5216

ACHER'S HAND-BOOK,

FOR THE

NSTITUTE AND THE CLASS ROOM.

BY

WM. F. PHELPS, M. A.,

PRINCIPAL OF THE STATE NORMAL SCHOOL,

WINONA, MINN.

NEW YORK:

A. S. BARNES & COMPANY.

P

996

Entered, according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by WM. F. PHELPS,

in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

PREFACE.

In the preparation of this book it was no part of the author's aim to write merely that with which everybody would at once agree. In such a case there would be no necessity that it should be written. The world does not especially need to read the oft-told tale of that which it already believes. But free thought and free discussion are the soul of progress. Differences of opinion are the life of discussion, out of whose crucible must finally issue the pure gold of truth, the only Philosopher's Stone worthy of human seeking. If, therefore, what is here written shall serve to excite discussion, awaken interest, and quicken zeal in the great work of elevating the teachers of our country to that commanding position which they should ever be worthy to occupy in the public regard, its leading purpose will have been fully realized.

There are two characters, one or the other of whom must in the future occupy a conspicuous place in public attention, the educator and the warrior. Either the ballot or the bullet, the pen or the sword, will eventually dominate the destinies of mankind. Which of these