The Three R.'S.

from a book seen for the first time . ' He go ' es on to say that Avriting is decidedly improving , and the spelling would be better if the children were to look over the piece about to be given for dictation , so as to have the correct spelling first

presented to their eye . In regard to arithmetic , another Yorkshire inspector recommends that more attention be given to mental calculation . Mr . Wilde says it is tho custom in his district to set three

' straightforward sums , ' and one Avhich requires a little thought , and generally goes by the name of ' tho problem , ' and a child is passed if any two sums are correctly Avorkcd . He would like to sot three easy problems , and only one straightforward

sum , and still require two worked correctl y for a pass . This Avould insure the children understanding tho application of the rules of arithmetic , and cause them to think Avhen at their work . But he says that , at present , if ho were to introduce this change ,

he should be torn in pieces by managers and teachers . So he is willing to Avait and hope . " And so arc we . The future is yet , to some extent , a " terra incognita" to us all , that is , AVO can hardly estimate correctly or distinctl y as yet the effect of the more general spread of education , Avith its correlative forces and influences . Still the view we

take is a hopeful one . Education has done much for the class hi ghest in the social scale . Why should it not do as much for those who form the lowest tier in tho great pyramid of social life ? In tho mean time , leaving tho future to the things and minds of the futurewe should seek to improve

, carefully the conditions of all primary instruction , and make all our elementary and normal and technical schools as good and as efficient and as practical as they Avell may be . Like Longfellow AVO too may AVCII say , " Let the dead past bury its dead ;

Act , act , in the living present , Heart within , and God o ' erhead . " W .

Lines Written In The Album Of A Young Poetess.

LINES WRITTEN IN THE ALBUM OF A YOUNG POETESS .

BY BRO . GEOHGK MAttKHAM TWEDDELL . Pure as tho paper I now write upon , ( And it might servo ( he Mason in his need ,

Wanting his lambskin apron , spotless Avhite , As emblem of that innocence the Craft Imposes on her children , teaching them Rather to die than soil their souls Avith sin , )

Spotless as the Avhite page I now must soil , At thy request , with my unrhyming verse , May ' st thou preserve thy head and heart through life , Young Poetess ; and Avhen thy glass of life Has run its sands , may ' st thou look , back

upon The past Avith pleasure , conscious that thy rhymes Will help to elevate the thoughts of men And Avomen , Avho may read them Avhen the hand That wrote them is but dust . Let not thy

muse E'er stoop to pander to the grov'Iing throng , But ever strive to Avake Avithin the souls Of all AVIIO listen to thy minstrelsy ,

Thoughts pure and noble , feelings all divine . Think for thyself ; and be not thou afraid To worship Nature Avith a poet ' s warmth ; For Avell has Wordsworth sung , that

" Nature neer Betray'd the heart that loved her . " She Avill lead Thy soul , through flowery and through starry paths , On , to the throne of God Himself . Fear

not To trust her guidance . Let no Avorldly thoughts , Nor worldly feelings , e ' er put out- the flame Of poesy within thee : for that fire

Is so ethereal , that its heavenly warmth Can comfort thee in all the storms of life , Whatever fate be thine . Grasp then thy lyre , And be thou true to it , and it to thee

Will be a treasure worldlings wot not of . Hose Oottage , Stokesley .