Report of the city of Somerville 1858-1867, Part 26

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1867
Publisher: Somerville, Mass.
Number of Pages: 956


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1858-1867 > Part 26


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27 00


Livermore, George W.


4 50


1 80


18


Lawrence, Daniel.


36 00


1 80


Lynde, A. V ...


3 60


Lonsbury, G. A.


3 60


18


.


13


98.


Tax Payers.


Assessed.


Abatem't.


Discount.


Uncollected.


Littlefield, Rufus


$ 15 30


$


$


$15 30


Learned, Luke.


7 20


36


Lynde, Stephen H.


36 90


Lund, William.


3 60


Larkin, Abraham.


3 60


Learned, Heirs of B. G.


7 20


Libby, Alvah.


7 20


36


Leach, J. F.


27 50


Leland, Gorham A.


45 00


2 25


Laughron, James.


3 60


Livermore, William


9 00


45


M.


Minot, Charles


112 50


5 62


Murdock, Judson.


16 20


Merry, Heirs of John.


3 60


18


Matthews, A. H. Dr


18


Merrill, Lewis F


59 40


Moore, Antonatus.


19 80


99


Morrill, Henry T.


13 50


67


Mills, Isaac B.


33 30


Mills, William N.


22 50


Mclaughlin, John


9 00


McLane, James


3 60


18


May, Samuel P.


14 40


Marshall, Alfred.


27 00


1 35


Miller, Mary Mrs.


9 00


45


Morse, James D.


9 00


Mills & Sons, James L.


27 00


Mixer, Charles H. S.


72 50


3 60


Murdock, Heirs of Asa,


45 00


2 25


Morrill, Hiram P ..


31 50


1 57


McAlister, Richard.


2 50


22 50


Martin, Darius.


9 00


45


Munroe, Henry F


18 00


Maltman, Robert.


4 50


22


Martin, Newhall.


9 90


49


Marshall, James.


34 20


1 72


McDermot, Thomas


22 50


Mullen, Heirs of Catherine.


5 40


Murray, James.


4 50


4 50


Mitchell, Cushing


4 50


Mahony, John J.


72 00


3 60


Marsh, Heirs of S. H.


13 50


67


Munroe, Edmund.


63 00


3 15


Meachum Pond and others


63 00


3 15


Meacham, George.


81 00


4 05


Meacham & Porter


81 00


40 50


Merrill, John J.


18 00


18 00


Magoun, Aaron B.


79 20


3 96


Morse, Ozias.


63 00


Murdock, John.


13 50


67


McGern, Peter.


4 50


Mead & Hapgood


9 00


.


.


.


·


99


Tax Payers.


Assessed.


Abatem't.


Discount. Uncollected.


N.


Norris, Erasmus


$ 27 00


$


Norcross, J. W.


9 00


Nichols, John P.


57 60


2 88


Nickerson, Joseph.


22 50


1 12


Newman, Heirs of Robert E. Prof ..


9 00


45


Nichols, J. B.


18 00


Norton, Heirs of Andrews.


63 00


3 15


O.


O'Connell, John


9 00


O'Neill, Charles


13 50


O'Leary, James.


23 40


O'Connell, J ..


6 30


Osborn, Richard


36 00


1 80


Oaks, Josiah.


108 00


P.


Parker, Frank B


13 50


67


Phillips, John.


5 40


Prentiss, Susan Mrs.


9 00


Parker, Benjamin


19 80


99


Prescott, Calvin S.


9 00


45


Parker & Shimmin.


13 50


67


Peak, John.


18 00


Peacock, Freeman.


58 50


2 92


Paul, James & Co.


9 00


Poor, Mrs. Lydia


14 40


72


Prescott & Brothers,


45 00


2 25


Prescott, Heirs of S. Dana


54 00


2 70


Powers, Heirs of John C.


10 80


10 80


Pollard, Luther


27 00


1 35


Pond, Zebiah R.


5 40


27


Peppard, George W


9 00


Preston, Jonathan.


9 00


15


Pedrick, Joseph


4 50


22


Pingree, David.


54 00


2 70


Pettengill, Charles R.


40 50


9 00


Pattee, Joel.


9 00


45


Pierce, Abner


1 80


09


Procter, Abel.


4 50


22


Perkins, F. W.


36 00


1 80


Perkins, S. G.


27 00


1 35


Perkins, R. S.


45 00


2 25


Page, Benjamin


7 20


7 20


R.


Ryan, Matthew J.


10 80


54


Railroad, Horse


36 00


1 80


Russell, L. W.


58 50


2 92


Russell, Heirs of John.


24 30


1 21


Roberts, J. W. & A.


50 40


2 52


Rogers, George M.


50 40


Robinson, T. S. G.


... 3 60


.


100


Tax Payers.


Assessed.


Abatem't.


Discount.


Uncollected.


Reynolds, William J.


$


$


$ 36


$


Rogers, Samuel.


9 00


Richardson, James M.


12 50


67


Rice, Charles B.


10 80


Reynolds, Thomas.


7 20


Rogers, William S.


63 00


3 15


Raymond, E. A ..


31 50


1 57


Randell, Mrs. Mary V.


49 50


2 47


Russell, Aaron W.


25 20


1 26


Redman, Lawrence


10 80


Rugg, Erastus.


9 00


Rand, Heirs of Benjamin


108 00


5 40


Rand, Samuel.


104 40


5 22


Rand, Heirs of James.


22 50


1 12


Railroad Co., Fitchburg.


67 50


3 37


Railroad Co., Eastern.


90 00


4 50


Railroad Co., Boston & Lowell.


72 00


3 60


S.


Stearns, George L.


18 00


90


Snow, Robert.


27 00


Snaith, Mrs.


9 00


Stimpson, Robert W.


15 30


76


Stimpson, William H.


15 30


76


Smith, Charles S.


16 20


Small, George.


18 00


Sleeper, Jacob.


108 00


5 40


South Down Co.,


63 00


3 15


Stearns, Joshua B.


58 50


Stone, Thaddeus ..


2 70


Silvey, Heirs of John M.


7 20


36


Stetson, Joshua.


7 20


36


Scrowl, Leopold.


10 80


54


Siberlick, Lorin


13 50


Smith, S. A.


18 00


Stevens, Dr. John


13 50


67


Sullivan, Richard.


432 00


21 60


Spring, Isaac H.


90 00


1 50


Sweeney, Patrick


4 50


Sargent, Jobn.


31 50


1 57


Saunders, William A.


18 00


90


Sinclair, Samuel.


5 40


27


Shipley, Horatio


10 80


6 20


22


Smith, Stephen


3 60


18


Swain, John.


5 40


27


Smith, Edwin P.


3 60


Stevens, James M.


16 20


81


Stockbridge, L. M


5 40


Skinner & Sweet,


9 00


Saurin, Edwin.


5 40


Shapleigh, John W


22 50


56


Squires, John P.


13 50


67


Starbird, Nathaniel W.


22 5


Sumner, Mrs. Amelia B.


10


54


Spear, Albert . .


49 50


2 47


Stevens, Richard.


9 00


Stearns, William 2d.


124 20


6 21


1


101


. Tax Payers.


Assessed.


Abatem't.


Discount.


Uncollected.


Sanborn, Christopher P.


$ 16 20


$


$


$ 16 20


Smith, Heirs of T. P.


7 20


36


Simonds, Washington.


13 50


Stone, Calvin.


18 00


90


Stearns, Trustee of James W


75 60


Sprague, Heirs of Joseph E.


89 10


4 45


Stearns, William


75 60


3 78


Silver, Mrs. Eliza.


84 €


4 23


Stearns, Miss Harriet executrix of


Miss Caroline Stearns,


93 60


1 68


Stearns, Miss Harriet. .


93 60


4 68


Stearns, William S. and sisters


80 10


4 00


Stratton, Ira


126 00


6 30


T.


Tufts, James W.


9 00


45


Thompson, Peter


13 50


13 50


Tufts, Ephraim.


315 00


15 75


Twombly & Lamson


173 70


8 68


Trull, Samuel C.


9 00


Topham, F. L.


4 50


Topliff, Benjamin


18 00


Taylor, D. D.


18 00


90


Tyler, Joseph.


6 30


31


Trull, Willard.


9 00


45


Thompson & Abbott,


13 50


67


Tenney, William P.


13 50


Tapley, Heirs of Lydia


7 20


Thomas, George A.


18 00


Teel, Amasa.


36 00


Tufts, Daniel


157 50


7 88


Tufts, Gilbert.


59 40


2 97


Trofiter, Edward T.


13 50


Tube Works, American


540 00


27 00


Tilton, Benjamin


72 00


1 80


3 51


U.


Ursuline Community,


810 00


40 50


Upham, Asa ..


16 20


81


Underhill, Samuel.


27 00


W.


Wellington, Charles W


72 00


9 00


Weston & Mason,


45 00


Woodworth, Horatio C.


6 30


31


Woodbridge, Francis.


13 50


7 20


West, George W ..


36 00


1 80


Wright, Benjamin S.


18 00


90


Whitton & Raymond,


45 00


Woodbury, William


27 00


Welch, Benjamin.


45 00


2 25


Whipple, John A ..


3 60


Woodward, George M.


22 50


1 12


Ward, Heirs of Artemus


207 00


10 35


White, Daniel.


18 00


90


102


Tax Payers,


Assessed.


Abatem't.


Discount.


Uncollected.]


Wood, Benjamin.


$ 45 00


$


$2 25


$


Whitmore & Hughes,


4 50


Weeks, Asa.


18 00


90


Charles Heath,


9 00


Wilson, Joseph


18 00


Whittaker, William H.


22 50


Wyeth, Noah


27 00


1 35


Whitcomb, Lorenzo K.


13 50


Wells, George.


5 40


27


Williams, Heirs of Edson


22 50


Ward, Henry B.


18 00


90


Waldren, B. F.


22 50


1 12


Wait, Charles.


4 50


Williams, Oliver


4 50


Williams, Tilson.


9 00


45


Willis, David C.


9 00


Whitney, Mrs. Lydia


4 50


22


Whitmore, N. M.


22 50


Wheeler, Increase S


378 00


18 00


18 00


Warren, George W


22 50


1 12


Wyman, William.


27 00


Wood, Charles and others


162 00


8 10


Y .- Z.


Young, J. H.


22 50


Zane, Joseph


4 50


22


$54,701 50 658 80


1,992 72 3,403 80


Dr. TOWN OF SOMERVILLE, IN ACCOUNT WITH WM. BONNER, COLLECTOR OF TAXES. Cr.


1863. March 1. To cash paid at sundry times to Robert A. Vinal, Town Treasurer, $51,918 88


1863.


March 1. By amount of uncollected Taxes for the year 1861, as per account current, dated March 1, 1862, $3,704 70 One uncollected Tax bill, not included in above, 96 00


.


3,800 70


Less Abatements by Assessors, 528 00


3,272 70 ·


By amount of Taxes assessed in 1862,


54,701 50


Less Abatements, 658 80


103


Discounts, 1,992 72


Uncollected,


3,403 80


6,055 32


48,646 18


51,918 88


51,918 88


WILLIAM BONNER, Collector of Taxes.


SOMERVILLE, March 2, 1863.


The undersigned having examined the accounts of the Collector of Taxes, hereby certify that the above account current is correct. .


AARON SARGENT, HENRY F. WOODS, Auditing Committee. S. C. WHITCHER,


SOMERVILLE, March 4, 1863.


104


.


SCHEDULE OF TOWN PROPERTY, With location, valuation, and amount of insurance.


PROPERTY AND LOCATION.


VALUE.


INSUR- ANCE.


High School-House and land on Highland Avenue,


$9,500


Philosophical Apparatus in do.,.


400


6,000


Piano in do., ..


250


Franklin School-House and land on Milk Street,.


9,000


4,000


Spring Hill 66


66


Spring Hill,


1,300


600


Prospect Hill


Washington Street,.


7,500


3,500


Brastow


66


¥


Medford Street, ..


5,000


2,500


Bell


Cherry Street,.


1,400


600


Forster


66


66


Sycamore Street,


5,800


3,500


Jackson


66


66


Maple Street,.


4,000


2,800


Prescott


Pearl Street, .


18,500


10,000


Union


Prospect Street,


1,800


500


Land corner of Broadway and Franklin Streets.


3,000


Land corner of Prospect and Washington Streets,


720


Engine House, Armory, Stable, &c., on the above,.


5,600


3,000


Stable, ..


Land on corner of Prospect and Milk Streets,.


1,000


Buildings on do.,.


800


500


Ledge on Milk Street, ..


2,000


Ledge on Bond Street,


1,000


Gravel laud in Winchester,.


700


Fire Engine, Somerville No. 1, and apparatus,.


1,200


Horses, Carts, Harnesses, Tools, &c., for Highways,.


1,310


900


Town Pound on Town Farm,.


100


Hearse and Hearse House,.


100


Safe in Town Hall,


175


88,355


TOWN DEBT.


Date. 1


To whom payable.


When due.


Rate Int.


Am't.


June 1, 1858. . .


Warren Institution for Savings


Dec. 1, 1864. . .


6 per cent.


$5,000


July 29, 1859.


George Bell ..


July 29, 1879. .


51


66


5,454


Oct. 1, 1859


Safety Fund Bank.


|Oct. 1, 1879 ..


6


66


2,700


March 16, 1861.


Warren Institution for Savings


March 16, 1866. 6


66


5,500


Dec. 5, 1861. . .


L. R. Paige,. .


Jan. 10, 1872 ..


6


1,500


May 16, 1862. .


Warren Institution for Savings 66


May 16, 1872 .. Aug. 25, 1867


51


66


12,000


Nov. 10, 1862. .


Nov. 10, 1869. . 51


66


20,875


Nov. 25, 1862 ..


Levi Jones. ..


Nov. 25, 1872.


6


5,000


Nov. 28, 1862. .


John Peabody


Nov. 28, 1868. 6


2,500


Feb. 27, 1863. .


Warren Institution for Savings


On demand ... 5


4,000


66


66


Beacon Street,


1,400


500


Broadway, ..


800


500


Walnut Hill 66


66


90,924


66


4,500


Jan. 10, 1862. .


Cambridgeport Savings Bank.


6 1872. .


6 53


7,495


Aug. 25, 1862.


66


F. A. Brooks .. .


Oct. 1, 1863 ..


14,400


Land on Broadway, (Town Farm,).


4,000


300


Harvard


L


TOWN OFFICERS.


1862.


SELECTMEN, Board of Health, Highway Surveyors, Fish Committee.


HENRY A. SNOW, BENJAMIN RANDALL,


THOMAS CUNNINGHAM, ALBERT KENNESON, CHARLES H. GUILD.


nu ...


TREASURER.


ROBERT A. VINAL,


Walnut Street.


COLLECTOR.


WILLIAM BONNER, .


Washington Street.


TOWN CLERK.


CHARLES E. GILMAN,


Walnut Street.


ASSESSORS.


JOHN C. MAGOUN, WILLIAM BONNER, CHARLES D. WILD.


SCHOOL COMMITTEE.


CHARLES S. LINCOLN,


NELSON HOWE,


JOHN P. MARSHALL,


GEORGE H. EMERSON,


GEORGE D. CLARK, JOHN G. HALL,


AUSTIN BELKNAP, AARON SARGENT,


CYRUS F. CROSBY.


AUDITORS.


AARON SÅRGENT, HENRY F. WOODS, S. C. WHITCHER.


OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.


JOHN C. MAGOUN, ABRAM WELCH, CALEB KINGMAN.


14


106


CONSTABLES.


HORACE RUNEY,


CALEB BUCKNAM.


SURVEYORS OF WOOD, BARK AND LUMBER. EDWIN L. WEEKS, GEORGE A. SANBORN, D. A. MARRETT.


JOHN C. MAGOUN,


FENCE VIEWERS. MARK FISK, CALEB BUCKNAM.


SEALER OF LEATHER. CHARLES MILLER.


SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. JOHN C. MAGOUN.


FIELD DRIVERS.


WILLIAM HIGGINS,


CALEB BUCKNAM, IRA THORPE, CHARLES TRULL.


ENGINEERS' REPORT


OF THE


FIRE DEPARTMENT.


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen-


Gentlemen-According to your request, I would most respectfully submit the following report :


The whole apparatus of the Fire Department, consisting of one engine and hose carriage, having been put in complete repair the past year, are now in good order ; and being under the charge of able and efficient officers and men, the town may rest perfectly secure, knowing that when duty calls we shall always find them ready to perform all that is required of them. The company is now in a flourishing con- dition, although their numbers have from time to time been some- what reduced by enlistments in the army.


If the town could be induced to make some alterations on the engine, by placing it on springs and larger wheels, and substituting a stouter beam for the present one, the engine would be made a first class machine, capable of doing much more execution, and give bet- ter satisfaction to the company attached to it.


I am happy to state that the number of alarms and fires have been less, and the amount of loss has been very small compared with former years. As we labor under great inconvenience at most fires for the want of ladders, I would call your especial attention to the


108


subject of furnishing some means of getting the ladders belonging to the town to and from fires, and keeping them in some suitable place, where they cannot be used at all times and for all purposes. As they are now located, they are of no use whatever except in their imme- diate vicinity ; and when wanted, it not unfrequently happens they cannot be found, they being " out among the neighbors generally." If a light truck could be procured, suitable to be drawn by a horse, so that they could be taken to any part of the town, it would facili- tate operations at fires very much, at a small expense to the town.


I would likewise call attention to the necessity of having an extra hose carriage. As it frequently occurs that more hose is needed than is carried with the engine, it sometimes causes great delay before a supply can be obtained from the engine-house ; and as we have now several hydrants, and in a short time shall have more, it would be a great benefit to the town. You will therefore see not only the utility, but the actual necessity of a measure so important.


Taking into consideration the limited means the Department has for extinguishing fires in so large a town as Somerville, it is a matter of much surprise, and ought to be one of thankfulness, that we are spared from larger and more disastrous conflagrations.


The accompanying documents will show the number of fires, reser- voirs, hydrants, &c.


On behalf of the Board,


S. H. GOODING, Chief Engineer.


109


No. OF FIRES FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1863.


. March 20, 1862, slight fire in house on Franklin street; put out without the aid of engine.


June 21, 2 small houses in rear of Lowell street.


July 2, small barn on Poplar street.


" 5, Allen's rope-walk, on Milk street ; partly destroyed.


" 13, barn belonging to Ivers Hill, on Washington street.


" 24, barn and pigery in rear of Milk street ; partially.


" 27, barn on Linwood street, belonging to H. H. Bradshaw. Feb. 24, 1863, block of four houses on Garden Court. Number of fires, 8; amount of loss, $3,300.


NUMBER OF RESERVOIRS-6.


1 on Union Square, near Flag Staff.


1 " Broadway, corner of Central street.


1 " Franklin street, opposite Webster street.


1 " Mount Vernon street, near Broadway.


1 " Temple street.


1 " Street near school-house and Club stable.


NUMBER OF HYDRANTS-3.


1 at junction of Prospect street and Webster avenue.


1 on Prospect street, near Primary school.


1 on Washington street, near bleachery.


Number of engines,


1


" hose-carriages,


1


" feet leading hose, good,


200


66 66


16 66 fair,


300


66


66


poor, 300


" reservoirs,


6


66


" hydrants, 3


" ladders, 6


" hooks, 1


110


The following is a schedule of property belonging to the town, in the care of the Engine Company :


1 engine, with all apparatus of a complete engine,


1 hose-carriage,


200 feet leading hose, good,


300 “ fair,


300 “ 66 poor,


1 extra bell and rack for engine,


1 good force pump,


1 damaged do.,


3 lanterns,


1 screw wrench,


1 hydrant wrench and goose neck,


1 table,


4 chairs,


9 spitoons,


2 stoves,


64 feet settees,


1 copper boiler,


75 mugs,


10 pans,


3 tin pails, 1 pitcher, 48 bowls,


6 baskets,


10 tin dippers, 8 towels,


2 wooden pails,


1 feather duster,


lot keys and badges,


1 set runners for engine and hose- carriage,


90 spoons,


1 clock,


2 brooms,


1 coal hod,


2 water pots,


2 shovels,


3 officers' hats,


10 hose hats,


6 hose coats,


1 wood axe,


1 extra drag rope,


50 feet rubber hose and pipe, 1 knife,


1 basin.


SOME


LIC


INCORPORATED A.D.1853


PEIRCE


" Their warfare is over, they sleep well."


ERECTED BY THE


SOMERVILLE LIGHT INFANTRY, With the balance of a fund generously contributed by their fellow-citizens in aid of the company on entering the U. S. service for three months, APRIL 19th, 1861,


In memory of all from this Town who have fallen in the service of their country.


REPORTS


OF THE


School Committee, Selectmen, Treasurer,


AND


COLLECTOR OF TAXES,


OF THE


TOWN OF SOMERVILLE,


For the Year Ending March 1, 1864.


1


BOSTON: C. M. & A. B. MORSS, PRINTERS, 109 WASHINGTON STREET. 1864.


REPORT


OF THE


SCHOOL COMMITTEE


OF THE


TOWN OF SOMERVILLE,


FOR THE SCHOOL-YEAR 1863-4.


In submitting to their fellow-Townsmen their Annual Report, the Committee proceed at once to the matter of chief impor- tance, the condition of the schools.


At the recent examination, in February, arrangements were made to secure a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the condition and prospects of the several schools. To this end, a special committee of three was appointed for each of the departments of Primary, Intermediate and Grammar,- the examination of the High School being assigned to the entire Board. It is believed that no one study has been passed by, and that in each case ample time was taken to perform the duty with thoroughness and impartiality. Each of the special com- mittees prepared a written report of the results of its labors, giving such suggestions as the facts seemed to warrant. The insertion of these several reports in the Annual Report to the Town will, it is believed, add variety and special value to its contents. They are accordingly submitted. And first, of


4


THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS.


When the present efficient Superintendent of Schools in Bos- ton received his first appointment to that office, he began, like a wise man, with the primary schools. It is in these that the foundation of an education is laid; and, if that is faulty, the superstructure cannot be perfect. It will exhibit unseemly cracks and fissures, which putty and paint may, for a time, con- ceal, but cannot close up. The edifice is permanently marred and weakened.


Faults in articulation and intonation, contracted in the pri- mary school, or not eradicated there- when the organs of speech are flexible, and habits easily formed -are often de- tected in the grammar school, the high school, and even in college.


The Hon. Horace Mann gave it as his opinion that it is impossible to make good spellers at any other period of edu- cation than the very first; and the same holds true in many other respects. Carelessness and inattention will go from the primary school, growing with the growth and strengthening with the strength of the pupil. These facts, and many more, are readily explained when we remember that early childhood is the period when impressions are most distinct and vivid, and habits are most easily formed.


Such being the case, it follows that the office of a primary school teacher is one of the most important and responsible stations in the whole system of education. It certainly does not require so much learning to teach a primary as a high school, but it is even more important that the teacher should be a good reader, and understand the principles of reading.


It may be doubted, too, whether the call for discretion, good judgment, ingenuity, tact, and knowledge of human nature in every stage of development, is not as great in the primary school as in any other department of our school system.


5


The great object of all our schools is not so much to convey knowledge to the pupils as to develop and strengthen their faculties and show them how to acquire knowledge. The power to fix the attention on a given subject, and to follow out a train of systematic thought, is, perhaps, the highest result of educa- tion. Now, these may, and should be commenced in the pri- mary school. The attention cannot, of course, be fixed for so long a time here, as at a later period; and hence the necessity of judgment and tact in so varying the exercises as to secure attention and order, and at the same time, not overtask either the mental or physical powers of the pupils. Five minutes of earnest attention is worth more than an hour of listless look- ing at a lesson, while the thoughts are playing truant, and the limbs aching for a change of position.


To secure the desired result in any school, and especially in a primary school, care should be taken that the classes be large enough to excite emulation, and not so large as to make a given exercise wearisome. In our recent examination of these schools, we have noticed in almost every instance where the order or the recitations did not come fully up to our expectations, that there was an evident failure in classification. With the above suggestions, we are happy to be able to state that the condition of our primary schools, is, in general, good. No two, indeed, are alike in excellence, and none so good that they may not be made better. In some, the reading was very good. The dis- tinctness of articulation, the inflections, the emphasis, and the grouping of phrases, was such as would be praiseworthy in any school. In others, something of the " tone," as it is called, which results from pronouncing the words separately rather than the phrases, was still discernible. We, however, believe that our primary school teachers, as a whole, have labored faithfully, intelligently, and with highly creditable success.


B. F. TWEED,


J. G. HALL,


G. D. CLARK.


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INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS.


The special committee on the examination of the Inter- mediate schools have tried to perform that duty faithfully, and they respectfully submit the following brief report, inviting thereto the attention of all who are, or ought to be interested in the general subject of education.


Your committee find the order in these schools very good ; also, that the pupils generally have made a good degree of progress in their several studies, which is a pleasing evidence that the teachers in this department have been faithful to their trust. It is with much pleasure that we convey to you this information.


Your Committee would suggest that a system of reviews in spelling, arithmetic and geography can be adopted in these schools to great advantage.


When a study is commenced, more difficult than the one which the scholar has previously pursued, the pupil's mind is bewildered with the impression that this new undertaking is extremely difficult ; and it will be so, until the mind is relieved of this unnecessarily depressing influence. This may be removed by a proper system of reviews.


When lessons are given in advance only, the pupil is all the while breaking new ground. If a review is given in connec- tion with the advance, the latter is thereby rendered compara- tively easy, and the pupil soon finds that which at first was disheartening is now easily comprehended. The mind is strengthened by the advance lesson, and thereby more readily comprehends the principles contained in the past lessons ; and, by being fresh in the elementary principles of the study, which are brought into constant use in the advance, this labor is lightened, and the scholar soon finds himself possessed of that self-reliance and confidence which are essentially necessary to enable him to apply his energies with a resolute determination


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to overcome all obstacles. When, with suitable instruction, confidence is fully secured to the mind of the learner, no impediments can check the onward progress.


The records of these teachers exhibit, to those who realize and appreciate the advantages of education, one painful fact : that the average attendance is less than four-fifths-and this in a time of general health in the schools. Several causes contribute to this result - some of them unavoidable, others inexcusable. Amongst the former are sickness and pecuniary embarrassments, which are entirely beyond the control of parents or children.


For those who are thus afflicted, or unfortunate, we have no words of reproof; and we cannot do justice to our own feelings without expressing for them our heartfelt sympathy.


Another class are cases where children are kept out of school from pecuniary considerations. We look at the stupidity of such a proceeding with amazement. Suppose the parents add to their wealth one hundred dollars by keeping the child out of school a portion of the time, what have they gained ? The tender physical energies of the child are taxed to accumulate one hundred dollars more money, to be bequeathed to the child at the parents' decease, which, if properly invested, will bring in an annual income of six dollars; when, if the same time had been spent in fixing in the young mind the elementary princi- ples of education,-thus expanding and strengthening it, and enabling it to direct intelligibly the fully developed physical energies of maturity,-a hundred dollars could easily be added to the annual income, against the six dollars interest. The pecuniary advantages are in favor of a punctual attendance at school as one hundred to six, to say nothing of the mental enjoyment, and social position to which the individual would attain. For the misfortunes of this class we have no remedy, and we can only enter our earnest protest against the continu- ance of this practice, hoping that these few words may conduce to a change in this respect.


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The third class comprise those who take no interest in their school; and whose parents care not where they are, if they are only out of the way. These pupils go to school or stay away at pleasure, and if required by the teacher to bring an excuse, write one themselves, or get some older rogue to do it for them, thus at an early age, entering the field of crime at a time when they cannot appreciate the magnitude of the offence committed or realize the danger that surrounds them. It not unfre- quently happens that parents allow their children to remain out of school as long as they can without exceeding the limits of absence allowed, which by the rules of the school require a per- mit, and then send the child a day or two, and so on through the term. No argument is needed to show the moral tendency of this practice. The evil is palpable at a glance. When children are educated to practise deception, what may we not expect of them at maturity ?




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