USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1843-1859 > Part 36
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18 00
Russell, George,
·
19 50
Stone, Nathaniel,
44 70
Russell, Mrs. Keziah, .
36 00
Swett, Asa,
24 54
Russell, William, Estate,
130 32
Stearns, James W.
2 94
Russell, Philemon R. .
115 26
Saurin, Thomas J.
13 74
Russell, James W.
3 66 Smith, John K. .
12 30
Ross, John,
19 50
Spring, Andrew C.
12 30
Ricker, Edward, .
10 14
Spring, Isaac S. Estate,
216 00
Robinson, George W.
159 90
Sanborn, Joseph P.
31 74
Robinson, William S.
5 10 Sanborn, John,
37 50
Ridgway, Philip R.
44 70 Scripture, Gilman,
34 62
Rogers, Artemas & Sam. L. .
51 96 Sanborn, Matthew P. .
3 66
Robinson Enoch,
37 50 Shepard, Isaac F.
41 10
Robinson, Enoch, and Mar-
Slone, Mrs. Sally,
102 40
rett, D. A.
10 80 Sanborn, Robert,
65 58
Q.
Quinn, Michael, .
9 42
R.
Russell, Levi,
77 10
Snow, Henry A.
Paul, James E. .
5 82
Pratt, Daniel,
56 94
Puffer, Alvan D.
26 70
Perkins, Thomas, 2 22
Prentiss, John W.
2 94
Prescott & Brothers,
36 00
5 82
Powers, Charles,
32 46
19 50
Pool, George W.
5 10
65
Stone, Jonathan,
$28 14 |
Throp, Ira,
$50 46
Sanborn, David A.
73 50 Throp, Jerome,
7 26
Shattuck, John, .
10 14
Thompson, William V.
15 90
Spiller, James W.
8 70 Tillson, Apollas J.
8 70
Stearns, Joshua B.
86 46 Taylor, Adoniram J. .
15 90
Stocking, -, Doctor,
4 38
Trull, Samuel, .
148 38
Simonds, Samuel M. .
15 90
Trull & Magoun,
64 80
Severance, David,
19 50
Tyler, James L. .
26 70
Short, George,
8 70 Twombly, Joseph Q.
26 70
Shute, James,
17 34
Tuttle, Thomas B.
4 38
Sampson, Thomas,
8 70
Tevlin, Thomas, .
8 70
Small, Isaac,
5 10 Trefren, George M.
5 10
Shapligh, John W.
7 26
'Tilton, David, .
5 10
Sanborn, G. A. & A. L.
35 40
Tuttle, Isaiah W.
44 70
Sibley, Alfred M.
3 66
Tuttle, James S. .
149 10
Smith, Stephen, .
18 06
Tuttle, Samuel A.
15 90
Sortwell, Daniel R.
6 54
Treasdale, Mason W.
31 74
Sortwell & Co.
4 40
Treasdale, George,
17 34
Shapleigh, James G.
4 38
Tooner, James,
7 26
Sweeney, Morgan,
5 10
Treadwell, William P.
5 10
Shevlin, Terrence,
15 18
Thompson, Samuel,
33 90
Sullivan, John, .
13 02
Tufts, Nathan,
660 30
Sheridan, Patrick,
15 90
Tufts, Francis,
8 70
Stephens, Benjamin W.
6 54
Thompson, Peter,
8 70
Smith, A. & Monroe, E.
28 80
Timson, Levi,
26 70
Small, John G.
3 66
Taft, Edwin P. . .
8 70
Sibley, Naum,
15 18
Taft, Horace B.
5 80
Shorey, Samuel S.
15 90
Tenney, John C.
57 66
Suydom, Lansing D.
25 98
Tenney, Robert G.
19 50
Shackley, Isaiah,
14 46
Tenney, Daniel B.
35 34
Sweet, Marquis R.
14 46
Tenney, David, .
41 10
Shaw, Charles L. 5 10
Tenney, R. G. Estate,
14 40
Stevens, Seth,
44 70
Tufts, Charles,
365 10
Spear, Albert,
48 30
Tyler, Columbus,
123 90
Sargent, Aaron,
19 50
Tuthill, W. Jarvis,
2 94
Saunders, William H.
7 26
Tower, Edward,
5 10
Sargent, Moses H.
33 90
Town, Orr M., Heirs,
266 40
Swett, Joseph, Heirs, .
3 66
Sweet, Mrs. Sarah,
10 80
U.
Underhill, Rufus K. . 5 10
Underhill, Hazen R. . 13 74
Union Stable, Florence Str't, 25 20
Teel, Samuel,
31 74
Teel, Jonathan, Estate,
86 40
Thrasher, Benjamin,
13 02
Tufts, Isaac, Estate,
554 40
Tufts, Timothy, .
66 30
Vinal, Quincy A.
·
23 10
Tufts, George,
5 10
Vinal, Robert,
606 30
Towle, Orrel,
41 10
Veazie, William, .
30 30
Tufts, James W.
7 26
Terry, Patrick,
24 54
Terry, Maurice, .
5 10
Wilson, Nathan, 19 50
White, William A. 12 30
Trull, Charles,
8 70
Woodward, Benjamin,
12 30
Taylor, Franklin C.
5 10
White, Artemas, 32 46
Timony, Henry,
7 78
White, William F. 21 66
Townsend, Luther,
5 60 Wilbur, George B. 5 10
Tenant, John,
3 66 Welch, David, 8 70
Tufts, Oliver, .
.
.
199 50
White, John N. .
12 30
.
Stevens, John, Heirs, .
.
14 40
T.
Underwood, James, Heirs, . 18 00
V.
Vinal, Robert A. . 37 50
W
Thompson, George,
5 10
.
9
66
West, George W.
$73 50
Woodwell, Charles H. . $12 30
Wakefield, Enoch H.
80 70
Ward, William, .
7 26
Walker, Peter H.
30 30
Wyatt, George W.
91 50
Whiting, Oliver R.
31 74 Ware, John S.
44 70
Weld, Alexander H.
25 26 Ware, George B.,
3 66
Wyeth, Noah, 23 10
Whitmore, Benjamin, .
4 38
White, Charles E.
5 10
Winnick, Seth C.
19 50
White, Amos W.
19 50
White, William, .
10 14
Waugh, Chandler,
44 70
Wattress, William,
12 30
Whitcomb, Francis E.
13 02 Wilder, James M.
3 66
Willoughby, William W.
26 70
Wheeler, Daniel B.
6 54
Woods, Henry T. 5 10
Waters, Charles,
5 10
Willis, Samuel B.
23 10
Waters, William A.
5 10
Willard, John, .
2 22
Waters, Mrs. Ann,
48 96
Wells, Charles F.
2 94
White, Horace,
4 38
Wheeler, George W.
102 30
Worthen, Daniel,
41 10
Welch, Abraham,
14 46
Watson, Simon N.
25 98
West, Lewis B. .
3 66
Woodwork, Charles,
48 30
Wood, Alexander,
37 50
Whiton, Stark, .
29 58
Williams Charles,
23 10
Whiton, Moses L.
4 38
Williams, Charles, Jr.
5 10
Walker, Andrew R.
41 10
Wheelwright, Robert H.
3 70
Wild, Charles D.
60 54
Walden, Charles C.
9 42
Warner, Levi W.
2 94
Washburn, David,
33 90
Wyatt, Stephen H.
2 94
Whitman, Edson F.
23 10
NON-RESIDENTS.
A.
Butterfield, George P. $3 60
Alden, -
$12 26
Bartlett, Bela, & E. Brown, 7 20
Ayers, William O.
18 00
Binney, Amos, Heirs of, 64 80
Aldridge, - -,
14 40
Billings, F. A.
4 32
Adams, George S.
115 20
Beals, Henry,
7 20
Allison, William,
10 80
Bemis, Emery, 10 80
Austin, A. W.
108 00
Bates & Thayer, .
14 40
Andrews, Joseph,
43 20
Boles, David, Heirs of,
20 16
Andrews, Robert,
12 96
Amee, J. L. C. .
7 20
Bean, Ivony,
£ 32
Bennett, John B.
3 60
Bullard, Charles,
28 80
Bancroft, William,
11 52
Bennett, J.
4 32
Bartlett, Perceval,
18 00
Balch, W. P.
4 32
Bailey, Enoch, ·
20 16
Boston Spike Factory Co.
36 0
C.
Brown, Joseph L.
11 52
Cushing, Isaac C. 29 52
Blodgett, William A. .
8 64
Cushing, N. W.
7 20
Brown, Nathan, .
8 64
Chandler, William,
20
Barker, I. L.
3 60
Childs, Francis, .
5 76
Baker, William S.
10 80
Carter, Josiah H.
41 76
Bellows, Dr. A. J.
108 00
Cheever,
50 40
Britain, L. W.
39 60
Cummings, Franklin, .
20 16
Bibvian, Joseph S. 2 16
Conlan, John, . 41 04
Brown, Amos,
18 00
Concannon, James,
2 16
B.
Bullard, Charles H.
10 80
Blodgett, E. W. Heirs of, Bradshaw, S. E.
3 60
Bancroft, Henry,
14 40
3 60
Brown, George, . 2 88
67
Casey, F.
$5 76
Elliot, Thomas J.
$82 80
Chilson, Gardiner,
10 80
English,
: 40
Coffin, I. N.
14 40
Chaffee, K. S.
39 60
Collins, John,
10 80
F.
Clorago, S. H.
2 88
Fletcher, S. R.
2 88
Cane, Patrick,
3 60
Frost, Frederick A.
3 60
Chevellier, Peter,
Farnum, Henry,
3 60
Campbell, R. C.
10 80
Flagg, Hiram B.
5 04
Cate, A. S.
25 20
Foss, Jacob,
32 40
Chamberlin, C. C.
36 00
Flynn, - ,
6 48
Chamberlin, C. C. & others,
72 00
Flynn, Frederick,
50 40
Child, Enos,
14 40
Foster, Robert,
36 00
Clark, William,
7 20
Fuzzard, William, Fogg, Dr.
21 60
Cutter, Asa,
32 40
Fitzgerald, John,
7 20
Churchill, Asoph,
12 96
Fox, George H. .
3 60
Churchill, Sarah,
18 00
French, George,
28 80
Carter, A. G.
3 60
Frill, N. O.
72 00
Cotton, Nathaniel,
8 64
Fletcher, William,
3 60
Campbell, Abner R.
10 80
French, Miss Hannah,
57 60
Campbell, Jeremiah,
14 40
Frost, Mrs. Mary,
10 80
Cambridge, City of,
72 00
Fogg, Jesse,
2 88
Chandler, N. A. .
5 76
Fiske & Rice,
14 40
Clapp, Elbridge, .
7 20
Fiske, Paschal,
5 76
Crockett, Ephraim,
5 76
French, Benjamin,
14 40
Corning, N. R.
12 96
Ford, Nathaniel,
3 60
Cotton, J. . .
.
21 60
G.
D.
Gale, A. J. 14 40
Damon, James, . 72 00
Garvin, Edward,
10 80
Dana, Jas. & Benj. Parker, .
25 20
Graves, William,
7 20
Dana, James,
18 00
Greeenleaf, Luther,
21 60
Dresser, J. A.
14 40
Garrett, Robert, Heirs of,
10 80
Downer & Moore,
18 00
Gilbert, Lemuel, .
3 60
Demick, Calvin,
156 24
Goodwin, T. R. .
3 60
Dix, Joel, .
36 00
Gerrish, George N.
18 00
Doe, J. M. .
54 00
Gilbert, Timothy,
14 40
Dixwell, John J.
180 00
Greenough, D. S.
7 20
Duffee, James,
: 60
Gill, John, .
3 60
Dunklee, B. W. .
10 80
Griffin, Daniel, .
5 04
Decan, Michael, .
3 60
Delano, Winslow T.
12 96
Dickenson & Steel, 3 60
H.
Davidson, Wm. C. Heirs of,
8 64
Haley, George W. 2 88
Heard, Joseph,
7 20
Hinkley, William,
10 80
Haynes, Amos, .
58 80
Hill, L. T. .
3 60
E.
Hastings, Oliver,
25 20
Eastes, Samuel, . 3 60
Hill, Samuel L. .
28 80
Evans, E. P.
18 00
Hanson, J. B. Estate of,
246 00
Easterbrook, John W.
3 60 Hanson, Joseph, . 28 80
Ellis, Lemuel,
21 60
Haselton, J. Cutter,
108 00
Edwards & Sproul, 18 00
7 20
English, Jerome A. 5 76
18 00
Everett, E. D.
25 20
Hamblin, B. B. . ·
20 16
Eaton, Ira A. .
25 20
Harrington, Francis, ·
14 40
Estes, Israel,
10 80 Holmes, Hiram, .
165 60
.
Dean, Charles,
2 88
Gates, Winthrop,
3 60
Dalrymple, James,
3 60
Day, Ralph,
21 60
Hunnewell, Wm. Estate of, Hodson,-
18 00
Clark, James,
18 00
8 64
Evans, B. S. 5 04
68
Hall, Lewis,
$7 20
Lynde, S. S.
$7 20
Hall, Edward,
72 72
Lunde, James,
20 16
Hastings, James P.
10 80
Locke, Asa,
7 20
Hills, Dr. .
5 76
Learned, B. G.
5 04
Harrington, Sylvester,
36 00
Lund, ",
2 16
Holt, John V.
5 76
Leman, N. R.
2 16
Hammond, John,
4 32
Larkin, A. .
Harper, Edward,
3 60
Lord, Thomas,
14 40
Holbrook, Daniel,
4 32
Littlefield, Elisha,
8 64
Heath, Charles, .
7 20
Hermon, Leopold,
14 40
M.
Haney, John, Heirs of,
21 60
Martin, Newhall, 2 88
Hamblin, Nicholas,
7 20
Merrill, Lewis F.
149 04
Hayward, A. H.
12 96
Marshall, James,
20 16
Hollis, Charles, .
10 80
Mills, James L. & Son,
86 40
Henalin, - ,
10 80
McIntire, James, 50 40
Haynes, Charles,
25 20
McDermot, Thomas,
18 00
Haynes, Charles, and others,
64 80
Hood, Harvey,
12 96
Meagher, Mrs. Mary, . 8 64
20
Hancock, Charles,
36 60
Miller, George R. 8 64
Hammond, John,
12 96
Murry, James,
3 60
Howland, Freeman,
5 76
Moore & Woodworth, .
7 20
Marshall, Daniel & Alfred, . 21 60
36 00
Mahony, J. J.
72 00
Marsh, F. H. Heirs of,
10 80
Munroe, Edmund, 50 40
Meacham, Pond and others,
50 40
Merrill, J. J. 14 40
James, William, .
5 76
Murdock, Asa,
43 20
Jordan, C.
5 04
Magoun, A. B.
35 28
Jones, William, Heirs of,
12 96
Morse, Azias,
50 40
Johnson, Charles B.
36 00
Murdock, John, .
10 80
Johnson, George,
36 00
Martin, D. A.
7 20
Johnson, Jonathan, Heirs of,
36 00
McGivin, Peter,
3 60
Johnson, H. A. .
36 00
Johnson, Samuel T. .
36 00
May, Joseph I. .
3 60
Johnson, George & William, 36 00
McAlister, Richard,
5 76
Johnson, John B. 36 00
Jewell, Gorham, 21 60 .
N.
Noyes & Norton, 25 20
Newman, Robert E. 7 20
Newman, Charles, 36 00
Nichols, Thomas 14 40
Nichols, J. P. 14 40
Norton, Andrew, Heirs of, . 50 40
Kent, E. T. & Co. .
5 76
Kinley, C. W.
.
21 60
0.
Owners unknown, ·
25 20
Owners unknown, 3 60
Osborne, Richard, 28 80
Kimball, J. J. 3 60
Oakman & Eldridge, 57 60
Kimball, Oliver, .
. 14 40
Owner unknown,
3 60
Kelly, Heirs of John, .
10 80
L.
Page, Benjamin,
32 40
Littlefield, Rufus, . 16 56
.
5 76
Holbrook, George E.
.
5 76
Merrill, Lucretia R. Mitchell, Cushing,
3 60
I.
Iron Company,
. 7 20
J.
Jackson, S. S. 41 76
Jenkins, Abijah, .
8 64
Johnson, Lewis, . .
8 64
Johnson, Philip, . .
93 60
Joy, Elizabeth,
· 720 00
K.
Kelly, Levi, 5 04 .
Kean, Henry,
.
3 60
. Kent, John, 46 80
P.
Payson, Samuel T.
5 76
Mason,
14 40
Hancock, John, Estate of,
140 40
Mullen, Catharine, Heirs of,
Hutchinson, - ,
Meacham, George, 36 00
2 88
69
Pond, Z. R.
$4 32 | Stranger, (S. H. Francis,) ·
$18 00
Prescott, Calvin S.
43 20
Snow, F. D. & S. H. 10 80
Pollard, Luther,
23 04 Smith, T. P. Heirs of, 4 32
Pratt, Jared,
28 80
Sawyer, W.
21 60
Packard, Sewall,
21 60
Smith, N. P.
32 40
Powers, Eli, 36 00
Skinner, O. A.
28 80
Page, George W. Estate of, 20 16
Simonds, W.
14 40
Peppard, John W.
10 80 Stone, Calvin,
14 40
Peacock, Freeman,
25 20
Smith, J. G.
7 20
Pratt, Garville,
25 92
Stearns, William,
93 60
Preston, J. .
5 16
Stearns, J. W.
43 20
Pratt, S. F.
10 80
Siders, Mrs. Maria,
2 88
Poor, Samuel, Heirs of,
28 80
Sinclair, Samuel,
4 32
Pedrick, Joseph, . ·
2 88
Sinclair, John,
4 32
Perrey, Calvin,
3 60
Shipley, Horatio,
10 80
Pingree, David, .
36 00
Smith, Stephen, .
2 88
Pettingill, Charles R.
32 40
Saxton, John M.
5 76
Pattee, Joel,
7 20
Stone, Thaddeus,
3 60
Parker, Benjamin,
3 60
Swain, John,
4 32
Porter & Meacham,
64 80
Sumner, Bradford, Heirs of,
10 80
Pierce, Abner, .
2 88
Smith, E. P.
2 88
Proctor, Abel, .
3 60
Small, Samuel,
2 88
Pendexter, Charles,
3 60
Stevens, J. M.
14 40
Prescott, M. L.
10 80
Shurburn, Reuben,
12 96
Prince, J. H.
5 04
Sabine, Dr.
3 60
Sleeper, Jacob,
129 60
R.
Richardson, Thadeus, .
1 44
Russell, Jonas, .
25 20
Smith & Sumner,
21 60
Rogers, William S.
43 20
Rice & Morrill, .
7 20
Sullivan, Richard,
468 00
Raymond, E. A.
25 20
Stearns, William B.
12 96
Roberts, J. W. & A.
4 32
Stearns, Trustees of Jas. W.
87 12
Randall, Elizabeth,
12 96
Sprague, J. E. Heirs of,
90 72
Rich & Smith,
10 80
Stearns, William,
·
77 76
Russell, Aaron W.
18 72
Silver, Mrs. Eliza,
·
93 60
Redman, Lawrence,
8 64
Stearns, Sarah N.
89 28
Rogers, George N.
4 32
Stearns, Harriet, Executor of C. Stearns, 96 48 .
Read & Wade,
21 60
Stearns, Harriet, .
96 48
Rugg, Erastus, 7 20
Stearns, Wm. S. & Sisters, .
83 52
Roland, John H. 4 32
Stearns, Richard, Heirs of, . -
5 76
Rand, Benjamin,
100 08
Rand, Samuel, 87 84
T.
Trull, Willard, 7 20
Thompson & Abbot,
10 80
Towne, O. W. N.
54 70
Tenney, W. P.
86 40
Tamplin, J. B.
12 96
S.
Tuttle, O. S.
7 20
. Stone, William, 2 88
Teel, Andrew,
7 20
Stearns, E. L.
3 64 Tapley, Mrs. Lydia,
7 20
Stickney, R. P. 54 00
Taylor, John,
43 20
Sargent, J. H. 43 20
'l'opliff, Benjamin,
18 40
Smith, Daniel, 18 00
Topliff, Benjamin and others, 97 20
Stimpson, Jeremiah,
10 80
Turnpike, Medford, ·
14 40
Sawyer, Asa,
28 80 Thomas, George A.
.
14 40
.
Seavey, J. R.
10 08
Stewart, -
7 20
Stockbridge, L. N.
4 32
Skinner & Sweet,
7 20
Rice, William D.
5 04
Robbins, Richard, Heirs of, 5 76
Saunders, William A.
Rand, James, 28 80
Railroad, Fitchburg Co. .
75 60
Railroad, B. & L. Co. . · 151 20
Railroad, Eastern Co. . · 72 00
Parker, D. M.
70
Tapley, Robert, . $3 60
Wells, George,
$4 32
Teel, Ammi C. .
36 00
Williams, Edson, 21 60
Tufts, J. G. Heirs of, .
12 96 Warren, Gardner, 10 80
Tufts, Daniel,
111 60
Welch, G. R. 10 80
Tube Works, American,
442 00
Waldron, B. F. .
15 84
Tufts, Nathan,
104 40 ·
Wilson, Joseph B.
12 96
Tufts, Gilbert, .
47 52
Wright, Samuel,
3 60
Tufts College Corporation, .
144 00
Whitaker, William H. 21 60
10 00
U. V.
Ursuline Community, .
720 00
Williams, Oliver,
3 60
Varnum, William,
.
3 60
Williams, Tillson,
20
Upham, Asa,
12 96
Upton, Daniel P.
23 76
Whitney, Mrs. Lydia
5 76
Williams, D. H. .
3 60
W.
Whitmore, N. M.
18 00
Weston & Mason, 97 20
Ward, Artemas, Heirs of, 180 00
Wetherbee, J. W.
5 76 Wheeler, Increase S. . 316 80
Whitcomb, L. K.
18 00
Warren, George W. 18 00
Welch, David,
7 20
Wyman, William, 28 80
Webster, Theodore B.
21 60
Wood, Charles, and others, . 144 00
White, Artemas,
50 40
Willard, J. H.
8 64
Woodbury, William C.
32 40
Weld, A. D.
7 20
Welch, William,.
7 20
Wild, Charlotte, .
5 76
Y.
Winn, Elizabeth,
21 60
Young, J. H.
18 00
.
Willis, -
20
West, Charles, Wason, J. P.
14 40
REPORTS
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE, SELECTMEN AND TREASURER
OF THE
TOWN OF SOMERVILLE,
TOGETHER WITH A LIST OF THE
TAXES ASSESSED,
For the Year 1858-9.
BOSTON: WILLIAM WHITE, PRINTER, 4 SPRING LANE. 1859.
REPORTS
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE, SELECTMEN AND TREASURER
OF THE
TOWN OF SOMERVILLE,
TOGETHER WITH A LIST OF THE
TAXES ASSESSED,
For the Year 1858-9.
BOSTON: WILLIAM WHITE, PRINTER, 4 SPRING LANE. 1859.
1
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
EVERY relative position has its responsibilities, and to discharge the incumbent duties in a manner satisfactory to others and to ourselves, is not always an easy task.
The supervision of any department of learning is attended with difficulty, because of the spiritual nature of what is to be developed, and moulded; and obstacles are indefinitely augmented, when we come to training up children in the way they should go.
No wise and prudent lawgiver would ever issue an order, and define the penalty, unless it was compatible with intel- lectual and moral organization, and ought to be performed.
That there is a right and a wrong teaching, or educating of the young in the family, in our schools, and in our social intercourse, no observing individual will pretend to deny. Much that is defective in the modes of education can be easily pointed out ; how to remedy the evils, is not as easily defined and executed.
The importance of our Common School System is cheer- fully acknowledged by all making any pretensions to philan- thropy or patriotism; and the consummation of its perfec- tion has engaged, and is still engaging the time, and talent of some of the master minds of the nineteenth century.
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Should not our schools enlist our special attention, if they contain the power of moulding the youth of our land, to industry, virtue, and a sacred love of country ?
These are acquisitions the just and good in all past time have labored to attain, and saw by imagination in the future, but despaired that such perfection could ever be realized.
That every child in the community may be so trained, that a very small per cent. shall become disturbers of the peace, outcasts, and a by-word, direct testimony has abundantly proved.
In the year 1847 Hon. Horace Mann addressed a circular to eight of the most experienced and distinguished teachers of New England, propounding to them the following ques- tions, and asking for answers : -
" 1. How many years have you been engaged in school- keeping, and whether in the country, or in populous towns or cities ?
2. About how many children have you had under your care ?
. 3. Should all our schools be kept by teachers of high intellectual and moral qualifications, and should all the children in the community be brought within these schools for ten months in a year, from the age of four to that of sixteen years; then what proportion - what percentage of such children as you have had under your care, could, in your opinion, be so educated and trained, that their exist- ence, on going out into the world, would be a benefit and not a detriment, an honor and not a shame to society ? Or, to state the question in a general form, if all children were brought within the salutary and auspicious influences I have
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here supposed, what percentage of them should you pro- nounce to be irreclaimable and hopeless ?"
" In answering this last important question," says Mr. Mann, "I am supposing all our children to be placed under the care of such a class of men and women as we now honor by the appellation of first class or first rate teachers ; -of such teachers as are able, in the school-room, both to teach and to govern ; and who, out of the school-room, will be animated by a missionary spirit in furthering the objects of their sacred vocation."
All of the eight gave their respective answers, and their unanimity of opinion was remarkable in naming the per- centage that they thought might be so trained as to become good members of society, the supporters of order and law, and truth and justice. They all concurred that more than ninety-eight per cent. of all the youth in our land, if trained as above, would adorn society, and bless the world through the whole course of their lives.
If we are authorized to receive as correct the conclu- sions as stated by these deservedly popular and experienced teachers, how the weight of responsibility is enhanced which rests upon parents and superintendents of the great public educational interests of every community. All that has been said and written upon this momentous subject falls far short of describing the reality, or the great good that would result from the perfect education of every individual.
The imagination can only conceive of a finished educa- tion, by placing before the mind a man perfect physically, intellectually, and morally, and consequently, an eminently good man. Education means the harmonious development of all that constitutes a rational and immortal being.
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To appreciate our Common School System, it is not enough to provide that schools be kept in every neighbor- hood, and to know that our children attend them punctually ; we must visit the schools, study their internal workings, and become so interested in their success, and that we shall in our domestic relations, and manifest interest in the teachers, evince an ardent desire to do all in our power to make them most efficient and perfect in their operation. Your Committee have, to the best of their ability, labored assiduously to improve and render most productive of good all the public schools of this town; and they flatter themselves that in several particulars they have not been unsuccessful the past year.
Our movements have been of a reciprocal nature respect- ing particulars in the school-room, always endeavoring to show a proper deference to the profession of teaching, feeling that the details of practice can never be fully under- stood by theory.
We have been specially mindful of the wants of the Primary Schools, believing in the proverbial saying, “ As the twig is bent, the tree is inclined."
We feel that the largest and best qualifications are needed for the primary department of teaching; and, not as has been believed, that any body, making any pretensions to learning, would answer to teach children.
None but those of great sympathy, of special exactness of attainments in the elements of language, haring a nice and educated musical ear, of extensive general knowledge, and a happy tact to communicate, can cherish the fond hope that they may arrive to much eminence as Primary School teachers. The sounds of the letters, and the correct pro-
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nunciation of words, can only be perfectly and permanently learned with ease, before the child is ten years old; for what may be attained after that time in the elementary sounds, will only be accomplished by great care and much perseverance. That too little attention is paid to reading and spelling and correct pronunciation in our Primary Schools, is very obvious to your Committee, notwithstand- ing the great importance they are known to attach to this part of juvenile instruction.
That all the children can be so trained in our Primary Schools, as to make correct speaking general, is not to be expected in the rearing of one generation; but it is no argument against the effort, and furnishes no palliation for neglect on the part of teachers. However imperfect the home pronunciation may be, nothing of the kind should be allowed in the school-room.
The teacher should be more particular in correcting the wrong sound of a letter, than in pointing out arithmetical mistakes, for the latter will correct themselves, but the former will vitiate the taste, mislead the ear, and ruin the orthoepy of the pupil. No department of our educational system is so responsible for the correct speaking, reading and spelling as the primary, and hence the great accountability where the results are of a life long continuance.
While the young by reading, spelling, and singing, are being taught the perfect use of the ear, and the true power of the vocal organs, so that correct hearing and correct utter- ance shall afford delight, it is another duty of the Primary Schools to initiate the use of the fingers and hands in drawing lines and figures, to the delight of the child, and so lay the foundation of future excellence in penmanship
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and sketching. A large proportion of the time usually devoted to the study of arithmetic, we think must ultimately be spent in a manner better calculated to improve the young, by developing those faculties that are most easily impressed in childhood; and thus more effectually secure the full development of the reasoning and comparing pow- ers. Variety must distinguish the Primary School, or dis- cord will prevail ; and hence the trouble that so often occurs which proper management might easily have prevented.
The intellect should be reached through the heart and affections ; and then the very way that God has designed for improvement and happiness, and laid irrevocably in the mental constitution of children, will lead the teacher with the greatest certainty to ultimate success.
To attempt to force the young forward in any speciality of learning, and not train them as a harmonious whole, is to attempt to work in opposition to the Divine Architect, and produce a class of disagreeable beings, instead of lovely companions, kind fathers and mothers, and friends of humanity.
Our Primary Schools are on an average as good as we have reason to expect with the present state of public feel- ing, and with the impression that the teachers now have of their responsibilities, and of what parents and the public generally, think they ought to perform.
If stubborn stillness is one of the indispensables of the Primary School, it would be economical to have some mechanical apparatus which would fix the child immovably, and thereby save much time otherwise to be injudiciously expended, by not leaving healthy impressions upon the plastic nature of the children.
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The immutable laws of body and mind require no such fixtures ; for physical education declares, in unmistakable language, that great intellectual progress is only compatible with fine bodily health.
To weaken the body is to enervate the mind ; and if man- kind are not by intellectual and moral development, to add to their physical comfort, and length of days, there must be a disagreement in ourselves.
It is vastly more important that the physical condition of the pupils in the Primary Schools should be carefully watched by the teacher, than in the higher grades ; for they are less qualified to discriminate for themselves, and their nervous systems are more easily and permanently disordered.
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