AT PARIS The position of the American Book Company as the leading publishers of text-books for Elementary Schools is universally recognized. It may not be so well known that they are also pre-eminent in High School publicatians. This fact, however, has just been attested at the Paris Exposition where the International Jury awarded to this Company both the Grand Prix d'Honneur for Elementary Education and the Grand Prix d'Honneur for Secondary Education. No other publishing house in the world has ever received so many recompenses of so high a character. Attractive New Publications For school and home use these books are unsurpassed. Copics AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY NEW YORK CINCINNATI CHICAGO CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY One of the compensations of the teacher is the long summer vacation which may be used for rest, recreation, and travel. The last named is a luxury which many teachers, feel they cannot afford, but a little economizing in different directions will enable one, in a series of years, to visit many places of historic interest, to enjoy some of the finest scenery in the world, and to acquire much information at first hand that will be exceedingly interesting and valuable in the teaching of history, geography, and literature. A tour of the Great Lakes, a trip down the St. Lawrence, an excursion to Niagara and the Mammoth Cave, a visit to Boston and the many places of historic interest in its vicinity will give new life to the teacher and add greatly to his teaching power when he returns to his work. No 1 It is much easier to awaken an interest on the part of pupils in the life and writings of Longfellow and Whittier after one has visited the home of Longfellow at Cambridge and the old Whittier homestead at Haverhill. Ever since I first read the story. of Evangeline and Gabriel and the expulsion of the Acadians so beautifully told by Longfellow I have been deeply interested in this people, and I have had a great desire to visit the Acadian land and to see the spot where— "Distant, secluded, still, the little village of Grand Pré Lay in the fruitful valley." An opportunity occurred last summer and I eagerly improved it. At the request of the editor I will give the readers of the "Monthly" some account of my rambles. There are different ways of reaching the land of Evangeline. Those who desire a longer ocean voyage can take one of the five steamers of the Plant line and go direct to Halifax. Last summer the annual meeting of the American Institute of Instruction was held at Halifax, and a large number of New England teachers and some educators from other states improved the opportunity to visit Nova Scotia. After adjournment many of the members planned to remain for some time upon the peninsula. Taking the Bluenose Limited on the Dominion and Atlantic railway they were soon in the heart of the Evangeline country. There some remained for weeks enjoying the quiet and restful atmosphere and charming scenery, sailing on the Basin of Minas, watching the ebb and flow of the water in the tidal rivers, collecting choice specimens of amethyst and agate from Cape Blomidon and the adjacent islands, and visiting different places of historic interest. Halifax itself is an interesting city of about 50,000 inhabitants. It is pleasantly located and commands a fine water view. It is probably the most strongly fortified city on the American continent. The harbor was formerly known as Chebucto Bay-the Indian name signifying "the chief haven." It is six miles long with an average breadth of one mile, and the largest ships that float can. find a safe anchorage in any part of it. A small steamer makes the circuit of the harbor every day thus affording one a fine view of the city, the shipping, and the fortifications. The city was founded in 1849 by Hon. Edward Cornwallis with over 2,500 British immigrants. The chief promoter of the enterprise was the Earl of Halifax-hence the name. The building of Halifax and the continual strengthening of its fortifications was a warning to the French that England intended to control the peninsula. It soon became an important naval station. Here the English forces concentrated for the attack upon Louisburg and Quebec. During the war for independence it became an important base for British. operations. At the close of the war a large number of Loyalists left the country and became residents of Halifax. During the civil war Halifax was a center for Southern sympathizers, and the city profited greatly by its blockade running operations. At the present time it has large shipping interests, and is fairly prosperous, but it lacks the enterprise and push of an American city. Among the objects of interest to the visitor are the citadel, one of the strongest of the old fortifications, planned by the Duke of Kent; the parliament buildings; the beautiful public gardens comprising eighteen acres in the heart. of the city; one of the largest dry |