UPPER SCHOOL NOTES.
A special study of Charles Dickens's novels has been made this term. David Copperfield, Bill Sikes, Mr. Jingle and Sam Weller were popular favourites. It is encourgaing to see the general interest in these grand old classics.
Good progress has been made in French and German. The importance of languages cannot be under-estimated in modern conditions of industry and commerce.
Periods of free study have been introduced during the term. Pupils may concentrate on their favourite subject, but must produce evidence of their work at the conclusion of the time.
Some of the work in History and Geography has been based on Dr. Otto Neurath's new method of visual presentation. The great save in time, and the efficiency of the symbols make this method very valuable.
We learn that:-
All Saints' has a knave surrounded by the Twelve Apostles.
Anne Boleyn left a cask of jewels at Leeds Castle.
Napoleon was cunning and had two wives.
A GRAIN OF SALT.
Scattered here and there throughout the universe are two clements, sodium and chlorine. Sodium is a curious, soft metal that can be cut with a knife; it is very difficult to keep pure. Chlorine is a coloured gas, which causes death to any living creature if breathed in any quantity. When sodium and chlorine unite, one atom of each, they form common salt. It is the most abundant salt in sea-water; it is also very common in places where salt water has been in days gone by. When there is a great deal of salt in any place, it interferes with life, and that is why salt is used to preserve things from the action of germs which would make them go bad. Salt and other components of sodium are to be found everywhere, and when salt is made hot, it gives forth a yellow light. The salt in the sea has been accumulating for millions of years, every mountain worn down by rain since the carliest days of the earth's crust has given the salt of its rocks to the oceans. It is estimated that in every cubic mile of sea-water there are a million tons of salt, and that there are five million cubic miles of salt in the sea.
G .H. Goodchild.