The San Francisco call., 1897-08-11

nav and lower grammar grades. This llm1ta-
non, it is to be presumed, was IN accofuahce
with an educational creed now universally ac-
cepted to wit: that the reading IN the upper
grammar grades (say the last tWo) shouid De
mething d misunderstanding petter-tnan
tie scrappy selections Whlcn make up tne
bulk of the regular School ReaderS-should De,
in other words continuous readings; ana
that these readings, moreover, should De from
standard authors.
Now. what books should be selected to thus
complete, in these two higher grades, the
course in reading and literA ture, OF which the
State Readers form the earlier part? Ihls
question was an important one, because the
laws of California provide (P. c. Sec. lSI4l
THAT any books once adopted as part OF a
uniform series must be continued in Use not less
than four gears" and the law tPen furtner
specihes ali the necessary steps for making
changes. The Board Of Education which solved
this question for the San Francisco schools
was composed of the following well-knoWn
citizens: Henry L. Dodge, William F. Ambrose,
Emmett 7. Barrett, Thomas K. Carew, VI.
Charles A. Clinton, A. Comte Jr., Charles ii.
Hawley, H. c. Henderson, Andrew McElroy,
Charles A. Murdock and Henry 7. Scott.
Action was finally had in the premises at
regular meeting OF the board at which all the
members were present held on the evening OF
November %, 1896, by The unanimous adoption
of the following preamb bles and resolutions
which were presented by Director Charles A.
Murdock:
WHEREAS: J. The State Series of Readers
were Intentionally limited to the lower grades OF
the grammar schools, and no books on ntera ure
and reading having yet been adopted provided
for in the seventh and eighth grades:
a2. The editors of the state Readers strongly
recommend he books named hereafter as most
admirably adapted 10 supplement the State
readers in these grades;
% The school course OF most of our pupils ends
with he grammar school and 1t is, therefore, very
important as affecting their future reading, that
they should at least be introduced as is so ad mira
bly, done in these books, to those authors and their
works whose writings have so largely Influenced
our thought and character as Nation, and thus
be slim ulated and inspired with taste for the
best literature which shall render unpa atabe and
dfstateful the trashy and demoralizing reading
which, unfortunately, is so bountifully prepared
for the young: therefore be II
"ResoJued: l. That Brauder Matthews Intro
ducton to the Study of American Literature be
and the same is hereby adopted textbook for
in the sevsnth-grade classes of the schools in
thus department:
-. That select American Classics be and the
same is hereby adop. ed as reading- book in the
the same to be critically read and studied in class
in connection with the annotations.
-. That both books go into use at the opening
of the school term in January, 1897.
II. That the superintendent OF schools Is hereby
instructed 10 give prompt notice of this action to
principals and to teachers of the grades named to
the end hat they may he prepared in advance, to
take up the work Immediately and INTEL gently at
the opening Of the next school term, in January,
1897.
IS. That the publishers of said books be and
are hereby required to enter into contract within
five days after the adoption of this resolution and
give good and sufficient bonds that the books fur
nished shall always be in accordance with samples
omitted, and that the prices shall at n" time dur
ing the OF legal adoption be advanced from the
present prices to wit: One a. dollar for the Amer
lean Literature and sixty (6O) cents for select
American Classics"
These prices are always the "list prices"
from which dealers are allowed discount of
10 per cent if purchasing from the iobbers
here in San Francisco, or 20 per cent ii pur-
chasing direct from the purchasers in the
East.
Copies of the books named, let it be under
stood, had been in the hands of all the in
diyidual Directors for a long time, ana their
own good opinions of them had been re-en-
forced BIZ the written Inducements COPIES
sent herewith) OF many San Francisco prin-
cipals and o hers who had examined or had
used the books. They were further re-enforced
by IN opinion OF the editors of the Revised
State Readers and the Revised State Gram
mar themselves as most gracefully expressed
by Miss Anna c. Murphy land concurred in by
her ass oclate. Mrs George, and by the editor
in-chief, Mr.. w. H. V. Raymond as follows:
az am entirely pleased with Mr.. Brander Mat
thews little book. AN Introduction to American
Literature not only for the grace and of the
authors style-wnlcn would carry one If his
theme were Patent Office Reports'-but for the
absorbing interest of the subject matter chosen.
the unerriDg art in presenting salient points, the
suggestive exposition of the relations and atin-
ties OF the ulfferent and their works and
their Tins ana the sturdy Amerlcanlsm which
breaches the doctrine OF our National independ-
ence in literature.
'Jf Mr.. Matthews had worked in conjunction
with the editors of the Revised California Read
and Grammar he could not have prepared a
volume more to their liking to put into the hands
of pupils in the eighth and ninth grades OF
Schools 10 supplement the extracts, amplify the
biographies and strengthen the literary perspec-
tive OF these textbooks"
Among the many other expressions of fa-
vorable opinion considered by the board were
the following from Earl Bar mes, professor of
education n Stanford University; Mr.. James
A. Barr of Stockton, we'll known as one of the
most efficient and painstaking school super
intendents in this State; Professor Pennell,
president of the State Normal School at Chico;
and the veteran school superin tendent ]. B.
Brown OF Humboldt County. Professor Earl
Barnes said:
81 was very glad to see Brander Matthew'S little
book, AN introduction to the study of American
Literature and ! have read it with very great
pleasure. Anything TO which Brander NJ att hews
puts his name is sure TO be good, and this little
book is no disappointment The book will not
take the place of the study of American literature,
but il will give setting and unity to such frag-
mentary studies be made In our public
schools, and will prove real boon 10 teachers and
students alike. The selection Of authors pleases
'.The introduction is large and inspiring out
look, and our American boys and girls of the
gram grades and in he high schoo, who have
this little book in their hands and WORK 1t through
under the guidance OF intelligent teachers supple
mentng it with readings The works treated
in this little volume, will have Intelligent and
worthy understanding of that part of our civiiza-
ton which is more worthy of our pride than our in
dustrial development or our politics. May all sue
cess attend the book.
'Ihe little book. Select American Classics
w
erson, covers nything of obie ton that may
have had in my mind 10 Brander Matthews little
book his work, used with such selections as
these, will give Young Ameri such sense Of
our literature and such a foundation for Ameri-
can patriotism as past generations have never
had"
Superintendent Barr wrote:
"For several years have been on the lookout
for text on American literature within the COM
prehension of grammar-grade pupils. Last year
the book found. BTander Matthews In his
Introduction to the study of American Litera-
ture' has given US book interesting concise and
adapted TO grammar grade work. since it's intro
ductlon the Pacific Coast it has been in use as
textbook in the highest gram grade (eighth
grade) OF the ~t,ckton schools. The book has
stood the test of actusl use in our schools
with this book ia the hands of our pupils su u
plemented with readings from books suggested
therein, our boys and girls are eaving the gram 10 ar
grades with better understanding and higher an
probation oe American literature than ever be-
fore"
Professor Penner stated
"When first saw Brander Matthews .Introduc-
tion TO the study OF Literature was so pleased
with it that determined TO test it In The class.
room, and have myself gone over il with class
The book is all that is claimed for t-and more
too. rarely commend "a LOOK mighty but this
comes so nearly the ideal book Of its sort that I
am glad TO write thus about it,"
superintendent J. B. Brown bore testimony
as follows:
'We are using Brander Matthews introduction
TO the Study OF American i:erature' as a text
book In this county, with great pleasure and with
great success All the teachers and pupis like il
and take delight in reading aud stud Ing the book