USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Norwell > Report of the selectmen of the town of South Scituate 1854-1868 > Part 19
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be, anxious to possess. The following is a fac-simile of the card
ment of their children in school which every parent is, or should that intelligence respecting the attendance, standing and deport-
designed, more especially, to benefit parents by giving to them
[ The Teacher will not send this Report when the Parent shall give notice, personally or in
6
10
In closing our report we subjoin a few statistics, taken mainly from the returns made by the Committee to the Secretary of the Board of Education .* The number of children in town between five and fifteen years of age, is 354. The whole number who at- tended school in summer was 364. The average attendance in summer was 274. The whole number who attended in winter was 364. The average attendance in winter was 295. The number attending the past year, under five years of age, was 14. The number over fifteen years of age was 40. The aggre- gate of months all the public schools have been kept in summer was 46, and in winter 30}, making a total during the year of 762.
The average wages of male teachers, per month, was $29.28, of female teachers, $19.38. The expense of superintendence by the School Committee the year past was $82.50. The town's share of the State School Fund this year was $67.86. The amount appropriated for each child by the town was $4.80. Let us, as a town, in the matter of supporting our schools, imitate the policy recommended to his family by William Penn, who in writing to his wife, said :- " Live low and sparingly till my debts are paid." Yet, for his children, he adds, " Let their learning be liberal; spare no cost, for by such parsimony all is lost that is saved."+
All of which is respectfully submitted,
DAVID B. FORD, JAMES SOUTHWORTH, Committee. ISAAC TOTMAN, JR.
* The Annual Report of the Board of Education and of the Secretary of the Board, together with Abstracts of School Committees' Reports and the school Returns from all the towns in the State-forming one bound volume-is placed in the desk of every teacher for the use of the District. We hope that all will avail themselves of this means of obtaining much valuable information in regard to the character and standing of the seliools of our noble Commonwealth.
t Since the above was penned, the town, we are happy to add, has shown its willingness to retrench its expenses in every thing else rather than in the matter of schools. A noble determination. It shall not be the fault of the Committee if the town does not reap the due benefits of its generosity.
11
Summer Schools-1861.
1 2 3 4 5 OTA CON H | Districts.
Mary A. Litchfield,
6
$24.00
56
45,1 20
,80
4
30
95
Tryphena Whiting,
52
20.00
46
334
,73
0
16
161
L. Elmina Curtis,
6
19.00
48
39%
,81 ,
2
19
90
Maria Jacobs,
43
17.00
34
216
,64
0
31
7
Hannah B. Hart,
43
18.00
32
20층
,62
0
10
58
6
Emily James,
54
20.00
30
23,3
,77
0
6
99
7
Edward Southworth,
5
20.00
47
3543
,76 ,
2
24
46
7
Lizzie T. Hatch,
5
9.00
34
25₴
,75
1
19
51
8
5 Charlotte S. Gardner,
3
14.00
20
142
,72 ,
1
4
41
-
John S. Crosby,
1
20.00 17
152%
,89
9
16
3
Winter Schools-1861-2.
1
Mary Ann Ford,
3
$28.00
53
437
,81
5
22
95
2
Tryphena Whiting,
43
21.00
40
321
,82
1
13
111
3 Wm. Harvey Gurney,
3
35.00
45
37.8
15
,83
1
3
158
Otis L. Leonard,
24
32.00
35
26g
,75
0
4
144
4
Thomas H. West, r Edward Southworth,
33
35.50
35
27₺
,78
2
15
75
6
Emily James,
32
24.00
31
263
,84
2
6
129
7 Julia A. Sears,
28.00
42
37g
,90
7
32
20
7
Lizzie T. Hatch,
33
10.00
28
21.9
,77
2
23
9
8
Thomas H. West,
33
30.00
22
19.5
34
,87
1
2
181
Length of sch'l
in months.
Wages of teach-
ers pr. month.
No. of scholars
registered.
Average atten-
dance.
Per centage of
attendance.
Not absent du-
ring term.
Not tardy du-
ring term.
Whole No. of tardinesses.
50
,68
2
19
22
5
1 32.50
33
223
Names of Teachers.
12
DISTRICT STATISTICS, 1861-62.
Districts.
Number of
Dwellings.
Dwellings
occupied.
Number of
Families.
No. of Chil-
dren betw'n
5 & 15 yrs.
Proportion
of School
Money
1
55
54
67
54
$254.76
2
48
47
56
45
222.22
3
44
40
42
47
227.61
4
41
40
43
38
204.80
5
62
61
68
34
194.84
6
36
36
38
33
192.35
72
71
84
76
299.42
8
30
30
35
27
177.41
Total,
388|
379|
433
354
$1,773.41
According to the United States census of 1860, there were in town 400 Dwellings, and 422 Families.
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN
ON THE
FINANCIAL AFFAIRS
OF THE
TOWN OF SOUTH SCITUATE
FOR
ELEVEN MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1, 1863.
ALSO THE
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR
FOR
ELEVEN MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1, 1863.
BY ORDER OF THE TOWN.
BOSTON: PRINTED BY ALFRED MUDGE & SON, 34 SCHOOL STREET. 1863.
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
7
COMPENSATION TO TOWN OFFICERS.
David B. Ford, services as School Committee to February 1st, 1863. $29 00
Isaac Totman, Jr., services as School Committee for 1861. 19 50
James Southworth, services as School Committee to February 1st, 1863. 30 75
Elisha Jacobs, services as School Committee to Feb- ruary 1st, 1863. 19 50
Joseph Merritt, 2d, warning Town meetings and officers. 2 50
Charles A. Litchfield warning Town meetings and officers. 8 34
William Hatch, services as Selectman, Assessor, Overseer of Poor, and service on road 85 days to February 1st, 1863. 127 50
Fares to and from Boston five times on Town business. 9 00
Samuel Tolman, Jr., services as Selectman, Assessor, Overseer of Poor, and service on roads 69 days to February 1st, 1863.
103 50
Fares to and from Boston, 7 times on Town Business.
12 25
James J. Farrar, services as Selectman, Assessor, Overseer of Poor, and service on roads 782 days to February 1st, 1863. 117 75
Fares to and from Boston, once on Town business.
1 60
E. T. Fogg, as Treasurer and Collector. 50 00
E. T. Fogg, services as Town Clerk as follows : Registering fourteen marriages.
1 40
twenty-eight deaths.
4 80
66 twenty-six births. 5 20
1 00
Paid J. E. Corthell, as Informant.
2 00
Mellen Minot, "
50
Expense to Assanipi. Express. 50
$546 5
3
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
ROADS AND BRIDGES.
Ensign Crooker, building Old Pond road,
$634 18
Richard P. Briggs and others, building and repairing bridges, 90 75
George Tilden, labor on Union Bridge from Jan. 1,
1862 to Jan. 1, 1863, 7 75
$732 68
HIGHWAY TAXES WORKED IN 1860 AND 1861, But not Credited on Bills by Neglect of Surveyor.
Joseph Dyer, in 1860,
78
Elisha Jacobs, in 1861
9 86
$10 64
LIQUOR AGENCY.
DR.
Liquor on hand March 1, 1862,
$45 87
Cash in hands of Agent, March 1, 1862,
28 44
Liquors sold to February 1, 1863,
127 51
$201 82
Salary of Agent,
$13 75
Liquors purchased,
129 88
Liquors on hand February 1, 1863.
5 gallons Old Medford Rum,
3 38
1
Alchohol,
80
1
" Port Wine,
3 13
2
66
Gin,
5 78
1
M. Wine,
2 50
2
Whiskey,
4 46
1
66 Brandy, 5 00
$168 68
Balance due the town, in hands of Agent,
33 14
CR.
4
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
No. of District.
Extra Labor.
Removing Snow.
Highway Arears.
Gravel.
Removing Obstructions
1
3 83
23 27
8 55
1 95
3
12 08
16 75
1 84
1 50
5
4 08
11 88
1 05
7
27
2 95
81
8
2 17
7 14
9
10 79
12 35
2 89
11
12
13
2 33
16 12
40
15
1 70
1 68
5 85
16
7 47
18
8 39
19
10 00
1 87
3 92
5 85
20
21
5 65
3 74
22
3 58
7 03
$10 00
$98 73
$108 24
$27 78
$1 50
TOWN HOUSE ACCOUNT.
Dr.
Twelve Chimneys.
$1 30
Sixty-six quarts kerosene oil.
8 72
Seven feet hard wood on hand March 1st, 1862.
4 75
14 77
Cr.
By Cash for use of Town Hall.
$6 50
Three feet hard wood on hand February 1st, 1863.
2 25
Six quarts kerosene oil.
1 11
9 86
2
4
10 00
6
16 52
10
2 00
14
17
Balance against the Town. $4 91
5
TAXES ABATED AND GIVEN UP.
Taxes of 1861 given up.
William F. Turner,
$1 65
Henry R. Farrar, 1 50
66
66
66
Noah J. Stoddard, 1 50
66
Alven D. Vinal,
1 79
66
66
66
George Beasley,
71
Taxes of 1862 given up.
John Corthell,
2 09
Franklin K. Hanson,
2 20
Thomas R. Lawrence,
4 10
66
66
Amos T. Litchfield,
2 00
60
Elias O. Nichols,
2 59
Caleb N. Clapp,
2 00
James L. Hunt,
2 00
66
George F. Stetson,
2 00
66
66
66
Edward South worth,
2 59
66
66
66
66
Amos Vinal,
2 00
66
66
Timothy Chapman,
2 00
George W. Curtis,
2 00
66
66
66
Henry A. Gorce,
2 00
66
66
65
Charles Leroy,
2 00
Isaac Prouty,
2 25
66
66
Abatement. Walter Foster,
1 86
66
Jeremiah Gunderway,
98
66
66
Abiel Turner,
49
66
George A. Robbins' Est.,
10 84
66
66
66
66
William O. Thomas,
2 00
66
66
66
$57 14
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
6
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES.
George C. Rand, printing 2000 town orders, 5 50
Samuel Waters, three road scrapers, 25 00
Mellen Minott, one hay wagon, 20 00
George H. Clapp, removing nuisance, 1 00
John M. Hewes, printing school report,
66
1200 cards for schools, 7 00
W. Flanders & Co., printing 5 highway tax books,
7 50
Smith & Porter, printing 1000 tax receipts,
3 13
Gideon Ford, repairs on pound,
1 50
Frederick A. Brown & Co., school books,
58 68
James J. Farrar, setting stone post on town line,
50
William Studley, coffin and shroud for Warren Hatch,
7 00
setting boxes in two wheels, 75
Dr. F. Thomas, examining recruits, 5 00
J. E. Corthell, attendance with hearse to April 1st, 1862, 4 50
John Clapp, collecting taxes for 1861,
12 00
Seth Foster, buffalo robe for hearse,
5 63
Crosby & Nichols, school books,
7 40
Seth Foster, expressing at sundry times,
11 00
66 ¥ blank book, 80 cts .; Posters, 1 25 ; 2 05
66 66 sponge, oil can, etc., 2 75
66
pens, ink and express, 1 50
iron axletree, 3 60
repairs on lock for pound, 30
Mellen Minott, balance for services as Almshouse keeper, in 1861, 176 25
Gridley F. Hersey, service and copy of notice relating
to Hingham and Quincy Turnpike Corporation, 3 50
George H. Torrey, one half day surveying road, 1 00
Ebenezer T. Fogg, postage, paper and envelopes, 5 00
George K. Cushing, letter stamp to stamp measures,
42
padlock and hasp, 33
. Paid for liquor license, 20 00
$419 79
20 00
7
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
ACCOUNT WITH SOLDIERS.
BOUNTIES PAID TO SOLDIERS.
Bounty paid to twenty-two three years men, $2,200 00
66 thirty-four nine months men, 3,400 00
66 eighteen three years men, 2,520 00
$8,120 00
State aid paid to soldiers' families from March 1, 1862, to February 1, 1863, $3,161 92
TOWN AID PAID TO SOLDIERS' FAMILIES, FROM JANUARY 1, 1862, TO FEBRUARY 1' 1863.
William T. Sylvester,
$44 00
John Lewis,
48 00
Ensign B. Damon,
15 43
Mary B. Farrar,
26 20
Nathaniel W. Winslow,
16 68
$150 31
COST IN SUIT WITH BENJAMIN JACOBS.
DR.
Lemuel C. Waterman to carry on suit,
$75 00
Samuel C. Cudworth
17 87
Harris and Jewell, defending suit,
250 00
$342 87
CR.
Note against Benjamin Jacobs, $266 36
8
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
RECAPITULATION.
Expenses of Town Officers,
$546 59
Roads and Bridges,
732 68
Extra Labor,
10 00
Removing Snow,
98 73
Highway arrears,
108 24
Gravel,
27 78
Removing obstructions,
1 50
Taxes abated,
14 17
given up,
42 97
Paid several School Districts,
1,427 07
State Tax,
1,998 00
County Tax,
1,075 00
Scituate Tax,
6 37
Discount for prompt payment of taxes,
227 61
Miscellaneous expenses of the town,
419 79
Cost in suit, Benjamin Jacobs,
342 87
Bounties paid to soldiers,
8,120 00
State Aid paid to soldiers' families,
3,161 92
Town Aid paid to soldiers' families,
150 31
Expenses of poor in the almshouse,
1,111 68
Expenses of poor out of almshouse,
342 62
$19,965 90
-
9
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
FINANCIAL STANDING OF THE TOWN, FEB. 1, 1863.
Town of South Scituate, Dr.
Note in favor of Lucy Turner,
$516 00
Daniel Otis,
1,000 00
66
Joseph T. Litchfield,
100 00
Mellen Minot,
334 00
66
Methodist Episcopal Church,
1,000 00
66
William Hatch,
500 00
R. V. C. Turner,
200 00
66
Sally Wise,
700 00
Richard P. Briggs,
300 00
Lusannah R. Turner,
100 00
Walter Foster, Ex.,
850 00
Thomas Wigglesworth,
3,500 00
Israel Nash,
2,470 00
500 00
Amount due several School Districts,
750 17
" Selectmen, and Assessors,
151 60
" Keeper of Almshouse,
61 00
Estimated amount due School Committee,
30 00
Treasurer and Collector, services present year,
50 00
Outstanding Orders, 50 00
$14,512 77
.
Lusannah Turner,
100 00
200 00
Walter Foster,
South Scituate S. Bank,
1,050 00
John Clapp,
2
.
10
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Cr Town of South Scituate,
By Cash, in hands of Treasurer,
$600 00
Taxes in hands of Joseph Meritt, 2d, of 1859, 48 90
66 " " Josiah Cushing, of 1860, 17 00
66
" E. T. Fogg, Feb. 1, 1863, 398 74
Amount of highway arrears due the town,
108 24
Due from town of Marshfield, on Union bridge,
3 88
" Benjamin Jacobs, on note,
266 36
" Commonwealth, for State aid,
3,161 92
Balance against the town, 9,907 73
$14,512 77
WILLIAM HATCH,
Selectmen of
JAMES J. FARRAR, South Scituate.
South Scituate, Feb. 2, 1863.
ESTIMATED EXPENSES OF TOWN FOR 1863.
.
Schools,
$1,500 00
Poor, 1,550 00
Town officers,
500 00
Roads and bridges,
400 00
Miscellaneous expenses,
400 00
Removing snow, 300 00
$4,650 00
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR
OF THE
TOWN OF SOUTH SCITUATE,
FOR ELEVEN MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1, 1863,
ALMSMOUSE EXPENSES.
Amount of inventory of goods on hand March 1, 1862,
$515 05
Seth Foster, stove lining and covers,
2 62
66 100 lbs. salt fish,
3 75
66
616 lbs. beef,
32 27.
66
one gallon tincture Rheubarb, 2 00
66
6: 70 lbs. Butter, 17 40
Daniel Bassett, 10,400 lbs. Coal,
39 00
Walter Foster, 2d, yarn, needles, etc.,
3 48
John E. Corthell, dressing two hogs,
2 00
66 beef at sundry times, 19 06
Joseph Merritt, 2d, shoeing horse and sundry jobs, 5 94
Dr. T. H. Dearing, attendance on Warren Hatch, 1 50
Samuel Tolman, Jr., 1,154 lbs. Rye straw,
5 19
Martin Cushing, 1} days ploughing,
4 50
David Torrey and others, 55 ft. hard wood,
28 94
Stephen Stetson, 28 ft. pine wood, 9 62
David Torrey and others, 16¿ bushels rye,
15 90
G. W. Ventress, tin ware and repairing,
3 48
Anson Robbins, pasturing cow,
3 50
Melsar Hatch, 2 shoats,
11 55
Nathan Cushing, 1 barrel Molasses,
13 13
30 lbs. Tobacco, 13 50
Amount carried forward,
$754 58
66 one piece Crash,
1 20
DR. Cash paid for the following articles, viz :
12
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
DR.
Amount brought forward,
$754 58
William Hatch, one rubber blanket,
2 00
Piam Jacobs, ploughing one day, 4 50
Curtis & Co., 24 yds. Linsey Plaid,
6 84
George Hunt, bread to Feb. 1, 1863,
4 18
George H. Torrey, jackets, pants and vests,
27 51
Charles Cottle, 111 bushels meal and corn,
76 71
E. T. Fogg, 3 bbls. flour,
23 62
3 galls. Kerosene oil,
1 56
sundries, for Almshouse,
11 04
Martha Baker, for washing, 44 days,
22 00
Charles D. Bishop, repairing shoes,
3 31
Milk, 92 cts. ; yarn, cotton, etc., 71 cts. ; one pair shoes, $1 00; 2 63
Brushes, $1 25; apples, $2 61; mackerel and clams, $1 84 ;
5 70
Charles Bradley, riding horse to plough,
75
Salary of Almshouse keeper, 11 months,
164 75
$1,111 68
13
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
INVENTORY OF GOODS AT THE ALMSHOUSE, FEBRUARY 1, 1863. CR.
Horse,
$50 50 Amount bro't forward, $349 26
Cow,
35 00
5₺ bush. Rye, 5 50
13 Fowls,
4 33 4 Corn and Meal, 3 68
2 tons English Hay,
34 00
5 gallons Molasses, 2 25
2
6
2d
3 lbs. Sugar,
39
quality,
30 00
10 " Tea,
8 00
850 lbs. Straw,
4 25
3 bbl. Flour,
3 00
40 feet Pine Wood,
12 00
2 gallons Pickles,
67
30 " Hard "
18 75
10 lbs. Candles,
1 60
8,900 lbs. Coal,
33 38
1 gallon Vinegar,
25
3} bushels Beans,
12 25
35 lbs. Butter,
9 80
Cabbage,
3 00
44 " Lard,
5 72
60 bushels Potatoes,
36 00
12} " Tobacco,
10 00
11 66 French
2 Snuff,
1 00
Turnips,
5 50
1} bbls. Apples,
1 50
140 lbs. Ham,
16 80
Spices,
1 00
382 " Salt Pork,
38 20
2 bars Soap,
40
150 “ " Beef,
10 50
25 lbs. Salt Fish,
1 25
1 barrel Soap,
4 00
2 Brooms,
60
¿ bushel coarse Salt,
30
3 pints Lard Oil,
45
1 bag fine Salt,
20
2 quarts Kerosene Oil,
30
$349 26
$406 32
14
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
. ARTICLES SOLD OUT OF THE ALMSHOUSE.
Cr.
Amount of Inventory of goods on hand, Feb. 1, 1863, $406 32 John E. Corthell, one calf, 7 50
66 Lard, 6 59
Lot Litchfield, 2d, board of wife and child, 5 25
E. T. Fogg, 322} lbs. salt pork, 32 25
Consider Merritt, potatoes and Candles,
2 81
Fowls, $1.50 ; beans, $2.30 ; potatoes, $6.63 ; ham, $1.80, 12 23
Squashes, $10.58 ; dinners, $1.62; use of horse, $3.25, . 15 45
Due from Mellen Minot, for things sold, 2 93
Due from S. A. Turner for salt pork,
4 77
Mellen Minot, Undertaker,
30 00
Board of 8 7-8 persons, in almshouse at $13.73 per week, 585 58
$1,111 68
15
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
SUPPLIES OUT OF THE ALMSHOUSE.
Town of Randolph, supplies to Benj. Ford, $18 00
John E. Corthell, beef delivered Rufus Winslow, 36
66
Wid. Damon, 6 52
Ebenezer Blanchard, goods delivered Nathaniel S. Sylvester,
3 00
Dr. T. H. Dearing, medical attendance on Nathaniel
S. Sylvester's family,
11 00
Dr. T. H. Dearing, medical attendance on Mrs. With- erell. 12 00
Dr. T. H. Dearing, medical attendance on Mrs. Close, 11 25
Town of Plymouth, supplies to Charles N. Jordon, 83 74 Town of Taunton, supplies to Albert T. Clapp, 55 00
Ansel G. Groce, supplies to Sarah Totman, 32 25
City of Boston, supplies to Nancy Page to Dec. 1, 1862, 26 00
Joseph B. Bowker, supplies to Marcia Witherell, 24 00
George K. Cushing, supplies to Robert Lincoln, 4 50
Dr. J. Wilder, supplies to Wid. Damon, 55 00
$342 62
WILLIAM HATCH, Overseers of the Poor of the
JAMES J. FARRAR, Town of South Scituate.
SOUTH SCITUATE, Feb. 2, 1863.
REPORT
OF
THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE TOWN OF
SOUTH SCITUATE,
FOR 1862-63.
BOSTON: J. E. FARWELL AND COMPANY, PRINTERS, NO 37 CONGRESS STREET. 1863.
REPORT
OF
THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE TOWN OF
SOUTH SCITUATE,
FOR 1862-63.
BOSTON:
J. E. FARWELL AND COMPANY, PRINTERS,
NO 37 CONGRESS STREET. 1863.
REPORT.
FIRST DISTRICT. The school in this district has been for the past year in charge of Miss Mary A. Ford, a teacher well and favorably known by her successful labors in this town. The school has been steadily advancing, and the relations between teacher and pupils have been pleasant and cordial. We think the recitations, at the close of the summer term, were hardly as prompt and accurate as at some previous examinations. The examination, however, at the close of the winter term was a very good one.
SECOND DISTRICT. The summer term was taught by Miss Tryphena Whiting, being her fourth successive term in this school. Miss Whiting has proved herself a faithful and effi- cient teacher, and has always secured the respect and good-will of her pupils. She is industrious, and conscientious in the dis- charge of her duties ; and her efforts have generally been satis- factory to the District and to the Committee.
Miss S. Fannie Wood was the teacher for the winter term. Under her care, the school has made good progress ; and at examination the exercises were, in general, good. We believe however that here, as in one or two other cases, scholars may have been allowed to pass over more pages than they have thor- oughly mastered. Some of the recitations were in too low a tone - a defect which we hope to see amended, here and elsewhere.
4
THIRD DISTRICT. The summer term was taught for the first three months by Mr. J. S. Crosby, a well known and suc- cessful teacher. The school, under his charge, made marked progress. The order was excellent and the school every way prosperous, when Mr. Crosby was obliged to leave by other engagements, much to the regret of the Committee and the District. The term was continued, and finished, by Miss R. Augusta Damon, whose school appeared well when visited by the Committee. As the term had been so short under her care, an examination was dispensed with.
The winter school was commenced by the same teacher ; but having punished a pupil for disobedience and obstinacy, in a manner deemed by some of the district too severe, so many pupils were withdrawn, that after a little more than three weeks she resigned her position.
The term was continued and completed by Miss J. Sylvester. The school, while· under her care, seems to have been success- fully conducted. The exercises at the examination were cred- itable, and evinced great improvement for the year past.
FOURTH DISTRICT. This school was under the care of Miss Harriet R. Ellms during the summer term, and was creditably conducted. At examination the school appeared quite as well as usual.
In winter, the term was commenced by Mr. Albert Reed, who, after a trial of less than a week, resigned his position. He was succeeded by Mr. H. M. Woods, who managed the school successfully, although little sympathy was manifested or interest shown, in its welfare. The register shows not the record of a solitary visitor, save the Committee, during the term ; and at the closing examination not a parent or visitor was present, and nearly all the larger boys were absent.
FIFTH DISTRICT. Miss Carrie Ford has been the teacher of this school for the past year, and has labored faithfully and
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industriously for its progress and welfare. No notice was received by the Committee, in season to attend the examination, at the close of the summer term. At the close of the winter term the examination was, in many respects, very good ; but the school would have appeared to better advantage had the ground passed over been less, and had greater care been bestowed on elementary principles. The order was good, but the attendance was not what it should have been.
SIXTH DISTRICT. The school was taught in summer by Miss Emily James, who managed and instructed it with her usual skill and success. Much attention was paid to articula- tion, orthography, and reading; and the classes gave good evidence of improvement.
The winter term was taught by Miss A. J. Gardner, and with great ability and success. This school, for the past year, has done exceedingly well.
SEVENTH DISTRICT. The Grammar School for the past year has been in charge of Miss Julia A. Sears, and under her care has been eminently successful. The thoroughness of the in- struction has been a marked feature of the school ; and pupils have been taught to think for themselves, and to master princi- ples rather than to depend upon rules.
The Primary department has been in charge of Miss Lizzie T. Hatch, who has been industrious and successful in her efforts. The closing examination of the winter term was a very credita- ble one, and gave evidence of earnestness and perseverance on the part of the teacher, and corresponding efforts on the part of the pupils.
EIGHTH DISTRICT. This school has been taught for the past year by Miss Mary L. Farrar, and has been an excellent one. The teacher has given evidence of possessing the qualities neces- sary to successful teaching ; and, although this was her first school, it was very creditable to her.
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Such is a very brief and general outline of the state and prog- ress of our schools for the year past ; and although not all we could wish, and perhaps in some instances not all we had reason to expect, an improvement is plainly visible in nearly all. Some have made decided progress ; and, all things considered, the year has been a prosperous one for our schools. The teachers have generally been interested in their work, and in some cases great improvement in the mode of instruction has been observable. The pupil has been taught to think for him- self, and to depend less upon arbitrary rules ; and has thus been prepared for more useful and intelligent progress in the future. Such teachers have done much to quicken in the minds of their pupils a desire for this higher kind of instruction, and a distaste for all mere mechanical teaching. It is obvious that the desire thus awakened can only be satisfied by placing in our schools teachers, competent to impart this instruction, alive to their responsibilities and zealous in their efforts to elevate the char- acter of the schools, and advance the great cause of education among us. To this end, it is absolutely necessary that a more general and earnest expression of interest in our schools should be exhibited. We do not believe this interest is wanting - it would be a libel upon our community to suppose it - but it needs expression, needs to be made manifest by words and ac- tions. The success of a school depends, more than at first may appear, upon the reception that a teacher meets with at the outset. The character, ability, and qualifications of every teacher are more or less discussed, sifted, and animadverted on, from the time of her engagement to that of the commence- ment of the school. It is perfectly plain that children will meet their teacher with feelings very much in consonance with the character of the remarks they have listened to on the subject ; and if they have been unfavorable or unfriendly, it will impose on the instructor, in addition to the common and arduous duties of the school, the task of eradicating prejudices, and conciliating ill-will, before much progress can be made. Surely
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this is all wrong, and a stranger ought, at least, to have the benefit of a fair trial. We know of cases where teachers of undoubted ability and excellent character, have been made the victims of such a course.
No ! let the teacher have a fair chance, and satisfy yourselves by personal acquaintance, by visiting the school and becoming familiar with the methods of government and instruction adopted, of the character and efficiency of the teacher; lend her your earnest co-operation and encouragement, and you will hardly fail of your reward.
We have been gratified to see, at nearly all of the examina- tins, a good number of the parents and friends ; and we observe, with satisfaction, that the lists of visitors on the registers are unusally full.
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