The age-herald., 1897-11-14


 have so long enjoyed.
 Notwithstanding the fact that many contingencies have arisen. which have materially inteffered with the progress of the schools under their splendid eys- tern they have battled against adverse circumstances and are today as perfect as when they were awarded the first prize at tffe Atlanta exposition for ex- cellence against the school systems of Chicago, Philadelphia, Cincinnati and other large critics.
 The organization of the schools is ex- cellent and the work is being systemaitic- ally executed. The attendance during the past few weeks has materially increased the en- rollment now heinz over 1000.
 system of Ventilation
 Considerable uneasiness has been felt during the past month on account of the prevalence ofscarlet fever and diphthefaa but the present outlook indicates that there is no danger Of an epidemic and only few parents have withdrawn their children from the schools, for this req son.
 Owing to the fact that the white ele- mentary schools have such superior facil- iuleS, lHe QdD5ff CUilielt5aoii to a minimum. The excellent system of ventilation in these buildings renders the air breathed by the children, abso- 1utely fresh and pure. The school rooms are constantly supplied with fresh air from the outside which is conducted into the rooms through the furnaces Vents are provided fcr the escape of all foul air. Thus foiumtng a complste system of circulation.
 False rumors spread by persons who are i'll informed have often proven more infectious and fatal than -epidemdcs. It has been charged that the school build ings of Birmingham use no water in thelr closet system. As a matter of fact the Rutban-Smead system of heating and ventilahng which is in use dn th,s city, has proven the most perfect system yet devised and has been adapted by many of the leading cities in headng and ven- talating public buildings.
 Under this system current of warm air is continually passing through the closet vaults, carrying all noxious odors and gases twenty feet above the roof of the building.
 In the schools where a case of diph- theria or scarlet fever has attacloed q CdNA ci-iu Is it4unuSu PAONi0C his own cup for drinking purposes. The children all occupy separate desks and well informed parents realize that there is far less danger at school than at churches or in street cars.
 The principals, teachers and scholars, promptly investigate all rumors and us tlally are uniformed of all cases several days before the beard of health reports TbnYt1 to tha 1rer r ir,tf f11do o11ff nfHaa
 Vertical Writing
 Atlanta is wrestling with the problem of vertical writing. Birmingham intro duced this system last year and the re- suits were so favorable that this year it is used entirely in the lower grades. Where the handwriting is formed it is not required. Tn order to make this system success Birmingham has de- parted from the good old way" and has discarded the usual "copy book" It is . believed that developments will prove this to be a progressive step.
 Drawing
 An important change has been made in the course of study in drawing. In addition to the geome tr.cal and indus trial work hitherto dine, the pupils now draw directly from nature, both still life and sketching. Results as yet however, arc crude, but after some practice, where the principles of perspective are mas tered it is believed that the change will be found to have been a wise one.
 Drawing is Ianguage--a means of expression and this is the fundamental idea in the present method.
 The Library
 The public library in the high school building is an institution that well de- serves the patronage and assistance of the reading public.
 It contains over 5000 well selected vol umes on its shelves. The departments of modern fiction. history, biography and literary criticism, are remarkably full, and the reference department is also ex- excellent,
 Through the fnstrumentalty of Oscar Underwood, the library was last year made depository for government pulp qicataons This department is rapidly accumula ting large number of pub licatlons of all kinds and constitutes by mo means the least important feature of the library. The Authors Card Catalogue" recent ly completed, is an dnvaluaibie aad to members in locating the works needed. "A similar catalogue by subjects Is now tu course of- compilation and when finished will prove complete guide to the reader and etudent in finding book or maga- zine articles, treating on any topic. The nominal membership fee of s2 per annum places the library in reach of all who appreciate it's advantages. A valuable and much appreciated do- nation to the library was that recently made by the Highland Book club of this city. This contribution consists of twen- ty substantially bound volumes. dealing with modern topics. dn art, and Etera- | ture. Another important contribution was that made last week by Mrs. T. R. W. Jeffray. This contribution consists of the "Iconograplic Cyclopedia" dn agh- teen volumes. Accompanying the cy- <y1 a.x.x ,,I.,4 4oAu <.f