OF Congressional
grants for educational purposes the author deyotes
large space In the Of the volume to an account
Of the University Of Michigan from its establishment ia
1921 70 the present time regarding that institution us
the earliest successful example of the university system
which likely prevail in most Of TIE United states Inc
organization Of The University in It's present FORM dd not
take place tin the year 1897 andt first opened FOR
students In 1s41. Since that time, its annals arc
related at length by the author, presenting
ehoorf,l example Of progress under various dis
oouragements to the highly prosperous condition OF
The present time Professor Ten Brook closes his Work
with several significant considerations with regard TO the
higher education in this country which he believes is
destined to pass through period Of revolution at no
distant day The relation to each other OF the university
and Of the different schools OF learning must be hoi-
oagdy revised The relative value OF different studies
in tie college not yet settled The kind of con-
troll which the university faculties shall exercise over
The students remains decision. The relation OF tho
state TO the University and the rank Of its schools in
comparison with UNCONVENTIONAL institutions, are still
Questions open debate IL the opinion OF the author
the emineuce which has heretofore been accorded to
classical studies should be sustained 1t rests on
valid grounds has been confirmed by experience, end
should not be rasy sacrificed to the zeal for innovation
Language lie Justly and forciOy maintains is tie great
instrument both of thought and culture No process OF
thinking be brought TO trustworthy conclusions with
precision and accuracy in the use of language The
whole work of study is logical process OF which Ian
cuagc is the We hardly devote too much
labor preparing this instrument for effective nee IL is
IN fact condition of in the prosecution OF
every branch Of learning 1t forms the main equipment
even o the student Of the natural sciences In the study
oi botany and zoology, for instance, far more time
IA eiyen in the ease Of the Of learners
II researches through the medium OF language
t}an to direct contact with specimens from
the kingdom OF plants and animals. Original observers
Ike Agassiz and Gray, few but tho students who
Profit By fruits OF their Investigations arc countless
Nor can the exact sciences be tGrned to practical use
cxccp by limited class Of superior minds devoted 70
pursut But there is person 10 whom skill and
facility IN the use Of language is not Of supreme in
porfance for every day of his life. The claims of tic
ancient languages as Professor Ten Brook admits, may
easily he pushed 20 an unreasonable extent Latin and
Greek have each been considered essential to liberal
education But there is 10 good why tlcy should
he made inscparable Latin might DO pursued
alone, ia many cases, to great advantage, especially
by young men, who need pathological basis
for their education. Nor 90 the interests III
sound learning Justify the pcantry which takes pride in
Tie power OF writing and speaking the ancient languages
with facility. In general the remarks Of the author on
tile comparative claims Of different studies are dstin
tisAed for their sagacity and practical They be-
tray a large experience in the work OF education, and
The habit Of profound and wise reflection on its principles
end methods To most readers, they will be found to
possess greater interest and value than the discussions
of local history, which appear TO have been the main
purpose Of the author The volume is disagurod with
many typographical errors, end an occasional Incorrect
ress OF statement has cTep the for instance
the reference to Albert Gallan Of the FiccPres
dents OF tie United States but they do not impair the
tuhstanual excellence Of the work. which forms an i'm
portaut contribution 20 the educational library.
TEXT BOOK OF POETRY. By the Rev. HENRY n. HUD-
son 12mo. PIP. 293 Boston, CHM Brothers
The selections in this volume, which is in