The Portland daily press., 1889-02-25
NEW PUBLICATIONS

Concerning the Mental Development of the
Human Being In the First Years Of Life
BY w. Preyer, Professor Of Physiology in
jena. Translated from the original German
by Fl. W. Brown, teacher in the State Nor
NAL School at Worcester. Mass. New York:
d. Appleton & Co.; Portland: LoriDg,
Short & Harmony The processes of educa-
ton are more thoroughly studied year by
year, and especially just now is attention
given to the development of mind in early
childhood. The work of Prof Preyer is
careful and elaborate study Of the first three
years of child life. The results OF observa-
ton are tabulated in chronological order,
making very full and unique conspec-
tus of this formative and busy period in
the mental history of the child. In
teresting chapters follow on think
ing without words, learning to speak.
and speech in the first three years, with COM
| parative observations on the requirement of
speech by German and foreign children.
These results of well directed observation
cannot fail to be fruitful in suggestions and
| hints toward the normal system Of education,
and the book shows useful generalization
| from the facts In question. Kindergarten
and primary teachers will find much of inter
est in this volume, and 1t win throw light on
many questions THAT concern instruction In
later graded. This entire International Ed
ucation Series Is of excellent quality.
The latest addition to the long line Of
birthday books is The Julia Ward Howe
Birthday Book. Arranged and edited by her
daughter Laura E. Richards. Boston: Lee
q Shepard; Portland: Stevens & Jones.)
The merit offs this dainty covered little book
will soon place 1t near the head of the line,
for the selections have been carefully made
from Mrs, Howe's prose and poetical writ
ings, and are admirable-indeed her name on
| ttAAfit }ledfnrei ronreffts. good feature Is
the index for names at the end of the book
Memory. What it is and how to improve
1t. By David Kay, F. r. G. S. Author of
Education and Educators" International
Education series. Edited by W. l. Harris
LII. ID. New York: d. Appleton and
Company. Portland Loring. Short & Har-
NOM. We have be re some fresh and original
studies carrying freight of, thought suffic-
lent to give them real value. The author has
no faith in arts of improving the memory in
two or three lessons, but unbounded faith In
systems OF education, rightly conducted, to
render this Important power of the mind well
nigh perfect. Mr.. Kay POUNDS on physiology
as well as psychology and claims that vigor
and vividness In the action of the senses. and
a sound condition of the bodily powers have
as much TO do in recalling as in receiving
mental Impressions.
Basing his conclusion ON a wide range of
facts combined with careful study of the
mental activities. he believes promptuess,
accuracy, and breadth of memory are quite
within the reach of the educated intellect.
indeed, there seems no reason in the nature
OF things why we should forget anything
| that has once been in the mind, or that we
should not be able to recall 1t when we wish
| to do so.'' How to improve the memory is
! a question vital to the science of education,
and an inquiry of prime Importance to all
| classes, TO manual and to mental workers.
The admirable notes and opposite citations
are feature of Mr.. Kay's book, the strength
OF whose well expressed and thoroughly
thought out pages loses nothing by compare
ison with the utterances Of leading author
tiles in mental science The volume may be
N~N1stJ SDihhiOnuCu W tCdCucIo LOT lLS
interesting style, thorough canvass of the
subject and richness in practical sugges.
lions.
Ohio. By Rufus Ring. Boston: Hough-
ton Muffin d Co.; Portland: Loring. Short
Harmony This is one Of the Am
erican Commonwealth series and is surpassed
10 interest by few, II BY any other history
Of the States admitted since the Revolution.
Ohio became State in 1880, the seventeenth
In order OF time, and is now the third in pop
uiatlon. In character, enterprise, intelli-
gence. patriotism and morality, 1t is the peer
OF the best. part of the historical North
west Territory, it was claimed by France.
spain and England, In succession; each of
which was eager to secure SO fair prize. but
AFTER long contest the English prevailed
over the French, as the Americans finally
did, over both English and Spaniards, not in
Ohio only, but throughout the Mississippi
valley as well. 1t had its prehistoric races.
the celebrated Mound builders, of whom but
little Is now known, or ever will be known
since they persisted long ago.
Inc pioneer settlers Of Ohio were a sur.
perior race of men. hardy. brave, intelligent,
industrious and moral, precisely the sort of
men best fitted to found great State. The
nrst generation encountered many perils and
hardships, but they gradually surmounted
all difficulties and built up State which is
the pride of its people. and has thigh place
IN the esteem and affection of all Americans:
Inc growth of Ohio has been rapid. vet
healthy and sure. The wealth is great and
constantly increasing. Her public buildings
and other works, are all on a grand scale.
and her educational standards and facilities.
nearly equal those of New England. Gin
cnnati Is 1.-THE Queen City" Of the West so.
called, and the title is conceded TO her, as the
claim to be the most beautiful in all the West
Is to Cleveland ~
But the chief glory of Ohio is her war
record In the number of her troops. the
promptness with which they were put into
the field, and above all, in the number and
distinction of the army officers, Ohio ranks
every State. In the last particular, her pre.
eminence is indisputable. 1t is a pleasure.
therefore to read Mr.. Kings interesting vol
ume. and to commend it to all lovers Of their
country. II pLuribus unme is indeed our
national motto. and one of the best In the
circle OF sister States has the euphonious
name of Ohio. As to the future of this great
State. we are confident that it will be equal
TO Its early record in all civic virtues, and
surpass 1t In services to the country and to
the civilized world.
Religi Gus Worship In the Reform