THIS is the title of a new book by Prof. G. H. Bell, formerly of Battle Creek College, now of South Lancaster, Mass. There are very many persons who speak or write for the public, who are often painfully aware of the fact that their language shows a deficiency in their early education. Very often an article for the press, containing really good ideas, is rejected on account of the work necessary to put it in proper shape for the printer. Such persons will find this guide just what they need. The object of the book is thus set forth in the author's preface:—
"This book is intended for reference rather than study. . . . It sets forth facts that everybody wants to know, and makes them so easy of access that the book becomes as convenient as a dictionary, and as indispensable. It is a treatise for business men, farmers, and mechanics, as well as for printers, teachers, and students; and will be especially useful to those who write for the press."
An examination of the book convinces us that this is true. Professor Bell's long experience as a teacher of the English language has given him a knowledge of just what information people generally need most, and the faculty of imparting that information in the clearest manner.
The book is divided into three parts. The first part gives the most essential grammatical laws, with examples showing the correct as well as the incorrect use of words. The second part treats of punctuation, and the third part comprises a complete set of rules for the use of capitals, with illustrations. Battle Creek, Mich. : Giles & Holser. 1882. $.85.
Unprecedented Storms.
THERE has been a comparative lull in the East for the past week, in the matter of storms, but California has had its full share. These are worthy of notice, not only because they are out of the usual order of things in California, but also on account of the actual damage done.
July 19.—At Ukiah a severe thunder-storm occurred, lasting about four hours. It was accompanied by hail. Several telegraph poles were shattered by lightning. The same thing also occurred at Susanville, with about the same results.
For two or three days before and after the above date, Siskiyou County was visited by terrific storms, accompanied by thunder and hail. The hail was very severe. The electric display is reported as grand. We quote from the published report: "From the northwest to the southwest was an unbroken sheet of flame, with now and then flashes of zig-zag lightning darting through it." "In the lower part of Scott Valley as much as eight inches of rain fell in less than two hours. Fields of grain were entirely destroyed by the force of the rain and the hail. In Shasta Valley hay cocks were literally floated out of the meadows. These continued storms are inflicting great damage to the hay and grain crops of the country."
Californians have boasted of the excellence of the climate, and with good reason, but it looks as though the weather could no longer be implicitly depended on. To be sure these storms are not general, but they are on the increase. The end is not yet.
Camp-Meetings.
By Editor
OHIO, Delaware, Aug. 11-21.
SOUTHERN MICHIGAN, Hillsdale, Aug. 16-21.
ILLINOIS, Watseka, Sept. 5-12.
The Denton Monitor
By Editor
A copy of the Denton Monitor, published at Denton, Texas, is on our table. It is neatly printed, with a fine make-up. It gives complimentary notices of the work of Eld. R. M. Kilgore in that section.
Testimony for the Church—No. 31.
By Editor
This is an important book, now in press, and will be ready for delivery by the time that orders can reach us. It will be considerably larger than any previous number—about 250 book pages. It will be printed both in Oakland and Battle Creek.
The following is a list of the subjects, though incomplete:—
Camp-meeting Address—Our College—Parental Training—Important Testimony—The Testimonies Slighted—Workers in Our College—Fault-finding and Jealousy Reproved—Day of the Lord at Hand—Unwise Marriages—Warnings and Reproofs—Laborers for God.
A large proportion of the copies will be bound, and we advise all to procure those that are bound, as it will be too large for preservation in paper covers. When these Testimonies were first issued they were put in paper covers, as were all our small publications, of necessity; but it is cause for universal regret that they are not all in good, substantial binding. The price will be put as low as possible, and we expect every lover of the present truth will procure it without unnecessary delay. In paper covers, 35 cts.; bound, 50 cts.
California Camp-Meeting.
By Editor
WE are not going to write about this meeting, because we have nothing to say yet. But shall we not have soon?
We can however give our opinion on points on which our people will be anxious to hear.
The camp-meeting will probably be held in Healds-burgh. Every indication of duty seems to point in that direction.
The time will likely be in the latter part of September. Now let the friends begin their preparation to attend. The exact time will soon be given. But you need not wait for that. Get ready, and be sure to go. It will be an important meeting. No one can afford to miss it.
Healdsburgh College.
By Editor
THE College opens this week. The first of this week four scholars passed through Oakland from Fresno, and one from Tulare County. The outlook for the school is hopeful, and we expect the attendance will be good the present term.
Arrangements are being made as fast as possible to commence the erection of the boarding-house on the five-acre lot north of the College building. When commenced, it will be pushed to completion with all possible dispatch. Steps are also being taken to incorporate the College, and so to have everything in legal working order. We shall be able to report progress at the next session of our State Conference, altogether beyond the most sanguine expectations of the friends of the enterprise who last fall voted to start it.
More seats have lately been put in the College building, and still more are on the way from the East. There is plenty of room, with good and efficient teachers ready to greet all comers with a cheerful welcome.
The Outlook.
By Editor
THIS is the name of an 8-page monthly published at Alfred Center, New York. A. H. Lewis, D. D., Editor. We are pleased with every effort to spread the truth. This paper is mainly devoted to the Sabbath reform and to temperance. Number 3, for June, has an interesting article on the "European Sunday." It contains the observations of an eye-witness on the Continent. The writer we suppose is Dr. Potter, of the editorial staff of the Outlook. We may notice this hereafter.
University of California.
THIS institution sends out this year a neat and comprehensive catalogue. The departments are as follows: College of Letters (classical course); College of Agriculture; College of Mechanics; College of Mining; College of Engineering; College of Chemistry; Literary Course; Course in Letters and Science; College of Medicine; College of Law; College of Dentistry; and College of Pharmacy. Every department is open to students of either sex, the whole number in attendance being over five hundred.
The University has been somewhat under a cloud, owing to actions on the part of the regents, considered unwise, and President Reid entered upon his duties under discouraging circumstances. Many were prejudiced against him, but by his straightforward course he has won the respect of all. He cannot be too highly commended for his efforts to rid the University of that curse of many colleges—hazing. His efforts have been quite successful, and California University bids fair to be, in this respect, as well as others, an honor to the State.
College Directory.
By Editor
WE find on our table a very interesting and valuable work—the American College Directory and Universal Catalogue, for 1882. It is just what its title indicates: A Hand-book of Education, containing Name, Location, name and title of the Presiding officers, of all the Colleges, Seminaries, Academies, Normal, Commercial, Law, Theological, Medical Schools, etc., and Industrial Schools, Asylums, etc. Also a list of Superintendents, Educational Journals, etc. It is published by C. H. Evans & Co., St. Louis. Price, $1.00. It is a most valuable reference book, which every educator in the land cannot fail to prize.
Train Telegraph.
By Editor
THE editor of the Santa Barbara Press, C. F. McGlashan, has invented a Train Telegraph, the object of which is to put a running train in connection with the office of the Train Despatcher, so that the train may at all times be under his control, and thereby avoid the possibility of collisions. It also puts two running trains in connection with each other, so that each may know the exact position of the other. We have seen a drawing of the apparatus, with the statement that it worked well on trial. If it proves to be successful, it must be very valuable.
Egypt's Crisis.
THE trouble in Egypt may prove to be more than a crisis for that country. Fears are now entertained that it may culminate in a general European war, as it is impossible to tell to what extent the powers will act in harmony. It is stated that Russia is displaying more and more irritation at the course pursued by England, and it is by no means certain that Bismarck approves of it. The Sultan is trying to preserve his equilibrium between the two opposing forces. The English, after occupying Alexandria, were unable to pursue Arabi Bey into the interior, on account of a scarcity of men and provisions. These have now been provided, and an engagement will probably have taken place by the time this is read. The English force will number 14,000 men, and the credit proposed by Parliament, for carrying on the war, is £2,300,000, a sum which military men regard as insufficient.
A credit of 40,000,000 francs has been voted by the French cabinet for the Egyptian expedition, and the first body of troops has embarked.
Arabi Bey has levied a war tax upon land to the nominal amount of £500,000. He is well supplied with provisions and ammunition. Arabs are leaving Alexandria and flocking to Cairo, at his call. Refugees from Cairo report that a holy war is being proclaimed, and that Europeans are being massacred in Tantah, Mausural, and Zagozig. The Consul has been killed at the last-named place.
Rev. Dr. De Hass, formerly United States Consul in Turkey, is reported as holding the following views of the war, which, at the present outlook, do not seem to be far out of the way:—
He predicted that Arabi Bey would utterly fail in his ambitious projects, but he thought a religious war might break out that would spread over Asia, Africa, and Europe, for Arabi is in league with the new prophet, Senausi, and also with the Chereaf of Mecca, the spiritual head of the Mohammedan religion. In conclusion, he said: "One thing is certain: If this contest goes on, the Ottoman Empire falls. The Turks will be driven out of Europe, and the cross be planted again on the Mosque of St. Sophia."
Later news shows still greater complications. The Khedive has signed a decree dismissing Arabi from the army, and proclaiming him a rebel. He has forbidden the Egyptian army to obey orders from Arabi, and forbidden the Egyptians to pay him taxes.
In reply to the proclamation of the Khedive, Arabi appointed a Ministry of his own at Cairo. It is considered certain that he will destroy Cairo unless he is defeated and captured.
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES,
By Editor
PUBLISHED WEEKLY, AT OAKLAND, CAL., FOR THE
Missionary Society of Seventh-day Adventists.
A twelve-page Religious Family Paper, devoted to a discussion of the Prophecies, Signs of the Times, Second Coming of Christ, Harmony of the Law and Gospel, with Departments devoted to Temperance, The Home Circle, The Missionary Work, and the Sabbath-school.
Price Per Year, . . . . . . . . . $2.00
In Clubs of five or more copies to one address, to be used in Missionary Work, . . . . . . 1.50
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
—OR—
REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Michigan.
MISS ELIZA THAYER, Sec. N. E. Tract Society, South Lancaster, Mass. | ELD. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH, Ravenswood, Shirley Road, Southampton, England.
W. L. RAYMOND, Gaston, Oregon.