USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Norwell > Report of the selectmen of the town of South Scituate 1854-1868 > Part 18
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$367 89
To cash paid for following articles, viz :
10 52
David Torrey, 16₺ feet hard wood,
8 87
E. F. Fogg, Jr., crackers 25, bag of meal 1.56, Tacks 7, rifle 4, { 1b. alum 4,
15
Bag rye meal 2.10, bag meal 1.56,
3 66
1 bu. corn 78, lemons 6,
84
1 pair slippers 45, 1 bag meal 1.54,
1 99
Amount carried forward,
$395 73
Isaac B. Damon, 2105 lbs. salt hay,
1 81
) 75
$ 93 9 72
vate.
65
r. , 18 00
r. 40 76 : 49
242
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF POOR.
Amount brought forward, $395 73
E. T. Fogg, Jr., Tincture rhubarb 17, senna 8, crackers 25, 50
1 bag meal 1.50, 1 bag meal 1.50, 3 00
1 bag corn 1.50, 1 1b. coffee 10, 1 60
Slipery elm 8, cheese 67,
75
Crackers 25, 1 bag meal 1.50, 1 75
Fly paper 10, 1 bag salt 15,
25
1 bag meal 1.46, 1 bag meal 1.46,
2 92
Crackers 25, camphor 8,
33
1 qt. castor oil 50, 1 bbl. flour 8.25,
8 75
1 bag meal 1.46, cheese 55,
2 01
Tincture rhubarb 17, 1 bag meal 146,
1 63
1 bag meal 1.46, crackers 25,
1 71
1 bag meal 1.46, 1 bu. corn 73,
2 19
1 bag rye meal, 2 00
¿ 1b. cassia 16, crackers 25,
41
1 bag meal 1.86, 1 hogshead 50,
2 36
3 bowls 24, 1 bag meal 1.86,
2 10
Brush 37, 1 pk. apples 40,
77
1 bag of meal 1.78, 1 bag meal 1.78, 3 56
2 qts. lard oil 60, 2 lbs. coffee 32,
92
¿ lb. nutmegs 20, 1 bag meal 1.78,
1 98
1 bag corn 1.74, 1 pk. apples 40,
2 12
1 pair shoes 1.33, 3 lbs. c. s. soap 48,
1 81
1 pair shoes 90, 1 pk. rye meal 28,
1 18
Crackers 25, 1 bag meal 174, 1 99
2 50
z 1b. cassia,
16
Curry comb,
25
1 chamber 25, covered chamber 40,
65
1 bag meal 1.74, 1 qt. castor oil 50,
2 24
1 bag meal,
1 74
1 bushel rye meal 1.06, 1 bu. corn 95,
2 01
Earthen dish 12, bag meal 1.90,
2 02
6 lbs. cheese 60, tincture rhubarb 18,
78
Salts 2, 7 lbs. d. apples 77,
79
Hops 20, 1 bbl. flour 7.75,
7 95
1 bag meal 1.88, 1 1b. c. tartar 36,
2 24
Crackers 25, shaving soap 20,
45
1 1b. coffee 10, 1 1b. pepper 20,
30
1 bag corn 1.90, 2 qts. lard oil 60,
2 50
Castor oil 10, 1 pk rye meal 27.
37
Amount carried forward,
$473 41
2 14
1 bag meal 170, 1 1b. C. tartar 42,
1 bag rye meal 2.02, 4 lbs. d. apple 48,
243
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF POOR.
Amount brought forward,
$473 41
E. T. Fogg, Jr., 1 pk. apples 42, 1 bag meal 1.90, 2 32
2 12
Crackers 25, 1 1b. starch 10,
35
1 1b. pepper 20, 1 bag oats 1.14,
1 34
1 bag oats 1.14, 1 bag meal 1.80, 2 94
Matches 22, 1 1b. saltpeter 14,
36
2 pudding pans 26, shorts 1.85,
2 12
Crackers 25, tappioca 30,
55
3 pints peas 30, 1 bag meal 1.74,
2 04
1 bbl. flour 8.25, 1 bag corn 1.70, 9 95
Corn starch 11, 1 bu. rye meal 1.06,
1 17
1 bag meal 1.70, 1 1b. coffee 11,
1 81
1 bag meal 1.70, crackers 25,
1 95
Herrings 20, 1 bag meal 1.66,
1 86
Corn starch 11, 1 lb. raisins 10,
21
200 lbs. shorts 3.50, 1 bag meal 1.62, 5 12
Crackers 25, 1 bag rye meal 2.12, 2 37
2 43
1 pint peas 8, 1 bag meal 1.60,
1 68
Lemons 10, 2 lbs. sugar 22,
32
1 lb. coffee 10, 1 bag meal 156, 1 66
1 bag meal 158, 4 lbs. nails 20, 1 78
1 bu. meal 78, 1 bu. corn 78, 1 bag meal 1.56, 3 12
19
22 lbs. butter 69, 3 lbs. cheese 39, 1 08
1 file 10, 1 bag meal 1.54, cloths line 37, 2 01
1 66
Crackers 25, 1 1b. tobacco 16,
41
1 bag meal 1.56, 1 bushel corn 78, 2 34
1 quart lard oil 30, 1 bag meal 1.56, 1 86
1 bag meal 1.56, half bushel apples 20, 1 76
62
1 bag meal 1.56, 1 bag corn 1.56, 3 12
12
1 bag meal 156, crackers 25, 1 peck apples 12,
1 00
Stone pot 85, 1 bag meal 1.64,
2 49
2 lbs. W. nails 18, half bushel salt 21,
39
1 lb. coffee 10, 1 bag meal 1.64,
1 74
Tincture rhubarb 17, 1 bag oats 1.08,
1 25
1 lb. starch 10, 1 bag meal 1.64, 1 74
1 bushel rye meal 1.00, 1 pair shoes 1.25, 2 25
Amount carried forward,
$550 94
T
2
8
1 8 9
5
8
9
5
4
2
1
5 4
5
1
1 bag rye meal,
1 bag meal 1.54, plates 12,
Tincture of rhubarb 17, soap 45,
1 lb. salaratus 7, wicking 5, 1 93
1 pint castor oil 20, 1 bushel meal 80,
1 1b. coffee 10, 1 1b. shot 9,
1 bu. meal 81, 1 bag corn 1.62,
4 2
} 1
1
244
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF POOR.
Amount brought fordward, $550 94
E. T. Fogg, Jr., 1 bag meal 1.64, 2 qts. lard oil 60, 2 24
Crackers 25, 1 bbl. flour 8.25, 8 50
2 bags meal 3.28, soap, 9, 3 37 Sponge, 10. 85 lbs. rye meal 1.70, 1 80
1 1b. coffee 16, 1 bag meal 1.64, 1 80
1 bag meal 1.64, 1 bag meal 1.62, 3 26
1 pair suspenders 17, twine 7,
24
Tincture rhubarb 24, 1 bag corn 1.62,
1 96
1 bag meal 1. 62, mugs 54,
2 16
1 1b. coffee 10, 1 bag meal 1.62,
1 72
1 1b. cream tartar 40, 1 hhd. salt 3.00,
3 40
Grackers 25, 1 bag corn 1.62,
1 87
2 qts. oil 60, 12 plates 60,
1 20
1 bag meal 1.60, 1 bag meal 1.58,
3 18
1 bag corn 1.58, 1 bag meal 1.58,
3 16
1 bag meal 1.54, 1 1b. saltpetre 14,
1 68
1 bag corn 1.54, sweet oil 25,
1 79
122 lbs. fish 63, 1 bag meal, 1.54,
2 17
Pass book 4, 1 bag meal 1.50,
1 54
1 pail 15, 2 bags meal 3.00,
3 15
Crackers 25, 1 qt. lard oil 30,
55
1 peck rye meal 24, ¿ 1b. cassia 16,
40
1 bag meal 1.50, 1 1b. coffce 10, 1 60
3 04
1 bag meal 1.58, 1 peck rye meal 24, 1 82
54
Tincture rhubarb 34, 1 qt. oil 20, Wicking 20, 1 bag corn 1.60, 1 80
Walter Foster, 2d., 35 yards bed-tick 5.95, 3 yds. gingham 54, 6 49
15 yds. cotton cloth 1.50, yarn 40, 1 90
Pins, tape and cotton, 29
C. D. Bishop, mending shoes,
4 34
Melsar Hatch, 250 lbs. shoats,
21 87
Israel H. Sherman, one cow,
12 00
Joseph Merritt, 2d., shoeing, and repairing various articles,
4 78
Mellen Minot, three cords hard wood, Four cords pine wood,
13 00
D. Bassett, 5 tons of coal,
27 50
Dr. Dearing, 6 mos. attendance to Dec. 1,
12 50
Geo. H. Torrey, one green jacket 2.50, 1 pr. pants 2.75, 1 vest 1.62, 1 pr. pants 3.00, 4 62
5 25
1 vest 2.25, 1 pr. pants 2.88, 5 13
William Hatch, 1 horse bought at auction,
50 50
Amount carried forward, $796 05
15 00
1 bag meal 1.50, 1 bag corn 1.54,
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF POOR. 245
Amount brought forward, $796 05
John E. Corthell, beef at sundry times, 61 37
Josiah Cushing, pasturing cow four months, 5 50
David Torrey, 16 bushels rye 90c. per bushel,
14 40
1 qt. gin for Tower 50, ¿ bu. clams 40, 5 qts. milk 15,
1 05
¿ bu. clams 40, fresh fish 50,
90
Alice Brooker, 2 days washing,
67
Washboard 33, mop handle 12,
45
Tin ware bought of Ventriss 84,
84
43 lbs. cheese 5.16, 64 lbs. butter 12.80, 17 96
50 lbs. rice 2.50, freight on goods from Boston 50, 3 00
1 48
Making two comforters, 1.00, 6 qts. milk 30, 1 30
2 00
4 skeins mixed yarn 1.00, Alice Brooker, washing 33,
1 33
3 prs. andirons 30, haltar 25,
55
6 qts. milk 30, fresh fish 84,
1 14
Cushing & Clapp, 26 lbs. tobacco 3.12, 20 lbs. coffee 2.60, 5 72
H. Blanchard, 3 bu. R. I. bent seed 4.13, 15 lbs. clover 1.95, 6 08
88
Foster's Ex., freight 62, John Freeman, one day's work, 1 00
Martin Cushing and team, two days ploughing, 7 00
Seth Thomas, 294 lbs. shoats 26.46, J. Dunbar, 1 c'sk plaster 1.60, 28 06 Stephen Benson, ¿ days work 50, David Torrey, five gallons vinegar 1.25, 1 75
H. N. Gardner, shoeing horse 62, Curtis & Co., garden seeds 84, 1 46
M. Reed, 200 herrings 1.80, Warren Jacobs, service of bull 50, 2 30
1 bu. early potatoes 1.00, 40 lbs. butter 8.00, 9 00
100 lbs. salt fish 3.50, five pieces joist 1.00,
4 50
S. Benson, ¿ days work 50.
50
Fresh fish 52, 50 lbs. sugar 4.62, 14 lb. cassia 25, 5 39
2 lbs. pimento 20, 6 lbs. pepper 66, 6 lbs. saleratus 30,
1 16
10 lbs. corn starch 70, 1 lb. nutmegs 63, freight 1.25, 2 58
¿ bu. beans 1.00, fresh fish 87, surgical instrument for Tower 75,
2 62
1 bbl. molasses 13.47, ¿ chest tea 15.96, freight 38,
29 81
Freight on molasses 67, 100 lbs. sugar 9.00,
9 67
Fresh fish 75, 46 lbs. cheese 5.06, 52 lbs. butter 11.44,
17 25
22 lbs. tobacco 3.08, 6 brooms 1.57, 4 box raisins 75,
4 40
6 lbs. tappioca 90, freight 1.37, 1 bu. apples 38, 1 pair shoes 1.75, 1 lb. stocking yarn 1.12,
2 87
10 yds. print 1.00, fresh fish 15, apples 12,
1 27
Curtis & Co., 1 pea Jacket 4.00, 1 pr. shoes 1.50,
5 50
363 yds. cotton cloth 3.38, 40 yds. print 4.30,
7 68
Amount carried forward,
$1071 09
-
1
Dinner bell 1.00, 3 qts. milk 15, A. Brooker, washing 33,
Footing four pr. stockings, 1.00, making four shirts 1.00,
2 bu. salt 88,
2 65
246
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF POOR.
Amount brought forward,
$1071 09
8 yds. cotton flannel 1.04, 9 yds. cotton flannel 108, 2 12
8₺ yds. crash 76, 2 yds. crash 24, 1 00
¿ bu. clams 40, 2 bbls. apples 1.75, 5 bbls. apples 5.00,
7 15
8 yds. flannel 3.36, yarn and thread 50, clothing 3.00,
6 86
1 pr. shoes 1.00, 4 yds. flannel 1.68, bread 50,
3 18
N. Cushing, oxen and cart ¿ day 1.00, 1 00
Beeswax 5, W. Cushing, 235 lbs. straw 1.12,
1 17
20 lbs. coffee 2.80, S. Foster, 66 lbs. butter 13.86,
16 66
Tin ware of Ventriss 323, 1 bag 25,
3 48
130 lbs. sugar 10.40, 112 lbs. salt fish 4.12,
14 52
53 lbs. snuff, 99, 20 lbs. tobacco 3.20,
4 19
6 lbs. saleratus 36, 50 lbs. rice 2.00, 1 bag 25,
2 61
Freight on goods 1.50, cotton batting 1.00,
2 50
Wicking 15, bag of salt 15,
30
Bag of meal 1.60, bag of meal 1.70,
3 30
Bag of corn 1.70, bbl. of flour 6.72,
9 32
1 1b. saleratus 7, crackers 25.
32
1 bag meal 1.70, plaster 18,
1 88
1 bag corn 1.74, 1 bag meal 1.74,
3 48
2 qts. oil 60, 1 bag meal 1.74, 1 bag corn 1.74,
4 08
Salary of Almshouse keeper 11 mos.,
206 25
$1,366 46
Inventory of goods at the Almshouse, February 1, 1861.
72 cords hard wood,
$37 50
20 gallons molasses, 7 60
3 cords pine wood,
10 50
3 gallons vinegar,
75
24 tons coal,
15 75
89 lbs. lard,
13 35
3,000 lbs. English hay,
30 00
17 lbs. grease,
1 02
1,600 salt hay,
9 60
7 lbs. tallow,
70
1 cow,
18 00
40 lbs. candles,
4 80
1 horse,
50 50
18 lbs. tobacco, 3 24
99
20 bushels small potatoes,
5 00
13 fowls,
4 33
4 bushels turnips,
2 00
118 lbs. sugar,
10 62
2 bushels beets,
1 00
¿ bbl. flour,
6 50
6 bushels carrots,
2 00
54 lbs. butter,
10 88
5 pecks onions,
1 00
15 lbs. tea,
6 60
350 lbs. salt beef,
28 00
95 lbs. salt fish,
3 80
450 lbs. salt pork,
54 00
13 lbs. suet,
1 30
160 lbs. hams,
19 20
5 bushels coarse salt,
2 10
7 bushel beans,
14 00
¿ bbl. soap, 2 00
15 bushels rye,
15 00
6 pecks meal,
1 32
80 bushels potatoes,
40 00
5₺ lbs. snuff,
247
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF POOR.
5 pecks corn,
1 10
4 papers corn starch,
32
2 qts. oil.
60
72 lbs. coffee,
1 13
6 lbs. saleratus,
36
45 lbs. rice,
2 02
3 brooms,
90
10 lbs. raisins,
1 20
2 bbls. apples,
3 00
1 lb. cassia,
32
2 lbs. allspice,
30
3 lbs. pepper,
36
6 oz. nutmegs,
27
1 bag fine salt,
16
4} lbs. hard soap,
34
600 lbs. straw,
3 00
2 lbs. chemical soap,
18
600 lbs. shoats,
42 00
4 lbs. tapioca,
60
$493 11
Articles sold out of the Almshouse.
Amount of inventory of goods on hand February 1, 1861. $493 11
4 lbs. lard, to Mrs. Bradley,
60
2 lbs. candles to Consider Merritt,
28
2 lbs. pork to Mrs. Bradley,
24
Town meeting dinners,
1 33
2 bu. potatoes to H. H. Jenkins,
1 50
2 bu. small potatoes to Geo. B. Hayden,
1 00
6 bu. potatoes to William Hatch,
4 50
2 bu. potatoes to S. Clapp,
1 50
1 lb. candles to Jessy Turner,
14
Oats standing to H. Robbins,
5 00
2 lbs. candles to Consider Merritt,
28
32 bu. potatoes to Samuel Tolman, Jr.,
2 62
1} " small " 6
75
3 lbs. lard to C. Merritt,
45
1 bbl. skewers to Geo. Bates,
3 50
2 lbs. lard to C. Merritt,
30
3 hours work for Anson Robbins,
30
14g lbs. lard to E. T. Fogg, Jr.,
2 17
Rags sold to Ventriss,
40
1 days board Ventriss and horse,
1 25
Frank Sprague for horsekeeping,
1 50
Sawing and housing wood for Town Hall,
1 00
6 fowls sold,
2 70
E. T. Togg, for board of Lois Bates,
40 00
Balance due on settlement with J. E. Corthell, March 1, 1860, 1 89
John E. Corthell, one calf, 7 20
Hay to John E. Corthell,
8 26
Balance due on settlement from J. E. Corthell, Feb'y 1, 1861, 5 38
Board of 11} persons in Almshouse, at 1.42.9 per week, 777 31
$1,366 46
-
5
9
248
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF POOR.
SUPPLIES OUT OF THE ALMS HOUSE.
D. & J. Wilder, supplies to Mrs. Damon, from March 1, 1860, to January 1, 1861,
$50 00
Dr. Dearing, medical attendance on Mrs. Frank's child, 9 87
Daniel Otis, supplies to James Thompson, 2 01
John E. Corthell, supplies to Mrs. Damon,
6 85
Joseph B. Bowker, supplies to Mrs. Witherel, from Feb. 1, to July 1, 10 00
Supplies to Mrs. Witherill, from July 1, to Oct. 16, 7 50
Dr. Dearing, medical attendance on Mrs. Damon, to Dec .. 1860, 36 09 silver catheter for Mrs. Damon, 1 00
Elijah B. Turner, wood to Bartlett Lincoln, to Jan. 1, 1861,
18 50
John E. Corthell, supplies to Bartlett Lincoln,
1 25
C. W. Sparrell, coffin for Mrs. Sylvester, 1859, 8 50
4 00
Piam Jacobs, wood to Abel Sylvester, 1859,
Nathaniel Turner, supplies to Charles Cerlew, to Feb. 1, 21 00
Joseph B. Bowker, supplies to Mrs. Witherell, to Jan. 26, 7 50
Elijah Clapp, wood to Edwin Stoddard, 4 25
$188 32
In addition to the above, we have paid the expense of the sickness and burial of Mrs. John Lewis, amounting to twenty-eight dollars, which has been refunded by the town of Pembroke; also, expense of sickness and burial of widow Philenda Richards, amounting to twelve dollars, which has been refunded by the town of Weymouth; also, for medical attendance on, and supplies to Charles M. Leavitt, forty-nine dollars and twenty-two cents, which amount we have received from the town of Abington.
SAMUEL TOLMAN, JR., Overseers of the Poor
WILLIAM HATCH, of the
JAMES J. FARRAR, Town of South Scituate.
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF
SOUTH SCITUATE,
FOR
1861-2.
BOSTON: J. M. HEWES, PRINTER, 81 CORNHILL. 1862.
I
REPORT.
-
District No. 1. Ridge Hill.
Miss MARY ANN LITCHFIELD was the teacher of the school in summer-her fourth term of instruction in this place. Under her administration this school has always appeared and done well.
The winter school was taught by Miss MARY ANN FORD. The order, while not strict, was yet good, and the school made com- mendable progress in their studies. The examination was a cred- itable one, both to scholars and teacher.
There is a right public sentiment in this District respecting school education and school government, and the examinations are always numerously attended by parents and friends.
District No. 2. Snappet.
This school throughout the year has been under the care of Miss TRYPHENA WHITING, who has given good satisfaction to all parties concerned. The establishment of a private school in the immediate vicinity, has withdrawn several of the larger scholars from the school, and thereby somewhat affected its appearance.
[District No. 3. Damon Street.
The summer school was taught by Miss L. ELMINA CURTIS, a former teacher of this school. She earnestly endeavored to do well for the school, but not seeing the desired results, apparently became discouraged, which, in turn, had a bad effect upon the
4
school. We long to see the scholarship and demeanor of this school brought up to a higher standard, and to secure this result, we bespeak a deeper manifestation of interest, on the part of pa- rents, for the welfare of the school. The fathers of this District- where are they on examination days ?
The school in winter was under the instruction of WM. HARVEY GURNEY. This was his first endeavor in teaching, and we think that, under all the circumstances, he succeeded as well as could reasonably be expected. The deportment and scholarship of the school, however, were not what they should be. A want of loud- ness and promptness are characteristic of the recitations in this school.
District No. 4. North.
Miss MARIA JACOBS was the teacher of the summer school. At our occasional visits of this school, the order appeared good, the scholars studious, the lessons well learned, though, as usual in this school, poorly recited. A proper articulation and elocu- tion have long been wanting to the reading and recitations of this school. Owing to various causes the school did not appear so well at examination as it ought to have done.
OTIS L. LEONARD had the charge of the school in winter. Young, and without experience as a teacher, he failed to secure a proper state of subjection and order on the part of the school, and resigned in consequence. Mr. WEST, the teacher of the 8th District, was employed to keep the school the remainder of the term, who succeeded, to a good degree, in bringing order out of chaos.
Failures in this school, more or less complete, have, for years past, been the rule rather than the exception-a fact which, to our mind, indicates something wrong in the state of public senti- ment in this District. Is the report which has frequently come to our ears true or calumnious, that this District is ruled by the children, and that the teachers have to govern both the school and the District ? Our counsel is, let the parents of this District prove the report a slander by themselves making their children obey the regulations of the school, whoever or whatever may be
-
5
the teacher. Strive earnestly and unitedly for the speedy coming of a better state of things, that thus your schools may be a bless- ing and not a curse to-yourselves and your children.
The school-house in this District, no less than the scholars, has suffered, we are sorry to add, from long misrule, bearing, as it does, on its inner and outer walls many a mark of youthful van- dalism, and a discreditable moral taste.
District No. 5. Meeting-house Mill.
The summer school was under the care of Miss HANNAH B. HART, the teacher of the previous summer. Several scholars withdrew during the term, and only the average attendance was present at examination. Yet the school has always appeared well when visited by your Committee. The out-door conduct of the scholars has not perhaps always been sufficiently attended to by the teachers of this school.
Mr. EDWARD SOUTHWORTH was the teacher of the winter term, and with his school the Committee have no fault to find. The in- struction was thorough and the order was excellent. The school was lengthened three weeks by voluntary contributions.
District No. 6. Union Bridge.
This school during the year has been instructed by Miss EMILY JAMES, an experienced and successful teacher of youth. The school-room has been made by her a pleasant and interesting place to the children, and the school, in all respects, has done well.
District No. 7. South.
Mr. EDWARD SOUTHWORTH had the school in summer. The attendance we think was not so good as usual. The scholars were well drilled and disciplined, and the conduct and progress of the school have been satisfactory.
Miss JULIA A. SEARS, the teacher of the winter school, is, in all respects, a most excellent teacher, and, as a consequence, the District have had, in all respects, a most excellent school. This
6
District has now enjoyed the services of three " Normal" teach- ers in succession, and the schools under their charge have been all that we could reasonably have expected or desired.
Miss LIZZIE T. HATCH has had the care of the Primary School during the year. The attendance of the scholars, considering their age, has been quite constant and punctual, their deportment good, and their progress satisfactory.
District No. S. Central.
The summer school was entrusted to Miss CHARLOTTE S. GARD- NER, but failing to give satisfaction, the school, after vacation, was placed in the charge of Mr. JOHN S. CROSBY, who did well for it the short time it was under his care.
The teacher in winter was Mr. THOMAS H. WEST, who was quite successful in this his first attempt at teaching. Mr. W., we think, kept a good school. Yet a little more stringency in the government of the school would not, perhaps, have been out of place.
Such is a brief, yet, we trust, an impartial account of the state of the public schools in town the year past. Some of our schools we have visited with great pleasure. An air of neatness and quietness pervades the school-rooms. The scholars are respectful, orderly, awake, studious, prompt, soldier-like, yet apparently cheerful and happy. We have seen little or no whispering, laughing, playing, turning round, pinching, pulling, pushing, kicking, scuffling, or any manner of incivility or disorder. Such school-rooms are pleasant places to visit.
Other schools we have visited, in months and years past, where nearly the reverse of all this is true. In them we have seen al- most every imaginable variety of youthful tricks, incivilities, rogueries and insubordinations. The children, to all appearance, have neither the fear of God nor regard for man. They mani- fest, at least, but little respect for age or office, man or woman. A visit to such schools is a most disagreeable and painful task.
Now why should there be this wide difference between different schools ? This difference, certainly, is not a necessity, because
7
the materials for a good school exist nearly alike in all Districts, and because in all the Districts there have, at times, been good schools. No doubt the differing characteristics of teachers will partially account for this difference. There are some teachers so gifted with tact and talent, so qualified by nature, study and ex- perience, that they can govern any school, no matter where or what it is. Exceedingly few, however, possess this magnetizing, governing power. The vast majority of teachers, in order to suc- cessful teaching and governing, need, and must have, the coöpe- ration of parents and the influence of a right sentiment in the District. Where these are enjoyed by a teacher, his school will rarely prove a failure. At least, we should seldom see that utter disrespect of age and office, and that boldness of youthful insubor- dination which we now are sometimes compelled to witness.
Our schools, in general, we believe, are slowly rising, both in point of scholarship and demeanor. Some, we think, stand very high, and all may attain an equally elevated grade. It is for the interest of society and the State that our children should be duti- ful, obedient, respectful, high-minded, truthful and virtuous schol- ars, that thus they may become exemplary citizens and subjects. The town which taxes itself so heavily for the support of schools, has, in this matter, a more especial interest. To have its hard earned money, which might be the means of so much good, worse than thrown away and wasted, can be no very pleasant consider- ation for its tax-paying citizens. But deeper still is the interest and anxiety which the individual Districts should feel for the high- est success of their schools, for, in this case, the welfare of your schools is your own personal welfare, and the welfare, temporal and eternal, of your own children.
To enable the Committee to become better acquainted with the scholars and with the every day, in-door working of the schools, we have established the following regulation for teachers :-
" As soon as may be after the school is permanently organized, the teacher shall prepare a record of the number of classes in the different studies, with the names of the scholars in each class, and the order and frequency of all the school exercises ; also a sep- arate record of the scholars who have been corporally punished,
8
together with the mode and reasons of such punishment; and these records shall be shown to the Committee, at their several visitations, and shall be preserved for their use. And immedi- ately previous to examination, the teachers shall indicate on the first named record the portions of the text-books which the seve- ral classes have gone over during the term, and the proficiency of the scholars in their several studies ; subjoining to their names, , respectively, the letters E, G. M, or D., according as their reci- tations have been Excellent, Good, Moderate, or Deficient."
Some of the teachers, in carrying out this plan, have given the precise order of every day's exercises, marking even the time allotted to each. Others have grouped the classes together according to their studies, merely indicating the recitations as occurring in the forenoon or afternoon, daily or otherwise, as the case may be. We herewith give a specimen according to this latter method.
WINTER SCHOOL RECORD, DISTRICT NO. -. 1861-2.
First Class in National Arithmetic.
Recites every forenoon. pp. 145-229. John H. Rounds, G. Peter White, M.
Charlotte Wilkins, E.
Second Class in National Arithmetic.
Every A. M. Through Fractions to Interest.
Seth W. Brown, D.
Samuel Bentley, E.
Sarah Hammond, M.
Adeline F. Jones, E.
First Class in Algebra.
Every other forenoon. pp. 75-133. John Smith, M. Amey Holbrook, G.
Second Class in Algebra.
Every forenoon. First 48 Sections.
Lemuel Wood, G.
Emma T. Rogers, E.
Joseph E. Hill, D. Charles Waterhouse, M.
Susannah Atkinson, G.
To say nothing of the more obvious uses of such records as these, we have thought they might sometimes be serviceable in the organization of schools by new teachers, thus, in a measure, securing the continuation and regular advance of the school, even under a change of instructors.
The Committee have also prepared a Monthly Reporting Card,
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writing, that he does not desire it.
5. Very Bad.
6
5
4
3
2
1
Months.
Absent half days.
Tardiness- es.
Dismissed by request
Number of Studies.
Recita- tions.
Deport- ment.
Monthly Report of ...
Teacher.
Recitations and Deportment are marked -1. Excellent ; 2. Good; 3. Indifferent; 4. Bad;
to return this Report to the Teacher.
The Parent or Guardian is requested to sign opposite the month reported, and
..
envelope. prepared. Its size is such that it can be placed in a common
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