USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Town annual report of Quincy 1850-1864 > Part 21
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Hardwick, John, . 19 02
Hayden, Nath'l. . . 9 53
Hayden, Arthnr L. 1 50
Hayden, Elbridge, 17 72
1 50
McCarty, Timothy, Moynehan, Lawrence.1 5) McDearborn, Joseph, 1 50 Murphy, John,
1 50
Hunt, Charles N. 2 96 Merrill, George, . Hinkley, W. (heirs) 10 95 Milrick, William, Monk, Daniel, .
Huntress, T. A. . 18 29
Haley, Patrick, 2 60
Murphy, John,
1 50
1 50
Malone, Michael, 1 50 Morrison, David, Murray, Edward, . Spear, William A. 15 37 1 50 McDemmit, Martin, Spear, William M. . 7 34 1 50 Savill, George, 22 67 McCarty, James 2d, 1 50 Savill, John, (estate) 32 89
Hardwick, Justin K. Holmes, James W. 1 50 1 50
Hanna, James, .. Halloran, Jeremiah, 1 50
Hersey, Jerome, .
1 50
Newcomb, Winslow M.8 80 Newcomb, Wm. . Shortell, Thomas, Smith, Wilson, . 7 34 Newconb, Wm. J., Jr,1 50 Shean, John, . 1 50 Newcomb, Isaac, 2 23 Smith, William, . 1 50
1 50
Jones, Wm. H. . . 14 64
Jones, Alonzo, . 1 50
Noble, John, . 1 50
Spear, George, 2d, 1 50 Spear, Dudley, .
1 50
Smith, Samuel, 1 50
Kelley, James, 1 50
Smith, Samuel P. Steele, Robert, . 1 50
Keating, Jerusha, .
Kennan, Morris, 2 23
Mahoney, Daniel, 3 72
Mority, Dennis, . . 73 3 33 McCarty, Michael, . McGowing, Michael, 5 15 Meservey, B. F. . . 16 10 Miller, George L, Jr. 1 50 Marden, Francis, Martin, Patrick, 1 50
1 50
Pammeter, Henry, 1 50
.Gately, Thomas, 1 50
Graves, Benj. F. 1 50 Moore, E W.(estate) 14 60 McCullen, George, . 6 61
3 65 Lines, James, 1 50 Perry, Leonard L. . 5 88 7 34 Laha, Michael, 2 23 Perry, Samuel N. . 8 07
Garrity, Michael, . 4 06 Larkin Thomas,
$11 72 Pickernell, Wm. $$5 15
Megan, William, . 3 69 Smith, Chas, G. M. Stiles, Willam, . . 11 72 Sleeper, Levi A. . . 19 75
1 50 |Rathburn, George, . 1 50
1 50
45
Thayer, Francis, . $1 50|Wood, Lewis, . $8 80 Whaland, Daniel, . $1 50
Underwood, J. C. . 15 37
Whiting, William, 1 50 Welch, Thomas, . 1 50
Usher, Patrick, . . 1 50
Whiting, G. S. F. . 7 34 Welmarth, C. L. . 1 50
Wright, George. 1 50 Wright, Elisha, . 1 50
Veazie, Joshua, . 1 50
Wentworth, J. P.
. 33 62 Wildman, H. G. . 1 50
Veazie, Francis, . 1 50 Williams, É. West, Henry, 5 88 Whicher, Joseph W. 1 50
White, Nathan H. 38 73 West, Charles, 1 50 Wild, William, . . 1 50
White, I. P. . 10 99 Ward, Daniel,
11 72
Wyman, George,
1 50
White, B. C. C. 4 42 Wood, Amos R.
1 50 White, Marcus, . . 1 50
NON-RESIDENTS.
Lovell, Henry, .
. $1 46 | Wood, C.A.& Levett, 13 14 |Hunt, John, . · $7 30
Warren, Jona. 73 Levett, M. .
2 19 Hunt, Elisha, (heirs) 2 10
Thatcher, Thomas, . 2 19 Spear, Daniel 73 Mann, Seth, . 23 36
Webster, Albert, . 73 Gleason, Roswell, 5 84 Thayer, David, 5 11
Patten, Thos. 2 19
Thayer, Minott, . 2 92 Merrill, J. J. . 1 46
Sargent, Anderson, 1 10
Robinson, James, 8 03
Conley, James, 1 46 Hunt, George, 4 38 Lock. Francis, Atherton, Samuel 1 83
6 57
Lathe, Abigal, 73
Thayer, Elisha,(heirs) 7 30
Adams, J. (heirs) . 13 87
Elms, Cornelius, I 46 Scelton, C. P. 1 46 Stevens, Ansel, . Nichols, T. G. 2 92 Pratt, John R. 1 46 Prescott, B. F. 4 38 75 92
Adams, Peter, (heirs) 5 11
Dean, Lemuel, 73 .
Tucker, Isaac (heirs) 1 46 Tucker, James, (heirs) 1 46 Beal, Benj. (heirs) . 4 38 Beal, Jonathan, . . 21 90 Hollis, Thos. (estate)13 14
Ramsdall, Sam'l D. 2 92 Ramsdall, Dan'l R. L 46 Cahill, William, . 73
10 22
Ridgway, A. W .. 2 56
Thayer, Jason, 9 49
Baker, W. F. . 1 10 Nash, William, . .
1 46
Tileston,E.P.&E.King8 76 Pierce, L. F. 2 19
Safford N. H. . Ferrey, Simon, 1 10
Osmund, Wm. T. 1 46
Preston, Edward, .3 65
Mann, A. J. 2 19
Paulsome, Rev. John, 8 76
Daisey, Corneilus . 17 52
Prescott, A. A. 5 11 Desmond, John, 73
Chamberlain, Wm. H.5 84
Beal, M. C. 2 92
1859.
Armstrong, Patrick, $1 50 Clancy, John, . Adams, C. H. 2 9) Curtain, John,
Buckley, Thos. (cst.) 2 10 Connell, Jeremiah, .
Barrcy, Patrick, 3 6) Conway, Thomas,
Baxter, W. W. 8 50 Carcy, James,
Bartlett, Mrs. A. 1 10 Clapp, F. E.
6 30
4 90 Glover, John E. . . 5 70
3 60 Glover, Mrs. Polly, 3 50
Balkum, Cyrus, .
Balkum, Elijah,
1 50 Donland, Patrick, . 5 70 Glover, Thomas, J .. 1 50
Brigham, Alonzo, . 1 40 Doherty, Michael,
12 00 1 50
Burr, James, .
1 5) Dycr, William,
1 50
Buckiman, Amos, Burk, Jamcs, . 11 3) Daily, Garret, 1 50
85
1 50 Evans, Hugh, 1 5)
Curly, Patrick,
Cunningham, James, 2 90
Claxton, Thomas, . 1 40 French, Alden, 5 70 Harrington, Harry, 1 50
Canily, Eugene,
70, Fallen, John, .
. #5 70 |Flynn, Edward, . . $4 30
8 40 Foran, Partick, . .
2 20
1 50 Foran, Matthew, 3 60 .
1 5) French, George, . 1 50
1 5) |Flavin, Michacl, . 6 30
Brown, Warren 15) Conland, Patrick, .
Badger, Ezra, 8 5) Donaher, William, ,
Belcher, Wm. 2d, 1 50 Doncvan, Timothy, . 44 90 Driscoll, John,
1 05 2 70
Gilman, A. S. 9 80
Garvin, Patrick, . 5 60
Graham, Thomas, . 1 50
Cannon, Matthew,. Curran, Felix,
Hardwick, Wm. P. . 19 60 Hayden, Nath'l 4 10 Hayden, Mrs. Nancy, 2 80 5 00 Hunt, Chas. N. . .
3 50 Elswortlı, Benj. 1 50 Haley, Patrick, . 2 55 Herring T. J. 24 50
5 60, Hibbard, Cleveland, 1 50
Smith, John, . 73
Eaton Ebenezer, .
2 92
Minott, John,
3 29
Pratt, Albert, Spaulding, Wm. . 1 46
Glover, B. F. . 2 19
2 92 |Farnum, D. N. 2 19
Wood, C. A. , 17 16
Adams, Edward H. 18 25
Maliff, Michael, . . 5 11
Raymond, Roland, . 3 65
Eaton, William, 4 38
Fury, Thomas, 1 46
1 46 1 46 Smith, Inercase S. Foster, Warren. . Day, A. R. 6 57
Bailey, B. C. . . 73
98) Doolcy, Keram,
Wood, Jason W. . 7 34 Whaland, Patrick, . 1 50
2 96 Welch, Jeremiah, . 1 50
46
Hurly, D. .. $5 60
Jones, Joshua, . 22 50
Perry, Samuel N. . 1 80 Stiles, William. 11 30
Jones, George, J. 12 00 Phaland, Daniel . . 70 Sargent, Shephard, . 1 50
Parrott, John F. . 1 50
Kellehan, Dennis, . 1 50
Low, Ralph, . 4 30
Larkin, Thomas, 70
Lawrence, George, . 1 50
Lewis, Williams, .
1 50
Mority Dennis 1 05
Rowell, Benj. 5 00
McDonald, John, . 1 50 Rowell, Peter, 2 90 Rich, Isaiah, . 1 50
Newcomb, Wm. 2d .
7 10
Rice, James, , 9 90
Reed, Soloman 15)
Rodgers, Martin M. 1 50
Wilmarth, C. L.
.
1 50
Wentworth, J. P.
. 30 30
Williams, Owen,
1 50
Williams, William, 1 50
NON-RESIDENTS.
Lovell, Henry, . . $1 40 | Dasey, Cornelius,
Warren, Jonathan, .
Chamberlin, W. H.
5 60 | Ward, Nahum, (est.) 14 00
Thacher, Thomas, . 2 10 Spear, Daniel,. 70 Colley, James, 1 40
Webster, Albert A .. 70 Foster, Warren, 1 40 Hayden, William P. 3 10
Patten, Thomas, .
2 10 Elms, Cornelius, . 1 40 Ramsdell, Sam'l D. 4 20
Taylor, Harriet, . 1 05 Stephens, Ansel, 3 80
Lathe, Abigail, 70 Beal, Benj. (heirs,).
4 38 Ramsdell, D. R. . . 1 40
1 05 Nash, William, . . 1 40
Bond, William, 2 80 Barker, W. F. 1 05 Farnum, D. N. . 2 10
Smith, John, . 70 Paulson, Rev. John, 8 40 Osmond, Wm. T. . 2 10
Eaton, Ebenezer, 2 80 Belcher, Luther,
Glover, B. F. . 2 10 Binney & Spear, . 1 40
1858.
Abott, Luther, . . $1 50 Green, Chas. A .. $70 00 Nightingale, Hen.N. $1 50
Badger, Frank C. 2 20
Belcher, Wm. 2d, 1 50 |Haley, Patrick, '. . 2 73 Harrney, Michael, . 6 40
Carr, John J. . 53 30
Carroll, Wm.
3 60
Cunniff, Thomas,
5 70
Canily, Eugene,
70
.
Clancy, John,
5 70
Clark, Rev. Nelson, 1 50
Driscoll, John,
70
Dyer, William,
1 50
Elwell, Warren,
1 50
Flavin, Michael,
6 30
Foran, Patrick, .
2 20
Glover, Mrs. Polly,
3 50
Gulliver, Mrs. Sarah, 2 80
Galavan, Jeremiah, . 1 50
Hardwick, Wm. P. 18 20
Packard, Chas. H. . 7 10 Perry, Leonard L. . 5 70 Perry, Samuel N. . 4 50
Ripley, John T. . 1 50
Reardon Edward, 2 20
Spear, Thomas, T. . 1 50 Steavenson, John, . 3 60 Sawyer, Emery, . . 17 60
Turner, Andrew, . 15 5)
Vining, Daniel, . . 1 50
McCary, Michael,
.
3 25
Mahoney, Daniel, 1 85 White, B. C. C. . 4 30
Walker, Charles, . 1 50 Wentworth, J. P. . 34 40
Welch, John, . . 1 50
Wilmarth, C. L. 1 50
1 50
Stanton, Richard, . 1 50
Spear, Dudley, .
1 5)
Packard, Wm. H. 15) Sullivan, Daniel, . Shea Jeremiah, . . 2 90
1 50
Pierce, William, 1 50
Parrott, John, 1 50
Tanza, William, 3 00
Turner, A. C.
I 50
Underwood, J. C. . 10 00
Veader, Joseph, . 1 5)
Newcomb, Wm. . 1 50
Nightingale, Daniel 7 10
Pope, Ozias, . $7 80
Penniman Stephen 9 10
Pierce, John, .
. $5 70 Savill, Benj, (heirs,)$10 5)
Perry, Leonard N. . 5 70
Souther, F. L. . . . 8 50
Sconland, James, .
Pope, Perry, 1 50
Pratt, Albert, . 1 50
Richards, G. (heirs) 5 60
Richards, E.Augustus,9 9
. $3 81 | Hunt, Elisha, (heirs) $2 40
Cahill, William, . .
1 70
B. & W. Turnpike Co.1 40 Ferry, Simon,
Hayward, Wm. V. . 3 25
Harrington, Harry, 1 50
Jones, Joshua, 8 90
Jones, George J.
2 50
Kirk, John,
7 00
Kingston, John, . 1 50
McLeadly,
70
Moriaty, Dennis,
1 05
Newcomb & Chapin, 21 00 Nightingale, Josiah, 50 Nightingale, Daniel, 4 30
70 Bailey, B. C. . 70
Reed, James, . . $1 50
47
NON RESIDENTS.
Lovell, Henry, . . $1 75 Day, A. R.
. $6 30 Adams, J. Q.(heirs,) $24 50
Thacher, Thomas, . 2 10|
Stephens, Ansel, 2 80 Hayden, Wm. P. . 2 10
Tavlor, Harriet, . . 1 05 Adams, Jas. (heirs),
1 40 Ramsdell, S. D. . 21 00
Williams, Alexander, 2 10 Baker, W. F. . . 1 05 Cahill, William, 87 .
Wheeler, Plummer, 70 Simonds, Sylvester, 1 40 Narsh, William, 6 30
Welch, Edward, 2 10 Ferry, Simon,
1 05 Farnum, D. M. 2 10
B. & W. Turnpike Co.3 50
Hunt, Elisha,(heirs,)
1 40 Osmund, Wm. T. . 1 40
Total amount of Tax of 1860,
$3059 92
66 66 66 1859,
633 34
" 1858, - -
412 70
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF QUINCY,
MARCH 4, 1861.
COMMITTEE.
WILLIAM S. MORTON, JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. D. H. BILLS,
JAMES A. STETSON, GEORGE H. LOCKE, EDMUND POPE.
BOSTON: WRIGHT & POTTER, PRINTERS, 4 SPRING LANE. 1861.
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF QUINCY,
MARCH 4,1861.
COMMITTEE.
WILLIAM S. MORTON, JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, D. H. BILLS,
JAMES A. STETSON, GEORGE II. LOCKE, EDMUND POPE.
BOSTON: WRIGHT & POTTER, PRINTERS, 4 SPRING LANE. 1861.
REPORT.
The statutes of our Commonwealth require the School Committee of every town to report, in print, at the expira- tion of each school year, what has been the condition of the schools in the town during the year-what is their present state, and make such suggestions in relation to the schools which they may deem necessary or proper to promote the interests thereof.
In accordance with the requirement, your Committee lay before the inhabitants of Quincy such a report of the edu- cational system of the town, and the nature of its practical operation, as the experience and observation of the Com- mittee will justify, and they would here remark that the statute provision, which requires that a portion only of the Committee should be subject to a change each year, is highly beneficial in its operation. It has been in some cases, and was likely to be in all, a source of serious difficulty that a Committee, from the extreme instability of tenure by which its members held their offices, and the frequency of exten- sive, and sometimes total, alterations, was seldom able to organize any consistent system of policy by which the edu- cational matters of the town might be conducted from year to year. Or if such a plan was elaborated, there was no reasonable assurance that it would not be overruled in the very next year.
The present law seems to afford sufficient stability to the Board to enable them to adopt a general policy of govern- ment and action in regard to the schools, and to insure a
4
fair and extended trial of its merits, while, on the other hand, the power of the people of making an annual change of one-third of its members seems to give a sufficient guar- anty that no plan, clearly at variance with the welfare of the town, can be long persisted in. The merits of the new system are manifold. It secures two-thirds of experienced members; it increases their independence of action; it promotes a steady and uniform policy, and it operates very materially to induce members to take a warm and continued interest in the condition, the character, the usefulness, and the improvement of the schools.
Your Committee, therefore, have been so long in office that they can compare the results of more than one year, and mark the progress of the pupils in some cases for two or three years. And after candid consideration they think that there is no presumption in saying that upon a careful review of the year, with some drawbacks, there is much improvement and the result is highly satisfactory.
For a more systematic review of the particular instances from which this general judgment has been gathered, it is a convenient arrangement to group the schools according to their grades, and comment upon them one by one, commenc- ing at the lowest in the scale.
THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
We have so frequently expressed our convictions of the high importance of great efficiency in these schools, and we are so deeply impressed with the necessity of firm, kind, patient, yet strict discipline in this class, that it would be mere waste of time to reiterate opinions already sufficiently well known.
As the basis of our educational system, any defect here is likely to undermine the very foundation of the structure. Erroneous teachings or vicious methods of education and discipline, are not only time wasted, but tend to induce evil habits, which if ever eradicated, can only be removed
5
by the most arduous efforts. It is now two years or more since the experiment, (if that can be properly called an experiment which has proved successful whenever tried,) of graded schools has been on trial in this town, and most heartily do your Committee wish, that such arrangement were possible in the Adams District, as would allow of a gradation there, similar to that which has been attended with such gratifying results in the Willard and Coddington Schools, where the scheme has worked with wonderful success. No serious objection, your Committee believe, can be urged to the plan, and it is hoped that the same system may be further extended. There is at least one school, if not two in this class which is not properly accom- modated. The Willard third primary is held in a room neither sufficiently large nor properly ventilated, and one, too, which does not belong to the town. As the erec- tion of more extended accommodations for the rapidly in- creasing population of the western portion of the town is absolutely necessary at some time or other, it seems judicious and economical to do it at once. The Committee recommend that they be authorized to prepare a plan for some addition to the present house, (that house which bears the name of one so warmly loved, so sadly mourned,) which may afford sufficient high, airy, light and cheerful rooms for our little towns' people.
The second school-room upon which a word of condem- nation is proper, is that known as the Old Stone School- house, in the Adams District. The room is gloomy, dull, and dispiriting, the whole arrangements and surroundings superannuated, and the general effect very unfavorable to the bright and cheerful tone which should pervade the teaching and discipline of these schools. This last school was, possibly from this cause, unsatisfactory to the Commit- tee during the earlier portions of the year; and in conse- quence of a growing feeling that some change was necessary, the late teacher resigned her position, and Miss L. M. Jilson supplied her place. After one term of trial it was found,
6
at the examination in February last, that the school had much improved in its general appearance, the pupils appeared well and animated, and the Committee have no doubt that, with a good school-room, Miss Jilson's success would be complete. If the town could procure a lot of land in close proximity to the Adams School-house, and erect thereon a building capable of accommodating this school and the Pri- mary now in the High School-house, the schools could be properly graded, and would take as high a position as those of the Willard and Coddington Schools.
Miss Thayer, in the Willard Third Primary, met with fair success, and seeming to be faithful and capable has been promoted to the Coddington First Primary, and her loss has been amply supplied by Miss Nightingale, who is conducting the school with an energy and care which prom- ise the most favorable results. Her last examination was in most respects admirable.
The first Primary in the Willard School remains, as here- tofore, in charge of Miss Newcomb, and under the careful superintendence of Mr. Locke, has made fine progress. Considerable suggestions for improvement and some faults for condemnation were urged upon Miss Newcomb at the Summer examination, and nothing can be more gratifying to the Committee than the cheerful alacrity with which she has applied herself to improve her already good school. Such has been her fidelity and success that, at the last examina- tion, we could find small ground for unfavorable criticism.
The Willard First Primary is and has been as good as ever under the charge of Miss Carrie Beals. We have so often applauded the discipline and proficiency of this excel- lent school that we will not again dilate upon it. In conse- quence of a long illness, Miss Beals has been unable lately to attend her school, and Miss Locke has temporarily sup- plied her place. We think it no slight praise to say that the school has certainly not retrograded, and may, possibly, have even improved under her careful, judicious, and skilful administration.
7
The Adams First Primary has not changed either in teacher or character. It is fair, but has never been first rate, and we think there is room for improvement. To the Second Primary, in the High School-house, a little more praise is due. Perhaps we should not do our whole duty if we should obliterate all marks of inequalities of excellence in our schools by our undistinguished praise in this Report. Our aim is to give as honestly as we can the exact shades of difference in teachers, believing this to be fair and con- ducive to the improvements of the schools. We must say, then, that this school is not the best in town,-on the other hand, it is very good, and we only make this qualifica- tion of our praise because we would not be misunderstood, and desire that our very best teachers should have a tribute of applause, unmixed with a general and unmeaning laudation of all. And we are sure that no one would dispute the justice of our classification, who had examined the school which was kept by Miss Dodge. It is known as the Cod- dington First Primary, and it was in her hands a first class school. Here our praise needs no qualification to be just, for the whole manner, tone, method and order of the school was perfect, the discipline admirable, and the proficiency all that could be desired. Much to the regret of the Committee Miss Dodge has recently resigned her position, and Miss Thayer, from the Willard School, has been placed in charge. Under her care the school has been continued, and where there was no room for improvement no improvement could be made. At the last examination it appeared exceedingly well, and the Committee trust that under her care the high character of the school will be maintained.
The next school of this class which we have to mention is the other Coddington Primary. Miss Underwood has always pleased the Committee by her anxious care and desire to improve her little scholars. She has labored well and truly and she has her reward in the constant improvement, orderly conduct, and warm attachment of her young friends. When the schools were graded all of her most advanced class
8
were put under the charge of Miss Dodge and perhaps some portion of the excellence of her school may be attributed to the gentle nature and patient teachings of Miss Under- wood.
The Washington Primary School has been continued under the care of Miss Thomas, and she has still preserved the same good order, quiet, and neat appearance, and fair profi- ciency, which this school has shown for the two years under her charge. The last examination was particularly excel- lent.
Although this school closes the list of those which are properly Primary Schools, still it is convenient to say here that the school at the Neck has been a source of anxiety to the Committee during the past year. This has ever been a very poor school, and teacher after teacher has tried to improve it, and failed in the attempt. There seemed to be an intractibility and want of interest in the pupils, combined with an indifference in the parents, which set all efforts for reformation at defiance. Miss Holbrook has been strug- gling to elevate the character of the school during the past year, but in the summer she had met with little success. At the last examination, however, it appeared much better, and the Committee entertain strong hopes that this school, so long in the rear rank, is about to take a more advanced position.
Thus your Committee have carefully, and, as they trust, honestly and fairly reviewed these schools, and are ready to leave them here, with the remark, that the general aver- age of excellence shown above is believed to be high, and the condition of this grade in the main exceedingly good. We are confident that teachers and towns-people will take our praise and our criticism as they are intended, as stim- ulants to further exertion, and inducements to yet more arduous efforts for the eradication of evils, and the attain- ment of, as yet unreached, perfection.
9
INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS.
These schools are good; most of them very good. In the commencement of the year the Washington School did not give satisfaction. It was a fair school, but fail in essen- tial parts to meet the views of the Committee. They found, however, at the last examination, that a great change had taken place. The faults which were previously noticed had been corrected ; omissions had been supplied, and it was withal in excellent condition. The teacher must have taken great pains to produce so desirable a result.
It is pleasant to speak of the Coddington Intermediate, which is certainly a good school. In mere proficiency of study there is much worthy to be remarked. If there is any weak point in the school it is a slight laxity of disci- pline, and a tendency (now in a manner checked,) to exalt the study of geography at the expense of arithmetic. The whole result is, however, favorable. The school was for the larger part of the year, in the charge of Miss Gannett, and if ever a woman's heart was in her work, hers was in the care of that school. Feeble health has compelled her retirement. and it is now taught by Miss Prescott, under whose judicious care, and the deep interest which she mani- fests in its well-being, it takes a high rank. The Commit- tee have no doubt of its full success.
The Adams Intermediate School is very good. The reci- tations there in arithmetic, in particular, have sometimes been quite extraordinary. In fact this study is a peculiarly strong point in this school. It has continued under the superintendence of Miss Holbrook, which the Committee think is energetic, orderly, and successful. They have no faults to point out in this school, and they think it might be difficult to say in what particular it is that it fails to equal the Willard School. Yet so it is; for there is an unmis- takable superiority in the school kept by Miss Beals. Hers is a model school, and so perfectly ruled and con- ducted, that the Committee have no improvements to sug
2
10
gest. Miss Beals seems to have a genius for her profession, which enables her with ease to reach a degree of preëmi- nence above ordinary good schools, which justly entitles that under her charge to be called first-rate.
These four schools comprise the list of all in that grade, and it is with hearty satisfaction that your Committee can honestly present so flattering a report of their condition. They have defects, of course, as all schools have, but so few are they that they are insignificant when compared with their merits. And it is fortunate that it is so, for, on the habits formed in these schools, will depend in a great meas- ure the progress of the pupil in our higher institutions. If the foundations laid here are seriously defective, it is rarely that the deficiency can ever be fully supplied or the defects entirely eradicated.
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
These schools are of the utmost importance-if they are bad there is no remedy, no opportunity for review, no chance to rectify errors. Most of our young people close their school life when they leave the grammar school, and take with them those influences for good or ill-those habits of industry or thrift-laziness or inactivity, and that amount of acquisition which the grammar school has fur- nished to them. It is very necessary, therefore, that a most vigilant watchfulness should be extended over these schools and not even slight irregularities overlooked. There is a natural desire frequently manifested, not less on the part of the Committee than the people, to continue in office those teachers who have formerly served successfully, although, from various causes their term of usefulness may have expired and their continued presence in a school may be productive of almost unmixed evil. In such cases it is a duty, none the less imperative because a painful duty, to close at once a connection, which can be beneficial to neither party. Nor should the personal preferences of individuals, who, for various reasons, may desire to retain a teacher
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