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UNIVERSITY COURIER.
WELL WATER. Prof. Patrick is busy from morning till night analyzing water from our city wells. Thus far about thirty wells have been examined. When the work is finished the Professor will publish a report containing the results of his labors. We are all interested in the healthfulness of our drinking water, and any information from the Professor will be gladly received and read with interest.
CIDER. The other day ye scientific reporter happened in the chemical laboratory in time to sample a bottle of eider just before the Professor and his assistant had made way with the whole of it. Some very indignant half-enragged victims of a certain boarding club (which we were told had purchased a goodly quantity of the nectar) brought the Professor the liquid to analyze. A quick and rough analysis made by the assistant revealed the fact that the old juice contained about twenty-five per cent of alcohol. He immediately rushed after the students who had left the sample for determination and informed them that he would take the article off their hands at cost. When the surprised "indignants" told him that only a very small quantity was left-not enough to bother with.
Beware of the cider when it is old.
Typhoid FEVER. A number of outbreaks of typhoid fever were reported during the last year in the medical journals where the victims poisoned their systems by the use of such fancy drinks as ginger beer, soda water, etc., made from poor water.
BIRDS AS VENTRILOQUISTS.Many birds, according to E. E. Fish, appear to possess powers of ventriloquism. Persons who have walked through the woods in early spring know how difficult it is sometimes to get sight of a bird whose song has attracted attention. You may look for him on a near branch when he is perched high in a distant tree top. The red bird, thrush, robin, meadow-lark and many others, frequently throw their sharp, ringing notes in such a way as to cause the listener to believe that they are almost within reach.
Floods. The recent floods and destruction of property in Europe are due principally to the fact that for years; many of the rivers in the low countries have had their waters confined to certain channels by dykes until the beds of the streams have become so filled up with silt that they are higher than the neighboring lands. This makes it possible in times of high water for any outbreak or overflow to inundate large tracts of inhabited country. The levees along the Mississippi which are yearly being rebuilt and strengthened, may in time prove a real injury to our country rather than a benefit.
A NOVEL FISH.—Many singular creatures are known to science, but probably none of the lower animals have a more remarkable method of securing prey than the chaetodon, a beautiful Japanese fish. Seeing a fly lighted near the surface of the water, this fish gently approaches and with unerring aim projects a drop of water at the unsuspecting insect, knocking it from its perch, when it is easily secured. Ex.
As the new term is just commencing, students who can not find the books they require for reference elsewhere, can obtain them at Bates & Field's by giving due notice. The firm is in daily communication with Chicago and New York agents, and is sending to both places very frequently.
NORMAL.
LITERARY SOCIETIES.
This is the time of year when nearly every school district in the State has some form of a literary society. And now is the time for every true, earnest teacher to fix the impress of mental and moral nobility upon all who come within the radius of his or her influence.
As the long winter evenings give leisure to those, who, during eight months in the year, scarcely find time to read even the newspapers; debating clubs, lyceums, or literary societies spring up, whether the teacher will or not. They, to a great extent, are taking the place of the old fashioned spelling school, and, very properly crowding that into a thing of the past.
Not that these societies are always organized, primarily for the purpose of mental advancement. Too often the social element is uppermost in the minds of the leaders. And often a so-called "literary society" is more productive of harm than good.
Every variety is to be met with from the debating club when the men in the neighborhood monopolize the whole time in discussing questions, wise or otherwise : to the society controlled by those of younger age where a few foolish speeches, with a still more foolish "paper" is sandwiched in between "drop-the-handkerchief" and "needle.s-eye."
Now it becomes a thorough teacher to influence and direct these efforts toward mental culture. Not that he or she shall dictate as to the manner of conducting a society, but a few quiet suggestions and the work is done.
The teachers should be, not the figure-head toward which all eyes are turned, but the "power behind the throne." And if the power and throne are one so much the better.
A successful society should contain both old and young. The little folks for declamations, short essays and select readings; and the older ones for the more thorough and thoughtful work.
Too often, because of former customs, or from lack of proper effort, the older members of a community regard the literary society as something which belongs to youth, while they have reached an age where such things are of the past. Such should not be the case. In a republic like ours the stability of our institutions depends upon the intelligence of the people, and that form of intelligence which enables a man to comprehend the fundamental principles upon which governments are founded. The literary society is the place to discuss these principles.
The relations of capital to labor, the laws which govern trade, the essentials of a sound monetary system and other social questions will deepen and broaden those who discuss them; and the hearing of them discussed will be of untold value to the younger portion of the society. Music and a taste for reading can be much encouraged in such gatherings.
But the teacher may say, "I am no debater nor de-laimer," or being a woman may think to shirk the responsibility of such work. But this is wrong, and the sooner the profession is rid of those who are not willing to do more than is stipulated in the contract the better. Every teacher, man or woman, as the leader and moulder of thought in the district where teaching, should feel responsible for the progress made. He or