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SUGGESTIONS TO TEACHERS 
THE VINCENTS: 
OB, THE MYSTERY AT THE BLUE SPRINGS, 
NEW PUBLICATIONS, 
Much has been said and written of the 
responsibility of a teacher’s vocation. Let 
me suppose that you have thought long and 
seriously upon the subject; that you have 
felt an inward prompting for this work too 
strong to be resisted, and a consciousness ot 
the power to guide others; that you have 
clear views of the importance and right end 
of education. You need 
Preparation lor Your Duties. 
In the first place let me urge you to be 
thorough in the studies you undertake. Go 
to the bottom, and never rest, till you under¬ 
stand the reason of things. Do not be in too 
great haste to begin your labors, but let the 
training of your school days continue after 
3 0u have acquired the “ common branches,’’ 
as we are wont to term them, for the more 
liberal your education, the better are you 
fitted to impart the simplest truths. 
You will find yourself greatly helped by 
an acquaintance with the natural sciences,— 
indeed I hardly see how you can dispense 
with their aid. You will teach English gram¬ 
mar better for having studied the Latin ; you 
need to know something of astronomy, ge¬ 
ology and history before you am teach geog¬ 
raphy well, you should also know some¬ 
thing of chemistry and nat ural philosophy, 
while drawing is almost as essential. 
It is well if you can pursue these studies 
under the guidance of a teacher; if you are 
hindered from doing this, take them up 
boldly and gain what you can. You will 
need to acquire a store of general informa¬ 
tion ; for if you are a live teacher you will 
not rest satisfied with what, lies within the 
lids of your text-book. Tn your reading 
seize upon that which may help you and 
treasure it up. Better still, cut out the arti¬ 
cles and arrange them methodically in a 
dozen large envelopes, across the top of 
which write the various subjects, as Statis¬ 
tics, Poetry, Descriptive, &<\, underneath 
the headings of the articles. Pass .an elastic 
band around your bundle of envelopes, and 
you have the most convenient scrap book 
imaginable, taking up little space and easy 
of access at, all times. 
It is also a good plan to take notes of the 
hooks you read, as you may not always 
have them within reach. Visit schools, and 
you will gain new ideas of management and 
instruction. Page’s “ Theory and Practice 
of Teaching” abounds in useful suggestions, 
and from Holbrook's '‘Normal Methods of 
Teaching ” you will get many good things. 
There is work of another kind for you to 
do,—a preparation of heart no less than of 
mind; you are to conquer in yourself what¬ 
ever will lessen your influence upou those 
about you, all tendency to impatience or 
discouragement, anything that you believe 
to be wrong. 
In the 8chool-Room. 
Be careful of your bearing, and be sure to 
carry to your school-room a cheerful face. 
Let the children feel that you are most thor¬ 
oughly their friend, no despot, but only their 
helper; batter down the wall of reserve that 
so often separates the teacher and the taught, 
and you have gained the battle. Said one 
lady to another not long since : 
“Miss Kate, will you tel I me how it is 
that you manage your pupils so easily, while 
mine almost plague my life out with their 
mischief?’’ 
“ I dont know liow it is, I’m sure," she 
replied, “ l only know that I love them very 
much, and they give me no trouble.” 
I thought there was a deal of wisdom in 
Miss Kate’s treatment,; and, in my opinion, 
the nearer we follow her plan the more per¬ 
fect our success. 
As far as possible, make your school self- 
governing. In one of the best schools I ever 
saw there were no rules at all. The teacher 
believed her pupils to be reasonable beings, 
and gave them credit for good intentions; 
consequently any failure in duty met by a 
kind suggestion as to future conduct was 
sure not to be repeated. These girls were so 
convinced of their teacher’s interest in them 
that she was consulted constantly in regard 
to outside matters no less than their studies, 
and so exerted over them a strong influence 
just at that period of their lives when a 
wise and loving hand is most needed. 
Strive to be uniform in your treatment of 
your pupils, ready to correct a fault, but 
careful in the mode of correction. Avoid 
losing respect by favoritism, or by using rid¬ 
icule. Remember how delicate is the in¬ 
strument, whose chords you touch; how 
lasting the wrong that a word may do. Prom 
day to day you will grow into a juster appre¬ 
ciation of your work in all its aspects; from 
day to day > r ou will be helped by the affec¬ 
tion and obedience of your charge, and your 
approving conscience will encourage you to 
new efforts. La Fknillk. 
Parker’s Illustrated Hand-Book of the 
Great West, a Record of Statistics and Facts, 
with Practical Suggestions for Immigrants, as to 
Profitable Investment of Labor and Capital in In¬ 
dustrial Pursuits in the Great West. By Nathan 
H. Parker. [8 vo.— paper, pp. 162,] New York : 
American News Co. 
Inasmuch as this is the initial number of a 
proposed quarterly, to be published in the inter¬ 
est of '‘The Western Farm and Immigration 
Company," an organization for landed specula¬ 
tion, of which the author is Secretary, we very 
naturally infer that many statements contained 
in it are somewhat rose-colored. Yet it is worth 
the careful attention of all wlio meditate mi¬ 
grating Westward, rt treats entirely of Mis¬ 
souri and Kansas,— most fully of the former, 
which is represented as very like what our fancy 
painted Paradise. However, Missouri will bear 
“ puinng." It is, without question, wonderfully 
rich in mineral resources; and they who help to 
build its sure magnificent. Future will reap an 
abundant reward. It and its sister virgin State, 
— balmy-aired Kansas,— Invite Immigration; 
"The Western Farm anil Immigration Com¬ 
pany" earnestly and disinterestedly solicit the 
same; and what Yankee of wandering propen¬ 
sities can withstand the temptation? Mr. Par¬ 
ker is well posted on that of whiuh lie treats, 
and cites excellent authority to substantiate 
many of his declarations. 
BY MUR. E. F. ELLKT, 
Author op “ Women op tiik Amkiucan RitvoiuTlox,” “Quisn» 
op Amrrica* Sociptv,” Ac., Ac. 
(■Continued from pinto 77, lust No.] 
Ai. -THE MYSTERY DEEPENS. 
As they drove back, Ada noticed that 
Laura’s nervous trembling was gone, and 
that her face no longer flushed and grew 
white alternately. Pali' she was, but her 
expression showed both resignation and de¬ 
termination. She knew now that the worst 
she had foreboded was coming, and the 
energy of her nature rose prepared to meet it. 
On auncky Lyon came that evening; tluy 
had music and singing; and Ada declared 
it passed enchant ingly, 
On their second visit to the magistrate’s, 
the ladies were shown into Mr. Ely’s libra¬ 
ry ; and as I ho room was warm, Mr. Stone 
said, ho threw open the door of an adjoining 
apartment. The questions asked related to 
the picnic on the mountain, the company, 
and Mrs. Vincent’s presence there with 
Miss Wingate. She was asked how she 
passed the day, hut did not answer. 
Mr. Ely was just, then milled out to re¬ 
ceive some persons who had arrived. Mr. 
Stone asked why Mrs. Vincent had led. the 
picnic grounds before dinner on that day. 
“ A note was brought to me—.” Laura 
hesitated. The magistrate said Miss Win- 
date had mentioned the note, and repeated 
its contents. He then again asked the lady 
how she had spent, the remainder of that day. 
Laura remained silent. 
“ Bear in mind, Mrs. Vincent,” he said, 
“ that your refusal to answer will be thought 
singular. At the same time, you are not 
bound to say anything which may — lead to 
suspicions you cannot remove. You told 
your friend that day that you would return 
in two or three hours; yet it was after dusk 
before she found you at the hotel. Allow 
me to press the question—where were you 
in that interval?" 
Several persons were heard coming up¬ 
stairs, and they entered the adjoining room. 
Mr. Ely came into the library through the 
open door. IBs colleague waved his hand 
for him not to speak, and said in a severe 
tone; 
“ I await your answer, madam.” 
“ I shall make no answer, sir.” 
“ This silence is strange. If the hours were 
passed with a rich friend, you need not refuse 
to satisfy us. 1 ask once more, madam— 
where did you pass the hours of your ab¬ 
sence ?” 
Mrs. Gray looked at her niece. Pale and 
shivering, she made an effort to rise, but 
sank hack on her chair, and covered her face 
with her hands. The aunt sprang to her 
side, and clasping her arms round her, pressed 
her close to her heart. 
“You have overcome her!” she said, in¬ 
dignantly; “come, my love, we will leave 
this place.” 
Laura recovered her composure in a few 
minutes. 
“You have done your duty, gentlemen,” 
she said, “ but, you can do no more. I refuse 
to answer any further questions.” 
Mr. Stone, who seemed to have assumed 
the direction of matters, now called to the 
others; and a man, woman and little girl 
came in, followed by Mr. Stewart. Laura 
glanced at them, Imt did not appear to recog¬ 
nize them. The little girl, questioned by Mr. 
Stone, at once ident ified her as the-same lady 
to whom she had taken a note on the day of 
The man, who was a saddler, 
things you make!" Tears filled the little 
girl’s eyes. She dreaded to have the teacher 
see her hook. “ lie will in- angry with me 
and scold,” she said to herself. lint, when 
the teacher came and looked, he smiled. 
“ I sec you are trying, my little girl,” he 
said, kindly, " and that is enough for me.” 
8I10 took courage. Again and again she 
Studied the beautiful copy. She wanted to 
know how every line went, how every letter 
was rounded and made. Then she took up 
her pen and began again to write. She 
wrote carefully, with the copy always before 
her. 
But oh, what slow work it was ! I ler let¬ 
ters straddled here, they crowded there, and 
some of them looked “ every whieli-way.” 
The little girl trembled at the step of the 
teacher, “i am afraid you will find fault 
with me," she said; “ my letters are not lit, 
to be on the same page with the copy.” 
“ I do not find fault with you," said the 
teacher, “because I do not look so much 
at what, you do as at what you aim at and 
have the heart to do. By sincerely trying, 
you will make a little improvement every 
day; and a little improvement every day 
will enable you to reach excellence by-and- 
KALEIDOSCOPIC DIVERSION, 
There are numerous ways in which young 
people can entertain themselves during the 
long evenings, and in many of them instruc¬ 
tion and pleasure may be happily combined. 
The ordinary appointments of home can be 
employed, frequently, to this end. As a 
means of affording rare enjoyment apart 
from its legitimate melodious service, the 
piano is excellent, when put to kaleidoscopic 
duty. We gave an article in the Rural Inst 
year, on the Piano Kaleidoscope, and now 
illustrate the same, in order to render it more 
clear to our youthful readers. 
Any one who has a square piano-forte can 
readily prepare a highly interesting optical 
exhibition by observing these directions and 
illustrations. The principal engraving is a 
perspective view, showing the manner in 
which the exhibition is given; and Figure 2 
is an end view of the piano, showing how 
the kaleidoscopic tube is formed. 
First Lbsso.vs in Botany and Veoktabi.k 
Physiology. Illustrated by Over SCO Wood Kn- 
f ravings from Growings bv Isaac Sprague. 
0 which Is Added a Copious Glossary or Dictionary 
of Botanical Terms, By ASA GRAY, Fisher Pro¬ 
fessor of Natural History in Harvard University. 
(8vo. —np.28(1.J Now York. lVl*Oh, Phlnney, Blufce- 
munACo. 
Field Fore* r ami Garden Botany. A 
Introduction to the Common Plants nr the United 
States East of the Mississippi. Moth Wild and Cul¬ 
tivated. By As a Ura y, Fisher Professor of Natu¬ 
ral History in Harvard University, [8 vo. - pp.38fi.) 
New \ork. Ivison, Phlnncy, Blakeruun & Co. 
Here we have two very useful volumes con¬ 
veniently bound in one. As a botanical text¬ 
book, the double volume is, we think, without a 
peer. The "First Lessons" are admirably ar¬ 
ranged for beginners in the study,— plain, simple, 
and sufficiently complete to comprise, as the 
Preface says, "a genuine Grammar of Bot¬ 
any and Vegetable Physiology; ’’ white the 
Copious Glossary or Dictionary 
By Asa.Gray, Fisher Pro- 
N’-J'V York'. iVlsoti, PhUmey’Biako- 
A Simple 
Home p-ictcres of English Poets, for Fireshie 
and School.Room. [12mo.-pp. 213.] iiow York : D. 
Appleton & Co. 
Some kindly-minded individual, veiling her (?) 
identity under the initials " K, A. S„" la these 
familiar pen pictures Introduces young readers 
to the most noted English poets. And she per¬ 
forms her part very happily indeed, in a style 
colloquial and informal, giving a fair idea or l he 
lives sbe portrays, as also ol' the poets works. 
The sketches art* fifteen in number, comprising 
tne best authors from Chaucer to Burns in¬ 
clusive; and each is prel'aeod with a portrait of 
Its subject., cleverly drawn on wood. A perusal 
of tiie volume will bo of good effect, inducing 
the study of more eiuboratc works on Literature. 
“ Tlmnk you, sir,” said the little girl; and 
thus encouraged, she took up her pen with a 
greater spirit of application than before. 
And so it is with the dear children who 
are trying to become like Jesus. God has 
given us His dear Son “ for an example, tlml 
we should follow Flirt steps.” lie “did no 
sin, neither was guile found in Mis mouth.” 
How He loved people! bow He forgave Mis 
enemies I how kind and tender He was I 
how “meek and lowly in heart 1” how He 
“ went about doing good!” lie is “ alto¬ 
gether lovely,” and “ full of grace and truth.” 
And when you study 11 is character, “ I 
can never, never reach that,” you say; “ 1 
can never be like .Jesus.” 
God does not expect you to become like 
nis dear Son in a minute, or a day, or a 
year; but what pleases Him is, that you 
should love Him, and have a disposition 
to try .—Little Corporal. 
The front portion, o, of the top of the piano 
is turned back on its hinges over the main 
portion, c } to an angli? of sixty degrees or 
less, and supported in that position hy plac¬ 
ing under its edge a book, /?, or other suitable 
prop; and the cloth cover is then placed over 
the portion of the top which is thus thrown 
back, in such manner as to close the opening 
behind it. A triangular tube, A, of the 
whole length of tin; piano, is thus formed, 
the portions of the top, a and c, comprising 
the bottom and front sides, and the cloth 
cover forming the third or rear side thereof. 
The surfaces of a and b form the reflectors 
of the kaleidoscope. A small table, or any 
other convenient stand, is placed close to one 
end of the piano, with two candles or small 
lamps upon it, one on each side the mouth 
of the tube, A, placed so they are not visible 
in looking through the tube from the oppo¬ 
site end. 
Thus is the arrangement complete. Now 
let any brightly figured article, such as a 
piece of carpet, a shawl, a quilt, or a bit of 
colored embroidery, he held up near the 
lights, so that they will shine upon that side 
which is toward the tube, as shown in the 
picture, and he moved about in as many di¬ 
rections as possible, and a person looking 
through the tube will see an almost endless 
variety of beautiful figures, tar more brilliant 
than those witnessed in an ordinary kaleido¬ 
scope. In fact, almost any article moved 
about at the lighted end of the tube will pro¬ 
duce singularly pleasing effects. 
Our young friends can enliven the enter¬ 
tainment by music, meanwhile, thus render¬ 
ing it still more charming. And if they find 
in it, as they surely ought, a suggestion of 
the wonders of light, and are thereby drawn 
to studying optics, they will be not only di¬ 
verted but instructed. 
Little Meo's Children. By the Author of “Je»- 
alea h Hrat Prayer.’’ [10mo. —pp. 215.J Bouton; 
Henry Hoyt. 
Wk have commended Mr. Hoyt's publications 
for the young, often; and having carefully read 
this bright looking little volume, Wo very cheer¬ 
fully repeat our amumondatlon. " Little Meg” 
was one ol' those children prematurely aged by 
hardships and Buffering, and her children were a 
boy brother and a baby sister, left to her care by 
her dying mother. The story of her faithfulness 
and childlike trust in God is full of sad interest. 
Youthful readers will trace It out with eagerness 
and profit. 
♦ - 
State of Illinois and tub Universal kxink- 
fptOJJ or 18OT, at Paris, France. Report of John 
V Reynolds, Delegate from the tlllnols State 
Agricultural Society, and Qammtaxtoner for the 
pp. J82.J Springfield State .Journal 
Printing Office. 
Illinois was better represented at the Paris Ex¬ 
position, probably, than any other Statoof our 
Union. In what such representation consisted 
Mr. Reynold* clearly sets forth in this hand¬ 
some report; and he gives, besides, much inci¬ 
dental information, derived from his observa¬ 
tions outside the Exposition, which is of general 
interest, and which renders the volume of more 
value than a mere statistical compilation. 
A WORD TO BOYS, 
Come, hoys, and listen a few moments to 
your uncle. You Imve now arrived at an 
ago when you must begin to think about 
doing something for yourselves. The first 
piece of advice 1 have for you is, to do every¬ 
thing well which you undertake. There is 
but little danger of your being too particular 
in this respect. A hoy who is careful to 
draw a straight line on his slate, will be very 
likely to make a straight line through life. 
There is no position in life in which, you 
will not he called upon to act as exact as 
possible. Step into the jeweler’s shop, and 
see how careful the workman must be in 
finishing up the article he holds In his hands. 
Visit the ship-yard, and the man with the 
broad-ax must learn to hew on a line, or be 
dismissed. You think of being a clerk. 
Well, remember that a mistake there is a little 
less than a crime. I never saw a man who 
was very particular about bis affairs that was 
not successful. How exact is a military 
officer in the command of a body of men. 
A clumsy sailor will never rise to the com¬ 
mand of a ship. 
But there is one great danger which besets 
many young men at the present day. Tf it is 
the disposition to avoid all solid improve¬ 
ment, and take up with subjects that require 
no thought, and Which serve as mere war¬ 
fare with godliness, our portion will be that 
of the ungodly. As the tree falleth so shall 
it lie. We shall reap what .we have sown. 
“ Let nty example warn you of the fatal 
error into which you have fallen,” said the 
gay Sir Francis Delaval, near the end of his 
life. “ Pursue what is useful! pursue what 
is useful 1' 
the picnic 
said she came that day to his house, and was 
joined by a laboring man who was her guide 
along the wood-path up the hill. She had 
returned with him, and stopped to have the 
cut on her hand bound up. 
The aunt listened to all this in utter amaze¬ 
ment. Laura had her handkerchief pressed 
to her eyes, and her arm resting on the table; 
but she lifted up her face when the questions 
were asked. 
The woman also identified her, and re¬ 
peated her husband’s story. She had dressed 
the wound, and had given the lady her own 
handkerchief, retaining her embroidered one 
Her little boy had followed her, and over¬ 
heard her companion’s words. 
Mrs. Gray, who had looked wildly from 
one to another, here uttered a faint cry, and 
fell back in a swoon. 
With a groan of anguish, Laura supported 
her aunt, glancing in piteous appeal at, Mr. 
Ely. lie helped to lay Mrs. Gray on a sofa, 
and when she recovered, suggested that she 
should be at once placed in the carriage. 
“ You must remain, madam,” said Mr. 
Stone, as he held up a warrant for the arrest 
of Laura Vincent. 
Her woman’s nature quailed for an instant, 
Put the next, moment her proud spirit asserted 
its sovereignty. 
“ I am your prisoner,” she said, calmly. 
“ For a short time, I trust,” said Mr. Ely ; 
“ I grieve that it must he so.” 
PS&F n w T nu R ?' Song. By F. SCHUBERT. NOW 
York • B. YV. Hitchcock. 
Good-By, sweetheart Good-By. sona. ByJno. 
L. Hatton. New York: B. vv. Hitchcock. 
Two numbers of the “ Half-Dime Series of 
Music for the Million," are hero given. They 
are beautiful Bongs, well printed on pages hardly 
larger than octavo, with illuminated title page ; 
and are good enough and cheap enough to be 
highly popular. If Mr. Hitchcock will select 
his publications judiciously, and bring out only 
melodies of pure taste, ho can but deserve well 
of the music-loving public. 
The Skater’s Text-Book. By Frank Swtst and 
Mauvin R. Clark. [lOtno.—paper, pp. 115.] New 
Everything pertaining to the skatorial art is 
pleasantly treated of in this neatly printed and 
well illiiBtrated hand-book. The history of skat¬ 
ing, Its utility, its fascination and its poetry, are 
attractively presented; and doubtless all desi¬ 
rous of acquiring the grace of motion will wish 
to secure the complete Instructions which it 
gives. 
The Tribune Almanac and Political Regis¬ 
ter for iboj. Revised by Horace Greeley. New 
York- The Tribune Association. 
This compilation is so widely known, and is, in 
its sphere, such undoubted authority, that wo 
need not commend it. Wc believe it is generally 
conceded as accurate in all Its political statistics, 
and know it to be very valuable for reference. 
FOLLOWING THE COPY 
A little girl went to a writing-school. 
When she saw her copy, with every line so 
perfect, “ I can never, never write like that,” 
she said. 
Sbe looked steadfastly at its straight lines, 
which were so very straight, and the round 
lines so slim and graceful. Then she took 
up her pen and timidly put it on the paper. 
Her hand trembled; she drew it back; she 
stopped, studied the copy and began again. 
“ I can but try," said the little girl; “ I will 
do as well us I can." 
She wrote half a page. The letters were 
crooked. What more could we expect from 
a first effort? The next scholar stretched 
across her desk, and said, “What scraggy 
I” Reader, if you would not make 
your life a curse, present and eternal, “ pursue 
What is useful.” — Selected. 
a ?f,P KM0CRAT ?fv Aj - MA >iAC and Political Com¬ 
pendium for 1868. New Yurt: Van Kvrto, Horton 
CL CQ, 
Here we have the fourth yearly issue of an 
almanac and political hand-book designed more 
especially for those of the Democratic faith. 
Its list of contents is quite ample, and comprises 
much that is often very desirable to refer to. 
Strive to he neat and orderly in all your 
habits, and after awhile neatness will itself 
become a habit. 
It is well for teachers and those taught to 
remember that, while learning from books is 
good, self-education is highly necessary. 
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