USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Norwell > Report of the selectmen of the town of South Scituate 1880-1887 > Part 4
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Joseph T. Hartt. David Stoddard. I. H. Packard.
Samuel Tolman. Nathaniel Ellms. Waters B. Barker. Alpheus Thomas.
John G. Briggs. U. H. Percival. John Turner, 2d. William Prouty, Jr. E. T. Fogg. Henry A. Turner. Cummings Litchfield. Seth H. Vinal.
Horatio N. Gardner. Freeman Higgins. George H. Bates. Charles A. Litchfield. Alphonzo Reed. Samuel Turner.
THIRD ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COFFIN FUND.
Amount of fund . $2,000 00
Received of E. T. Fogg, Treasurer, interest .
.
$100 00
There has been paid out as follows : -
Thomas Mee, labor and care of lot
$8 50
Elisha Colman, cash
10 00
Mary Leslie, cash paid for wood .
10 00
Mrs. Cromwell, groceries I 00
Sarah E. Harris, wood and boots .
5 25
Children of Mary Monahon, boots 6 25
Mary Ford, coal and cash
9 00
50 00
Balance
$50 00
·
The balance of the income from the fund, amounting to $50, will be paid out during the present winter, and is now on deposit in the savings bank.
C. A. LITCHFIELD, FRED H. CURTIS, Trustees of the Coffin Fund. H. A. TURNER,
FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE TOWN JANUARY 1, 1881.
LIABILITIES OF THE TOWN.
Notes in favor of Joseph T. Litchfield . $1,325 00
Notes in favor of R. N. C. Turner 575 00
Notes in favor of Nathaniel Turner 300 00
Notes in favor of J. C. Tolman 300 00
Notes in favor of C. W. Sylvester 470 00
Notes in favor of H. T. Sylvester
200 00
Notes in favor of E. Stetson 200 00 .
Notes in favor of Nathan Cushing
1,000 00
Notes in favor of D. B. Ford
· 1,025 00
Notes in favor of South Scituate Savings Bank 4,017 00 ·
Note in favor of the Coffin Fund . 2,000 00 .
Estimated amount of outstanding bills and orders 400 00
Interest due on above notes to date
160 00
Due New England School Furnishing Company for school books and mats 200 00
$12,172 00
ASSETS OF THE TOWN.
Outstanding taxes in hands of Collector . $4,639 78
Cash in hands of Treasurer . . 1,748 65
Due from Commonwealth for State aid ·
837 50 Due from State and towns for aid to paupers 635 20
Due from State for corporation taxes 50 00
Estimated amount due from school fund 232 00
School books in hands of agents . 239 15
Due from Hingham for schooling . 12 00
Due from H. Wright for schooling 12 00
Due from Charles Jacobs for schooling
15 00
8,42I 28
Total debt of the town
.
· . $3,750 72
ASSESSOR'S DEPARTMENT.
VALUATION OF THE TOWN MAY 1, 1880.
Real estate
· $671,061 00
Personal estate .
. 207,457 00
Total
$884,518 00
Increase from 1879
· £ $30,577 00
Rate of taxation on $1,000
I0 80
Number of polls
5II
Number of dwelling-houses
413
Number of cows
289
Number of horses
329
Number of sheep
57
Number of acres of land .
12,285
.
We can certainly have no cause for complaint if we compare our rate oft axation with those of our neighboring towns ; yet it will be well for us to consider, when extensive improvements are asked for, if real estate can well bear the burden of taxation, for it is quite easy to cover up personal property and place the burden of taxation on real estate. Our rate of taxation should not exceed $ro on $1,000 for the year 1881, which rate would probably reduce our debt at least $1,000, besides paying all ordinary expenses for the year ; yet you will find it difficult to keep within this limit unless you cut off expensive schemes of doubtful necessity. The total debt of the town is now about $3,750.
Respectfully submitted,
C. A. LITCHFIELD, F. H. CURTIS, Assessors. H. A. TURNER,
1200, 3 0
TOWN TREASURER'S REPORT
-FOR THE-
YEAR ENDING JANUARY 1, 1881.
E. T. FOGG, TREASURER, IN ACCOUNT CURRENT WITH THE TOWN OF SOUTH SCITUATE.
Dr.
To balance due January 1, 1880 . $6,605 27
To cash received as follows : -
State, for school funds, 1879 . 232 58
Scituate, for support of poor, 1879
123 00
Hingham, for support of poor, 1879 174 60
E. W. French, for stone posts 4 00
Duxbury, for support of poor, 1879
10 00
Hanover, for support of poor, 1879
8 00
Taunton, for support of poor, 1879
120 50
County dog fund, 1879 .
102 85
South Scituate Institution for Savings, borrowed in anticipation of taxes . 800 00
Sale of grass on town flats 75 00
Balance of corporation tax, 1879
22 84
Weymouth, for support of poor, 1880
50 00
Pembroke, for support of poor, 1880
9 50
State, on account of paupers
8 00
Nathan Whiting, for schooling
3 00
Peddlers' licenses .
30 00
Corporation tax refunded
1,626 81
National bank tax refunded .
1,734 76
State aid 872 00
Hingham, on account of poor, 1880
199 43
Hanover, for railing bridges .
102 06
Dog tax refunded, 1880 .
143 33
E. T. Fogg, for sale of school books
III 20
29
R. W. Killam, for sale of school books . $77 33
A. J. Litchfield, agent of town hall 37 12
Assessment of May 1, 1880 .
10,516 13
Total .
. $23,799 31
Cr.
By cash paid as follows : -
Selectmen's orders, town allowances and bills ap-
proved by school committee
. $13,716 68
Notes and interest
1,248 25
County tax
1,227 45
State tax
930 00
Scituate tax 13 06
Discount on account of prompt payment of taxes 175 44
Treasurer's salary . 100 00
Amount of outstanding taxes 4,639 78 ·
Cash to balance in treasury
1,748 65
Total .
$23,799 31
We, the undersigned, a committee chosen by the town to settle with the Treasurer, have examined the foregoing account and find it correct and properly vouched.
C. A. LITCHFIELD, ) F. H. CURTIS, Committee. H. A. TURNER,
List of Marriages Registered in South Scituate for the Year 1880.
DATE.
NAMES.
RESIDENCE.
AGE.
PLACE OF BIRTH.
WHERE AND BY WHOM MARRIED.
Jan.
3
Walter H. Clark, Elizabeth J. Bradley,
.
Hanover
·
.
18
Abington . Abington .
.
.
South Scituate, by Augustus P. Rein.
Feb.
14
Allston R. Coleman, Martha J. Currell, .
·
.
Brockton .
28
South Scituate . South Scituate .
.
April
8
Edwin A. Damon, Mary E. Sprague,
South Scituate .
·
22
South Scituate . South Scituate .
. .
by W. H. Dowden.
11
Joseph L. Brown, ·
·
.
South Scituate . ·
25
Stoughton South Scituate .
. .
by William C. Litchfield.
15
William W. Brewster, Nellie F. Pratt,
South Scituate .
20
Duxbury .
·
.
. Hingham .
·
19
Hingham .
.
.
-
May
1
George Litchfield, .
Scituate .
24
Seituate ·
By William H. Fish, of South Scituate.
Amelia L. Marsh,
.
Scituate .
20
Scituate .
.
3
Lincoln Damon, Eliza S. Crossley,
·
Marshfield ·
26
Marshfield ·
·
Marshfield .
20
Marshfield
.
June
9 John F. Osborne, Louisa C. Donney, .
·
·
South Scituate . Boston
18
. East Bridgewater Boston .
By H. B. Hibben, of Scituate.
30 William E. Wilder, . Lillie C. Ayling,
South Scituate . South Scituate .
22
South Scituate . Boston . .
By William H. Fish, of South Scituate.
July
11
Albert Osborne, ·
·
.
South Scituate . South Scituate .
29
.
By H. B. Hlibben, of Scituate.
Mary A. Studley, ·
.
.
·
· South Scituate . .
·
25
.
Hanover .
17
East Bridgewater Quincy . · Scituate . Hanover . ·
By Andrew Read, of Hanover.
.
.
South Scituate .
·
24
South Scituate,
Julia B. Winslow,
.
Hanover . ·
· .
18
By Andrew Read, of Hanover.
30
·
·
·
.
.
·
·
35
.
16 Charles L. Stoddard, Carrie W. Henderson,
.
Hanover ·
·
.
25
.
.
South Scituate .
.
25
South Scituate, by William Henry Brooks.
.
.
.
·
.
·
·
By William H. Fish. 1 of South Scituate.
22
·
.
19
South Scituate,
·
Sept. 2 | Silas Newcomb. Anna A. Tirrell,
| Weymouth Weymouth
·
23
.
By II. P. Haylett, of South Scituate.
Oct.
31
Henry F. Ford, Lucy E. Litchfield, .
South Scituate . Pembroke ·
.
.
·
38 23
South Scituate .
·
Nov. 23
Joseph H. Vining, ·
·
South Scituate . South Scituate . ·
·
25
South Scituate . Hanover . .
.
By William II. Fish, of South Scituate.
25
John H. Butler, ·
.
Weymouth South Scituate . ·
·
21
Norfolk, Va. South Scituate . .
.
By W. H. Dowden, minister.
25
Alden D. Turner, ·
Pembroke .
·
24
Quincy · Pembroke .
.
B- David B. Ford. of South Scituate.
Lillian A. Turner, ·
. Pembroke .
·
19
.
25 James C. Jones, ·
24
·
20
South Scituate . New Bedford .
.
By Samuel L. Beal, clergyman.
Hattie L. Sherman, . ·
· South Scituate . Brockton . · · .
.
1
Cohasset . Weymouth
16
.
.
.
·
.
Marshfield .
·
By E. Porter Dyer, clergyman.
Alice M. Leavitt, .
.
·
23
39
Melissa Prince, .
.
. .
Number of marriages registered, 17.
31
.
List of Deaths Registered in South Scituate for the Year 1880.
AGE.
CAUSE OF DEATHI.
DATE.
NAMES.
YRA.
MOS.
Pneumonia
Ireland.
Feb.
Patrick Leslie .
Boston.
6
Lucy A Smith
Boston.
15
Daniel Jones ·
Inflamation
18
Hannah Enolds
.
69
10
Obstruction of bowels
.
24
Sallie Harris .
Sonth Scituate. .
March
26
Merril Stevens .
57
5 Erysipelas .
.
Sonth Scitnate.
30
John K. Nash .
April
3
Hannah E. . ylvester
South Scituate.
19
Benjamin R. Jacobs
South Scituate.
21
Eddie Gardner .
4
5
Malformation of heart
.
South Scituate. .
22
Edwin Merritt .
51
Complication of diseases .
Warren, R. I. .
May
15
William H. Talbot
61
Applexia of cerebra.
.
Boston.
17
Susie D. Richards
13
10
Consumption
Scituate.
19
Abial Turner
81
30
Mary Briggs
62
Softening of broi: 4
Scituate.
June
7 Clarissa Morris
51
Cancer
·
Hingham.
12
Albert B. Loring .
40
2
Diabetes
12
James Edwin Briggs
59
Heart disease
.
Duxbury.
July
19
Seeva Chandler
75
7 Ossification of heart Inflamation os bowels
New Bedford.
23
Ella Humphrey
67
1
Typhoid fever .
.
South Scituate.
12
Francis R. Litchfield
81
4
Abdominal disease Old age
Hingham.
26
Roxano Grace .
.
88
10
11 Brain disease
.
·
29
Edna F. Litchfield .
1
Sept.
4 Sarah M. Bailey
26
Typhoid fever .
8 Mary Palmer
76
3 Diarrhea .
1 | Congenital weakness
, South Scituate,
12
- Gunderway
.
Softening of brain
.
.
Sonth Scituate.
39
9
Consumption
.
90
Old age
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Hingham.
South Scituate.
.
.
South Scituate.
Aug.
3 Piam Jacobs
2
Cholera infantin
.
.
Easton.
13 Elias W. Pratt .
·
South Scituate.
26 Sereno Tilden .
36
.
.
South Scituate. Scituate.
.
54
Consumption
66
Typhoid pneumonia .
.
.
36
.
South Seituate. Scituate.
.
.
·
21
Typhoid fever
.
Pneumonia
32
BIRTHPLACE.
39
13 | Julia Southworth 17 |Thomas Barstow
78 72
8 6 Chronic gastritis Heart disease Paralysis .
| Scituate.
20 Lydia Turner
6
Eliza Litchfield
5 Dropsy
.
·
.
42
3
Old age Consumption
·
22
Consumption
Congestion of bowels
.
.
Framingham. ·
24
24
Ella M. Fitts
.
·
1 89 79
I- Old age
Nervous prostration .
.
· South Scituate. Hull.
Number of deaths registered, 40. Average age at time of death, about 52 years.
33
.
84
81
.
89
Dec.
23 9 Mary Patterson Hannah S. Eells
Charles W. Robbins
·
·
.
Cerebro spinal meningitis 6
.
P. E. Island. South Scituate.
Oct. co Nov. 1 Deborah F. Grace 6 Ruth S. Stetson Joshua F. Prince
· Scituate. Hingham. South Scituate. Sonth Scituate.
· South Scituate.
·
34
Births Registered in South Scituate for the Year 1880.
DATE.
NAME OF CHILD.
NAME OF PARENTS.
1879 March 24
Edward M. Sprowl .
Frederick E. and Sarah A.
June
6
Benjamin Franklin Burns
John W. and Anna M.
1880
Jan.
7
Frank Alfred Sears .
Alfred J. and Mary E.
8
Herbert Augustus Curtis
Seth A. and Hattie S.
25
Mabel Frances Cromwell
.
Lorenzo and Lucy A.
Feb.
19
John Henry Sparrell
.
Charles W. and Susan M.
March
30
Harry Elwood Hatch
.
Joseph H. and Henrietta L.
May
15 James Albert Smith
.
. Henry and Maria L.
25
Francis Richards Litchfield
William C. and Harriet A. ·
June
2
2 Isabel May Osborne Elsie Mehitable Fitts
.
Levi N. and Julia M.
25
Eva Josephine Jacobs
Joseph W. and Clara J.
July
8 Clarence Irving Vinal
Asa L. and Emma D.
20
Mabel Preston Dyer
.
George C. and Lydia H.
Aug.
2 Howard Franklin Corthel
.
Thomas H. and Addie R. .
.
Edwin L. and Mary L.
Sept. 9 Edna Florence Henderson
William F. and Mary L.
13 Bertha Salone Stoddard .
Alonza H. and Lydia A.
14 Clara May Merrill
Andrew H. and Anna G.
23 Sarah Frances Richardson
Andrew S. and Mahala.
28
Arthur Francis Henderson
Francis E. and Rosa E. .
Oct.
10 Nellie Porter Whiting
Austin P. and Maggie M.
14
Litchfield
E. Clifford and M. Florence.
30
Clara Allen Damon
. Edwin A. and Mary E.
Nov.
12 18
Gertrude Florence Brewster Thomas Garfield Lynch - Gunderway .
Michael and Bridget .
19
20 Johanna Shean
Timothy and JJohanna.
20
Walter Murray Jones
George W. and Lucy A.
25
Amrose James Cox
Thomas A. and Rosa A.
26
- Prouty .
Oliver B. and Carrie T.
28
Flora Nash
Franklin and Eunice C.
22
Percy Wells Cowing
.
Joseph H. and Mercy E.
21 Oscar Howard Gunderway 29 Lizzie Blanchard Loring
Albert T. and Ruth J.
28 Flora Thomas Franks
Lyman B. and Martha E.
Frank and Laura A.
. Charles E. and Mary H.
Ezekiel E. and Lucy E.
.
Number of births registered, 35.
ANNUAL REPORT
-OF THE -
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
-- OF THE-
TOWN OF SOUTH SCITUATE
FOR THE YEAR 1880.
REPORT.
The School Committee herewith respectfully submit their annual report for the year ending January 1, 1881. Your Committee was organized as follows: S. S. Knapp, Chairman, and Miss C. C. Turner, Secretary. On the resignation of Miss C. C. Turner, a most efficient member of this Board, at a joint meeting of the Selectmen and School Committee, of which public notice was duly given, Mr. C. A. Litchfield was elected to membership until the annual March meeting. Mrs. Emily T. Jacobs was, at a subsequent meeting of the Committee, elected Secretary.
Your Committee has met, in general, with the hearty co-operation of parents, school-agents and teachers in their endeavors to pro- mote interest in school matters and increase the efficiency of our school system. Early in the current year the salary of teachers was fixed as follows : Teachers of primary grades, five dollars per week ; maximum to lady teachers, eight dollars per week; maximum to male teachers, ten dollars per week -male teachers to be employed for less than ten dollars per week when possible or expedient.
The length of school terms was fixed at twelve weeks each, or an aggregate of thirty-six weeks. Accordingly, from April, 1880, to April, 1881, the schools will be in session thirty-six weeks, in all districts.
The average number registered as belonging to the schools has been 291, and the total expenditure for school purposes, exclusive of repairs and supervision (see detailed report of expenditures), has been $2,860.83, making the cost per pupil $9.83 for the year.
We have not been fortunate in procuring teachers equally desira- ble for all the schools. Districts Nos. 5 and 6 have suffered from an enforced change of teachers, No. 5 having had three and No. 6 four different teachers during the year. These schools are now, however, ' under able management, Mr. Frank W. Brett being employed at No. 5 and Mr. J. Q. A. Pettingill at No. 6. The other schools
38
have been, during the year, under the same teachers as a year ago, it being the policy of the Committee to retain, when possible, teachers who have shown competency to meet the requirements of their situations.
The opening of the fall term at No. 4 was necessarily postponed two weeks, owing to the illness of the teacher. The present term will, however, be lengthened two weeks, making the length of the school year, as in all districts, thirty-six weeks. The primary and grammar grades at No. 7 were, as then reported, united during the winter term for 1879-80, the number attending (45) not seeming to warrant the support of two schools. Two schools have been in session during the summer and fall terms, and, owing to an increase in the number attending, both are now in operation.
The adoption of the Course of Study as noticed in the last annual report has resulted beneficially, and we now find pupils of the same age in the different schools pursuing comparatively the same studies. We notice in some of the schools, too, an increased interest among the pupils in their studies, which we attribute in part to this cause, as well as to the healthy incentive offered by the increased attention and interest of the teachers. We speak advisedly when we refer to an increased interest in some schools. In others we have looked in vain for an increased, or, we may say, for any real interest in school work.
It is believed that the monthly written examination given by the teachers on the work of the preceeding month has also been an advantage to the schools. It has a tendency to cultivate the memory of the pupil. It affords practice in writing and the framing of complete sentences, both of which are highly desirable, and is" productive of a spirit of emulation.
The attendance, as may be seen by reference to the abstract of registers (p. 50), has been up to that of previous years. With an average number registered of 291, we have had an average attendance of 238.9 pupils, or éighty-two and a fraction per cent .; i. e., of the average number (291) belonging, there has been present in the schools an average number of 238.9 pupils. It will be seen, however, that the average attendance in some districts, notably in Nos. 5 and 7, has been lower than could be desired, while the general average of attendance has been somewhat increased by the better attendance in Districts Nos. 1 and 2. We shall speak of this subject further,
39
on page 44. It may be remarked here that there are in town quite a number of children of ages at which they are required by law to attend school at least a portion of the year, who do not attend at all. It is the duty of school committees and truant officers to see that every child between the ages of eight and fourteen attends some school (not necessarily a public school) at least twenty weeks per year. We are afraid that your officers have been remiss in this matter, as well as in regard to truants. We bespeak for the ensuing year greater attention to these subjects.
The school-agents report the destruction, mischievously or mali- ciously, during the year, of a considerable amount of school prop- erty. At District No. 6 windows have been broken repeatedly, window frames over the doors demolished, an underpinning stone removed, and holes bored in the floor of the building. At No. 7 glass has been broken. These depredations have been in part com- mitted by pupils and in part by those not connected with the schools. Both have been remonstrated with when detected and made to pay cost of repairs when possible. There would be, naturally, as much breakage at a public school building as at a private residence, but your Committee are of opinion that parties breaking accidentally should repair damage, and that parties breaking maliciously should be severely dealt with. The destruction of public property should in no wise be permitted. The constabulary can exert a wholesome influence in this matter. The Committee will ask their assistance should further offences be committed. Teachers, too, are again instructed to exercise a watchful care over and for the school prop- erty. Have an eye to the building and its surroundings. It is in your care and you should be aware of any damage thereto.
Closely related to this subject is that of immorality among children. Our educational system has been wisely framed for the purpose of fitting our youth for citizenship, and contemplates the the elevation of the moral nature as well as the promotion of intelligence. The statutes require the inculcation, both by precept and practice, of principles of honesty, sobriety and virtue. We have small ground for complaint, in this' respect, with a larger part of our youth. There have been, however, some cases of indecent behavior and language, of profanity, and, we regret to say it, of intox- ication among our youth. The cases are rare, indeed, but their existence calls upon all to disparage them and to exercise a coun-
40
teracting influence. That which is criminal must be punished, but it is better, by far, to lead by salutary example to paths of virtue. With a small foreign element among our citizens, we have been surprised to find that many of our youth have little or no home instruction ; that home influence, in many cases, is adverse to mental or moral growth. This fact justifies us in inviting the co-operation of the better classes in the wholesome admonition and influence referred to.
The Committee would call attention of parents and guardians to the fact that, contrary to the statute relating thereto, there are quite a number of unvaccinated children in attendance on our schools. To insure safety in this direction, on and after the opening of the spring term no child will be permitted to attend the schools who has not been vaccinated.
It is a fact beyond the control of your Committee that the town's children do not enjoy equal advantages for procuring an education at the hands of the town. It will be seen by reference to the fol- lowing table that Districts 1, 2 and 7 have a much larger number of children than either of the others : -
DISTRICTS.
NUMBER OF CHILDREN.
1
2
3
4.
5
6
7
Number of children between 5 and 15, as enumerated by re- quirement of State May 1, 1880
64
62
36
*
*
*
60
.
*Aggregate, 101.
These districts have schools of grammar and primary grades, each grade having about as many pupils as are found in one ungraded school in the other districts. The advantages of the graded over the ungraded schools need but to be pointed out to show that a child living in Districts 3, 4, 5 or 6 is far less favored than those living in 1, 2 or 7. Some of these advantages may be mentioned as follows : -
(1.) In primary grade he is with children of his own age. His attention is not divided by the recitation of older pupils in subjects which can promote only wonder.
41
(2.) In primary grade the teacher can give personal attention to the many wants of the little ones, as she can not do in a mixed school, especially if it be large.
(3.) The teacher also has time to devote to the thorough instruction in the elements, than which nothing is more desirable.
(4.) The pupil is desirous, when he has attained the proper age, to be promoted to the grammar grade, and if he is hardly prepared for promotion his deficiency stimulates to renewed effort.
(5.) We have noticed, too, that parents who would never inquire about their children if in a mixed school, are anxious that they may not remain in primary grade after they are taller than their mates.
(6.) The promotion from primary to grammar grade has in itself a beneficial influence. The surroundings are new. The subjects under discussion or illustration are new, and the pupil is anxious to gain some knowledge of them. The child enters upon this new course as a man enters upon a new trade or profession, with a determination to master it.
(7.) The number who are pursuing the same study is larger than in mixed schools, and a desire to excel offers to an ambitious pupil an incentive to study.
(8.) The number of classes and consequent hurried recitations do not permit the teachers of ungraded schools to accomplish so good results as those of graded schools.
These illustrations will suffice to show the advantages afforded to the children of Districts 1, 2 and 7, above those afforded to those of 3, 4, 5 or 6. Neither of these districts is large enough to sup- port graded schools, but if one or two grammar schools, desirably located, could be established, to be attended by children of two or three of the districts named, the present buildings being retained for primary schools, such a plan would effect great good. This plan was noticed in the last annual report, but we are not aware that any action has been taken upon it. Any action must, of course, arise with the districts mentioned.
Your Committee refrain from commenting individually on the qualifications of the teachers employed, or the results they have attained as shown by the aptness of their pupils. Public examina- tions of all the schools were held at the close of the winter term.
42
They were, in general, quite well attended, and although a public examination is never a fair test of the proficiency of the pupil, it may give to those present some key to the methods of the system. A private written examination has been recently given by a member of this Committee. This was a new departure in our town, and was given for these reasons : -
(I.) To accustom the pupils to express rapidly and accurately their thoughts on paper.
(2.) As a test of the general knowledge of the pupils of the schools.
(3.) By giving the same questions to all pupils of a certain age (twelve and upward), to form an idea of the needs of the pupil.
(4.) To enable each pupil to see what relative rank he might gain in his class by a test of this sort, and thus stimulate all to further effort.
(5.) To show the teachers how the answers given by their classes would compare with answers given by other classes to the same questions,
(6.) To exhibit to the town the general average which each school would gain on the same set of questions.
The examination included spelling, history, geography and gram- mar. Questions were necessarily very easy and of a general character. Words selected for spelling were from a copy of the Hingham Journal. Questions in geography included such as these : (1.) "About how many inhabitants has Boston ?" (2.) "About how many inhabitants has South Scituate ?" (3.) "Name some place in the United States remarkable for the beauty of its natural scenery." (4.) "Where, in the United States, is coal found ?" In history : (1.) "When and where did the Pilgrims land ?" (2.) " Who commanded the Americans at the battle of Bunker Hill?" (3.) "Who was the first president ?" (4.) " How long did he serve ? " and (5) " Has any president served longer?" In grammar an easy sentence was given for writing and punctuation, the verbs and adverbs to be underlined.
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