have the note of distinction which always was his. The best are "Genius," "A Belt of Asteroids," "Austin Dobson," and "Keats." A significant contribution to our literary history is The Literature of the South, Montrose J. Moses (Crowell). It is an historical discussion of the literature that has contributed to the sectional development of the South, refreshing in its impartial attitude, and while stronger on its historical than on its critical side, is at times brilliant in its critical appraisement. Biography.-The Life and Letters of Edmund Clarence Stedman, by Laura Stedman and G. M. Gould, 2 vols. (Moffat, Yard & Co.), is not only a thoroughly adequate biography, but also a mine of information concerning our literature since the Civil War. The authors have painted a striking picture of the high heart and indomitable energy of Stedman's character. Edison, His Life and Inventions, by Frank L. Dyer and Thomas C. Martin (Harpers), is a biography with the qualities of romance. The biographers have arranged their material carefully, with an eye to dramatic situations, and have told their story in a style admirably suited to the general reader who knows little of the technical details of such work as Edison's, and the result is more than a mere narrative. It is a notable contribution to the history of American progress. Grover Cleveland, by Richard Watson Gilder (Century Co.), is a vitally important picture of the life of Cleveland written by one who knew him intimately. We see the ex-President in his unguarded moments, and we learn to know the great honesty, the unflagging industry of the man. A charming picture is also drawn of the home life of Cleveland and his family, all told with Mr. Gilder's unfailing charm of style. The Life of Harriet Beecher Stowe, by Charles E. Stowe and Lyman B. Stowe (Houghton Mifflin & Co.), is an intimate personal account of Mrs. Stowe. It is told with a sympathetic understanding of her character and reveals many interesting details of her career. Another valuable biography is The Life of Bret Harte, by Henry C. Merwin (Houghton Mifflin Co.). This is an authentic, well written treatment, which supersedes the English life by Pemberton, whose dates are shown to be at times incorrect. Noteworthy are the chapters on pioneer life in California. It bids fair to be the definitive and authoritative life of Bret Harte. Three new contributions to the excellent series of American Crisis Biographies, edited by Ellis P. Oberholtzer (Jacobs) are William H. Seward, by Edward Everett Hale, Jr., a scholarly book in which the author has gone to original sources for his material; William Lloyd Garrison, by Lindsay Swift, written in an easy, fluent style and with great sympathy; and Stephen A. Douglas, by Henry P. Willis, an interesting if almost too obviously judicial a picture of the "Little Giant." Travel.- The Obvious Orient, by Albert Bushnell Hart (Appleton), is an admirable description of Japan, China, the Philippines, India, Ceylon, and Egypt, together with an introductory description of the western portion of the United States. last chapter, summing up the results of the author's observations in his Oriental travels, is especially valuable. The style is clear, pictorial, and flexible. The The North Pole, by Robert Peary (Stokes), is a straightforward book, written in appropriately clear style, without any attempt at heroics and convincing to any unprejudiced mind. It will take its place as one of the permanently important records of human progress. Over the Border, by William Winter (Moffat, Yard & Co.), is a sympathetic study of Scottish life, scenery and historical associations, and shows Mr. Winter on one of his best sides, the description, in prose, by a poet of a land that he loves. The book is a chronicle of moods of inspiration and will appeal to any one who knows Scotland. Nature Books.-A book that will be of great interest and appeal to all lovers of nature is The Lure of the Garden, by Hildegarde Hawthorne (Century Co.). SIMPLIFIED SPELLING CHARLES P. G. SCOTT * The movement for the regulation Society. The delegates on the part and simplification of English spelling of the Simplified Spelling Board made considerable progress in the were Prof. Calvin Thomas, of Coyear 1911. The Simplified Spelling lumbia University; Prof. James W. Board continued its activities with Bright, of Johns Hopkins University; increast means and a larger follow- Prof. Charles H. Grandgent, of ing. Many thousand additional sig- Harvard University; Prof. George natures have been obtaind to the Hempl, of Leland Stanford Univercard by which the signer agrees "to sity, and Prof. Brander Matthews, of use, as far as may be practicable, in Columbia University. The delegates his personal correspondence, the on the part of the Simplified Spellsimpler spellings that have been ing Society of Great Britain were recommended by the Simplified Spell- Dr. E. R. Edwards, Prof. H. Stanley ing Board." The movement has been Jevons, of the University of South especially activ in the Normal Wales; Prof. Daniel Jones; Prof. Schools of the Middle West. The George Gilbert Murray, of Oxford circulars of the Board have been dis- University, and Prof. Walter Ripptributed widely among the faculties mann, of Queen's College. Wiland students of these schools, as well liam Archer, Secretary of the Simas of colleges and universities. There plified Spelling Society, acted as seehas been an increase of interest in retary of the conference. simplified spelling in Canada also. Teachers' conventions in Ontario, Alberta, and Saskatchewan have discust the movement, and past resolutions in its favor. The Imperial Education Conference, held in London, in April and May, 1911, past a resolution in favor of the simplification of English spelling. The conference resolvd "that the simplification of English spelling is a matter of urgent importance in all parts of the Empire, calling for such practical steps in every country as may appear most conducive to the ultimate attainment of the end in view-the creation, in connection with the subject, of an enlightened public opinion and the direction of it to the maintenance, in its purity and simplicity among all English-speaking peoples, of the common English tongue." Another notable event was the conference held in London at University College, Sept. 4-12, 1911, between delegates of the Simplified Spelling Board and of the Simplified Spelling At the request of the author, who is etary of the Simplified Spelling article is printed in accord official recommenda The conference did not, of course, end the long debate as to plans for the simplification of English spelling. The British delegates, agreeing in the main with the recommendations of the Simplified Spelling Board, so far as they have been publisht, desired to go much farther, and proposed an advanced scheme of simplification. The American delegates, believing that it would be inexpedient to adopt now a scheme including many disputable notations, thought it better to postpone the disputable parts of the scheme until the public is better prepared to accept the changes they will require. In the light of the conference, the British Society is revising its scheme. It proposes to put the matter to the test by extensiv experiment, on lines beyond the point thus far reacht by the Board. During the year seven new members have been added to the Board. But the Board has sufferd the loss of two distinguisht members-Col. Thomas Wentworth Higginson, who died May 9, 1911, and Prof. Francis who died Sept. 9, 1911. Prof. March Andrew March, the eminent filologist, was the leader among the scholars who more than 30 years ago gave their attention to the promotion of the movement for the regulation and, for the work, was the ultimate result simplification of English spelling. It of these efforts. was at his instigation that the Amer- Two members of the Advisory ican Philological Association appoint- Council have died during the year, ed a standing committee which made and seven new members have been an investigation of the matter, ap- elected. The Council now consists of proved the change, and recommended 220 members. The Board continues definit steps for bringing it about. to provide literature and information The establishment of the Simplified free, on application to its address, Spelling Board, provided with money No. 1 Madison Avenue, New York. COPYRIGHT WILLIAM W. APPLETON United States.—A proclamation by the President of the United States issued on Dec. 8, 1910, declared the subjects of the German Empire entitled to all the benefits of Section 1 (e) of the Copyright Act of March 4, 1909, including copyright controlling parts of instruments serving to reproduce mechanically a musical work. Similar proclamations were issued on June 14, 1911, in behalf of Belgium, Luxemburg and Norway, and on November 7, 1911, in behalf of Cuba. As at present advised, the following countries do not fulfil the reciprocal conditions specified in Section I (e) of the Copyright Act of March 4, 1909: Austria, Denmark, Mexico, the Netherlands and Switzerland." A presidential proclamation issued May 26, 1911, established general reciprocal copyright relations with Sweden, to go into effect June 1, 1911. The copyright relations with Sweden, however, do not include protection against unauthorized reproduction of music by means of mechanical instruments. proved by the Senate on Feb. 15, 1911. Up to this time, however, the convention has not been ratified and proclaimed by the President. Great Britain.-On Dec. 14, 1911, the House of Commons concurred in the New British copyright bill as passed by the House of Lords. This act will go into force on July 1, 1912. The duration of copyright is for the life of the author and a period of 50 years after his death, provided that after 25 years from the death of the author (or, in the case of a work in which copyright subsists at the passing of this act, 30 years) the work may be reproduced provided the person reproducing pays to the owner of the copyright royalties of ten per cent. upon the published price of the work, subject to regulations made by the Board of Trade. No assignments of copyright made by the author are valid after the expiration of 25 years from his death, unless made by will, except in the case of the copyright in a collective work, viz.: encyclopædia, dicOn Aug. 11, 1910, the eight repre- tionary, year book or similar work, sentatives of the United States to the newspaper, review, magazine or any Fourth International Conference of work written in distinct parts, by American States signed a "Conven- different authors, or in which works, tion concerning Literary and Artistic or parts of works, by different Copyright." The convention was also authors are incorporated. For photosigned by the delegates of the Argen- graphs, and records by means of which tine Republic, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, sounds may be mechanically reproCosta Rica, Cuba, Dominican Repub- duced, the term of copyright is 50 lic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Hon-years from the making of the negaduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, tive or original record. Any person Paraguay, Peru, Salvador, Uruguay may make such mechanical records and Venezuela. It was sent by the President to the Senate on Jan. 26, 1911, for advice and consent to ratification, and its ratification was ap provided that such work has received the consent of the owner, and provided royalties shall be paid to the copyright owner within two years after the commencement of this act other place. The work shall be at the rate of 21⁄2 per cent., and after deemed to be published simultaneousthe expiration of two years, 5 per ly if published within fourteen days. cent. on the ordinary retail price. The copyright is void if publication After the expiration of seven years, is "colorable only and is not intended if it appears to the Board of Trade to satisfy the reasonable requirethat such rate is no longer equitable, ments of the public." the Board of Trade, after holding a public inquiry, may decrease or increase this rate. The publication of reports of lectures in newspapers is permitted, unless the report is prohibited by conspicuous written or printed notice affixed before and maintained during the lectures at or about the main entrance of the building in which the lecture is given; any fair dealing with any work for the purpose of private study, research, criticism, review and newspaper summary is not deemed an infringement, and two short passages from an author's works may be published in books for the use of schools, provided that not more than two such passages are published by the same publisher within five years, and the source from which such passages are taken is acknowledged. The legislature of any "self-governing dominion" of the Empire may repeal any and all enactments relating to copyright passed by parliament (including this act) and enact its own copyright legislation. The term "self-governing dominion" means the Dominion of Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, the Dominion of New Zealand, the South African Union, and Newfoundland. The importation of copies made out of the United Kingdom is prohibited, if notice in writing is given to the Commissioners of Customs and Excise by the owners of the copyright. This act does not require registration, but requires first publication within the parts of the British Dominion to which this act extends, notwithstanding that there has been publication simultaneously in some Delivery of the best edition of a book to the British Museum is required, and a copy of the book on the paper on which the largest number of copies is printed for sale, must be delivered to the Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh and Dublin College libraries. Copies must also be delivered to the National Library of Wales, except in the case of books of such classes "as may be specified in regulations to be made by the Board of Trade." Canada. A copyright act was introduced into the House of Commons of Canada on April 26, 1911. This act requires that books are to be printed in Canada, and also requires registration and the deposit of three copies. Notice of copyright must appear in all publications, except paintings, drawings and works of sculpture, for which the signature of the author will be sufficient. Under this act it is possible to exclude all editions not manufactured in Canada. Simultaneous publication within 14 days is required. The book may be reprint ed, if the market is not supplied, and much authority is given to the Minister of Agriculture, who has charge of copyright matters. This act was not passed at the last session of the Canadian Parliament, but it is possible that a similar bill may be introduced by the new government. Australia.-A somewhat similar bill was introduced into the Australian Senate on Oct. 4, 1911, which requires that books must be printed from type set in Australia, or plates made therefrom. There must also be simultaneous publications within 14 days. This bill has passed the third reading, and may soon become a law. XXXVI. EDUCATION AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS EDUCATION ANNA TOLMAN SMITH The year 1911 was marked by intense activity in respect to education and by a noticeable increase in the number of pupils and students. The total enrollment in the schools and higher institutions comprised 191⁄2 million children and youths, or a little more than one-fifth the entire population. Of this total, 93 per cent. were in elementary grades; 5.3 per cent. in secondary schools and less than 2 per cent. in higher institutions. These proportions, maintained with slight variations from year to year, emphasize the importance of the elementary school with which the formal education of the vast majority of the people ends. Of the total number of elementary pupils 92% per cent. were in public schools; furthermore, the chief responsibility for secondary education rests also upon public authorities, for of every 100 pupils who continue their studies beyond the elementary stage, 83 are in public high schools. So far, then, as numbers are concerned, private schools might be regarded as a negligible factor in the national education; but when the strictly professional problems of education are considered, private schools are found to make important contributions to their solution. ELEMENTARY EDUCATION STATISTICS OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS Omitting the private schools and the higher institutions, public and private, it appears that public schools with their nearly 18,000,000 pupils required the service of 520,000 teachers and were maintained at an expense of $450,000,000. This amount is equivalent to $25 for every enrolled pupil, or, estimated on the average attendance, which is about 74 per cent. of the enrollment, $33 per pupil. In addition to this large annual expenditure, very nearly one billion dollars are invested in the school buildings. The distribution of this work by geographic divisions helps to a clearer conception of its bearings. The legal age for school attendance varies from a ten-year period, generally 5 to 15 years of age, to a 16-year period, 5 to 21 or 4 to 20 years of age. For purposes of comparison, however, an estimate is made of the number of children and youths in each state 5 to 18 years of age. On this basis, it appears that the school population is distributed as follows: The North Atlantic division, 23.6 per cent. of the total; South Atlantic, 15 per cent.; South Central, 22.7 per cent.; North Central, 32.3 per cent.; Western division, 6.4 per cent. proportion of total population enrolled in the public schools exceeds in the southern divisions their relative proportion of the school population, the former ratio being 21.2 per cent. in the South Atlantic division and 22.4 per cent. in the South Central division, as against a general average of 19.4 per cent. for the entire country. In other words, the wage-earning adults of the Southern states have relatively the largest number of children looking to them for school provision. The relative status of the different sections with respect to certain conditions of efficiency in the schools is indicated by the latest analyzed statistics: |