USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1883-1884 > Part 5
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Given under our hands at Braintree, this eighteenth day of Feb- ruary, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-four.
S. W. HOLLIS, A O. CLARK, A. J. BATES. Selectmen of Braintree.
BRAINTREE, Feb. 18, 1884.
NORFOLK, SS.
Pursuant to the foregoing warrant, I hereby notify and warn the inhabitants of the town of Braintree, qualified as therein expressed, to meet at the time and place, and for the purposes therein named.
HENRY A. MONK, Constable of Braintree.
JURY LIST,
AS REVISED BY THE SELECTMEN, FEB. 18, 1884.
William Allen.
Edward W. Hobart.
George H. Arnold.
Charles W. Hobart.
Charles G. Anderson.
Ellis Hollingsworth.
John M. Arnold.
Edward P. Hayward.
Asaph T. Arnold.
Elisha A. Belcher.
Henry M. Hollis. John H. Hawes.
William P. Bird.
Aıza B. Keith.
Timothy D. Bagley.
Benjamin J. Loring, Jr.
Samuel A. Bates.
Alva S. Morrison.
Freeman G. Crosby.
Patrick Moils.
Luther O. Crocker.
Isaac Porter.
Eben Denton. Andrew Dyer. Joseph Dyer.
Heury A. Pierce. Josiah Penniman.
George A. French.
Elbridge F. P. rter.
Robert Gillespie.
Franklin Shaw.
Nathaniel F. Hunt.
Martin V. B. Shaw.
Russell F. Randal.
Joseph H. Hobart.
Royal Belcher
Henry A. Penniman.
65
James T. Stevens. Edward G. Stoddard. Alfred Southworth. William A. Tupper. Caleb Thompson. Henry S. Thayer.
Joseph Whiteley. Jonathan F. White. George D Willis. if i moved Adoniram J. White. Morrill Williams. George T. Woodman.
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK.
THE Town Clerk, in making his annual report, would beg leave to call attention to the fact that it is necessary that a correct registra- tion of the births, marriages, and deaths should be made, as pro- vided by law.
If, therefore, there should be any omissions or errors in the fol- lowing report, he requests that he be notified thereof, and the proper correction will be made : -
MARRIAGES.
1883.
RESIDENCE.
AGE.
Jan. 10. Charles S. Bates, Sarah H. Merrill,
Boston,
26
Braintree,
23
17. Edwin F. Watkins, Emma J. Gilman,
66
21
24. Walter E. Arnold,
66
20
27. Horace E. Bigelow,
Holbrook,
26
Amber M. Jones,
Randolph,
16
30. Eben W. Sheppard, Fannie M. Pratt,
66
20
30. William Lavengie, Elizabeth Decose,
66
20
Feb.
7. Horatio W. Dean, Lela M. Remington,
Weymouth,
28
9. P. H. Mclaughlin, Katie E. McCormick,
Braintree,
27
9. Henry C. Jones, Amelia F. Goodspeed,
Braintree, 66
18
March
7. George A Crockett, Mary A. Munday,
25
11. Chas. R. Saunders, Jessie E. MeGaw, 1
Braintree,
18
20. Orville M. Rogers, Addie M. Rogers,
Orleans,
23
April
1. John McManus, Bridget Logan,
Braintree,
30
Boston,
29
4. Benj. W. Wheldon, Bessie M. Hurd,
Brockton,
24
66
17
Braintree,
22
5. Willie J. Loring, Jennie I. Robinson,
Weymouth,
22
66
19
21
Bessie M. Mckenzie,
Braintree, 1
22
66
22
66
34
27
Barnstable,
22
26
Weymouth,
26
25
67
1883.
RESIDENCE.
AGE.
April .10. James W. Hender,
Weymouth. Braintree,
55
Charlotte Bowditch,
37
30. Timothy Leary, Rosa Gilbride,
66
21
May
10. Frank W. Geddes, Lillie M. Rowell,
18
23. Edwin F. Shaw,
66
27
Lu L. T. Kingsley,
Dedham,
24
Quincy,
25
Braintree,
22
13. Charles A. Belcher, M. Josephine Dearing,
- 66
24
15. John H. Sumner, Elizabeth Walsh,
34
16. George D. Newcomb,
66
27
Sarah B. C. Buker,
66
20
24. Edward &. Starr, Mary J. Smith,
66
22
July
22. Frank C. Litchfield,
Scituate,
21
Sarah A. Delano,
66
18
Aug.
9. Thacher White,
Braintree,
51
Martha F. Bailey,
30
14. Edward Avery,
66
55
Margaret W. Ogden,
66
34
30. Joseph Carroll, Mary E. Holbrook,
66
17
Sept.
16. George J. Wright,
Weymouth,
40
· Sarah W. Loring,
Braintree,
26
19. James Anderson, Mary E. Grant,
Braintree,
22
19. Charles H. Sprague,
60
27
Celia H. Thayer,
66
24
20. Michael J. Sullivan,
66
2L
Ann McManus,
66
27
20. B. Herbert Woodsum,
66
25
Mina E. Mansfield,
Camden, Me.
20
Oct.
10. Geo. M. Woodman, Lydia A. V. Smith,
21
11. Henry Davis, Annie Clinton,
26
14.
William Durant, Jane Dejon,
Boston,
27
24. Frank S. Thompson,
Braintree,
21
Bertha W. Hayward,
66
20
28
31. Albert N. White, Susie E. Hustin,
20
66
27
66
29
Andover,
30
Braintree,
23
25
66
26
June
25
53
24. Jesse P. Newcomb, Hattie M. Dunbar,
22
24
63
1883.
RESIDENCE.
AGE.
Braintree,
21
16
10. Napoleon E. Benjamin,
24
Emma F. Holbrook,
24
20. L. W. Morrison, . Cora I. Bates,
66
25
66
25
25. John O'Rourke, Rosanna Devereux,
Weymouth,
24
27. Augustus McRae, Bridget Bentley,
Braintree,
23
Dec.
24 Elmer B Cole, Emma M. Sellew,
Carver,
25
Braintree,
25
BIRTHS.
1883. Jan. 4. John Meehan,
6. Mary Elizabeth Drinkwater,
13. Katie Lizzie. Costello,
22. - Brooks,
Douglas A. and Aun M. Alfred F. and Alice A.
26. Bennie E. W. Simmons,
26. Isaac Francis Decose,
28. William D. Harnish,
Feb. 7. Bernard Leslie Simonds,
8. Henry Chester Gage,
9. Frederic Jacob Dexheimer,
12. William Francis Haynes,
12. Ellen M. Haynes,
13. ' Frederic Cobb Whitmarsh,
13. Addie May Dyer,
16. Charlotte Helen Pettendreigh,
17. Lucy Cummings Hollis,
19. Winfred Chester Holbrook,
27. Roy Gardner Anderson,
March 4. George Henry Jones,
4. William Peter Kelley,
6. Addie Williams Snow,
10. ·Lizzie Richards Benjamin,
William A. and Ann.
1
April
4. Annie Hale Ellis,
13. Mary Jane Cotey,
14. Merrick E. Parker,
May'
2. Herbert Craig Packard,
6. Ernest Byron Newcomb,
14. Lillian G. French.
15. Arthur Leonard Tellier.
16. Cooper,
James and Annie.
John J. and Lizzie D. Michael and Mary.
. Maurice and Flora. Isaiah and Sarah.
H. Willie and E. Clar bel. William L. and Mary E. Jacob and Janette. William and Margaret. William and Margaret. S. Everett and Delia T. George S. and Ida E. John and Jennie. Joseph D. and Susie L. Walter and Sarah F.
Charles G. and Sarah J. George E. and Martha L. John and Mary J. Henry H. and Mary E.
20 Alice Gertrude Hargreaves,
William B. and Alice. Fred O. and Emma H. Hubert and Maggie. George E. and Grace. Henry F. and Mary J. George 1). and Sarah B. C. William H. and Catherine. Napoleon and Ann E.
Cornelius and Charlotte.
Nov. 6. John P. Robery, Matilda Tellier,
31
24
69
1883. May
21. Eva Christina Pool,
26 Mary Garland Mischler,
30. Walter Greenough. -
June
1. Lee Dolloff Hodgkins,
6. James Warren Hawes,
14. Alfred Wallace Fisher,
27. Ralph Chauncy Willoby,
28. Mary Agnes Gallivan,
July
3. Arthur Wendall Drollett.
11. Nathaniel Brackett Wales,
14. Elsie May Bunker,
19. Blanche Butler Drinkwater,
25. Fred Aubigne Hunt,
26. Frank Ernest Lynch,
Aug.
2. Thomas Bell Watson,
6. Arthur Sanford Holbrook,
10. Freddie Amos Tenney,
12. Mary Elizabeth Hollis,
13. George Lawrence Jones,
13. Annie Florence Jones,
15. Eliza Jane Dejon,
17. James Herbert Baker,
21. James Henry Starr,
25. George William Ahearn,
- - Lavengie,
Sept.
2. Alton Elihu Oliver,
3. James Preston Gurney,
4. Maurice Shehan,
6. Helen May Starkey,
14. William George Thompson,
16. Clara Dejon,
20. William Joseph Ryan,
Nellie Marshall Richards,
23. 29. Mary Lizzie Conley,
30. Della Louise Fletcher,
Henry J. and Flora D.
30. Henrietta Cox,
James and Henrietta.
Oct.
1. Grace Isabel Loring,
Willie J. and Jennie I.
7. Caroline Gage Stone, 9. . - Lovering,
Robert H. and Carrie M.
Peter and Margaret.
24. Thomas Donahue, 31. Margaret Ellen Clinton,
Thomas and Ellen.
31. Helen Wales Bates,
2. Blanche Marie Porter,
15. Eva Gibson Chambers,
22. - Qualey, 22. Henry Clifton Woodsum,
24. - Johnson,
Hosea T. and Clara I. Andrew M. and Catherine. Abraham and Annie G. Joseph H. and Ida M. Joseph Q and Jennie F.
Edward A. and Mercy C
Henry N. and Mandana E.
Daniel J. and Bridget G.
Albert A. and Orianna.
George O and Abbie F. B.
Joshua M. and Nancy A.
Edward H. and Annie C.
Aubigne A. and Alice B.
William R. and Lizzie M.
Thomas A. and Elizabeth S. Emma F.
Michael and Nellie.
Charles W. and Lura A.
George W. and Olive M.
George W. and Olive M.
Simon and Mary.
Thomas and Elizabeth. Terence and Charlotte.
William and Amelia.
William and Elizabeth. F. Alton and Anna G. Maurice and Eliza.
John F. and Honora.
Frank R. and Anna F.
Henry and Sophia. Michael and Jane. James and Mary. Arthur E. and Anna D. John J. and Elizabeth A.
Charles H. and Jennie B.
1
Nov.
Charles S. and Sarah H. Elbridge F. and Louie. James and Eliza.
James R. and Eliza J.
R. Heary and Ida A. F. Edward and Hannah L.
70
1883. Nov. 27. Alger,
Dec. 1. Helen Beatrice Geddes,
8. Charles Gordon Whitcomb,
10. Horace Winslow Chick,
14. Thomas Green,
14. Pace,
14. Alton Francis Studley, 1
27. Bertha Gertrude Saunders,
31. William Edward Carver, Robert Dejon,
Alexander and Mary E. Frank W. and Lillie M. Charles G. and Nettie H. James W. and Flora E. Thomas and Mary A. Charles A. and Mary. Edwin B. and Sarah F. Alva A. and Cora L. William A. and Sarah L. Edward and Katie.
DEATHS.
1883.
NAME AND BIRTHPLACE.
YRS.
Mos. DYS.
Jan. 1. John F. Call, Franklin, N. H.
15
7
2. N. Morton Hobart, Braintree,
58
2
22
3. Fannie M. Bates,
20
10 20
7. Oliver Simmons, Alexandria, N. H.
69
4
5
9. Melinda P. Dean, Easton,
75
7
2
16. Isaac Buker, Maine,
79
11
14
18. Annie T. Dowd, Braintree,
3
21
21. Sidney Johnson, East Bridgewater,
83
4
8
23. Brooks, Braintree,
1
23. Patrick Crowe, Ireland,
58
26. William H. Hayden, Braintree,
1
8
6
27. Jerry Sexton, Ireland,
77
29. George L. Hayden, Braintree,
10
27
Feb.
2. Ella E. French, Salem, N. H.
28
2
3
17. Edith V. Allen, Braintree,
20
2
19
21. Sarah A. Bowditch, Braintree,
71
11
4
25. William H. Woods, Quincy,
21
8
23
27. John P. Slavin, Braintree,
28
6
11
March
1. Ellen M. Haines, Braintree,
14
28. Phebe A. Nason, Newbury, Vt.
38
11
6
28. James H. Nightingale, Wareham,
24
5
28
28. Caleb Hayden, Braintree,
63
2
30 .- Samuel A. Bates, Braintree,
1
7
16
April
10. Louisa Garrity, Quincy,
1
4
16. Nancy Snow, Bridgewater,
84
3
18. Mary J. Cotey, Braintree,
26. William F. Rudderham, Cape Breton,
27
May
2. Ida F. Woodsum, Braintree,
1
3
6
7. Clara L. Bradford, Randolph,
3
5
29
9. Elizabeth Magwood, Ireland,
80
11. Mary B. Jordan, Charlestown,
64
7
12
11. Hephzibah Holbrook, Braintree,
83
5 26
5
11. Mary Lynch, Weymouth,
26
5
14
71
1883. NAME AND BIRTHPLACE.
YRS. MOS. DYS.
May,
12. Chester G. B. Saunders. Braintree,
2
10
3
15. Lillian G. French. Braintree,
1
19. J. Edward Geddes, Boston.
12
2
1
25. Louisa M. Holbrook, Canton,
32
11
June
2. Daniel Friel, Ireland,
78
5. Francis Gorman, Ireland,
43
11. William F. Fernald, Boston,
53
4
11
29. Samuel D. Goodwin, New Hampshire,
42
8
20
5. Dorcas L. Noyes, Maine,
54
13. Margaret J. Wilson, Ireland,
54
9
13. Azel R. French, Braintree,
11
18
15. Alice G. Hargreave, Braintree,
3
25
15. Simon D. Dejon, Braintree,
9
17
19. William D. Harnish, Nova Scotia,
5
21
19. Joshua N. Hobart, Braintree,
74
11
4
Aug.
6. Waldo Frenchi, Braintree,
81
7
12
17.
Elsie M. Bunker, Braintree,
42
7
13
21. John White, Vermont,
60
8
17
25. Adelaide F. Holbrook, Maine,
41
7
28
4. Mary J. Newcomb, Middleboro,
50
5
11
6. Thacher White, Braintree,
51
11
17
11. Ephraim B. Thayer, Braintree,
79
5
20
16. Mary A. Bailey, Medfield,
79
5
3
21. Ann Rafferty, Ireland,
56
3
6. Ann Lewis, Acton,
84
11
26
7. Relief Penniman, Braintree,
84
7
13
10. George F. Penniman, Braintree,
46
7
23
22. George F. Hill, Braintree,
16
9
14
Nov.
11. Bashba Waterman, Halifax,
77
10
21. John Kimball, Grafton,
82
5
19
21. Mary Bowditch, Braintree,
64
6
6
29. Maurice Shehan, Braintree,
2
25
Dec.
3. Frederick L. Dyer, Braintree,
3
3
9
9. Jolın Jarvis French, Randolph,
58
3
11. M. Ann Hayden, Braintree,
77
5
19
28. Annie L. Dyer, Boston,
6
6
9
30. Otis B. Sims, Braintree,
6
5
16
Sept.
22. James D. Sullivan, Braintree,
21
3
22
Oct.
21. Angie Wixon, Braintree,
9
21
1
6
19. Annie L. Otis, Brocton,
19. Clare Dejon, Braintree,
July
1
1
1
1
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF BRAINTREE,
FOR THE
SCHOOL YEAR 1883-84.
-
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
THE School Committee of Braintree, in submitting their annual report, would recognize the hand of Providence in the prosperity of our schools another year.
It is confidently believed that no previous year has shown better results ; yet we know our work has been but imperfectly done, and that the schools have not attained, even approximately, to the degree of excellence which we desire, or that the people may expect. The great work of education in our public schools in- creases in magnitude and interest yearly. Educators are ever eager to overcome errors in teaching, to discover the best meth- ods for the mental development of the child ; and we have reason to believe that, while we are manifestly making progress in some directions, we are losing but little ground in any.
Two elements at least properly enter into the make-up of a school report : first, a statement of the condition of the schools ; second, , suggestions as to how they may be improved.
GENERAL CONDITION OF THE SCHOOLS.
We have already intimated that, in our opinion, the general con- dition of the schools is good. During the year there have been no acts of extreme violence, neglect, or abuse of which we are aware, and in most of the schools the children have made fair progress in the studies.
In the Union District the establishment of another primary school, as suggested in our last report, and for which the town made an appropriation, has been accomplished, and the new school is prospering under the instruction of Miss A. A. Mills.
Mr. Record, of the grammar grade, who has successfully taught in this school several years, asked for a vacation extending from January to April, which, according to custom, was granted, with the expectation that he will remain in the school a year longer. Mr. E. E. Swallow, a graduate of Yale College, and a gentleman of considerable experience in the school-room, is supplying in Mr. Record's stead. Miss Nevers, of the Intermediate School, on
76
account of sickness in her family, has recently resigned, and Miss Nutter has been secured to fill the vacancy. Miss Nutter has attended the Salem Normal School, and is an experienced teacher.
Miss Nevers has been doing good work in this school for several years, and her resignation is much regretted.
A change of teachers in the Southeast District being considered advisable, Miss King, of the Bridgewater Normal, and a graduate of our High School, was put in charge.
Mr. E. A. Pease was re-elected teacher of the Pond Grammar, but, expecting a situation elsewhere, with higher salary, he did not accept the position. Mr. H. E. Wentworth, a normal graduate, was elected in place of Mr. Pease ; the change we think has not been detrimental to the school.
Although several of these teachers were not residents of Brain- tree, the committee are inclined to employ our own townspeople as teachers, if they have had proper training and have shown other qualifications.
HIGH SCHOOL.
The operations of this school during the past year have been successful as usual ; the graduating class in July was large. The committee are happy to say that, while the teachers of this school do not think it wise to tax to the utmost the mental powers of the scholars and so endanger their health, they are careful to have them fairly understand the subjects they study, and that their deport- ment be such as should be expected in a school of this grade. All this is secured with very little friction. We consider the school a credit to the town, the positions held by many of its graduates attesting its work.
COURSE OF STUDY.
Last year a course of study for our schools was arranged, and the plan published in our report. This course has been tolerably well followed. It is thought some slight changes will improve it : so, with the modificatious and corrections, the plan is reprinted.
Some are availing themselves of the advanced course in the grammar schools, and doubtless many more will in the future, - especially those who fail to enter the High School, those who do not desire to remain in school several years, and those who decide to enter early into business, or to learn a trade. The additional
77
studies make the course in this grade about equal to the grammar course in the schools of Boston and vicinity.
By the course laid down we have a fair gradation from the primaries to the Thayer Academy ; which institution, by our pres- ent plan, scholars can be fitted to enter by remaining in our High School one or two years. As the requirements for admission 10 the Academy include Latin and algebra, our children must first enter the High School. This seems to be a hardship, yet, as on their completion of the grammar course many are quite young, to debar their immediate entrance to the Academy may be the very essence of wisdom.
BOOKS. - CHANGES ; BOOKS OF REFERENCE ; BOOKS ON MISCELLA- NEOUS, COMMON SUBJECTS.
Within a few years there has been great improvement in the preparation and printing of school books. This improvement is constantly going on, necessitating an occasional change, if we would keep pace with the times. For several years the committee have introduced new text-books in such a way and at such times as to cause the least possible expense to parents.
When, after fair consideration, it has been decided to change any book, the change has been made gradually, by requiring classes to purchase the new book only at such time as they would have been obliged to purchase the old, and at publishers' prices, plus ten per cent to our agents for care and selling.
No change has been made the present year ; but it may be ad- visable to change readers, arithmetics, and histories the coming year, · provided it can be done as above indicated, at no special cost.
During the year we have put upon the desk of each teacher two copies of a new reading book, which were to be used for supplementary reading. These books contain very interesting and instructive matter, and if rightly managed by the teachers will improve the reading, as well as increase the general knowledge of the pupil. We are pleased to say that in many of the schools they are in constant use.
Also books treating of common things, objects all about us, facts . from m iny departments of knowledge have been placed in all our schools. The British gentlemen interested in education, who re- cently visited this country, examined some of the Boston schools,
78
and other schools upon the above subjects, and received correct an- swers to only forty per cent of their questions.
While our children have understood very well the subjects of the ordinary text-books, their information as to the most common things has been in a great degree limited. In some schools the pupils are much interested in these books, and we trust the teachers will feel it important to use them systematically and constantly. Teachers will doubtless enlarge on many of the subjects and add new ones.
SOME OF THE STUDIES.
Reading.
One of the essentials of a finished education is good reading. It is one of the most useful as well as attractive accomplishments. It is said but few teachers or public speakers are good readers ; not twenty-five per cent can read prose or poetry, Bible or hymn, in a manner satisfactory to the hearers. If this be true of those who should be models, what can be said of the rest of man- kind? And yet how much time is spent in learning to read. From defective articulation, enunciation, vocalization, often it is difficult to understand the passage read; words are often run together, sounds of letters omitted ; accent, emphasis, and expression com- pletely muddled ! The reading in our schools is no worse than in most other places. It is all of a piece, bad !
Scholars, all the school, as a general daily or weekly exercise, should be drilled in the powers of letters, both singly and in their various combinations ; so in the accent of syllables, in the emphasis and enunciation of words, in the expression of words and sentences. The ideal in reading should be to utter written language with cor- rectness and fluency, to acquire mental discipline and knowledge, to gain the power of expressing emotion and thought by inflection, emphasis, tones of the voice. The scholar should make a study of his reading and understand thoroughly what he reads, be able to state the meaning of the author, infer his very sentiments and thoughts.
Probably, if a few lessons could be given teachers and advanced · scholars by a professional reader, as has been done in Weymouth and many towns, much benefit might be derived; but the com- mittee hesitate to ask for a sufficient appropriation.
79
Writing.
We fear some of our teachers are not particular in their super- vision of writing, do not thoroughly prepare themselves for giving instruction in it. When scholars leave school, they should be able to write a neat, rapid, legible hand, and not be obliged to take lessons of writing masters and at commercial colleges. We hope to have more care bestowed upon this branch in the future.
Arithmetic.
Doubtless, years ago, in the day of the Colburn Arithmetic, men- tal arithmetic was automatically overdone. The reaction was so great as to take this study wholly out of some towns of the State, and to reduce its use to a minimum in others, among them our town. The plan of studies adopted last year requires a general weekly exercise in mental arithmetic in nearly all the grades.
It is also expected that teachers will make daily use of the oral examples contained in the written arithmetic, in connection with the written. Most of the teachers have taught this, as required ; some have failed to do so: hence a closer supervision on the part of subcommittees may be necessary.
In the lower grades there is a lack of ready, accurate knowledge of the tables of numbers.
As to written arithmetic, we fear a number of the teachers do not realize the importance of thorough, repeated explanation of principles and processes. Every pupil should be able to give the reasons for the solution of examples as well as to state the process. In some of the school-rooms, where the children have been thoroughly trained on these points, it is delightful to listen to an exhibition of their knowledge of the study.
Geography.
The subcommittee to whom geography was especially assigned suggested to the teachers the utility of frequent map-drawing. The map was to be drawn rapidly, not always nicely, and used for recitation, the pupil being required to point out or locate with crayon upon his rough sketch whatever was possible in connection with the lesson; e. g., the localities of cities and towns, the positions of countries and mountains, the courses of rivers and ocean currents, peoples, productions, geographical circles.
80
The tracing upon these maps of rivers and mountains with their attending valleys takes the place to some extent of the much- vaunted Quincy plan of moulding, upon boards especially prepared for the purpose, representations of mountains, coast lines, valleys, etc., - a good plan, doubtless, although troublesome to many teachers.
In those schools where the plan proposed by the committee has been followed, there appears to be a better knowledge of geography than in others. We urge a thorough trial of the plan by all who teach this branch. It should be remembered that geography is the handmaid of history, consequently this method can be used to advantage in teaching history.
Grammar and Language.
We all admit the importance of a knowledge of grammar, con- sisting chiefly of the rules of language. For some years, however, many of the best writers upon the English language, and able teachers of it, have been of the opinion that it is not well to spend much time on the old-style grammar, but instead, to practise constantly upon paper, slate, or blackboard sentence writing, to illustrate true and false syntax. This should be commenced with the primaries and continued through all grades. Though the com- mittee would not wholly discard technical grammar, they believe correct English can be more easily and quickly acquired by the new method, and so expect the instructors to teach the language mainly in this way. Some of our teachers, especially those used to normal-school methods, have followed this plan closely. with excellent results. We hope our teachers will do what they can the ensuing year to test " language lessons" vs. the memorizing of the dry rules and definitions of grammar.
In the same line is the writing of compositions and abstracts. Our plan of study requires that more attention be given to these than heretofore, and systematically. Some of the schools have done very good work in this direction.
Drawing.
The law requires that drawing be taught in the common schools ; we can allow but little time for it, - thirty minutes once or twice a week. . Many advantages result from even a moderate amount of training in drawing. A large proportion of the scholars will be
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engaged in occupations where a knowledge of distance, form, shad- ing, or the ability to make any required figure or sketch, will be not only convenient but often necessary. It cannot be expected that all will become good draughtsmen or artists ; yet it will be well for all to understand the principles of this branch of education. Instruc- tion will develop some talent, and many will the better appreciate and imitate whatever is beautiful in art or nature.
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