the same program,-rising early, and after a light breakfast, going to his library, where, surrounded by books and gathered material, he wrote for five or six hours on some new book, or toiled over the revision of one already published. His work done, he sought the open air, and either in manual labor, walking, or driving, rested the weary brain; then spent the remaining hours of the day or evening in the companionship of home. His home in Elmira was a beautiful place, situated at the corner of Clinton and Columbia Streets, built in the most approved style of modern architecture, surrounded by a broad and shady lawn sloping gradually to the street, and called from its architecture or surroundings "The Gables' and "The Cedars." But however attractive it might appear from an external point of view, its great charm was within,-here were wife, son, and niece, to brighten the hours not set apart for library work, and to relieve whenever possible the tedium of his labor.

In early life, while teaching in the academy at Mexico, N. Y., he won the affection and wedded an accomplished lady,-Miss Esther Baker,— daughter of a prominent minister, and, at that time, a teacher in the academy. She sympathized with him in all his struggles, nursed him when returning wounded, sick, and emaciated from the war; inspired him in his labors; assisted with heart, head, and hand, in the preparation of his histories and the revision of his works; watched with a wife's solicitude his declining health, went with him to Europe and Florida. when he sought rest, and did all a woman can do to make home pleasant or to stay the lavishment of life. But in vain was her love and solicitude when the idol of home, the model man, the genial companion, the conscientious Christian was called.

And the call came suddenly. During the day, May 25, Dr. Steele had been about his work as usual, and a few moments before his death was out on the lawn in front of his residence. Going into the house after his brief walk, he complained of being chilly and sought the open grate in the library. Soon afterward severe pains were felt in the region of the heart, and his son was sent in haste for the physician that had attended him since his return from Florida, but before he arrived, Dr. Steele expired in the presence of his wife, the members of his family, and a few neighbors that had been hastily called.

In personal appearance Dr. Steele was tall and slim; his hair, brushed straight back, revealed a high, broad, intellectual forehead; his eye was soft and pleasant; his narrow face relieved by dark side-whiskers; his mouth indicative of firmness blended with gentleness. He was quick to recognize the friends he met, his eye kindled at the sight, his voice was cherry, and the grasp of his hand warm and cordial; in conversation he was genial, social, and instructive, his words flowed readily, and one rose. from talking with him feeling better and more inspired to action; he was

unselfish, generous, faithful,-ready to praise what seemed to him commendable, and to speak a kind word for all that needed it. It is not saying too much to say he was true and faithful to his work, his friends, his family, and his God. Beginning life under adverse circumstances, by hard, earnest, patient toil, with hand and brain, he gathered a little. wealth, and could see in its increase the promise of ease in his declining years; but, with characteristic unselfishness, he balanced his hard earnings against the claims of society and education, and gave a goodly por tion to the church of which he had been a consistent member, and to Syracuse University,—his alma mater. Wealth was to him simply the means to be used in accomplishing greater good.

Dr. Steele was a life member of the National Educational Association, having joined it, as such, in 1883. He was a loyal and earnest friend of its aims and purposes, and his genial fellowship will be greatly missed at its annual meetings.

ARIEL PARISH, A. M.

As from year to year we assemble, and greet with kindly interest those whom we have often met as friends and co-workers in a common cause,our thoughts, very naturally, revert to the memory of those whom we have been wont to meet on like occasions, in former years, who have passed to that bourne whence none ever return. Death is ever busy, and sooner or later, calls for every human being. Of those who, in 1830, met in the city of Boston, to organize the first educational association, like this, not one survives. Though we shall never again meet them on earth, we are constantly reaping the fruits of their toil, for they organized and vitalized agencies which will prove a perpetuating and widening blessing through ages to come, and if we are wise in utilizing our enlarged opportunities and privileges, we shall greatly contribute to the extension and value of the work to which they, under less favoring circumstances, so largely contributed.

Since our last annual meeting one of our number, who for nearly threescore years had devoted himself to the work of education, and whose genial face for nearly a score of years we have been wont to see at our yearly meetings, has been called from earthly scenes, and henceforth will live only in the hearts and lives of the multitudes, who, by his influence and teachings, have been trained for life's duties, and those with whom he was associated in the various walks and work of life. It rarely falls to the lot of any man to spend so many years in the continued and successful work of education, as fell to the lot of our late friend and brother,-Ariel Parish.

Mr. Parish was born at Coventry, Conn., on the 20th of July, 1808. His early, and preparatory, education was in the schools of Tolland and Ellington, and in the Lancasterian School of Mr. Lovell, in New Haven.

At the age of seventeen, while preparing for college, he commenced teaching in the town of Tolland and, subsequently taught in Ellington, Conn., and Springfield, Mass. In 1831 he entered Yale College from which he honorably graduated in 1835. After graduating he taught in Berlin and Fair Haven, Conn., for a season and in 1838 became preceptor of the academy in Westfield, Mass., a position he held for six years. In 1844, he was elected to the mastership of the High School in Springfield, Mass., where for twenty-one years he labored with great fidelity and success, and to very general acceptance. Under his instruction hundreds of youth, of both sexes, received that training and influence which qualified them for positions of usefulness and honor, and the lives of multitudes of these in various parts of our country bear ample testimony. to the worth and fidelity of him under whom they were privileged to pass so many of their school days.

In 1865, Mr. Parish was elected Superintendent of the schools of New Haven, a position of great importance, which he held for sixteen years, during which he gained the confidence and esteem of the teachers and all who, in any way, were associated with him in the school work of the city and in the more general work of education throughout the state. He was for many years a member of this Association and ever ready to do what he could to promote its interests. In 1881, at the advanced age of 73, he retired from the position he had so long and so faithfully occupied in New Haven and on doing so he received a substantial token of the esteem in which he was held by the teachers of the city. Soon after resigning his charge he went to Colorado and died in the city of Denver, Nov. 24, 1885, at the age of seventy-seven years, four months and four days, "full of honors and full of years.'

In addition to the work of teaching and supervising, Mr. Parish held various officers of honor and usefulness. He was for several years a member of the Massachusetts State Board of Education and for a time its chairman. He was a Trustee of Mt. Holyoke Female Seminary, and when the Massachusetts State Teachers' Association was organized, Mr. Parish took an active part in its work and from the first was a member of its official Board and in 1847 and '48 its President. He took a lively interest in the establishment of the Massachusetts Teacher and was for several years one of its Board of Editors. In Teachers' Institutes and other educational agencies he was deeply interested and as opportunity offered, he contributed what he could to promote their success and useful

ness.

We find that for more than half a century our departed friend devoted his time and energies to the great work of education and participated largely in all the efforts made to elevate and improve the schools, and if the next fifty years shall witness as great and important advancement as

has been made in fifty years preceding, the next generation will enjoy privileges of a very high order.

In the death of Mr. Parish, the comuminity lost a true Christian gentleman, and the cause of education one of its most consistent, faithful, and earnest advocates and helpers. Of him we may truly say that in every good way and work-" he did what he could" and though we shall never again behold his face on earth, the sweet influence of his long and useful life will abide and bear fruit.

F. R. FEITSHANS, M. A.

F. R. Feitshans was born in Pennsylvania in 1846. His parents were both natives of Germany. He graduated at the Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, in 1869, with the degree of B. A., and three years later received the degree of M. A. He studied theology under Dr. Henry E. Jacobs, Professor of Latin Literature in Pennsylvania College, and completed the course, but did not enter the ministry. He taught country schools two years before graduating, and after leaving college taught one. year in the Classical School at Rochester, Pa., as Professor of Mathematics. He went to Springfield, Ill., in 1870, and for three years had charge of St. Paul's College, the old Illinois State University. In 1872 he was elected to the chair of Mathematics in Wisconsin University. In 1873 he was elected to the chair of Greek in Carthage College; in 1874 he was elected Professor of English Literature in Thiel College, Pa., and in 1875 was tendered the principalship of the Newark Academy, Newark, N. J. All of these honors he declined, preferring the broad, untrammeled field of labor afforded in the public schools. In September, 1873, Mr. Feitshans entered the High School as Assistant Principal, was promoted to Principal the same year and held that position until 1881, when the School Board made him the Superintendent of the City schools of Springfield, Ill., which position he held to the day of his death. He and his wife and children attended the National Educational Association meeting at Topeka, Kansas, in July. He was in poor health at the time, but as one of the committee appointed to secure the next meeting at Springfield, labored indefatigably in that direction. His earnest efforts in that cause, it is believed, weakened a constitution already somewhat impaired, and rendered him unfit to grapple with that dread disease, typhoid fever, with which he died at Denver, Colorado, August 24, 1886. Mr. Feitshans was a plain, earnest, courteous gentleman, devoted to his home and friends, and a great favorite with the pupils with whom his life was spent. Being fully equipped for his life work, his whole soul was filled with the graud purpose to be useful in his chosen profession. He was an ardent advocate of public education, and loved the public school. He devoted himself unselfishly

to his profession, and by his strong, untiring efforts sought to elevate his fellow-workers, and stimulate them to emulate his example in the dis charge of their duties as public educators. He had a broad and catholic knowledge of principles and methods, and was always suggestive and helpful in his relations to younger teachers, whom he encouraged by precept and example. Systematic in his habits and loving system, he never sacrificed the individuality of the teacher to the demands of system. His influence will be long felt in the schools of Springfield, and throughout the State of Illinois, and his image will remain in the hearts of the pupils and teachers as a lasting memorial of his fidelity to duty. As a citizen, he was intelligent, high-minded, estimable, discreet, and true to the relations of life. Although he died a few days after the meeting at Topeka, your committee have thought it wise to place upon record, this brief tribute to his memory.