Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-02-28
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

From A. L. Bancroft & Co., San Fran
cisco, we have their latest publication,
"School Elocution A Manual of Vocal
Training in High Schools, Normal Schools
and Academies" 1t is by John SWEET of
San Francisco, the well-known educator.
1t does not pretend to be an elaborate
teacher for special teachers of education,
but a drill-book of essentials for teachers
who do not make elocution a speciality.
Comparatively few teachers have had the
advantage of special training i'll elocution;
the course of preparation they should usu-
ally pursue leaves small margin OF time for
evolutionary training. The author claims
for his book that it meets the difficulties
met with in the management of High
Schools, and post graduate Normal depart
men;s, in which he has had broad expert
ence. The salient points of the hand book
are that it includes only what it IS possible
to take up without material interference
with the ordinary school curriculum. 1t
embraces only what pupils of average abil-
ity are capable of comprehending and mas
tering 1t includes fair outfit Of princi-
pies and practice for those who intend to
become teachers 1t can be effectively
used by teachers who are not specialists in
elocution 1t contains clear and concise
statements of principles and rules. 1t is
characterized by the copiousness and fresh
ness of the illustrative drill-examples.
Our examination of the work leads us to-
the belief that these claims are fully main
tanned, and that the book will prove ma
terial aid not only to teachers but to all
pupils from grammar grades upward
From A. /. Bancroft & Co., San Fran
cisco, we have fat volume OF their publ
cation entitled "Noble Deeds of the Great
and Brave, as Portrayed by the World
Great Writers of Prose and Poetry, Ga
thered from Many Ages and Nations" 1t
was selected and arranged by r. S. Hart
zell, and has an introduction from the pen
of Rev. Herbert W. Morris, d. d. The
volume is handsomely illustrated. We
opened the book with prejudice against it,
based ON the supposition that it was one of
the many clap-trap compilations made to
sell Examination has convinced us, how
ever. that ii is q book with its uses, and
that these are of no small account. 1t is an
excellent collection of historic narratives
classified and very clearly introduced.
MANY of them are accompanied by the
recital of the story in verse, from the pens
of great writers in many tongues. The
value of the book resides largely in the fact
that it may awaken in very many the
thirst for thorough historic reading. 1t has
value also in affording those who wish TO
make choice selections for public readings.
1t has value, too, as furnishing reading en-
tertainment for brief periods of rest in the
rush of the hours. Finally, il is COM
mendable work, for it brings into one vol
ume and groups together the greater exam
pies of Grand Achievements, Heroic
Sacrifices, !" Valiant Exploits knightly
Virtues, :" Patriotism, Integrity, Mag
nanimity," Devotion to Duty, Fidelity
10 Home and Kindred, and " True Friend
ship"
Emerson stood among the few men who
have attained the highest position in Amer
lean literature. In volume before US by
the poet Oliver Wendell Holmes, the. sub
iect is the life, character and works OF
Ralph Waldo Emerson, topics which could